Maggie Blackbird

Book Hooks is a weekly meme hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog. Readers have the chance to jump from one author to another who share hooks from their current WIP (work in progress) or any previously published book.

For this week’s edition of Book Hooks, and because American Thanksgiving is on its way, here is a teaser from my Thanksgiving Collection, a contemporary holiday romance.

Thanksgiving Collection:  Books 1 & 2

Their Thanksgiving includes more than turkey and stuffing.

Blurb: It’s supposed to be another lonely holiday for a widower and an accountant. However, fate’s asking them to take the biggest risk-filled gamble of their lives. If they play their cards right, maybe they’ll walk away with the pot.

Thanks to You:  She’s from the boundary waters of Northwestern Ontario, and he’s from a place his people call Waiekwakitchigami in northern Minnesota. Neither expects to meet, much less spend Thanksgiving together.
Because of You:  She must make the biggest decision of her life before Thanksgiving Day.

Genre(s):  Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance, First Nations Romance, Native American Romance, Adult
Heat Rating: Level 3
Publication Date:  October 29, 2023
Publisher:  eXtasy Books

PURCHASE AT EXTASY BOOKS

They pushed through the mob. These people sure weren’t interested in Black Friday. There were lots of men. They must’ve sent their wives shopping and chosen to remain at the casino.

Tripp’s hand was almost a wisp of a hair on the small of Paulina’s back. Warmth flooded her chest. They were generating curious stares. She had to remember he’d worked here for ten years, and a lot of the gamblers were probably regulars. On their way in, a few had waved in his direction but had kept gambling.

“Here we go. The quarter machines.” Tripp made a sweeping gesture at the five rows of slot machines flashing and dinging. “Have a seat. This is the lucky one.”

“It is?” Paulina sat on the stool. She waved away the blue cigarette smoke. Her friends had warned her people smoked in the casinos they’d been at on Indian Reserves. Oh, well, also according to her friends, the bingo hall on her reserve still allowed smoking, too. Maybe it was a reserve thing.

“It sure is. Give it a try.”

She plunked in a quarter and pulled the arm.

Tripp chuckled.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nobody pulls the arm anymore. People are too impatient. They press the button.” He pointed at the button in front of Paulina on the right side.

“What’s the fun in that?” She hadn’t won anything. She plunked in another quarter and pulled the arm.

“And they sure don’t play one payline, either.” Tripp let out another chuckle.

His laughter danced along Paulina’s earlobe. He set his hands on either side of the console. His aroma of a rainfall-scented soap tickled her nostrils. He was so close, leaning into her, his chin almost resting on her shoulder.

“What’s a payline?”

“See these?” He pointed at the screen. “They’re three. That means you have three chances to win, if you decide to play all three. It means you gotta cough up more money. Everyone plays the maximum amount of paylines.”

“Again, what’s the fun in that?” She inserted another quarter. The symbols spun. Nothing. But her heart danced anyway, because it was fun sitting here playing while Tripp watched. She could almost feel his grin and the ease emanating from him. He was having a great time simply watching her try to conquer the slots.

“Serious gamblers aren’t out for fun. They’re out to win.” His words were right on her cheek. Hot and steamy.

“I’m here for fun. And my limit is one roll of quarters.”

His laughter tickled the back of Paulina’s neck.

A security guard dressed in the same uniform Tripp had on yesterday stopped in their aisle, slyly grinning. “Wasn’t expecting to see you here today, mate.”

“My guest wants to learn how to gamble.” Tripp’s tone was his natural friendly one.

“Righttt.” The guard snickered. “Your guest.”

“Yeah, my guest.” Tripp’s voice remained friendly. “And you got a job to do.”

“I’m off.” The guard winked at Paulina. “Nice meeting you. Have fun.”

Normally, Paulina would’ve experienced annoyance or embarrassment, but holding her quarter, the symbols spinning, and Tripp behind her, she couldn’t care less. She waved at the guard and inserted another quarter into the machine.

“Do you supervise him?”

“Yeah, that’s Howie. I’ve worked with him for five years now.”

Hearing Tripp confirm his job and that he had a life here slapped Paulina’s face back into reality. They lived three hours apart. In less than half an hour she’d be at the garage, driving away from the reserve, the quaint town of Cloquet, the Big Bear Casino, and worst of all…Tripp.

CHECK OUT OTHER BOOK HOOKS FROM PARTICIPATING AUTHORS HERE