FOR BETTER AND FOR WORSE by Author Quint Emm Ellis **Blurb Blitz**

Welcome to Notes From a Romantic's Heart. Today we're featuring For Better & For Worse by Author Quint Emm Ellis. You can find all of the stops on this tour at Goddess Fish Promotions. Don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter draw for your chance to win a gift card. The entry form is at the end of this post.

These ex-lovebirds are busy building a nest for one. But can she be convinced to make room for him, too?

Despite attending the same congregation and university, Ashe and Stephen's circles had never seemed to cross.

One class project changed everything...for the better; until secrecy and youthful indiscretion pulled them apart.

Will an unexpectant reunion in their adult years allow Ashe and Stephen to rewrite a history riddled with regret and heartbreaking choices?

Pre-Order on Amazon

“I have a feeling you’d prefer if I don’t ask what that was all about back there?”

Ashe watched Sarai from beneath her lids while Sarai sat beside her with phone in hand, adjusting the playlist she’d compiled for the event. Apparently, what Sarai so desperately needed help with was determining a more perfect selection of songs.

Following their departure from Josiah, Sarai had enthusiastically introduced Ashe to Josiah’s mother and father-in-law. Now, the two friends sat at one of the outdoor tables that’d been set up with the speakers atop it, their backs to the rest of the gathering.

Sarai sighed and continued swiping on her phone.

“That would be preferable, yes.”

She paused, then. And looked over to Ashe. “Unless I can ask you the same?”

A claim of ignorance of what Sarai was referring to formed upon Ashe’s lips, but then she shut her mouth; too tired to continue weaving that web. “Ditto,” she finally admitted.

They sat in silence while Sarai played excerpts of one song after another, their postures relaxing in one another’s presence.

As Ashe watched Sarai tsk-tsk over her playlist she allowed her memories to wander to an era that felt closer than it was.

His hair is still the same shade of midnight, not a gray strand to be found, she thought. The short cut looks good on him. Everything looks good on him.

Ashe shut her eyes as she quietly, slowly took in a steadying breath.

"If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." - Toni Morrison

Quint Emm Ellis enjoys penning plots centering around unabashedly nerdy, introverted, cinnamon-roll mantic, passionate, fallible women who happen to be black, who happen to be Christian, and who happen to love an uplifting and, possibly, inspirational story.

She enjoys listening to audio books, watching movies, finding great deals and spoiling her cat and dog rotten. Her dream is to be able to walk around in loose pajama pants all day and geek out while mastering niche crafts like music production, film editing and electro etching.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Amazon Author Page ~ BookBub

Quint Emm Ellis will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thank you so much for stopping by today. Please be sure to come back soon for more authors, books, and giveaways!

Nancy

LOVE IS FOR THE DOGS by Author Annee Jones **Book Birthday** **Last Chance Beach Romance**

Welcome to Notes From a Romantic's Heart. Today we welcome Author Annee Jones and her new book, Love is For the Dogs, part of the Last Chance Beach Romance multi-author series.

A coveted award…a missing Maltese…and a cheating ex… Can Trisha Campbell survive this year’s dog show competition in Last Chance Beach, much less walk away without a broken heart?

If there’s one thing vet tech Trisha Campbell knows, it’s dogs. Men, however, not so much. Especially ever since catching her ex-boyfriend, Miami P.D. Landon Prescott, kissing her arch-nemesis, Blythe Baker, at last year’s dog show after Blythe’s pup Princess took home the grand prize. Needless to say, Trisha's not looking forward to seeing either of them again at this year’s competition in Last Chance Beach, even if her beloved Maltese, Chloe, is a front-runner for the coveted trophy.

Soon after arriving on the island for the week-long event, Princess goes missing and everyone fingers Trisha as the dog-napper since her pooch is Princess’ main opponent. With not only the prize money but also her reputation at stake, Trisha’s willing to join forces with none other than her cheating ex. Can she and Landon figure out a way to work together to catch the culprit and find the missing Maltese before the whole competition goes straight to the dogs? And what happens when they find themselves alone together at last?

Available exclusively on Kindle Unlimited

Find the entire Last Chance Beach series on Amazon

“Woof!” the little dog barked, stopping in front of the tall wooden pillar that stood at the foot of the bridge as they made their way off the ferry onto the island. The dog sat down on its tiny haunches and gazed up, appearing to admire the giant sculpture of an open oyster shell that rested on top of the post. The shell’s lower half contained a giant pearl. Its shiny white surface sparkled with promise in the rays of the afternoon sun.

“Yeah, yeah,” Trisha Campbell muttered, allowing the leash she was gripping tightly in her right hand to slacken as she slowed her pace and paused next to the small Maltese spaniel, drawing her rolling suitcase to a stop behind her. “’Welcome to Last Chance Beach,’” she read aloud from the sign hanging beneath the sculpture. “’Where you’ll discover what you’ve been looking for.’”

“And what we’re looking for is a trophy!” squealed Olivia. The red-haired teen took off her backpack, bursting at the seams and adorned with a variety of colorful charms and ribbons, and set it down beside her. She stretched her long limbs and gazed around, eagerly taking in the first sights of Last Chance Beach.

“Right!” said an identical-looking girl to her left, who unshouldered her own decorative pack. Kneeling, she began to pet the dog’s smooth white coat. “Do you really think Chloe could win Best in Show this year, Trisha?”

Trisha fingered the woven red cord of the leash. “I do think there’s a small chance, Sophia. Now that she’s graduated from the junior age group, Chloe will be competing in the open tournament this year. With the three different shows she’s already won, I’m hopeful that she’ll be able to bring home Best of Breed. However, as for the title of Best in Show, the competition will be extremely fierce, so try not to get your hopes up. I don’t want you to be disappointed in the end.”

Author Annee Jones writes heartwarming romance and will soon be adding cozy mystery, fantasy/ PNR, suspense, and more to her list of genres since her imagination often runs away with her. She is passionate about writing stories that offer readers a place where dreams come true!

Professionally, Annee works as a disability counselor where she helps her clients navigate through complex medical and legal systems while rediscovering their wholeness in Spirit.

Annee also enjoys freelance writing for Publishers Weekly and multiple publishing companies.

Annee's Website ~ Amazon Author Page ~ BookBub ~ Goodreads

Facebook ~ Annee's Angels FB Reader Group

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Thank you for joining us today to celebrate the latest book in the Last Chance Beach Romance collection.

Nancy

FELICITY'S FORTUNE by Author Kara O'Neal **New Release**

It's my great pleasure to welcome friend and author, Kara O'Neal, to Notes From a Romantic's Heart. Today, we'll be sharing a peek at her latest release, Felicity's Fortune, Book 2 in her Gamblers & Gunslingers series.

A Note From Kara....

I could hardly wait for the second book in my Gamblers and Gunslingers series – FELICITY’S FORTUNE – to release!

When we visited St. Joseph, Missouri, we had to stop at Jesse James’ house. While I was walking through those rooms, I wondered about his wife.

She’d set up a house, cooked meals, raised children…and her husband was an outlaw. She knew what he was, and that surprised me. Of course, who knew how she felt about his choices, and I’m sure it was hard to leave him since she loved him.

But I thought…what if she hadn’t known? What if a woman had married a man who was an outlaw, and she discovered it…

And turned him in.

So…FELICITY’S FORTUNE was born.

I had to give her a mighty hero, and so Butch Wilder grew in my mind’s eye. And he’s a good one. He had to be a little sinful, though, but he’s got a big, big, big heart!

I loved writing this story. Felicity’s daughters are the cutest little things.

I also enjoyed sending Felicity to Hell’s Half Acre, because God bless Texas, but that place was scary. It belonged in a book.

You know, that’s the best thing about being an author. You get to put cool places, events and people in your books.

I hope y’all enjoy Felicity and Butch’s story as much as I did! Happy reading!

Felicity Capwell Archer had no idea she'd married a thief and a killer. And even though she's the one who turns him in, people still think she helped her former husband steal and is now hiding the money. To protect herself from the repercussions and attacks, she hires Butch Wilder. Gambler. Gunslinger. And a giant who hides a heart of gold.

Butch Wilder grew up on the streets of New Orleans, learning how to fight, how to gamble and how to use a Colt .45 with deadly precision. When Felicity begs him to protect her family, she's too damned pretty and too intriguing to turn down. Determined to avoid any emotional attachments and to keep it purely professional, Butch takes the job. But he finds himself sitting down to nice meals, walking her children to school and being part of a family for the first time.

Only by finding and returning the stolen loot can Felicity and her daughters ever truly be safe. Following clues she deciphers from her former husband’s letters, Felicity and Butch travel to the outlaw-infested Hell's Half Acre. It's madness, but Butch will do anything to protect Felicity. Even if it means his life.

Available exclusively on Kindle Unlimited

When Butch reached Rickman’s office, he tried to see through the windows to the inside, but the grimy panes allowed for nothing. Cautious but unafraid, he walked in without hesitation.

But when he found who had come calling, he about swallowed his tongue. He stopped short, his hand on the knob, his mind devoid of all thought.

“Are you Mr. Wilder?”

Her honey voice poured through him, grabbing hold of his senses.

She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry to interrupt your work, sir, but I’m looking for Mr. Butch Wilder. Are you he?”

Snap out of it, man! Butch blinked then cleared his throat. “Uh, yeah. Yes. I’m Butch Wilder.” He shut the door.

She looked him over.

He steeled himself against the fear he might see in her eyes due to his size, but when her gaze touched his face, what he found was desperation. Confused and a little nervous, he wrapped his thumbs around his suspenders.

“Do you know who I am?”

Would it upset her if he did? But he couldn’t lie to her. Somehow she’d know if he did. “Yes.”

She twitched her lips as if frustrated by her infamy. He couldn’t blame her.

After letting out a slow exhale, she said, “My home, and by that I really refer to my children, my housekeeper and myself, has been under attack since my former husband was arrested and tried.”

So…she had gotten divorced. Or was it an annulment? He stayed quiet, not knowing what she wanted or if he was allowed to respond.

“We need constant protection until this is settled.” She waved a hand in the air. “Until either the…the hanging or…” She paused, and her gaze went distant.

He narrowed his eyes slightly. What bothered her? The event she hadn’t mentioned or the hanging?

She shook her head. “I apologize. The last weeks have been rather harrowing.”

He could imagine. From the arrest, to the trial, to now…

A portion of what she’d said registered in his mind. “I’m sorry, ma’am. But why are you here? You mentioned…protection?” Hell. Was she going to ask him to…

“Yes. The sheriff’s office can’t provide anyone, so he suggested I hire you.”

Butch’s mind whirled with the implications.

“I will pay you well, plus meals, because I would prefer it if you moved into my home. People come at all times of the day and night. I’m fearful of what has occurred in my absence for the last few hours.” She pressed two fingers to her temple and rubbed. “Not that I can do anything about it,” she muttered. She let out a weary exhale.

While she struggled with exhaustion, he tried to make sense of what she was offering. It was ridiculous. Him? Butch Wilder? Protect her? And her family?

Hell. That was damned laughable.

5 Stars!

This second book in Kara O'Neal's Gamblers & Gunslingers series was even better than the first book. And, that's saying something since the first, Katie's Gamble, was so delightful.

I'm a sucker for western historical romance. Add in a gruff, slightly imperfect hero, children, and a touch of suspense, and I'm hooked.

Kara O'Neal has created another strong heroine who is willing to do whatever is necessary to protect those she loves, even if that means seeking the help of a stranger to guard her two daughters, her housekeeper, and herself. Butch, the somewhat reluctant hero, does what every good hero does, he steps up and puts his life on the line to assure the safety of his charges.

The scenes with the rough-around-edges gambler/gunslinger, Butch, and Felicity's young daughters were absolutely adorable. The slow-burn development of the relationship between Felicity and Butch are what all good romances are made of, guaranteeing the reader what we all want... the happily-ever-after.

Award-winning author, Kara O’Neal is a teacher and lives in Texas with her husband and three children She write stories with strong family ties, lots of romance and guaranteed happy endings!

Kara's Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest

Amazon Author Page ~ B&N Author Page ~ BookBub ~ Goodreads

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Thanks to Kara for stopping by, and for the readers who've come to enjoy a look at her book. Come back soon for more great authors, good books, and maybe even a giveaway or two!

Nancy

BAD BOYS DON'T DATE CLUMSY GIRLS by Author KE STRAND **Book Blast**

Welcome to Notes From a Romantic's Heart. Today, we'll be featuring Bad Boys Don't Date Clumsy Girls, part of the Oak Grove High series by Author KE Strand. You can find all the stops on this tour at Goddess Fish Promotions. Don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway. You can find the entry form at the bottom of this post.

Genre: YA Romantic Comedy

When the school’s bad boy infiltrates her shelter, will she lose her sanctuary or her heart?

Hopelessly clumsy Ava, is too focused on graduation and keeping both feet on the ground to have a boyfriend. She has enough to worry about with a less than ideal home life.

Bad boy Dylan can’t help but find Ava’s klutziness entertaining. That doesn’t mean he wants to date her.

When court-ordered community service forces them together at the animal shelter, Ava fears she’s lost her refuge. Dylan’s arrogance gets under her skin. And she finds it unforgivable the dogs prefer him after everything she’s done for them. A spontaneous water fight heats things up and suddenly she anticipates each meeting. But his reputation might be too much for her to overlook.

Will Ava be forced to find a new escape? Or will she stumble her way into his heart?

Bad Boys Don’t Date Clumsy Girls is a light-hearted, clean young adult romantic comedy. The first book in the Oak Grove High series by KE Strand. It will make you cringe, cry, and cackle.

Available exclusive on Kindle Unlimited

“Hi,” I say. “You must be the new volunteer. I’m Ava and I’ll…”

He turns around and my words fall away as my stomach clenches. Dylan Scott. Oh no. Not him.

“Oh, hey. You’re the mud girl.” He chuckles and then squints. “I think. It’s hard to recognize you now that I can see you.”

“Oh good. You’re a comedian,” I grumble.

Dylan is trouble with a capital T. He skips tons of school, has been suspended a couple of times, and has a reputation as the school heartbreaker. Chloe indicating he’ll be around for a while probably means he’s serving court-ordered community service. Great.

Running into him in the office the other day was one thing, but having him show up here in my sanctuary with something to hold over my head is beyond upsetting. Suddenly, I’m less excited about being here.

“So, what is there to do around here?” Dylan pulls his hands out of his pockets and holds them out to the side to indicate the entire shelter.

“Let me just put my stuff away, and we’ll get started.” I store the lunch Sam packed for me in the refrigerator and shove my purse into a locker. Taking a mental deep breath, I don what I hope is a pleasant expression and turn to Dylan. “Did you put your jacket away? You’ll probably need it.”

“Nah, don’t have one.”

I look at his t-shirt, which I suddenly notice fits him really well, and simultaneously blush and frown. “You came like that? It’s like forty degrees outside.”

“What can I say? I’m hot.”

KE Strand escapes within the pages of a book when real life thwarts her own outdoorsy adventures. But her favorite escape is into a story about young love. KE Strand writes clean teen romance because she loves those heart pounding moments of having a crush. The excitement, fear, and confusion of falling in love for the first time. And the relief and thrill of the first kiss. Each time you pick up a KE Strand book you’ll fall in love for the first time.

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KE Strand will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thank you for stopping by today. Please come back again soon for more authors, books, and giveaways!

Nancy