If you're like me, Thanksgiving is your favorite holiday. I love everything about it: the surrounding Fall beauty, the delicious smells of food cooking, and family and friends gathered around.
Once in that mindset, it wasn't much of a stretch to take all of the things I love and use them as the backdrop for a story.
An Unexpected Blessing made its debut at The
Wild Rose Press yesterday. It's a story about an ex-con, a single mom, and the small town gossip that stands in their way. It's also available in
Kindle format at Amazon.
Blurb:
Single Mom Katy Roth thinks life can't get any worse. In the past six months she's been let go at work, had to move back home with her parents, and found out her ex is cutting his child support payment. As Thanksgiving approaches, she finds little to be thankful for in a life that is quickly spinning out of control.
Joe Mason is the town's bad boy. Literally. He's just returned from a four year stint in prison. He wants nothing more than to put the past behind him and get on with his life. He’s had a secret crush on Katy since grade school, but when Katy’s parents hire him to be their handyman, she’s less than thrilled to have him around.
But soon, through her young son’s eyes, Katy discovers the good in Joe. As their feelings for one another deepen, small town gossip and prejudice threaten to ruin everything. Will Joe’s past come between them, or will they be able to get beyond it and hold onto a love neither expected?
Excerpt:
“Are you going to dance with me or not?”
“Yes, ma’am, I am.” He stood and offered his hand.
She slid hers into his warm grasp. As always, his touch caused a little shock in her heart. The weight of a hundred pairs of eyes followed them out onto the floor. The dirt was packed smooth, and a ring of hay bales marked the area. Her tummy quivered with a combination of nerves and anticipation.
He found an open spot, which wasn’t difficult with the other couples affording them a wide berth, and then curved his arm around her waist to draw her close. Her body fit perfectly against him. A shiver tingled through her. She rested her free hand on his shoulder.
His thigh brushed hers as he rhythmically shuffled his feet to the music. His gaze captured and held hers. The rest of the room faded as she stared into the warm, melted-chocolate brown of his eyes.
She didn’t care that people whispered. Snuck glances. Or outright gaped. All she cared about was swaying to a soft, slow beat. The quicker thud of her heart. Strong arms wrapped around her. And the desire to stay right where she was. Maybe forever.
I hope you'll enjoy reading Katy and Joe's story as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Debra St. John
www.debrastjohnromance.com
