The Secret Santa Wishing Well By: Nikki Lynn Barrett Excerpt, and giveaway

The Secret Santa Wishing Well

By: Nikki Lynn Barrett

Blurb

The magic of Christmas has been lost to Jacob Winston. At the suggestion of his ill sister, Jacob takes a job as a Secret Santa at the mall, hoping to restore his Christmas spirit. Even that doesn't seem to work, until a special little boy ambles up to make a very special wish...

Cheyenne Jensen is struggling to raise her two kids without the help of her ex-husband who refuses to acknowledge his daughter's existence and doesn't provide for the son he does. This Christmas is shaping up to be as heartbreaking as the last, until her son Ben's kind actions lead a stranger to them.

Ah, but it's Christmas time and the magic has begun.

When Jacob and Cheyenne meet, neither can deny their immediate attraction to one another. As situations arise that require they spend more time together, their feelings grow stronger and stronger.

With Christmas fast approaching, the pair learn what matters most in life. Now, if only they could ditch the ghost of Christmases past.

Maybe this holiday will bring some wishes come true- for everyone after all.

Buy Links

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Santa-Wishing-Well-ebook/dp/B00A9FIHOC/ref=sr_1_1?_encoding=UTF8&al_rs&keywords=nikki+lynn+barrett&qid=1353254832&s=dig#al_rp

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-secret-santa-wishing-well-nichole-barrett/1113827418?ean=2940015753523

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/books/The-Secret-Santa-Wishing-Well/kFG6V-OQAUO358vkkxmRBQ

Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2013/08/now-booking-tasty-blurb-tour-for-secret.html

Author Bio:

Nikki Lynn Barrett lives in Arizona with her husband and son. She's an avid reader, a dreamer, and loves everything about books. She runs a book blog, an online used bookstore, and writes various genres of romance. Nikki can also be found outside with her camera when a storm is near, snapping photo after photo. Her dreams of becoming a writer started when she was young, when she started writing books in one subject notebooks by the fifth grade. The Secret Santa Wishing Well is her debut book. You can visit Nikki's site at: www.nikkilynnbarrett.blogspot.com for more information. She is working on her next book. Nikki would love to hear from readers. Email her at nikkilynnbarrett@yahoo.com

Author Links:

www.nikkilynnbarrett.blogspot.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6583655.Nikki_Lynn_Barrett

https://www.facebook.com/NikkiLynnBarrettauthor

@Stormgoddess925 on Twitter

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Excerpt 

A pull on his Santa suit drew his attention.  He looked down, right into the round face of a child with wide blue eyes.

            “Hello  there.   Where’s  your  mommy,  bud?" Jacob asked, speaking softly to the boy, who looked a little confused and frightened.  But his eyes were also full of wonder as he stared up at Jacob.

            “Are you the real Santa?” he finally asked.

            Jacob let out a hearty laugh.  “No, I am just a helper.  But I do know Santa.  I bet, if you tell me your name, then make a wish in Santa’s secret wishing well, Santa will do everything in his power to make it come true.”  The boy’s eyes widened even more, and it brought a smile to Jacob’s face.

            “Really?  I can make a wish?”  Dimples sprouted in the boy’s cheeks, his smile grew.

            Jacob longed for the excitement the boy felt.

            “I think we can arrange that.”  Jacob reached into his pocket and pulled out a shiny penny.  He pegged the kid for one who liked cars or trucks.  Maybe a bike.

            The boy reached for the penny, hesitant.  He didn’t look much older than five.  Where the hell were his parents?  Who in their right mind would allow a child this age to roam around the mall freely, especially when there were so many people out and about.  If someone didn’t show up soon, he could have to take him to security and have them find his parents.

            “What’s your name?” Jacob asked, after the boy took the penny and clutched it in his hand.  “We want to make sure Santa knows exactly who you are.  That way he can get your wish.”

            “My name is Ben,”  the young boy said.

            “Are you ready to make that wish?”

            He nodded eagerly, closed his eyes and thought for a moment before tossing the penny in.  It made a tiny splash before settling  at the bottom next to some quarters.  He turned to Jacob, a tear running down his cheek.

            What was this?  Jacob knelt down to be eye level with him.  “Why the tear, bud?”

            Ben sniffled.  “I just hope my wish comes true.  My mommy needs it.”  He swiped the tear away, then stuffed his hand in his pants pocket.  A puppy dog expression crossed his face.

            “You made a wish for your mommy?”  Okay, that’s not what he expected.  No expensive toy, not even a computer or Playstation game that was popular this year?  Jacob closed his eyes for a second.  My mommy needs it.

            Damn.  His heart went out to Ben as a picture of Ada’s kids filled his mind.  He didn’t have to wonder what their Christmas wish would be.  Despite himself, Jacob had to ask.  “What does your mommy need?”

            The little guy shook his head.  “If I tell it won’t come true.  Will it?”  Tears filled his eyes.  “Mister Helper, if I come back and wish again, would that help?”

            Jacob didn’t know what to say.  He stared at the child, wanting to give him a hug.  “Well, I don’t see how another wish could hurt.  So, yeah, it might help.  Sometimes the hope from wishing is all we have.”  Hell, he scratched under his fake beard. He didn’t know if he was trying to console the kid or himself.

            The boy’s brows furrowed.  His head bobbed up and down.  “That’s what I thought.  Mommy’s always so tired and my daddy doesn’t love -”

            “Benjamin William Jensen!  I thought I told you not to run off!  I was so worried!”