Christmas Kisses & Mistletoe Wishes: A Holiday Romance Boxset (Duet)
Page 17
“They call it hooking up,” Cha-Cha said. “I learned the term in my body beautiful sketch class. That’s what the kids call it these days, Mimi, hooking up. You need to stay current with these things.”
“Please, Nonna, can you not say hooking up?”
Continue reading Two to Tango.
Playlist and Story Notes for One Wish
The Christmas season this year, started in July, when I sat down at the computer in ninety-degree heat, and dove into Brett and Lilly’s love story. I still have the Sony MDR-7506 headphones I wore for years during my San Francisco radio days. Once I slip them on, just like before, when I was working on the air as a disc jockey, my brain switches into work-mode, and then shifts down into deep, concentration-gear.
Even my husband can’t lure me away from the story once I get started.
For One Wish, I lit cinnamon scented candles, sucked on candy canes and did whatever I could to transport myself into the Christmas season of love, family and oh yes, Mimi and Cha-Cha’s fruitcakes. (Disclaimer: I didn’t force myself to eat anything as flammable as Santino fruitcakes...)
I also listened to Christmas music. The following songs were all mentioned in the story by title. I’ll remind you of the scene and give the version of the song I was listening to while I wrote it.
In the opening scene, Lilly is humming to herself, completely oblivious to what was about to happen and who she was about to meet. This song is playing in the background as she stashes Mimi and Cha-Cha’s fruitcakes under the table and Brett Benning interrupts her:
“Walking in a Winter Wonderland”—Rod Stewart and Michael Bublé
When Brett picks Lilly up at Mimi Santino’s fabulous St. Helena mansion, this song is blasting through his speakers and he immediately turns it down: “Baby it’s Cold Outside”—Seth MacFarlane and Sara Bareilles.
This particular version of the song has a lighter, fun, off-beat flavor to it with Seth MacFarlane singing. And Sara Bareilles? Well, there’s nothing she can’t sing the heck out of. For me, the mix of MacFarlane and Bareilles provided the perfect soundtrack for a “getting-to-know-you,” scenario.
As their drive continues, an annoying version of Jingle Bells segues into something soft and poignant: “something about december”—Christina Perri.
The melody, lyrics and Christina’s amazing pipes, causes Brett to impulsively listen to his heart, and ask Lilly out on a date.
Back in the barn, B.B. King serenades Brett with “Merry Christmas Baby” through an old, beat-up radio. Brett walks in and discovers Lilly, precariously perched on an unstable ladder, hanging Christmas decorations: “Merry Christmas Baby”—B.B. King.
Back to “Jingle Bells.” The song isn’t annoying when it’s handled properly and this version soothes Lilly as she walks through the department store searching for her brother’s gift.
“Jingle Bells”—Jim Brickman (piano-instrumental).
As the story progresses, Brett is searching for Lilly at the Majestic Hotel. He enters the dimly lit ballroom and finds his heart in his throat as he scans the couples dancing to: “Our Love is Here to Stay”—Natalie Cole. There are countless versions of this song and many singers do a wonderful job with it, but this adaptation is special. The band doesn’t overwhelm Natalie’s vocals, and sounds like the sexy quartet I imagined playing, under blue lights, at a small, cozy Christmas party.
Finally, Brett leads Lilly to the dance floor for their first dance together. In Brett’s arms, the lights in the room swirl, and Lilly closes her eyes. Lost in the song, she remembers when Brett asked what she wanted for Christmas and becomes lost in the song: “That’s What I Want for Christmas”—Nancy Wilson.
This is one of my favorite Christmas songs. Nancy Wilson never fails to deliver the words that carry me through the season: “The present that I want, you’ll never find in any window. Bring me love, and bring it just for me.”
Wishing you and yours, health, happiness, love and joy throughout the season and the new year.
xo-Kate
Also by Kate Kisset
Love in the Vineyards:
Love at Last- Love in the Vineyards #1
Love’s Home Run- Love in the Vineyards #2
Kissing Luca- Mini Prequel- Love’s Home Run
And I Love You- Love in the Vineyards #3
Love is a Wildfire- Love in the Vineyards #4
Love in the Vineyards (Companion Books)
One Wish
Two to Tango
Kissing Mr. Mistletoe - Christmas in Napa
Lonesome Cowboy:
Heartbreaker
Love Maker
Dream Maker
Get exclusive, bonus material and stay up to date with Kate Kisset’s latest releases by joining her Newsletter.
About Kate Kisset
USA Today bestselling author Kate Kisset is a former San Francisco disc jockey. She’s always been passionate about telling great stories. After playing thousands of Pop, Country, Rock and Oldies tunes, for her primarily female fan base, she changed her tune and became an author.
A girl’s girl herself, Kate’s heroines are smart and feisty and her heroes are drool-worthy book boyfriends, who’ll do anything for the women they love.
When she's not writing, Kate's favorite job is being "The Mommy." She enjoys reading, binge watching Netflix and the Hallmark Channel, wine tasting, cooking, listening to music, and hiking with her loyal companion Luciana Parmigiana, her rescue-dog-editor.
Find Kate Kisset on the Web:
Kate Kisset Website
Kate Kisset BookBub
Kate Kisset Newsletter
Kate Kisset Facebook
Kate Kisset Private Facebook Group
Kate Kisset Instagram
Kate Kisset Twitter
Kate Kisset Pinterest
Kate Kisset Goodreads