Skip to main content

Dark Streets Shineth by Clare Revell

 

Blurb:


You’d better watch out. You’d better not cry. Santa Claus is going to die.


DCI Boaz Matthias isn’t a Christmas person. He never has been. Not since he discovered the truth when he was seven. Christmas is a lie and a con and nothing is ever going to change his mind. Being given a temporary six week assignment isn’t helping his mood either—as it means Christmas with the family. Only good thing is the accidental meeting of someone he thinks he could grow very fond of.

On the other hand, DC Isabel York on the other hand loves Christmas. So much so that she decorates her desk with lights, tinsel, and a novelty advent calendar. When her boss is called away, his replacement is the last person she’s expecting to see—her fledgling boyfriend.

In the middle of a nasty case, Isabel is nevertheless determined to show Boaz the real meaning of Christmas. Problem is work and pleasure just doesn’t mix—at least not according to him.


Extract:


What was the matter with him? Had Isabel broken through his defences already? He’d known her less than a week, been speaking to her less than a day, and all he really knew about her was her name.

Once they were seated, steaming plates in front of them, she took a deep breath and bowed her head. Guessing she was saying grace, he reached over and took her hand. Warmth shot through him and it was all he could do not to gasp out loud. Somehow he managed to get his voice to work. “May I say grace for us?”

Her bright smile reached her eyes. “Of course.”

He prayed and then reluctantly released her hand. This so wasn’t him. He was normally in control, did everything methodically, carefully, and deliberately. Yet, his heart was pounding, his stomach spinning, and his emotions running away with themselves.

“Are you OK?”

Her voice brought him back down to Earth. “Yeah, I was just thinking.” He picked up his knife and fork.

Isabel tucked into her meal. “Tell me about your family. You said your brother and family are with your parents.”

“Older brother, Asher, and his wife, Sylvie. They have three children.  Jacob and Clara are six, and Tim is five. I’m the youngest of three…” He paused. “My sister died when she was seventeen.”

“How old were you?”

“Seven. They don’t think I remember, but I do.” He swallowed hard, eyes burning. “I’m sorry. Getting all emotional over here.” 

Her hand touched his, the same electrical charge as before racing through him. 

“Don’t apologise for being human. Even Jesus wept when his friend died.” Her fingers moved slowly. “I’m an orphan. I grew up in a series of foster homes. My adopted gran was killed a few months ago. So this is my first Christmas alone for a long time. Well, I say alone. There’s Zander and Gramps—that’s Zander’s grandfather. We both call him Gramps as it’s easier.”

Boaz managed a smile. “Her name was Marlah. She went out to a party about two weeks before Christmas with her boyfriend. He was several years older than her. Dad didn’t approve, but hoped she’d come to her senses. They were both killed in a car crash. That same year I discovered Father Christmas didn’t actually exist. I found Dad sneaking around filling the stockings. Of course he insisted he was helping out, trying to take my mind off things…” He shrugged. “So there you have it. Christmas, at least the popular version, is a lie and a con.”

“But fun,” she said. “There are the parties and dinners, games evenings with friends, carol singing, skating in the park.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Skating in the park? You’ll be quoting chestnuts roasting on an open fire next.”

She stifled a giggle. “Well, actually, we have skating, chestnuts, and a fun fair. You should check it out before you go home. It opened last weekend.” 

“Maybe we could check it out together.”

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of laughter and conversation. If he could capture a moment in a bottle it would be this. The way the lights on the wall behind her glowed and bounced off her hair, the lights to the side sparkled in her eyes. If he knew her a little better, if this wasn’t the first date he’d take a photo. Just to etch the memory further.

She laughed. “You can if you want.”

His cheeks scorched. “Did I say that out loud?”

She inclined her head. “You did. But that’s fine. By all means, take a photo. But I’d better be your lock screen.”

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/RZoqBXU75vE


Buy links:

Amazon UK    Amazon US




Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Author interview - Nicola Beaumont

Today we have author Nicola Beaumont with us. Nicola has written several books including The Lighthouse which I am spotlighting today. BLURB: DANGEROUS LIAISON... Rachel is in love with her best friend, but when Malachi doesn't seem interested, she turns to an international stranger whom she meets on the internet. At first, conversation is just a pastime, but soon, romantic fantasies form in her mind. Why not consider a man who travels across an ocean to meet her-a man who makes her feel wanted? After all, Malachi might as well be a world away-even if his concern does seem genuine when he warns her about the intriguing Frenchman. RESCUE ON THE WAY... Malachi has sworn not to interfere in Rachel's relationship, but he's in love with the head-strong woman who is determined to continue her budding romance...Yet, Malachi senses something isn't right about the playboy who has suddenly consumed Rachel's time, so he vows to save her from the stranger-and herself-even

A Texas Christmas Mystery

Blurb A lady Coastguardsman searches for a killer. An oil rig troubleshooter accused of murder races to clear his name. The murderer strives to silence them both. As Amber seeks to arrest Derrick, sparks fly. Amber Meredith needs to solve her first case. But the handsome Cajun suspect makes her heart race and her toes tingle. Derrick Darbonne worked all his life for his high-paying, adventurous job. When his past threatens his future, will he endanger the woman he loves?   Bio ANNE GREENE delights in writing about wounded heroes and gutsy heroines. Her second novel, a Scottish historical, Masquerade Marriage , won the New England Reader Choice award, the Laurel Wreath Award, and the Heart of Excellence Award. The sequel Marriage By Arrangement releases in December, 2013 .   A Texas Christmas Mystery also won awards. She makes her home in McKinney, Texas. Tim LaHaye led her to the Lord when she was twenty-one and Chuck Swindoll is her Pastor. View Anne’s travel pi

Escape to Whispering Creek by Barbara M Britton

“Escape to Whispering Creek” Barbara M. Britton   Thanks for having me on the blog again, Clare. Today is my launch day for “Escape to Whispering Creek.” Paperback fans will have to wait until October 31 st  to get their hands on Emma and Wade’s story. Readers will be able to head back to my Tennessee town with Emma. When Emma’s life implodes, she drives to see her bestie Sam in Whispering Creek. Emma hopes to get a job and make some money, but she never expects to fall in love with grumpy Wade. Samantha and Cole from “Christmas at Whispering Creek” return in this story, but “Escape” can be read as a standalone novel.   Book blurb: Emma Uranova enjoys her office job until her boss disappears with the investors' money. To avoid the media storm and false accusations, Emma flees to Whispering Creek, Tennessee to live on her best friend' s secluded property. When a temporary position opens up in Nashville, Emma leaves small-town anonymity to pad her depleted bank account. With a ha