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All he wants for Christmas...
Widower Luke Forrester’s fortune can’t buy happiness, but he’s counting on it to give his twin daughters the magical Christmas they deserve at Poppy Gold Inns. Activities director Carlie Benton, with her upbeat seasonal spirit, definitely isn’t impressed by money. She’s all about holiday cheer and he can’t resist.
While Luke and Carlie try to restore the sparkle in his kids’ eyes, the heat between them melts the winter chill. And in the season of miracles, anything is possible—including a tempting second chance at love.
Luke released a harsh breath as he watched Carlie walk away.
While he’d already noticed she was attractive, this time her appeal was striking a primal chord.
There was nothing indifferent about Carlie; she was passionate, vital and far more beautiful than he’d recognized at first. She reminded him of being in the desert after a spring thunderstorm, where everything had been dry and desolate, only to awaken with a roar after a dose of life-giving rain.
A wry smile curved Luke’s mouth—flash floods through an arroyo weren’t uncommon after a spring storm, either, and they could be lethal. Besides, he wasn’t a desert—he was a man who’d lost his wife.
The last thing he needed was to get fanciful about someone like Carlie.
Christmas is a cherished time of the year and I love writing stories based around the holiday. In Christmas with Carlie I indulged in creating a setting filled with evergreen swags and twinkling lights, along with the scent of baking cookies and wassail.
For my first three stories placed around Poppy Gold Inns—my imaginary bed-and-breakfast complex—I wanted to include a military theme to honor the men and women who serve their country. And it occurred to me that a wealthy hero, who’d lost his wife in the army, would be interesting to explore. Luke Forrester has two small girls who are struggling to understand why Mommy never came home. In helping them, he discovers love again with a special woman who creates her own place in his heart.
Classic Movie Alert: There’s a wonderful 1988 TV movie called I’ll Be Home For Christmas starring a host of talented actors, including Hal Holbrook, Peter Gallagher and Eva Marie Saint. The title is shared with multiple holiday films, but this one is set in the last days of WWII. I haven’t had luck getting this on DVD yet, but I keep hoping!
I enjoy hearing from readers and can be contacted c/o Harlequin Books, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, ON M3B 3K9, Canada.
Julianna Morris
Christmas with Carlie
Julianna Morris
Some of JULIANNA MORRIS’s most cherished childhood memories are of sitting by the fire and listening to Christmas music as she crafted gifts for her family. Since then Julianna has experienced Christmas in many different parts of the United States. Traditions vary, but she finds the spirit of the season wherever she travels. Perhaps one of her most unique memories is Christmas Eve in Albuquerque, New Mexico—spent, of all places, in the old cemetery, where people light luminarias to remember family and friends. She’ll never forget the warmth and love found in the flickering glow of thousands of candles.
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To all the men and women who serve their country. May you find peace.
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