New Releases
Love, Me: A Christmas Wish Novel
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B099PLKTM8
Universal: https://books2read.com/Love-Me-A-Christmas-Wish-Novel
bookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/love-me-a-christmas-wish-novel-by-jacquie-biggar
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58805215-love-me
Will a Christmas wish bring two lonely hearts together and give a little girl the family she’s always wanted?
Single parent, Grace Donovan arrives in the small town of Emerson with the hope a trial program at the local cancer clinic will be the answer to prolonging her young daughter’s life. She doesn’t expect to fall for her handsome boss.
As principal of Emerson Elementary, Kyle Roberts is aware of the students’ medical issues and his heart goes out to little Cassie Donovan and her mother. When he learns Grace needs a job, he fabricates a childcare program, and is pleasantly surprised by its success. Now, if only he could help Cassie’s recovery and get Grace to give him a chance before she learns of his duplicity.
Cassie Donovan barely remembers the father who died when she was just a toddler, but she does know her mother is sad. Even though Cassie wants a puppy more than anything, she gives up her wish to ask for a daddy from Santa Claus, that way if she gets sick again, Mommy won’t be alone.
This Christmas, two families are brought together by a Christmas wish and a child’s need for a miracle.
Excerpt
“Hello, I’m Principal Roberts and you must be Cassie’s mom.” He grinned at Cassie. “I’m glad you could make it.”
She gazed up at him like a deer caught in headlights. “You are?”
His heart melted. She was so earnest; a tiny girl with an ancient soul. He ignored her mother for the moment to crouch down to Cassie’s eye level, though he was tangibly aware of the watchful woman hovering nearby.
“Can I tell you a secret?” he asked.
She looked up at her mom before hesitantly nodding, curiosity creasing her brow. “O… kay.”
“Well, the truth is, I don’t know very much about dogs and cats. I’ve never had one and they make me nervous. Do you think you could help my daughter, Avery, take care of the puppy pen?” He rose and gestured to the temporary white picket fenced enclosure that had been constructed in the center of the floor. Puppies yelped and jumped, grabbing ears and tumbling over each other in enthusiastic play.
Her eyes grew wide with excitement. She tugged on her mom’s hand. “Can I, Mom? Please?”
“I don’t—”
Just as his idea was about to get shot down, Avery came to the rescue. She danced across the room and under his arm. “Hi, Cassie, isn’t this the coolest?” She glanced up at Kyle. “Daddy, I’m thirsty.”
“Code for ‘I need some money’,” he said, pulling out his wallet. He handed over five dollars but didn’t let go when she made a grab for it. “Milk, not juice, and you can get one for Cassie, too, if she’s allowed?”
Cassie’s mom’s lips quirked, her gaze knowing as it rested briefly on his face, creating a spark in his chest like a lick of lightning.
“We weren’t planning on staying for long,” she murmured, but her daughter’s crestfallen expression changed her mind. “You can go, as long as you stick with Avery. Is that all right, Avery?”
She nodded and grasped Cassie’s hand; a mini-mom. “Yes, ma’am. C’mon, Cassie, the puppies are soooo cute!”
The girls raced away without a backward look, leaving Kyle feeling strangely awkward with the enigmatic Mrs. Donovan. He dealt with parents daily. Some were loving and had their child’s best interests at heart, while others—his gaze went to Ms. Bigalow chatting with a few of the other parents—were more concerned with his pension plan.
“Are you needed elsewhere?” Mrs. Donovan asked, following his gaze, her chin unconsciously rising as though she was used to being left behind.
He shook his head, dislodging a curl that flopped over his forehead. He needed a haircut, if he could ever get a spare minute to call his own. “Nope, I’m all yours.” His neck got hot at her raised brow. “Not literally, of course,” he hurried to clarify. Great, she was probably ready to yank her kid out of his school now. “I mean, I was just supposed to drop in to check on things but got roped into helping out for a few hours. And you?”
She looked confused for a moment, and who could blame her, then broke into a light laugh that captivated him. “Well, I had a strenuous day of housework planned, but I think it can wait.” She watched Cassie and Avery skip to the puppy pen with containers of milk in hand. “Thank you,” she said. “Cassie is withdrawn. This will be good for her.”
He stared at her. There was a story behind those words, but he didn’t want to pry. Instead, he directed her to a table laden with mini cakes, cookies, squares, and a couple of hardworking coffee urns. “Join me?”
She hesitated, much as her daughter had done earlier, then nodded. “I could use a coffee, our machine broke this morning.”
Instant sympathy welled up. He’d be a wreck without his morning cuppa.
He led the way, conscious of her presence behind him as he greeted one parent and nodded to another. When they reached the table, he pulled a mug from the tray and poured her a cup. “I hope you like it strong,” he said, handing it over and getting a zing from her fingertips as his reward. “I’m almost sure the cook worked on a chuckwagon in another life.”
She took a careful sip and made an appreciative hum that shot straight to his gut. “Any chance he delivers?”
No, but Kyle would be happy to. “He’s a she and that’s not all she’s good at. Wait until you try the chili, it’s, shall we say, memorable.”
She smiled, her shoulders relaxing for the first time since they’d met. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Well, we’ve made it to the first date,” he teased, raising his mug. “Is it time for a name exchange?” He held out his hand, again. “Kyle Roberts, very nice to meet you.” Truer words had never been said.
She eyed his hand, then slid her fingers—no rings—into his. “Hello, Kyle Roberts. I’m Grace.”
Because the true power is love!
My heroes are tough, alpha males who know what they want. That is until they get gob-smacked by heroines who are strong, contemporary women willing to show them what they really need is love.
I’ve been blessed with a long, happy marriage and enjoy writing romance novels that end with happy-ever-afters.
Jacquie Biggar has a wonderful gift for writing hot and extremely likable military men!
Jacqui Nelson
From the time Jacquie was twelve years old, she knew she wanted to be a writer. That year she wrote a short story called Count Daffodil after spending countless hours searching for ideas. The story garnered Jacquie an A and was read aloud through the school’s loudspeaker system. Needless to say, after that she was hooked.
Jacquie grew up, married her best friend, raised a family and left her writing urges to simmer in the background unattended.
She owned and operated a successful diner in her hometown for a number of wonderful years before deciding to live her dream of becoming an author.
Jacquie’s first book, Tidal Falls, a romantic suspense novel about second chances, released September of 2014.
Connect with Jacquie here: jbiggar@jacqbiggar.com
http://Facebook.com/jacqbiggar
http://amazon.com/author/jacquiebiggar
https://www.goodreads.com/JacquieBiggar
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