Their little charade is working a little too well . . . because Troy’s falling head over heels.
WELCOME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
A Hero's Welcome #4
Annie Rains
Releasing Nov 8th, 2016
The bestselling Hero’s Welcomes series
continues with a juicy Christmas romance set in Seaside, North Carolina, where
a bustling military base keeps this small town stocked with dedicated, lovable
heroes.
Three-hundred-and-sixty-four
days a year, Allison Carmichael doesn’t mind being single. It sure beats dating
another loser, and it keeps her heart safe. Then there’s that
three-hundred-and-sixty-fifth day: Christmas Eve, the traditional time her
entire family gathers together—and gangs up on her, demanding to know when
she’s going to get married. This year, she swears, is going be different. And
that’s why, at a charity auction she’s throwing on-base, she buys herself a
man.
Sergeant
Troy Matthews insists that he’s not for sale. His time is, though, and he’s happy
to donate it. Happier still when he learns the identity of the winning bidder:
the redhead with the killer good looks and smart mouth who runs the veteran’s
center. Allison needs Troy’s help to fool her family into believing they’re an
item, and he’s all too happy to indulge her. But by the time Christmas Eve
rolls around, their little charade is working a little too well . . . because
Troy’s falling head over heels.
“So there’s one thing I now know
about you. You’re a good liar.” Allison folded her arms at her chest.
“Good, maybe. But I value honesty. Sometimes lying to someone is for
their own good, though. A little white lie never really hurt anyone. Here’s one
for you,” he leaned in closer and lowered his voice, “I have absolutely no
interest in dating you, either.”
Her cheeks flushed.
“And I don’t think you’re the most beautiful woman in this room, and the
thought of taking you out does not appeal to me whatsoever.” He shook his head.
“Nope, not one little bit.”
She smiled. “Now I know two things about you. You lie well and you’re a
smooth talker. So, do you agree to my proposal?”
Troy could just say yes, but he was enjoying engaging her in a
conversation. “You know, when I was kid, Christmas was always magical. I’d sit
with the toy catalog and create this huge, mile-long list of the things I
wanted. I never got so excited about a pencil and paper.”
“Did you get everything on the list?” she asked.
“Usually.”
“So your family had money?”
He nodded. His family practically owned the town he’d grown up in. He
didn’t know what it felt like to want for something until his cousin Dale had
died in 9-11, the deciding factor in him joining the military. “I figure the
more money raised for those kids, the better their Christmas will be.”
“That’s my goal. I want this to be the best Christmas Mercy’s kids have
ever had.”
“So, if I have to take you out . . .” He trailed off, smiling at her.
“We’re just going to talk. Have a meal or something together. No kissing,
no handholding.”
Troy held up his hands. “I’m an honorable guy. I don’t force myself on
women. Truth is, I usually have to fight them off.” He winked again.
“And you can’t act like that when you meet my mother.”
“Like what?” he asked.
“All flirty and charming. She’ll never believe that I’d fall for someone
like that.”
He tried not to take offense because no matter what she was saying, she
was attracted to him. He could see it in her dilated pupils and the way her
chest rose just slightly under her racing pulse. “No? What kind of guy exactly
would you fall for?”
Allison looked around the room. There was still a nice-sized crowd
laughing and mingling. Christmas music filled the merry air. “I wouldn’t fall
for any kind of guy right now. That’s why I’m pretending with you.”
Welcome Home for Christmas made for a sweet holiday story in this series.
Troy isn't in the holiday spirit, he's almost Scrooge in his lack of holiday spirit this year, all because of an arguement with his brother last year and his mother's upset over his refusal to come to her hom efor the holidays. But Troy doesn't want to be the one to cave, he would rather the apology come from his brother. But when he's asked to volunteer to help raise money to buy orphans christmas gifts, he can't say no, that's just not who he is. Little does he know what he's getting into with his agreement.
Allison is in charge of the Veterans center and hosting an auction of sorts to raise funds for the orphans christmas presents. All while also dealing with her mother and family who are worried over her lack of a relationship. Allison decides to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak, and bid on a date for her Mother's christmas dinner. She'll be helping the orphans and hopefully getting her family off her back.
Though their relationship may start out fake, there's real feeligns brewing as these two get to know each other and soon they begin to see that maybe there isn't an end to it.
This story was a quick read, full of humor, some angst and drama, and a bit of swoony times. I loved how Allison and Troy learned from each other about how to respond to their families and how they figured out that they had to stand up for themselves if they wanted something to change. There was just enough of the holiday element to really build my own holiday spririt.
USA Today Bestselling Author, Annie Rains, is a
contemporary romance author who writes small town love stories set in fictional
towns on the coast of North Carolina. Raised in one of America’s largest
military communities, Annie often features heroes who fight for their
countries, while also fighting for a place to call home and a good woman to
love. When Annie isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her husband and 3
children, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors.
Thank you for hosting WELCOME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS today!
ReplyDeleteCrystal, Tasty Book Tours