Margie's Magic Christmas Bars: Sweet Christmas Romances 2017

By Laura Strickland

Margie's mom taught her to bake, and to believe in Christmas magic. She also promised this would be the year Margie found love. When Margie draws the name of her office crush, Trent in the Secret Santa Pool, she decides to make it happen by baking him a batch of her irresistible Magic Christmas bars. But it's Bryan, the new guy in the office, who falls under her spell.

Bryan doesn't need any encouragement when it comes to Margie. From his first day on the job, he's been captivated by her sweet nature and beautiful smile. Bryan can tell Margie only has eyes for Trent, but he recognizes Trent for what he is, a charming user likely to break Margie's heart. Before that happens, he must make Margie see she's closer to her Christmas miracle than she ever dreamed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Books To Go Now
• Release date: Oct 4, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386963714

Laura Strickland

Born and raised in Western New York, Laura Strickland has been an avid reader and writer since childhood. Embracing her mother's heritage, she pursued a lifelong interest in Celtic lore, legend and music, all reflected in her writing. She has made pilgrimages to both Newfoundland and Scotland in the company of her daughter, but is usually happiest at home not far from Lake Ontario, with her husband and her "fur" child, a rescue dog. She practices gratitude every day.

Book preview

Excerpt

Margie’s Magic Christmas Bars

M argie, he whispered . Margie, you’re magic.

All at once, he did have her in his arms. Had she taken that extra half step, or had he? Impossible to tell, because it felt so natural, so right, as did the moment he placed his mouth on hers—natural, thrilling and momentous.

She tasted sweet and tangy, like those Christmas bars she’d made. Just like the bars, he knew one taste would never be enough.

But she broke the kiss hastily, much sooner than Bryan liked, and placed both hands on his chest. When she raised her eyes to him, they looked enormous.

Bryan—not a good idea.

I think it’s the best idea I’ve ever had. Should he tell her he loved her? No, that would send her running for sure.

She shook her head. This isn’t a line we should cross. It’s too nice, us being just friends.

Just friends. God, she still didn’t see him as anything more. What would it take?

How could he become her Christmas wish?

Margie’s Magic Christmas Bars

Books to Go Now Publication

Copyright © Laura Strickland  2017

Books to Go Now

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Cover Design by Romance Novel Covers Now

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Also published on Smashwords

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First eBook Edition October 2017

Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes.

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, any place, events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and story lines are created from the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.

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Look for Laura Strickland’s other book

The Clue of the Red Tresses (part of the Code Redhead project)

Chapter One

I t’s absolutely the most magical time of the year, Margie told her best friend, Liz, as she used white icing to cement the wall of a gingerbread house to its base. Think about it: flying reindeer, elves and letters to Santa. And mistletoe. Don’t forget the mistletoe!

Who could? Liz returned with considerable amusement. She sat at the table in Margie’s tiny apartment kitchen, eating a broken section of gingerbread roof. But, sweetie, all that stuff’s just for fun. You can’t really believe in it.

Not believe? Margie looked up from her task and froze; she couldn’t even imagine such a thing. She widened her eyes and puffed out a breath, which stirred the fringe of bangs above her eyebrows.  Liz, the worst mistake of all is to stop believing.

Magic, as Margie knew very well, was the ingredient that sweetened life the way sugar sweetened a recipe. What happened when you left the sugar out? Nothing tasted right.

Without magic, without belief in it, nothing went right. Margie, who’d had her share of that and then some, determined this year would be different.

She used her knife to scoop another dab of icing and said, "It’s believing that makes dreams come true. My mom taught me that."

Liz’s expression softened. I know. You must miss her something fierce.

Margie nodded and her pony tail bobbed. Every day, but especially now when I start Christmas baking.

Margie’s mom had succumbed to cancer nearly two years ago, right after Christmas. Baking cookies with her over the years was one of Margie’s favorite memories—the laughter, silliness and the stories Mom shared while they worked together. Even now, just thinking about it made her ache.

Mom got me started baking and I still follow most of her recipes.

"You’re an amazing baker. I keep telling you, you should audition for that show, Home Bakers Turn Up the Heat.