Christmas Cookies on a Cruise Ship
by Parker Fairchild
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GENRE: Contemporary Romance
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BLURB:
Chemist and budding romance writer Olivia Chasen is on a cruise to avoid spending Christmas with her beautiful twin sister and new fiancé—Olivia’s ex. Now, thanks to her lonely, intoxicated ramblings on Santa’s lap, her fellow passengers think she’s in love with a fictional character.
Former Navy SEAL Commander Jace Morse has dealt with plenty of unusual situations in his career, but he’s never had the honor, the pleasure, or the privilege of being a beautiful and intelligent woman’s fantasy hero come to life. While he hasn’t officially met the sexy chemist, he’s sure eager to explore the chemistry that’s sizzling between them.
Bringing the charming SEAL together with the skeptical Olivia is going to take more than just Christmas cookies and a little help from Mrs. Claus; it’s gonna take a heaping dose of Christmas magic.
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EXCERPT ONE:
“Dr. Olivia Chasen,” Santa’s jolly baritone popped her mental fuzzy bubble.
She stopped as she struggled to whirl around. “Me?” She touched her chest with a dramatic flourish she didn’t know she possessed.
A powerful spotlight illuminated her; its heat burned her already flushed face. She pressed a clammy palm to her chest. “How do you know my name?” The haze in her mind was paralyzing all cognitive function.
“My dear girl,” Santa chuckled, “you should know by now that Santa knows everything and everyone,” he tapped an index finger to his temple.
Santa Claus turned to address the waiting line. “Girls, Boys, Moms, Dads, everyone, if you don't mind waiting for a brief moment, I'd like for Olivia,” he pointed a white gloved finger at her, “to please come up here on stage, and tell me what she wants for Christmas.”
She stood dumbfounded as the audience and the people in line clapped and chanted her name, “Olivia! Olivia! Olivia!”
Oh no! What was she going to do? She couldn’t possibly go up onto that stage. She was far too shy to address a theater full of people. But if she didn’t go that would be so unexciting and so like the old Olivia. But she wasn't unexciting! She was the new Olivia, and she was exciting! And she wanted to have fun! Correction: She was determined to have fun. Besides, she’d never see these people—her fellow passengers—ever again.
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GUEST POST:
Five Reasons Why You Should My New Book, “Christmas Cookies on a Cruise Ship,”
Five reasons why your readers should read my new book—hmm, because it’s a fun and festive, romantic, holiday story? Well, it’s certainly all that, but I know you’re looking for more depth, so here goes.
If you’re still leery of international travel due to COVID, but are in desperate need of escaping somewhere, somehow, then sail away into the balmy Caribbean on a relaxing cruise with my characters. While the cruise ship I reference in “Christmas Cookies on a Cruise Ship,” the Serendipity, is fictitious, the experiences and events that my characters encounter on the high seas are based on the many different cruises I’ve taken. Also, the general design and composition of the Serendipity mirrors that of a real passenger vessel.
During their cruise, my characters visit Cozumel, Mexico, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, and Ocho Rios, Jamaica—again, all ports that are familiar to me as I’ve toured these islands numerous times. Because I believe the best fiction is the most believable fiction, I incorporated actual venues, like GoldenEye in Jamaica and Margaritaville in Grand Cayman, into the texture of my story.
Second, if a Caribbean cruise is paradise, then one at Christmas is even more magical—just like Mrs. Claus’s magical chocolate chip cookies! Not only does falling in love and cruising go together, but so, too, does love and the holidays. There’s just something extraordinarily special and romantic about falling in love at this time of the year. Again, because I’ve cruised at Christmas, I was able to add those unique Yuletide touches.
However, a great venue and time of year are only part of the job. In fact, they can be the glue that helps to bind the entire novel, but it’s the heroine and hero who carry the story and hopefully capture their readers’ hearts.
So, my third and fourth reasons for reading go directly to Olivia and Jace.
While this cruise begins purely as an escape for Olivia, she soon finds herself not just sailing the high seas but riding a wave of adventure, self-discovery, and growth as she learns that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. We watch her break free from her old self as she recreates a whole new her that’s truly more reflective of who she really is.
And while she’s the only one who can take the responsibility and do the hard work it takes to improve herself and her life, our hero, Jace, becomes her muse and greatest cheerleader.
Jace, himself, is also navigating the challenges of a new life. As a former Navy SEAL, he’s dealing with his own demons. On a serious note, I’ve devoted one scene to highlighting the troubling issue of PTSD among our veterans. As a society, we have a long way to go in terms of helping those who have given so much to their country.
In the end, while only Olivia and Jace have the true power to mend themselves, their love and support of each other binds them and strengthens them. They learn to take better care of themselves and of each other. Love can conquer all.
The fifth and final reason to read “Christmas Cookies on a Cruise Ship” is to rediscover the power of love at first sight. My hubby and I met on a Hawaiian cruise—thank you Princess Cruises and “The Love Boat”—and fell in love at first sight, so I know its heady glory.
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AUTHOR BIO:
Parker Fairchild is a model, social media copywriter, and freelance writer with multiple writing credits. A Virginia native, she and her husband had their own shipboard romance as they met on a cruise ship tender in Maui, and as her mom is fond of saying, "they haven't stopped talking since." When she's not busy playing with words, she loves spending time with her husband and family in Arizona where she now resides.
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CONNECT WITH PARKER:
Website:
https://www.parkerfairchild.com
Blog:
https://www.parkerfairchild.com/blog
Email:
parker@parkerfairchild.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ParkerFairchildAuthor
Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/ParkerFairchild
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/parker_fairchild
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/parker.fairchild
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRjjGk1Ra_a1H-PfPRG5g-A
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/parker-fairchild
TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@parker.fairchild
BookBub Author Page:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/parker-fairchild
BookBub Book Page:
https://www.bookbub.com/books/christmas-cookies-on-a-cruise-ship-by-parker-fairchild
Goodreads Author Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20883185.Parker_Fairchild
Goodreads Book Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55934563-christmas-cookies-on-a-cruise-ship
Amazon Author Page:
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BOOK BUY LINKS:
Amazon US Kindle eBook:
Amazon US Paperback:
Amazon CA Kindle eBook:
https://www.amazon.ca/Christmas-Cookies-Cruise-Perfect-Pairings-ebook/dp/B08N8P1G1P
Amazon CA Paperback:
https://www.amazon.ca/Christmas-Cookies-Cruise-Parker-Fairchild/dp/1631122622
Apple Books eBook:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/christmas-cookies-on-a-cruise-ship/id1539983816
Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:
Barnes and Noble Paperback:
The Book Depository Paperback #1:
https://www.bookdepository.com/Christmas-Cookies-on-Cruise-Ship-Parker-Fairchild/9781631122613
The Book Depository Paperback #2:
https://www.bookdepository.com/Christmas-Cookies-on-Cruise-Ship-Parker-Fairchild/9781631122620
BAM! Books-A-Million Paperback #1:
https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Christmas-Cookies-Cruise-Ship/Parker-Fairchild/9781631122613
BAM! Books-A-Million Paperback #2:
https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Christmas-Cookies-Cruise-Ship/Parker-Fairchild/9781631122620
The Bookshop Paperback #1:
https://bookshop.org/books/christmas-cookies-on-a-cruise-ship-9781631122620/9781631122613
The Bookshop Paperback #2:
https://bookshop.org/books/christmas-cookies-on-a-cruise-ship-9781631122620/9781631122620
Google Play eBook:
Kobo US eBook:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/christmas-cookies-on-a-cruise-ship
Kobo CA eBook:
https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/christmas-cookies-on-a-cruise-ship
Smashwords eBook:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1053799
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GIVEAWAY INFO:
Parker will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveaway**This post contains
affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small
commission to help support this blog.
This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those fabulous
community outreach projects and awesome giveaways on here**
Parker ~ Good morning!! Welcome to FAB!! It is so great to have you here!! Congrats on your new book and good luck on the book tour!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ally, it’s so good to be here with you and your followers. Thank you for hosting me and “Christmas Cookies on a Cruise Ship.”
DeleteThanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteYes, thank you for hosting, Ally, and supporting “Christmas Cookies on a Cruise Ship.” I really appreciate it!
DeleteThis book sounds fun and exciting!! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete@tisonlyme143
You’re so welcome Tisme143! Thank you for being here on my Book Tour. “Christmas Cookies on a Cruise Ship” is a fun and festive read that’s guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit!!!
DeleteI like the excerpt and cover.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rita, and thank you for being here with me on my Book Tour. When my publisher emailed me the cover for the first time, it was definitely love at first sight!!! I believe the cover reflects the fun, festive, and romantic comedy quality of “Christmas Cookies on a Cruise Ship.”
DeleteI enjoyed your guest post. I've never been on a cruise before.
ReplyDeleteI love cruising and highly recommend it!!! Thank you for being here, Kim, and participating in my Book Tour for "Christmas Cookies on a Cruise Ship." I really appreciate it.
DeleteI really like the cover and the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteI love the cover, too, Sherry; it pairs well with the comedy and joy of the book. Thank you for joining me here on my Book Tour and celebrating "Christmas Cookies on a Cruise Ship."
DeleteI enjoyed reading the excerpt and the guest post and your book sounds like a fun holiday read! Thanks for sharing it with me and have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stormy, for being here for me today!!! "Christmas Cookies on a Cruise Ship" is a holiday romantic comedy with plenty of laugh out loud moments. You have a great weekend. too.
DeleteI have not been on a cruise before but I would love to read your book, it sounds like a fun read
ReplyDeleteI encourage you to take a cruise Linda--they're awesome! Meanwhile, though, "Christmas Cookies on a Cruise Ship," is full of real world cruising details taken from my many cruises. Thank you for your interest in reading my book; I really appreciate your support!
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