Today, HJ is pleased to share with you Jessica Clare’s new release: Holly Jolly Cowboy
From New York Times bestselling author Jessica Clare comes a Christmas Western about a grinch and the woman who stole his heart.
Local waitress Holly Dawson needs a better paying job to pay for her sister’s college tuition, and she’s got to find it before the next semester starts. Given that it’s Christmas and she’s broke as a joke, she’s feeling pretty bah-humbug. New jobs are hard to come by in a town as small as Painted Barrel, especially when you’re the town dropout.
When Holly’s offered a job at the Flat C Ranch to help clean and cook for the cowboys that work there, it seems like a dream come true…except for one part. Her nemesis, the incredibly handsome (and annoyingly arrogant) Adam Calhoun works as a cowboy out there. She’s hated him the moment he strode into town and insulted her. It doesn’t matter that he loves dogs more than people, or that he’s a war veteran. No Christmas spirit can save THAT particular grinch.
They’ll be working together day after day, forced to be around each other while the rest of the ranch goes out of town for the holidays. No sweat. Holly can deal with Adam. After all, it’s Christmas…and if she doesn’t kill him first, she just might fall in love with him.
Enjoy an exclusive excerpt from Holly Jolly Cowboy
“Come on, Adam,” Holly said as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” began to play. “Time to dance!”
“To this?” he asked. The song was slow and somber, Frank Sinatra’s voice easily recognizable but not exactly spurring him to dance.
Holly was oblivious. She dragged him over to the designated “dance floor” and then plastered herself to his chest, her cheek resting against his heart. He hesitated for only a moment before taking her in his arms. All around them, people were staring, most with smiles on their faces. He didn’t want her to embarrass herself, though. Monday morning regrets were the worst. So he brushed her hair back from her face gently. “You want to drink some water?”
“No. I feel good.” She closed her eyes and snuggled up against him. “You’re a great dance partner.”
He was barely swaying. Barely swaying and yet somehow . . . she felt perfect in his arms. “The bar must be set pretty low.”
“On the floor,” she agreed.
All of a sudden, she straightened, her gaze locked on something on the ceiling. She grabbed his arms and steered him toward the middle of the room, and he looked up just in time to see mistletoe above his head.
Holly gazed up at him. “Well, now we have to kiss. Christmas rules.”
He was pretty sure that was the alcohol talking. She’d sober up and not want anything to do with him—and be incredibly embarrassed that she’d offered. Even if he got all tied up in knots just thinking about it, this lust he felt was purely one-sided and not going to go anywhere. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea—”
“You think too much,” Holly declared, sliding a hand to the back of his neck and then dragging him down to press her mouth on his.
Someone catcalled. He ignored it. She did, too. Instead, he was utterly attuned to the softness of her mouth against his. She felt perfect in his arms, like she’d been made for him. Her mouth was sweet, with just a hint of alcohol and eggnog on her breath. And because he was weak when it came to her, Adam held her close and stroked his tongue into her mouth.
She moaned against him, loud and needy.
He froze in place, pulling away. They were still standing in the middle of the dance floor at the crowded party. No doubt several people had heard that sound, and even though it was making his balls ache, he didn’t want her to humiliate herself by making out with him while she was drunk. As much as he wanted to clench her against him and kiss the hell out of her, it wouldn’t be right.
So he just kissed the tip of her nose and let her go. “I’ll get you another drink.”
Holly looked up at him, utterly befuddled. Her fingers went to his mouth and she swiped at his lips. “You’re wearing my lipstick.”
Was he? He rubbed at his mouth and noticed that she had smeared her lips, too. Adam cupped her chin and ran his thumb gently along her lip, smoothing it away. “There. Now you’re perfect again.”
“Am I perfect?” she breathed, gazing up at him.
Did it matter what he answered? She probably wouldn’t remember in the morning, so he could confess whatever he wanted. “You are to me,” he told her softly.
Excerpt. ©Jessica Clare. Posted by arrangement with the publisher. All rights reserved.
Giveaway: One copy of HOLLY JOLLY COWBOY for a U.S. only winner.
To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and post a comment to this Q: What did you think of the excerpt spotlighted here? Leave a comment with your thoughts on the book…
Meet the Author:
New York Times bestselling author Jessica Clare writes under three pen names. As Jessica Clare, she writes erotic contemporary romance. As Jessica Sims, she writes fun, sexy shifter paranormals. Finally, as Jill Myles, she writes a little bit of everything, from sexy, comedic urban fantasy to zombie fairy tales.
Buy Link: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/675747/holly-jolly-cowboy-by-jessica-clare/?pdivflag
Diana Hardt
Nice cover. I liked the blurb and excerpt. It sounds like a really interesting book.
EC
Very enjoyable and the hero is definitely into the heroine. Thanks for this wonderful excerpt, HJ!
Lori Meehan
Sounds fun!
Nicole (Nicky) Ortiz
Sounds interesting!
Thanks for the chance!
Debra Guyette
Thanks for the great excerpt. I enjoyed reading it.
Lori Byrd
sounds so good.
dodgerfannnat (Pat Lieberman)
I love Jessica’s cowboy books and sounds like it will have a lot of good banter back and forth.
Lori R
I enjoyed it and want to read the book!
Janine
Sounds really good.
hartfiction
Oh my gosh! You are to me… how sweet! Love this scene.
Linda Herold
Sounds like a book I’d like to read.
Rita Wray
Sounds like a book I will enjoy reading.
lasvegasnan
Enjoyed the excerpt
SusieQ
Sounds like a good small town Christmas read.
Tina R
I love the cover and enjoyed the excerpt. It seems like a very interesting enemies-to-lovers holiday romance.
bn100
interesting
Glenda M
I enjoyed it! Thanks!
Pamela Conway
Love the excerpt & want to read this book!!
Banana cake
Loved it!
Teresa Warner
Enjoyed it
Mary C.
Like Adam protecting Holly.
Bonnie
What a wonderful book for the holiday season! Great excerpt. I’d love to read more.
rkcjmomma
Sounds like a swet fun read! The excerpt was so good i enjoyed it so far!
Teresa Williams
Sounds amazing. Love the cover. You had me at cowboy.My favorite books to read.
Colleen C.
Loving the cover… sounds like a book I would enjoy!
Daniel M
looks like a fun one
Amy R
Sounds good
Ellen C.
Good excerpt.
Terrill R.
Short excerpt, but I’ve enjoyed the other books in this series and looking forward to this one.
Patricia B.
Somehow I think the “instant dislike” people feel for others is a form of self-defense. You put up the barrier because deep down you like that person and are afraid it will not be reciprocated . Obviously, there is mutual attraction here. The barrier has been breeched even if she is not aware of it. Aside from a hangover, she will have some serious questions to herself to answer in the morning.