Mistletoe Mix-up by Jody Day

 

Blurb: Evan Edwards faces another lonely Christmas in the dorm, so when he chances upon a rain-soaked ad for holiday room and board in exchange for decorating, he wastes no time in driving to the empty home, dreaming of a cozy, if lonely, Christmas.

Across the street, Rise' Larkin is also home from school, and has some bad news for her Dad. As Evan and Rise's friendship deepens, and Christmas nears, Evan discovers he's been decorating the wrong house.

Will this mix-up ruin everything?

Excerpt: Cartier must be rolling in the dough. Must be the kind of people that hung out with people like his mother. Or rather his mother and whatever money-bags she’d attached herself to.

“Sounds good,” Evan said. Sounds amazing.

“You can take the decorations down anytime you want before you go back to school. Merci, of course. Oh, I forgot. Our neighbor’s daughter is a chef, and she will be coming in Christmas Eve to prepare the meal for us. She’s a bit temperamental, so you’ll need to stay out of her way. I’d appreciate it if you’d be her runner if she needs anything,” Cartier said.

“Sure, whatever you need.” Evan couldn’t believe his luck. What if he’d just given up and stayed at the dorm? His friends always invited him home with them, but he hated feeling like the third wheel. Plus, there was the whole gift thing, something he didn’t have the ready cash for. Unwanted guest, freeloader, and no gift to give. No way.

“Oh, and one more thing. The chef’s father will try to help you with the decorating. Under no circumstances must you allow him. He has a heart condition,” Cartier said.

“I hear you. I’ll be sure and not let that happen.”

“Well, all right then. We can be hard to reach sometimes, but as I said, the numbers of my people in the states are posted. The decorations are in the basement. You won’t have any trouble finding the door in the kitchen that leads down.”

“Fine, thank you very much. Mr. Cartier, you wouldn’t happen to have a piano, would you?” Evan asked.

“Oui. A Steinway. Will that do?”

“Oh, yes. I need to practice for my graduation recital.” This just kept getting better and better.

“Well, you’re welcome to play it. Possibly you could play some Christmas carols for our party that day?”

“Sure, perfect. Thanks again. Bye.”

“Au revoir.”  Mr. Cartier ended the call.

The increasing storm and Cartier’s thick accent made Candle sound like something else, but Evan knew where it was. Just two hours down I-20 East toward Dallas. Alone again, but at least he wouldn’t be in the freezing dorm where they turned down the thermostat over the break. He’d be in a home, with decorations.

He splashed through the puddles to the dorm and scrounged his closet for a backpack. Some jeans, a couple of sweaters – that should be enough. He scooped up his car keys and made his way to the parking lot.  Maybe he’d run by the dime store and pick up one of the  giant candy canes his mom used to stick in his hot chocolate. No matter how broke she was, she always got him hot chocolate and big, one-dollar candy cane.

His mother texted him just as he started the car. ‘Bout to board. Merry Christmas, sweetheart.

He returned with, OK Mom. Found a job in Candle, TX over the break.

She replied Text me the address so I can send you something.

He decided to call her. He wanted to hear her voice.

No answer.

Onward to Candle, Texas.

Buy Links:

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Nook: http://ow.ly/7OYf50C0QFt

Pelican Store: http://ow.ly/hcJa50C0R1Q

Bio: Jody Day is the author of the Washout Express series from Harbourlight Books/The Pelican Group. She writes inspirational fiction, poetry, and devotionals from her home in West Texas. Her passion is to encourage folks to look at life through love colored glasses, the love of Christ. She is president of her local writers group, Critique Café, and is a member of ACFW and Faithwriters.com. She enjoys teaching piano, singing with the Chorus of the Big Bend, acting in community theater, and spending time with fifteen grandchildren.

 

Questions:

1.      Why this book? What inspired you to write it? I had a vision of a lonely, talented musician who loves Christmas, but doesn’t know what it’s really all about, or what his purpose is.  He’s just a sad, but good guy, who needs to find out Who loves him and has a plan for his life. The mix-up is the vehicle I created to portray this character, and the journey to finding the greatest Christmas gift ever.

 

2. What is your favourite Christmas carol/song and why? I love O Come Emmanuel because of it’s beautiful, reflective melody, and because it’s what Christmas is all about. My favorite secular carol is Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas because it just give me that childlike joyful Christmas feeling.

 

3. What is the best Christmas present you ever received and who was it from? I have to say it’s my husband. We married the week of Christmas, and our marriage has been a gift every day for 35 years. Well, maybe not every day, lol.