Thank you
for stopping by Blogging by Liza for today’s Mistletoe Madness spot. This
year’s event is hosted by Blogging by Liza, Books Make Me Happy, and That’s
What I’m Talking About. It’s a two week event where authors with 2015 winter
releases (November 2015 – January 2016) will take over our blogs with guest
post written from their character’s POV with a holiday theme (Christmas,
Hanukkah, Festivus, New Years, etc.). For a line up of all the authors featured
at all three blogs, please click on the image above or go to the kickoff post
from December 1, 2015.
Today’s
Mistletoe Madness author is…
Tracy March
Book: Should’ve Said No
Release Date: November 24,
2015
Series: Thistle Bend #1
Invitation to a Colorado
Christmas Tea (with recipes!)
By Lindsey Simms, Heroine from Should’ve Said No
“I think that I shall never see, a party as lovely as
Christmas tea.” Merribelle Montgomery
The invitation was quite fancy, with curly silver script on
a thick winter-blue card embossed with snowflakes—something worthy of framing. Leave
it to eighty-something-year-old sisters Millicent and Merribelle Montgomery to
print such a lovely card to invite two
people to Christmas tea! Two people living happily ever after thanks to the questionably
magical Montgomery sisters—me, and the ruggedly handsome and very kissable
Carden Crenshaw, formerly one of
Colorado’s most eligible bachelors.
High up in the Colorado Rockies, we make our way up Milly
and Merri’s driveway, toasty in Carden’s four-wheel-drive pickup truck. Light
flurries add to the several inches of deep, fluffy snow covering the ground.
Soon their epic Queen Anne Victorian house appears atop a gentle rise—three
stories crafted in varying shades of fish-scale shingles beneath a steep slate
roof, with a wraparound porch and a turret straight out of a fairytale. Decked
with greenery, red berries, and tiny white lights, it looks like a real-life snow
globe.
“It’s amazing,” I say to Carden.
He winks at me. “Not nearly as amazing as you, darlin’.”
*sigh* I’m not sure how the snow keeps from melting when
he’s around.
Hand-in-hand, we head up the winding walkway and onto the
porch. A fresh holly wreath festoons the huge wood-paneled door, and it opens
with a creak before we even have time to knock. The scents of sugar, cinnamon
and sweet spice envelop us as we step inside. I stifle a grin as I remember the
first time I stood in this expansive foyer, alone, having been told that the
Montgomery sisters were a mash-up of Charmed
meets The Golden Girls, with a little
Bewitched thrown in for fun. I’d
envisioned, well…witches, yet more traditional, rustic witches living way up
here in the mountains. But just as they had that day, the sisters stand before
us looking like beautiful, bright-eyed little pixies, finely dressed for tea.
Merri, the smaller of the two, says, “We’ve been counting
the days.” Her blue eyes twinkle in her heart-shaped face, her white hair nestled
in a bun at the nape of her neck. She hugs me tightly, her satiny crimson tea-length
dress shimmering in the light of the chandelier.
“We have, too.” Carden kisses her on the cheek.
Milly gets a hug and a kiss, and Carden hands her a
Christmas bouquet. “Lovely.” She smells one of the many red roses, and clutches
the flowers against her emerald-green dress that falls nearly to her tiny
ankles, her black patent leather shoes gleaming. Her eyes are as green as her
dress, and two jeweled combs that match them hold the silver ringlets of her
hair away from her face.
“Shall we?” Milly gestures toward the grand parlor—all ivory
and blue, with high ceilings, floral rugs and a massive fireplace with a dancing
fire—and leads us to a festively-set table in a round, window-lined nook with
an amazing view of craggy Rocky Mountain peaks.
Merri’s eyes sparkle as she taps the upholstered back of one
of the chairs. “Sit right here, Carden. And Lindsey you’re next to him, of
course.” As we sit, Milly scurries to get a vase for the flowers, and returns
quickly with them neatly arranged.
Among the lovely dishes on the table, a multi-tiered tray
overflows with goodies, including the tasty strawberry
cream cheese tea sandwiches and their signature snowflake
shortbread cookies that
look and taste like fine art. I focus on two beautiful
ivory serving plates with filigreed edges and a smile stretches across my face.
“New recipes?”
My heart melts as Carden and I share a look. Few people are
ever invited to this house, even fewer have recipes created especially for
them. But there are still two empty chairs at this magical Colorado Christmas
tea. We’d love to have you join us and tell us about your favorite Christmas
treat.
Read more about the quirky folks of Thistle Bend in Tracy
March’s latest release, SHOULD’VE
SAID NO.
About the Book:
Welcome to Thistle Bend, a charming
small town where old secrets are revealed—and wounded hearts are opened to new
love.
A year after being laid off from the Smithsonian, Lindsey Simms says yes to a
job offer as curator of a heritage museum in Thistle Bend, Colorado (population
1,519). It could be worse—and it is. Because the new museum has escalated a
dispute between the Karlssons, Lindsey’s relatives, and the Crenshaws, a blood
feud which goes way back to a land deal that changed the fortunes of both
families. Trying to stay objective, Lindsey can’t tell anyone about her
conflict of interest—especially not the ruggedly handsome handyman fixing up
her cabin, who seems to be keeping secrets of his own.
Although he’s the executive director of the family trust and one of Colorado’s
most eligible bachelors, Carden Crenshaw prefers getting his hands dirty in
town and on his sprawling ranch. Staying busy has given him an excuse not to
risk heartbreak, but getting to know the beautiful “museum lady” makes him
reconsider. Little does he know, the heat between them will only add fuel to
the fire—unless this unlikely couple can prove they’re lovers, not fighters.
Purchase
Links:
About the Author:
Award-winning
author Tracy March writes lighthearted romances inspired by her real-life
happily ever after.
Always
up for travel and adventure, Tracy has flown in a stunt plane, snowmobiled on
the Continental Divide, ziplined in the Swiss Alps, and been chased by a bull
in the mountains of St. Lucia. She loves Nationals baseball, hiking in the
Rockies, Saturday date nights, and Dairy Queen Blizzards—and rarely goes a day
without craving pizza.
Tracy
lives in Yorktown, Virginia, with her superhero husband who works for NASA.
Giveaway:
Tracy is
generously giving away one (1) $10.00 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes
& Noble (winner’s choice). To enter through Rafflecopter, comment on leave
a comment telling us one of your favorite holiday treats. The giveaway is open during the time specified on the Rafflecopter
form. Winner(s) chosen at random from all eligible entries. This contest is
open internationally, where not prohibited by law. Open to participants, 18
years or older, who are legally allowed to participate in such a contest as
allowed by their local laws. All federal, state, local, and municipal laws and
regulations apply. Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. By
participating in the contest, participants agree to be bound by the decisions
of the contest sponsor. Prize will be delivered by the author. This blog, its
reviewers, and the owner are not responsible for items lost in the mail. By
entering this giveaway, participants agree to abide by these terms.
a
Rafflecopter giveaway
Now
head over to BOOKS MAKE ME HAPPY to see today’s feature with Molly Harper and
THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT to see today’s feature with Katie Reus
