Iโm Camilleโ the only pauper in Mount Evor. But thatโs not why Iโm on the no-fly list. Six years ago, the principalityโs royal palace went up in flames. Several people died. My sister Jeannette, who worked there, disappeared. The inquiry blamed her for the arson. Since then, Iโve been an outcastโcompromised and harassedโbut determined to clear my sisterโs name.
Four weeks before Christmas, the hunky Louis de Valois, Duke of Arrago, raps on my window. What if he has news about Jeannetteโs case? I invite him in. He glances at his watch and declines my invitation. And then he asks me to marry him.
Perfect for fans of Jill Shalvis, Lauren Landish, Nicole Snow and Louise Bay, this full-length novel stands on its own within an ongoing saga.
I set up the stepladder by the side of my trailer, climb on it, and begin to remove the snow from the roof. Half an hour later, Iโve scooped and brushed off all I that could reach. After returning the equipment to the shed, I reenter the trailer and dart to the kettle to make some tea and thaw my frigid hands.
Someone raps on my window. Iโve done my research, so I know the visitor at once. Itโs him, His Smashing Handsomeness Marquess Louis-Philibert de Valois, heir to the dukedom of Arrago, and second cousin to Crown Prince Theodor.
With stiff cold hands, I open the door a crack without removing the chain lock.
The marquess strides toward me. โHello. Are you Camille Mussey?โ
โWhoโs asking?โ
โMy name is Louis de Valois. I believe my grandfatherโs men told you Iโd be paying a visit.โ
Instead of confirming, I ask tartly, โHow do I know you are who you say you are?โ
โErโฆ Youโre right. Of course.โ He pulls an ID from the inner pocket of his coat.
I take the laminated card from his hand, read the name, look at the picture, then at his ridiculously well-proportioned face. Having seen dozens of photos of him online, I knew what to expect. I thought I was prepared. But I find myself gasping for air despite the chill.
No man should be allowed to look this hot, especially not a moneyed aristocrat. Itโs like cheating. And I despise cheaters.
My breath is stuck in my throat just from looking at the man in front of me.
Heโs tall and well-built and has intelligent hazel eyes, high cheekbones, a straight nose, chiseled lips, and a firm jawline. And all of that is framed by thick wavy hair the color of honey. Heโs simply too much. If it werenโt for the crazy amount of sex appeal he gives off, I wouldโve concluded that he isnโt human, but an android built to represent the perfect human male.
Mad at myself for the way Iโm reacting to this toff, I return his ID. โWhat do you want?โ
โWould you like the long version or the short version?โ
โThe short one, please.โ
He glances at his expensive watch and mutters, โJust as well.โ Then he meets my gaze. โI want to marry you.โ
โHuh?โ
The next second, I burst into laughter, double up, and go on and on, releasing the nervous energy thatโs been building for days.
Once my heart rate is back to normal, I wipe my eyes, and inject all the snark Iโm capable of into my words, โWhen I feel like being pranked, my lord, all I need to do is snap my fingers.โ
He begins to protest, but I hold up my palm to shut him up.
โYou see, half of the principality has been lining up for years for the honor. You donโt get special treatment. Take a number and go to the end of the line.โ
*****
Author Info:
Alix Nichols is a caffeine addict, a fan of Mr. Darcy and an award-winning author on Book Riot’s list of 100 must-read international romances.
She pens sexy romantic comedies and romantic fantasy. Her books have been described as “pure pleasure” (Kirkus Reviews) that โkeep fans of romance hanging off the edge of your seatโ (RT Book Reviews).
At the age of six, she released her first book. It featured highly creative spelling on a dozen pages stitched together and bound in velvet paper. Decades later, she still writes. Her spelling has improved (somewhat), and her books have topped bestseller charts around the world.
She lives in France with her family and their almost-human dog.
When there is Love at Sea, can a week-long cruise prove they deserve a shot at forever? Kacey Reid has had a thing for his sisterโs best friend, Ashley Kennedy for as long as he remembers, but has fought his attraction for just as long. Being stuck together on the cruise will either give him the chance to finally prove that heโs not the unreliable man she always thought he was or it will it just ruin everything. Fans of Forbidden Romances will devour RUIN THE FRIENDSHIP by S.A. Clayton, a sexy, best friendโs sibling romance.
Ruin the Friendship
Love at Sea series
by S.A. Clayton
Blurb:
Ashley
Iโve had a thing for my best friendโs brother, Kacey, for as long as I could remember.
I mean, whatโs not to love?
Heโs smart, sexy as hell, and everything I ever wanted in a man โ except for the part where heโs totally unreliable.
Being stuck on a seven day cruise with my favorite friend-emy?
Well, that may be more than enough to drive me insane, in more ways than one.
Kacey
Iโve wanted Ashley my whole life.
Sure, sheโs my sisterโs very best friend but sheโs the most amazing girl Iโve ever known.
But, not all that long ago she told me to move on. To forget her.
Except there is no forgetting Ashley and Iโm going to spend the next seven days trying to prove that Iโve changed and we deserve a shot at this forever thing.
No matter what happens, one thing is certain โ Iโm ready to ruin our friendship.
Ruin the friendship is a best friendโs sibling romance, part of the Love at Sea multi-author series. Get ready to set sail through the Caribbean on Festival Cruisesโ most alluring voyage with eight of your favorite authors – happily ever after guaranteed!
Experience everything the Love at Sea series has to offer. From speed dating to masquerades, guests are sure to enjoy the hot days and steamy nights. Explore hidden waterfalls, swim with dolphins, and watch as eight couples find their forever on the open ocean.
The instant I open the door and see the figure bent over the hood of his car, my heart stops. I haven’t seen Kacey Reid since prom night when he drove Kelsey and me home after our disastrous dates ditched us at the after-party. I secretly fell in love with him that night, basking in the way the rage washed over him when Kelsey explained what happened, loving the way his eyes softened when he met my eyes and gave me his jacket when I was cold. I tried to forget him, even moving to the other side of the continent, but nothing worked. I was still in love with my best friendโs twin brother.
โWell look who decided to finally come back home after all these years,โ Kacey teases, that knowing smirk playing at the edges of his lips as his blue eyes latch onto mine. I take a breath, wondering how one man can change so much and yet so little in three years. His once shaggy blond hair is cut short, tendrils falling strategically in front of his face, making him look older than his twenty-one years. His crystal-clear blue eyes still cause my insides to flip every time theyโre trained on me and those tattoosโฆtheyโre new. Both arms are covered and from the little I can see of his chest through his white t-shirt, thatโs covered too.
โI’ve been home, youโre just never here,โ I quip, loving the way his eyes shine with humor as they meet mine.
โTouchรฉ,โ he says before grabbing the rag from his back pocket and wiping the grease from his hands. I wonder what those hands would feel like against me, how the calluses on those fingertips would feel gripping me tightly as IโฆI shake my head, silently berating myself for going there when I know I can’t.
โI didn’t know you were home?โ My voice cracks as I make my way to the fridge on the other side of the car. Kaceyโs eyes follow my every move. There was a time when I would have begged him to look at me the way he is right now, but I have to keep my distance because from what Kelsey has told me, he will ruin me.
โIโm not. My new place doesn’t have a garage to store this baby,โ he says, shutting the hood. โI keep it here and Mom and Dad let me come over and work on it.โ I nod, turning so my back is against the fridge, and our eyes connect.
โAre you sure it’s not just a ploy to get you to come home more?โ I say, his eyes widening as if the thought never crossed his mind.
โWell shit,โ he mutters, a small laugh leaving his throat as I smile, turning back around to get the beers out of the fridge. The second my back is turned and the door is open, I sense him behind me.
โKacey, what are you doing?โ I whisper just as his fingers grip my waist, hauling me back until I can feel all of him. Every hard inch. My breath shudders as those deft fingers trace over my hip and rest just over the waistband of my bikini bottoms.
โDo you know how many times Iโve told myself to stay away from you?โ he mutters against my neck, the stubble on his jaw causing delicious friction against my skin. โDo you know how many times Iโve had to remind myself that you’re my sisterโs best friend?โ I shake my head, my fingers gripping his wrist as the tips of his fingers drop just below my bikini, causing every breath to leave my lungs.
โKacey we can’t do this,โ I whisper, closing my eyes and wishing we could, wishing I could feel what his lust feels like against me, what his passion would feel like inside me.
โI know,โ he growls against the shell of my ear, nipping at the lobe until Iโm putty in his hands. โBut that doesn’t mean I can walk away without a tasteโฆโ
Copyright 2022 @S.A. Clayton
*****
Author Info:
S.A. Clayton lives in a small town outside of Toronto, Canada with her husband and her scary large collection of books that seem to take over every room.
She has worked on both sides of the publishing industry, both in a bookstore and for actual publishing companies. Although she loved both for different reasons, she found that writing was her true passion and has spent the last few years breaking into the industry as best she can.
She is a lover of all things romance and began her writing journey in her late twenties. Since then, she has immersed herself in the romance genre and couldn’t be happier.
When she’s not writing or reading, she enjoys binging a great Netflix show (Stranger Things anyone?), baking (because who doesn’t love cookies!) and spending time with her family.ย
Get ready to set sail through the Caribbean on Festival Cruisesโ most alluring voyage with eight of your favorite authors – happily ever after guaranteed!
Experience everything the Love at Sea series has to offer. From speed dating to masquerades, guests are sure to enjoy the hot days and steamy nights. Explore hidden waterfalls, swim with dolphins, and watch as eight couples find their forever on the open ocean.
Each story features a brand new couple and a fun trope from our amazing line up of authors including: Kate Stacy, HM Thomas, Mari Sol, S.A. Clayton, T.L. Anderson, Karigan Hale, Susan Renee, and A.M. Williams.
This promotional event is brought to you by TheIndie Pen PR
They are friends. Without benefits. Unfortunately.
Michael LeClaire is small-town Louisiana. A firefighter. A single dad.
And Amelia Landry is New York City. A social media influencer. A model.
Sure, sheโs his sonโs favorite person on the planet.
And yeah, their families spend so much time together itโs hard to remember who shares DNA and who just shares secrets, inside jokes, and a sincere lack of boundaries.
And okay, heโs seen her nerdy side. Her sweet side. Her funny, self-deprecating side.
Fine, yes, resisting this woman has taken a saintโs share of willpower.
But he has to. He just cannot do long-distance. And he canโt have a casual fling with someone heโs knownโand will knowโforever.
Thankfully, he only has to hide his feelings a few times a year when she visits.
And then, he slips. One time. One spontaneous I-knew-it-would-be-everything kiss and heโs a goner.
Now every time they see each other itโs harder and harder to ignore the heat.
And when she shows up on his doorstep after a car accident changes her entire life, thereโs no way he can resist the chance to see if this can lastโฆor if theyโll finally flame out.
โIf you donโt want our sisters to think theyโre right about everything, you have to quit looking at me like that.โ
Michael LeClaire had three choices here.
He could pretend he had no idea what Amelia Landry was talking about, turn, smile nonchalantly, and try to have a normal, casual conversation with her.
That was going to be nearly impossible, of course. This was Ami. There was no being casual around her. He hadnโt been able to pull nonchalant off since heโd first seen her walk down the dock in a lime green bikini the summer sheโd turned twenty. But then, eleven months ago, everything had changed and nowโฆyeah, casual was completely off the table.
Heโd known sheโd be here. Of course. It was her sisterโs wedding. She was a bridesmaid. Heโd been preparing to see her. Still, it had been three months and the last timeโฆleaving her at that airport had been so much harder than heโd expected. He didnโt think thereโd be anything casual about the things heโd end up saying to her tonight if they talked alone.
His second option was setting something on fire so that he would have to don his fire gear and do something with his evening other than watch Ami in her off-the-shoulder peach-colored bridesmaid dress, laughing and dancing and looking fucking stunning while he struggled to remember why they were only friends. As he did every single time she stood too close to him.
The reasons were good. He knew that. The primary one being that she lived in fucking New York City and he lived in Autre, Louisiana and that would just never work out. He had a kid. He was the fire chief here. His entire family was here. He couldnโt move to New Yorkโnor did he want toโand he couldnโt travel there on a regular basis.
Ami was a model. Sheโd just landed a huge contract. The contract sheโd been hoping and working for. Sheโd moved from Shreveport to New York only three months ago. She wasnโt coming back to Louisiana and also couldnโt be traveling back here on a regular basis.
Fuck New York City.
Yeah, setting something on fire kind of seemed like a great idea.
And then there was his third option: turning, throwing her over his shoulder, taking her straight back to his house, and not letting her out of his bed for a week, whether they could be together long-term or not.
Which would only make all of thisโthe wanting her, the thinking about her, the missing herโso much worse.
He wasnโt going to be able to do any of those three things.
He was screwed.
So, he sucked in a deep lungful of oxygen and turned, deciding to go with his fourth optionโjust praying to not fuck everything up. โAm I that obvious?โ
Ami smiled up at him. โI just really think itโs unfair that theyโre assuming things that I didnโt actually get to experience.โ
He shook his head. โDonโt.โ
โDonโt what? Talk about how Charlie and Naomi are assuming their matchmaking worked and we spent the entire weekend you were in New York in bed together?โ
โAmi,โ he said, his voice low with warning.
โHey, youโre the one looking at me like youโve seen me naked and want to again,โ she said. โDonโt blame me.โ
He tossed back the rest of his drink, wished it was alcohol and not just soda, reminded himself that staying completely sober while Ami was in town for the first time since New York was a really, really good idea, and said, โThatโs not how Iโm looking at you.โ
She put a hand on her hip. โThen how would you describe the way youโve been watching me from across the room but totally ignoring me whenever weโre close enough to talk?โ
โLike Iโve been jerking off practically every night for the past three months because I didnโt get you naked, and like since you got back to town Iโve been constantly about ten seconds away from picking you up, taking you home, and tying you to my bed for the next week or two.โ
Okay, so even without alcohol he was going to be dangerously inappropriate. And honest. Just as heโd feared.
Her eyes went wide.
Then she grinned. โYes. Youโre right. Thatโs a much better, more specific, description.โ
*****
Review:
This was such a quick read for me – I loved Michael & Ami together. While not as quirky and humorous as some of the previous stories, Nicholas does an excellent job, like always, of blending the lighthearted moments with those that have a more emotional impact, while not forgetting to give her readers some heat as well.
Ami only knows how to be pretty but it’s something she’s really good at. Good enough for it to pay well, allowing her to support herself while helping others. And good enough to take her the NYC, far away from Louisiana and far away from those she loves.
Michael is a fixer and needs to be as involved as possible in the lives of those he loves. He has to be there to help solve ALL the things so a long distance relationship will definitely not work for him. Unfortunately Ami’s life continues to take her to places far from Michael.
I appreciate how both Michael and Ami approach themselves and each other with understanding of their needs. They are as honest as they can be and lay it out there for the other to see. Sometimes it means that they don’t get exactly what they want but it does mean that they are true to what is best for them at any given moment. As Ami’s (and Michael’s) world is rocked by an accident, and she heads to Autre to figure out what is next, the two may finally be given an opportunity for a future … if they can find a path that works for them both.
With this new series, Nicholas delivers more serious, impactful stories with the same finesse that she’s given us their more unconventional predecessors and, as always, I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what’s in store next.
(Part of a series but can be read as a stand alone.)
*****
Author Info:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erin Nicholas has been writing romances almost as long as sheโs been reading them. To date, sheโs written over thirty sexy, contemporary novels that have been described as โtoe-curling,โ โenchanting,โ โsteamy,โ and โfun.โ She adores reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines, and happily ever afters.
Erin lives in the Midwest, where she enjoys spending time with her husband (who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books), her kids (who will never read the sex scenes in her books), and her family and friends (who claim to be โshockedโ by the sex scenes in her books).
Is love a formula or pure fate? The residents of the small college town of Mountain View will soon find out. Love is in the air or rather in the coffee in book one of the ABCs of Romance series.ย
Anticipation
The ABCs of Romance
by Rue Harlow
Blurb:
What do beavers and baked goods have to do with love?ย Well, everything for Liliana Travis…
Travis, the owner of the local coffee shop, Higher Grounds. Her day job is serving caffeine highs, but her love life is at an all-time low. A meticulous planner ever since high school, she has a checklist for her perfect man and even plans for how she wants this future romance to unfold. But her carefully laid plans are about to be upended by something, rather someone, completely unanticipated from her past.
Dominic Moore has always been the hometown celebrity of Mountain View. The former captain of the high school football team turned NFL pro is the definition of the โgolden boyโ. But when Dom is caught in a scandal, he returns home to Mountain View to help his recently widowed grandmother open her dream bakeryโฆ and do some soul searching.
For Lili, Domโs return is both exciting and a total gut punch. Her high school crush is back in town, but also fresh competition for her small business. To make matters worse, the nationwide baking competition, the Upper Crust Challenge, has come to town and bets are firmly on the table. Is it rivalry or romance as buttons are pushed, banter exchanged, and sparks fly? Maybe not everything in life can be perfectly anticipatedโฆ
For fans of The Kiss Quotient and The Soulmate Equation, Anticipation is a sweet and spicy debut from Rue Harlow that is sure to be addictive.
Liliana Travis was dressed like a giant beaver, missing only its head, ready for her life to dramatically change.
Even though the locker room reeked even more like sour socks than usual, Lili was only smelling roses. It had been a long football season โ no longer than any other season, but Lili wasnโt into football at all โ and now that it was finally ending, it was time for the final act in her epic plan.
โSo โฆโ Alicia prompted her. โWhatโs the plan?โ
โYou mean the โover-plan,โโ Runa corrected Alicia.
Liliโs two best friends had been with her during every step of this little scheme, as they had stayed by her side for everything else throughout every noteworthy occasion in high school.
โI donโt over plan,โ Lili defended herself, despite knowing how futile doing so would be, especially considering the crazy amount of thought she had poured into her nutty little endeavor so far.
โOkay.โ Runa shrugged. โAnd I bet that Outlander show is gonna be great.โ
โShut up!โ Lili laughed, sick of defending that one too. โOutlander is gonna be awesome.โ
Lili had made her two besties get through as much of the historical time travel romance adventure as they were willing to read, but neither of them were as enamored by the genre buster as she was.
Not that she was obsessed at all. Lili didnโt get obsessed with anything, including Dominic Moore, no matter what Alicia and Runa said. The Mountain View Beaversโ star quarterback was as handsome as he was charming, and Lili had been dying for an actual conversation, instead of the fleeting exchanges in Statistics, he forgot about five minutes after they happened.
*****
Review:
Overall, I really enjoyed Anticipation and I’m curious what Harlow has in store next. However there were a few things that brought this one down for me. I think that Lili was a little too hard on Dom. She’s got some leftover negative feelings from high school but we never really got to see why she’s holding on to them so tightly. We know that there was a viral video but it doesn’t seem to be THAT horrible all things considered. And it wasn’t even Dom’s fault. (There are some logistics issues with that video – he’s the quarterback but he makes a game winning play for the defense …?) I also was thrown by the end of his career (not sure that what happened was that big a deal in the NFL) and exactly when Lili starts her day considering she runs a coffee shop so it should be pretty early but it seems like not so much. Other than Lili’s attitude, these were little things that just made me go hmmmm but didn’t stop me from enjoying the story. I will say, that once Lili gets over herself and starts being friendly to Dom, the two together are a delight. They are funny and entertaining and the push/pull between them is more positive, leading to a satisfying HEA. Definitely will read more from this author.
*****
Author Info:
Rue Harlow is a semi- professional baked goods aficionado. When not eating carbs or writing smutty novels, you can find her kicking back with a vodka tonic, putzing in her garden, or taking her convertible, Molly the Miata, for a spin. A native Brooklynite, she now resides in the Hudson Valley with her husband and two cats, Artemis and Apollo.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery’s second book set in the small town of Wishing Tree, Washington is the witty and heartfelt story of two friends who expectedly find the person–and the place in which–they belong this Christmas, for fans of Elin Hildebrand, Robyn Carr, and Susan Wiggs.
This small-town life wasnโt supposed to be for Camryn Neff. But after her mother died, Camryn moved home to Wishing Tree, Washington to care for her teenaged twin sisters and run the family wrapping paper business, Wrap Around the Clock. She loves her sisters and would do anything for them but, when they head off to college, sheโs excited to move back to Chicago and restart her real life, completely attachment-free. So when a prospective client schedules a meeting and announces Project: Jakeโs Bride, a plot to find a wife for her son, Camryn is completely disinterested. And when this client announces that Camryn is a candidate, sheโs horrified. Being tied down is the last thing Camryn needs right now. She has no choice but to tell Jake what his mom is planning. But Camryn never expected to genuinely like him so muchโฆ
River Best knows all about the danger of keeping secrets. After all, sheโs had her heart broken and her world rocked by secrets a few times now and she wonโt ever let it happen again. New to Wishing Tree and a little shy, River is looking to get involved in the community so she lets her friends talk her into running for Snow Queen, one of the town’s honorary hosts of all Christmas events. She never expected to be drawn to Dylan Tucker, her Snow King. As the season progresses, River starts to trust him more and more and wonders if he’s the one. But little does River know that Dylan is keeping a secret from her, one that threatens everything between them.
โYour teeth are lovely, Camryn. Did you wear braces as a child?โ
Camryn Neff reminded herself that not only was the woman sitting across from her a very wealthy potential client, but also that her mother had raised her to be polite to her elders. Still, it took serious effort to keep from falling out of her chair at the weirdness of the question.
โNo. This is how they grew.โ
Hmm, that didnโt sound right, although to be honest, she didnโt have a lot of experience when a conversation turned dental.
She refocused her mind to the meeting at hand. Not that she knew for sure why Helen Crane, leader of Wishing Tree society, such as it was, and sole owner of the very impressive Crane hotel empire, wanted to meet with her. The summons had come in the form of a handwritten note, inviting her to the large, sprawling estate on Grey Wolf Lake. Today at two.
So here Camryn was, wearing a business suit that had been hanging in her closet for over a year. The dress code for Wishing Tree retail and the dress code for the job in finance sheโd left back in Chicago were very different. While it had been fun to dust off her gorgeous boots and a silk blouse, and discover her skirts still fit, she was ready to get to the point of the invitation.
โHow can I help you, Mrs. Crane?โ she asked.
โHelen, please.โ
Camryn smiled. โHelen. Iโm happy to host a wrapping party, either here or at the store. Or if youโd prefer, I can simply collect all your holiday gifts and wrap them for you.โ
She casually glanced around at the high ceilings of the sitting room. There was a massive fireplace, intricate molding and a view of the lake that, even with two feet of snow on the ground, was spectacular. And while there were lovely fall floral displays on several surfaces, there wasnโt a hint of Christmas to be found. Not in Wishing Tree, eight days before Thanksgiving. Those decorations didnโt appear until the Friday after.
โI have some samples for custom wrapping paper,โ she said, pulling out several sheets of paper from her leather briefcase. โThe designs can be adjusted and the colors coordinated with what you have planned for this holiday season. Wrapped presents under a tree are such an elegant touch.โ
โYouโre very thorough,โ Helen murmured. โImpressive.โ She made a note on a pad. โAre you married, dear?โ
โWhat?โ Camryn clutched the wrapping paper samples. โNo.โ
Helen nodded. โYour mother passed away last year, didnโt she?โ
A fist wrapped around Camrynโs heart. โYes. In late October.โ
โI remember her. She was a lovely woman. You and your sisters must have been devastated.โ
That was one word for it, Camryn thought grimly, remembering how her life had been shattered by the loss. In the space of a few weeks, sheโd gone from being a relatively carefree, engaged, happy junior executive in Chicago to the sole guardian for her twin sisters, all the while dealing with trying to keep Wrap Around the Clock, the family business, afloat. The first few months after her motherโs death were still a blur. She barely remembered anything about the holidays last year, save an unrelenting sadness.
โThis year the season will be so much happier,โ Helen said firmly. โVictoria and Lily are thriving at school. Of course they still miss their mother, but theyโre happy, healthy young adults.โ The older woman smiled. โI know the teen years can be trying but I confess I quite enjoyed them with Jake.โ
Camryn frowned slightly. โHow do you know about the twins?โ she asked.
Helenโs smile never faded. โItโs Wishing Tree, my dear. Everyone knows more than everyone else thinks. Now, youโre probably wondering why I invited you over today.โ
โTo discuss wrapping paper?โ Although even as Camryn voiced the question, she knew instinctively that was not the real reason.
Helen Crane was close to sixty, with perfect posture and short, dark hair. Her gaze was direct, her clothes stylish. She looked as if sheโd never wanted for anything and was very used to getting her way.
โOf course youโll take care of all my wrapping needs,โ Helen said easily. โAnd I do like your idea of custom paper for faux presents under the tree. Iโll have my holiday decorator get in touch with you so you two can coordinate the design. But the real reason I asked you here is to talk about Jake.โ
Camryn was having a little trouble keeping up. The order for wrapping and the custom paper was great news, but why would Helen want to discuss her son?
She knew who Jake wasโeveryone in town did. He was the handsome, successful heir to the Crane hotel fortune. Heโd been the football captain in high school, had gone to Stanford. After learning the hotel business at the smaller Crane hotels, he was back in Wishing Tree, promoted to general manager of the largest, most luxurious of the properties.
Theyโd never run in the same circles back when theyโd been kids, in part because she was a few years younger. Sheโd been a lowly freshman while heโd been a popular senior. Her only real connection with Jake was the fact that heโd once been engaged to her friend Reggie.
Helen sighed. โIโve come to the conclusion that left to his own devices, Jake is never going to give me grandchildren. I lost my husband eighteen months ago, which has been very hard for me. Itโs time for my son to get on with finding someone, getting married and having the grandchildren I deserve.โ
Well, that put the whole โdid you wear bracesโ conversational gambit in perspective, Camryn thought, not sure if she should laugh or just plain feel sorry for Jake. His mother was a powerful woman. Camryn sure wouldnโt want to cross her.
โIโm not sure what that has to do with me,โ she admitted.
Helen tapped her pad of paper. โIโve come up with a plan. Iโm calling it Project: Jakeโs Bride. Iโm going to find my son a wife and youโre a potential candidate.โ
Camryn heard all the words. Taken individually, she knew what Helen was saying. But when put together, in that exact way, the meaning completely escaped her.
โIโm sorry, what?โ
โYouโre pretty, youโre smart. Youโve done well at Wrap Around the Clock. Youโre nurturingโlook how youโve cared for your baby sisters.โ Helen smiled again. โI confess I do like the idea of instant grandchildren, so thatโs a plus for you. There are other candidates, of course, but youโre definitely near the top of the list. All I need is confirmation from your gynecologist that youโre likely to be fertile and then we can get on with the business of you and Jake falling in love.โ
โYou want to know if Iโm fertile?โ
Camryn shoved the samples back in her briefcase and stood. โMrs. Crane, I donโt know what century you think weโre living in, but this isnโt a conversation Iโm going to have with you. My fertility is none of your business. Nor is my love life. If your plan is genuine, you need to rethink it. And while youโre doing that, you might want to make an appointment with your own doctor, because thereโs absolutely something wrong with you.โ
Helen looked surprisingly unconcerned. โYouโre right, Camryn. I apologize. Mentioning fertility was going a bit too far. Youโre the first candidate Iโve spoken to, so Iโm still finding my way through all this.โ She wrote on her pad. โI wonโt bring that up again. But as to the rest of it, seriously, what are your thoughts?โ
Camryn sank back on her chair. โDonโt do it. Meddling is one thing, but youโre talking about an actual campaign to find your son a bride. No. Just no. Itโs likely to annoy him, and any woman who would participate in something like this isnโt anyone you want in your family.โ
Helen nodded slowly. โAn interesting point. Itโs just they make it look so easy on those reality shows.โ
โNothing is real on those shows. The relationships donโt last. Jakeโs going to find someone. Give him time.โ
โIโve given him two years. Iโm not getting younger, you know.โ Her expression turned wistful. โAnd I do want grandchildren.โ
โAsk me on the right day and you can have the twins.โ
Helen laughed. โI wish that were true.โ Her humor faded. โDo you know my son?โ
โNot really.โ
โWe could start with a coffee date.โ
Camryn sighed. โHelen, seriously. This isnโt going to work. Let him get his own girl.โ
โHeโs not. Thatโs the problem. All right, I can see Iโm not going to convince you to be a willing participant. I appreciate your time.โ She rose. โI meant what I said about the wrapping. Iโll arrange to have all my gifts taken to your store. And my holiday decorator will be in touch about the custom paper.โ
โIs the holiday decorator different from the regular decorator?โ Camryn asked before she could stop herself.
Helen chuckled. โYes, she is. My regular decorator is temperamental and shudders at the thought of all that cheer and tradition. He came over close to Christmas a few years ago and nearly fainted when he saw the tree in the family room.โ
She leaned close and her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. โItโs devoted to all the ornaments Jake made for me when he was little. There are plaster handprints and little stars made out of Popsicle sticks. My favorite is a tuna can with a tiny baby Jesus in the manger tucked inside. Thereโs bits of straw and a star.โ She pressed both hands to her heart. โI tear up thinking about it.โ
Baby Jesus in a tuna can? Helen was one strange woman.
Camryn collected her briefcase and followed Helen to the front door. Helen opened it, then looked at her.
โYouโre sure about not being a part of Project: Jakeโs Bride?โ
โYes. Very.โ Camryn kept her tone firm, so there would be no misunderstanding.
โA pity, but I respect your honesty.โ
Camryn walked to her SUV and put her briefcase in the backseat. Once she was behind the wheel, she glanced at the three-story house rising tall and proud against the snow and gray sky.
The rich really were different, she told herself as she circled the driveway and headed for the main road. Different in a cray-cray kind of way.
She turned left on North Ribbon Road. When she reached Cypress Highway, she started to turn rightโthe shortest way back to town. At the last minute, she went straight. Even as she drove north, she told herself it wasnโt her business. Maybe Jake knew about his motherโs plans. Maybe he supported them.
Okay, not that, she thought, passing the outlet mall, then turning on Red Cedar Highway and heading up the mountain. She might not know Jake very well, but Reggie had dated him for months. Reggie was a sweetie who would never go out with a jerk. So Jake had to be a regular kind of guy, and regular guys didnโt approve of their mothers finding them wives.
Besides, she doubted Jake needed any help in that department. He was tall, good-looking and really fit. Sheโd caught sight of him jogging past her store more than once and was willing to admit sheโd stopped what she was doing to admire the view. He was also wealthy. Men like that didnโt need help getting dates.
The sign for the resort came into view. She slowed for a second, then groaned as she drove up to the valet. Maybe she was making a mistake, but there was no way she couldnโt tell Jake what had just happened. It felt too much like not mentioning toilet paper stuck to someoneโs shoe.
If he already knew, then it would be a short conversation. If he didnโt care, then she would quietly think less of him and leave. If he was as horrified as she thought he might be, then sheโd done her good deed for the week and yay her. Whatever the outcome, she would have done the right thing, which meant she would be able to sleep that night. Some days that was as good as it was going to get.
Excerpted from Home Sweet Christmas by Susan Mallery. Copyright ยฉ 2022 by Susan Mallery. Published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
*****
Author Info:
SUSAN MALLERY is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels about the relationships that define women’s livesโfamily, friendship, romance. Library Journal says, โMallery is the master of blending emotionally believable characters in realistic situations,” and readers seem to agreeโ40 million copies of her books have sold worldwide. Her warm, humorous stories make the world a happier place to live.
Susan grew up in California and now lives in Seattle with her husband. She’s passionate about animal welfare, especially that of the ragdoll cat and adorable poodle who think of her as mom. Visit Susan online at http://www.susanmallery.com.
When there is Love at Sea, can they overcome their secrets and have a future together? Sebastian Greer isnโt on this cruise for fun and games, heโs here to catch a cheater. However, the more time he spends with his target, Zoey Anderson, he unexpectedly catches feelings for her but when the truth is revealed, he canโt get off of the ship fast enough. Fans of forbidden romances will enjoy SICK OF THIS SHIP by Mari Sol, a sexy enemies to lovers romance.
Sick of This Ship
Love at Sea series
by Mari Sol
Blurb:
Zoey
I would do anything for my sister. That includes pretending to be her on a cruise so she can stay behind and spy on her cheating husband.
My job? Take over her Instagram and enjoy myself.
But my tropical holiday becomes anything but relaxing, once I meet Sebastian Greer. Pain in the ass extraordinaire. A desperate man who can only be looking for one thing – to hook up with all the single women he can find on the ship.
Unfortunately, Sebastian seems to be everywhere I go. And the thing is, the more I run into him, the more I realize that maybe I was wrong about him after all.
Sebastian
Seducing a beautiful woman on a cruise? Sounds like a dream come true, right?
Wrong.
Iโm not here to fall in love or even hook up. Iโm here to catch a cheater.
Thatโs right, my boss thinks his wife is unfaithful, and itโs my job to prove it.
Thereโs just one problemโฆthe more I get to know my target, the harder I find it to fight these unexpected feelings for her.
When she confesses that sheโs not who I think she is, Iโm pissed – even though Iโve been lying to her too.
With tensions flying high, weโre both sick of this ship. The end of the cruise canโt come soon enough. But after we disembark, no matter how much I want to forget her, I canโt. The question remains: could we overcome our secrets and have a future together, or did our ship already sink?
Sick of This Ship is an enemies-to-lovers romance, part of the Love at Sea multi-author series. Get ready to set sail through the Caribbean on Festival Cruisesโ most alluring voyage with eight of your favorite authors – happily ever after guaranteed!
Experience everything the Love at Sea series has to offer. From speed dating to masquerades, guests are sure to enjoy the hot days and steamy nights. Explore hidden waterfalls, swim with dolphins, and watch as eight couples find their forever on the open ocean.
โPlease, I need you, Zoey,โ Anna says again. โI wouldnโt ask if this wasnโt completely urgent.โ
โAnna, you ask me literally every time you need anything.โ I cross my arms, trying hard not to smile as my sister gives me her sweetest of puppy looks.
โYou love helping me.โ She pats my hair. You would never guess sheโs the older sister here. But sheโs not wrong. Sheโs my universe. I am here for everything she needs, no questions asked. I learned my lesson back when we were young. The one time it mattered, I wasnโt there for her, and it shattered everything. Iโll never make that mistake again.
โWhat if I help you back home in LA? We could figure out what Mike is up to together. Girl power. Sisterhood of the traveling penis. All that.โ
โZo, the cruise is where I need the help,โ Anna says. โYou can easily pass as me in photos that arenโt close-ups. Keeping my Instagram full of cruise shots is the perfect distraction for Mike while I follow him around LA.โ
โIโll help you however I can, but I would be most useful on land.โ
โI know you hate even the thought of a cruise. But think of it this way. Itโll be much better than lying around watching TV in your tiny apartment back in LA while you rest your ankle. Iโm pretty sure you had no other plans next week.โ
โThereโs plenty to do in LA, even with a sprained ankle.โ
โYouโre supposed to be resting, not running all over. At least on a cruise you can lounge at the pool, have all your meals taken care of, and beach it up in each port of call.โ
I let out a long sigh. I hate that sheโs right. Being marginally injured is the most boring possible status to have. I can sort of do everything, but Iโm not supposed to do anything. Itโs killing me. But if I still canโt run, jump, or climb at high speed after the break in filming for our big Meghan Marconi action thriller? That would be worse. That would jeopardize my entire career as a stunt double.
โIโฆ butโฆโ There has to be a reason I shouldnโt go on the cruise. I mean, Iโve summited Mount Kilimanjaro, sky-dived Interlaken, scaled El Capitan with my bare hands, and flipped a car off the London Bridge. Can you imagine me sitting around eating buffet with a bunch of retirees? โI was going to do a lot of upper body training at that new gym near the studio next week.โ
โSo were you planning to seduce a certain someone whoโs been talking up his membership there?โ Anna purses her lips.
โNo.โ I glare at her. โIโm not into Grant. I mean, whoever youโre talking about.โ
โWhy donโt you invite him to come on the cruise?โ Anna cocks her head, one eyebrow raised.
โItโs easy enough to transfer a cruise ticket to someone else. I can give him Mikeโs. A free trip with my gorgeous sister? Come on, heโd go.โ
I could laugh. Anna knows Iโm incapable of inviting a man to coffee, let alone a cruise. And a seduction at sea, by me?
โI am not inviting Grant Kevlar! We only met a month ago, in this very trailer. He would never go on a Caribbean Cruise with me, even if itโs free.โ
โWho says I wouldnโt go on a free Caribbean Cruise with my new BFF?โ Jamie Von Burger, my favorite hair stylist of all time- who I also met a month ago in this trailer- blows in the door, wet as a sewer rat. Jamie drops his umbrella, and water sprays the room. โIโm dying to get out of this Louisiana swamp. Please tell me you werenโt making up the idea of a jaunt to the Caribbean. I want to drink Piรฑa Coladas in the sun with you, babes.โ
Jamie air-kisses my cheek and his beard tickles my skin, while his long flowing locks cascade forward in a silken waterfall. โWeโre a dream team. Think of the boys we could slay.โ
Of course, at this very moment, in walks Grant Kevlar himself. Upon hearing Jamieโs words, he raises his eyebrows at me, a delectable smile playing over his soft lips. My heart stutter-stops. Heโs the stunt double to the hunkiest of hunky actors, Zander Zane, but somehow, heโs much darker and sexier than his silver screen counterpart could ever be. Iโd so go on a cruise if he was there. Even though Iโd never admit it, maybe a small part of me hoped Iโd bump into him at a certain LA gym.
โJamie and Zoey are taking a Caribbean Cruise next week.โ Anna smiles. Jamie widens his eyes at her. I narrow mine. That little skunk.
Copyright 2022 @Mari Sol
*****
Author Info:
Mari Sol writes romantic comedy thatโs been described as somewhere between Hallmark movies and the SNL skits about Hallmark movies. Her capable, assertive, and sometimes sarcastic female leads are adventurous and quirky, and the men who fall for them are absolutely worth your (er, their) time. Her Halloween book, โRomance is Deadโ hit #6 on Amazon for Holiday Romance and features a very cinnamon-roll hero.
As most people do, Mari started writing Rom Coms when she was a stressed out corporate director and needed the escape. Her books will send you somewhere fun, like a tropical beach (or a haunted theme park) for some relaxing self care time. She loves the juicy bits – yes, allthe bits – but she believes in making healthy relationships hot, so her juice will be made with kale, and probably a cucumber or two.
If you want to know why you can trust her expertise in the romance and comedy departments, sign up to get her emails, and sheโll share at least a few spicy secrets.
Find her online at www.marisolwrites.com. (Pst! Thereโs a free, steamy Rom Com waiting for you there.)ย
Get ready to set sail through the Caribbean on Festival Cruisesโ most alluring voyage with eight of your favorite authors – happily ever after guaranteed!
Experience everything the Love at Sea series has to offer. From speed dating to masquerades, guests are sure to enjoy the hot days and steamy nights. Explore hidden waterfalls, swim with dolphins, and watch as eight couples find their forever on the open ocean.
Each story features a brand new couple and a fun trope from our amazing line up of authors including: Kate Stacy, HM Thomas, Mari Sol, S.A. Clayton, T.L. Anderson, Karigan Hale, Susan Renee, and A.M. Williams.
This promotional event is brought to you by TheIndie Pen PR
USA Today bestselling author Patricia Davids continues her Amish romance series set in Harts, Haven, Kansas, with this emotional story about a cancer survivor and a grieving widower who are brought together at Christmas by the matchmakers of Harts Haven who have a little help from the hero’s daughters.
With Christmas just around the corner, an Amish cancer survivor moves to Harts Haven for a fresh start as the new schoolteacher. She wants to escape the pity that she felt from the people back hom eand throw herself into her new job. She’s worried her illness might return at any moment and isn’t looking for love. Neither is a local widower with two daughters. The loss of his wife devestated him, and he never wants to feel that kind of pain again. The matchmakers of Harts Haven set their sights on the pair, by having them work together on a living Nativity for the school Christmas program. With three elderly matchmakers, a school full of rambunctious children, a handsome widower, rowdy sheep and one cantankerous donkey, Harts Haven is about to witness an unforgettable Christmas Eve where two unlikely people discover healing love is the true Christmas gift.
Karl Graber cringed at the sound of Rose Yoder calling his name. He was in no mood to deal with her this morning.
After burning the oatmeal at breakfast, he discovered his renter had moved out in the night without giving notice or paying his back rent. Now Karl was going to be late getting to the store because his buggy horse was limping.
He pretended he hadnโt heard Rose. Maybe the elderly Amish woman who claimed to be the most successful matchmaker in Harts Haven would go pester some other poor fellow.
Bent over Checkerโs front foot, Karl noticed that a stone lodged between the horseโs steel shoe and his hoof was the geldingโs problem.
โHallo, Karl! I must speak with you.โ
The tenacity of the eighty-four-year-old romance peddler was another difficulty Karl had to face this morning.
โIโm not interested in meeting your latest hopeful,โ he muttered under his breath.
If the stubborn stone would come out, he could be on his way before the elderly woman reached the end of the block and crossed the wide street.
โDaed, Granny Rose is calling you.โ His six-year-old daughter, Rachel, stood up and waved. Rose wasnโt related to Karl, but due to her advanced age most of the children in Harts Haven called her Granny.
โSheโs coming this way,โ Clara informed him from the front seat of the open buggy. His ten-year-old daughter wasnโt any more excited to see Rose than Karl was. She suspected the same thing he did. Rose was on a matchmaking mission.
โHallo, Granny Rose,โ Rachel shouted happily. โWeโre taking our puppies to the store so someone can buy them. Would you like to see them?โ
The offending stone popped loose. Karl dropped Checkerโs hoof. โGot to get the store open, Rose. Canโt take time to visit.โ
When he spun around, it was already too late. She had reached the buggy ahead of him. How did someone her age move so fast? She didnโt even look winded.
โGuder mariye, Karl. Iโm so glad I caught you. There is a chill in the air this morning, isnโt there?โ
It was the second week of November. Of course the air was cool. Rose hadnโt intercepted him for idle chitchat. He moved to step around her since she was blocking the buggy door. โCustomers will be waiting for me.โ
Rose didnโt budge. Other than picking her up and setting her aside, he had no hope of leaving until she finished having her say. He resigned himself to hearing who she thought would be perfect for him this time. As if any woman could take the place of his Nora.
โDid you find us a new mother?โ Rachelโs hopeful tone stabbed his heart. Rachel was too young to remember much about the mother who died when she was three. She only knew other children had both mothers and fathers, and she wanted the same thing.
Clara scowled at her sister. โWe donโt need a new mother. Ours is in Heaven. No one can replace her.โ
Clara understood. She was old enough to remember what Nora had been like. A sweet, gentle, bright and loving woman. The world was a darker place without her.
Roseโs cheerful expression softened with sympathy. โIโm still looking for someone special to join your family. Clara is right. She wonโt be your mother. Instead, she will be your stepmother, but she will love you and take care of you as if you were her own.โ
Rachel sighed. โI hope you find her soon.โ
โThatโs enough, Rachel,โ Karl said. โWhat do you want, Rose?โ
โIโm here to tell you about the new teacher. She arrived yesterday. She and her sister are staying at the inn for the time being. They are Grace Sutterโs nieces from the Amish side of her family.โ
Grace was another elderly widow, Old Order Mennonite, and co-owner of the Harts Haven Inn along with Rose and Roseโs widowed daughter, Susanna King. The trio were all fond of meddling. A single man stood little chance of remaining unattached in this Amish community unless he avoided the widows. Roseโs knowing smile put Karl on his guard.
Rachel clapped her hands. โYay, the new teacher is here. Now I can go back to school and be in the Christmas program. I hope I get to be an angel like Thea and Miriam Bachman last year. Their mother made the most beautiful wings for them.โ
Rose grinned. โYour teacherโs name is Sophie Eicher. Her sister is Joanna. They are lovely young women.โ
โAlso single and hoping to find husbands in Harts Haven. I know what youโre doing, Rose. Not interested!โ If his cutting tone didnโt drive his point home, maybe his scowl would.
Rose puffed up like an angry little hen. โDonโt take that tone with me, Karl Graber. For shame.โ
He was thirty-two years old, but she made him feel like an errant toddler. โIโm sorry.โ
She inclined her head. โYou are forgiven. I stopped to tell you we are hosting a welcome party at the inn on Saturday so folks can meet Sophie and her sister. Would you kindly spread the word?โ
He eyed her suspiciously. Where was the catch? โSure. What time?โ
โWeโll start at noon, but folks can come and go as they please.โ She turned to his daughters. โI know you girls must be excited to go back to school.โ
โTeacher Becky had to leave to take care of her mother because she got sick,โ Rachel said. โI only went to school for one week. I donโt think I learned much.โ
โI taught you letters and numbers,โ Karl said.
Rachelโs lower lip jutted out. โOnly so I could help at the store. Not to read a book.โ
There werenโt enough hours in the day to run the hardware store, manage the farm work, cook, keep house and still find time to instruct his daughters. Most days, he struggled just to get out of bed. He was doing the best he could.
โHow soon will school resume?โ he asked Rose.
โThe bishop and the school board havenโt decided.โ She leveled her gaze at him. โI know youโll be at the welcome party.โ
That was the catch. Grimacing, he shook his head. โSocial gatherings arenโt something I enjoy.โ
Her eyes narrowed. โIt is common courtesy to introduce yourself and your kinder to the new teacher. You remember what courtesy is, donโt you, Karl?โ Rose turned on her heels and strode away.
His conscience smote him. It wasnโt right to be rude to anyone, yet alone an elder. He caught up with her in a few steps. โRose, wait. Iโm sorry.โ
Glancing over his shoulder to make sure the girls couldnโt overhear; he lowered his voice. โIt hasnโt been easy for me. Nora was the one who loved company. It doesnโt feel right to do things without her. It just makes me miss her more.โ
Instantly, he was sorry he had shared that much.
Roseโs expression softened. โYou have your daughters to consider. Nora wouldnโt want them shut up in the store all day. Nor would she approve of you taking them home straight after church services instead of letting them play with their friends so you can avoid talking to people. I understand grief, Karl. I buried my husband and a son-in-law who was dear to me. We all cope with loss differently, but donโt let your grief rob your kinder of their childhood.โ
He focused on his feet. Maybe Rose was right. In his struggle to get through each day, he hadnโt always put his childrenโs welfare first. โI reckon I could close early for once. Iโll bring the girls to meet their new teacher.โ
He looked up with a hard stare. โBut donโt get the idea that Iโll go along with any of your matchmaking schemes.โ
She shook her head. โSophie needs someone special. You are completely wrong for her. Iโm afraid the two of you would be at each otherโs throats within a week.โ
He drew back. โIf sheโs hard to get along with, should she be teaching?โ
Rose poked her finger into his chest. โYou are the problem, not Sophie.โ
โMe? Whatโs wrong with me?โ
โPlenty. You figure it out. Relax. You arenโt on my list of potential suitors.โ
That made him smile. โYou have a list already? I thought she only arrived yesterday.โ
Rose grinned and winked. โThere arenโt that many single Amish fellows in this area.โ
Karl watched her walk away with a sense of relief that was quickly followed by an unsettling question. What did Rose think was wrong with him?
He kept to himself, but who could blame him? Losing his wife, his childhood sweetheart, had nearly broken him. Standing by helplessly as cancer sucked the life from her despite everything the doctors tried had devastated him.
His beautiful Nora had endured terrible pain. In her last days, he had stopped praying for her to be healed and only asked that God end her suffering and take her home. The guilt from those anguished thoughts never left him. He couldnโt love another woman. He was better off alone. He had his daughters. That was enough.
โDaed, weโre going to be late,โ Clara called out.
Clara was trying hard to be his helper at home and in the business the way her mother had been. She worked hard. Perhaps too hard for a child her age. He returned to the buggy and got in. At least he didnโt have to worry about Rose trying to set him up with the new teacher. He wasnโt on her list.
Excerpted from A Match Made at Christmas by Patricia Davids. Copyright ยฉ 2022 by Patricia Davids. Published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
*****
Author Info:
USA Today best-selling author Patricia Davids was born in Kansas. After forty years as an NICU nurse, Pat switched careers to become an inspirational writer. She now enjoys laid back life on a Kansas farm, spending time with her family and playing with her dog Sugar, who thinks fetch should be a twenty-four hour a day game. When not throwing a ball, Pat is happily dreaming up new stories where love and faith conquer all.
From USA TODAY bestselling author Sheila Roberts comes a multi-generational Christmas road trip story filled with humor and heart, set against the snowy mountains of Washington state.
The Road to Christmas
by Sheila Roberts
ISBN: 9780778386568
Publication Date: September 20, 2022
Publisher: MIRA
Blurb:
Michelle and Max Turnbull are not planning on a happy holiday. Their marriage is in shambles and the D word has entered their vocabulary. But now their youngest daughter, Julia, wants everyone to come to her new house in Idaho for Christmas, and sheโs got the guest room all ready for Mom and Dad. Oh, joy.
Their other two daughters are driving up from California. Audrey from L.A., picking up Shyla in San Francisco and hoping to meet a sexy rancher for Audrey along the way. What they donโt plan on is getting stranded on a ranch when the car breaks down.
The ones with the shortest drive are Grandma and Grandpa Turnbull (Hazel and Warren). They only have to come from Medford, Oregon. Itโs still a bit of a trek and Hazel doesnโt like the idea of driving all that way in snow, but Warren knows theyโll have no problem. They have a reliable car for driving in the snowโand snow tires and chains if they need them. Theyโll be fine.
Surprises are in store for all three groups of intrepid travelers as they set out on three different road trips and three different adventures, all leading to one memorable Christmas.
MICHELLE TURNBULL WOULD HAVE TWO turkeys in her house for Thanksgiving. One would be on the table, the other would be sitting at it.
โI canโt believe heโs still there,โ said Ginny, her longtime clerk at the Hallmark store she managed. โYou two are splitting, so why not rip the bandage off and be done with it?โ
Rip the bandage off. There was an interesting metaphor. That implied that a wound was healing. The wound that was her marriage wasnโt healing, it was fatal.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and went to unlock the door. โBecause I donโt want to ruin the holidays for the girls.โ
โYou think they arenโt going to figure out whatโs going on with you two sleeping in separate bedrooms? Donโt be naive.โ
Ginny may have been her subordinate, but that didnโt stop her from acting like Michelleโs mother. A ten-year age difference and a long friendship probably contributed to that. And with her mother gone, she doubly appreciated Ginnyโs friendship and concern.
Michelle turned the sign on the door to Open. โIโll tell them he snores.โ
โAll of a sudden, out of the blue?โ
โSleep apnea. Heโs gained some weight.โ
Ginny gave a snort. โNot that much. Max may have an inch hanging over the belt line but heโs still in pretty good shape.โ
โYou donโt have to be overweight to have sleep apnea.โ
โI guess,โ Ginny said dubiously. โBut, Michelle, you guys have been having problems on and off for the last five years. Your girls have to know this is coming so I doubt your sleep-apnea excuse is going to fool anyone.โ
Probably not. Much as she and Max had tried to keep their troubles from their daughters, bits of bitterness and reproach had leaked out over time in the form of sarcasm and a lack of what Shyla would have referred to as PDA. Michelle couldnโt remember the last time theyโd held hands or kissed in front of any of their daughters. In fact, it was hard to remember the last time theyโd kissed. Period.
โYou have my permission to kick him to the curb as of yesterday,โ Ginny went on. โIf you really want your holidays to be happy, get him gone.โ
โOh, yeah, that would make for happy holidays,โ Michelle said. โAudrey and Shyla would love coming home to find their father moved out just in time for Thanksgiving dinner and their grandparents absent.โ
โIf youโre getting divorced, thatโs what theyโll find next year,โ Ginny pointed out.
โBut at least theyโll have a year to adjust,โ Michelle said. โAnd this is Juliaโs first Christmas in her new home and with a baby. I donโt want to take the shine away from that.โ
The coming year would put enough stress on them all. She certainly wasnโt going to kick it all off on Thanksgiving. That wouldnโt make for happy holidays.
Happy holidays. Who was she kidding? The upcoming holidays werenโt going to be happy no matter what.
โWell, I see your point,โ said Ginny. โBut good luck pulling off the old sleep-apnea deception.โ
Their first customer of the day came in, and that ended all talk of Michelleโs marriage miseries. Which was fine with her. Focusing on her miserable relationship didnโt exactly put a smile on her face, and wearing a perpetual frown was no way to greet shoppers.
After work, she stopped at the grocery store and picked up the last of what she needed for Thanksgiving: the whipped cream for the fruit salad and to top the pumpkin and pecan pies, the extra eggnog for Shyla, her eggnog addict, Dove dark chocolates for Audrey, and Constant Comment tea, which was Hazelโs favorite.
Hazel. Worldโs best mother-in-law. When Michelle and Max divorced heโd take Hazel and Warren, her second parents, with him. The thought made it hard to force a smile for the checkout clerk. She stepped out of line. She needed one more thing.
She hurried back to the candy aisle and picked up more dark chocolate, this time for her personal stash.
Hazel and Warren were the first to arrive, coming in the day before Thanksgiving, Hazel bringing pecan pie and the makings for her famous Kahlua yams.
โHello, darling,โ Hazel said, greeting her with a hug. โYou look lovely as always. I do wish I had your slender figure,โ she added as they stepped inside.
โYou look fine just the way you are,โ Michelle assured her.
โI swear, the older I get the harder the pounds cling to my hips,โ Hazel said.
โYou look fine, hon,โ said Warren as he gave Michelle one of his big bear hugs. โSheโs still as pretty as the day I met her,โ he told Michelle.
โYes, all twenty new wrinkles and five new pounds. On top of the others,โ Hazel said with a shake of her head.
โWho notices pounds when theyโre looking at your smile?โ Michelle said to her. โHere, let me take your coats.โ
Hazel set down the shopping bag full of goodies and shrugged out of her coat with the help of her husband. โWhereโs our boy?โ
Who knew? Who cared?
โOut running errands,โ she said. โIโll text him that youโre here. First, letโs get you settled.โ
โIโm ready for that,โ Hazel said. โThe drive from Oregon gets longer every time.โ
โItโs not that far,โ Warren said and followed her up the stairs.
Half an hour later Max had returned, and he and his father were in the living room, the sports channel keeping them company, and the two women were in the kitchen, enjoying a cup of tea. The yams were ready and stored in the fridge, and the pecan pie was in its container, resting on the counter next to the pumpkin pie Michelle had taken out of the oven. A large pot of vegetable soup was bubbling on the stove, and French bread was warming. It would be a light evening meal to save everyoneโs tummy room for the next dayโs feast.
โIโm looking forward to seeing the girls,โ Hazel said.
โSo am I,โ said Michelle.
She hated that all her girls had moved so far away. Not that she minded hopping a plane to see either Audrey or Shyla. It wasnโt a long flight from SeaTac International to either San Francisco International or LAX, but it also wasnโt the same as having them living nearby. Julia wasnโt as easily accessible, which made her absence harder to take. Sheโd been the final baby bird to leave the nest, and dealing with her departure had been a challenge. Perhaps because she was the last. Perhaps because it seemed she grew up and left all in one quick motherly blink: college, the boyfriend, the pregnancy, marriage, then moving. It had been painful to let go of her baby. And even more so with that baby taking the first grandchild with her.
Maybe in some ways, though, it wasnโt a bad thing that her daughters were living in different states because they hadnโt been around to see the final deterioration of their parentsโ marriage.
Michelle hoped they still wouldnโt see it. She consulted her phone. It was almost time for Audreyโs flight to land. Shylaโs was getting in not long after.
โAudreyโs going to text when theyโre here,โ she said.
โIt will be lovely to all be together again,โ said Hazel. โFamily is so important.โ
Was that some sort of message, a subtle judgment? โHow about some more tea?โ Michelle suggested. And more chocolate for me.
Another fifteen minutes and the text came in with Max and Warren on their way to pick up the girls, and forty minutes after that they were coming through the door, Shylaโs laugh echoing all the way out to the kitchen. โWeโre here!โ she called.
โLet the fun begin,โ said Hazel, and the two women exchanged smiles and left the kitchen.
They got to the front hall in time to see Max heading up the stairs with the girlsโ suitcases and Warren relieving them of their coats.
โHi, Mom,โ said Audrey and hurried to hug her mother.
Shyla was right behind her.
โWelcome home,โ Michelle said to her girls, hugging first one, then the other. โItโs so good to have you home.โ
โItโs not like weโve been in a foreign country,โ Shyla teased.
โYou may as well be,โ Michelle said. โAnd before you remind me how much we text and talk on the phone, itโs much better having you here in person where I can hug you.โ
โHugs are good,โ Audrey agreed.
โWe brought you chocolate,โ Shyla said, handing over a gift bag.
Michelle knew what it was even before she looked inside. Yep, Ghirardelli straight from San Francisco.
โI know you can get it anywhere, but this is right from the source,โ said Shyla.
More important, it was right from the heart.
โAnd you donโt have to share,โ Audrey said. โWe brought Dad some, too.โ
Sharing with Dad. There was little enough she and Max shared anymore. โThat was sweet of you.โ
โWe figured you might need it,โ Audrey said.
Was she referring to Michelleโs troubled relationship with their father? No, couldnโt be.
โAfter last Thanksgiving,โ Shyla added.
Michelle breathed a sigh of relief. Of course, they were talking about the power outage, which had ruined both the turkey and the pie sheโd had in the oven.
The girls had loved it, settling in to play cards by candlelight. Michelle had been frustrated. And far from happy with her husband whoโd said, โChill, Chelle. Itโs no big deal.โ
It had been to her, but sheโd eventually adjusted, lit the candles on the table and served peanut butter and jelly sandwiches along with olives and pickles and the fruit salad sheโd made, along with the pie Hazel had brought. Hazel had declared the meal a success.
Max had said nothing encouraging. Of course.
โOh, and this.โ Shyla dug in the bag she was still carrying and pulled out a jar of peanut butter. โJust in case we have to eat peanut butter sandwiches again.โ
Hazel chuckled. โYou girls think of everything.โ
โYes, we do,โ Audrey said, and from her capacious purse pulled out a box of crackers. โIn case we run out of bread.โ
โNow weโre set,โ said Michelle and smiled. It was the first genuine smile sheโd worn since the last time sheโd been with the girls. It felt good.
โOh, and I have something special for you, Gram,โ Shyla said to Hazel. โItโs in my suitcase. Come on upstairs.โ
Michelle started. She didnโt need Hazel seeing where the girls were staying and wondering why they were stuffed in the sewing room and not the other guest room. โWhy donโt you bring it down here?โ Michelle suggested.
โI should stir my stumps,โ Hazel said and followed her granddaughter up the stairs.
Audrey fell in behind, and Michelle trailed after, her stomach starting to squirm. Suddenly she wasnโt so sure about that excuse sheโd invented for changing her husbandโs sleeping arrangements. But the excuse was going to have to do because she didnโt have time to think of anything better.
They passed the first bedroom at the top of the stairs, which had once been Audreyโs and had been serving as a guest room ever since sheโd graduated from college and got her first apartment. It was where Warren and Hazel slept when they came to visit. Then came the second room, which had been Juliaโs but was serving as Maxโs new bedroom. The door was shut, hiding the evidence. Shyla reached for the doorknob.
โNot that room,โ Michelle said quickly. โI have you girls together,โ she said, leading to Shylaโs old room, which was serving as the sewing room. It still had a pullout bed in it for overflow sleeping when Michelleโs brotherโs family came to stay. Bracing herself, she opened it, revealing the girlsโ luggage sitting on the floor.
Audrey looked at Michelle, her brows pulled together. โWeโre in the sewing room?โ
โYou girls donโt mind sharing a room, right?โ Michelle said lightly.
โWhat happened to Juliaโs old room?โ Shyla asked.
โWeโre not using that room for now,โ Michelle hedged.
โMore storage?โ Shyla moved back down the hall and opened the door. โWhat theโฆโ
โYour fatherโs sleeping there,โ Michelle said. Hazel looked at her in surprise, igniting a fire in her cheeks.
โDad?โ Audrey repeated.
โHe snores,โ said Michelle. โSleep apnea.โ
โSleep apnea,โ Hazel repeated, trying out a foreign and unwanted word.
โHas he done a sleep test?โ Audrey asked.
โNot yet,โ said Michelle. She kept her gaze averted from her daughterโs eyes.
โGosh, Mom, thatโs a serious sleep disorder.โ
โHow come you didnโt tell us?โ Shyla wanted to know.
โIs he getting a CPAP machine?โ Audrey sounded ready to panic.
โDonโt worry. Everythingโs under control,โ Michelle lied. Audrey looked ready to keep probing so Michelle hustled to change the subject. โShyla, what did your bring Gram?โ
โWait till you see it. Itโs so cute,โ Shyla said, hurrying to unzip her suitcase. โI found it in a thrift shop.โ
โStill shopping smart. Iโm proud of you,โ Hazel said.
โI learned from the bestโyou and Mom.โ She pulled out a little green stuffed felt cactus inserted in a miniature terra-cotta pot and surrounded by beach glass. โItโs a pin cushion,โ she said as she presented it.
โThat is darling,โ said Hazel.
From where she stood by the doorway, Michelle let out a breath, then took another. Like a good magician performing sleight of hand, she had diverted attention to something else and pulled off her trick. Now you see trouble, now you donโt.
How long could she keep up the act?
Excerpted from The Road to Christmas by Sheila Roberts. Copyright ยฉ 2022 by Sheila Roberts. Published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
*****
Author Info:
Sheila Roberts lives on a lake in Washington State, where most of her novels are set. Her books have been published in several languages. On Strike for Christmas, was made into a movie for the Lifetime Movie Network and her novel, The Nine Lives of Christmas, was made into a movie for Hallmark. You can visit Sheila on Twitter and Facebook or at her website (http://www.sheilasplace.com).
A special gift Christmas hardcover anthology of 2 Virgin River novellas by #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr plus an introduction from the author and select recipes and explanations of the holiday traditions celebrated in Virgin River.
Holidays in Virgin River
Virgin River series
by Robyn Carr
ISBN: 9780778387176
Publication Date: October 4, 2022
Publisher: MIRA
Blurb:
Contains two Virgin River novellas: Under the Christmas Tree and Midnight Confessions along with at least 10 recipes and anecdotes written by Robyn Carr about why the recipes are special to specific characters from VR. We’ll also have an introduction written by Robyn explaining why she wrote Virgin River in the first place and why it resonates so strongly with audiences today. Examples of recipes are: The VR cookie exchange (Gingerbread cookies, Traditional Scottish Shortbread, Lemon Bars, Chocolate Chip Cookies) Hot drinks to enjoy as they decorate the town Christmas tree (mulled wine, homemade hot chocolate) Preacher’s famous meatloaf and garlic mash, to name a few.
Because of a box full of cold, hungry, barely moving puppies, Annie had all but forgotten the reason sheโd ended up in Virgin River. It was three weeks till Christmas and her three older brothers, their wives and their kids would descend on her parentsโ farm for the holiday. Today was one of her two days off a week from the beauty shop. Yesterday, Sunday, sheโd baked with her mom all day and today sheโd gotten up early to make a couple of big casseroles her mom could freeze for the holiday company. Today, sheโd planned to cook with her mom, maybe take one of her two horses out for a ride and say hello to Erasmus, her blue-ribbon bull. Erasmus was very old now and every hello could be the last. Then sheโd planned to stay for dinner with her folks, something she did at least once a week. Being the youngest and only unmarried one of the McKenzie kids and also the only one who lived nearby, the task of looking in on Mom and Dad fell to her.
But here she was, hearthside, managing a box of newborn puppies. Jack rustled up the formula and cereal and a couple of warm towels from the dryer. Preacher provided the shallow bowls and mixed up the formula. She and Chris fed a couple of puppies at a time, coaxing them to lap up the food. She requisitioned an eyedropper from the medical clinic across the street for the pups who didnโt catch on to lapping up dinner.
Jack put in a call to a fellow he knew who was a veterinarian, and it turned out Annie knew him, too. Old Doc Jensen had put in regular appearances out at the farm since before she was born. Back in her dadโs younger days, heโd kept a thriving but small dairy farm. Lots of cows, a few horses, dogs and cats, goats and one ornery old bull. Jensen was a large-animal vet, but heโd be able to at least check out these puppies.
Annie asked Jack to also give her mom a call and explain what was holding her up. Her mom would laugh, knowing her daughter so well. Nothing would pry Annie away from a box of needy newborn puppies.
As the dinner hour approached, she couldnโt help but notice that the puppies were drawing a crowd. People stopped by where she sat at the hearth, asked for the story, reached into the box to ruffle the soft fur or even pick up a puppy. Annie wasnโt sure so much handling was a good idea, but as long as she could keep the little kids, particularly David, from mishandling them, she felt sheโd at least won the battle if not the war.
โThis bar has needed mascots for a long time,โ someone said.
โEight of โem. Donner, Prancer, Comet, Vixen, andโฆ
whoever.โ
โWhich one is Comet?โ Chris asked. โDad? Can I have Comet?โ
โNo. We operate an eating-and-drinking establishment,โ Preacher said.
โAwww, Dad! Dad, come on. Please, Dad. Iโll do everything. Iโll sleep with him. Iโll make sure heโs nice. Please.โ
โChristopherโฆโ
โPlease. Please? I never asked for anything before.โ
โYou ask for everything, as a matter of fact,โ Preacher corrected him. โAnd get most of it.โ
โBoy shouldnโt grow up without a dog,โ someone said.
โTeaches responsibility and discipline,โ was another comment.
โItโs not like heโd be in the kitchen all the time.โ
โI run a ranch. Little hair in the potatoes never put me off.โ Laughter sounded all around.
Four of the eight pups were doing real well; they were wriggling around with renewed strength and had lapped up some of the formula thickened with cereal. Two were trying to recover from what was certainly hunger and hypothermia; Annie managed to get a little food into them with an eyedropper. Two others were breathing, their hearts beating, but not only were they small, they were weak and listless. She dripped a little food into their tiny mouths and then tucked them under her shirt to keep them warm, hoping they might mistake her for their mother for now, all the time wondering if old Doc Jensen would ever show.
When yet another gust of wind blew in the opened front door, Annie momentarily forgot all about the puppies. Some of the best male eye candy sheโd chanced upon in a long while had just walked into Jackโs Bar. He looked vaguely familiar, too. She wondered if maybe sheโd seen him in a movie or on TV or something. He walked right up to the bar, and Jack greeted him enthusiastically.
โHey, Nate! Howโs it going? You get those plane tickets yet?โ
โI took care of that a long time ago.โ He laughed. โIโve been looking forward to this forever. Before too long Iโm going to be lying on a Nassau beach in the middle of a hundred string bikinis. I dream about it.โ
โOne of those Club Med things?โ Jack asked.
โNah.โ He laughed again. โA few people from school. I havenโt seen most of them in years. We hardly keep in touch, but one of them put this holiday together and, since I was available, it sounded like an excellent idea. The guy who made the arrangements got one of those all-inclusive hotel dealsโfood, drinks, everything included except activities like deep-sea fishing or scuba divingโfor when Iโm not just lying on the sand, looking around at beautiful women in tiny bathing suits.โ
โGood for you,โ Jack said. โBeer?โ
โDonโt mind if I do,โ Nate replied. And then, like the answer to a prayer she didnโt even know sheโd uttered, he carried his beer right over to where she sat with the box of puppies. โHello,โ he said.
She swallowed, looking up. It was hard to tell how tall he was from her sitting position, but certainly over six feet. Annie noticed things like that because she was tall. His hair was dark brown; his eyes were an even darker brown and surrounded with loads of thick black lashes. Her mother called eyes like that โbedroom eyes.โ He lifted his brows as he looked down at her. Then he smiled and revealed a dimple in one cheek.
โI said hello,โ he repeated.
She coughed herself out of her stupor. โHi.โ
He frowned slightly. โHey, I think you cut my hair once.โ
โPossible. Thatโs what I do for a living.โ
โYeah, you did,โ he said. โI remember now.โ
โWhat was the problem with the haircut?โ she asked.
He shook his head. โDonโt know that there was a problem,โ he replied.
โThen why didnโt you come back?โ
He chuckled. โOkay, we argued about the stuff you wanted to put in it. I didnโt want it, you told me I did. You won and I went out of there looking all spiky. When I touched my head, it was like I had meringue in my hair.โ
โProduct,โ she explained. โWe call it product. Itโs in style.โ
โYeah? Iโm not, I guess,โ he said, sitting down on the raised hearth on the other side of the box. He reached in and picked up a puppy. โI donโt like product in my hair.โ
โYour hands clean?โ she asked him.
He gave her a startled look. Then his eyes slowly wandered from her face to her chest and he smiled slightly. โUm, I think youโre moving,โ he said. โOr maybe youโre just very excited to meet me.โ And then he grinned playfully.
โOh, youโre funny,โ Annie replied, reaching under her sweater to pull out a tiny squirming animal. โYou make up that line all by your little self?โ
He tilted his head and took the puppy out of her hands. โIโd say at least part border collie. Looks like mostly border collie, but they can take on other characteristics as they get older. Cute,โ he observed. โPlenty of pastoral breeds around here.โ
โThose two are the weakest of the bunch, so please be careful. Iโm waiting for the vet.โ
He balanced two little puppies in one big hand and pulled a pair of glasses out of the pocket of his suede jacket. โIโm the vet.โ He slipped on his glasses and, holding both pups upside down, looked at their eyes, mouth, ears and pushed on their bellies with a finger.
She was speechless for a minute. โYouโre not old Doc Jensen.โ
โNathaniel Junior,โ he said. โNate. You know my father?โ he asked, still concentrating on the puppies. He put them in the box and picked up two more, repeating the process.
โHeโฆahโฆ My folks have a farm down by Alder Point. Hey! I grew up there! Not all that far from Docโs clinic and stable. Shouldnโt I know you?โ
He looked over the tops of his glasses. โI donโt know. How old are you?โ
โTwenty-eight.โ
โWell, there you go. Iโm thirty-two. Got a few years on you. Whereโd you go to school?โ
โFortuna. You?โ
โValley.โ He laughed. โI guess you can call me old Doc Jensen now.โ And there was that grin again. No way he could have grown up within fifty miles of her farm without her knowing him. He was too delicious-looking.
โI have older brothers,โ she said. โBeau, Brad and Jim McKenzie. All older than you.โ
At first he was startled at this news, then he broke into a wide smile. Then he laughed. โAre you that skinny, fuzzy-haired, freckle-faced, tin-mouthed pain in the neck who always followed Beau and Brad around?โ
Her eyes narrowed and she glared at him.
โNo,โ he said, laughing. โThat must have been someone else. Your hair isnโt pumpkin orange. And youโre not all thatโฆโ He paused for a second, then said, โGot your braces off, I see.โ By her frown, he realized he hadnโt scored with that comment.
โWhere is your father? I want a second opinion!โ
โOkay, youโre not so skinny anymore, either.โ He smiled, proud of himself.
โVery, very old joke, sparky,โ she said.
โWell, youโre out of luck, cupcake. My mom and dad finally realized a dream come true and moved to Arizona where they could have horses and be warm and pay lower taxes. One of my older sisters lives there with her family. Iโve got another sister in Southern California and another one in Nevada. Iโm the new old Doc Jensen.โ
Now it was coming back to herโDoc Jensen had kids, all older than she was. Too much older for her to have known them in school. But she did vaguely remember the son who came with him to the farm on rare occasions. One corner of her mouth quirked up in a half grin. โAre you that little, pimply, tin-mouthed runt with the squeaky voice who came out to the farm with your dad sometimes?โ
He frowned and made a sound. โI was a late bloomer,โ he said.
โIโll say.โ She laughed.
Excerpted from Holidays in Virgin River by Robyn Carr. Copyright ยฉ 2022 by Robyn Carr. Published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
*****
Author Info:
Robyn Carr is an award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than sixty novels, including highly praised women’s fiction such as Four Friends and The View From Alameda Island and the critically acclaimed Virgin River, Thunder Point and Sullivan’s Crossing series. Virgin River is now a Netflix Original series. Robyn lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. Visit her website at http://www.RobynCarr.com.
My name is Louise and Iโm a serial-monogamist marine biologist.
Try saying that five times fast.
Fresh out of an awful relationship and tired of always doing the right thing, this girl is finally saying โscrew itโ and having herself a meaningless fling.
Hereโs the thing about flings though: they only work if you keep feelings out of the equation.
Well, that wonโt be a problem for a sensible scientist like meโฆ that is, until a one night stand with a hot single dad rocks my world and blows my plans completely out of the water.
If Iโve learned anything from the ocean world, itโs that those with the hardest shells have the most to fear. And something tells me this guy is going to crack mine wide the hell open.
Tonight Iโm not โsmart girlโ Louise who weighs every decision over and over until her brain is ready to burst. Tonight, Iโm not โresponsible girlโ Louise who everyone counts on to do the right thing.
Tonight, I am Lou: the girl who does whateverโor whoeverโshe wants.
James breaks from the kiss and runs the backs of his fingers down my cold cheek. โYouโre really not gonna tell me your name?โ His whisper sends delicious chills across my skin.
โNo, I am not,โ I whisper back.
โAlright.โ His deep voice vibrates as he rains kisses down the column of my throat. โI guess Iโll keep calling you Cold Brew then.โ
โI donโt like that.โ
โOh no?โ He tears his lips away.ย
โResume what you were doing, please!โ Iโm giving him mixed signals. โWhat I meant was I like that.โ I point at his mouth, then jut my neck out in his direction. โThe uh, that thing you were doing just now to my neck? That was good. But Iโd prefer it if you didnโt call me… Cold Brew.โ
He dives into my neck again, and I think weโre back on track until he murmurs this madness between kisses, โThatโs too bad. A hot thing like you slowly pouring over me and effortlessly spiking the temps in my refrigerator? A strong, concentrated woman like you who wonโt be diluted with water for other peopleโs comfort? A delectable drink of a girl like you who isnโt afraid of a coarse grind when everyone else is pummeling themselves into soft, palatable powders to please the masses? Cold Brew is the perfect nickname for you.โ
What the hell is he talking about?
So heโs weird.
Thatโs fine.
After tonight, Iโll never see him again.
Looks like I need to take matters into my own hands.
I cup the bulge in his jeans and feel him respond.
Now weโre getting somewhere.ย
I think.ย
โYou said you donโt mind the cold,โ he breathes. โAre you into winter sports then? Skiing, snowshoeing, mountain climbing?โย
โNot into winter sports, no.โ I desperately work to undo his pants.
โSo what are you into?โ he rumbles as he helps me with the button.
โYou mean sex-wise? The regular stuff. The regular stuff will do.โ
He laughs. โGood to know. But I meant what are you into in life? Like hobbies and stuff.โย
Alright. Now buddy boy here is starting to test my patience.
โNot really a hobby person. My hobby is my work, and my work is my hobby.โ
Score! Jeans are officially down. He kicks them, and they land on top of an icy growler, almost like he choreographed it. You would think a woman getting him pants-less would be enough to curb this guyโs relentless inquisition, but no.
โWhatโs your work then?โ
โMarine biology,โ I huff. โCan weโ?โ
โOh wow, the ocean and I are like this.โ He crosses his index and middle finger in that universal sign of closeness. โIโm a swimmer! A diver too!โ
โCool, cool,โ I say and try to get his focus back to the physical. The fact that we have both been in a body of water at some point in our lives does not bind us together in any meaningful way.
โIโve been told I have the lung capacity of a whale.โ He pats his chest. โYeah, these guys certainly served me well when I free dived in Sri Lanka. Wait. Is it โdivedโ or โdoveโ? โDivedโ always sounds wrong to my ear, but I think thatโs actually correct. Doesnโt matter. Point is, I love extreme sports! And speaking of marine biology, get this, once a week I volunteer atโโ
โHey, James!โ I shout.
He stops speaking.
Hallelujah!
I soften my voice to a husky tone. โIt is James, right?โ โJames, yeah,โ he confirms with a dazzling smile.ย
I reach into his pants and find him more than ready for me, so I start to stroke.
โYouโre fucking gorgeous, James,โ I whisper in his ear and shiver when his stubbled cheek brushes against mine. His olive skin smells like ivory soap and shaving cream.
He tightens his strong arms around my back and pulls me closer. I continue my ministrations below.
โThank you,โ he says. โYouโre alsoโโ
โAnd you seem like a nice guy.โ I interrupt.ย
He smiles. โI appreciate that. You seem like aโโ
โBut Iโm not looking for a nice guy.โ
โNo?โ
โNo. Iโm not looking for any guy.โย
He looks down and laughs good-naturedly. โSo why are weโ?โ
โIโm using you.โ
His laughter stops.
He removes my hand.ย
His dark eyes land on mine.
Whoa. When he looks at me like that, I feel completely naked. In fairness, I am practically naked right now, but I mean more in the emotional sense, in the oh-my-God-he-can-see-deep-into-my-soul sense.
He stays completely still and silent, giving no clue as to what heโs thinking or what heโs going to do next.
โIโm not interested in anything beyond what we do here tonight, okay, James?โ I continue. โListen up because this is very important.โ
His non-response seems to say, โGo on.โ
โAfter tonight? If you ever run into me again, we pretend this never happened.โ
No reaction.
I repeat myself. โWe pretend this never happened.โ
Still nothing.
Geez. For a guy who couldnโt shut up a few minutes ago, heโs now fully committed to his silence.
โGot it?โ I say with more force than necessary, but suddenly, I canโt get myself to look directly at him.
He closes the distance between us, climbs his fingers into my hair, and gives it a tug, gently forcing me to look up at him.
Tingles cascade down my spine.
He tilts his head slightly.ย
His lips are barely an inch from mine.
His warm breath caresses my skin.
โThen I guess weโll need to make tonight count, wonโt we?โย
Now Iโm the silent one.
All I can do is nod.
โLetโs do this, Cold Brew.โ
*****
Review:
That first meeting between James and Louise really got me – I understood where she was coming from but my heart went out to him and did so over & over again. He’s an honestly good guy and deserves someone who can appreciate him. And while Louise is obviously struggling with a few things, fate keeps throwing them together and it doesn’t take long for James to wiggle his way in making her think that maybe she can be that person.
While I would have liked to have seen more about Louise’s past relationships to truly understand her reluctance to get involved with James, the predicaments they find themselves in along the way more than made up for it. I was amused and engaged and always looking forward to “just one more chapter” so that’s a definite win for me.
This is my first book by Mallon but it won’t be my last. Sharkbait was funny and entertaining, with enjoyable characters and a satisfying HEA.
(Part of a series but can be read as a stand alone.)
*****
Author Info:
Erin Mallon’s debut romantic comedy novel, Flirtasaurus, releases in July 2020. She is an award-winning narrator of over 450 books and an accomplished playwright and producer in New York City. She has written over 40 plays, which have been produced Off-Broadway and all over the country, including These Walls Can Talk, a raucous theatrical love letter to the romance audiobook community. She lives in a little yellow house on the outskirts of NYC with her husband and Three J’s.
Romantic Reads and Such 