Author Spotlight: Nikki Lynn Barrett, author of The Secret Santa Wishing Well

Everyone, please help me in welcoming debut author Nikki Lynn Barrett to the blog today. And since Thanksgiving is over, it's the perfect time for a holiday-themed contemporary romance and a giftcard giveaway to help refill your pockets after Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping splurges.!

But first, Nikki is going to share with us the inspiration for her amazing new story, The Secret Santa Wishing Well.


Christmas in a Child's Eyes
Do you remember those days? When everything was so innocent. When you were a child, you didn't know so much of the things you do now. Funny how all we wanted was to grow up, but now that we are, we want that innocence as a child back.

When thinking about The Secret Santa Wishing Well, I created an image of Christmas through a little boy's eyes. For a six year old, Ben Jensen has a lot of weight on his shoulders. He is the man of the house, he helps his mom with his little sister as often as possible. Without the role of his father in his life.  Ben's image of Christmas hasn't been shattered by the fact that there won't be many toys for him to play with under the tree. Ben's Christmas is changed because he doesn't want his mom to have to work so hard just to provide for him, and his baby sister.

The thing about Ben is that I'm betting there are so many children in his position all the time. And not all of them would take on the responsibility the way he does. And frankly, they shouldn't have to.  Too many childhoods have been cut short because of things that forced them to grow up far too quickly.

When I wrote this story, it really brought things into prospective. As real as the situation may be, I still longed for that happily ever after.  I created the hero, Jacob, based a bit on my step dad. He came into my life when I was one, and got attached to me, and I was attached to him.  He's been married to my mom for 29 years and he has always treated me as if I were his own flesh and blood. Many people who have known me for a long time never realized that he's not my biological father, because there has always been a closeness. I call him Daddy.

So that's why The Secret Santa Wishing Well holds a special place in my heart.  I hope that readers enjoy reading about Jacob, Cheyenne, Ben, and baby Desiree. It's not just a story for Christmas, it's a story about family, love, and new beginnings.

Thank you again, for having me here today, and allowing me to ramble.

-Nikki Lynn Barrett

Title: The Secret Santa Wishing Well
Author: Nikki Lynn Barrett

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: November, 2012

Price: $2.99

Available from: Amazon | B&N










Description
The magic of Christmas has been lost to Jacob Winston. At the suggestion of his ill sister, Jacob takes a job as a Secret Santa at the mall, hoping to restore his Christmas spirit. Even that doesn't seem to work, until a special little boy ambles up to make a very special wish...

Cheyenne Jensen is struggling to raise her two kids without the help of her ex-husband who refuses to acknowledge his daughter's existence and doesn't provide for the son he does. This Christmas is shaping up to be as heartbreaking as the last, until her son Ben's kind actions lead a stranger to them.

Ah, but it's Christmas time and the magic has begun.

When Jacob and Cheyenne meet, neither can deny their immediate attraction to one another. As situations arise that require they spend more time together, their feelings grow stronger and stronger.
With Christmas fast approaching, the pair learn what matters most in life. Now, if only they could ditch the ghost of Christmases past.

Maybe this holiday will bring some wishes come true- for everyone after all.

Excerpt from The Secret Santa Wishing Well
It didn't take long for her to come back.

Jacob moved to the living room, standing and waiting. When he saw her coming, he closed the gap between them. Before he could think twice, he touched her shoulder gently, wanting to thank her for the evening. But instead of talking, he leaned in and kissed her. Just a light kiss. Gentle. Friendly. Until she responded.

She had her arms around him, pulling him for another kiss. Deeper. Sweeter. She tasted so sweet. Her need made him swell. He could do this all night. Jacob pressed her against the wall, their kisses deepening with urgency. He ran his fingers through her fine hair. Hers wrapped around his neck, rubbing lightly.

Jacob pulled back abruptly. “Cheyenne," he ground out. “We have to stop.” Before I lose it. He didn't want to stop. He never expected her to reciprocate like this. Wow. Maybe it wasn't one sided after all. Jacob sighed.

That halted everything. She pulled away, looking at him with wide, beautiful eyes. “I'm sorry. I pushed. You must think I'm a fool. I thought when you kissed me...” Cheyenne attempted to move out of Jacob's embrace. Oh, damn. She thought he didn't want her. He did, oh, how he did.

“No, no. Honey, that's not it at all. Kissing you was magical. Amazing. But we just met. I don't want to take things too far. But I would love to see you again.” He pushed back loose strands of her hair that hung over her face when she'd moved. She looked so vulnerable. Was she going to cry? Oh hell, he wouldn't be able to handle it if she did. The last thing he wanted was for her to be upset with him.

“I'd like that, too. It was a wonderful, amazing day, and I have you to thank for it.” She nearly whispered the words, choking up on the last part. “God, I'm a mess. I'm sorry. There's been so much going on, and my signals are going crazy at the moment.”

Yours aren't the only one, Jacob thought. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket, typing in her name in the contacts and handing it to her. “Can I have your number?”

She laughed. “Of course.” Her fingers brushed his as she took the phone from him, tapping in her number. She handed it back to him. Electric shocks of awareness zipped through him. His gaze lingered on her, knowing he needed to get the hell out of here before he lost it completely,

Buy Links
Amazon | B&N

Coming in print and Kobo soon. Other ebook retailers TBA.

Author Links
Website: http://www.facebook.com/NikkiLynnBarrettauthor
Blog: http://www.nikkilynnbarrett.blogspot.com/
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/WYLCbB
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6583655.Nikki_Lynn_Barrett


Giveaway - $10 Amazon or B&N Giftcard
Nikki is so into the spirit of the holidays that she's treating us to an early present. Leave a comment and your email address to be entered to win a $10 Amazon or B&N giftcard! The giveaway ends on Friday, November 30, 2012 at 11:59 PM, Pacific time.

Remember to include your email address in your comment!

Thank you, Nikki, for your incredible generosity. We wish you the best of luck with your fabulous debut novel.

Thank you, readers! Best of luck with the giveaway.
~Kristine