Zhoel - Audiobook

A small-town Christmas. An alien visitor. A completely unexpected romance.

When Zhoel lands on Earth, he’s expecting to negotiate a business deal that will open the galaxy to human tourism. What he doesn’t expect is to be dropped into the middle of a holiday festival—and directly into the path of Lila Carson, a determined, down-to-earth woman with a big family.

Lila has enough on her plate trying to keep her family’s trucking company afloat during the busiest time of the year. The last thing she needs is responsibility for an alien. But Zhoel’s cluelessness about small-town life is endearing, and his timely proposal could save her family. Amid falling snow and sparkling lights, their professional agreement quietly transforms into a personal connection. Yet with Zhoel’s time on Earth running out and forces beyond their control threatening their future, love might not be enough to save the day.

Warm, witty, and brimming with heart, this interstellar holiday romance delivers emotional stakes, laugh-out-loud moments, and an alien encounter you won’t forget.

Lila was contemplating another sugar cookie when the doorbell chimed a perky rendition of Jingle Bells.

Mom peered through the window into the thickly falling snow. “Is that Aunt Maggie? She knows she doesn't need to ring.”

“I’ll get it,” Nana Pearl said, already hobbling toward the entryway. “Lila, take off that old cardigan.”

Sara's kids raced ahead of her. “I’ll get it!” “I’ll get it!”

Mom put a hand on her hip, watching Nana suspiciously. “Did she invite the mailman to dinner again?”

“Let her have her crush,” Lila said with a smile. Nana had recently been talking about dating, and though the mailman was at least fifteen years her junior, Lila thought she’d detected a few sparks between them. “You always make plenty of food.”

Sara had finished nursing the baby, and Lila held out her hands to take the newborn.

“Thanks,” Sara said, passing her daughter over.

Lila inhaled her sweet baby scent and looked down at her newest niece. The baby’s eyes were closed, soft lashes dark against pudgy cheeks, a tiny fist curled below her chin. “God, I love that new baby smell.”

Sara wiped a splotch of spit-up milk from her shirt. “Easy for you to say.”

"Where's Greg?" Lila asked, looking around for her brother-in-law,

A pained look crossed her sister's face. "You know. Working."

Lila frowned, feeling bad for her sister. Where Lila dreamed of travel, Sara had always dreamed of white picket fences and laughing children. At least she got part of her dream. Lila was stuck here in Bloomington, keeping the business afloat while her ex-fiancé explored the world without her. She’d ended her engagement with Craig after months of him complaining she never had time for him. It hadn’t been fair to keep him tethered.

Children's high-pitched giggles filled the air, and Lila glanced toward the foyer as the kids scurried back into the living room. Her jaw dropped. Standing at the entrance was a tall, blue-skinned man clad in a dark peacoat.

No, not a man. An alien.

The same alien she'd bumped into earlier.

“Everyone, this is Zhoel,” Nana Pearl announced gleefully, her eyes homing in on Lila. “He’s staying for dinner.”

“He’s blue!” Josh crowed, his pudgy face scrunched up in delight.

“Yes, he is,” Sara answered warily, standing and pushing the kids behind her.

“What is going on?” Mom demanded, the bells on her elf hat jangling as she looked from Nana to the newcomer.

Lila swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. The alien was even more handsome than she remembered, his cobalt blue skin and close-cropped midnight blue hair glistening with melting snowflakes. His eyes were a mesmerizing shade of deep violet and were focused on her as if she was the only person in the room.

Nana took Zhoel’s arm and tottered forward. “This is my daughter, Diane, my oldest granddaughter, Sara, and this lovely young lady here is Lila, the one you’re here to see.”

“Me?” Lila squeaked, pulse thundering in her ears.

“Thank you for agreeing to meet with me,” Zhoel said in a voice as rich as Belgian chocolate. His attention flickered to the baby, then back to Lila’s face, an unspoken question in his eyes.

Mom cleared her throat, removing her festive hat and smoothing her hair back into place. “I don’t understand. What is he doing here?”

“I told you—his name is Zhoel. He’s Lila's date.”

Oh, no. Lila tore her gaze away from the alien’s handsome features and muscular build. Nana Pearl was at her matchmaking shenanigans again. “Nana, you need to ask before you arrange a date for me.”

“Especially with blue guys,” muttered Sara under her breath, extracting the infant from Lila’s arms.

“I told you to change out of that sweater,” Nana whispered loud enough for everyone to hear.