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 It’s that time again. The holidays.

I’m more of a spring and summer girl, m’self—a slave to warmth and sunshine. But I do love to sip hot chocolate while eating sugar cookies and watch the snow fall, as long as I don’t have to drive through the drifts of white. I have a strong affection for my Christmas tree and decorations, some of which I’ve had for decades. I don’t bother with outdoor lights because I’d be that person in the neighborhood who leaves the twinkling lights up all year. Yes, those are my people.

What else? Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s I get four days off work with pay. That’s a gift in itself. Which reminds me—GIFTS! Giving and receiving. There’s not a downside to gifts.

I haven’t even mentioned the food. But I will. Cookies, candy, and confections. Some of my favorite holiday traditions are included in Catered Affair, my Christmas story—lavish parties, yummy treats, hot sex and voyeurism. Rewind. What? Since when did hot sex and voyeurism become a treasured holiday tradition? Since now. You’re welcome. 

Blurb:

When you mix a fresh picked coupling…
   Caterers Chantal and Monty have been hired to handle Layton Industries’ annual Christmas party held at the couple’s penthouse apartment. With big dreams and very little money, they’re living on love. When their hosts don’t make it home for the party, a heady serving of desire distracts the freshly engaged pair during the post-party cleanup…
   With a freeze-dried relationship…
   Steve and Alexa Layton find it difficult to connect anymore. They’ve spent so much energy and time on achieving financial security, they’ve forgotten what it feels like to be young and in love. When their flight is grounded during a snowstorm, it brings their disconnect to a boil…
   Toss in a little spice…
   When Steve and Alexa catch their caterers’ after party romp via their online security camera, will it be the ingredient they need to repair their marriage?
   …and this catered affair is one they’ll never forget.

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Kelli’s Bog: www.kelliscottbooks.blogspot.com

Make Mine a Hero

By Kelli Scott

No, I’m not talking about a sandwich, although, those are pretty good too, and as I write this it is lunchtime. But I’m wondering what makes a great romance hero. I guess the magic combo is different for everyone. Make mine tall, dark and handsome.

Start with your average man off the street. Subtract a few inches from his waistline and add it to his chest dimensions. Give him a couple inches vertically and two more behind his zipper, please. Remove the thick, dark hair from his back and affix it to the top of his head instead. We might want to shave a few years off his age, but not off his five-o’clock shadow. Our hero wakes up looking damn good without even trying. Let’s lose the bounce in his step and make that a sexy swagger. A limp if he’s one of those tortured heroes.

I don’t know about you but my “real” guy has an affliction called if-I-think-it-I-will-say-it, especially if it is the wrong place and a worst time. So our hero will be a man of few words. When he does open his mouth it’s to say something incredibly insightful, sexy or amusing. Or for one of those soulful kisses we long for. Yep, that. Everything else he can just convey with body language, facial expressions or with some animalistic sound effects. Grrr….  

In reality I lean towards short, skinny, bald guys who wear glasses and make me laugh, in and out of bed. How ‘bout you? What’s your perfect hero (real or fictitious) made of?  

I suppose I should do some promo for… Fun with Rick and Jade. I love this couple. My hero is sort of an alpha-nerdish computer geek.

Blurb:

Jade Li only wants what’s coming to her from her high profile baby daddy—some child support and she’ll stay out of his life and off his radar. Committed to being a good mother, she’s left her high priced call girl lifestyle behind and wants a fresh start. But because of her sordid past, she’s terrified of losing custody. What she needs, according to her attorney, is a husband.

Enter Rick Jette, younger brother to Jade’s attorney. Rick could use a wife and child for a business deal his future hinges on. Plus he owes his brother a huge favor that not even marrying a sexy ex-call girl could repay. Marriage is not what he’d expected. At. All. The good was better than he’d ever dreamed as they play house. The bad turns out to be worse than he could even imagine when he starts to have feelings for his new family.

Excerpt:

Rick Jette pushed the doorbell firmly. He heard it chime in some stately arrangement. Ding-dong-ding. His brother Bob thankfully called out, “I got it!” Thankfully, because Rick never knew what to say to Bob’s wife, Candy.

First of all, she was gorgeous. Second of all, she wasn’t too bright except about fashion, celebrity gossip, and proper martini mixology. Lastly, Rick couldn’t look her in the eyes, especially knowing she used to be a hooker. Correction—escort. Don’t want to make that mistake again. Note to self: avoid the subject of prostitution.

The door opened. Bob smiled wide. “Bro.”

Two things Bob had lots of, money and teeth. Rick wasn’t sure he came by either honestly. He’d probably brokered some back-alley deal in exchange for veneers.

His brother was ten years older than Rick. The only things they had in common were a mother and a last name, because their mom never married either of their fathers. She did eventually marry a guy Rick and Bob both referred to as Dickhead, but the union never stuck like the name had. Even their mom called him Dickhead. The nail in the coffin of the doomed marriage. With a marital example like Mom, it was a wonder either son could make a relationship last longer than a one-night stand.

“Bob,” Rick replied. They hugged, including a manly back pat.

When they broke apart, Bob shoved the door closed and waved him along. “Girls are in the kitchen.”

Girls? He swallowed a lump that lodged in his throat.

What choice did he have but to follow? Looking back toward the closed door, it felt too late to run. He’d brought with him his appetite and a bottle of wine he clutched by the neck. Home cooking did not happen every day, at least not in his world. In the kitchen, the aroma of roasted garlic mixed with a lemony scent. Add cooking to Candy’s repertoire. Go figure.

She greeted him with a double-cheek kiss. “Jade, meet Rick.” She waved her hand elegantly in the direction of what looked to him like living, breathing perfection. “Rick, this is my friend Jade. She’s staying with us temporarily.”

“Pleasure.” She bobbed her head in his general direction, but her tone denoted boredom along with annoyance and a hint of dread as well.

www.kelliscottbooks.blogspot.com

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