Hello and welcome to “At First Sight Saturday.” Today’s guest is author, Barbara White Daille who gives us a ‘first sight’ scene from her novel, Snowbound with Mr. Wrong  and introduces us to hero, Nick, and heroine, Lyssa. Be sure to leave a comment to let Barbara know what you think of her excerpt and characters.

Excerpt: Someone’s going to pay for this. Nick Tavlock stared at the woman in the elf costume and swore under his breath. When his so-called friend and associate Michael DeFranco had roped him into playing Santa at his lodge for a second year, he’d agreed to do the man the favor. Michael brought a lot of business his way. But this was pushing friendship and client satisfaction too far.

He’d had Michael’s word there would be a new elf this year.

He had barely set foot in the door before Michael’s housekeeper, Amber, had hustled him upstairs. On the way, she’d thrown an excellent one-two punch, first breaking the bad news that Michael wasn’t showing for the party, then attempting to soften that blow by assuring him all the kids were eager for his appearance.

She hadn’t lied. He could see the proof of her words right here in front of him. But she had forgotten to close with the kicker—that her sister would be here, too.

He swallowed his irritation. Or tried to. “Lyss—”

“Hello, Santa!” she interrupted with a meaningful glance at the kids around them.

“Saved by an elf,” he murmured. “Almost put my boot in my mouth with that one, didn’t I?” He was still trying to pick his jaw up off the floor after the enthusiasm of her greeting. Too bad she hadn’t meant that beautiful smile for him. Too bad she had dumped him months ago, or he’d have had more chances to see that smile of hers.

“Thanks for the warm welcome. A big surprise, considering the chill of your last good-bye.”

“Those Arctic blasts at the North Pole will do that to an elf.” She smiled again, but her eyes didn’t meet his. “So…Santa, are you ready to hear some wish lists?”

“Sure am,” he said in his best jolly-old-Saint-Nick voice.

He followed her to the velvet-covered chair set in a cleared space beyond the fireplace. Though the flames danced behind a safety screen several yards away, he’d already started to sweat. And it didn’t have a thing to do with the fire or the extra padding inside this Santa suit.

His quick inspection of Lyssa had his temperature soaring, something he should have anticipated. She had always managed to get him overheated—in the best way possible—every time he was around her.

She looked as good as she had the first time they’d met, right here, a year ago. The elf outfit gave her hazel eyes a green sparkle and showed off a great pair of legs. She’d tucked her long brown hair under a red and white cap, but a few pieces had already slipped free. He didn’t need to touch to know how silky and soft those strands would feel between his fingers.

“Santa?” Her brows rose to fur-trimmed cap level.

“Huh?” Great. After all the years he’d spent attending his parents’ cocktail parties, that was the best he could do? But any sophisticated comment he’d ever learned had flown right out of his head.

He couldn’t let Lyssa throw him. Clamping his jaw closed, he resettled his own cap firmly and raised his brows back at her. She gestured with both hands, indicating the mob of children now surrounding him. How had he missed that?

Lyssa provided more distraction than he needed.

No, Lyssa didn’t provide anything for him anymore.

“Are you ready?” she asked.

“Yeah,” he muttered.

She frowned at him over the kids’ heads. Her cheeks had turned pink, and not from the fire, he’d bet.

“Hey, Santa!” The pint-sized boy in front of him tugged on Nick’s sleeve and grinned, showing several gaps from missing baby teeth. “It’s my turn first.”

“Well, aren’t you the lucky one?” He lifted the kid and put him on his knee. “What’s your name, little guy?”

“I’m not little. I’m five. And I’m Tommy.”

Nick nodded. “Okay, Tommy, what have you got in mind for this Christmas?”

“I want a bike.”

“Good choice. A Harley, naturally. Top of the line. You can get it customized with—”

Tommy shook his head, cutting him off. Two long lines creased the kid’s forehead. “No, Santa, I want a bike.”

Lyssa cleared her throat and leaned over Nick’s shoulder. He tried to ignore the subtle vanilla-and-spice scent that instantly reminded him of sharing cookies—her contribution—and a bottle of wine—his offering—in front of another fire.

“A bicycle, Santa,” she clarified. “You know, with pedals? And training wheels?”

“Oh yeah.” Nick nodded. He should have realized that himself. And, of course, he had to make the slip in front of Lyssa. It had probably only reinforced in her mind what she had claimed when she broke up with him, that their thinking was worlds apart. He focused again on the kid. “Tommy, that bicycle sounds like an excellent idea. Make a note, Miss Elf.”

Blurb:  Worst. Day. Ever. After Lyssa Barnett’s sister tricks her into reprising her role at Snowflake Valley’s annual children’s party, she doesn’t think anything can be worse than squeezing into her too-small elf costume. Then tall, dark, and way too handsome Nick Tavlock shows up to play Santa…and an unexpected storm leaves them snowbound in the isolated lodge.

The last thing Nick wants is to spend a cozy Christmas Eve with a trio of kids and the woman who dumped him. But as much as Lyssa frustrates him, he can’t stop thinking about her. And soon, he’s fighting very un-Santa-like thoughts of kissing a certain sexy Miss Elf under the mistletoe. As Nick starts to fall for Lyssa all over again, he knows it will take nothing short of a miracle to have Lyssa in his arms on Christmas Day.

Available at: Entangled & other booksellers

About Barbara: Barbara White Daille lives with her husband in the sunny Southwest. Though they love the warm winters and the lizards in their front yard, they haven’t gotten used to the scorpions in the bathroom. Barbara also loves writing, reading, and chocolate. Sign up for her newsletter to keep up with the latest in her writing life:

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