May I introduce: Kayelle Allen "A Romance for Christmas" @kayelleallen #MFRWAuthor

About the Book

A Romance for Christmas

By Kayelle Allen

A cop at the door on Christmas Eve brings an unexpected gift.

A sweet holiday romance showcasing love, loss, and the spirit of giving.

It's Christmas Eve, and the end of a year in which everything Dara loves has been lost. Everything but her little girl and a fierce determination to survive. When a cop brings Christmas to her door, he brings another gift she never expected to get.

 

Video

http://youtu.be/Dzr6lv5Dzgs

Music: O Christmas Tree, piano performed by Vladimir Sterzer, licensed by Jamendo.com
Images courtesy of PhotoXpress.com and RGBstock.com

 

Giveaway

A Peek Inside A Romance for Christmas includes excerpts, information about the characters, the reason the book was written. It's illustrated with original art. Everyone can download a copy. Peek inside the book: http://bit.ly/rom4cmaspeek

 

Buy Links

Amazon http://amzn.to/1wpW8qE
Barnes and Noble http://bit.ly/1wpYfL2
Kobo http://bit.ly/1wpYndJ
iBooks http://is.gd/sdSfMT
CreateSpace http://is.gd/gazeza

 

About the Author

Kayelle Allen is a multi-published, award-winning author. Her unstoppable heroes and heroines include contemporary every day folk, role-playing immortal gamers, futuristic covert agents, and warriors who purr.
Website https://kayelleallen.com ~ Twitter http://twitter.com/kayelleallen
Facebook http://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author

 

Excerpt 1

"Mommy?" Christine's young voice broke in on her thoughts.

Dara put down the romance she'd been re-reading, the favorite she'd had since she was sixteen. She'd sold all her others at a yard sale the previous week. "What is it, sweetie?"

"Why don't we has a real tree for Chribmas?"

"Why don't we 'have'," she corrected. "Come sit by me." Dara patted the couch and tucked her chenille robe closer around her.

One arm around Matilda, her cloth doll, Christine climbed up beside her mother and cuddled.

Matilda's going to need stuffing before long. Her head flopped forward, face against her flat chest. When did the lace on her dress get so ragged? Dara smoothed the doll's dress. "Remember when Daddy went home to heaven before Christmas last year?"

Christine knuckled her eyes and yawned. "I 'member."

"And then Mommy got hurt in the car accident and couldn't go to work?"

"Uh huh."

Dara took a deep breath. "Well, it meant there was no money for a real tree this year. But I'm sure Santa will still bring you presents." Gifts Dara bought by selling her entire collection of romance novels at a yard sale at her friend Sherilyn's house. "And we drew a tree, right?" She pointed at the crayon-bright drawing taped to the wall. Construction paper ornaments decorated each branch.

"But it doesn't smell like a Chribmas tree."

Dara hugged her. "I know, baby. I know."

"How will Santa leave his presents?" Christine pulled away and got on her knees. "He can't put them under the tree, Mommy."

"Oh, honey!" She ruffled her daughter's hair, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Santa will find a way." She leaned forward and kissed her little girl. "We should get you in bed so he can come. He can't leave presents while you're awake."

 

Excerpt 2

Dara was gaining strength daily, and would finish therapy the first week of January and return to work. Disability paid for the basics - lights, phone, water, trash collection, and she'd never bought anything on credit, refusing to dig herself into a hole she'd never escape once it got started.

She went to the closet and pulled down a box with a ball, crayons, paper, and three books. A friend had brought over a few things as well. This wasn't the grand Christmas Dara had wanted for her daughter, but all the other valuables had been sold. There was nothing left but her wedding ring.

She didn't wear it. Removing it had been part of saying good-bye to Jack.

They said it would help, and it had. Sort of. But not much.

Dara sank into one of the kitchen chairs and put her face in her hands.

Sometime later, when the doorbell rang, she grabbed a paper towel and dried her eyes. The clock over the stove said nine o'clock. Who would be calling at this hour on Christmas Eve? She stuffed the wet towel in her robe pocket on the way to the door.

 

Excerpt 3

She turned back to Scott. "I don't have decaf, and it's late. I have a couple of herbal tea bags left. Would you prefer those? I don't want to keep you awake all night."

Scott licked his lips and then smiled, as if thinking of some private joke. "I'll probably need that caffeine. I bought Susan a three-wheeled cycle and I still have to put it together, and Mom always needs help getting the turkey into the oven. She starts it at midnight. Says if it cooks slow overnight it's so moist it--" He sat up straight. "Say, what are your plans for Christmas dinner?"

"What?" She turned quickly, dropping a spoon. She stooped to pick it up, her face going hot when she realized it exposed her bare legs. Rising carefully, she wrapped her robe tighter and tied the belt in a double knot before getting out a clean spoon. It wouldn't do for him to see her threadbare nightie.

Scott played with the brim of his hat. "I'd like it if you'd come over and have dinner with my family. My mother would love it."

"Thank you, Scott, but I'm sure your mother wouldn't appreciate two extra guests at the table unannounced."

He dismissed the argument with a wave of his hand. "Mom will be thrilled. I won't take no for an answer. She'll enjoy meeting Christine. She keeps Susan while I work and having Christine over will keep both girls busy. Besides, I promise, Mom makes the best turkey you've ever had." He leaned closer as if sharing a secret. "And my dad will bless you for saving him from eating it for the next solid week." He winked.

"Are you sure?"

Scott tapped his badge. "On my honor. I'll pick you up at noon. Dinner's always promptly at three, and the girls can spend time together. We adults can have coffee, or my mom's spiced tea, and talk."

She ducked her head, nodding. "Okay. We'll be ready." The big stuffed dog fell over, catching her attention.

"I'll fix it." Scott crossed the room, and bent over to right the dog and prop him against the wall.

Dara swallowed at the sight of that tight body and long, hard legs inside his uniform. She fanned her face and turned back to the coffee. What would Jack think of me lusting after another man?

She took a deep breath, and remembered her friend Sherilyn's words. Jack's gone, Dara. He'd want you to be happy. He'd want you to go on. Your happiness was always what he wanted.