Review and Excerpt Post: Welcome Home for Christmas by Annie Rains

Their little charade is working a little too well . . . because Troy’s falling head over heels.

WELCOME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

A Hero's Welcome #4

Annie Rains

Releasing Nov 8th, 2016

The bestselling Hero’s Welcomes series continues with a juicy Christmas romance set in Seaside, North Carolina, where a bustling military base keeps this small town stocked with dedicated, lovable heroes.

Three-hundred-and-sixty-four days a year, Allison Carmichael doesn’t mind being single. It sure beats dating another loser, and it keeps her heart safe. Then there’s that three-hundred-and-sixty-fifth day: Christmas Eve, the traditional time her entire family gathers together—and gangs up on her, demanding to know when she’s going to get married. This year, she swears, is going be different. And that’s why, at a charity auction she’s throwing on-base, she buys herself a man.

Sergeant Troy Matthews insists that he’s not for sale. His time is, though, and he’s happy to donate it. Happier still when he learns the identity of the winning bidder: the redhead with the killer good looks and smart mouth who runs the veteran’s center. Allison needs Troy’s help to fool her family into believing they’re an item, and he’s all too happy to indulge her. But by the time Christmas Eve rolls around, their little charade is working a little too well . . . because Troy’s falling head over heels.

Ah Christmas! That time of the year that evokes memories of childhood, family gatherings and all out festive cheers in the community. It comes with shopping nightmares for that perfect gift, work place parties and good natured auctioning of hunks of manhood! In Welcome Home For Christmas, its Allison Carmichael's turn in finding that person who may or may not (again) pass as her significant other in her mother's eyes. What's a gal to do but bid on that lovely specimen of manhood named Troy Matthews to pretend to be her temporary boyfriend for that dreaded Christmas gathering. He doesn't have to pass her mother's standard since its only for the party and its really fun to be with him not to mention he really, really turns her on. But when temporary starts to feel permanent can both Allison and Troy get over their preconceived notions about themselves and escape the shadows of their failed relationships in the past?

This was a fun and lighthearted romance about finding the right person when you feel that, you yourself seems undeserving of love. The fourth book in Annie Rain's Hero's Welcome series, Welcome Home for Christmas, finally gives us Allison's story, who has been present since the start. This time she meets her match in Troy, also military police officer in the K9 unit. There was some funny moments, some very sexy and erotic ones as well but what makes this series really good is that, despite the eventual happy ever after, each of the characters grow and develop as persons and accepts being in love wholeheartedly once they've kind of grown up a bit. Troy and Allison's journey is no exception. It centers on the Christmas holiday and their acceptance of family and eventually their acceptance of each other. This is another fantastic read from Annie Rains.

“So there’s one thing I now know about you. You’re a good liar.” Allison folded her arms at her chest.

“Good, maybe. But I value honesty. Sometimes lying to someone is for their own good, though. A little white lie never really hurt anyone. Here’s one for you,” he leaned in closer and lowered his voice, “I have absolutely no interest in dating you, either.”

Her cheeks flushed.

“And I don’t think you’re the most beautiful woman in this room, and the thought of taking you out does not appeal to me whatsoever.” He shook his head. “Nope, not one little bit.”

She smiled. “Now I know two things about you. You lie well and you’re a smooth talker. So, do you agree to my proposal?”

Troy could just say yes, but he was enjoying engaging her in a conversation. “You know, when I was kid, Christmas was always magical. I’d sit with the toy catalog and create this huge, mile-long list of the things I wanted. I never got so excited about a pencil and paper.”

“Did you get everything on the list?” she asked.

“Usually.”

“So your family had money?”

He nodded. His family practically owned the town he’d grown up in. He didn’t know what it felt like to want for something until his cousin Dale had died in 9-11, the deciding factor in him joining the military. “I figure the more money raised for those kids, the better their Christmas will be.”

“That’s my goal. I want this to be the best Christmas Mercy’s kids have ever had.”

“So, if I have to take you out . . .” He trailed off, smiling at her.

“We’re just going to talk. Have a meal or something together. No kissing, no handholding.”

Troy held up his hands. “I’m an honorable guy. I don’t force myself on women. Truth is, I usually have to fight them off.” He winked again.

“And you can’t act like that when you meet my mother.”

“Like what?” he asked.

“All flirty and charming. She’ll never believe that I’d fall for someone like that.”

He tried not to take offense because no matter what she was saying, she was attracted to him. He could see it in her dilated pupils and the way her chest rose just slightly under her racing pulse. “No? What kind of guy exactly would you fall for?”

Allison looked around the room. There was still a nice-sized crowd laughing and mingling. Christmas music filled the merry air. “I wouldn’t fall for any kind of guy right now. That’s why I’m pretending with you.”

USA Today Bestselling Author, Annie Rains, is a contemporary romance author who writes small town love stories set in fictional towns on the coast of North Carolina. Raised in one of America’s largest military communities, Annie often features heroes who fight for their countries, while also fighting for a place to call home and a good woman to love. When Annie isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her husband and 3 children, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors.