MISTLETOE MADNESS AUTHOR TRACY MARCH

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?”

The sisters beam, and Merri says, “Cranberry-brie tartlets—a recipe especially for you,” she nods at me. “And bourbon-brownie petit fours for Carden.” Her eyes glisten. “Merry Christmas.”

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:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

iBooks

Penguin Random House

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.

Website: www.TracyMarch.com

Facebook: Tracy March

Twitter: Tracy_March

Instagram: AuthorTracyMarch

Goodreads: Tracy March

Pinterest: Tracy March

Amazon Author Page: Tracy March

FREE preview story of Should've Said No available exclusively on Instafreebie at http://www.instafreebie.com/free/eZ2Ew.

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