I hope you’re like me and enjoy reading Christmas themed stories any time of the year. This one takes place in Denver, Colorado and is designed to give you a quick, satisfying read along with two 3-chapter samples of other books I’ve written. Sample chapters include the first of my Sweetwater Springs series of sensual, contemporary romances. Try out my writing with this e-book for FREE (on all retailer sites except Amazon).

Short story and sampler

By: Carol Burnside
ISBN # 9781311988591
Word Count: 20,000
Price:  FREE! 

Purchase from: Smashwords / Amazon / BN.com / ARe / Sony / Kobo / Diesel / iTunes

Blurb: Joseph and Danni were college friends who abandoned their relationship after a flash-hot affair one Christmas weekend. When their paths cross again on another snowy Christmas Eve, fate gives them a rare second chance. Can they push beyond past hurt and finally find a home with each other for Christmas?

Home for Christmas is told from the guy’s point of view.

Excerpt:

A tinkle of laughter drifted through the holiday-enthused pandemonium, striking a chord deep in Joseph’s memories. He knew that laugh from somewhere. A past date, maybe? Another lonely soul who might appreciate getting reacquainted over the holidays?

He concentrated on the sound and turned slowly, searching for its source with cautious hope. His gaze landed on an athletically built woman with curly, reddish-brown hair. Nice.

She ran her hand through the wild mane and laughed at some comment her companions made.

He’d known someone a long time ago with sexy, bed-mussed hair. And that laugh.

The woman shifted position at the same time a bulky guy left the table, clearing Joseph’s view. He drew in a sharp breath.

Danni! Aw, hell, had he just shouted her name?

She tossed her hair over her shoulder and turned quickly in his direction.

“Joseph?” Her smile widened as she rose, skirted the table between them, and enveloped him in a hug.

Unprepared for her familiar spiced-flowers scent and the memories her touch brought, his heart began to gallop. He’d never be able to put a coherent thought together, much less a tactful one if she kept this up.

He pushed her to arms’ length, wanting to drink in the vision that had tormented him at odd intervals since he’d last seen her, but the vision had changed. Matured. Improved, damn her. The light in her eyes dimmed. She must think he was pushing her away.

Say something quick, fool. “I just wanted another look. It’s great seeing you. You look . . . really good.”

A relieved smile lit her features, reminding him how exceptional Danni’s face became when she was happy. Exceptional and beautiful. She’d always been beautiful to him. “You too, Joseph. I almost didn’t recognize you in a suit.”

“So, catch me up on your life. I’ve missed you. Missed talking to you.” As he said the words, Joseph realized how true they were. Finding Danniela Benson was like finding the last piece to his jigsaw puzzle life.

Bio:  Carol Burnside is an award-winning author traditionally published in short stories. Five of her novel length, contemporary romance manuscripts have placed in numerous RWA chapter contests and won five, including the prestigious Maggie Award for Excellence. Her personal second-chance-at-love story resulted in a marriage to her high school sweetheart of thirty-plus years. They reside in northern Arkansas, where Carol enjoys the Ozark foothills from her office windows and drinks sweet iced tea year round.

Also writing as Annie Rayburn, Carol produces speculative, erotic romance with a humanoid race living openly among us in present day. No matter what she’s writing, Carol/Annie loves hearing from her readers. Subscribe to her newsletter and connect with her online. Browse her website for blog posts, social media links, excerpts, review snips, and more about her sexy characters.

Connect with her via: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Newsletter /  CTR_Author_Corner / Goodreads / Group Blog

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What do you find romantic about a cold, snowy day?