ASTERI'll be the first to admit that I ran back to Sweetwater Valley when moving to the city proved how sheltered I was growing up. The city wanted me to descend into depravity to realize my dreams and I wasn't willing to do it. Instead, I came home with trauma wrapped around me.I've left my deferred dreams in the past and have found new ones that help to heal the fissures in my soul. I love my dance studio and teaching kids, but life is still a little hollow. I'm finding it hard to trust, even with my favorite holiday coming up. When the town's busybody suggests I get involved in the Christmas toy drive, I figure it might help.Had I known she was meddling in more ways than one, I would have refused. Bowen and I keep getting pushed together, but he doesn't seem like the type to settle down, I'm still too emotionally scarred, and he's too young for me. Still, the more time I spend around him and see the real him, the more I wish things could be different.BOWENYoung and free. It's a mindset I've been embracing for so long, but it hasn't been cutting it lately. I love my job as a waiter because I get to interact with a lot of people without a lot of responsibility. It's been the perfect job while putting off figuring out what comes next.Now, I've been at The Goose for two years and something has been bothering me - a feeling of needing more and wanting to be more. I blame the people falling in love around me, but only because part of me is jealous. I never wanted it before, but now the lack of someone in my life bothers me and the Christmas season isn't helping.To try to find some sort of peace, I take up the suggestion of the town's grandmother hen to help with the annual toy drive because a little good cheer and community service couldn't hurt matters. I never expected to get close to Aster who has always been so unattainable. She doesn't trust me, or any man, but I know with one look that she's mine and I want to take away the pain in her eyes. I'm going to be her shield and to give her solace, it's my new purpose in life. I won't fail and together we will celebrate love forged in the darkness of her fear.*18+ If you like alpha heroes and an insta-love story that is sweet and spicy but isn't necessarily simple, then this is for you. No cheating with a guaranteed HEA. It is a standalone and exists in my small town, Sweetwater Valley. Catch up with Sweetwater Valley by starting with the first book, Unexpected Love, where you'll meet Bowen and hear a little about Aster.*A Country Christmas is full of heartwarming holiday fun but that doesn't mean it's missing the heat! Even in the dead of winter, our couples burn with love and the instant attraction of steamy romance!This holiday, 11 of your favorite instalove writers heat up your holidays with A Country Christmas!