Sommerville Holidays Too: Heartwarming Holiday Romance by Vicki Batman

Welcome to this week’s guest author Vicki Batman! Author of small-town rom coms that bring all the cozy holiday feels, she’s here to present her latest collection of sweet holiday treats.

Love blossoms in the small town of Sommerville in these heartwarming holiday tales, filled with fun and forever possibilities.

The Great Fruitcake Bake-off

When a five-time baking champion teams up with her new neighbor for The Great Fruitcake Bake-off, they discover baking a prize-winning entry is complicated, bad guys are plotting to take the crown, and first prize isn’t just about a ribbon.

Christmas Romeo

When two feuding co-workers win Christmas river cruises at the company holiday party, they discover each other isn’t so bad after all.

Twinkle Lights

When the owner of a Christmas tree stand has a heart attack, a do-gooder and a reformed high school delinquent turned lawyer meet the challenges of running the establishment; yet, when revenue goes missing, fingers are pointed.

Excerpts!

The Great Fruitcake Bake-off:

“I’m not entering this year.” I pinned an unbreakable stare on Bethany, my co-worker and long-time friend, who lived in the same apartment complex as me. We arrived early for work and piddled over coffee in her cubical like we always did before diving into the nuts and bolts of company business. Standing firm, I crossed my arms. “Period.”

Bethany rolled her eyes in the “I’m so not believing this” fashion and tweaked the Santa garland decorating her cube’s walls. “Why not, Samantha? You should be proud to be the five-time winner of The Great Fruitcake Bake-off. You’re a-a”–her words trailed off as she searched the ceiling for the ultimate in descriptive–“legend.”

I twitched my black skirt in place, and then I tucked my shoulder-length hair behind my ear. I let loose a long exhale. “Is being a legend in the fruitcake world a good thing?”

Christmas Romeo:

My gaze shifted to the conference room doorway where our office Romeo, aka Richard Stokes, stood. A carefree grin shaped his mouth, one which accompanied his breezy walk as he acknowledged our co-workers he passed with a cheerful “good morning.”

Romeo infuriated me every time I saw him. Every. Single. Time.

“Well-well-well, look who’s here.” With a nod in his direction, I snorted a “humpf.”

“Oh. Him. Finally, Romeo graces us with his presence.” Crossing her arms over her chest, Melanie, my cube mate, dropped her chin and nearly spat with disgust.

“Could anyone look any more repulsive?” I slid my mouth sideways.

“He doesn’t appear one bit fazed by his appearance, Julianne.”

“His clothes are always-always-always rumpled. And does he ever comb his hair? I know rules are different about employee dress in today’s work environment, but I don’t like his style. He looks like a teenager.” I slammed my fist into my palm. “Professionalism, dammit.”

Twinkle Lights:

“I don’t believe it.” Hands on hips, I stood in front of the large, white plastic tent. No happy shoppers bustled in and out. No “All I Want For Christmas Is You” blasting from a boom box. No holiday cheer at all.

Instead, I found under the same ol’ AXEL’S CHRISTMAS TREES neon sign, which wasn’t flashing, a notice, which looked to be hastily printed and stuck on the tent flap with gray duct tape:

Closed. Heart attack. Pray. Axel’s son

I shook my head, saying to the nippy wind whipping my hair, “Poor Axel. This is horrible. Where will the funds for the Sommerville Hospital come from?”

I sensed my stomach kink into a hard knot as I hugged my tote to my waist. I always bought my Christmas tree at Axel’s since…forever. Definitely, since I was a blossoming idea in my parents’ mind. Every year on the first Saturday in December, Mom and Dad brought my brother and me to Axel’s for the family tree. Who could forget the ensuing arguments over the perfect one—Mom usually won—and the joy of trimming it over hot chocolate and homemade cookies.

All grown up, I continued the tradition.

Get your copy today!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JQN19L6/

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1125179/

Meet the Author

Funny, sweet, and quirky, Vicki Batman’s stories are full of her hallmark humor and romance and will delight all readers. She has sold many romantic comedy works to magazines, several publishers, and most recently, three humorous romantic mysteries. Along the way, she has picked up awards and bestsellers. Avid Jazzerciser. Handbag lover. Mahjong player. Yoga practitioner. Movie fan. Book devourer. Chocaholic. Best Mom ever. And adores Handsome Hubby.

Tell us, Vicki, what do you love about the genre you write in?

I write romantic comedy and love happily ever after and some giggles and laughs along the way.

Do you write in other genres?

I write romantic comedy mysteries with an amateur sleuth.

Tell us about your journey from aspiring writer to published author.

While on a road trip, a friend suggested car games to pass the time, for example, pick one-Englebert Humperdink or Tom Jones. Then she said write the opening paragraph of a book using the word window. I had nothing-nothing. She suggested writing something at home and sending to the group later. Two days later, I had written eight chapters. I gave it to her to read, and she said to keep going; so, I did.

What do you do for fun when you’re not writing?

I stitch needlepoint and embroidery. I play mahjong. Read. Jazzercise. Yoga. And long walks with the adora-poos.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

Persistence. Believe in yourself. You can’t fix a blank page.

What’s a highlight of your author career?

The first time I sold a story. Every sale is a thrill.