A very cold, snow covered Santa—with puppies— knocks on Kasey’s door in LizAnne Axtell’s holiday short, sweet, and steamy romance. Maybe Christmas won’t be so bad after all .

LizAnne, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about your book.

Makin’ Merry by LizAnne Axtel

Genre Contemporary Instalove

Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R

Sky Wheeler doesn’t have a family of his own, so he has no problem playing Santa for the Turquoise Creek Ranch kids. Until a sudden snowstorm and broken down pickup leave him stranded in the middle of ranch country with no cell connection and a pair of starving foundling puppies. The house he passed a half mile back might be his only refuge from the cold.

Alone and struggling to keep her family’s ranch after her divorce, Kasey Powers knows she can’t provide the kind of Christmas she’d hoped for her two kids. There’s only a handful of gifts under the tree and very little to fill the stockings hung on the mantle. She’s gotten used to making do, and she’ll stay up all night creating homemade gifts if that’s what it takes to put smiles on her kids’ faces.

Then a very cold, snow covered, grouchy Santa knocks on her door.

Let’s chat about what to eat

First, what is your name and how old are you?

Sky Wheeler. And I’m old enough to know better.

If any, what food do you refuse to eat?

Anything that lays on the plate and looks at me. Love me some fried fish, but not if the head’s still on.

Tell us about a meal or food that says “home” to you.

A meal that says home? Any meal shared with someone you love, with family. Home isn’t the place. Home’s the people. It could be a fancy holiday meal, or just a bowl of tomato soup, as long as I’m with my people, it’s home.

What is the worst meal you’ve ever eaten?

Went on a blind date once and ended up with whole shrimps on my plate. And by whole, I mean they still had their heads on. It’s the eye thing. Had no idea shrimp were so judgmental. But, so was my date. About everything. Never saw her again. And I’ve never gone on another blind date.

Growing up, who was the best cook in your family?

Me. But that’s not saying much. Both of my folks worked, so I made a lot of suppers for my younger brother and sister and me. Easy stuff like Mac and cheese or spaghetti. It was edible and filling, but not anything you’d find in a cookbook or restaurant. Utilitarian cooking.

If you cook, what kind of food do you like to prepare?

Any meals I cook are still at that utilitarian skill level. Mom did give me a cookbook when I moved out, and I’ve tried a few recipes, but I don’t enjoy cleaning up the mess I always make, or the not having a clue if it’s going to turn out edible or not. I haven’t messed up that boxed Mac and cheese. Yet.

Do you skip breakfast or is eating that a must-do for you?

I work on a ranch and that’s a hard, physical job, so breakfast is a must. And more than just a bowl of cereal, although that’s my go to if I’m running late. Usually I’ll have eggs with bacon or sausages. Toast. Leftovers from the night before. Anything filling to get me going.

Do you keep snacks on hand, and if so, what are they?

Not much of a snacker although I do carry jerky while I’m working in case I need some energy. Although… now that I think about it, I do have a hard time staying away from fresh baked cookies. Oatmeal raisin’s my favorite. With peanut butter a close second. Probably a good thing I can’t cook—or bake. Too many cookies and my horse would be giving me the side-eye.

How much coffee or tea do you drink?

Way too much coffee. Just plain. No fancy stuff.

Favorite alcoholic beverage?

An icy cold beer after a long day.

What do you grab when there’s no time for a regular meal?

Jerky, like I said before. Or a sandwich. I grew up with white bread and Miracle Whip, so that’s my go to with whatever meat and cheese that’s available.

Who are your favorite people to share meals with?

Family. Meals when the Turquoise Creek Ranch employees gather—because we’re just one big family—are raucous and filled with caring and friendship. But now that I’ve got my own little family, that’s where I want to be. The woman and kids I love. Because that’s when I’m home.

Tell us what your author eats or drinks while writing about you.

This is an easy one because LizAnne is consistent with her writing snacks. Chocolate—preferably milk chocolate with nothing in it—and Diet Pepsi.

Where to buy Makin’ Merry

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BFC4KSSW

LizAnne Axtel Social Media

A writer once wanted to write different things
Like short little tales of the joy loving brings,
True lovers who struggle with all of life’s stings.
Instalove magic to tug your heartstrings.
A little bit hot, a little more steamy,
And always, you know, with heroes so dreamy
With a promise the endings happy will be,
This pen name was formed by author *lizzie.
Her brain is a library with stories to tell,
She writes and she hopes you’ll like them as well.

Website www.lizziestarr.com
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