Music From My Heart: Holiday Hearts

By AM Vivienne

Andrea is in love…with her work that is. At twenty-six, she's building a career in the music industry writing jingles for Fulson Sound. It's December and the magic of Christmas is swelling in the heart of her hometown of Redford.

The holidays look different this year as she struggles to balance her work and home life. This is her favorite time of year, but the usual traditions she enjoyed with her parents are in the past.

Fighting for the Creative Director position, a huge step up from jingle writer, Andrea must organize the annual Angel Wings Choral Festival to prove to her boss that she's ready for the responsibility.

Enter Lucas, a shy but charming schoolteacher who is new in town and loves Christmas almost as much as Andrea does. Neither of them want a relationship, but Lucas' actions tell Andrea another story. Could he be the inspiration she's been looking for?

Their friendship blooms, but thanks to a meddling mother, they both question what they truly desire from one another. With the festival quickly approaching and Andrea caught between a man and her career, will she discover the happy ending she deserves?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Purple Peacock Press
• Release date: Dec 21, 2020
• ISBN: 9781736316306

Book preview

A.M. Vivienne

Music From My Heart

A Holiday Hearts Christmas Romance

First published by Purple Peacock Press 2020

Copyright © 2020 by A.M. Vivienne

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

First edition

ISBN: 978-1-7363163-0-6

Editing by Satia Renee

This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy

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Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Andrea’s Chocolate Xmas Martini

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Also by A.M. Vivienne

Chapter One

Chapter Separator

Are you ready to take it from the top, Danielle? I imagined the falling snow kissing my cheeks as I sat on the piano bench in the studio. My fingers grazed over the keys waiting for my co-worker to finish practicing her vocal exercises. She fluffed her hair, even though no one was around to see her, then gave me a thumbs up. One, two, three, four, I said, then played three measly keys repeatedly as she sang the jingle for dog treats that we had to record.

The moment she finished her vibrato and bit her lip, I knew she would want to go again. She was the only jingle singer I knew who never tired of the same piece. Being the main pianist at Fulson Sound, I strived to practice the same patience. I checked my watch – five o’clock on the dot. If I left in the next ten minutes, I could make it in time to help Mom cook for our weekly dinner together.

When I was a little kid, my mom and I decorated our home with paper snowflake garlands and ceramic snowmen. Throughout the month of December, we’d drink apple cider in front of our Christmas tree, singing carols with my dad and my childhood best friend Charlene. The house filled with the warmth of the holidays and the crackling fire. Family, love, cookies, and presents – my favorite parts of Christmas. This year, Mom decorated the house by herself, Charlene and her family had long since moved away, and my Dad, well, he didn’t play Santa anymore.

You know, Danielle dragged out the ‘O’ in her high-pitched voice like she always did when she wanted to make a change, I think if I start in a higher pitch, that will show off my range a lot better. You know how I love my falsetto.

I took a deep breath to avoid smashing my forehead onto the keys. Danielle, I clapped my hands once and walked over to her booth, I love your enthusiasm and your passion for this craft, but it’s so important for us to get this recorded before the end of the day. Your dad is so picky when we use too much of the studio time. Think of how many more jingles we could work on if we wrapped this up. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and fanned my free hand in front of her as if her name were in lights in Hollywood. Diamond necklaces. Holiday parades. There are so many options for the season, I barely know where to start.

Danielle laughed and took off her headphones. You’re right, Andrea, we should totally move on! That last take was perfect. Why was I doubting myself?

Exactly! I patted her back, You’re a star, Danielle, and you don’t want to drive yourself crazy by tweaking every little thing. Why don’t you go home to little Coco Puff? I’m sure he’s sitting by the door wagging his tail for you.

Thanks, Andrea! She threw her arms around me and I thought she was going to squeeze all the air from my body. I hugged her too. She jumped up and down, sharing her energy with the whole room. When she pulled away, she gave a thumbs up to Elijah, who worked the soundboard behind the glass. He waved at her as she skipped out of the studio.

I walked into the room and slumped onto the couch next to where Elijah sat. We both started working at Fulson Sound on the same day and have been close ever since. As frustrating as it is to work with her, I have to admire how dedication to perfection.

Elijah powered down the soundboard and spun in his chair to face me. I’m surprised you’ve stuck it out with her this long, he ran a hand through his shaggy brown hair, You’re like the Danielle Whisperer. Before you, she went through three musicians in the past two years. They couldn’t handle spending hours on one or two lines, but you? You’re a pro.

You need patience in this line of work, and if I’m going to become Creative Director of larger accounts and have more responsibilities, I have to do the grunt work.

You mean you don’t dream of writing jingles for the rest of your life?

I’ve got bigger plans. I shrugged my purse over my shoulder and looked at my watch. I don’t know if I have time to give you a ride today. We ran longer than I thought, and I have dinner.

Don’t worry, my truck should be ready at the shop, he waved his hand at me, You’ve done enough good deeds for today, just head on to your parents.

Thanks, you’re the best! I scurried down the halls until I reached the parking garage. As I got into my car, I received a call from Mom. When I picked up, I heard vibrant laughter on the other end. Mom?

She snorted, which made me smile. Her laughing dissipated, and I assumed she paused to wipe tears from her eyes. Sorry, sweetie, Greta was telling me a story about her grandson. I had to call to tell you I haven’t started dinner yet. Will you be here soon?

I’m about to leave work. My session ran long, but I guess it all worked out. Did you want me to pick up anything on my way?

Oh no, sweetie, that’s okay. Or maybe an apple pie from Ernest’s Market? No, I’ve had too much sugar today, but it is the holidays.

Mom, I’m going to stop this endless loop before you lose your mind. I’m getting you a pie. You deserve it. What about Dad?

He says he doesn’t want anything, but you know he’ll ask for a chocolate bar as soon as you walk in the door. You don’t mind, do you? Oh, he wants to talk to you. Herb, stop trying to snatch the phone from me. Wait your turn!

I laughed as Mom’s giggles became muffled and Dad’s deep voice came over the phone. Hey sweetie, did you talk to your boss yet? I thought tonight could be a celebratory dinner for your big promotion.

I haven’t spoken to him, Dad. Besides, he has my application, so he knows I’m interested in the position.

Oh, pen to paper is not enough! You’ve got to fight for what you want. Shout your demands until everyone in town has heard them.

I don’t think that would go over well. People see me as the nice one in the company.

You can still be nice while demanding what you deserve.

"Okay, okay, I’m getting hungry and this conversation could