Heroes, Holidays, and Hope (Vol. 2) by Laura M. Baird, Caterina Campbell, Lynn Spangler, D.C. Stone, Sadira Stone, Dania Voss is a Salute Military Bookish Event pick #militaryromance #romance
- N. N. Light
- 3 days ago
- 9 min read
Title: Heroes, Holidays, and Hope (Vol. 2)
Authors: Laura M. Baird, Caterina Campbell, Lynn Spangler, D.C. Stone, Sadira Stone, Dania Voss
Genre: Contemporary military romance
Book Blurb:
Sacrifice. Valor. Patriotism.
They fought courageously on the battlefield. Now they’re fighting for love.
Do you believe in Halloween magic? The stories in our second edition are contemporary military romance taking place around and during Halloween. From closely held secrets, to ghosts, sexy adult costume parties, and things that go bump in the night - this a bewitching “must have” collection. With various tropes and steam levels, there is something for every reader to enjoy.
Heroes, Holidays, and Hope (Vol. 2) is only available through June 6th, then it’s gone for good as we prepare for Volume 3!
Come out from the shadows and pick up your copy today (gift some copies too!) – together we can make a huge difference.
Proceeds support the Soldiers’ Angels veterans charity (whose mission is to provide aid, comfort, and resources to the military, veterans, and their families.)
Excerpt from Promise It's Forever – by Laura M. Baird:
“Let me take that for you.” Without waiting for my approval, Juan reaches out to grab a strap. Only I continue to hold on. His gaze meets mine. “Lexi, I don’t want to battle with you. Please, let me assist. Felix told me about your delays, and I’m sure you’re tired.”
My resistance fades and I release the duffle to him. “Thanks,” I mumble.
“Welcome.” He grins. “Come on, this way.”
I walk with him as he leads us through the maze of the airport and out to the parking lot. He unlocks an SUV and places my bag in the back. Just as I reach the passenger side, he’s there, opening the door for me. His nearness causes more pulse jumping. My skin prickles when I feel the heat radiating off him. And his scent is intoxicating. Cologne? Soap? Male? Jeez, what does it matter, I say to myself as I shake my head to clear those ridiculous thoughts. I climb in and buckle up as Juan shuts the door. Leaning against the seat, my eyes start to drift shut as the stress of the past twenty-four hours sets in. I barely register the opening and closing of the driver’s door. The vehicle starting up and the soft hum of the engine. The absence of any sound...
I’m startled awake by a figure looming over me. I gasp as I start to push at an unmoving, solid mass.
“Easy, Alexis,” a low, gravelly voice coos. “I’m just unbuckling you.”
“Juan?”
“Yeah.” I hear the click of the mechanism and the tightness across my chest disappears.
“Where are we?”
“At your house. Let’s get you inside and into bed.”
My head snaps in his direction as awareness returns. His face is right in front of mine, his dark gaze on me as he chuckles.
“Alone, Alexis. You in your bed so you can get some quality sleep.”
“Yeah, right, okay” I mumble. “I got it.”
“I’m sure you do. I’ll get your bag. Did Felix give you the new codes to the door as well as the alarm system?”
“Um, maybe. I’ll have to check my phone.”
“No worries, I got it.”
I’m out of the vehicle, shutting the door. “Since when does my father give you the codes to his home?”
“Since he trusts me?”
Huh is all I can think. What the hell’s been happening since I was home last? I knew Dad was still working with Juan in some capacity. Consulting, he said; but not as an informant. Like there’s a difference? Apparently.
Juan meets me at the front of his vehicle, and we wind our way up the sidewalk to the door. Night is upon us but the automatic lighting around the house gives us plenty of illumination. I don’t bother digging my phone out of my purse since Juan knows the door combo. I keep to the side as he keys in the numbers and flicks the deadbolt. Pushing open the door, he enters and immediately disables the alarm. He then indicates for me to enter, closing and locking the door behind me.
“Want me to take your bag to your room or leave it here?”
“Oh, um, you can leave it here. I’m good. Duty complete.”
He smirks. “Pushing me out the door, Alexis?”
“No need to stay, Agent Soto. I’m safely home. I’ll set the alarm and go to bed.”
“Pull out your phone and make sure you have the codes.”
“Or you can simply tell me. I have a pretty good memory.”
He stares at me a moment as the corner of his mouth ticks like he’s debating whether to frown or smirk. He then rattles off two series of numbers, telling me which corresponds to the alarm versus the lock.
“Now repeat them.”
I do so flawlessly. Twice. But just to appease him further, I pull my phone out of my purse, use the fingerprint option to open, and look at my dad’s texts. I then turn the phone for Juan to see since he’s within distance.
Juan grins but continues to stand in place. I’d really like him to leave because I feel ready to collapse. The short snooze during the drive only served to make me more tired.
“Well?” I say with a bit of impatience.
“You’re sure there isn’t anything else I can do for you?”
I snort. “No, Juan, I’m perfectly capable of putting myself to bed.”
I notice an eye twitch and wonder what that’s all about. No matter. I’m tired of this apparent stand-off. I stuff my phone back in my purse and lean forward to grab my duffle. But a wave of dizziness washes over me, and I start to pitch forward. Juan is quick to react, steadying me, bringing me against his chest. A warm, hard as a rock chest that smells so damned good.
I must be deliriously tired.
Excerpt from Hidden Secrets – by Dania Voss
Theo munched on a piece of candy in his office that he’d swiped from one of the restaurant candy bowls as he reviewed and tallied the Halloween party RSVPs. He was both surprised and grateful ticket sales had already exceeded last year’s. They always sold out, but it seemed at their current sales pace, they’d most likely sell out in about a week or so.
He checked the time on his laptop and his stomach did a little flip. Cassidy was due in for a meeting about his pub expansion plans up north. Although he was always anxious to see her, Cassidy had seemed off since they babysat his niece Phoenix last week. Her usual vibrance and spark had noticeably dimmed and he didn’t know why.
Theo pushed his concerns about Cassidy aside when someone knocked on his office door. “Come in.”
His heart swelled at the sight of Cassidy dressed casually in curve hugging jeans and a Buster’s Blog V-neck T-shirt that showcased her generous breasts. She also wore a strained smile. Shit.
“Hello, hello.” Cassidy attempted cheerfully as she entered his office.
It pained Theo to see Cassidy in distress. He wrapped his arms around her in what he hoped was a comforting hug. He was relieved she hugged him back, her body molding to his perfectly. Theo’s cock stirred, but they had work to do.
“Ready to finalize your plans?” Cassidy’s eyes gleamed with excitement. Theo admired the passion she brought to her work. He respected the strong work ethic they both shared.
“Yes, ma’am.”
She placed her laptop bag on the office couch and then handed him a small box from Heck Yeah Cakes.
“What’s this?” Theo opened the box and couldn’t help but laugh. It was a duck themed cupcake. A wacky idea he’d proposed to Joslynn, the owner of Heck Yeah Cakes, that she’d readily run with.
“You know what it is, you little sneak. Wait until you taste it,” Cassidy said with a smirk, merriment dancing in her pretty blue eyes.
Theo shrugged and took a big bite. The moist chocolate treat was a feast for his tastebuds. Joslynn had outdone herself. “What can I say? The idea was inspired. I had no clue it would go over so well.”
“I’m not. The residents of Cascade Springs are all in as far as Colt’s fundraising efforts are concerned. I’m working up some ideas to propose this fundraiser to my other clients in town, especially the restaurants. You’re onto something.”
Cassidy’s marketing savvy was exceptional, so Theo felt a sense of pride from her compliment.
“We’ve raised a lot of money for veterans and their families over the years. I wanted to make sure we keep it going. But you don’t have to take it on.” Theo didn’t want Cassidy to feel obligated to his and Colt’s fundraising cause.
“Don’t be silly. I support what you’re doing. Both with the yearly charity fundraising and your veteran’s employment efforts.” Cassidy assured.
Was it any wonder Theo was crazy about her? She was intelligent, hard-working, gorgeous and big hearted. If only he could push through the walls she seemed so determined to keep firmly in place.
Theo shook his head and grabbed the location map they’d put together when he’d begun the southern region expansion. He unfolded it across his desk, feeling like he was on his way to conquering the world making note of the current nine pub locations designated on the map. Cassidy stepped up beside him holding her open laptop, smiling and nodding right along with him.
She’d been instrumental in helping him turn his expansion ideas into reality. He owed her so much, yet he was conflicted about their long-term personal relationship prospects.
Damn it.
Unwilling to press her about what was wrong, he focused on the expansion plans instead. “We were thinking of Des Moines or the Chicago Metro area as you call it to start off.” Either area made sense to Theo as the home base for the northern region.
Cassidy placed her laptop on the corner of his desk and typed for a moment, bringing up a commercial real estate website.
“Yes. And I have some good prospects in Des Moines and Chicago Metro for the distillery and pub locations. How soon do you want to schedule onsite visits? If we plan correctly, we could probably visit both cities in one day if we charter.” Cassidy suggested.
The private jet charter company out of Austin Colt had personally vetted for him had been a godsend. It had allowed them to travel quickly and efficiently.
“The sooner the better. Let’s shoot for tomorrow morning if we can make it happen,” Theo said, anxious to get the ball rolling. “Let’s start with Des Moines early in the day and plan on staying overnight in Chicago so we can visit with Owen, Penny, and your friends.”
A grateful smile spread across Cassidy’s pretty face. “That sounds nice. It’ll be great to see everyone.”
“And don’t forget the crazy hot hotel sex.” Theo half teased, waggling his brows, hoping it would perk Cassidy up some.
Cassidy’s eyes lit with a spark of desire. “There is that.” She teased back. “Hot and crazy travel sex aside, once we finalize the northern region homebase, we’ll be able to quickly get pub locations online in the homebase’s surrounding suburbs and in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana before we continue expanding farther west and east.”
Theo was nearly giddy as he envisioned the continued growth of the company. Of all the veterans he could provide jobs and opportunities to.
Overwhelmed and grateful, he clasped one of Cassidy’s hands and tenderly brushed his lips against it. “Thank you for everything you’ve done to help me make my dreams a reality.”
“Don’t mention it. That’s why you pay me the big bucks, right?” Cassidy replied so quickly it gave Theo whiplash.
He immediately dropped Cassidy’s hand and ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “Of course. Yeah.”
What the heck?
Did she really consider him just another client?
Theo’s stomach roiled at the prospect.
Judging from the panicked expression on her face, Cassidy must have sensed his disappointment with her flippant comment. “I didn’t mean it like that. Honest.”
Theo shrugged, now at a complete loss where Cassidy was concerned.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Normally $4.99, now on sale for only $1.99!
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heroes-holidays-and-hope-dania-voss/1143568116?ean=2940180185853
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1570192
What makes your featured book a must-read?
This is a limited-edition collection that is only available through June 6th. If you’re a fan of military romance, this “must have” collection is for you. 6 enticing stories in which the proceeds support the Soldiers’ Angels veterans charity (whose mission is to provide aid, comfort, and resources to the military, veterans, and their families.) Every sale makes a difference.
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $20 Amazon gift card:
Open Internationally.
Runs May 20 – May 28, 2025.
Winner will be drawn on May 29, 2025.
Author Biography:
We are a group of Veterans and Veterans' family members who are also bestselling and award-winning romance authors. We are back with our second limited edition, military holiday romance collection that also supports Soldiers’ Angels (whose mission is to provide aid, comfort, and resources to the military, veterans, and their families.).
Social Media Links:
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hhhsupportersgroup
Merch store: https://heroesholidaysandhope.myspreadshop.com/
