Writing a holiday romance is about creating a great love story, but also incorporating holiday traditions. Several of my own experiences ended up in Yours For The Holiday, from a “luminaria” event with luminaries that actually takes place in my home town every year, complete with horse-drawn carriages and hot cider, to a mother (mother-in-law, in my case) who obsesses over hanging stockings for every family member, no matter how tenuous. (The store was out of the basic stockings the day I joined the family, so I got the “stripper” stocking with furry, white top over velvety fabric). My reference to Marjory Wells’ peanut brittle can also be attributed to my mother-in-law, who has the magic tough for making it light and airy and so much better than anything you’ll find at the store.

I’ve brought an excerpt with me today to put you in the holiday mood with a bit of scene setting. It’s also a poignant moment for Jason and Remy in their relationship. I hope you enjoy!

And please, comment to share some of your favorite holiday traditions each year. Let’s all get in the Christmas spirit!

Heartridge looked beautiful with the luminaria reflecting off a crisp new layer of snow. The town square — complete with old-style brick roads — was cordoned off for pedestrians, so traffic hadn’t yet had the chance to turn the snowfall to dirty mush.

Remy walked with his hands shoved deep in his pockets, shoulders hunched. Noses turned red and breath fogged in the low temperatures, but they stopped for hot cider to warm their insides. Generally, they made a circuit of the square, enjoying the lights and the school-aged carolers congregated on one corner before heading home. This year, though, Jason pulled up short at the line of horse-drawn carriages. The rest of the Wells family came to a stop in a loose circle on the sidewalk.

“How come we never do this?” Jason asked.

“I don’t know,” Remy’s father, Theodore, said. “I suppose we had a load of kids when you guys were younger.”

“And a load of adults now,” Marge said with a chuckle.

He looked at Remy, who stood next to him with cheeks reddened from the cold and hair disheveled by the wind. And it was ridiculous. Absolute insanity. But he suddenly wanted to take a ride with Remy. He wanted to watch the luminaria — and other Christmas lights on nearby houses — reflect in his eyes. He wanted to kiss him in the moonlight and a million other cheesy things.

He couldn’t do any of those romantic things, though, because no one knew about them. And no one knew about them — at least in part — because Jason was still in the closet. And just like that he understood why Remy was afraid to commit to someone who wasn’t living openly. Who might deny him the simple gesture of a carriage ride. And it made him sad.

“You should go this year,” he told Marge and Theodore. Because if he couldn’t enjoy it, maybe they could.

“Well …”

“Aw, you two make such a cute couple,” a nearby grandma crooned. She patted Jason’s arm. “Handsome and romantic.” She winked at Remy. “He’s a keeper.”

She’d misunderstood, but it seemed like a sign from above to Jason. Maybe he should do what he wanted, and to hell with worrying about what anyone thought.

“Oh, no, we—”

Jason interrupted Remy’s denial. “Thank you. I think he’s the better half, though.”

“Wh-wha—” Remy spluttered as she chuckled.

“Oh, here comes a carriage now. You two take it,” she said, nudging them forward.

Remy, still stunned at Jason’s display, allowed himself to be pushed forward and into the carriage. Jason followed behind, and then looked down at the Wells.

“Anyone else?” he asked while silently hoping they would refuse.

Derek stared at him like he was nuts, seemingly torn between laughter and suspicion. Marge smiled and waved them off. “You go on!”

The carriage rolled forward with a slow clip-clop of hooves striking brick, and Remy finally blinked. “What just happened?”

Jason shrugged nonchalantly, though the nerves twisted in his belly. “She obviously thought we were a couple,” he said.

Remy gaped at him. “But … you’re in the closet.”

“Yeah,” Jason said apologetically. “This would be easier if I wasn’t. I do understand that. But I don’t care if some sweet lady thinks we’re boyfriends, Remy. I’m not ashamed of you.”

“And my family?”

“They think I’m humoring a nice old lady.”

Remy licked his lips. “So, what’s the truth then?”

The lights reflected in his eyes just as Jason imagined. He leaned in close, speaking quietly. “I wanted to take this ride with you. That’s the truth. I’m not afraid, Remy. People will think what they think.”

“If this is your way of trying to prove something …”

Jason pressed a finger over his lips, certain now they were out of the family’s line of sight. “Sometimes a carriage ride is just a carriage ride.”

Remy’s eyes narrowed.

“And sometimes it’s an excuse to touch you,” Jason added.

He lowered his hand and kissed Remy’s lips, before sitting back and entwining their fingers. He rested their linked hands on his knee, and Remy leaned in close, soaking up his warmth.

“This is crazy,” Remy murmured.

“I’m crazy about you,” Jason said, nuzzling his nose in Remy’s dark hair. “But I understand your hesitation. I get it now.”

He realized that even though he’d asked for more out of their relationship, his own place in the closet had contradicted his words. Remy was smart enough to recognize they couldn’t have anything real until Jason was ready to be real with himself.

He wasn’t as clever as Remy, never had been. But he was getting there. And he knew without a doubt, he’d take whatever life threw at him for a chance to be with the beautiful guy at his side.

“I don’t want to get hurt, but I also don’t want to push you away,” Remy said in a low voice.

“Then you won’t,” Jason said simply. “I’ll just pull you closer.”

He watched Remy’s face as they rolled through the square, felt the warmth of his hand in his own and made peace with the fact that he was head over heels in love with his best friend’s little brother.

Fresh off a break-up, Remy is in no mood to share a room with his brother’s best friend during a holiday stay at home. Jason Hendricks has always treated him like a little brother to tease and taunt, all the more embarrassing because Remy has secretly crushed on the jerk since puberty. But when Jason confides he’s bisexual, Remy realizes the crush he loves to hate could be the perfect rebound.


Jason has always found Remy appealing. He didn’t handle his attraction well when he was younger, but now Remy’s a grown man and Jason’s no longer afraid of his feelings. Some playful flirtation sounds like a great way to spend Thanksgiving break, but he’s not prepared for Remy’s newfound sex appeal or his decision to make Jason his rebound fling. Jason doesn’t want to risk fallout with a family that’s always been there for him, but he’s not sure he can resist.


When the two part ways, they don’t plan to stay in touch, but soon they’re texting, trading sexy pictures and helping each other cope with family drama. Remy agrees to be his for the holiday, continuing their secret fling over Christmas, but Jason knows that won’t be enough. He’ll have to find the courage to be open and honest with his best friend — and the whole Wells family — if he wants a chance at love in the new year.


This approximately 50,000 word novel is a brother’s best friend, enemies to lovers romance that comes with a satisfying HEA!

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