Please tell me it’s not too early to celebrate Christmas ? I sure hope not because I had a new book coming out this month on the 26th — A Secret Christmas Wish. Of course, all my books hold a special place in my heart, but this one has become a favorite. I’ve included a lot of familiar hooks: handsome cowboy hero, single mother heroine, baby, ranch setting, weddings, and, yes, Christmas.
But my publisher took a chance and let me write a hero you don’t typically find in romance books. Brent Hayes is suffering from acute depression. Not a trait you expect in a strong, tough cowboy hero. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to bring awareness to the struggles individuals with mental illness face in a format that might reach readers needing to know they aren’t alone.
Rest assured, there’s also the usual fun, touching, romantic, and western stuff I love to write about — plus a really cute little boy guaranteed to steal your heart. And plenty of Christmas happenings to put readers in the spirit.
Here’s a short excerpt:
Brent did as Ansel suggested, ladling a portion of the steaming cider into a mug. He’d skipped lunch, not wanting to spoil his appetite for today, and considered filling a plate with stuffed mushrooms and deviled eggs. Before he could, he felt a heavy weight knock into him and almost spilled his cider.
Looking down, he saw TJ on his knees and clutching Brent’s boot with his chubby arms.
“Hey, buddy. What’s going on?” He set down his cider on the table.
TJ tugged harder on the boot, the same one he’d pushed around the bunkhouse floor the previous evening. “Want.”
Brent understood that word well enough. “Maybe later. Not sure your grandma fancies me walking around her house in my socks.”
TJ plunked down onto his behind, wrapped his legs around Brent and pulled with all his might, his small face turning nearly the same shade of red as his sweatshirt. “Want!”
Brent chuckled. “We’re going to have to reach a compromise.”
“TJ!” Maia hurried over. “I’m so sorry.” She bent and retrieved her son. “He’s been a little stinker since we got here. It’s all the people and commotion.
TJ squirmed and grunted in an attempt to break free of Maia’s grasp. When she held fast, he started to cry. She put him down but kept hold of his hand.
“What am I going to do with you?” she complained with mock sternness, her expression filled with tenderness.
She wore a red sweatshirt identical to her son’s. It was then Brent saw MacKenzie Family Thanksgiving printed on the front over a cartoon turkey. He glanced at Ansel and Darla. They wore the same sweatshirt, as did Lois and two of TJ’s cousins.
Corny. Also kind of nice. Brent’s family hadn’t done those kinds of things, and until today he’d have cringed at the idea. Funny how one’s perspective could change.
“Here.” Brent slipped out of his denim jacket and extended it to TJ, who grabbed the jacket with the same joyous abandon he had Brent’s boot.
Struggling, TJ managed to insert an arm into the sleeve. Before Maia could stop him, he scooted off, dragging half the jacket on the floor behind him.
“Come back.” She started after him.
Brent waylaid her with a hand on her wrist. “It’s all right.”
“What if he—”
“He won’t.”
“He could.”
“Then he does.”
She shook her head and grumbled, “You’re as bad as he is.”
Only then did Brent notice his hand remained on Maia’s wrist. Reluctantly, he let go. He’d been here less than ten minutes and already experienced human contact twice after an incredibly long dry spell.
Lois’s hug had been nice, but touching Maia was far nicer. He wouldn’t lie.
Thank you for letting me share my new release with you. And for joining me in an early Christmas celebration. Is it time to get the decorations out yet? I think yes!
Cathy McDavid has been penning Westerns for Harlequin since 2005. With over 55 titles in print and 1.6 million-plus books sold, Cathy is also a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins is married to her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world seven years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about good looking cowboys riding the range, busting broncs, and sweeping gals off their feet — oops, no. Make that winning the hearts of feisty, independent women who give the cowboys a run for their money. It a tough job, but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.
Congrats on a new book Cathy. It sounds so fun and festive.
Thank you, Tonya 🙂
This sounds like a wonderful story – thanks!
Thanks, Teresa!
Congratulations on the new book Cathy
Thanks so much, Charlene!
welcome and congratulations on your newest book. This sounds like a fun story. Nope I dont think it is too early to pull out Christmas decorations. They make us feel happy and cheerful. Around march or april I start sewing for christmas. So right now since this last year has had a lot of health problems with both my husband and I, I am on crunch time right now. LOL I tend to read Christmas books all year long.
I love your attitude, Lori. And I read Christmas book all year long, too!
Welcome! I think quite a few people suffer from depression at this time of year, so having a hero with it is a great idea! I don’t put out Christmas decorations til after Thanksgiving.
Yes, Trudy, the holidays can be hard on a lot of people. I hope my book reaches one or two 🙂
Congratulations on your new release, your book sounds like a great read and the book cover is beautiful!
I really appreciate that, Alicia 🙂
I’m all for christmas decorations! I’m one of those that leaves the trees up in the house as long as I can get away with it. What a fun and enjoyable excerpt, thank you. Congrats on the release!
Thanks, Susan. And I leave my tree up for as long as possible, too!
Enjoyed the excerpt.
Not too early to celebrate Christmas.
denise
Yay! Glad you agree, Denise 🙂
Congratulations on your new release! It sounds fabulous. I am leaning more until after Thanksgiving for Christmas decorations.
Thanks, Debbie. I can understand waiting until Thanksgiving 🙂 Decorating is a lot of work!