Shannon here: Nancy Naigle is a new guest here. Today, she’s sharing how her heroine and hero meet with a romantic excerpt and recipes from her Contemporary Romance, Christmas in Chestnut Ridge. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for an autographed copy of the book, U.S. only. Deadline: Dec 21st, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Nancy:
Christmas in Chestnut Ridge
The hero and heroine in this novel are the Fire Chief, Tucker, and Sheila, a big-city realtor who is visiting her best friend who just moved to Chestnut Ridge, Natalie, for the holidays to help with her Christmas Tree Stroll entry.
Tucker is a rugged yet tenderhearted fire chief who’s been through his share of heartbreak. He loves the town of Chestnut Ridge and it’s his mission to see that families in this town are safe. He and his team always volunteer for anything that helps the community.
Here’s a little peek into the day Sheila arrives in town at Orene’s house while the holiday warm-up party is in full swing, and our hero and heroine literally bump into each other.
Excerpt from Christmas in Chestnut Ridge by Nancy Naigle:
Tucker carried a four-foot tall red stocking filled with individually wrapped portions of homemade turkey and venison jerky. Green bags contained turkey jerky and red ones, the color of Rudolph’s shiny nose, the venison.
On the white band at the top of the stocking, Tucker had glued a gift tag:
TAKE ONE – NAUGHTY OR NICE
Homemade Jerky by Tucker
Tucker shifted the stocking to his other hand, as he approached Nelle who was carrying two big plastic containers. “Don’t make me guess from all of your wonderful dishes, Nelle. Please say it’s your jazzed-up Jambalaya.”
Her face brightened. “You just made Santa Nelle’s nice list, boy. It is Jambalaya!”
Tucker fist pumped the air. “Let’s make it mine! I’m off to hunt down a bowl.” He shot forward, then spun around. “Don’t you take that lid off until I make it to the table!”
“Can’t promise that.” Nelle’s hearty laughter was turning heads. “Go on now, and hurry on back.”
He jolted for the kitchen, but only made it two steps before he slammed right into someone with an oomph. “Oh gosh. I’m so sorry. I didn’t—” He sent the woman reeling, and dropped the stocking to catch her by the shoulders as she went off balance.
The woman let out a squeak. “Sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was going.” Her shiny auburn hair swung over her shoulder as she regained her footing, then she brushed away drops of punch from the front of her top.
“It was my fault,” Tucker said. “Forgive me. Look what I did.” He pulled a bandana from his pocket and swept at the droplets that had spilled from her punch cup, then withdrew. “You should probably do that yourself. Here. Use this.”
“Thank you.” Her emerald green eyes connected with his, then she dabbed. “It’s fine. See, no harm done.” Her glance fell to the ground where the bag of jerky lay between them.
“What’s that?” She pointed to the stocking. “Don’t they usually make Santa wear a furry red suit?”
“Well—”
“Hold on.” She eyed him suspiciously. “You’re not Santa. I was just in the other room where our stockings hung by the chimney with care. Did you steal that?”
“No?” She couldn’t be serious.
A playful glint sparkled in her eyes. “Uh-huh. I’ve caught you red-handed.”
He laughed. She had him going for a second there. “I brought this with me.”
“Sure you did. Who doesn’t travel with a giant red stocking that looks heavy,” she noticed. “Suspiciously so. Is it filled with silver? Jewelry?”
“Nope. Something more valuable. Homemade turkey and venison jerky.”
“Jerky? Like salty dried meat? Yuk!” She shivered. “Sounds like a heart attack in a sack.” She paused, but only a second. Raising an accusing finger, she asked, “Are you a doctor, by chance, trying to drum up patients?”
“Just a Fire Chief who knows his way around a smoker and dehydrator. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”
“I’ll try to withhold judgment.” Realization crossed her expression. “The Fire Chief. You must be Tucker.”
“I am. You…?” He couldn’t place her for the life of him, but he never forgot a pretty face, and this woman was worth remembering. “I don’t—”
“I’m Sheila.” She stuck out her hand. “Natalie’s friend. I’m staying with Orene. I’m here to help with the Christmas Tree Stroll.”
“Natalie said she had a secret weapon. I didn’t know it was a who and not a what.”
“What can I say?” She shrugged.
“How much to buy you over to my team?”
“I can’t be bought.”
He wasn’t so sure of that, and he didn’t need help. He was just enjoying the banter. “Everyone has their price.”
“Not this girl.”
When their paths cross, there’s an undeniable—if slightly reluctant—spark. And, as sparks tend to do, they have a way of igniting something much bigger…
The book also contains two of Sheila’s recipes. One for cookies, and one for savory cheddar bites. For visitors to Inkslinger today…hop on over to my website and grab both: Nancy’s Blog. Merry Christmas!
Question for Readers: Do you like jerky or jambalaya? Why or why not? Have you ever made or tasted homemade jerky or jambalaya?
About Nancy: USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle whips up small-town love stories with a whole lot of heart. She began writing while juggling a successful career in finance and life on a seventy-six-acre farm. Now happily retired from a career in the financial industry, this Virginia girl devotes her time to writing, antiquing, and spa days with friends.
Several of Nancy’s novels have been adapted for television. You can find the complete list of movies and a free downloadable checklist of all of Nancy’s books in series order on her website. Learn more & connect:
Nancy’s Website Nancy’s Facebook Nancy’s Twitter
About the book – Christmas in Chestnut Ridge:
In the enchanting mountain town of Chestnut Ridge, where tree farms blanket the hillsides and the promise of a white Christmas is ever-present, a heartwarming holiday romance is about to blossom. When Sheila’s best friend convinces her to help decorate a tree in the annual Christmas Tree Stroll fundraiser, she embarks on an unexpected journey of self-discovery, all wrapped in the cozy embrace of a tight-knit community. As she immerses herself in the joy of twinkling lights, hot cocoa, and the camaraderie of the townsfolk, Sheila’s world begins to transform, and she finds the sense of belonging she never knew she needed.
Meanwhile, Tucker, the town’s reliable fire captain, is gathering volunteers to help a family with four young children who have just lost their home to a devastating fire weeks before Christmas. Sheila offers her helping hand, and as the town rallies to support the family in their time of need, sparks of love begin to flicker between her and Tucker.
In this charming town where dreams come true, and Christmas magic is everywhere, come along for a tale of love, community, and the true spirit of the season.
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Need extra copies for Christmas gifts?
Interested in Nancy’s other titles? Get your copy/copies now!
Christmas in Chestnut Ridge Nancy’s Books
Come back Dec 13th for Louise M. Gouge!
So excited to be here and share a little about Christmas in Chestnut Ridge and make new friends who love reading as much as I do!
Glad to have you here, Nancy. I enjoyed the excerpt.
I’ve never had jumbalaya but I love gumbo. I’ve had homemade and from a local restaurant.
I love jerky. We once tried elk jerky at Cabelas. It was really good.
A lady in our church used to make venison jerky. My husband was always begging for more. She finally gave him a dehydrator and her recipe. He makes venison jerky when we have the meat and beef when we don’t. It’s really good either way.
I haven’t had either one. Probably because I have a very sensitive stomach. I probably would be more willing to try a little jambalaya.
I like jerky but it seems too hard to make myself lol I don’t like to cook.
I liked Slim Jims when I was young, but not any more. I don’t care for jerky now. I have never had jambalaya.
I enjoyed the excerpt, especially Tucker’s enthusiasm for Nelle’s jambalaya.
Thanks, Roxanne. Tucker is a real catch!
I have never made or tasted homemade jerky or jambalaya.
Well we might just have to find you some decent jambalaya to try! Jerky…well…that stuff is salty so not the best treat for everyone, but I love good jerky. Not the dry can’t hardly chew it stuff.
Not a fan of jerky but I have had and enjoyed jambalaya.
I have a winner! Maryann won the drawing. I appreciate Nancy for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.