Hi everyone! Today I am so excited to welcome back author Charlie Cochet to the blog. Charlie is here to talk about her new release, The Heart of Frost. She has also brought an excerpt and a great giveaway to share. Please join me in giving Charlie a big welcome!

Hello all! Welcome to the second stop in my blog tour for The Heart of Frost, the second book in my North Pole City Tales series. When I started writing The Heart of Frost, it was summertime, so in order for me to write a holiday story, I had to put myself in a holiday mood. One of the things that helped me become immersed in this world I’d created, was to listen to music. I created a short playlist of songs that fit scenes in the story, and I listened to them on repeat. Here are a few of the key songs that inspired me and some nifty videos to with them.

Carol of the Bells/God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – Matt Riley

This song was one I listened to for the very beginning of the book and the ballroom scene where we get introduced to our cast.

The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71: No. 13 Waltz of the Flowers – The Berlin Symphony Orchestra

Once of my favorite from the Nutcracker, and Rudy’s favorite as well. This song inspired the dance sequence between Jack and Rudy.

A Mad Russian’s Christmas – Trans Siberian Orchestra

This was a great song for a fast paced scene, and I listened to it while writing the sabotage to Rudy’s plane.

Carol of the Bells (for 12 cellos) The Piano Guys

For my climax, I knew I had to use this song for inspiration. It’s one of my absolute favorites!

Genre: M/M Fantasy, Christmas, Holiday Romance
Series: North Pole City Tales, Book #2
Length: Novella 30,511
Published: Dec 18, 2013
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
ISBN: 9781627983938

Blurb:

At the North Pole, no one is more powerful and feared than the Prince of Frost. As general of the toy soldier army, Jack Frost has been working extra hard to put away the villainous Mouse King once and for all. If that isn’t taxing enough, Jack has to deal with the scandal and gossip brought on by news of his relationship with Rudy Rein Dear, captain of the Rein Dear Squadron, which hit headlines last holiday season. Lucky for Jack, his reputation has managed to deter any foolish attempts to stir up trouble. At least until now.

When someone sabotages Rudy’s plane during a test run a few weeks before Christmas, Jack is determined to find the culprit by any means necessary. The closer he gets to finding answers, the more difficulty he has not falling back to his icy ways. Has the Mouse King stepped up his game in order to throw Jack off his, or is someone a little closer to home behind the attempt on Rudy’s life? Either way, Jack has every intention of delivering a Christmas they won’t soon forget, even if it means losing the newfound warmth in his heart.

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Excerpts are serialized and from Chapter 2.

Read Chapter 1 here.

[Excerpt 2]

His squadron had only ever had Sugarplum fairies, mostly because the fairies were more than just helpers. Claiming Tim and Noel as his had inadvertently revealed Rudy’s true nature.

And what had Jack done in the midst of the chaos and uproar? He had taken a stand, his hand firmly holding Rudy’s as he unveiled their love to the world. Jack had so much more to lose, as the Prince of Frost and General of the Army of Toy Soldiers, yet he had put it all on the line for Rudy.

“Corralling snow-bunnies again, are we?”

Jack’s teasing interrupted his thoughts, and he cast his lover a rueful smile. He really should be paying more attention to the ball. This was, after all, his first time sitting at Jack’s side in his royal box. Below them, the North Pole’s most elite were dancing the night away to sweeping waltzes and cheerful carols, with champagne flowing and eggnog and peppermint juleps making everyone merry. Anyone who was anyone was in attendance, including select reporters and photographers from the North Pole City Gazette, the first to expose his relationship. Swell.

As Captain of the Rein Dear Squadron, Rudy was a celebrity in his own right. It was something he had embraced early on, if only to make his life easier. There was no getting around it. Though there were still moments, such as this one, when he looked out over the balcony and wondered how in the name of Kringle Creation had he gotten here?

“Do you know, I’ve frozen over three dozen drinks in the last hour and no one’s said a word?” Jack frowned at his empty glass and held it out, and a newly filled one swiftly took its place.

“What do you expect? You think they’re going to come marching up to you and call you out?”

Noel made an appearance just then, thundering through the red velvet curtain behind them to thrust a finger at Jack. “Stop freezing my drinks you bastard!” With that said, he spun on his heel and stormed off from whence he came.

There were several horrified gasps from the private boxes to either side of them, but Jack merely grinned wickedly. “You were saying?”

“Noel doesn’t count and you know it. Really, Jack. Can’t you stop tormenting the poor elf?”

Jack arched an eyebrow at him, as if the answer were obvious. “No. No I can’t. I enjoy it too much. Besides, he’s the only one with a backbone in this whole place, present company excluded of course. In the year I’ve known him, he’s called me every name in the book, and then some. Creative little thing.”

“What about Tim?” Rudy asked, knowing how Jack felt about the tiny elf. Tim had a big heart, despite his small stature, and Jack had become very protective of him in the last year. Although Noel often displayed charming bouts of jealousy concerning Jack’s affections, in truth, Jack posed no threat to Noel’s sweetheart. Jack had merely grown a brotherly love for the orphaned elf. Besides, Jack had played a hand in uniting the reluctant and tormented Noel with the love of his life.

“Tim has as much nerve as you or I. I’d never freeze his drinks. I have kept them wonderfully chilled, though. He blushes every time he takes a sip. It’s sweet. Reminds me of you.”

“Me?”

“After all these years, you still blush for me.” Jack discreetly ran his fingers up Rudy’s leg, causing warmth to spread through his whole body, and making him shift uncomfortably in his seat.

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Available for Pre-order from:

Dreamspinner Press | All Romance eBooks

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Giveaway prompt: What’s your favorite holiday tune?


About the Author:

Charlie Cochet is an author by day and artist by night. Always quick to succumb to the whispers of her wayward muse, no star is out of reach when following her passion. From Historical to Fantasy, Contemporary to Science Fiction, there’s bound to be plenty of mischief for her heroes to find themselves in, and plenty of romance, too!

Currently residing in South Florida, Charlie looks forward to migrating to a land where the weather includes seasons other than hot, hotter, and boy, it’s hot! When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading, drawing, or watching movies. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.

Website: http://www.charliecochet.com
Blog: http://www.charliecochet.com/blog
Email: charlie@charliecochet.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/charliecochet
Twitter: @charliecochet | http://www.twitter.com/charliecochet


1 winners will receive an eBook copy The Heart of Frost & Mending Noel

2 winners will receive an eBook copy of Mending Noel

Drawing is open to US and International readers.

[Facebook chat & Release Party will have it’s own prizes]

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To Enter

Just leave a comment on any of the blog posts along the tour, along with a contact email address. **If you would still like to enter the contest but don’t wish to leave your email address in the comment, you can also enter by emailing charlie@charliecochet.com.

Winners will be chosen at random and posted on Charlie’s blog at http://www.charliecochet.com/blog on Saturday, December 21st, and on Charlie’s Facebook page. Winners will then be notified via email.

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Contest ends

Friday, December 20th at midnight, Eastern Time.


Tour stops:

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