"Romancing the Holiday" with Adrienne Basso {'Tis the Season to be Sinful}, Guest Post, Excerpt & Giveaway Entry

Please welcome Adrienne Basso, to "Romancing the Holiday" on AtM!

~*~*~*~*~

First, I’d like to thank Tanya for inviting me to guest blog at Among the Muses today.  ‘Tis the Season to be Sinful is my 19th romance novel – my third with a Christmas setting.  For a writer, every story presents its own challenges and rewards, but I’ve come to realize that there is something unique and special about a Yuletide tale.  Many readers (including me) wait all year to enjoy these stories and eagerly devour them the moment they are published.    

In ‘Tis the Season to be Sinful, American businessman, Richard Harper, needs an English country estate to enhance his already successful business empire.  But when he finds the perfect manor house, he discovers the only way to obtain the property is to marry the lovely widow who holds it in trust for her eldest son.   
 
Juliet Wentworth knows she must remarry in order to properly care for her three children.  The marriage of convenience she enters into soon becomes a passionate union, yet Richard’s distant behavior towards Juliet and her children is discouraging.  As Christmas descends upon this newly formed family, Juliet is steadfast in her determination to win her husband’s heart, hoping that the magical, giving spirit of the season will aid her in her quest for Richard’s love.

Excerpt:

They arrived shortly in a small clearing.  Several of Juliet's female relations were clustered around a towering fir.  Richard judged the tree to be at least twenty-five feet tall, its sweet smelling branches hanging soft and low.

"It's lovely," Juliet pronounced.  "Though I think a tad too tall.  We'll have to cut the top off and that would ruin the shape."

"This one is better," Uncle Horace insisted as he stood proudly beside a full-sized pine.  Obligingly, they all turned their attention to the next candidate, a few steps away.
   
"It is smaller," Juliet agreed.  "And very full."

 "It has a big hole," Lizzy announced and everyone peered around to view the spot where the little girl pointed.

"We can cover the bare section with ribbons and decorations," Uncle Horace sputtered.  “Or turn it toward the wall.”

The group ignored the older man’s suggestions and moved on to assess the next tree.

Richard hid his growing amusement as Juliet diplomatically previewed the next few possibilities.  There was no shortage of opinions thrown her way, but she would not be swayed by the pleading looks or persuasive arguments.  She clearly had something specific in mind, and would not relent until she found what she wanted.

A tree.  For the house.  Richard shook his head, having difficulty embracing the idea.  Honestly, it sounded like a pagan notion, something the ancient Druids might have done; worshipping nature, decorating trees.  

He did recall reading that the German born Prince Albert celebrated the birth of his first son by erecting a Christmas tree at Windsor Castle years ago.  Apparently the custom had spread throughout the country, though the appeal of it was lost on Richard.

As was the appeal of the entire Christmas holiday.  But he hid the worst of his ire, loathed to quash the sparkle of delight in his wife's eyes.  It was clear that this was making her very happy and that in turn lightened his heart.      

A sudden cold gust of wind nearly blew off Richard's hat, making his eyes sting.  He instinctively drew closer to Juliet to reduce her exposure to the wind, and then realized what he was doing.  How strange that she roused such a fierce protectiveness in him; one of which he didn't even know he was capable.

Long ago he had perfected his ability to cut himself off from sentimental emotion.  But with Juliet it was impossible.  Something about her called to him, beckoned him to embrace the moment.  Even if he tried, he knew he could not keep her completely out; but more amazingly he knew that he did not want to shut himself entirely off from her.

"We need to select the tree so we can begin gathering the other greenery," one of the aunts said.  "How about this one?"

Since he was standing so close, Richard heard Juliet's small sigh of dismay.  The tree was scrawny and misshapen on one side.  It was by far the worst choice-even he could see it.

"There is still plenty of daylight.  I think we can spare a few more minutes searching," Juliet answered.  "Don't you agree, Richard?"

"Ah, yes.  It wouldn't hurt to continue looking."

Juliet gazed at him appreciatively with those dark, entrancing eyes and he felt the full force of her gaze.  An unexpected gurgle of laughter bubbled up from his chest and he let it out, surprising himself at the sudden burst of joy he felt in that moment.

Using the backdrop of a boisterous, family holiday celebration was the ideal setting for this story.  I really enjoyed creating a character like Juliet, a woman who believes completely in the miracle of Christmas and is determined to bring that contagious joy into her husband’s life – no matter how hard he resists!

What about you?   Is there a family member – or friend – who embraces the Christmas spirit wholeheartedly and never (or rarely) complains about holiday stress?  Are you that person?

Wishing you all a holiday season filled with joy, laughter, love and romance!
Adrienne

www.adriennebasso.net

Giveaway Details:

• Please answer Adrienne's question at the end of the post to have your name thrown in the magical random.org hat, for a chance to win one of three books featured throughout the mini-event week. (Winner will receive their book of choice and it will either be shipped via the Book Depository, All Romance ebooks, or Amazon.)

• Extra Entry Options (Please leave in a separate comment):

• Check out Adrienne's website and leave a comment on one of her many books that caught your interest! :)

• Tweet the contest (please leave the link of your tweet).

• Contest is open Internationally.

• Contest will run until 11/28 11:59 PM EST

• Winner will be randomly selected and notified via email.