SHERRY GLOAG SHARES HER CHRISTMAS STORY, NAME THE DAY

By Sherry Gloag

Holidays are always fun. They always make you feel good. They are always something to look forward to.

Right?

Wrong!

There are so many reasons why some people dread upcoming holidays, it would be impossible to list them all here. And Christmas is no different. Many of these reasons stem from bad experiences and, or bad memories. Add in the increasing commercialism of the slightest connection to a holiday, then Christmas often tops the list of those who hate the way a sacred holiday has been hi-jacked.

In NAME THE DAY, Samantha Brown’s dislike of Christmas combines all three. Childhood experiences, a multitude of other memories and a loathing of commercialism, even though she works flat out to complete commissions for her clients in time for the holiday.

Chuck an arrogant hero into the mix and sparks are going to fly, and Samantha’s temper, already on a short fuse, it doesn’t take much to light the touch paper this year.

Successful Rafael Santini believes in family and will do anything to ensure members of his family are always provided for, supported in times of grief, stress and betrayal, so when he meets Samantha Brown all his protective instincts go into overdrive.

As does his heart.

For many people there is no happy ever after when the holidays are over. For most the ghosts of their past haunts them until the memories die away for another year and life settles down again. While for other those memories become props, companions to hold on to because it seems there is no other way to survive. And sometimes life simply throws an ugly curve ball which appears to have no solution.

Samantha Brown appeared out of the blue when I sat down to write NAME THE DAY, and we went many rounds together as her story unfolded. Her bottom line?

While for most holidays are a time for joy, families and celebration, there are those who grin and bear it because they don’t want to spoil the fun for others. This generosity of spirit is a lonely place. And in Samantha’s case it took courage to step out of her familiar attitude toward Christmas and move on. To grow, and find happiness.

I’d like to thank Caroline for inviting me to exchange blog visits today, and to wish everyone a holiday they can enjoy. Fine Caroline at my blog, The Heart of Romance, at this link

http://sherrygloagtheheartofromance.blogspot.com/2013/12/carolyn-clemmons-interviews-storm.html

NAME THE DAY Blurb:

Renowned portrait artist, Samantha Brown is through with men. After dealing with an overbearing father and cheating ex-fiance, Samantha is not in the market for romance, of any kind. Give her a blank canvas, some paints and brushes and she’s in charge of her life. There was no room in her life for love, so why did she find herself giving in to Rafael Santini’s outrageous demand that she paint his portrait?

Satisfied with his upcoming marriage of convenience Rafael Santini isn’t in the market for love. So, how come he finds the pint-sized artist stirring up emotions he didn’t have time for?

An accident forces Rafael to re-evaluate his life and wonder whether he can teach Samantha the art of love.

NAME THE DAY Excerpt:

Why couldn’t the stubborn man get it? She wasn’t giving him any favours at the expense of her other clients. In his case, money would not talk. Almost all her clients were well-heeled, but most understood the time restraints. After all, as she told each person, including Rafael Santini, who contracted a commission they wouldn’t want her to rush their painting and offer them a sub-standard product, would they?

“Give me the names of your clients and I will arrange to exchange places in your queue.” His unequivocal belief pulsed across the airwaves. Did the stupid man expect her to break the confidences of her clients?

“Tell me, Mr. Santini,” she asked in her most dulcet tone, “if I asked for a list of your clients would you hand them over, simply because I wanted something?”

“Don’t be stupid woman. It’s not the same thing at all. I’m a businessman.”

Would someone please save me from stupid arrogant men, Samantha offered in silent plea to the ether without expecting any response.

“I may not deal in electronics and communications systems, or equipment for the world of espionage, secret agents, and private investigators, Mr. Santini, but I do maintain a strict code of integrity and honour and customer confidentiality.”

“Why would you need confidentiality to daub a few colours on a piece of paper?”

Is this guy for real? Does he think insults and condemnation will get him what he wants?

“Let me get this straight. You want my agreement to let you queue jump the rest of my clients, who, incidentally have all signed contracts to be here on specified dates at specific times, and then you will be quite happy for me to go around publicising the fact you are not only having your portrait done, but that you bullied, harassed and threatened me into agreeing to your terms? I don’t think so. Not to mention that in many cases the commission is usually a gift for someone special and total secrecy is not only expected it is essential.”

The silence at the other end of the phone was almost deafening.

Buy Links for NAME THE DAY:

http://www.amazon.com/Name-the-Day-ebook/dp/B00G9QZZ68/ref=sr_1_7_title_0_main/187-4374845-0997611?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1383056022&sr=1-7&keywords=Sherry+Gloag

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Name-the-Day-ebook/dp/B00G9QZZ68/ref=sr_1_8/275-6621827-9727018?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1383056212&sr=1-8&keywords=sherry+gloag

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/name-the-day-sherry-gloag/1117258882?ean=2940148604822

http://www.astraeapress.com/#!/~/product/category=662245&id=29273565

http://www.smashwords.com/extreader/read/372423/1/name-the-day

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/name-the-day/id734895072?mt=11

http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/name-the-day

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Best-selling author, Sherry Gloag is a transplanted Scot now living in the beautiful coastal countryside of Norfolk, England.  She considers the surrounding countryside as extension of her own garden, to which she escapes when she needs "thinking time" and solitude to work out the plots for her next novel.  While out walking she enjoys talking to her characters, as long as there are no other walkers close by.

Apart from writing, Sherry enjoys gardening, walking, and reading. She cheerfully admits her books tend to take over most of the shelf and floor space in her workroom-cum-office.  She also finds crystal craft work therapeutic.  Sherry loves to hear from her readers.  sherrygloag@gmail.com

Website: http://authorsherrygloagtheheartofroman.weebly.com/

Blog: http://sherrygloagtheheartofromance.blogspot.com/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/SherryGloagAuthor  

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/SherryGloag

Amazon author page: http://tinyurl.com/buj6zj8

Goodreads: https://www.facebook.com/SherryGloagAuthor/app_2415071772

Waterston’s http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/simpleSearch.do?simpleSearchString=sherry+gloag&typeAheadFormSubmit=

Thanks to Sherry for sharing with us today, and thanks to readers for stopping by!