Welcome to Teaser Tuesday, the series where I share snippets from new and past releases, and works-in-progress and twist the arms of author buddies to do the same.

Ah, it’s always a joy to have historical romance author Anna Campbell on the blog. I adore her books and I know you do too, and she always chooses cool excerpts to share. Today is no exception, with a sneak peek at her gorgeous Christmas story Mistletoe and the Major. Love this cover. It’s so bright and seasonal!

If you read on, you’ll discover that Christmas could come early if you win Anna’s giveaway.

Hi Cathryn!

I love visiting your blog and sharing news of my latest releases with your readers. Thanks so much for having me as your guest today to talk about my Christmas story this year.

And doesn’t that blow your mind? That we’re already talking about Christmas??!!

Anyway, back to Mistletoe and the Major. I seem to be dwelling on military gentlemen returning from the wars at the moment – my last release Catching Captain Nash was about a naval officer coming back from the dead to reunite with his loving wife.

Actually I wrote MATM a year ago for an anthology called Under the Kissing Bough which was available for a limited period last Christmas. I’m now releasing this story of love lost and found as a standalone for anyone who missed picking up the anthology.

Mistletoe and the Major is about Major Lord Canforth who returns from fighting Napoleon to reunite with the wife he loves. Sounds like he should be overjoyed, doesn’t it? Well, he would be if he thought Felicity loved him back. Unfortunately, he doesn’t. And their awkward, uncomfortable honeymoon eight years ago has preyed on his mind since he left his new bride to join his regiment.

When he gets back to Otway Hall on Christmas Eve in 1815, he has a lot of ground to make up with his wife, and no real idea how he can do that. This scene takes place just after he’s arrived. He and Felicity are alone in the great hall of his rambling manor house, and he’s noticed the elaborate kissing bough that has hung from the ceiling since the staff Christmas party a few days earlier.

Otway Hall, Shropshire, Christmas Eve, 1815

Canforth’s lips quirked. “At least give me until dinnertime to feel like I’m back to stay.”

Felicity made herself smile again, although she remained closer to weeping than laughter. “Before you know it, you’ll be ordering me around and demanding your claret and tobacco and slippers like a real lord of the manor.”

“First, we have unfinished business here under the mistletoe. I’ve waited a devil of a long time to kiss my wife.”

The sudden purpose in his expression sent sensual awareness rippling along her spine. Her lips burned from the brief kiss, however chaste, she’d given him. She was blushing again. Blast this odd situation. She was both wife of eight years and bride of a couple of weeks. There was no solid ground beneath her feet.

When gentle fingers tilted her chin up, she caught her breath. He brushed his lips across hers in a kiss that was over almost before it began. She’d braced for something more passionate, which was absurd when he’d never shown her anything but the most delicate handling. The few times he’d used her body, he’d treated her as if the slightest roughness would damage her.

It hadn’t been enough then. It certainly wouldn’t be enough now. She was eight years older than that naïve girl. After Canforth left, she’d learned the meaning of longing.

The kiss was like a whisper. But even such brief contact turned her knees to water. Instinctively she reached toward him, to bring him closer.

Before she could touch him, he stepped away, leaving her floundering. “That was a fine welcome,” he murmured and gave her a brief bow, as if they’d only just met.

She remained poised under the mistletoe, lips tingling, although it was clear there would be no more kisses. “I’m so glad you’re home, Canforth.”

You can read a longer excerpt and the blurb on my website.

Mistletoe and the Major is only 99 cents on Amazon.com! 

Here are the buy links:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | iTunes

One of my favourite scenes in Mistletoe and the Major occurs when Lord Canforth is reunited with his aged dog Digby. It always brings a tear to my eye when I read it. So I’d love to know about your favorite pet. Mine was a collie dog called Astro – smarter than most humans I’ve met, and that’s not being rude about the humans!

GIVEAWAY!

I’ve got a Kindle download of Mistletoe and the Major for someone who comments today. No geographical restrictions.

Good luck in the draw!

Please Note: Giveaway closes midnight Friday AEST, 22^nd September 2017. Open internationally.

My favourite pet, Anna? Oh, that’s easy! My first horse Mysty. She was such a character and I adored her. I still remember the day she walked through the front door to say hello.

What was yours? Share and Christmas could come early for you thanks to Anna!

If you’d like to learn more about Anna and her books, please visit her website. You can also connect via Facebook and Twitter using @AnnaCampbelloz.