Mistletoe Hopes (Kisses Under the Mistletoe) by Alyssa Drake ➱ Release Tour with Giveaway

Mistletoe Hopes

Kisses Under the Mistletoe Book 1

by Alyssa Drake

Genre: Contemporary Romance

When a chance meeting under the mistletoe ignites a hidden attraction, Tess is forced to choose between fighting her desire or surrendering to love.

Christmas in the snow sounded like a brilliant idea when Kaitlyn pitched the idea of spending their annual sister holiday at a working ranch. However, mid-flight, Tess discovers Kaitlyn’s underlying motive is to spend the next seven days ogling the male owners of Dove Ranch.

Stuck in the snow with no electricity and a cowboy-crazy sister, Tess finds solace with the eldest brother, Weston, who deplores the suggestive misdirection of the ranch’s new advertising scheme. Agreeing to buffer Weston from the advances of the ranch’s eager guests, Tess finds herself falling for the man she offered to protect.

However, when Weston makes the ultimate sacrifice, Tess must decide if she’s willing to risk her heart on a cowboy.

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Excerpt 1

“Do you seriously let your sister win everything?” Weston asked as soon as the door shut.

Tess reddened, twisting her fingers together, and glanced down.

“It was easier than putting up with the temper tantrums. When she was younger, I didn’t know how to handle the outbursts, and as she grew older, it just became habit.”

“And you’ve been giving in ever since?” He held out the jacket.

“That’s not fair.” Tess ripped the purple coat from his hand and shoved an arm through one of the sleeves. “She was a child when she lost both her parents.”

“You aren’t that much older than her.” He leaned around her, grabbed the side of the jacket, and lifted it. “Who looked after you?”

“I managed.” She stuck her other arm through the second sleeve. “Thank you.”

“Do you need me to zip it for you?” His mouth crooked.

He was teasing her! Her eyes narrowed.

“What would you do if I said yes?”

“I’d oblige you,” he rumbled and clasped the bottom of her jacket, tugging her toward him. Grasping the zipper, he yanked it up the jacket, then adjusted the collar, his thumb brushing along her jawline. He lifted his gaze and froze. “You’re beneath the mistletoe.”

Her heart burst into a frantic rhythm.

“There’s no one around. We could just pretend it didn’t happen.”

“It doesn’t work that way.”

“Mistletoe is that important to you?”

“Tradition is important to me, but if you prefer, I could find someone else to kiss you, Graham, Jax...” A dark cloud passed through Weston’s eyes. “I did make a promise to you last night.”

“I don’t want to kiss anyone else,” Tess said softly.

“As you wish.” His face expressionless, Weston placed his hands on her waist, moving at a glacial pace. Hesitating, his eyes searched hers, then he leaned forward and pressed his mouth to her lips. She curled into his embrace and wrapped her arms around his upper torso. His fingers contracted, digging into her skin. Instead of pulling her closer, Weston detangled himself from her and stepped away.

Tess turned her back to Weston and exhaled a shuddering breath. If this kept up, someone was going to have to protect Weston from her.

Excerpt 2

“This is the stupidest idea Graham has ever come up with,” the deeper voice rumbled. “I look like a stripper.”

“You don’t look that bad.”

“How many Santas do you know who walk around in red suspenders, tight pants, and nothing else?”

“You have boots on, too.” There was a long pause. “These women paid to see Santa.”

“I already told you, I’m not screwing any of them. I don’t care how much money this ranch needs,” the deeper voice replied.

“And I explained to you, we’re selling a fantasy, Christmas in the country, complete with cowboys.”

“Yeah, tell that to the redhead who pounced on me earlier this afternoon.”

Tess snickered, clamping over her mouth. That had to be Weston. Iris was quite tenacious, and judging by the giggling sounds coming from Iris’ room, she and Kaitlyn were planning an all-out assault against the men of Dove Ranch.

“Scarlet?” The other man snickered. “Fine, we’ll steer the eager ones in Graham’s direction.”

“Does Jax share my concerns?” Weston asked. Snow crunched under his boots as he paced.

“Nope, you’re the only prude. Weston,”—a warning floated in the word—“whether or not you want to admit it, this ranch is in trouble. You can’t sell cattle in the winter.”

“But you can sell sex.” Weston’s voice was strained.

“Again, that’s not what we’re selling.”

“Then explain why every picture in the brochure features a shirtless male.”

An audible groan reached Tess’ ears.

“Weston, if this venture is successful, we can postpone the auction of the ranch. I don’t want to lose my home. I will do whatever it takes to keep it, even if that means becoming a ‘calendar cowboy.’ Now, man up, stop complaining, and pretend to be happy.”

A defeated sigh escaped Weston’s lips. “Just give me a few moments before I wow them with my charm.”

“That’s the spirit.” A set of boots approached Tess’ hiding place.

“Ethan—”

The footsteps paused. “Yes.”

“I hate you.”

“I know,” Ethan replied. As he passed Tess’ hiding place, he tipped his hat. “Evening, Just Tess.”

“Tess?” Weston’s bright eyes popped around the hay bale. “What are you doing out here?”

“I was taking a walk,” Tess said, her stomach flipped over. “Jax told me there was a gazebo this dir—”

Weston stepped around the hay bale, and Tess’ brain stopped working. Her eyes traveled over his broad chest, tanned, muscled, and completely exposed under bright red suspenders. She swallowed.

“That picture doesn’t do you justice.”

“What did you say?” he asked.

“Nothing.” Tess’ eyes widened as she realized she spoke aloud.

“Do you think my outfit is missing anything?” He spun around, holding out his arms.

“Doesn’t Santa need a hat?”

“Better?” He plucked the hat from his back pocket, cramming it on top of his head, and sat on the hay bale. He patted the straw next to him. Blushing, Tess sat on the bale, careful not to brush against him. “I’d like to further discuss our earlier conversation.”

“The one where you ask me to run interference from all the horny women in there?” She jerked her head toward the lodge.

“Yup, that one.”

She stroked her chin. “What’s it worth to you?”

“Here, drink this.” He produced a silver thermos and handed it to her.

“Do you keep those hidden all over the place?” Tess laughed.

“Yes,” he replied with a wink.

“I’m not sure getting me drunk will help your plan.”

“Just keeping you warm,” he smiled, his green eyes twinkling. “I can’t have my buffer freezing to death.”

“Of the two of us, I’d think you’re colder, seeing as you’re half-naked.”

“You noticed.”

“How could I not?” She handed him the thermos.

“You didn’t say anything.”

“I figured you were aware of your lack of clothing.”

“Tess?” Kaitlyn ventured onto the veranda, rubbing her arms for warmth. “Are you out here? I went to your room, but you weren’t there. We only have an hour before dinner, and I refuse to let you wear jeans to our first meal.”

“I’ll be right there, Kaitlyn.” Tess rose from the hay bale and gestured toward the lodge. “I have to go.”

“Duty calls,” Weston said, standing as well. He walked her across the veranda, and held open the front door, allowing her to pass under his arm.

“Hurry up T— hey, you’re under the mistletoe.” Kaitlyn, halfway up the staircase, pointed at Tess. “You have to kiss.”

Tess’ jaw dropped, her gaze traveling to the doorway, sliding up the frame. Hanging above them, wrapped in bright red ribbon, a sprig of mistletoe swung. She turned to Weston, her eyes apologetic.

“I am so sorry,” she mouthed. “You don’t have to.”

“It’s tradition,” he replied, his face a mask.

Weston leaned down, and his lips brushed softly across her mouth, sending an imperceptible shiver rolling through her body. A low rumble grew in his throat as the tip of his tongue teased her lips and thrust into her mouth, drawing a moan from Tess. Her head spinning, she clung to his arms, her fingers digging into his muscles.

“First victim!” Ethan’s joyful voice rolled through the main room, emanating from beside the fireplace. “Wait until Graham finds out.”

Weston jerked his head up and stepped backward through the doorway, his green eyes blazing darkly. “I’ll see you at dinner.”

What inspired you to write this book?

Christmas is my second favorite holiday (Halloween being the first), and I love writing holiday stories (I already have one planned for next year as well). Since I write in several genres, and I’ve been focused on paranormal recently, it was a joy to write a contemporary romance. This story is about what happens when a mischievous sprig of mistletoe decides it knows better than the stubborn guests which pass underneath it. I think we all hope to get caught beneath the mistletoe.

What can we expect from you in the future?

Next year, I have a dark paranormal romance that I’ve co-written with Bella Emy entitled For Better or For Cursed. It will be released in the boxed set Possessed by Passion which is currently on pre-order and already an International Best Seller. In addition to the above story, I also have a brand-new historical/paranormal romance series which will be coming out in the latter half of the year, as well as a return to my historical series for next Christmas.

Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?

All the brothers in Mistletoe Hopes will receive their own books, but yes, when I create characters (including minor characters), I think it’s important to give them a backstory, an explanation as to why they would react one way versus another. I once read that every character should feel as if he/she is the main character of their story (even if they aren’t in the story you’re writing).

Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in Mistletoe Hopes?

The two main characters are Tess and Weston. Tess is a workaholic, who raised her sister, and sacrificed a lot to make sure her sister was provided for. She’s practical, jaded, and very often put in a position where her wants/needs contradict the choice she makes. Weston, the oldest brother, is closed off, a self-protective mechanism to keep eager guests at bay. He values honesty and family, two qualities which he recognizes in Tess.

Where did you come up with the names in the story?

I get names from baby registries. I have a full Pinterest board of names that I use when I’m creating a new tale. When writing, I try several name combinations before finding one that flows with the story (this can create unusual problems if I’m not paying attention).

Who designed your book covers?

This book cover was designed by Just Write Creations. She will be designing the three other covers for this series as well.

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

I’d love to see Rachel McAdams and Ian Somerhalder in the lead roles.

What is your favorite part of this book and why?

My favorite scene is when Tess and Weston get caught under the mistletoe the second time. Tess is fighting her attraction to him, and tells Weston that they can skip the kiss, but he refuses. It just makes me grin every time I read it.

Do your characters seem to hijack the story, or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?

I create an outline, but I don’t detail the plot. I let the characters determine the direction they take to reach the end of the story. Sometimes they make decisions without my input. For example, in the story, there was a fight between Tess and her sister which I had not planned (but apparently they did).

Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.

Four sexy cowboys, three single women, two ulterior motives, and one mischievous sprig of mistletoe, what else can you ask for?

Have you written any other books that are not published?

I have one completed urban fantasy story that is the first book in a series. I didn’t want to release this book until I had completed the next two. I hope to start releasing this series next year.

If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?

It would smell like pine, and crackling fires.

Fun Facts/Behind the Scenes/Did You Know?

This book started out as a short story for a holiday anthology. It’s been on a shelf for several years waiting for me to come back and pick it up. I’m so glad I was able to return to this world.

USA Today Bestselling Author Alyssa Drake has been creating stories since she could hold a crayon, preferring to construct her own bedtime tales instead of reading the titles in her bookshelves. A multi-genre author, Alyssa currently writes Historical romance, Paranormal romance, Contemporary romance, and Romantic suspense. She thoroughly enjoys strong heroines and often laughs aloud when imagining conversations between her characters.

She believes everyone is motivated by love of someone or something. One of her favorite diversions is fabricating stories about strangers surrounding her on public transportation. When she's not whipping up chocolate treats in the kitchen, Alyssa can often be found madly scribbling notes on a train or daydreaming out the window as the scenery whips past.

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