Christmas in the Coveby Carol Ross
Adult Contemporary Romance
Mass Market Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
December 1st 2016 by Harlequin Heartwarming
Nobody is going to hurt her—not on his watch
A DEA stealth mission has brought coast guard Lt. Commander Eli Pelletier home. But when he ends up aiding rescue swimmer Aubrey Wynn during her own harrowing mission, powerful emotions reignite between them. Except Aubrey doesn't want Eli's protection. She wants answers.
Twelve years ago, Eli broke up with Aubrey without telling her the real reason he was leaving Pacific Cove. How can he try for a second chance if he's forced to deceive her again? Amid suspected drug trafficking and a sabotaged Christmas contest, Eli must find a way to regain Aubrey's trust without compromising his career or endangering the woman he loves.
Guest Post:
Christmas Eve or Christmas Torture?
My family falls firmly into the Christmas morning camp. We’ve always opened our gifts on Christmas morning. But as I grew up this tradition took on a (tortuous) twist.
Stockings were always first. There were five kids in my family and as soon as we got up Christmas morning we could dig into this trove of tiny treasures and treats only to be found at Christmas time; a Bob’s candy cane, personalized pencils (how did they do that?!) stickers, Now & Later candies, a toothbrush, and the coveted Life Saver’s candy “book.” And always, there was a tangerine tucked into the toe.
For the bigger gifts and Santa’s offering, we had to wait until everyone was up. Which sometimes seemed like forever thanks to my high-maintenance older sister who had to get “pretty” for the pics. (As the youngest child, it seems like I spent an inordinate amount of time waiting on my older siblings.) As we got older this tradition got later and later with Mom eventually declaring that we would wait until after church to open gifts. It was only natural to then stretch this time until after brunch. All of this was fine for my older pre-teen and teen-aged siblings, but this meant that I was forced to start this waiting game around the age of eight. For years, they’d been opening their gifts early in the morning! I lobbied for an exception. Alas, like any well-run home ours was governed by a matriarchal dictatorship; Mom ruled. And while it felt cruel, at the same time I didn’t want to be that “greedy” child that my dad was always warning us about. So, I bore the agony of anticipation the best I could.
But, and maybe to alleviate some of the agony brought on by the delayed gift-opening, my mom started another tradition of allowing us to open one gift on Christmas Eve. Now I can see that she was also rather strategic in “encouraging” us to open a gift that would keep us busy until the next day; a game, puzzle, or book. I loved this tradition so much that I’ve passed it on to my nephews. Even though they don’t have to wait until mid-afternoon to open their gifts, I still get them two gifts each, one to open on Christmas Eve and another for Christmas morning. And, I adhere to Mom’s trick of choosing something that will help them pass the time until Christmas morning arrives. It’s always a hands-on gift (no video games or movies) like a board game, card game, one of those brain-teaser puzzles, or a toy that they have to take the time to put together (like a complicate Lego set.)
Looking back, I’ll admit that it was kind of fun to draw out the holiday in this way. But really, Mom, couldn’t you have started this particular tradition when I was at least a little bit older?
Does your family open gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? What about your Christmas stockings? Is there something special you always looked forward to in there?
— Carol
Other Books by the Author
Tour Schedule
December 13th: Launch
December 14th:
December 15th:
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December 18th:
December 19th:
December 20th: Grand Finale
Tour Giveaway
- 1 winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card and a copy of Christmas in the Cove (signed copy if US, ebook if international)
- Ends December 24th
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Katie, thank you so much for hosting me today! Wishing you and your readers a wonderful Holiday Season!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading this book.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Steph! I really hope you enjoy it.
DeleteWe also do stockings first as we awake then have to wait to open gifts until everyone is up. I always make cinnamon rolls for brunch. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI think being allowed to dip into that stocking is the only thing that kept me sane on Christmas! I love cinnamon rolls for Christmas brunch, too. And French toast casserole.
DeleteWe opened ours on Christmas morning after everyone was awake. I love the cover and the book sounds great.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Crystal. And hopefully, you didn't have many people in your house who liked to sleep in(:
Deletethis book sounds really suspensful! we always open stockings first, then eat breakfast, then open gifts. i love candy and beauty products in my stocking. Amy (Guillaume) Linderman
ReplyDeleteThank you, Amy! There is a bit of a suspense thread in the book for sure. This sounds like my family's gift-opening tradition growing up, it just got later and later as the years went by, lol. Candy is a must in my stocking, too!
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