Chantel Rhondeau: Romancing Christmas ~ Excerpts ~ Shades of Holly

This week I've released the Romancing Christmas boxed set, with nine other great romance authors. To kick off this release, once a day over the first two release weeks, I'll be posting an excerpt from each story. Take a look and then go buy this awesome set, priced at just 99 cents for its introduction! Grab it now before the price rises! Now, for today's book excerpt:

Romancing Christmas: 10 Love Stories to Spice up the Holidays ~EXCERPTS EDITION~

Multi-author boxed set
Release Date: November 3, 2014
Genre: Holiday Romance
Cover Artist: http://www.bellamediamanagement.com/

~~Blurb~~

Do you like your Christmas nice...or a little naughty? Bring the season into your heart with love stories to match your mood. This boxed set from 10 of today’s hottest romance authors will warm your heart even on the coldest night.

~~Purchase Links~~

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Apple iBooks
KOBO

Shades of Holly by H. D. Thomson

Do you like murder and mystery with your mistletoe?

Enter Zach Howard, a man who’s finally managed to get his life on track this holiday season, until that is, he comes across a pair of otherworldly sunglasses. They reveal scenes of a terrifying future. Holly, the one woman he’s never stopped loving, is in danger of a psychopath. This time around, he’s determined to fight for Holly, even at the risk of his own life. But even if he manages to save her, can Zach restore her faith in him? He prays that this Christmas miracles and angels do exist.

Website: http://www.hdthomson.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorhdthomson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HDThomson

~~EXCERPT~~

Zach stepped across the threshold and closed the door to the fast approaching evening. Backing away, Holly clutched her hands together to hide their sudden trembling. Snow clung to his mahogany-colored hair and leather jacket, which opened to reveal a t-shirt that clung to his powerful chest and flat belly. Faded jeans hugged his muscular legs. The color of his shirt matched the incredible blue of his eyes. Six-two, and almost a good foot taller than her. Even in winter, his skin glowed with a subtle tan. He'd filled out, looked healthier and still had the ability to steal the air from her lungs. How could a man after two years touch her heart like non-other? There was nothing rational about it.

“Zach,” she breathed. She hadn't seen him for over two years now, but that didn't mean she hadn't thought of him while alone at night, sleepless, restless, lonely.

“How have you been?” His deep, throaty and far too sexy voice fanned this sudden need and longing for what was and what could have been. “You look beautiful.”

The sparkle in his blue eyes launched a myriad of emotions that she thought were long gone or at least buried deep in her psyche. But just one smile, one moment of his eyes on her and she felt herself melt when she had no business melting. “Thank you. I'm doing fine. Business has finally taken off to where I'm not running from the creditors.”

“Glad to hear it but not surprised. I knew you always had the smarts. It was just a matter of time.”

An awkward silence enfolded them. The heat in his eyes probably matched her own. She'd never been good at pretending. God, she missed him, but she had to remember why she'd left. There was a reason. She took another step back, more mental than physical. “I don't understand. Why are you here? Is there something wrong?”