Christmas Rekindled (A Bangers Tavern Romance) by Sadira Stone #HolidayRomance @SadiraStone
When two Scrooges unite to save a bar in trouble, a kiss under the mistletoe sparks the sexiest Christmas miracle ever.
Bartender
River Lundqvist has a damn good reason for hating Christmas. Bangers Tavern is
the perfect place to lay low over the holidays—until Charlie walks in. His
first encounter with the saucy server nine years ago was utter humiliation. Her
reappearance stirs up powerful desires and hopes for a new start. But the
timing is all wrong.
Back
in Tacoma to care for her estranged dad over the holidays, freelance web
designer Charlie Khoury braces herself for the suckiest Christmas ever. A
temporary job at Bangers Tavern gives her a chance to escape Dad’s criticism
and blow off some steam. But why does the hunky bartender seem to hate
her?
A
pretend girlfriend is just what River needs to keep his family off his
back—until a kiss under the mistletoe flares hot enough to melt the North Pole.
When greedy developers threaten Bangers Tavern, River and Charlie must team up
to save it. Their sizzling chemistry feels like the real thing—but everyone
knows rebound relationships don’t last.
Come
to Bangers Tavern for an enemies-to-lovers tale of reconciliation, found
family, holiday cocktails, and the sexiest Christmas miracle ever.
EXCERPT
“Listen,
I’m really sorry about that. I don’t usually get so emotional, but…” He
shrugged. “The tree, the music, the people. Lots of memories, you know? Should
have warned you.”
She
planted her feet, forcing him to stop and face her. “Why didn’t you?”
His
jaw muscles bunched. His eyebrows raised, then lowered. Lots going on behind
that pretty face. “It’s hard. You’d think, after a year, it would be easier.
It’s not.”
Her
resentment evaporated. “No, it’s not. My dad put up the tacky old aluminum tree
we used before my mom died. Last night, I came home and saw it sparkling in
front of the fireplace, and I just bawled.” She swallowed the ache in her
throat. “Christmas is an emotional time.”
He
squeezed her hand. “How old were you when she died?”
“Thirteen.”
He
nodded. “And now you’re…”
“Thirty-two.”
He
huffed a laugh. “Really? Thought you were older.”
She
pulled away and socked his arm. “Thanks, pretty boy.”
“No,
I mean—you’re gorgeous. Sophisticated. Confident.”
When
she continued to glare, he pointed to his muddy boot. “Should I eat this now,
or save it for dessert?”
Hard
to stay mad at him when he made that sad-puppy, big-eyed expression. She
crossed her arms. “And how old are you?”
“I’ll
be twenty-nine the day after Christmas.”
“A
Christmas baby, eh?” And not as young as I thought. Interesting.
“Yeah.
I always got shortchanged on birthday presents. So.” He slid closer. “Thanks
for coming. And for pretending. You saved my ass.”
A
warning prickled along her spine, but she shoved it aside. She was only in town
for a month or two. Consequences would be minimal. Besides, it was good to know
she could still feel this rush of heat for someone new. Something about River
tickled her in places numb since Marvin’s sudden departure.
She
squared her shoulders and gazed boldly into his hazel-green eyes—rich brandy
and stormy sea. A woman could get lost in there—or drunk. “Who says I was pretending?
You do have a certain charm. And I’m going to hold you to your end of the
bargain. Santa parade, tomorrow at three.”
He
grinned and bit his lip. Shiny white teeth, plump pink flesh.
A
tingle pulsed between her thighs.
Where’s
the mistletoe when you need it?
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Thanks so much for hosting me today, Harley! I appreciate the chance to meet your readers.
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