Today we have Tamed By Christmas by Ryan Jo Summers. This story is part of the Soul Mate Publishing’s Sizzle in the Snow anthology, that features eight different stories in one book.
Years ago Paige and Shane experienced a tragic event in their
romance. Unable to move past it, they broke up. Yet the passion
remains, and she returns at Christmas time in an attempt to
rekindle the love she and Shane once shared. It’s a rocky road,
and it seems they might not succeed until a freak accident shows
them what they really have to lose.
Can Shane tame Paige’s heart by Christmas? Or should they just
let those still burning flames slowly die.
Excerpt:
“Do you think we can still find a room or a cabin this late? I think I’d prefer going somewhere in Colorado. Aspen or Denver maybe.”
His face lit up as a smile touched his eyes. Gripping her hand, he squeezed gently. “I’ll check as soon as we get home. There’s bound to still be something.”
She pulled back. “Shane, I have to share something first, to be totally honest with you.”
“Uh oh.” He released her hand and leaned back, crossing one leg over the other, waiting. Again, his expression caused her heart to skip a couple beats. That baleful look he did so well.
She fiddled with her coat hem, trying to find the right words.
“Just try what comes to mind, Paige. It’s bound to be the most accurate.”
She drew in a breath, laced with cold air. “Sometimes I feel like we’re only lying to each other.”
His brows arched in twin peaks of surprise. “Excuse me?”
“I mean that our relationship is based on those lies. Like all we can do right is make love and there’s nothing solid beyond that.”
He shook his head. “I’m not following you.”
She fiddled with the hem again until he stopped her, resting his hand over hers. She wondered how he could feel so warm when she was so cold inside.
“Not actual verbal lies, I mean more to ourselves in thinking we even have a real relationship, beyond the sex.”
“Ah, I got you now.” He nodded, withdrawing his hand, leaving her even colder. His baleful look deepened, causing a chill to slide up Paige’s spine.
“Sometimes I feel as though there’s this wall between us. It’s real big. And I try but can’t figure out how to get over that wall.”
Her heart plummeted and she gave a mirthless laugh. “Lies and walls.” She held his gaze for a moment, licking her lips. “Are we really just kidding ourselves here, Shane?”
Buy it here:
Other featured authors and their stories include:
- Beth Carter http://bethcarter.com/, Santa Baby
- Amy Deason https://amydeason.wordpress.com/, Second Chances: A Christmas Story
- Crystal Firsdon http://crystalfirsdon.com/, ‘Twas the Crazy Night Before Christmas
- CD Hersh https://cdhersh.wordpress.com/, Kissing Santa
- Kim Hotzon http://kimhotzon.com/, The Snow Bird
- Ryan Jo Summers http://www.ryanjosummers.com/, Tamed by Christmas
- Tina Susedik http://www.tinasusedik.com/, Operation Santa
- Cheryl Yeko http://www.cherylyeko.com/, Christmas Eve Surprise
About the Author:
Ryan Jo Summers is a North Carolina author who specializes in writing romances with a twist. Love stories blended with inspirational, paranormal, suspense or time travel–or several at once. She also writes non-fiction for regional periodicals. Ryan’s dad is a songwriter and his aunt wrote poetry so she claims she came by her writing skill honestly. Apparently it’s in the genes.
Her hobbies include bird-watching, houseplants (50 ish and growing), poetry and yard work. She loves to gather with friends, hike in the forest with her dog, paint ceramics and canvas and work on wiggly word find puzzles. She lives in a 1920 cottage with a menagerie of pets. Living in the mountains, she dreams of the shore and frequently uses the water as scenes for her stories.
WEBSITE: www.ryanjosummers.com
BLOG: http://www.summersrye. wordpress.comm
BLOG: http://www.summersrye. wordpress.comm
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ RyanJoSummers
Angela Scavone 