christmas carl: a garland grove holiday romance

SHE MOVES AMONG NASHVILLE’S BIGGEST STARS. HE’S A SMALL-TOWN KIND OF GUY.

Brooke Summers has always known she would follow in the footsteps of her father, legendary Nashville talent manager Bobby Summers. They’ve worked side-by-side since her graduation from college, and as Bobby eyes retirement he wants her to manage the career of their biggest client.

Raven McCloud is the darling of country music, a megawatt superstar who is equal parts beautiful and demanding. Her songs top the charts, and her concerts sell out in minutes. Bobby has been with Raven every step of the way, as mentor, father figure, and trusted friend. Her resistance to Brooke is immediate and public.

Bobby’s discovery of a box of Raven’s old recordings promises a respite from the tension. The songs were recorded years before she made it big. One especially piques Bobby’s interest. It’s a catchy Christmas tune called Making Santa Smile. And the singer isn’t Raven. It’s a man.

Bobby thinks it can be a hit, but first he needs to find the mystery man behind the song. Raven isn’t much help. She vaguely remembers him as a freshman year boyfriend named Carl. Their relationship didn’t survive the semester, and she hasn’t thought of him since. Brooke sends the song to a handful of Nashville radio stations to get their opinion. The feedback is quick. Everybody loves Making Santa Smile.

Brooke accepts the challenge to locate the mystery singer known only as Christmas Carl. Her search leads to the doorstep of an unassuming small-town pharmacist who has no idea what is about to hit him. And Brooke? She finds her feelings for Christmas Carl moving well beyond his singing ability.