Remember the book can go to you or to a friend with your holiday compliments.
From Rest and Be Thankful by Joanna Chambers:
“You’re going to have to replace it, I’m afraid.”
Cam stared at the back of the plumber’s head, glad the man’s
attention was still on the ancient boiler. Glad he wasn’t watching as Cam
visibly swallowed against the hard lump that had materialised in his throat at
this news.
“How much’ll that cost?” Cam asked.
He’d waited three days before he’d called Alan Glenn, a near
neighbour and the only plumber for miles around, hoping beyond hope the heating
might spontaneously come on again. It was only with this unexpected cold snap
that he’d finally given in, worried by the prospect of burst pipes.
Alan looked at Cam over his shoulder. He was one of those
men whose hair went white early, but his skin was smooth and unlined and his bushy
eyebrows were black, making his age difficult to judge. Those startling
eyebrows drew closer together as he totted up the cost in his head. “It’s an
old system,” he said at last. “I reckon you’re looking at fourteen, fifteen
hundred, all in.”
Cam pressed his lips together and gave a short nod. He’d
been praying the problem would turn out to be something minor and cheap to fix.
No such luck.
Luck wasn’t something he’d had much of lately.
From Out by Harper Fox:
My name is Cosmo Grant,
and I have no pride left.
I’d been doing all right until yesterday. The run-up to
Christmas always turns the big Edinburgh hotels into pressure cookers,
backstage at least; front of house, we try to present a genial, welcoming face
to our public, and here at the Royal Barlinney we succeed.
Recently that’s been due to my efforts, I can say without
lack of modesty. I started as junior housekeeper five years ago, and I scrubbed
as many toilets and made as many beds as any of the domestic staff under my
shaky command. I learned by doing everyone’s job as well as my own. I cleaned
miles and miles of carpets and Italian marble floors. Changed light bulbs,
fixed leaky taps, once brought ambassadorial aid to a foreign princess fleeing
a murderous regime. As well as my bilingual English and Gaelic—the latter just
a frosting, ceud mìle fáilte to charm
the Americans—I picked up enough French, German, Arabic and Italian to help out
most of our visitors with most of their basic needs. I learned from the
kitchens upwards all the workings of our vast flagship hotel, which sails above
the city’s railway lines like an ocean liner lit up from within by a thousand crystal chandeliers.
And two years ago George Brace, the Barlinney’s manager,
rewarded all that initiative by promoting me to housekeeper-in-chief. I think
it nearly killed him.
From Waiting for Winter by L.B. Gregg:
The first words my ex said
to me in six months were delivered sotto voce as I was minding my own business
at Leunig’s crowded bar. The night was young, the restaurant was bright, and
Winter Kendrick filled the entry with his massive shoulders and his giant
presence and his unbelievably appealing two-day shadow. He didn’t speak to the
hostess. He barged in like he owned the place—which he could have—and swept the
room with his icy gaze. He was in a suit and tie, as if he remembered how much
his corporate dick persona turned me on and had dressed accordingly. His sharp,
pale eyes locked on target, and he brushed through the meat-market singles,
practically swatting the riffraff out of his path in his single-minded pursuit
of a sure thing.
Me.
“Let’s get out of here.”
Not exactly the heartwarming declaration of love or the
long-awaited, well-deserved apology I needed. I almost laughed, because he was
an overbearing prick, until I realized he expected me to jump up and follow
him.
His approach had worked before, sure, but I kept my ass on
the stool, elbows on the frigid Carrara marble, and lifted my drink. In a
bistro like Leunig’s, playing it cool was as much a part of the scenery as the
amber light and expansive wine list. I could be cool. “I see you left your
manners in Berlin. That whole Me Tarzan
act—”
“Is exactly what you like, don’t pretend otherwise.”
Winter’s glittering gaze found mine in the mirror over the bar. Silver light
threaded his recently shorn hair, and he was all hard jaw, crisp cotton, smooth
silk tie, and knowing smile. He looked fucking hot, like moving on from our
relationship had been kinder to him than it had to me. My mouth dried and I
took another sip of scotch. A frown line pinched his perfect brow. “Since when
do you like scotch?”
From Baby, it's Cold by Josh Lanyon:
“No,” Rocky said. “Oh hell no.”
“Merry Christmas to you too,” I said. “And for your
information, this wasn’t my idea.”
“Where’s Poppy?” Rocky peered past me into the rain, looking
for my grandfather, Fausto Poppa—of Poppa’s
House. You’ve seen the program. Everyone’s seen the program. It’s America’s
longest running cooking show. It’s been on the air longer than there’s been a
Food Network.
I said tersely, “Poppy’s sick. He’s got the flu. Why else
would I be here?”
Rocky drew himself up to his full height. Which is…my
height, which is medium. Yes, he wears it better, although why assorted
piercings and tattoos should make a guy look taller, I don’t know. What I did
know was that his green eyes were level with mine—and it was very weird to be
this close to him again.
