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.
Other Books by the Author
Guest Post by Carol Ross
Tour Schedule
Crab Dip & Excerpt
One of my favorite scenes in Christmas in the Cove involves a crab feed. If you live near a coast, chances are you’ve probably been to one of these types of seafood feasts. Whether it’s crab, shrimp, lobster, clams, fish, or oysters for some reason seafood just begs to be feasted on.
Even though Pacific Cove is a fictional town, its would-be location on the Oregon Coast means that I had to give the Dungeness crab its due. Heroine Aubrey is heading up a Christmas contest with the hope of winning the cash prize so she can use it to refurbish the community’s swimming pool. (She’s a Coast Guard rescue swimmer and this pool is near and dear to her heart.) When the chef falls ill, hero Eli volunteers to fill in and cook the crab. Of course, the gesture softens Aubrey’s own crabby shell and leaves her feeling a bit mushy inside.
Here's an excerpt from the scene:
“Hey, you,” she said when she approached.
“Hi. Looks like this is a huge success. Congratulations.”
Her smile could rival the Christmas star for sheer brightness. “Thank you. Gabby did an amazing job. I helped her plan it, but I was just one of the support people on this one. I have to say, so far I’ve attended a pizza feed with Alex in Remington—no contest.
“Nina and I went to a salmon bake last week in Lewis Point. There was a decorated tree in the corner where you chose a souvenir Christmas ornament to take home, which I thought was a nice touch. But it did not compare to this. The mayor went to a clam chowder feed in Tiramundi on Wednesday night. The chowder made him and fifty-three other people sick. Of course, I wouldn’t wish food poisoning on my worst enemy, but my point is—this is going to be tough to beat.”
“I think you’re right about that.”
She reached out and laid a hand on his forearm. “Thank you so much, Eli. When you said you wanted to help, I didn’t expect this… This is above and beyond what I expected.”
One look at the expression on her face and Eli was pretty sure he’d do anything she asked of him. Their eyes met and held, twelve years falling away as spark-filled affection crackled between them. He’d always liked looking at her face. Especially when her moss-green eyes were brimming with happiness the way they were now. The sound of laughter broke into their bubble. They both looked up to see Gale in his crab suit standing off to one side of the ballroom juggling for a group of kids.
“Even I didn’t expect that,” Eli quipped and they chuckled together.
“Seriously, Eli, the fact that you’d do this for me…I mean, I know the pool is a good cause and everything, but I can’t help think that…” She paused, a touch of pink tingeing her cheeks. “That you wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for me.”
“You’re right about that,” he said, a cold blast of guilt immediately following. He didn’t like the way it swamped the warmth that had only seconds ago been flooding through him. His answer was the truth, he reassured himself. He just wished it was the only truth that mattered.
Dungeness crab season opens here during the month of December. Whether it’s boiled (then cracked and eaten with melted butter) or included in a more complicated recipe, crab is always a part of our holiday celebration. Following is one of my favorite recipes. If you have a favorite crab (or other seafood) dish, I’d love to hear about it. Really, I would. And I want to know your recipe, too.
— Carol
Tour Schedule
December 13th: Launch
December 14th:
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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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