Author: Iris Blobel

#BlogTour “True” by Ann Everett – @talkintwang @ReviewbyCrystal

True
A Bluebird, Texas Romance
by Ann Everett

Ann is giving away five awesome prize packages. Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Remember you may enter every day for your chance to win one of the prize packages. You may find the tour locations here. 

 About True:

Sometimes it takes losing everything…

 True Shanahan must be the unluckiest woman in the world. Either that or she’s cursed. After another failed relationship, True leaves Dallas with a broken heart and new attitude. It’s time to walk on the wild side. But when she makes a wrong turn and ends up in Bluebird, Texas, the only man she wants is anything but reckless.

 …to find all you’ve ever wanted.

 Ritter Malone is the town’s favorite son and has the local hero awards to prove it. Seems he’s always in the right place at the right time. But when he crosses paths with True, his life takes a turn he never sees coming. Her songwriting skills may be questionable, but her ability to turn him inside out is indisputable.
Welcome to Bluebird, Texas.

 Where a chance meeting gives two people a chance at love.

 Amazon Buy Link

Excerpt:
When Ritter arrived at the gym, he spotted Cole jumping rope. He stopped and glanced at the wall clock. “You’re late. Roommate didn’t have you tied up, did she?”
“Very funny. We got a dog. Stayed up playing with him. I hit the snooze one time too many.”
Cole ran a towel over his face, then his lips curled. “That’s not good.”
“What? Getting a puppy?”
“Naw. The we in that sentence sounds like a contract extension.”
Ritter stretched. “I won’t lie. I’ve gone home to an empty house so long, thought having someone there would drive me nuts, but it hasn’t—for the most part.”
Cole stepped on the nearest treadmill, turned it on, and ran a steady pace. “I gotta hand it to you. You’ve managed to sleep with her and keep your hands to yourself. Or have you?”
Ritter climbed onto the machine next to Cole’s and matched his stride. No need to confess he hadn’t exactly resisted, but he’d not passed second base—by much. Had it not been for the phone call, he would have hit a home run. He’d had the wood for it. “No.”
“Come on. No way you haven’t hit that. Especially after what you told me about her coming on to you.”
“That’s why I can’t let her stay. My resistance is wearing thin.”
Ritter and Cole’s phones sounded a text at the same time. Ritter read his, then shot Cole a look. “Turns out, we’re off this afternoon.”
Cole dropped his cell back into the cupholder. “I’ve never been to New Jersey. You?”
“Nope but looks like the storm is calling us there.”
NAME THE TWINS CONTEST:
Submit your name choices via comment Ann’s blog post, http://www.anneverett.com/2018/06/15/contest-and-new-release/ or to her email ann.everett @rocketmail. com. (without spaces)
About the Author:
Award winning author, Ann Everett embraces her small town upbringing and thinks Texans are some of the funniest people on earth. When speaking to writing groups, businesses, book clubs, and non-profit organizations, she incorporates her special brand of wit, making her programs on marketing, self-publishing, and the benefits of laughter, informative and fun.
 
Social Links:

#MFRWHooks “…telling him he was his father.” #Romance #Mustread #reading

 

Today, I’d like to tease you with another snippet from most recent book “Echoes of the Past”. There’s so much backstory to this book, I am just glad it’s back on the shelves, and I hope you’ll enjoy the little teasers over the next few weeks.
The book is 99c or free for KU subscribers

Enjoy ☺

 

Today’s Hook:
99c or FREE for KU subscribers, Contemporary Romance
Read More

When he’d received Jack’s phone call, telling him he was his father, Connor had thrown words at him he’d immediately regretted before hanging up without listening to anything Jack had to say. Thank God, Jack had been persistent and called again the next day. Consumed with curiosity, he listened for half an hour, making notes. Jack had provided him with all the details, date of birth, name, and even provided him with a copy of his birth certificate and a few photos via email afterwards.
Three hours later, his mother had confirmed Jack’s claim to be his father. It’d been a tumultuous few weeks. They’d talked a couple of times on the phone, and finally Jack had told him about his terminal cancer and the real reason for finding him: he had invited Connor to Fermosa Bay to spend some time with him.

BLURB:
When Connor Walsh, a business lawyer in London, receives news that his estranged father is terminally ill, he returns to Fermosa Bay, a little coastal town in Australia. With the memories of his childhood years tucked away in the back of his mind, he finds his father and kindergarten friends rallying around to remind him of the past. But he’s unprepared for the growing attraction he feels for Emily, and it doesn’t take long for Connor to feel regret that his life could have been so much different.


Emily Bradshaw has waited for over twenty years to see Connor again. And although he can’t remember her, let alone their first kiss, her childhood crush is still in full swing. Eager to pick up where they left off as children, she’s determined to enjoy the short time he is in Fermosa Bay, accepting her heart will break when he returns to his life in London.

Will the echoes of the past lure him into staying in Fermosa Bay?

 

♥♥ OUT NOW ♥♥

“This blood-pumping novel will keep the reader hooked until the very end.” InD’tale Magazine

“Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this wonderful book and fall in love.” (5 star review)

Mat is a sexy, tattooed New Zealander with a strong sense of family and duty and Tiffany is a woman with a past that continues to haunt her. Can Mat help her overcome her demons and move on with the next phase of her life? Come for the romance and stay for the breathtaking scenery. (5 star review)

4 starsThe Romance Review – NEW BEGINNINGS is a very emotional read, one that is heartwarming as well as heart wrenching. It gives you hope in the act of human kindness and that good things do happen to good people. I highly recommend this book.

#PromoTour “Celebrity Status” by Angela Scavone ~~ @busterwhyte @MoBPromos

CELEBRITY STATUS

by Angela Scavone

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Pearman Literary Publishing

Famous Hollywood actress, Elizabeth Stanfield, has a glamorous lifestyle with a lavish house, glittery parties, a people magazine’s fifty most beautiful people fiance and best friend Billy Stone – Famous actor, producer and secret organized crime enforcer.

Everything is not as it seems…Elizabeth’s fiance cheats on her, a studio head and director are hell bent on making her life miserable and it gets harder to keep her secrets protected.

The only good thing in her life is Billy, their budding romance, and connections that give them freedom to do whatever they want in Hollywood.

Will their connections be enough to keep their secrets hidden and Celebrity Status safe or are they doomed to be torn down?

“So, Mr. Stone.” I seductively moved towards him. “When do you have to be back on set?” I stood in front of him.

“Well, Miss. Stanfield.” Taking a cue from me, he put his hands on my hips and began to pull me towards him. “I don’t have to be back there for another hour.”

“Really?” I allowed myself to be pulled forward. Putting a knee on the couch on either side of his hips, I straddled him and sat on his lap. “Neither do I.”

With my hands on either side of his face, I bent down and kissed him. He pulled me closer and began undoing my blouse, slowly, one agonizing button at a time.

As I kissed him, I started to work on the button of his pants. Once I got that opened, I pulled my shirt off to speed up the process.

“A little impatient?” He laughed as I pulled his shirt over his head.

“Uh, yeah, we only have an hour.”

“Elizabeth, trust me, that’s plenty of time.”

I began kissing his neck. I could feel his arm muscles tighten as he began work the back clasp of my bra.

I moved from his neck, to his shoulder, to his collarbone, and then down to his chest. I was continuing my descent when there was a knock on the trailer door.

“Go away,” Billy commanded to the intruder.

“Billy, we need to talk.” Sonny’s voice came from the other side.

Without hesitation, I continued my journey down to his stomach as I slid off him and knelt on the floor between his knees.

“Not now, Sonny.” Billy took in a sharp breath as I circled his belly button.

“I’m not asking again.” Sonny sounded angry. “I need to speak with you and Elizabeth now. I do not like to be kept waiting.”

“Oh, for God’s sake,” I said, extremely irritated, and stood up. I quickly threw on my blouse and began buttoning it up as I opened the door.

“What do you want?” I asked angrily.

Behind me Billy was buttoning up his pants and trying to find his shirt.

“Oh God,” Sonny exclaimed as he walked in. “Is this what I have to watch out for every time I come to see you guys?”

“Well, if you had listened to Billy and left us alone, you wouldn’t be witnessing this, would you?”

“What are you doing?” Sonny ignored my snarky comment and asked Billy.

“I can’t find my shirt.”

I looked around and it was on the opposite side of the trailer on the floor. I must have really flung it when I took it off him.

“It’s over there.” Sonny pointed it out.

Billy looked to where it was but didn’t move from the couch. “It’s okay, I don’t really need it right now,” he said as he crossed his legs.

“Oh God,” Sonny repeated. “I don’t know if I can handle this.”

I laughed at Sonny’s discomfort and threw Billy his shirt.

“So?” I said to Sonny. “What was so urgent that you had to bust in here?”

“We have a problem.”

“Yes, I know,” I sarcastically answered. “We now only have forty-five minutes until we are due back on set and I should be underneath Billy by now.”

Sonny made a face.

Amazon ✯ Amazon Int’l

Angela lives in Ontario, Canada sharing her home with her father and her two much-loved pups. She currently works for the Board of Education behind the scenes supporting and analyzing student data, however, in her spare time, apart from her avid love of storytelling, she likes to read, spend time with family and friends and concoct dairy free recipes from scratch. Sometimes she wins some, and sometimes she loses some – tofu, banana and peanut butter pudding we are looking at you.

Amazon ✯ Facebook ✯ Goodreads ✯ Pinterest ✯ Twitter

#SnippetSunday – “He didn’t envy Lexie for her word battle with her daughter” – #romance #read #amwriting #Bookish

 

Hello and  thanks for stopping by.

~~ OUT NOW ~~
$2.99 or FREE for KU subscribers

“This blood-pumping novel will keep the reader hooked until the very end.” –InD’tale Magazine

“Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this wonderful book
and fall in love.” (5 star review)
“Come for the romance and stay for the breathtaking scenery. ”
(5 star review)


I started this story a few weeks ago and I hope you’re enjoying it so far. I’m not sure where it’s heading, so any comments / critique is more than welcomed. Jesse, the Park Ranger, found a dead kangaroo last week, with a little joey still inside – alive.

Enjoy ♥ 

accent-clipart-13309573511112670181decorative-lines-2_large

It didn’t take Jesse long to move the roo, before he returned to the car. A smile tugged at his lips when he saw Zoe cuddling the small animal in a very protective way.
“Okay, let’s get you to your car. It’s not far from here.” He moved in his seat and said to Lexie, “I’m sorry to interrupt this moment of bonding, but I’ll need you to buckle up again.”
With a smile she sat back and replied, “Of course.”

Pixabay pic

Ten minutes later, he parked in a small car park. “The little blue one yours?”
“Yes, thank you.” The relief in her voice was evident.
Jesse switched off the engine and opened the car door when Zoe asked, “What happens to the joey?”
“I’ll take him to an animal shelter in Beauty Bay.”
“Will I be able to visit him?”
He nodded, looked at Lexie and then back to Zoe, “Of course you can. I’ll give your mum the address and you can come as often as you’d like to.”
“But who’s looking after him here in the car?” she wanted to know in a way only a young child can come up with. Innocence and worry mirrored in her eyes.
His mouth curved. “He’ll be fine over there on the seat, wrapped up in the blankets.”
The girl turned to look at her mother, “Mum. I can’t just leave him on the seat.”
“Honey, he’s in good hands with—”
“Jesse,” he helped.
“After all, Jesse is a Park Ranger and knows how to handle situation.”
“But Mu-um.”
Lexie blew out a long breath, and Jesse wished there was something he could do to help.
“Zoe, we should go. The joey needs to be cared for and the quicker we let the ranger take it to the shelter, the better his chances of survival.”
“Can we follow him?”
Uncomfortable with the situation in front of him, Jesse got out of the car, and opened the door for Lexie before walking around to do the same for Zoe. Despite being a little amused by the conversation that was going on inside the car, he didn’t envy Lexie for her word battle with her daughter.
Carefully, he lifted the joey off the girl’s lap and said, “Ladies, you will need to continue this discussion in your car, because I have to take the fella to the shelter. As in quickly.”

 

Thanks for all your comments,
I do appreciate each single one of them!
And check out Snippet Sunday  Facebook site for other writers.

accent-clipart-13309573511112670181decorative-lines-2_large

 ♥♥ Out Now: 99c or  FREE for KU subscribers ♥♥

 

#ReleaseTour for As Right As Rain by @JMMaurer1 – @MoBPromos

AS RIGHT AS RAIN

by J.M. Maurer

Genre: NA Contemporary Romance

34a9d-synopsis

After finally landing her first job at a television station, meteorologist Makayla Reading is determined to make her mark on the world. With an ex she’d rather forget and no time for a new man in her life, what she needs is a true friend to help her deal with jittery nerves and her crabby boss who makes her life miserable.

Though a don’t-fall-for-the-cameraman rule should be easy to follow, sparks fly when she meets the handsome and charming Eli Barringer. As their relationship moves beyond friendship, Makayla realizes she must not only give in to her heart but also let Eli in on a secret she’s been keeping, a decision she knows is…as right as rain.

c8d28-excerpt

“Hey.” Eli ruffles the hat on my head like one would do to a child, and then lifts my chin with his gentle fingers, leveling my gaze with his. “You all right?”

I blink him into focus, seeing the crease of concern deepen between his eyes. Although I’m grateful for his question, he doesn’t need to know what’s on my mind. My emotions are all over the place, scattered like debris after a storm. Plus, I’m having a difficult time pulling my sight from his eyes and keeping my thoughts on my job.

What are you doing, Makayla?

Yes, he’s gorgeous. And off limits.

He’s sexy. And still forbidden.

I’m confident there has to be some sort of don’t-fall-for-the-coworker rule I should be following. But no such rule seems to be preventing me from reacting to him the way I am.

Not wanting to alert him to what’s making me so frazzled, I respond to his question with the first thing that pops into my head. “I’m just new. And nervous.”

It sounds plausible coming out, and it’s partially the truth, a fact I’m comfortable with, given I’ve just met Mr. Beautiful.

He moves his hand to my shoulder and squeezes just enough to hold me in place, which also keeps me from sliding in my seat as Sam steers us out of the garage and onto the street. “Okay, if that’s what you’re going with, I’ll buy it. For now.”4ca00-kindle2bunlimited

Amazon ✯ Amazon Int’l

J.M. Maurer is the author of contemporary romance, including the Emerging From Darkness Series. She is also the author of Curveball Baby, a standalone, second-chance at love, sports romance. She loves to write about strong characters and their struggles in life.

When not writing, you can find her spending time with family and friends, exploring the outdoors, or recovering after attempting most any sport. She resides in Chicagoland with her husband and son.

#MFRWHooks “He lost himself in her eyes.” #Romance #Mustread #reading

 

Today, I’d like to tease you with another snippet from most recent book “Echoes of the Past”. There’s so much backstory to this book, I am just glad it’s back on the shelves, and I hope you’ll enjoy the little teasers over the next few weeks.
The book is 99c or free for KU subscribers

Enjoy ☺

 

Today’s Hook:
99c or FREE for KU subscribers, Contemporary Romance
Read More

He’d been barely over seven years old when he and his mother had left Australia and made their new home in London. There were vague memories in the back of his mind about the first days in school in London. He’d been the newcomer and learnt quickly to adapt and make new friends. He and his mother had lived with his grandparents until she had found a job and had been able to afford a small apartment.
Squeezing his eyes shut, Connor was desperate for the slightest bit of memory.
Anything.
But he came up empty.
“Your dad appreciates that you’ve come here.”
Connor shot around and met Emily’s gaze. For a brief moment, he lost himself in her eyes, inhaling the subtle scent of her perfume. He had no idea how to reply to her comment, so he turned back to watch the virga above the sea.
“How long will you stay?”
Letting out a sigh, he contemplated the question.

BLURB:
When Connor Walsh, a business lawyer in London, receives news that his estranged father is terminally ill, he returns to Fermosa Bay, a little coastal town in Australia. With the memories of his childhood years tucked away in the back of his mind, he finds his father and kindergarten friends rallying around to remind him of the past. But he’s unprepared for the growing attraction he feels for Emily, and it doesn’t take long for Connor to feel regret that his life could have been so much different.


Emily Bradshaw has waited for over twenty years to see Connor again. And although he can’t remember her, let alone their first kiss, her childhood crush is still in full swing. Eager to pick up where they left off as children, she’s determined to enjoy the short time he is in Fermosa Bay, accepting her heart will break when he returns to his life in London.

Will the echoes of the past lure him into staying in Fermosa Bay?

 

♥♥ OUT NOW ♥♥

“This blood-pumping novel will keep the reader hooked until the very end.” InD’tale Magazine

“Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this wonderful book and fall in love.” (5 star review)

Mat is a sexy, tattooed New Zealander with a strong sense of family and duty and Tiffany is a woman with a past that continues to haunt her. Can Mat help her overcome her demons and move on with the next phase of her life? Come for the romance and stay for the breathtaking scenery. (5 star review)

4 starsThe Romance Review – NEW BEGINNINGS is a very emotional read, one that is heartwarming as well as heart wrenching. It gives you hope in the act of human kindness and that good things do happen to good people. I highly recommend this book.

#SnippetSunday – “Joeys need lots of warmth.” – #romance #read #amwriting #Bookish

 

Hello and  thanks for stopping by.

~~ OUT NOW ~~
$2.99 or FREE for KU subscribers

“This blood-pumping novel will keep the reader hooked until the very end.” –InD’tale Magazine

“Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this wonderful book
and fall in love.” (5 star review)
“Come for the romance and stay for the breathtaking scenery. ”
(5 star review)


I started this story a few weeks ago and I hope you’re enjoying it so far. I’m not sure where it’s heading, so any comments / critique is more than welcomed. Jesse, the Park Ranger, found a dead kangaroo last week, with a little joey still inside – alive.

Enjoy ♥ 

accent-clipart-13309573511112670181decorative-lines-2_large

Jesse blew out a long breath as he rubbed his hands over his face. It wasn’t the first time the he found a dead kangaroo with the joey still alive, but that didn’t make it any easier. He kneeled and inspected both mama and child. The little joey was looking good considering the situation. Letting out another sigh, he stood and returned to the car where he opened the door on Zoe’s side.“I was hoping Zoe would be able to help me.”
Both, Lexie and her daughter, stared at him. “How?” Lexie asked with some suspicion his her voice.
He nodded, knowing he should’ve explained himself more. “The kangaroo is dead, but there’s a little joey still alive inside the pouch.” Their faces relaxed and something like sympathy took over. “If Zoe could sit at the front with a few blankets and hold on to the little fella until we get to your car.”
The girl’s eyes beamed as she nodded while unbuckling at the same time. He’d known the favour would be an icebreaker with the young girl, or at least he’d hoped so.
“Will that be okay?” he asked Lexie.
“Of course,” she replied with a smile.
He wasn’t able to move aside fast enough for Zoe to swap to the front. With a chuckle, he stepped to the back of the car, opened the boot, and retrieved a few blankets which he gave to Zoe. Then he returned to the joey and carefully took him out of the pouch before placing him into the blankets on the girl’s lap.
“Keep him nice and warm,” he explained. “Joeys need lots of warmth.”
She nodded eagerly as she carefully wrapped the little animal into the blankets. “He’s so tiny. Will he be okay?”
“We’ll take him to the animal shelter and they’ll look after him. He looks in good shape, I’d say his chances are better than average.”
Lexie moved to the middle of the back seat and leaned in. “Are we allowed to touch him?”
Amused by the two hovering over the joey, he nodded. “I’ll be two minutes. Just have to move the mama a little further off the road.”
“Take your time,” Lexie replied without looking at him, her full attention on the little survivor.

Thanks for all your comments,
I do appreciate each single one of them!
And check out Snippet Sunday  Facebook site for other writers.

accent-clipart-13309573511112670181decorative-lines-2_large

 ♥♥ Out Now: 99c or  FREE for KU subscribers ♥♥

 

Share This:

#SnippetSunday – “Is it dead?” – #romance #read #amwriting

 

Hello and  thanks for stopping by.

~~ OUT NOW ~~
$2.99 or FREE for KU subscribers

“This blood-pumping novel will keep the reader hooked until the very end.” –InD’tale Magazine

“Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this wonderful book
and fall in love.” (5 star review)
“Come for the romance and stay for the breathtaking scenery. ”
(5 star review)


I started this story a few weeks ago and I hope you’re enjoying it so far. I’m not sure where it’s heading, so any comments / critique is more than welcomed. Today, we get to know “the Park Ranger” a little more.

Enjoy ♥ 

accent-clipart-13309573511112670181decorative-lines-2_large

Jesse helped Lexie and her daughter into the car and then slid behind the steering wheel. While he started the engine, he considered to start a conversation, but decided against it. Nothing personal, but it’d been a busy day and he was too tired to come up with anything to say. So they drove quietly along the forest road. It didn’t take him long before he located the dead kangaroo further up the path. Shaking his head, he knew straight away that it was a hit and run incident, with the driver leaving without moving the animal. He slowed and parked in front of it.
“I’ll be a couple of minutes,” he explained, looking at Lexie via the mirror.
With a slow nod, she asked, “Is it dead?”
He swivelled in his seat to face her. “Put it this way. I hope it is, otherwise I might have to put it down.”
The expression on her face told him that she wasn’t fond of the idea either. Neither was he. In one quick movement, he turned, opened the door, and got out. It took him only a few steps to get to the kangaroo. The animal was dead all right, but when he stood right next to it, he looked right into his next problem.
The little joey inside was still alive.

 

Thanks for all your comments,
I do appreciate each single one of them!
And check out Snippet Sunday  Facebook site for other writers.

accent-clipart-13309573511112670181decorative-lines-2_large

 ♥♥ Out Now: 99c or  FREE for KU subscribers ♥♥

 

#BlogTour “Vengeance Is Mine” by @Kathenrydoran1 @ReviewsbyCrystal

 a contemporary romantic trilogy 
by Kat Henry Doran
 

Kat Henry Doran has put together an incredible list of prizes for this tour. They are just beautiful! Please use the RaffleCopter below to enter. Join us on an exciting tour of great blogs to read more about Vengeance Is Mine, interviews, and guest posts. Remember you may enter every day for a chance to win the prizes. You may find the list of tour location here and you will also find pictures of the prizes here too. 

Blurb:
Ever think about going back to study hall to face down the school bully?
The mean girls?
The brainless jocks who made your life a pure misery?
For Dru Horvath, gypsy orphan turned Pulitzer Prize winning photo-journalist; Rafe Archangeli, Scourge of Summerville who now heads a multi-million dollar trust; and Fiona “Fat Aggie” Thorpe who recreated herself into an A-list model with her own A-list agency, the opportunity to exact revenge is too good to pass up.
Will they find the vengeance they crave?
Or something more valuable?

Buy Links:

Excerpt:
“Tough way to find out about the other woman.”
“Other woman, hell,” Dru groused. “The assistant was some young stud from Tommy’s gym with abs to die for.”
With that. she side-stepped him and reached for the knob on the bathroom door.
Fast on his feet, Rory’s counter move brought them nose to nose. “Play much poker, Horvath?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Before you started trash talking the cheating ex-husband, your face lit up like the Fourth of July. That tells me you’ve got something stashed in the tote. Until you let me look inside, it stays out here.”
Clutching the canvas tote to her chest, she sneered, “The only thing in here is my outfit for tonight’s event. If you think I’d go naked, one of us is a couple fries short of a happy meal.”
His response came in the form of another gimme motion with those thick, blunt fingers. “How about I close my eyes if I encounter any lacy unmentionables?”
“As if.”
She knew the instant he found the back-up phone. The screw-you look morphed into a smirk. “It’s not smart to mess with Homeland Security, sweetie. Those guys eat small rodents for breakfast.”

Author Bio:
Legal nurse consultant, victim advocate, sexual assault nurse examiner Kat Henry Doran and her alter ego, Veronica Lynch, has been there and done that–many times over. She often travels to the wilds of Northern New York State, witnessing the wonders of mother nature at her best. From the shores of Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence River to the historic Adirondack and Catskill Mountains, she creates stories featuring strong women and the men who love them.
When not writing, she can be found lashed to one of her sewing machines–or chauffeuring the four brightest stars in her life: Meredith and Ashlin, Owen and Kieran.

For more information on Kat and Veronica, go to:

#ReleaseTour “The Bride Wore Leather” by Suzanne Jenkins – @suzannejenkins3 @MoBPromos

THE BRIDE WORE LEATHER

A Bittersweets: Oscar and Lisa Sequel

by Suzanne Jenkins

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Lisa stood on her toes to reach Oscar’s lips. Muscle memory clicked in, remembering what the others lips felt like, how perfectly their mouths fit together, the line of their bodies melding. They were getting a second chance. The only thing they didn’t know is what total intimacy would be like, because Oscar had been too afraid. But he wasn’t afraid now.

The sanctuary of Saint Albert in Germantown was abuzz as Ed Penn entered the church alone. Rather than walking down the aisle like he would have if his daughter, Lisa was on his arm, he scooted over to the side aisle and briskly marched up, his wife with a look of terror on her face, having risen out of the pew to see what the delay was. Ed nodded to her to join him, and she did so, hyperventilating, knowing it wasn’t going to be good. The groom, Louie Blakemore, stepped down from his place at the altar to meet them, confusion replaced by knowledge leading to a broken heart. Lisa had apparently stood him up.
“Do you want me to say something?” Ed asked.
“Say what? What happened?” Louie asked. “I just talked to her an hour ago.”
Deciding to rip the bandage off the wound in one fell swoop, Ed chose to tell the truth.
“She’s still in love with Oscar,” he said. Martha gasped, breaking down in tears. “She’s left with him.”
“You can’t tell this crowd,” she cried. “It’ll be a mob scene out of Frankenstein without the torches and pitchforks.”
“I’m leaving,” Louie said, pale. “Tell them whatever you want.”
He ran out of the side door, leaving the job to Ed. Louie’s mother and father followed him out of the building, first telling Ed the reception would go on, to please let the crowd know.
“Come with me, Mother,” he said gently, offering Martha his arm, knowing what this was costing her.
Holding her head up was so hard as the tears came. She wanted to run out the side door and go home to bed. They climbed the steps to the pulpit together. The priest offered the microphone.
“Stop that infernal playing,” Martha cried to the organist and the music abruptly stopped, the last notes echoing throughout the vast space.

Terry & Alex ✯ Brenda & Larry ✯ Oscar & Lisa

Suzanne Jenkins Bio Suzanne writes page-turning contemporary romance, mystery, and women’s fiction with passionately gripping characters that stay with readers long after they turn the last page. The Detroit Detective Stories, beginning with The Greeks of Beaubien Street are a reflection of American fantasy with historical reality. Pam of Babylon books consistently rank in the Top 100 Best Sellers in American Drama with over 500,000 downloads. A retired operating room nurse, Jenkins lives in Southern California.

Prize: A charm bracelet featuring all the covers from the series

a Rafflecopter giveaway