SO if you’ve been following my blog posts for the past week, you know I’ve been on a book blast tour for my new holiday novella SANTA BABY. And you know I’ve been on tour with one of my favorite people on the planet, not to mention one of my one-click authors. I’m delighted to not only call Nancy Fraser a writing friend, but a friend-friend, too, and today I’m spotlighting her Dickens Holiday Romance Prequel – MAKING CHRISTMAS. I was lucky enough to read this book when it was in the ARC stage and it’s a lovely, charming prequel to the full length story she’ll be releasing later this year in the Dickens world.
For now, here’s a sneak peek at MAKING CHRISTMAS from this uber-talented and prolific writer.
MAKING CHRISTMAS
A 1980s Vintage Romance …
It’s been five years since William Barrett returned to Dickens to take over as CEO of Wil-Bar Toys. He’s spent these past years helping build Wil-Bar into a leader in creative, handmade toys. His work ethic and drive has left him little time for a personal life. Or, perhaps he’s still pining for the one who got away.
Catherine Gates moved away from Dickens six years earlier. Now a staff reporter for a woman’s magazine, she’s returning to Dickens to do a story on Wil-Bar Toys new production methods and get the scoop on their upcoming holiday line.
When Will and Cat meet up again for the first time in years, it’s as if they’ve never been apart. Rekindling their friendship, and attraction, becomes more important than Cat’s article, or even the secrecy of the new toy lines.
Can these two childhood friends make up for lost time and pursue the romance they missed out on years earlier? Or, will Cat’s story expose too much and put them at odds with one another?
Tagline: Will their first meeting in six years be all business? Or, can they make up for lost time?
Excerpt
Catherine made her way through the front doors of Wil-Bar Toys and toward the reception desk. “I’m here to see Mr. Barrett. I have a ten o’clock appointment.”
“I’ll buzz Margaret and she’ll come to get you,” the young woman said.
Catherine waited for Margaret, obviously a new edition to the staff since she didn’t recognize the name.
Moments later, a woman who looked to be in her late twenties entered the lobby. “Hello, I’m Margaret Weatherby. If you’ll follow me, please.”
She fell in step behind the woman, going through the heavy oak double doors she remembered from her childhood. They continued down the hallway leading to the main offices, coming to a stop in front of the desk outside the large corner suite.
“How long have you worked at Wil-Bar?” Catherine asked.
“Two years now. I was originally hired to work for Mr. Wilfred Barrett but when the younger Mr. Barrett’s secretary left to get married, I took over for her as well.”
“That must keep you very busy.”
The woman nodded. “It does, especially this time of year. However, it’s such a wonderful place to work, I couldn’t see myself going anywhere else.” She paused, then added, “I’ll let Mr. Barrett know you’re here.”
“I’d appreciate—”
Her words of appreciation were interrupted by a man’s booming voice. “Margaret, do you have the report I left for photocopying earlier?” The voice was followed by the man’s appearance outside the office door, his footsteps coming to a halt when he saw her standing there.
She lifted her head, meeting Will Barrett’s intense gaze head-on.
“Cat? Cat Gates. I’ll be dam…darned.”
“Hello, Will.”
“You two know each other?” Margaret asked. When they both nodded at the same time, Margaret added, “Well, that certainly saves time on introductions.”
Will motioned for her to follow him into the office. “You’re the journalist they’ve sent to write a story on Wil-Bar?”
“Yes,” she said, taking the seat he offered. “I assume they thought I’d have an inside track on the place since I’m from Dickens.”
His chuckle sent a flurry of butterflies rushing her stomach.
“Inside track. I’d say so. You know every nook and cranny of this place—or at least you did before we remodeled.”
“Some I knew all too well, given I spent more time hiding than you and Tommy did seeking.”
“Sorry about that,” he said with a broad grin. “We were pretty mean to you back then.”
Buy Link:
Universal: https://books2read.com/u/3ye0ae
Add MAKING CHRISTMAS to your “MUST READ” list, here:
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/making-christmas-a-dickens-holiday-romance-prequel-by-nancy-fraser
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57984424-making-christmas
A little about NANCY FRASER
—Jumping Across Romance Genres with Gleeful Abandon—is an Amazon Top 100 and Award-Winning author who can’t seem to decide which romance genre suits her best. So, she writes them all.
When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.
You can connect with Nancy, here:
Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Bookbub
Amazon Author Page ~ Goodreads ~ YouTube ~ Newsletter
Trailer for MAKING CHRISTMAS: https://youtu.be/PzzY7komw-I
Jigsaw Puzzle Link: https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=04ed82a4367f
Peggy here: I know you’ll love this charming, heartwarming story, and I can’t recommend it enough!
Peggy Jaeger, Author 