Best of the Bruins by Jonathan Weeks *REVIEW* *GIVEAWAY*

Today, Notes From a Romantic’s Heart is changing gears and welcoming Sports Author, Jonathan Weeks, to the blog. You can find all the stops for this tour at Goddess Fish Promotions. Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter draw for a $25 gift card. The entry form is at the end of this post.

GENRE:   Sports-History-Hockey

 

About the Book

Among the “original six” NHL clubs to survive the Great Depression, the Boston Bruins have a vibrant history. Entering the 2020-’21 campaign, the team ranked fourth all-time with six Stanley Cup championships. Some of the most gifted players in NHL history have skated for the Bruins over the years. Best of the Bruins: Boston’s All-Time Great Players and Coaches tells the individual stories of the players and coaches who have helped make the Bruins perennial contenders for close to a century. Profiles of current players are included in this sweeping survey.

 

Read an Excerpt

BRAD MARCHAND

In spite of the team’s efforts to protect him, Marchand has repeatedly engaged in outrageous behavior on the ice. His most reprehensible acts include a low-bridge hit on Sami Salo of the Canucks that left the Vancouver defenseman with a concussion and a spearing penalty incurred for deliberately hitting Tampa Bay blue-liner Jake Dotchin in the crotch with his stick. Entering the 2019-‘20 campaign, Marchand had half a dozen suspensions to his credit in addition to multiple fines.

In spite of his incorrigible antics, Marchand has been an indispensable member of the Bruins top scoring line, which also features David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron. The trio, which has been dubbed “The Perfection Line” by sportswriters, averaged well over 200 points per year between 2016-’17 and 2019-’20. Marchand was the team’s top point producer in three of those seasons. Not only does he score goals in bunches, but he scores them in timely fashion. In November of 2019, he set a franchise record with his 26th short-handed goal. And by January of 2020, he had attained a rank of #6 among the Bruins all-time leaders in game-winning goals. His efforts earned him a pair of Seventh Player Awards in 2011 and 2016. But outside of Boston, he is largely viewed as a criminal. 

Asked about his tarnished professional image, Marchand told a reporter: “It’s tough. I’ve tried for a while now to get away from that role and I just can’t seem to escape it. I think obviously if you look back on the last few years, I’ve turned into a decent player and it’s tough to be branded with that name consistently. Obviously, it’s from my own doing but it’s tough to escape it. Devil’s advocate there, it’s what I had to do to get into the league so I’ll never say that I wouldn’t go back and play the same way.”

 My Review

4-Stars

As a native Detroiter and dyed-in-wool, Wing Nut, I was happy to say, I still enjoyed this book very much. And, unfortunately for me, am old enough to have witnessed a good portion of this history firsthand.

The author does a wonderful job of presenting both well-known and little-known facts in a fun way without overloading each section with boring stats. Some of lesser-known facts will be of the most interest to other fans of the sport. As someone who rarely gets the opportunity to read non-fiction, I was especially appreciative of the fact that the single passages/facts were succinct as well as entertaining.

Despite being a Wing Nut, who had the audacity to marry a Hab’s supporter, we did spawn a life-long Bruin’s fan. My eldest son also read the book and, like me, was highly impressed by Mr. Weeks’ knowledge and the way it was presented. So, another 4-stars from him too! As well, he’s shared the purchase link for the book with all his hockey-loving, fellow military men (and women). We both wish you luck with sales!

Meet the Author

A lifelong sports fan, Weeks has published several non-fiction books on the topic of baseball. Additionally, he has two novels to his credit--one of them a posthumous collaboration with his father. His latest project: Best of the Bruins: Boston's All Time Great Players and Coaches, is out now.

Catch up with Jonathan Weeks on Goodreads

Get the book on Amazon

 

Enter the Giveaway

Jonathan Weeks will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~ ~ ~

It’s been my pleasure to host Jonathan Weeks today. Please come back all week long for more authors, books, and giveaways.

Nancy

THE VIRUS OF BEAUTY by Author C. B. Lyall

Notes From a Romantic’s Heart is pleased to welcome Y.A. Fantasy author C. B. Lyall to the blog today. All the stops in this blog tour can be found at Goddess Fish Promotions. Don’t forget to enter the #giveaway for a $50 gift card. The entry form can be found below.

GENRE: YA Fantasy

About the Book

Ugliness is power, and the Virus of Beauty is spreading and causing panic throughout the witch population.

Wilf Gilvary is a teenage wizard who is terrified of using magic. When his father dies under mysterious circumstances, Wilf is plunged into the middle of a political struggle between the witches and wizards in the Magical Realm. He’d rather play soccer than practice magic, but he’s forced to make a choice between the life of a normal Hong Kong teen and one of wizardry after a powerful virus begins to decimate the witch community. The cure is spellbound in a journal Wilf inherited from his father and when his friend Katryna contracts the virus, Wilf understands that he must overcome his fear of magic to unlock the journal’s secrets – but will it be too late to save her?

 

The Virus of Beauty is available on Amazon

 

Read an Excerpt

The tattoo pulsed. He shoved the hand into his pants pocket and continued threading his way through the store’s cluttered shelves of T-shirts, Laughing Buddhas, shot glasses, and Happy Cats. The sinking feeling in his stomach grew.

A sharp pain shot up his arm. 

“What the…?”

A rumbling groan echoed around the store. He glanced towards the alcove housing the Mages Crystal. His eyes widened as the mirrored surface glowed red. A loud crack pierced the air like a ball smashing through a window. He ran for the supply closet and forced his six-foot body inside.

Quartz exploded across the room from the crystal’s center.

He felt a whoosh of air next to his ear as he slammed the door shut. He switched on the closet light and stepped backward into brooms and mop handles that banged the back of his head. A large piece of polished quartz, still vibrating from its violent impact with the wall, reflected the shock in his gray eyes.

Thuds echoed in the tiny room as projectiles impaled the door. He touched his ear, but seeing no blood on his fingers, exhaled. That had been too close.

Several seconds passed before he braved stepping outside. The store was filled with colliding rainbows as sunlight hit the debris. Wilf blinked rapidly. Crystal daggers studded the closet’s wooden door. All he’d done was look in the crystal’s direction, but his father would blame him for this disaster.

“Wilf, is that you?” Reginald’s shout was followed by a creaking sound from the basement stairs.

Wilf bolted for the front door. His shoes crunched the broken glass. He jerked open the door and the bell gave a traitorous jingle.

Meet the Author

Carolyn Lyall was born in Stockton-On-Tees, United Kingdom. As a child Carolyn growing up in Northern England in the sixties Carolyn loved sports, reading and amateur dramatics. She joined a renaissance group, practiced the broadsword and dreamed of visiting other worlds. Her passion for what could be drove her forward when faced with everyday struggles. Her first memorable skirmish with gender inequality came at nine-years old when she was told that only boys were allowed to play soccer. In response, she simply refused to do any classwork until they changed their old-fashioned policies. She won that battle.

At the age of 18, she took a role as typist for a nursing school in Middlesbrough. She then moved to London and enrolled in night school. She was quickly recognized for her ability to fit in anywhere and for not being afraid to push back on the predominantly male leadership. She eventually became a project manager in software development and micro-computers, bridging the gap between computer programmers and management.

Her dream to travel was finally realized in 1990 when she moved to New York City, USA with her husband and the first of three sons. This was the steppingstone to a lifelong adventure that has taken her and her family to India, Belgium and Hong Kong.

Raising her family in multiple countries around the world, she saw that each move, while a shock, was an opportunity for her sons to redefine themselves against new challenges and different cultural norms. Now, that her sons have left home, Carolyn has used her passion for the fantastic to create a world where every day gender inequalities are at the forefront of a world ending conflict. She shares this story through the eyes of a young man who is suddenly thrust into this new world along with all of his own woes and prejudices. The introduction to this world is in Carolyn’s debut YA fantasy novel, “The Virus of Beauty,” due to be released July 31, 2019 under C B Lyall.  

Carolyn has published two short stories in an annual anthology by 25 Servings of Soop. She wrote a number of articles for the American Women’s Associates Magazine.  Fueled by her love of the works of Terry Pratchett, Sarah J Maas, Cassandra Clare, Brandon Sanderson and others, Carolyn has completed a number of writing courses, which included a Master Fantasy/Science Fiction writers’ course with Gotham Writers’ Workshop, a YA Voice class and Advance Novel Writing course at Sarah Lawrence College’s Writing Institute.

C.B. Lyall's Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram

 

Enter the Giveaway

One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.

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It’s been my pleasure hosting C.B. Lyall today. Please come back later in the week for more authors, great books, and maybe even more giveaways!

Nancy

CRUSH by Author Lucinda Race

It’s my pleasure to welcome back friend and fellow author, Lucinda Race, to Notes From a Romantic’s Heart. Today, we’re going to take a peek at Lucinda’s newest addition to her Crescent Lake Winery series. Crush is available everywhere.

 

About the Book

He’s just the spark she needs…

Anna Price is an Enologist, a world-renowned expert in anything having to do with wine. Her work at her family’s Crescent Lake Winery in the Finger Lakes region of New York has her feeling as if she’s treading water. There has to be more to life than just wine. Has she lost her spark? She’s jolted when her father suffers a heart attack, then gets a jolt of a different kind from the man taking care of her father. 

Colin Grant is a nurse practitioner, specializing in the care of cardiac patients. He’d met Anna once before, but had just ended a long-distance relationship and wasn’t ready for someone new. But this time it’s different. There’s no denying his attraction to the curvy girl who has no idea how beautiful she is. 

When Anna is offered a job in France, they may find their growing relationship crushed. How can she say no to the offer of a lifetime? Colin’s job is caring for other people’s hearts; he’s determined not to have his own broken again. Absence doesn’t always make the heart grow fonder. But is it worth the risk, for a lifetime of love?

Get Crush on Your Favorite Platform

 

Read an Excerpt

Anna nodded and took another sip. Setting her cup down, it clattered against the spoon. “I’m just going to say this. I suck at first dates.”

Colin couldn’t help but laugh. Not the soft, polite kind either, but a deep belly laugh that filled the room and began to crack the tension between them. He didn’t care who was watching; Anna’s honesty was refreshing.

“Now that’s good news. I was feeling like that pimple-faced kid—you know, when his parents drive him to the diner to meet a special girl for ice cream.”

She flashed him a wide grin. “Where you feel all nerdy and stuff? I was that girl.” With another laugh, she leaned back into the chair.

He sat forward. “You? I don’t believe it. I would think you had lots of guys interested in you.”

“For helping them with their math or chemistry homework, sure. But as dating material, definitely not.”

“What are you talking about? You’re beautiful.”

“I had a bit of an acne problem and being at the top of the class, teachers liked me and would say things like, Well, Anna, that is an excellent answer or hypothesis or whatever. So I was not popular.”

“Then I’m going to say that is a good thing for me.”

She wrinkled her nose. “How so?”

He lightly touched the back of her hand, and a definite zing flowed into him. “If one of those guys from school discovered how awesome you are, we might not be sitting here now, having our first date.”

Read My Review on BookBub

 

Meet the Author

Award-winning and best-selling author Lucinda Race is a lifelong fan of romantic fiction. As a young girl, she spent hours reading romance novels and getting lost in the hope they represent. While her friends dreamed of becoming doctors and engineers, her dreams were to become a writer—a romance novelist.

As life twisted and turned, she found herself writing nonfiction but longed to turn to her true passion. After developing the storyline for The Loudon Series, it was time to start living her dream. Her fingers practically fly over computer keys as she weaves stories about strong women and the men who love them.

Lucinda lives with her husband and their two little dogs, a miniature long hair dachshund and a shitzu mix rescue, in the rolling hills of western Massachusetts. When she's not at her day job, she’s immersed in her fictional worlds. And if she’s not writing romance novels, she’s reading everything she can get her hands on. It’s too bad her husband doesn’t cook, but a very good thing he loves takeout.

Lucinda's Website ~ Facebook ~ FB Readers Group  ~ Twitter ~ BookBub

Instagram ~ Pinterest ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon Author Page ~ YouTube

~ ~ ~

Thank you so much for stopping by. While you’re here, scroll back through the earlier posts. There are still a few live giveaways. And, please come back again all next week when I’ll have more authors, books, and more giveaways.

Nancy

ASYLUM by Author Betsy Adams *REVIEW* *Giveaway*

Notes From a Romantic’s Heart is pleased to welcome Author Betsy Adams to the blog to talk about her newest release, Asylum, the second book in her Americans in Love series.

You can follow the tour at Goddess Fish Promotions. Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter #giveaway while you’re here!

GENRE:   Contemporary Romance

  

About the Book

 

Adela is an immigration judge from one of San Diego’s wealthiest Mexican-American families. She was raised to believe she has nothing in common with the asylum seekers in her courtroom. Paul left behind his life as a Manhattan lawyer to volunteer at the border. He has lost faith in the system, but not those who still turn to it for justice.

Adela and Paul come to the Tijuana/San Diego border searching, but neither one knowing exactly what for—until they find each other. Against the backdrop of the “Remain in Mexico” policy and restrictions on asylum, Adela and Paul fight for love in a system that seems determined to destroy it.

 

Asylum is on sale for 99¢ during the tour.

 

Read an Excerpt

 

 "Julian says I'm going to burn out if I don't enjoy the wins.  So let me take you for some real Chinese food.”

“Hey, don’t insult King Panda,” Adela said.  “And I’m not sure about the ‘you taking me’ part.”

“Right.  Well, I did a little legal research on the ‘appearance of impropriety’ standard.”

“Really?” Adela couldn’t hide her pleasure at hearing this.  “What did you find out?”

Paul cleared his throat and launched into lawyer mode.  “Based on the caselaw, I would argue that there is nothing improper about sharing a meal.”

“Agreed."

“Especially if the facts reveal that the judge and attorney in question met up coincidentally, like in a heavily trafficked food court, or…Silk Road, a highly recommended Chinese restaurant in Imperial Beach.  Say they just happen to find each other at this particular restaurant on Wednesday night at six o’clock.  No impropriety there.”

“I see,” Adela said, jotting down the name and location of the place.

“However,” Paul said in overly dramatic fashion.  “An issue could arise, based on what transpires at said coincidental meeting.”

“Go on…” Adela could almost see the sexy grin on his face. 

“Well, should these two individuals discuss a case they are both working on, that would be improper.” 

“Yes, highly,” Adela agreed.

“So if we don't talk about work, we should be fine,” Paul concluded, back to his normal voice.

“Is it that simple?” Adela asked.  She didn’t let on that she knew there was more.  If they were together, Paul couldn’t have cases in her courtroom.  She waited for him to add this, but he didn’t.

“It is for dinner,” he said.

Adela wasn’t sure how to read that.  Was he just asking her to dinner, or was it just dinner…for now?

“Okay, then maybe I’ll see you there, if I’m free and in the area.  No guarantees.”

“I’m not asking for any,” Paul said before hanging up.

 

My Review

3.5 Stars

 

Asylum by Author Betsy Ross is an extremely emotional read. Technically, it’s a very well written book.

It’s no secret to anyone who follows U.S. Politics, or just watches the evening news, asylum seekers are treated unfairly, and Ms Ross takes incidents in her book from real-life court cases and life-threatening events, which make them all the more powerful.

I was extremely impressed with the author’s note at the end of the book, and the additional details included there. Had I been reading this strictly as a political thriller, I’d have gladly given it four-stars.

However, to call it a contemporary romance is unfair to the reader. Yes, there were lovescenes, romance of a sort, but it felt as if it was only there to provide a break in the political issues. The attraction was rushed, had no real downside/black moment (other than possible misconduct between a judge and lawyer). I enjoy it when there’s instant attraction between a couple, however the ‘love’ between the two main characters needs to develop at a steady pace—something to work toward. In this case, it moved too quickly to be believable.

All this said, if you enjoy political intrigue as much or more than you do contemporary romance, you will enjoy this book.

( I was provided a copy of Asylum to provide my honest review. )

 

Meet the Author

 

Betsy Adams is a pen name adopted to honor two smart, romantic women - Betsy Ross and Abigail Adams.

Betsy Ross chose love over her Quaker religion and her family. At the age of twenty-one, she eloped with fellow upholstery apprentice and non-Quaker John Ross. After their union, Betsy’s family and the Quaker community cut all ties with her. In her eighty-four years, Betsy was married three times and ran a successful upholstery business. There is much more to Betsy Ross than sewing the first American flag. Someone make a biopic, please!

The love between Abigail and John Adams is legendary, and documented in over 1,000 intimate and cerebral letters. In 1776, Abigail famously told her husband that the new nation must “remember the ladies,” but in the pages of their letters, these two lovers were equals in their passion for each other and ideas.

Betsy Adams lives with her family in a coastal town on Long Island (New York). She is the creator of the Americans in Love romance series. In these novella-length books, couples divided by the issues of our day try to find their happily ever after.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Reedsy ~ Goodreads

 

Enter the Giveaway

 

Betsy Adams will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It’s been my pleasure hosting Author Betsy Adams today. Please come back again later this week for more authors and great books.

Nancy

SO NOT MY TYPE by Author Amelia Kingston *Book Blast* *Giveaway*

Notes From a Romantic’s Heart is pleased to welcome author Amelia Kingston for her visit to the blog! Today, we’re featuring her latest book, So Not My Type. Don’t forget, there’s also a #Giveaway, so be sure to enter.

You can find all the stops on Amelia’s tour at Goddess Fish Promotions.

GENRE: Romantic Erotic Comedy

About the Book

An endearingly irreverent love story.

 To Jackie Ryan, insults are foreplay and love is war. What the feisty redhead lacks in stature, she makes up in attitude. She’s made more than one grown man cry and she’s damn proud of it. Little does the rowdy barista know she’s about to meet her match in the shape of a walking, talking pair of starched khakis.

When unassuming Eddie Jaworski stumbles into a quirky coffee shop, he isn’t expecting a battle of wits with the maniac behind the counter. Still, he can’t help be intrigued by the endearingly irreverent human enigma. She’s brash, but considerate. Closed off to most, but fiercely loyal to a few. Everything is a joke, except those things that are sacred. Jackie doesn’t trust easily and if he wants to get close, he’s going to have to work for every inch. Good thing he’s up for the challenge.

But Eddie has a secret—one he didn’t mean to keep—that’s going to tug at the delicate strings weaving the pair together. When everything begins to unravel, Jackie must decide just what she’s willing to risk for love.

 

Read an Excerpt

“That it? That all?” He winks. This fucker actually winks at me.

Time to go nuclear. I toss my glasses down on the table with a thud before they skid across the surface. I pull the hair tie out of my ponytail and let my wavy red locks fall past my shoulders. I give it a little tussle, knowing it is barely controlled chaos. Just like me. I lick my lips with my eyes locked on his. He’s trying hard to keep his composure, but I see him swallow the tension.

“You’re too pretty. Too soft. Too clean. Too easy. Too bland. Too safe.” I take a slow step towards him with every word. A sexy catwalk strut, crossing my combat-boot clad feet each time, adding an extra sway to my hips. I pin him with a challenging glare as he drinks in my curves with stifled desire.

I lean against him, pressing my chest into his. He doesn’t pull away, but his muscles tensed, his body hard. I bring my mouth to his ear.

“I want dirty and dangerous.”

Going for the kill, I tease his earlobe with a flick of my tongue. He lets out a deep groan. I shove off his chest and stalk back over to my abandoned dish tub.

I quip over my shoulder, “Darlin’, I’d destroy you.”

“And I’d enjoy every second of it,” he adds without missing a beat.

I bite my lip to keep from smiling.

Meet the Author

Amelia Kingston is a California girl, writer, traveler, wife and dog mom. She survives on chocolate, coffee, wine, and sarcasm. Not necessarily in that order. She’s been blessed with a patient husband who’s embraced her nomad ways and cursed with an impatient (although admittedly adorable) terrier who pouts when her dinner is five minutes late.

She loves to write about strong, stubborn, flawed women and the men who can't help but love them. Her irreverent books aim to be silly and fun with the occasional storm cloud to remind us to appreciate the sunny days. As a hopeless romantic, her favorite stories are the ones that remind us all that while love is rarely perfect, it’s always worth chasing.

Amelia's Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram

Amazon Author Page ~ BookBub ~ Goodreads

 

Enter the Giveaway

Amelia Kingston will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's been my pleasure hosting Amelia for this stop on her tour. Please come back all week for more authors, books, and giveaways.

Nancy

YES--THESE ARE YOUR GRANDMA'S ROMANCES by Author Nancy Fraser

 

It's my Book Birthday!  Woo Hoo! Nothing like celebrating another birthday that DOESN'T make me a year older.

Yes--These Are Your Grandma's Romances is available now for just 99¢ at all major retailers.

About the Book

Ah ... the Fifties!

A time of innocence, and the not so innocent. From “I Love Lucy” and “Willy” to “Private Secretary”, “Father Knows Best” and “Bachelor Father”, television and music from the fifties gave us inspiration. Come take a trip down memory lane with these five vintage reads!

Get your romance on, and make grandma proud!

Ed Loves Marnie ~ 1955 - Can this handsome military man convince the single mother to take another chance at love? Or, will their shared memory put a wall between them?

Willa Thomas, Attorney-in-Love ~ 1956 - Will these co-workers be able to tow the company line and forego a chance at romance? Or, will they risk everything for love?

Professor Knows Best ~ 1957 - Will this freaky trip back in time to 1957 give her the answers she seeks? Or, only more confusion? How difficult will she find it to navigate being best friends with the college-age version of her own mother?

His Private Secretary ~ 1958 - Can she run interference between her handsome boss, his needy family, and the scores of women trying to bed him and wed him and still remain unaffected by his many charms?

The Bachelor Father ~ 1959 - Will Nanny #5 be the one to finally ace the job, and coax him out of his shell and back into life? And, will a family vacation to Paris fulfill their wildest dreams?

Read an Excerpt

From His Private Secretary ~ 1958

The desktop exactly as it should be, Eleanor stepped into the private kitchenette next to her office and started a pot of coffee. Finally, she set up a serving tray with two china cups and saucers, a sugar bowl and cream pitcher and two silver spoons. From the cupboard, she took a serving plate and placed it on the tray.

She was about to reach for the linen napkins when her boss’ private phone line rang. Glancing briefly at her watch, Eleanor walked quickly to his desk and lifted the receiver to her ear. “Good morning, Mrs. Norton,” she said without hesitation, “Mr. Norton has not yet arrived.”

“It’s just as well. He’s angry with me and probably wouldn’t speak to me anyway.”

Eleanor could hear the near hysteria in the woman’s voice and wondered what the problem was today. “I’m sure Mr. Norton will be more than happy to speak with you.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” the woman said sadly.

Eleanor felt a rush of compassion for her employer’s mother. The woman doted on her sons, sometimes a bit too much. “Why don’t I have him call you as soon as he arrives?”

“Well, all right, my dear, if you think he will.”

“I’ll dial the number myself,” Eleanor told her.

“I don’t know what Jessup would do without you, Miss Martin. You are a godsend, you know that.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Norton. I appreciate the compliment.” Eleanor paused for a moment and then asked, “Is there anything else, Mrs. Norton?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Well, then—”

“Oh yes, there was one other thing.”

Eleanor waited, and waited. Finally, she asked, “Mrs. Norton, what was the one other thing?” When no immediate response came, Eleanor could almost picture the woman’s puzzled expression.

“You know, dear, I can’t remember.”

“I’m sure it will come to you. When it does, please don’t hesitate to call back. In the meantime, though, I’ll make sure Mr. Norton calls you as soon as possible.”

“The charity ball,” the older woman said quickly. “That was it.”

Eleanor reached for her boss’ calendar and flipped the page, asking “The one on April twenty-sixth for Children’s Hospital?”

“Yes, my dear, that’s the one.”

“Was there something special you wanted to know about the ball, Mrs. Norton? It is on Mr. Norton’s schedule, if you were concerned.”

“I don’t mean to seem nosy, Miss Martin, but do you have any idea who my son is taking to the event?”

Eleanor closed her eyes for a brief moment, picturing in her mind’s eye the parade of beautiful women who routinely danced through Jessup Norton’s life. Summoning her best smile on a deep breath of air, she said, “It isn’t marked on his calendar. He hasn’t mentioned anything to me, so I’m afraid I can’t say.” To herself, she thought, not that I would even if I could. There were some things a private secretary kept private, even from her boss’ mother.

“I just hope it’s not that dreadful Carpenter woman. She’s got her sights set on my son. It’s shameful. She’s divorced, you know. And, you know what they say about divorced women.” When Eleanor failed to respond, Mrs. Norton added, “It’s like buying a lollipop with all the red licked off.”

Eleanor stifled a chuckle and listened patiently while the Norton family matriarch bristled over the thought of her son dating a divorced woman. When she finally stopped for air, Eleanor asked, “Is there anything else, Mrs. Norton? I really need to finish preparing for Mr. Norton’s arrival.”

“No, my dear; I’m sorry for bending your ear so much. It’s just I worry about Jessup.”

Eleanor wanted so desperately to remind Edith Norton that poor little Jessup was a thirty-five-year-old man and could take care of himself. Instead, she said, “Worrying is what mothers do, Mrs. Norton. Or so I’ve been told.”

“One of these days, Miss Martin, you’ll meet that special man and quit your job to raise a family. Once you’re a mother, you’ll understand completely.”

~ ~ ~

Of course, there's a trailer:

And, Grandma's Jigsaw Puzzle

I'm also on tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. Just click the link to follow along. There's even a #Giveaway!

That's all for now. Please come back again all this week for more authors, great books, and giveaways!

Nancy

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Bookbub

Amazon Author Page ~ Goodreads ~ YouTube ~ Newsletter

MR. PIERCE'S HERO by Author Kara O'Neal

It’s my pleasure to welcome friend and fellow author, Kara O’Neal, back to the blog today with her new book, Mr. Pierce's Hero, from her Pike’s Run series.

Genre: Historical/Western/Small Town Romance

About the Book

Pike’s Run, Texas, 1882

Corinne Taylor has a secret. And it must be protected. If her mother discovers what Corinne has been hiding, Hell will not describe the place in which she will find herself. Beulah, Corinne’s mother, has proclaimed herself “queen” of Pike’s Run, and no one crosses her, especially not her daughter.

And while Corinne does what she can to guard her secret, her best efforts aren’t enough. War comes to Pike’s Run and the Taylor household when Beulah learns of her daughter’s betrayal. The battle that ensues forces Corinne to seek help from a new arrival.

Jonathan Pierce, a successful lawyer, has come to Pike’s Run looking to find solace from his past. When Corinne asks for his support, her innocence and bravery call to the needs within his broken spirit, and he can’t turn her down. She is capturing his heart, but if she ever learns of his cowardice, she will reject him, killing any hope he has left of finding love.

 

Read an Excerpt

 

“You did all this?” Jonathan asked, amazement rushing through him.

She nodded, a blush staining her cheeks.

Even standing amidst the evidence of her talent, modesty enveloped her. He couldn’t help the slight smile that formed. “It’s magnificent.”

“Thank you.”

Should he venture into her world and help her? If he did, he feared the safety of his heart. Still, he couldn’t hold back. “And you can’t let your mother do…whatever it is you suspect she will do.”

His words made dismay flit across her lovely features. He wished he could recall what he’d said, but it was the truth.

“I know,” she replied, her voice hoarse with feeling. A moment of silence passed. “You’re quite sure it would be illegal?”

Ordinarily, he’d be irritated someone questioned his expertise, but he understood why she asked. “I am.”

She fidgeted with her skirt while her teeth worried at her lower lip.

The punishment she gave it made him want to cup her cheek to stop her. Then he’d run his thumb over her mouth and soothe her. Maybe kiss her. Maybe back her up against—

Hell. He had to remove himself from her presence. She was too damned dangerous.

“Would you…”

“Yes?” he prodded.

“Would you perhaps…come with me to speak to the sheriff?”

He shouldn’t. For one important reason. But…

“Do you really believe your mother won’t desist if you tell her it would be trespassing?”

She nodded her head slowly.

Damn it. Who was this Beulah? “Yes, I’ll go with you.”

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Meet the Author

Born and raised in Texas, I had to make the state the setting for my first series. From the food to the fun, like floating the rivers, it is the fire in my blood that inspires me. My family and friends take center stage in my books. My sisters and best friends are my heroines, and my husband created my favorite hero.

Love and family are the point of my stories, and I seek to entertain, relieve stress, and inspire people. Books can take one on a journey that one can relive over and over. I am extremely grateful to those authors who did that very thing for me. I learned and I fell in love with their words and characters. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

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Thank you for stopping by. I look forward to more authors, books, and even some giveaways in the near future!

Nancy