Spotlight & Giveaway: A Wish for Christmas by Courtney Cole

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Courtney Cole to HJ!

Hi Courtney and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, A Wish for Christmas!

 
Hi thank you so much for having me!
 

Please summarize the book for the readers here:

Noel and Jonah Blake are unhappily married. After a beautiful snow globe comes into their life, they unknowingly each make a wish— that they had never gotten married. They wake up the next morning in different lives, but fate, knowing better than they do, brings them back together…. and the magic of Christmas reminds them that some things are just meant to be. 🙂
 

Please share your favorite line(s) or quote from this book:

Honestly, there’s too many to pick just one. These characters are pretty witty. lol
 

Please share a few Fun facts about this book…

I had a wonderful English Mastiff named Atticus (aka House Donkey) and the dog in this book, Elliott, is based on him. Elliott and Atticus are both clumsy, hilarious, stubborn, and hijinks will always ensue with them involved.
 

What first attracts your Hero to the Heroine and vice versa?

Well, they are actually married— they just forget that for awhile due to Christmas magic. He is attracted to her wit, her heart. She is attracted to his sense of humor, to his ability to jump in and get things done, to his gorgeous eyes….

Did any scene have you blushing, crying or laughing while writing it? And Why?

Because I based Elliott on my own dog (and he passed away a couple years ago) I got misty eyed a few times as I remembered his antics. In a good way, though. Dogs like that leave an imprint on your heart forever.

Readers should read this book….

If they want to feel warm, fuzzy, and ready for Christmas! 🙂

What are you currently working on? What other releases do you have in the works?

I am currently working on next year’s Christmas book- along with a hilarious women’s fiction– the title is TBD, though. 🙂
 

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

Giveaway: 3 Print copies of A WISH FOR CHRISTMAS by Courtney Cole

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: What is your favorite holiday tradition? Mine is to write a Christmas Letter to everyone in my family– I tell them what I love about them, etc, and put it in their stockings.

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Excerpt from A Wish for Christmas:

I’m weaving through people, preparing to circumvent the TSA lines, when I see a commotion.
Or…I see something.
I turn to look, just in time to see a blur of long red hair, arms and legs, and a massive wild animal burst around the corner, tearing into in my direction.
A dog with the head as wide as the aisle charges toward the front of the plane, his shoulders slamming into the seats. His tongue hangs out of his mouth, and he snorts loudly as he pulls against the leash.
“Holy crap,” I exclaim, unsure of what to do.
“He’s harmless!” the woman’s voice calls to me. She’s being yanked along like a rag doll and out of instinct, I take a step to block the dog’s path, praying that he doesn’t maul me to my death.
He rams me in the groin instead.
I drop my bag and cling to the wall so that I don’t fall to my knees from the pain.
“Oh, my gosh, I’m so sorry,” the woman is saying, and I can’t see her through my watering eyes. The pain has literally turned my vision blurry, and something is leaning heavily into me.
“It’s…” my voice is a croak. “Okay.”
I blink a few times, and when I’m finally able to breathe again, I look up.
The dog is leaning on me, starting into my eyes. His are friendly, even if they seem to sparkle impishly.
“I’ve never seen such a big dog,” I tell the woman, glancing up.
I meet the gaze of the woman from my building.
Noel Turner.
My head snaps up. I suck in a breath.
She’d met my gaze just like that yesterday, when she stepped out of the elevator, and saw the stripper-gram on my doorstep.
I could swear she was disappointed then, just as she is right now when she recognizes me.
“I know,” she says a bit coolly. “He doesn’t seem to know his own size, either. I’m sorry about your shirt…and pants, and your, um…”
I look down to find a swath of dog saliva a mile wide on across my chest and groin.
I exhale.
“It’s ok,” I say again, with less conviction than the first time. I could almost swear the corner of her mouth twitches, but she masks it.
“I’ll be happy to pay for your dry cleaning,” she tells me, and she hands me her card. “My assistant will be happy to take care of it.”
It seems that she mentioned that last bit on purpose, as a message. I don’t want to talk to you, but my assistant will.
“Thanks,” I tell her. “But it’s not necessary.”
“Of course it is,” she answers. “It’s the least I can do.”
Her phone rings, and she snatches it up. “I’m sorry—I’ve been waiting for this call. Excuse me.”
She begins to turn away, but the dog has other plans. His eyes widen as he sees a man down the corridor preparing to eat a big cheeseburger. I can almost see the plan in his eyes as he takes a giant leap into that direction.
I deftly grab the leash as it yanks out of Noel’s hand.
Thank you, she mouths.
“Hey Emily,” she says into the phone. “What flight am I on?”
Meanwhile, it takes all of my strength to hold the dog back from sprinting to the cheeseburger. It makes my biceps strain trying to control his strength, and I have no idea how this woman thinks she can do it. She’s half my size.
“What do you mean, he can’t fly?” Noel asks now, dumbfounded. “Emily, I’m at the airport. On the way to the counter to check in. I need to be in Cheyenne today. There’s got to be something we can do. Tell them he’s a support animal. Something. Anything.”
Cheyenne? She’s going to Cheyenne? What are the odds of that?
She listens, and the massive, massive animal finally gives up trying to pull my arms off, and he sits at our feet now, staring calmly at the chaos around him. A fleck of saliva drips onto Noel’s shoe. She doesn’t notice.
“You are not allergic to dogs,” she says now, dubiously. “Whenever Angelica Aimes brings Dash to the office, you hold him for the entire meeting.”
She rolls her eyes, and I hide a grin.
“You can’t only be allergic to giant dogs. It doesn’t work that way.” I have to cough now to hide my laugh. Clearly whoever she’s talking to doesn’t want to dog-sit.
She sighs. “Just pay for all the seats in the row or something. I don’t care what you have to do. Just get us on that plane. Please.”
She hangs up, and stares down at the animal.
“I know this isn’t your fault,” she tells it, “But you’re making my life very difficult right now.”
The dog thumps his long, whip-like tail in response, unconcerned.
“Hey, I couldn’t help overhearing…while your moose here was trying to pull my arms out of the socket, that you’re going to Cheyenne.”
“I’m sorry about your arms,” she tells me, and I think she’s sincere now. She subconsciously rubs her own shoulder, and I know she empathizes. “Yes, I’m supposed to be on a plane right now, actually. But apparently, they don’t have to let Elliott fly.”
That seems like something she should’ve known, as a dog owner, but I don’t say that. Instead, I make a suggestion.
“I very likely will regret this, Elliott,” I tell the dog. “But you are welcome to join me on my flight. It’s your lucky day. I’m headed to Cheyenne, too. It’s my company’s jet.” I look up at Noel. “You can come along, too.”
She’s uncertain.
“Are you sure he’d be allowed?”
“Pretty sure,” I nod. “I know the guy in charge.”
“I was always taught not to take rides from strangers, but I don’t know if an airplane counts.”
“Under normal circumstances, it should,” I nod. “But it sounds like you’re in dire straits. And I only bite upon request. I promise.”
She rolls her eyes. “Well, I do have a rather large bodyguard,” she finally says.
Her bodyguard is currently licking his nethers.
“And he’s certainly diligent,” I agree.
She chuckles. “If you truly mean it…you’re right. I’m desperate.”
“I don’t know how any gentleman could refuse such a flattering plea,” I tell her. “So, yes, you’re absolutely welcome as my guest.”
I grip the leash. “Let’s go, Rover.” I scoop up the handle of her rolling bag.
“You don’t need to,” she tells me. “I’ve got it. He’s a handful.”
“Then it’s a good thing I’ve got two hands,” I answer, depositing my duffel on top of her bag, and pulling the handle.
“Well, okay then, Hercules,” she says.
“Men have to show off just a little,” I tell her. “It’s important for our self-confidence and sense of well-being.”
“Do they teach you that in junior high?” she asks, keeping pace with me, as I keep pace with Elliott, trying my best not to let him pull me out the nearest window.
“In a round-about way,” I confirm with a wink.
She rolls her eyes again, and I can’t help but notice what an interesting shade of blue they are: the color of a stormy sea, dark and layered.
“This way,” I tell her, leading her down a private corridor.
The sounds of the crowds fade away now, and I can almost see her physically relax.
I lift my eyebrow, and she sighs.
“Elliott wouldn’t hurt anyone on purpose,” she explains. “But he’s so strong. I was afraid he’d get away from me and trample someone.’
The flight attendant waiting to greet us overhears that and her eyes widen.
“Don’t worry, Daphne,” I tell her. “He’s friendly.” I wink, and she smiles.
“If you say so, Mr. Blake.”
“Daphne, we’ll need to add two people to the manifest. Well, one animal that weighs more than the average person and his owner.”
“I’m not his owner,” Noel interjects. “I’m just…his temporary owner.”
“That makes more sense,” I agree.
“Is that the plane?” Noel asks, gazing through the windows at the Gulfstream jet on the tarmac.
“Yes, it is,” I tell her, expecting her to be impressed.
Her eyes widen as she eyes the steps leading up to the door.
“I have no idea how we’ll get this dog up those stairs,” she says instead.
“It’s a valid concern,” I agree. The dog stares up at me, unbothered.
“Food always works for my German shepherd,” Daphne tells us. “Do you have any dog treats?”
We both look at Noel and she shakes her head.
“I just got him today,” she says defensively. “You were the one showing off your muscles. Maybe you could carry him.”
My mouth drops open. “You want me to sling him over my shoulders and carry something that weighs as much as I do up a flight of stairs only minimally less steep than a ladder?”
“I mean, it would be impressive,” she shrugs, baiting me.
“Daphne, do you have any meat at all in the galley?” I ask.
“Yes. Be right back.” She races away, and returns a few minutes later, out of breath, but holding a fistful of ham.
Elliott smells it before he sees it, and lumbers to his feet, eagerly following his nose.
“I didn’t think this through!” Daphne calls as she spins and runs back in the direction she’d come from. Before I can grab him, Elliott takes off like lightning, chasing Daphne to the plane.
I’ve never seen a dog scale a flight of steps so fast in my life.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

In this heartwarming story from New York Times bestselling author Courtney Cole, an unhappily married couple makes a wish on an enchanted snow globe that they had never met, but when they wake up the next day in separate lives, the magic of Christmas helps them to realize that some love is just meant to be.

Two weeks ’til Christmas…

Noel Blake is not in a great place. After several years of marriage, she and her husband Jonah are quietly drifting apart. The only time they really talk at all anymore is when they walk their dog, Elliott. And even then it usually ends in bickering.

When, one snowy day, Elliott manages to slip his leash, they find him blocks away in the care of a mysterious old man who asks them to make a wish on an old snow globe. Eager to get their dog safely home, they agree to his strange request. Neither one realizes that the wish they’re about to make will change the course of their lives… possibly forever.

When Noel and Jonah wake up the next morning, they’re in separate beds, separate apartments, separate lives. But are they any happier? As they live the existences they’d always wished for, both feel that something very important is missing. And when a chance encounter brings the pair back together, they find they have a spark of something very special.

Will they be able to find their way back to each other before it’s too late, or does the Christmas Magic have another fate in store?