Today I’m joining the blog tour for Christmas At The Saporis. I’m sharing an extract from the book with thanks to Zoe O’Farrell for inviting me on the tour and to the author for providing the extract.

Blurb:

What will the Saporis find under the tree this year—Christmas presents, or family skeletons?

In the spirit of the holiday and a wish for familial harmony, Irene Adler persuades her detective husband to invite his brother Mycroft to Christmas luncheon. Holmes had cut ties with his brother when he discovered the machinations Mycroft employed that drove Sherlock and Adler apart for four years. He isn’t really sure this reunion is a great idea, but he can deny his wife nothing.

Of course, they can’t tell the children what Mycroft is to them, as that would entail learning that their father is the celebrated detective when they know him simply as Lucca Sapori. And just when they think things may be going better than expected, ghosts of the past crop up in unexpected ways and threaten to ruin the holidays for everyone.

Extract:

He opened the bottle and poured out two glasses then handed one to me. 

“This is excellent.” I sipped slowly from the glass, not once taking my focus off my husband.

  His gaze was one of anticipation and expectation. I hesitated for a moment, enthralled by his eyes. Then, before I knew what he was about, he drew me in by the waist and pulled me to him. His lips brushed mine. They pressed down softly at first, becoming more urgent as his tentative fingertips stroked my face and neck.

I heard the bold, charismatic repertoire of a song thrush in the distance. The prick of the fresh hay in the field, my husband’s cologne, and the thrill of his touch were intoxicating. They reminded me of our first time together in Fiesole when we made a mark on each other’s souls which would stay with us forever, obsessed as anyone falling under the spell of love and all the madness that entails. 

   Suddenly Sherlock pulled away. He rose to his feet and reached for his cap. “Forgive me,” he said. “Come, let’s go back to the Inn and change for dinner.”

 “Well, that’s a shame,” I said. “The man I fell in love with would never have given up that easily.” 

     He spun around to face me, staring at me with a burning intensity. “Well, in that case, Mrs Sapori, I would hate to disappoint you.” 

We never made it to the restaurant that evening.

***

Christmas At The Saporis is available from Amazon.

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