Welcome to my tenth edition of Muse Monday. It’s a chance for a character who inspires me to guest on the blog. Today, we have the cinnamon roll hero, Charlie Shawnda, from my young adult Christmas story, Better Than Gold.
I don’t want to be in this desolate, grey school, but it’s enforced by the government, so I must stay here for Christmas because my parents can’t afford to send me home for the holidays. Many students are in this predicament. Even Etta, the girl I am in love with. She’s very sad about having to spend Christmas at the Indian school, far from her home. I want to try to make this the best Christmas she has ever experienced, since this will be our last one here together when we graduate in the spring.
I anticipate but also fear graduation. It means being free from the cold dorm room monitored by the prefects and not having to see the strict priests again. But it also means Etta, who lives far west in Northwestern Ontario, will leave me behind, since I live far away in the opposite direction.
I need some kind of miracle for Christmas, a way to tell her that she made this unbearable place bearable, all because of her presence. Because of her presence, I want to give her a present. But I have no money. I could steal, but I’m not a thief. Or am I? What am I willing to do for the girl I love? How can I put a smile back on her face?
I want us to get together forever. But is this even possible?
Then the golden opportunity arrives…
****
Sometimes chocolate is better than a golden ring.
Etta Bannon must endure another Christmas at the Indian Residential School for girls. With her heart heavy for home that is a two-day train ride away, all she has is the stolen moments with her beau to look forward to, but even the boy she cares deeply about cannot erase her longing for her family.
Charlie Shawanda is also stuck at the Indian Residential School for boys. Only a mere jog away from Etta, he longs to make their last Christmas at the school special before they graduate in the spring and go their separate ways. But what he truly years for is to call Etta his very own.
When a golden opportunity arises for Charlie to show his love, he must make a tough decision–endure the cruel punishment of the strap or miss out on a chance to tell Etta how he truly feels and maybe lose her forever.
Genre(s): Historical Romance, Holiday Romance, First Nations Romance, Young Adult.
Heat Rating: Level 2
Publication Date: December 11, 2020
Publisher: eXtasy Books
Maggie Blackbird 