Contemporary Romance Author Charlee James was introduced to a life-long love of reading listening to her parents recite nightly stories to her and her older sister. Inspired by the incredible imaginations of authors like Bill Peet, Charlee could often be found crafting her own tales. As a teenager, she got her hands on a romance novel and was instantly hooked by the genre. After graduating from Johnson & Wales University, her early career as a wedding planner gave her first-hand experience with couples who had gone the distance for love. Always fascinated by family dynamics, Charlee began writing heartwarming novels with happily-ever-afters.
Charlee is a New England native who lives with her husband, daughters, two rambunctious dogs, a cat, and numerous reptiles. When she’s not spending time with her tight-knit family, she enjoys curling up with a book, practicing yoga, and collecting Boston Terrier knick-knacks.
Hello, Ramblings from this Chick readers! It’s hard to believe the holiday season is already upon us. How did that even happen?
Winter is one of my favorite times of the year. Call me crazy, but I love the cold, snowy New England weather. It’s the perfect excuse to be tucked inside with a book (not that this ever happens to me now with two kids, but it’s a nice idea). Much like Izzy, the heroine from my holiday romance The Bookworm and The Beast, I enjoy the cheerful spirit of the season. I still find snow days, sledding, and gift wrapping terribly exciting.
The season, with its twinkling lights and cozy fireplaces, is also a beautiful setting for romance. Throughout the story, quiet, bookish Izzy makes it her mission to bring some holiday spirit into the life of grumpy bachelor Derek Croft. He might be as handsome as a storybook prince, but his prickly personality and resistance to all things Christmas are sure to make for a chilly holiday season.
Even though the holidays can be fun, they can also be a little stressful at times too, which Izzy quickly finds out when Derek’s family visits for the festivities and she agrees to pretend to be his live-in girlfriend. Before long Izzy’s sweet disposition and unflappable optimism has him decorating a tree and looking forward to late night hot cocoa, but he’s all too aware their time together can’t last.
Whether you look out your window to see palm trees or knee-high snow, I wish you a season filled with warmth, happy moments, and of course romance!
With love,
Charlee
Forgetting his worries for the first time in years, he fell into the game, quickly piling up balls of snow and firing them at will. They threw and dodged and ducked until they were both soaked and gasping for air. Her laugh of pure joy rang in his ears, and something stirred inside his chest. She ran for cover at the edge of the forest, and he followed, still sending a hail of snowballs flying in her direction. One connected with the side of her face and caught her off guard, sending her into the snow. He jogged over to see if she was all right and extended his hand to her.
Instead of getting up, she kicked out his legs and pulled him down with her. His shock gave her the opportunity to push to her knees and gain the upper hand. Izzy’s hair fell in a curtain around her face, as she smiled down at him.
“I think we have a victor.” She spoke happily, her cheeks and lips rosy from the cold.
“I wouldn’t be so sure.” His voice was hoarse and edged with danger. In one quick maneuver, he pinned her to the ground. Wet slush seeped through his pant legs, and his hands were buried in the snow above her head. Suddenly, the world around them melted away, and all he could focus on was the rise and fall of her chest beneath him. She stared into his eyes, unblinking. Izzy looked so innocent, so vulnerable. His nerve endings stirred and tingled. His hands slipped slightly in the snow, and the flutter of her heart drummed against his chest. The scent of her hair, lavender and vanilla, made his mouth go dry. Their lips were just inches from one another. He only had to angle his head to taste them.
Charlee is a New England native who lives with her husband, daughters, two rambunctious dogs, a cat, and numerous reptiles. When she’s not spending time with her tight-knit family, she enjoys curling up with a book, practicing yoga, and collecting Boston Terrier knick-knacks.
Hello, Ramblings from this Chick readers! It’s hard to believe the holiday season is already upon us. How did that even happen?
Winter is one of my favorite times of the year. Call me crazy, but I love the cold, snowy New England weather. It’s the perfect excuse to be tucked inside with a book (not that this ever happens to me now with two kids, but it’s a nice idea). Much like Izzy, the heroine from my holiday romance The Bookworm and The Beast, I enjoy the cheerful spirit of the season. I still find snow days, sledding, and gift wrapping terribly exciting.
The season, with its twinkling lights and cozy fireplaces, is also a beautiful setting for romance. Throughout the story, quiet, bookish Izzy makes it her mission to bring some holiday spirit into the life of grumpy bachelor Derek Croft. He might be as handsome as a storybook prince, but his prickly personality and resistance to all things Christmas are sure to make for a chilly holiday season.
Even though the holidays can be fun, they can also be a little stressful at times too, which Izzy quickly finds out when Derek’s family visits for the festivities and she agrees to pretend to be his live-in girlfriend. Before long Izzy’s sweet disposition and unflappable optimism has him decorating a tree and looking forward to late night hot cocoa, but he’s all too aware their time together can’t last.
Whether you look out your window to see palm trees or knee-high snow, I wish you a season filled with warmth, happy moments, and of course romance!
With love,
Charlee
When quiet, bookish Izzy Simon accepts a two-week assignment as an assistant for an author of children’s books, it seems like the perfect way for her to make some much-needed extra money, but the grumpy author claims he doesn’t want or need her services. He might be as handsome as a storybook prince, but his prickly personality and resistance to all things Christmas are sure to make for a chilly holiday season.
Derek Croft never agreed to the cheery temp his staff arranges for him while they’re on vacation. Izzy is his polar opposite, but Derek soon realizes she could be the perfect solution to his interfering family…if he can get her to agree to pretend to be his live-in girlfriend. Before long Izzy’s sweet disposition and unflappable optimism has him decorating a tree and looking forward to late night hot cocoa, but he’s all too aware their time together can’t last.
Instead of getting up, she kicked out his legs and pulled him down with her. His shock gave her the opportunity to push to her knees and gain the upper hand. Izzy’s hair fell in a curtain around her face, as she smiled down at him.
“I think we have a victor.” She spoke happily, her cheeks and lips rosy from the cold.
“I wouldn’t be so sure.” His voice was hoarse and edged with danger. In one quick maneuver, he pinned her to the ground. Wet slush seeped through his pant legs, and his hands were buried in the snow above her head. Suddenly, the world around them melted away, and all he could focus on was the rise and fall of her chest beneath him. She stared into his eyes, unblinking. Izzy looked so innocent, so vulnerable. His nerve endings stirred and tingled. His hands slipped slightly in the snow, and the flutter of her heart drummed against his chest. The scent of her hair, lavender and vanilla, made his mouth go dry. Their lips were just inches from one another. He only had to angle his head to taste them.
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Ok... I'm a sucker for Beauty and the Beast retellings. I just picked it up! Thanks for highlighting it!
ReplyDeleteThe Bookworm and the Beast sounds like a fun story. Can't wait to read it to learn more about Derek and Izzy.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds fun! Just bought it!
ReplyDeletethe the fairy tale twist
ReplyDelete