Donna
Steele has written another new book, and I asked her to stop by and share the
intimate details of her newest story, Moe’s Christmas.
Thanks,
Nancy! Moe’s Christmas is my fourth Christmas novella and a fun one as
it continues to follow the family from my book, Before You. Since I come
from a family with a ton of cousins, this felt personal and familiar.
Our
Christmas will be different this year – we will get to see our family, son,
both daughters and our precious grandson and spend time with them, but we’re
doing it from a one-bedroom apartment with minimal decorations – my Santa
collection will have to remain in storage this year – but next year in our new
home we’re going to blow out all the stops!
Book Blurb
Moe
hasn't taken time to think about his lack of female companionship for a while.
When his cousin, Noah, finds the love of his life, it awakens something in him.
Kim is
recovering, from being shot at a mall on Black Friday, from a disastrous
marriage, from being separated from her sons. And it's Christmas.
When
these two people meet, the possibility of life making sense again might make
this a great Christmas after all.
Excerpt
from Moe’s
Christmas
Kim silently chastised herself for the instant
retreat. This man had done nothing to frighten her. He was a large man, even
bigger than Jerry, but the vibe she got from him was the complete opposite of
her ex.
Jerry had used his size to intimidate and
bully since his high school football days. Her first impression of Moe was of a
large teddy bear though she did feel a strength underneath that he didn't need
to flaunt.
"Kim Harris, this is my cousin, Moses
Edwards," Noah said by way of introduction.
"Please call me Moe," Moe said
quickly, cutting his eyes at Noah.
"Kim teaches at UNCA with me."
"You know him and still agreed to
come?" Moe asked and she relaxed slightly at the banter. These men were
good friends as well as cousins.
"Is there something you need to tell
me?" she countered.
"Do you have a week?" Moe
responded as Noah stepped between them.
"Ignore the hulk in the hall. Let me
show you your room."
"Dinner is nearly ready," Jocelyn
said. "Noah, take her things up to the yellow room. Come on back to the
kitchen when you're ready." Jocelyn turned to the rear of the house while Moses,
Moe, took her suitcase from Noah and
headed up the stairs. She followed at a slight distance as Noah joined his
wife. Hopefully Moe hadn’t noticed her retreat. When would she get over this
damn skittishness?
Moe looked nothing like the shooter. That
little asshole had been short, small with greasy hair and a "little
man" complex, needing the gun to show his worth, if she were allowed to
diagnose him. Moe's body reminded her more of Jerry, which was worse.
Kim concentrated on the house. Noah spoke of
it often and his love of the place shown through, but she'd never seen it
before. The place was larger than she’d imagined and obviously well cherished.
The Christmas tree in the living room was magnificent and greenery on the
stairwell and over the mantle gave off an aroma she hadn't appreciated this
year. Moe led her back downstairs and they gazed at the tree in silence. Was he
watching her?
Dinner was ready and Kim watched with surprise
as the men pitched in to bring it to the table. Moe even poured the tea. Jerry
had never done anything in the kitchen, even after the boys were born.
Dinner was relaxing. Kim had met Jocelyn a
couple of times at UNCA functions and of course she had worked with Noah for
several years. She watched their subtle interaction over the meal and envied
it. Their love for one another shone clear. Had she and Jerry ever had that?
She caught Moe watching her a couple of
times. He'd grin unabashedly when she did, and Kim found herself returning his
grin finally.
"You have questions, don't you?"
she finally asked him.
"No. But I do find myself wanting to
offer to cut up your food."
She laughed and realized it was the first
laugh she'd had since she could remember. This large man was a nice guy. She
had no business comparing him to her ex just because of his size.
More about Donna Steele
Donna writes science fiction, paranormal and small town romances
about women coming into their strength and having the courage to find and
accept love. Now that she has retired from going into an office every day, she
created an office at home and writes full time. Talk about living the dream!
She was the girl at the party who was yearning for the quiet
corner and a book to read (go Rory Gilmore!), and has been writing in her head
since she learned to read. Getting those stories down on paper (or in her
laptop) has been more fun than she ever imagined it could be. The possibilities
of science fiction have always drawn her and she's read them all, there just
needed to be a little more romance in them. She finally got up the courage to
write them herself and is delighted to be able to share these stories with you.
She is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Fantasy, Futuristic &
Paranormal Chapter of RWA and the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers. Connect with Donna Steele:
