Day 5 - Nick and Noelle

CHRISTMAS STORY EXTRAVAGANZA - Day 5
Every weekday (Monday through Friday) for the month of December I will spotlight a story here on my blog. Yes, this is 17 days of Christmas book browsing. And on Christmas Eve I will announce the lucky winner (at least two that I know of right now). The person who leaves the most comments throughout the month will receive their choice of any one of the books spotlighted. That's from me. Other prizes are being offered by the individual authors.

Welcome Kara Lynn! Sorry to spring this on you at the last minute (no, she had no idea I was going to spotlight her story LOL), but when I read the blurb, and then the excerpt, I was hooked. It sounded like a great story!!!

So here's another Christmas story to add to your wish list - and boy is it a fun one!

Blurb:

“What I want,” the pastor stated “is for you two to learn how to get along. Separately you both have much to offer the church. Together – you’re a disaster waiting to happen.”

Nick and Noelle have been in competition against each other from their Christmas day births to their present adulthood. After their rivalry causes chaos at a youth group event, Pastor Thorn assigns Nick and Noelle the task of decorating the church for Christmas. Can Nick and Noelle cooperate?

Will they end up killing each other – or maybe kissing each other?

Excerpt:

Nick leaned forward, resting a hand on the counter on either side of her. “Did it ever occur to you,” he growled, his face inches from hers, “that we’d have no problem getting along if you weren’t so stubborn.”

Noelle folded her arms across her chest. “Did it ever occur to you that you might be the stubborn one?”

"I'm trying to be nice."

"Well try harder."

He refused to back up and knew she couldn't as the counter was behind her. "Have lunch with me."

"What?"

"That's what I came in to talk to you about. I wanted to take you to lunch to talk about decorating the church for Christmas."

"Lunch?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

"Wherever you like."

Noelle placed her hands on his chest and pushed. He didn't move.

"What's your answer?”

"I didn't know I was being given a choice."

"You are. What's your answer?"

"Really, Ni—"

"And if 'really Nick' comes out of your mouth one more time today I'll..." He stared at her mouth. She was close enough to silence with a kiss. He was suddenly aware of her palms, still flattened across his chest. For several heartbeats he stood there, incredibly attuned to her nearness, her warmth, the smell of her shampoo.

Had he lost his mind? Abruptly, he backed away.

Review:

Oh, this story is priceless. From childhood rivalry to adult attraction, the sparks surely fly! With the task set before them – by their pastor - to learn to get along, Nick and Noelle have no choice but to face what’s between them. And it isn’t all competitiveness and not liking each other that’s the problem. Feelings strong enough to set off sparks this bright can only lead to something lasting and deep. Watching them discover their relationship is outright fun as they weave in and around each other.

I love the way Ms. Russell writes. What a wonderful touch of humor she adds to this heartwarming story. This is definitely a Christmas keeper!