RELEASED DECEMBER 10, 2009!
SMALL PACKAGES:
      A Christmas Story
Paranormal Romance (Over 40+, short ) - Caribbean Cruise

FIRST FEEDBACK FROM READERS:
 *sobbing* oh that was wonderful!!!! The book had me laughing and crying...
my emotions were everywhere!!! Amazing story Franny!!!!

Hi Franny :)

We're expecting a BIG snowstorm today so I ordered your book Small Packages today to enjoy while the snow fell.

What a GREAT story! It is a real page turner, I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next! I loved your hero Derek and found your heroine very appealing also. Quite interesting to read a romance novel where a romance author is a main character!

I look forward to your next story!

Wishing you a very Happy Holiday season! Great things really do come in Small Packages!

:) Aimee

Caroline's Christmas Angel - available Winter 2009 from RedRosePublishing.com! by Aimee St Claire

Widow Paula Winters wasn’t interested in meeting men when her daughters sent her on a romantic cruise. She’s romance author, Paula R. Prentice, and decided to use her two week vacation to finish her novel and do some Christmas shopping. She hasn’t recovered from the loss of her beloved husband and shies from meeting men.

Derek Rawlins, widowed for the past two years is only on the cruise at his son’s insistence. The loss of his wife has hit him hard. He accepts the cruise, only because he figures he can get some work done, not because he has plans on meeting any women.

When Paula asks to sit next to him on deck, only to share the shaded area to work on her novel, he agrees and soon finds himself intrigued by her. When her cell phone rings, her eyes meet his as she lies to her daughter, telling her that she met someone and that she hadn’t been working. Derek speaks to the girl and assures her that he will take good care of her mother. Though the relationship was fabricated, they soon find that they have a lot in common and become inseparable.

Little do they know that Paula’s daughter and Derek’s son are about to get married to each other and will spring more than just a little surprise on them when their parents get back from their vacations.

Is Derek the romantic hero from her next novel, or a true life hero that she wants to keep in her life permanently? This Christmas will bring them more than one small package to fill them with joy!

BACK COVER BLURB:

Widow Paula Winters, romance author, Paula R. Prentice, wasn’t interested in meeting men when her daughters sent her on a romantic cruise so she decides to use her two–week vacation to finish her novel and do some Christmas shopping. She hasn’t recovered from the loss of her beloved husband and has no intention of meeting someone else.

Widowed workaholic Derek Rawlins is only on the cruise at his son’s insistence and figures he can get some work done, not because he has plans on meeting any women.

When they meet, Paula wonders if he’s the romantic hero in her next novel, or someone she wants to keep in her life permanently. This Christmas will bring them more than one small package to fill them with joy!

EXCERPT

“Are you sure you aren’t cheating?” Derek asked, laughing.

Paula had won three rounds of Euchre, with him as her partner.

“Absolutely not! I don’t even know how to cheat in cards!” she protested. What is trump?” she asked, having asked twice already.

“Diamonds! Are you going alone, or do you want me to play too?”

Biting her lip, she was silent for a moment then nodded. “I’ll go alone. Thanks anyway, partner,” she said.

Raising his eyebrow, he put his cards on the table face down.

The couple that they played with put down their cards and Paula laid down the ten of diamonds, taking the hand. The next card she played was the ace of diamonds and took those cards as well. Then, she led with the ace of spades, losing that hand. Finally, she put down the Jack of diamonds and the Jack of hearts, capturing the last two hands.

“You did it! Congratulations, Paula. Nice job.”

“Thanks. It was a pleasure playing with you,” she thanked their opponents. “I don’t know about you, Derek, but I’m kind of tired and would like to call it a night.”

“Works for me, I still have a couple of gallons of salt water to process. It’s exhausting being a hero,” he teased.

Laughing, she accepted his hand and they said good night to their Euchre companions. They made their way back to their rooms.

Derek paused outside of her door.

“Goodnight,” Derek said, leaning in to kiss her tenderly.

“Goodnight, Derek. I had a wonderful time today.” Paula whispered. She gazed into his deep-blue eyes and saw a question. Shivering she panicked and opened her door, ready to slip inside.

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” he asked, his voice husky, his eyes burning with a dare.

“Sure. Yes. Goodnight,” she said and stepped into her room, closing the door.

Putting her hand over her heart, she shook her head. “What am I doing?” she whispered, thinking of her heroines and their courage in the face of passion. She decided that she didn’t want to be alone, especially if it meant not being near a man as kind and gentle as Derek.

Nodding to herself, she said, “I’m forty-five freaking years old, for crying out loud! It’s the millennium! And…and…damn it! I want that man!”

Filled with her resolution she grabbed her purse and key card and left her room. Walking straight across the hall she knocked on the door. She had a terrifying moment where she thought her legs wouldn’t hold her, but braced herself.

When the door opened, she just stared at him and couldn’t speak, though her mouth made every attempt as it opened and closed like a guppy’s.

Without a word, Derek took her hand and pulled her close, closing the door behind them. His lips found hers and she dropped the purse and card, kissing him with a sudden wild passion.

When she finally pulled her lips away, she said, “I…I want to be with you.”

“I don’t have a problem with that,” he chuckled then kissed her again.