a hero's christmas kiss | excerpt + giveaway

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about the book

Caroling, coffee, and complications. A broken hero and the sweet girl next door…

She just might be the miracle this soldier deserves. But can she fulfill her dreams without losing the guarded military man who’s captured her heart?

Emilie Fielding longs for love — and to own her own business someday. Despite fears that she’s wasting time waiting for her prince to come while working for her Scrooge-like boss, the optimistic barista tackles Christmas preparations for the coffee shop with unbridled holiday joy. And when she stumbles hanging mistletoe, she surprises herself as well as her handsome rescuer with a merry peck on his cheek, right before he’s cajoled into lending her a hand.

Garrett Banks yearns to belong. Learning to live with lingering injuries and struggling with feelings of vulnerability, the Marine discovers a humorous group of senior busybodies and the vibrant young woman who catches his attention while visiting a treasured small town. Tasked with helping to check off her yuletide to-do list, his honed defenses and well-constructed walls begin to crumble.

Even though Emilie’s innate connection with him deepens, she wrestles with the growing need to leave her beloved home to secure her future. And while Garrett hopes to stay by her side, he fears the only way forward is to let her go.

Do they have the courage this Christmas to unwrap the gift of forever?

A Hero's Christmas Kiss is the charming eighth book in the Green Hills romance series and part of the Military Kisses Sweet Romance multi-author project. If you like swoon-worthy characters, fairytale towns that help people heal, and a cozy cup of holiday cheer, then you’ll adore Virginia'dele Smith’s jolly read.

publisher: books are ubiquitous, llc

release date: november 7, 2025

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excerpt

At first glance, Garrett would’ve described Emilie as cute, like the girl next door or a buddy’s little sister. Her long blonde hair hung in a perky ponytail. That and her petite stature gave him the impression she was quite a bit younger than his thirty-two years. But after watching her juggle patrons, serve food, refill beverages, take phone orders, and keep the dining room tidy and clean, he’d realized she was either incredibly mature for her age or more experienced than her youthful appearance led him to believe. Not that it mattered. Regardless of her actual age, she was decades younger than he felt, both physically and mentally. Perhaps spiritually, too. He’d avoided considering how long it had been since he’d had a conversation with God. Too long, Garrett didn’t doubt, but sometimes opening the lines of communication felt like too daunting a hurdle. It was the same way he felt about his parents, a ten-hour drive from where he stood, but also ten years away from where he was at the moment.

“If you’ll hold this while I climb, I’ll hammer in the nails, and then you can feed the greenery and lights up to me a few feet at a time,” Emilie said, extending an armful of artificial yet festive decorations.

She’d caught him lost in thought.

He looked at her armload, then back at her inquisitive cocoa eyes. The thick brows and dense eyelashes framing them brought to mind a fawn — one patient, wide-eyed, and curious, like in an animated Disney movie.

When Garrett still didn’t catch up, she set down the heavy load draped across her arms and clasped her hands at her heart. Concern clouded those deer-like eyes. She bit her lip in hesitation.

His eyes grazed over her lips, supple and plump and promising.

“Garrett?” she asked in a soft voice, thankfully interrupting his thoughts once again. “Are you okay?”

How had he ever thought her merely cute?

about the author

Ashli Montgomery is a wife, a momma, a writer, a quilter, and an entrepreneur. Her passion is sharing love stories, books, quilts, yoga, recipes, her faith, and her favorite ways to create a lovely life.

Ashli writes wholesome and cozy romance under the pen name Virginia’dele Smith to honor Syble Virginia Tidwell, Adele Gertrude Baylin, and Etta Jean Smith.

These three cherished grandmothers taught Ashli to love without judgment, always putting family first. Through Grandma Syble’s journals and appetite for books, through Momadele’s priceless cards and handwritten letters, and through hours of visiting over fabric at Mema’s kitchen island, Ashli also learned to treasure words.

Get to know Ashli by subscribing to her newsletter, The Gazette, at AshliMontgomery.com.

giveaway

(3) winners will each receive A Hero's Christmas Kiss Book Bundle including autographed hardcover edition; commemorative postcard, bookmark, sticker, and magnet; plus a $25 Starbucks gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight December 2, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 9, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

tour schedule

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