The Christmas Switch

By Leila Lacey

Identical twin sisters Justice and Liberty Pope have their looks and a Christmas birthday in common, but very little else. Justice is a busy California divorce attorney who spends her days surrounded by hostile clients wanting out of their miserable relationships. Justice no longer believes in happy endings, understandably, but her boyfriend is pushing for a long-term commitment. 
Liberty is an up-and-coming singer with dangerous curves and killer vocals who is sick of the fast life. The music industry is crammed with superficial personalities, including her player boyfriend, and she secretly longs for the kind of love her parents have; something true that lasts a lifetime.
A heated conversation sparks a little sisterly feud while the family is gathered for Thanksgiving dinner. Both women are convinced the other has the perfect life so they decide to play a harmless game of switching identities. No big deal. They did it often as teenagers. 
Things go exactly as planned until Liberty begins to fall hard for Justice's attentive, sexy boyfriend. Meanwhile, Justice is really starting to appreciate the no-strings-attached relationship Liberty's passionate lover is offering. The men notice the sudden transformation in their behavior, but chalk it up to a simple change of heart—completely unaware the sisters are twins. When the women take their new partners home for Christmas dinner, will they be able to continue the hoax and fool the family too? Or will they be forced to return the best gifts they've ever received? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leila Lacey
• Release date: Sep 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386661948

Leila Lacey

Love comes in many shapes and sizes.  Rising Michigan Author Leila Lacey writes from the heart about the trials and tribulations of love and romance from a plus size woman’s perspective.  With over 12 popular books on Amazon to date, she’s steadily claiming her space as a new romantic fiction author to keep an eye on. Bow down to the curves.  That’s the philosophy that’s motivated romantic fiction author Leila Lacey as she’s wrote over a dozen popular books taking a hot and exciting look at love and adventure from a strong, curvy woman’s viewpoint.  The books have been received with enthusiasm, and it’s clear the best is yet to come for these BBW romances (Big Beautiful Woman). “I think it’s important to present strong, beautiful, curvy women that have amazing female to female relationships,” commented Lacey, on what motivates her.  “If we don’t provide alternative role models for people, they could fall into the trap of not loving who is looking them back in the mirror.  Romantic fiction should entertain, but it should also help build confidence and a great self-image.  I’m trying to cover all these things and more in my books.” According to the author, Lacey had a quite unexpected entry into writing.  Although always interested in being a writer she never explored her skills fully until being convinced to join a writing contest.  Within 30 days she had finished her first novel, won the contest, and never looked back.  An example of a woman with confidence proving to herself, and the world, what can be accomplished when dreams are pursued actively. Some of her most popular books in the plus size women genre include:  Phoenix Rising;  A Very Curvy Christmas; Dr. Black’s Patient; Love’s Legacy; Shelby’s Awakening; and many, many more. Readers have responded to her work with enthusiasm.

Book preview

The Christmas Switch

A BBW Romance

By Leila Lacey

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION. Names, characters, corporations, institutions, organizations, events, and locales in this novel are either a product of the author’s imagination, or, if real, used fictitiously. The resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced without consent from the author.

Editor: Leanore Elliott

The Christmas Switch

Copyright ©Leila Lacey 2015

CHAPTER ONE

It felt good to be home. Justice Pope thought to herself riding in the back seat of her chauffer driven Tahoe.

It was the day before Thanksgiving and she was on her way to her parents’ home in Silverdale, Texas. Where her and her twin sister, Liberty had been born and raised.

Justice’s career didn’t allow for her to be at home with her family often. But she cherished the time when she did. She was one of the most popular singers in the world today. Her career had started in her mother’s church, in the choir when she was five years old. She’d always loved singing and when the opportunity came to be just as big as or bigger than Beyoncé, she’d jumped at the chance.

Lately, she’d been tiring of the rat race of a successful career in the music industry. One of the things that had bothered her for years was all the fake people she was surrounded by.

Unfortunately, for her, the people she did trust were her family, in order for them to live in peace she tried all that she could to keep them out of the spotlight.

As her driver turned onto Havershire lane, Justice stared out the window taking in the beauty of small town’s atmosphere. Unlike LA and New York, there wasn’t miles and miles of overcrowded freeways and roads. In Silverdale, the roads were almost like dirt roads. The hard packed dirt undisturbed by idle bikers or speeding cars was narrow and weaved in between the large trees. A slight breeze caused the red and orange leaves to lazily skip along the quiet road hardly making a sound.

Cracks covered some of the more worn looking areas making it look much older than it was as all the loose pebbles hung onto the edge as if holding on for dear life. The breeze picked up, making the tall grass and flowers that aligned the road move as if waving to some invisible viewer. A car flew by over on the nearby highway, tires squealing as it took a corner too fast. But no cars flew down this road.

The many potholes scattered down the entire way were filled with brown puddles just asking for a child with bright new shiny rain boots to splash in. Trees that started to grow too close, stretched out their roots, creating dips and bumps on what otherwise would be smooth areas. A warm fog was beginning to descend, hiding what no one ever saw anyways. But it was there, never ending and quiet, lazily stretching from one end to another just waiting for a traveler to make his mark, even if it's just a footprint.

As the truck pulled into the driveway of her parents’ house, she instantly felt a sense of peace and tranquility, of being at a place where she knew she was loved for who she was inside.

The Pope home was the biggest house in Silverdale. But with the population of fifteen hundred that wasn’t hard to do. It was a classic colonial style home. A Dramatic two-story entry with a curved staircase and checkered marble floor. Professional landscaping and a pool, for the family to enjoy BBQ’s with family and friends.

The chauffer opened the door  and Justice stepped out of the car, looking at all the beautiful decorations that adorned the house.

Well look what the cat drug in, her father said, waiting for her in the doorway. Colonel Majesty Pope was a retired Marine who had given the military twenty-five years of his life. If there was one thing that Justice was always sure of...it was the love her father had for her.

Daddy! she said running into his arms for a bear hug. She took in her father’s scent, instantly going back to being a little girl in his arms when she had a nightmare. He’d always smelled like tobacco and peppermint. To this day, those scents made her feel safe.

I am so glad you were able to come and be with us this Thanksgiving baby girl. It’s been too long, her father said not wanting to let her go yet.

I missed you so much daddy, she replied smiling.

Come in, your momma is chomping at the bit to see you.

Okay. She turned to her driver. You can sit my luggage inside the house Pierre. Then get yourself back to that airstrip, get on the jet and go be with your family for the holidays. I will see you in five days.

Thank You Ms. Pope. You have a good one.

As Justice walked through the house toward the kitchen, she was tucked firmly under her father’s arm. She thought of all the happy loving years she’d spent in this house. Every thought she had of her past was of a wonderful life.

Even with those two years of bullying that she suffered in high school. Justice was five nine, and she wore a size eighteen. Her dark brown complexion had hadn’t really helped matters with her tormentors who were white and black. Top that off with having a father for a Marine and a mother that was the pastor of her own church, Justice had a lot of expectations on her.

Luckily, she’d been blessed to have a twin sister who she was very close to. They had never really needed friends, because they had each other.

She thought of the irony of being called Thelma thick thighs and forest fire in high school. To having paparazzi trying to catch a photo of her butt, hips and thighs...praising them now.

Mommy! she said when they rounded the corner and she saw her mother.

My Baby! Her mom replied quickly wrapping Justice in her arms.

Reverend Dr. Hope Pope was a well-known pastor and an amazing wife and mother. She loved her girls and taught them to have pride in themselves as women, and in their heritage. As much as she had wanted Justice to stay away from secular music, she’d loved and supported her daughter in the choice that she’d made in becoming a super star.

Did you get my scripture today? Her mother asked her. Hope had sent a scripture each morning for her daughters to read for many years now. She’d told her and Liberty, If you start your day with the Lord, everything else will fall into place.

Many times, Justice had been struggling with one thing or another and out of nowhere, she would get a scripture text from her mom and it would be just what she needed to read. Yes momma and I read it a few times on the plane.

That’s my girl, her mother said going back to her slicing.

Where’s Liberty? Is she here yet? she asked looking around for her sister.

Your sister is upstairs in her room taking a shower, before she brings her behind down here and starts helping me with this dinner. We are hosting thirty people tomorrow, Hope said.

THIRTY! Momma I thought you said this year was going to be low key?

For your momma that is low key, Majesty chimed in.

On the few occasions that Justice was able to break away and come home. She would spend her entire visit giving free concerts in her parent’s backyard.

I know sweetie, but we just have so much to be thankful for. I can’t help but want to share that, Hope said. Besides, I have told everyone that has RSVP’d there will be no impromptu concerts this year.

Like they’re gonna listen, Majesty interjected. "I been telling half the people