Spotlight & Giveaway: Merry Christmas, Cowboy by Charlene Sands

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Charlene Sands to HJ!

Hi Charlene and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, Merry Christmas, Cowboy!

To start off, can you please tell us a little bit about this book?:

Handsome Garrett Brown moves to Last Stand, Texas to renovate and then sell the rundown Cottonwood Ranch he inherited from his estranged uncle. He’s raising his young nephew Cody and his well-being is first and foremost in his mind. Cody has an affinity for snow, and Garrett plans on moving to Northern California when his work is done. It’s Cody’s first Christmas without his mother, so downplaying the holiday seems essential.
Kindergarten teacher, Nicole Russell is looking forward to Christmas. Her favorite holiday will surely help her forget being left at the altar just months ago. She’s planning a big holiday fundraiser and hopes to enlist the aid of Cody’s uncle. Garrett’s newly inherited ranch is the perfect venue for her plans. She never expects his refusal, but Nicole won’t take no for an answer. The two enter into a bargain that will hopefully take the “grinch” right out of Garrett, while giving Nicole a Christmas she and little Cody will never forget.
 

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

“I came to speak to you on behalf of the fundraising committee, Mr. Brown.” She pointed to the ground, frustrated her plan to win him over with baked goods was ruined. “I certainly didn’t come all the way out here to poison you with Christmas cookies.”

“It’s not easy getting the grinch out of you.”

Garrett sighed and shook his head. “Maybe… I think you’re too good for him. Maybe I know that kind of pain and I don’t want you to go through that again.” He rubbed the back of his neck, struggling for words. “From one friend to another, that is.”

What inspired this book?

That’s easy. I love writing stories that revolve around Christmas, family and a strong sense of community. We get all three, including a pretty hunky Garrett and equally feisty Nicole Russell in this romance.

My in-law family are Texans, and I love writing about hometown life as I have come to know it in our fictional town of Last Stand, Texas.

I also wanted to write a story that depicted all the traditions of Christmas, such as baking cookies, making ornaments, enjoying festivals and performances. In Merry Christmas, Cowboy we also have a tumbleweed snowman contest and a few snowy surprises too.

How did you ‘get to know’ your main characters? Did they ever surprise you?

I got to know Nicole from her friendship with Taylor and Julie in One-of-a-Kind Bride. She was a kindergarten teacher and the two most important things I learned about her was that she was very excited about her upcoming wedding, and that she loved teaching in Last Stand, Texas. I could relate to her love of family, her love of friends and her occupation.

Garrett was a little harder to flesh out. A bachelor, he was suddenly thrust into a different world, when circumstances required him to take in his young nephew. He was all the boy had and I figured a man like that would constantly question his judgement when he came to raising little Cody. His relationship with Nicole dipped and rose throughout the entire story. But I knew Garrett well enough that he wouldn’t like it when Nicole’s ex came roaring back into her life.

What was your favorite scene to write?

This is my hero and heroine’s first meet. These are always fun to write. The awareness, the misconception, the tension, are all fun to come up with and write.

Excerpt:
The barn doors were not only closed, they were locked, so she was pretty sure no one was in there and just as she was rounding the bend, bam! She ran into a block wall …of a man. The smack of his chest sent her flying back, releasing the plate as she struggled for balance. Two large arms grabbed her quickly, pulling her in, saving her from a graceless fall and possible broken bones. As she was whipped up close and personal to a jarringly handsome face flashing deep blue eyes, a sudden spark ignited, something she hadn’t felt before. It was a moment in time, a quick connection as he held her firm while she found her own balance. Steady on her feet now, she blinked hard, trying to ward off the sensations rushing through her.
He gave her a stare and something flashed in his eyes, but he caught himself and released her upper arms as if they were on fire. Taking a step back, he asked, “Who are you? And what are you doing here?” His voice was sharp and quite unwelcoming.
She crossed her arms around her middle, anger rising. She’d gotten up early to bake the perfect batch of cookies and now they were in crumbles. Did he think she’d come here to snoop around his property? “I came to speak to you on behalf of the fundraising committee, Mr. Brown.” She pointed to the ground, frustrated that her plan to win him over with baked goods was ruined. “I certainly didn’t come all the way out here to poison you with Christmas cookies.”
He raised a brow, glancing at the ground littered with plate pieces and destroyed cookies as if noticing them for the first time. “No?”
Did she actually see his mouth twitch?
She shook her head.
Cody rounded the bend and his eyes went wide when he saw her. “Miss Russell! Uncle Garrett, this is my teacher, Miss Russell!”
Cody ran over to her, and she bent to give him a hug. “Hi Cody. It’s good to see you. I guess I surprised your uncle.”
Both the them looked up at Garrett Brown. He shot her an apologetic look, one that softened his grumpy face and reminded her of one of her students when they’d been caught doing something naughty.
“I guess so,” he said.

What was the most difficult scene to write?

I wouldn’t say this was the most difficult scene to write, but it was the most thoughtful. I had to make sure to hit the right note of grief and hope as we get into Garrett’s thoughts.

Garrett’s stomach squeezed tight. He knew why Cody was so adamant about having it snow, and he only feared it would hurt his nephew when it didn’t happen again.
He was still grieving his sister’s death himself, but when Cody was around, he had to be strong. He had to pretend that life was going along smoothly. But when he was alone like this, as silence engulfed the entire house, loneliness and grief got the best of him. He missed Carrie a lot. Twins had that special bond, a way of connecting that other siblings didn’t really have, at least it was the case with them.
Garrett pulled out a photo album from his bedroom closet and sat down in the great room, turning the pages of the book, glancing at photos of Carrie with Cody when he was a baby. The joy on Carrie’s face, the light in her blue eyes was bright, filled with love. And then, there he was, beside her, when Cody had spoken his first words, taken his first steps. Even though he’d lived in various places, he’d always had a home at his sister’s house. There hadn’t been too many milestones that he’d missed. But it was always Carrie, who knew what to do. It was always Carrie who made the decisions about Cody. She was a rock. She always had been. And he missed her, more and more each day.
When his phone buzzed, he checked the screen. It was a text from Nicole. And instead of asking himself, now what? He was actually glad to hear from her. She was a light that seemed to shine bright, no matter what. It felt good being around her, and that was a dangerous thing because he had no room in his heart for any more pain. He couldn’t open himself up that way. He couldn’t let anyone in. It was easier that way, to protect himself from ever having to go through that devastating kind of loss ever again.

Would you say this book showcases your writing style or is it a departure for you?

I’m a writer of love stories, but most of my books are a bit steamier than my Home to Texas sweet series that include One-of-a-Kind Bride and Merry Christmas, Cowboy. I have written over forty Harlequin Desires. So, this sweeter series has been both lots of fun and a bit of a challenge for me. But romance, is romance and all of my stories have a well-thought out, satisfying Happily Ever After. And I love writing all levels of heat.

What do you want people to take away from reading this book?

I hope my readers see how magical the holiday can be. How love, kindness and generosity bring not only family, but communities together.

I would also love my readers to fall in love with my hero, Garrett Brown. There’s much more to him than meets the eye. He’s kind and good, a real decent man who has a bit of pain in his heart as he takes in his nephew wanting nothing but the best for the boy. Though his relationship with Cody’s kindergarten teacher, Nicole is a rollercoaster ride, I hope readers also see how the “magic” of Christmas changes hearts and minds and brings true love and joy to the three of them.

What are you currently working on? What other releases do you have planned?

Seems like I’m always working on three things at once. Merry Christmas, Cowboy comes out on October 27th and is book 2 of my Home to Texas series from Tule Publishing.

I wrote a short story for Harlequin’s Christmas Online Reads called Montana Mistletoe Cowboy which will be available for FREE on the Harlequin website on December 4th.

This month I turned in edits on my upcoming Harlequin Desire, Craving a Real Texan which releases in March 2021 (a fun story about a reality star and a reclusive hero). Then the second book of this series, comes out in August 2021 where we meet more of the Tremaines of Texas in book 2, yet to be titled. (country rock star vs. childhood nemesis)

By the first of the year, I hope to write and have published next fall the 3rd book in my Home To Texas series to go along with One-of-Kind-Bride and Merry Christmas, Cowboy.

So, between now and next October I will be releasing 4 new books. Makes me tired just thinking about it. 🙂

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

Giveaway: A signed or digital copy of One-of-a-Kind Bride and Merry Christmas, Cowboy (US only)

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: Thanks for stopping by today and to the folks at Harlequin Junkie for inviting me! To celebrate Merry Christmas, Cowboy, I’ll be giving away a signed or digital copy of One-of-a-Kind Bride and Merry Christmas, Cowboy to one commenter, picked at random. Just tell me, do you like reading books set in any special season such as spring/summer or fall/winter or do you enjoy reading holiday-themed books? Which is your favorite and why?

 
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Excerpt from Merry Christmas, Cowboy:

Nicole Russell walked her class out to the pickup line at Honeysuckle Elementary, her fourteen kindergarten students eager to greet their mom or dad. It was an especially cold December afternoon, even for Last Stand, Texas. Late last night, they’d had an unexpected snowstorm, enough white powder to blanket the streets and make for a frosty landscape. This morning, her students had been thrilled to slosh through the snow. It was an unusual sight and one worthy of all the hoopla. Nicole was careful to make sure the little ones put on their jackets before going outside for pickup.
The cars drove up and one by one, Nicole escorted the child to their parent. She knew many of the adults from childhood, so as she handed them off, she smiled and waved. Too often she’d receive a sympathetic look in return. Still. It had been three solid months since she’d been left at the altar in the church just a few blocks away. Three months since her beautiful one-of-a-kind wedding gown had been tossed aside. Three months since the food had spoiled at the reception that didn’t happen.
How could she have been so wrong about Johnny Dupree? How could she have not seen it coming?
Don’t dwell. Don’t dwell, Nic.
She handed Donald Collins off to his mom. “He had a great day, today,” she said.
“Thank you, Miss Russell. It’s good to hear. How are you doing?” Mrs. Collins gave her a head tilt, the one she dreaded.
“Just fine,” she replied. “Have a great rest of your day.”
She loved the town, but she didn’t want to be everyone’s pity case. Small towns were like that, and Mrs. Collins along with the rest of them was being kind and caring. But why couldn’t they move on, like she was trying to do?
She couldn’t dwell, Christmas was coming and it was her favorite time of year. She needed the diversion, looked forward to it. All she had to do now was finish planning the Honeysuckle Holiday Fundraiser.
When Paulette Sanchez pulled up to the curb, she guided her newest student, Cody Brown to the car. “Look, Cody. Here’s your ride.”
She ducked her head down as she helped Cody into the car seat. “Hi, Paulette.”
Paulette was a high school senior, and the daughter of Honeysuckle’s school principal, helping out by driving Cody back and forth to school, while his uncle Garrett worked at Cottonwood Ranch. There was sometimes babysitting involved, from what Nicole gathered.
“Hi, Miss Russell. How did Cody do in school today?”
“He’s been fascinated with the snow. All the kids are. It’s quite a treat, right, Cody?”
The dark-haired boy nodded.
“I agree. I don’t remember it ever snowing in Last Stand. It’s pretty awesome,” Paulette said. “So I can tell Mr. Brown that Cody is doing well and doesn’t need any extra help with anything? He asks me at drop-off every day.”
“Right now, Cody is keeping pace with the class, but I’d be happy to speak with him if he needs reassurance.” She glanced at the boy and he gave her a shy smile. “I did send a couple of notes to Mr. Brown this week about the fundraiser. Did he mention it to you?”
Paulette shook her head. “No, he never mentioned a note.”
“I gave them to him, Miss Russell,” Cody answered from the back seat.
“I’m sure you did, Cody,” she said softly.
“He’s really busy and all, fixing up the ranch.”
“I know he is. Maybe I’ll send him another note. Well, good-bye now. See you on Monday, Cody.”
“Bye, Miss Russell.”
Once all the kids were picked up, her friend Julie, who taught second grade, slipped her arm through Nicole’s. “All done for the day?”
“Yes, how about you?”
“I’m all done too. We should head on over to the meeting. It’s about to start. We’ll grab some coffee to warm us up.”
“I know, right. I’ve been cold all day.” A shiver ran through her as she headed to the teacher’s lounge with Julie. “It’s amazing that we got snow last night.”
“Right, snow in Last Stand. It’s sort of a miracle. It’s too bad it happened in the wee hours of the morning. None of us got to see the snow fall.”
“It came as quite a surprise when I woke up. It’s really beautiful seeing everything coated in white.”
After grabbing coffee in the teacher’s lounge, they sat down at a table and greeted two other teachers and several PTA members, the Honeysuckle Elementary School’s fundraising committee. This was Nicole’s third year on the committee, and somehow, she’d been wrangled to head it up this time. She wanted to do it justice. They had thirteen families in need and it was important to give them a good start into the new year.
Nicole led the discussion, the PTA president taking notes as they touched base about how the progress was going.
“Do we have permission to use the Cottonwood property?” one member asked.
Nicole nibbled on her lips. “Not yet. I haven’t heard back from the new owner. But being Randolph Brown’s nephew, I figured it wouldn’t be a problem. Rand had donated his property for the past five years, ever since we’ve started doing this. Hopefully, Garrett Brown, who inherited the ranch from his uncle, will follow suit.”
“That place is perfect,” another committee member said. “Cottonwood Ranch isn’t too far from town, and being a nonworking ranch means we have full use of all the facilities.”
“I hope it won’t be a problem,” Cathy Jacoby said. “Mr. Brown has been coming into our store a lot, picking up supplies, and my Wes says he’s quiet, businesslike and never cracks a smile. Not even a polite one and we all know Wes’s corny sense of humor.”
Nicole smiled. Wes Jacoby ran the local hardware store and she’d never walked out of that store without a chuckle.
Julie twisted her mouth. “Maybe we should nail that down before we get ahead of ourselves. We’re on a tight schedule and if he’s not agreeable, we’ll have to come up with another place really fast. Everyone knows, our tiny auditorium isn’t big enough, and the parking lot is hardly conducive to what we have planned. The families love the sleigh rides in Rand’s old wagon, as well as the ornament making and tumbleweed snowman contest.”
“I’ll get right on it,” Nicole said.
She figured her polite little notes weren’t doing the trick. She needed a better plan of action. She’d taken what would’ve been her honeymoon off to recover from the shock and humiliation of being left at the altar and she’d never gotten the chance to meet Cody’s uncle after school started.
“Maybe more than a note this time,” Julie suggested. “Why not go over there and ask him in person?”
Nicole didn’t think it was a bad idea. The kids had no school tomorrow, a student-free day and she had no big plans, no hot dates. She scoffed at the notion. She couldn’t even wrap her head around dating anyone ever again. Both Julie and her dear friend, Taylor, said she was being dramatic; she shouldn’t give up on her future. Maybe they had a point. But she had every right to be dramatic. It wasn’t every day a woman got stood up by her groom because he wasn’t sure he loved her enough to marry her. And he wanted to get his head on straight.
Geesh. How had she been so blind?
“I think I will,” she said, getting back to the important matter at hand. The event was to take place in three weeks and she had been negligent in nailing this down. “I’ll pay Cody and his uncle a friendly little visit tomorrow.”
After all, what was the worst that could happen? He couldn’t very well run her off his property, could he?

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

He flips houses. She flips hearts…

Independent contractor Garrett Brown hopes to survive Christmas in Last Stand, Texas, without too much fuss. Not interested in the rancher lifestyle, he plans to flip the house he inherited on Cottonwood Ranch and move onto his next project. Little Cody, the nephew he’s raising, needs stability, and he’s got a home waiting for them in California. The last thing Garrett needs is to become attached to anyone—or any place—or to get involved with silly Christmas festivities.

Kindergarten teacher Nicole Russell adores Christmas and is counting on the holiday to get her through her recent at-the-altar break up. Tired of pitying looks from the townsfolk, she decides to chair the Honeysuckle Holiday Fundraiser. When she reaches out to the new owner of Cottonwood Ranch, the perfect venue site, she expects cooperation, not stonewalling. Undeterred, Nicole makes her case with persuasive arguments that the too-handsome stranger in town cannot dodge and they strike a bargain.

Nicole and Garrett are at odds, but their holiday pact and the power of Christmas may change both of their lives forever.

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Meet the Author:

He flips houses. She flips hearts…

Independent contractor Garrett Brown hopes to survive Christmas in Last Stand, Texas, without too much fuss. Not interested in the rancher lifestyle, he plans to flip the house he inherited on Cottonwood Ranch and move onto his next project. Little Cody, the nephew he’s raising, needs stability, and he’s got a home waiting for them in California. The last thing Garrett needs is to become attached to anyone—or any place—or to get involved with silly Christmas festivities.

Kindergarten teacher Nicole Russell adores Christmas and is counting on the holiday to get her through her recent at-the-altar break up. Tired of pitying looks from the townsfolk, she decides to chair the Honeysuckle Holiday Fundraiser. When she reaches out to the new owner of Cottonwood Ranch, the perfect venue site, she expects cooperation, not stonewalling. Undeterred, Nicole makes her case with persuasive arguments that the too-handsome stranger in town cannot dodge and they strike a bargain.

Nicole and Garrett are at odds, but their holiday pact and the power of Christmas may change both of their lives forever.
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