Nantucket Christmas Stroll

The Nantucket Christmas Stroll is now in its 40^th year and takes place this weekend, Dec. 6-8. Most of the organized activities are on Saturday, but the organizers hope that people will stay for the weekend and enjoy the beauty of Nantucket in an off-season time.

This event is the setting of my new novella, Love Charm for Dakota, which takes place on Nantucket (and a bit on St. Thomas). The island of Nantucket started life as a whaling seaport. (Of course, it was used by Native Americans who lived there before that.) Today it is a very high-priced vacation destination. Although it is part of Massachusetts, and used to draw mostly from the Boston area, its appeal has expanded. I personally know a California family with a summer home on the island.

The island is now a National Historic Landmark District and there are many people working to save the island's history.

Nantucket is a wealthy enclave, and quite tradition bound, with many shops, galleries, and restaurants to serve its clientele. Naturally, the Christmas Stroll was designed to boost commerce in what would otherwise be a slow season.

In my story, I wanted to show the contrast between a man born and bred to that Yankee tradition, and a free-spirited woman in town only for the stroll.

Of course, when a love charm is involved, it's hard for anyone to escape the magic!

Love Charm for Carlotta blurb: 

Into Cabot Saltonstall's sedate Nantucket world blows Dakota Bishop, possessor of a wild spirit and a magical love charm. Cabot is all too willing to be bewitched. But Dakota fears ties and tradition. Does she know enough of witchcraft to overcome the spell of the accidentally cast love charm?

Excerpt:

"Oh, come, all ye—" The man in the bowler hat had his eyes fixed on her. Dakota shivered. She'd better not make a wish because it might fix on him, and she'd be in real trouble. Despite his formal, old-fashioned clothes, and his friendly, open expression – the opposite of what she normally was attracted to – the man was strangely appealing to her. Someone who, in different circumstances, she might want to get to know. In fact, before she could stop herself, she acknowledged the fact that she'd like to spend one night with him.

"You changed your mind?" Brenna spoke beside her.

"Grandma always told me to follow my instincts." Dakota sighed. "Of course, that advice has gotten me into trouble more than once."

"Always listen to grandma."

"Yeah, well, she's gone, so it's your job now to make sure I don't speak to any man unless he's a) single and b) hotter than the devil."

Brenna laughed. "Oh, that's not a small job. Especially when a Mr. Right kind of guy has been watching you for the past five minutes."

This novella is available in Unholy Nights - A Twisted Christmas Anthology for the sale price of only 99 cents! 

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Unholy Nights

Cover Reveal - Unholy Nights

For folks who like their Christmas a little twisted, seven tales of charms and magic, curses and intrigue…Snap up this Christmas collection and spice up those frigid winter nights with a great story for an irresistible price. Seven riveting romances, over 105,000 words, by award winning authors for $0.99. The perfect gift for you favorite bookworm. (Regular price: $4.99) Releases December 2, 2013 at your favorite retailer in ebook.

I love this cover for seven romances from seven different authors.

 A Kiss is Just a Kiss by Linda Barlow:

Can a kiss under enchanted mistletoe remind college student Will MacIvey of the steamy night he seems to have forgotten? Holly is willing to try it, but magic always comes with a price...

In the Bleak Midwinter by Andra Brynn: 

Trapped in a home with her perverse and controlling father, Ayla meets a mysterious boy in the woods who knows things no human should know. But he may be able to save her and her sister...for a price.

Love Charm for Dakota by Carly Carson:

Into Cabot's sedate Nantucket world blows Dakota Bishop, possessor of a wild spirit and a magical love charm. Cabot is all too willing to be bewitched. But Dakota is not. Does she know enough of witchcraft to overcome the spell of the accidentally cast love charm?

The Snow Queen by Alana Albertson: 

Every year for five years, a member of The Nutcracker cast has gone missing after closing night. Can Nieves break the curse or will she be the next victim of America’s favorite ballet?

How Lovely Your Branches by Kara Ashley Dey:

Katie is a recluse until a new neighbor and his three female companions take up residence across the road. Gabe’s eyes hold a promise to Katie-a way out of her lonely prison. But her past traps her...and the trees still know her haunting secret.

The Perfect Gift by Nicole Blanchard: 

Sera would rather be committed to the naughty list for life than admit her contribution to her failing marriage. But when faced with losing her husband, Sera finds she’s willing to sacrifice anything to fix her mistakes and find her husband the perfect gift…even if doing so will cost more than she bargained for.

 Until the Twelfth Night by Cherie Chulick:

Still recovering from the tragic death of her husband, Lady Elizabeth Darling has fled to a manor house in which strange sightings seem to confirm the house is haunted. With age old traditions underway and a diverse guest list including the handsome and outspoken Captain Wolfe on the premises, can Lady Elizabeth heal her heart and find love before it’s too late?

Here's my cover:

Nantucket is the home of hedge fund titans, old money and hidebound tradition. Habits are comfortable, and the habits of the rich are very comfortable. Into Cabot Saltonstall's sedate world blows Dakota Bishop, possessor of a wild spirit and a magical love charm. Cabot's blue-blood family history includes an ancestor who resigned from the Salem Witch trials, because he refused to believe in witchcraft.

But Cabot is all too willing to be bewitched.

Dakota can't stay still long enough for anyone to tie her down, nor is Cabot the right kind of guy for her. If only he'd have sex with her so she could get him out of her system. Why does he need to be so traditional with his emotions and plans for the future? Does she know enough of witchcraft to overcome the spell of the accidentally cast love charm?