Second Chances and Santa, Bring My Baby Back

By: Cheryl Harper

Congratulations to "Anita H.", the winner in Cheryl's giveaway. Thank you to all who participated!

Something about this time of the year is energizing, optimistic. I'm still a little pumped (and maybe a little plump) from all the Christmas feasts. The calendar pages are slowly filling, but there's still time to accomplish so much. For a little while, the new year feels like a chance to get everything right. I also enjoy stories where imperfect characters that I love anyway get a do-over. The hero and heroine of Santa, Bring My Baby Back, Charlie and Grace, both need to start again.

Charlie's mistakes and his own inability to just let them go, even though everyone else around him has, make it hard for him to connect. He's goal oriented, and at the top of the list of "Things to Do" is protect his mother, Willodean, from people who would take advantage of her insane generosity and foolhardy trust…even if she doesn't really want his protection. Grace, the failed gold digger, is really familiar with starting from scratch. She's done it for way too long as she's tried and failed to achieve her dream. And Willodean, the Rock'n'Rolla Hotel owner and closest thing to a fairy godmother in Memphis, Tennessee, has to face the fact that maybe all the choices she's made weren't all that selfless. Maybe she's hurt someone she loves more than even Elvis.

Grace is abandoned at the altar and her second chance begins with a job offer, but only if she can keep the hotel owner's suspicious son from running her out of town. Charlie doesn't even know that he can wish for a new start, but Grace is going to show him just how easy it is. And as always, Willodean is going to get exactly what she wants, along with a taste of her own sweet medicine.

Santa, Bring My BabyBack is about weddings, second chances, a bloodhound named Misty, and a very special place that turns people who are looking for home into family. Find out what's happening with KT and Laura from Stuck On You and Randa and Tony from Can'tHelp Falling in Love. Sometimes second chances make the dreams you were afraid to wish come true.

Excerpt:

After two perfunctory knocks, Charlie turned the knob and shoved open the door.

He froze on the spot when he saw the bride seated in a froth of wedding dress. Like a priceless work of art, she was lit by a spotlight that highlighted the flawless creamy skin of her bare shoulders, the gleam in her dark hair, and her bright red lips. When his eyes met hers in the mirror’s reflection, he couldn’t remember just exactly what he thought he might say to the inconsiderate bride or groom if he ever found either of them. His schedule was forgotten. He was lucky to remember to breathe in and out.

“Aw, crap, he ain’t comin’, is he?”

A small frown wrinkled the pale skin of her brow and something about her east Tennessee twang set everything back in motion.

He reached up to run his hand through his hair but hit crunchy product and decided to rub his neck like that was what he’d intended all along. “I was hoping that you could tell me. What happened to your groom?”

“Well, I can’t say I exactly expected this, but I ain’t as shocked as I should be either.” She gave him a wide smile that didn’t quite look genuine, but he liked it a whole lot better than tears. “Tommy Joe told me he’d meet me over here, knock on the door when he was ready. Since he’s always late, I expected to wait a bit but . . .”

She shrugged, and he had to bite his tongue to keep from being drawn back under her spell as light played across the pale skin of her shoulders and chest. She stood gracefully and smoothed the sides of her elegant wedding dress. Her hourglass figure was outlined faithfully by the dress and accented by dainty hands she propped on her hips. “He didn’t sound like a man looking forward to his weddin’. Cold feet set in, I imagine. My hook wasn’t set, and I guess he wriggled off.”

Charlie frowned as he considered her answer. He fought back the urge to ask what kind of fool would wriggle off her hook. A man might not know he was caught until it was too late . . .  but what a way to go.

About the Book:
A bride abandoned at the altar . . . just in time for Christmas? 'Tis the season for second chances at Cheryl Harper's Elvis-themed Rock'n'Rolla Hotel.

After trying and failing at acting, modeling, dog grooming, and a dozen other jobs, Grace Andersen thought for sure she'd nail marrying a rich man. But dumped in a hotel chapel and strapped for cash, Grace needs a miracle—and a job.

If it were up to Charlie McMinn, Grace would be a married lady by now. Officiating weddings in gold lamé and a rock star pompadour may not have been his idea of getting into the holiday spirit, but with a gorgeous bride asking for his help, Charlie doesn't mind sticking around his mother's hotel a few more days. Especially if it means getting Grace settled …


Grace isn't sure what to think of sexy, rugged Charlie, except that she can't deny the attraction between them, or how good it feels to finally fit in somewhere. Is she ready to give a certain place—and a certain someone—a real chance? Or will she abandon a true Christmas miracle?

Buy Links:
Amazon  | Barnes and Noble

Giveaway:
I'd love to give away a copy of Santa, Bring My Baby Back. Speaking of fresh starts, leave me a comment to let me know if you're a resolution maker and how well you're doing with this year's list.

Bio:
Whether she's writing, reading, or just checking the items off of her daily to-do list, Cheryl Harper loves her romance mixed with a little laughter. When she's not working, you will find her ignoring housework, cursing yard work, and spending way too much time with a television remote in her hand. Visit her at http://cherylharperbooks.com to find out what’s coming next!

Giveaway ends 11:59pm EST Jan. 17th. Please supply your email in the post. You may use spaces or full text for security. (ex. jsmith at gmail dot com) If you do not wish to supply your email, or have trouble posting, please email maureen@JustContemporaryRomance.com with a subject title of JCR GIVEAWAY to be entered in the current giveaway.