Spotlight & Giveaway: The Ex-Mas Holidays by Zoe Allison

Posted October 6th, 2023 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blog, Spotlight / 25 comments

Today, HJ is pleased to share with you Zoe Allison’s new release: The Ex-Mas Holidays

It’s hard to escape your ex when you’re working together over Christmas in the Scottish Highlands, but being stuck together might be the best possible present in this sparkling new contemporary romance.

Maya Bashir is dreading her drive home for Christmas and having to explain that she’s just left her high-paying job and a long-term relationship, so a brief detour to her friend’s festive party doesn’t seem like such a bad idea. Until Maya walks in to find the last person she wants to see: Sam, the boy who broke her heart eight years ago. And he’s serving drinks. Naked.

Sam Holland is working an extra job on the sly to help his friend get by. But little did he expect Maya Bashir to come barreling back into his life, learning about his secret side hustle and taking back her old job alongside him at his daytime role as a ski instructor on the slopes of the Scottish Highlands.

As both Sam and Maya realize that the reason for their heartbreak so many years ago wasn’t entirely as it seemed, they must learn to stand up for what they want the most . . . or else miss their second chance at love

Enjoy an exclusive excerpt from The Ex-Mas Holidays

The image of her Highland hometown entered Maya’s mind, adorned in twinkly Christmas lights and dusted with snow. Christmas in Glenavie was her favorite time of year. The idea of that infused a little comfort into her veins.
Kirsty reappeared with a couple of plates of nibbles, passing them around the room. “There’s more stuff in the oven, so help yourselves. Oh, and, Maya, your drink’s coming.”
“No rush.” Maya sat back to listen to her new acquaintances. It occurred to her that Kirsty had said her drink was “coming,” so who was fetching it if not Kirsty?
She heard the door open behind her. The other women’s voices rose by a number of decibels, plus an octave or two. Turning her head to find out what the kerfuffle was about, Maya was greeted by the sight of a firm and perfectly shaped naked male bottom across the huge floor space. A well-toned man had his back to her as he handed out drinks, not wearing a stitch of clothing except for a tiny apron around his waist, the strings of which were entwined with tinsel.
Maya laughed, finally realizing why Kirsty had been behaving in that “nudge-nudge, wink-wink” manner. Plus, why the women seemed drunk on more than just alcohol. They were also high on the sight of a hot naked man. She raised her eyebrows, turning back to Isabelle and Una. “Kirsty’s hired one of those naked waiters, I see.”
“Yes,” said Isabelle, smiling. “He’s been preparing and serving our drinks. What a treat.”
Maya shook her head. “That’s what she meant when I arrived. She was being all cryptic and like ‘everybody’ is here.”
Isabelle laughed. “She is rather pleased with herself.”
“I’m rather pleased too,” Una said, eyeing the man’s back. “He’s bloody gorgeous.”
“I wouldn’t know,” Maya replied with a shrug and a smile. “I’ve not seen his face yet.”
Una sighed. “The back of him is as appealing as the front.” She placed her hand onto her forehead in a mock swoon. “Sandy-brown hair, ravishing amber eyes, and a sexy closely trimmed beard. My favorite.”
Isabelle snorted. “Don’t pretend that you’ve been looking at his face, Una. Not with that perfectly chiseled torso.”
Una laughed.
Sandy-brown hair and ravishing amber eyes. Maya had known a man of that description before, minus the beard. Though she’d been eager to forget him, and that task had taken her a little while. The realization hit that, very soon, she might see him on a more regular basis. Another reason to dread going back.
Kirsty was gesturing to the naked waiter. “The Diet Coke is for the lady over there, on the sofa.” Kirsty pointed toward Maya.
“Here you go,” Una whispered. “Brace yourself.”
Maya smiled, shaking her head. Who was this guy? Chris Hemsworth? She was sure he couldn’t be that devastating.
The man turned. Maya’s smile froze on her face, her jaw dropping as she took in his familiar, handsome features with a sinking heart. “Sam?”
His face fell, the creaminess of his cheeks staining pink. “Maya.”

Giveaway: 1 Finished copy of THE EX-MAS HOLIDAYS by Zoe Allison to US only

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Meet the Author:

Zoe Allison is a graduate of the RNA’s New Writers’ Scheme. Alongside her day jobs as a doctor and a writer, she started a TikTok account in 2021 where she regularly shares comedic sketches based on writing, and the romance genre in particular.

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