For a fairly innocuous looking plant—a
parasite no less!—mistletoe seems to have been imbued with mystical qualities from way back to the ancient Druids. Variously believed
to be an aphrodisiac, an aid to fertility and even a protection against poison
and witchcraft, mistletoe is now firmly established as a fun Christmas
tradition. Stand under a bunch of mistletoe hanging in a festively decorated
house and expect to be kissed!
The custom of kissing under the mistletoe
is a gift to romance writers at this time of year. It makes a perfect excuse
for that all-important first kiss!
Mistletoe is a theme for my two romances
out now: Greek Tycoon’s MistletoeProposal from Harlequin Romance which is book two in the charming Maid
Under the Mistletoe series. Then there’s more mistletoe in my indie published
novella Millionaire Under the Mistletoe.
I love writing Christmas-themed stories and
I really had fun with these two very different stories.
Greek
Tycoon’s Mistletoe Proposal is set in snowy London
with a feisty runaway bride heroine and a gorgeous Greek billionaire hero.
Lukas coerces gatecrasher Ashleigh into pretending to be his girlfriend to help
get a business deal across the line. But pretend feelings start to grow into
real ones. Finally the mistletoe works its magic and their attraction ignites.
“Then Lukas realised she was standing right under the mistletoe she had
hung from the chandelier above them. He saw an invitation to a kiss in the
gleam of her blue eyes, the slight parting of her lush lips. This couldn’t
wait.
He dipped his head to claim her mouth. She responded immediately and
wound her arms around his neck to bring him closer, to press her body close to
his. She made a little murmur of pleasure deep in her throat. With an answering
groan he deepened the kiss. He wanted to hear more: whimpers of need, sighs of
pleasure, moans of ecstasy from this wonderful, perfect woman. His woman.”
(Their next kiss is under falling
snowflakes—just as romantic as the mistletoe!)
Millionaire
Under the Mistletoe is set in Sydney, Australia
where the feelings between reunited former lovers Carly and Dylan are every bit
as steamy as the hot summer weather that comes with Christmas down under! Carly
and Dylan broke each other’s hearts four years ago but when they unexpectedly
meet (thanks to a cat called Morris) the old feelings are still there. Again
the mistletoe brings them together.
“Carly stood under the mistletoe and thrilled to the look in Dylan’s
eyes—excitement, impatience, and something fierce that made it suddenly
difficult to breathe. She didn’t dare try to read anything further into it.
Except to know it went beyond mere friendship.
She swallowed hard against a sudden lump of emotion in her throat and
managed to choke out a few words. “So what are the rules about kissing in the
house?”
“Just the usual rule about mistletoe.” His voice was husky and deep and
sent shivers of awareness down her spine.
“You mean that thing you have to do when you’re standing under it?”
“Yes,” he said, his gaze intent on her face.
“I…I don’t want to break that rule.”
“Me neither,” he said, as he dipped his head to kiss her.”
Do you hang mistletoe at your house? Have
you ever had a romantic, fun or embarrassing kiss under the mistletoe? I’d love
to hear about it! Make a comment to be in the draw for a paperback copy of Greek Tycoon’s Mistletoe Proposal or one
of two e-copies of Millionaire Under the
Mistletoe. Be sure to include your email address with your comment if you
want to be in the draw.
I wish everyone a wonderful holiday season!
See you here next year.
Millionaire Under the Mistletoe is just $0.99 at e-book retailers.
Kandy
Shepherd is a multi-published, award-winning author of contemporary romance and
women’s fiction. She lives on a small farm in the Blue Mountains near Sydney, Australia, with her family and a
menagerie of four-legged friends.
Visit
Kandy at her website
