LYNN CRAIN HAS A NEW ONE FOR US

Hello Lynn, it's great to have you back on my blog. I understand you have a new book to tell us about today. Since you live in Vienna, Austria, perhaps you would tell us a little about Christmas in your part of the world.

Hi everyone!

 

With the holidays upon us, I thought it would be fun just to talk about Christmas in my part of the world. I used to live in the hot southwest desert but now I live in Vienna, Austria and these people really love the holidays.

 

My Christmas book, that should be out by the time of this posting, goes into great detail about the Viennese Christmas. There are things called Christkindlemarkts and Adventmarkts where all manner of holiday goods are sold. There are also food booths and the all important hot drink booths. These have all manner of libations, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. People meet each other here for a cup of holiday cheer many times during the season.

 

I’ve been told by my friends in the States that these markets are considered some of the best in the world. They certainly are beautiful. The cover of my book, A Viennese Christmas, has the Rathaus in the background that I see every time I go there. There are many booths, as well as decorations galore. The tree is beautiful and the building is a sight to behold.

 

Still, all and all, the holidays mean family to me and again, this year the family is small. We have our youngest coming over but it’s nothing like having the rest of the clan surrounding you. Hopefully, next year, we will.

 

To get over being lonely and to see the beauty of the city I now called home, I started a series of books called A Taste of Vienna. I hoped that they would get me over my homesickness as well as learn more about the city of Vienna itself. And so far, it has. The heroine in my first book in the series, A Viennese Christmas, is all alone on this most special holiday. Much to her surprise, she meets another American and the sparks fly. Here’s a sneak peek into A Viennese Christmas, the first book in my new series, A Taste of Vienna. Please remember this is the unedited version...enjoy!

 

Excerpt ~ A Viennese Christmas

 

            Her disappointment must have been plain on her face as she found herself suddenly gazing into the greenest eyes in a very handsome male face. A question in German followed as she tried to ascertain just what he said.

            “I’m sorry,” she stated, her confusion obvious. “I’ve only picked up a word or two since I’ve been here. Do you speak English?”

            “You’re American?” he questioned without the accent most Austrians possessed.

            “Don’t make it sound like such a curse. There are a lot of us, you know.” Her indignation evident in her tone.

            His rich laughter filled the space, warming her to her bones in ways she hadn’t expected. “Sorry. I guess one does pick up the attitudes of where they live.”

            She looked at him puzzled. “That’s that supposed to mean?”

            “Henry Jager, American, at your service ma’am.” His sweeping bow brought a smile to her lips.

            “Amanda Kranz and I hardly think I qualify as a ma’am.” She stuck her hand toward him. His firm grasp sent an electric sensation as she felt the spark deep within her. She swore he felt it too as his eyes darkened.

            “Do you prefer Amanda or Mandi? I know there’s not much of a choice with Henry.” His serious gaze spot of his interest.

            Laughter bubbled up in her, the first such emotion in weeks. “Henry is a fine, strong name. And it doesn’t matter much with mine.” His hot look made her want to shiver in anticipation of what she could only speculate.

            “Really? I would have thought your business associates would call you Amanda. Now your intimate contacts I expect call you Mandi.”

            She gazed at him. Intimate contacts, now there was a misnomer. It had been years since she’d had any intimate contacts of the male persuasion. “Sounds good to me.”

            “You gave in too easy.” He reluctantly let go of her hand as his look took on a more serious aspect. “Are you meeting someone?”

            She shook her head. “No one to meet.”

            “Good.” He grabbed her hand again, placing it in the crook of his arm. “Have you ever been to one of these before?” Henry expertly meandered around people, baby carriages and more as he led her to the next booth.

            “Not really. I saw them last year but being so new to the city, I couldn’t bring myself to go to one alone.” She gazed at the Rathaus beyond them, remembering how intimidated she’d been by building even though it had a Christmas tree in front.

            His eyes narrowed. “Sounds like you’re still a relative newcomer.”

            “I suppose so. I got here in November of last year.”

            “Ah – your impression?” His brows lifted when he drew back as if to study her face.

            “Very commercialized. I expected something more – ” she struggled to find the right word. “– more homey, more authentic – more Austrian.”

            Henry gazed around a moment before looking back at her. “I see your point. This is probably the one Christkindlemarkt that’s got the least to offer in specialized, authentic goods in my opinion except it does have a certain ambiance. And of course, there’s the skating rink as well as the park decorations.”

            Her brow arched in amazement. She really hadn’t expected anyone to agree with her. All the women she knew gushed over every one of them. “You agree with me?”

            His naughty smile was breathtaking. “Most definitely. This is the one where most of the tourists come. While there are some very Austrian things here hidden amongst the drivel, most are not unique or special in any way.”

            “My thoughts exactly. Where exactly does one find more traditional items?” Astonishment spread through her. She had not once heard anyone say a negative comment about Vienna. All her colleagues gushed over the city but as far as she was concerned, it was just another place to live.

            They stopped in front of a food booth, the aroma tantalizing. “Would you like something hot to drink?”

            The brisk breeze nipped at her cheeks and she felt the cold through her coat. She definitely could use something to warm her up. “Sure.”

*****

 

Hope you liked this little foray into a Viennese Christmas.

 

Thanks go to Lorrie for having me again! I so enjoy it!

 

Lynn Crain
This is so new, the

 

buy site will be posted as soon as I get the information.

Ah, ha! We have a buy link
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-aviennesechristmas-1031953-149.html