Mistletoe Miscommunication
(2026)(A book in the Masked Men of Sage Springs series)
A Story by E L Koslo
Holly
For the last year, every day had been spent slowly rebuilding my shattered self-esteem after discovering the man–who’d promised me forever–had been using the bookstore I’d dedicated my life to as a front to commit fraud. My now ex-husband had left me with nothing but debt, heartbreak, and a lingering sense of failure. I’d learned the hard way that trusting the wrong man sometimes led down a path of destruction.
Starting over as the children’s librarian in my tiny Colorado hometown brought me contentment, but there was still something missing. Could that something be the entirely too sexy tattoo artist who visited the library several times a week?
Grayson
Since returning to Sage Springs eighteen months ago, I’d kept my heart carefully tucked away, where it belonged. Having spent half my childhood in this small town, my name was overshadowed by the man who shared it. My infamous father taught me early on that love never lasted through his entirely too frequent bouts of infidelity that bruised my mother’s heart. The only lasting reminders I left behind were in ink on other people’s skin, since I’d devoted myself to creating art instead of breaking promises.
Stolen glances between the shelves in the library where I went to sketch had me questioning my decision to avoid romance as I watched the woman I’d had a childhood crush on settle into her role as the new librarian. With the holiday season approaching, keeping my distance from her proved harder than I’d expected. An impulsive decision on her part late one snowy night brought us together in a way that left permanent marks, and not only the ones I''d inked on her flawless skin.
Bring on the Ho, Ho, Ho, Coming November 3, 2026
Genre: Romance
For the last year, every day had been spent slowly rebuilding my shattered self-esteem after discovering the man–who’d promised me forever–had been using the bookstore I’d dedicated my life to as a front to commit fraud. My now ex-husband had left me with nothing but debt, heartbreak, and a lingering sense of failure. I’d learned the hard way that trusting the wrong man sometimes led down a path of destruction.
Starting over as the children’s librarian in my tiny Colorado hometown brought me contentment, but there was still something missing. Could that something be the entirely too sexy tattoo artist who visited the library several times a week?
Grayson
Since returning to Sage Springs eighteen months ago, I’d kept my heart carefully tucked away, where it belonged. Having spent half my childhood in this small town, my name was overshadowed by the man who shared it. My infamous father taught me early on that love never lasted through his entirely too frequent bouts of infidelity that bruised my mother’s heart. The only lasting reminders I left behind were in ink on other people’s skin, since I’d devoted myself to creating art instead of breaking promises.
Stolen glances between the shelves in the library where I went to sketch had me questioning my decision to avoid romance as I watched the woman I’d had a childhood crush on settle into her role as the new librarian. With the holiday season approaching, keeping my distance from her proved harder than I’d expected. An impulsive decision on her part late one snowy night brought us together in a way that left permanent marks, and not only the ones I''d inked on her flawless skin.
Bring on the Ho, Ho, Ho, Coming November 3, 2026
Genre: Romance