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.

Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Amazon Author Page ~ Newsletter Sign Up

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

VIOLINS AND VAMPIRES by Author CEE BEE **Book Blast**

Welcome to Notes From a Romantic's Heart. Today's Book Blast is a Cover Reveal for the new book, Violins and Vampires, by Author Cee Bee. You can find all the stops on this one-day tour at Goddess Fish Promotions. Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a $20 gift card. The entry form is at the end of this post.

GENRE: Vampire Romance

Lexa Kozlov must pay off her family's massive debt to the mob... all while raising even more money to save her little sister. The result? A never-ending (and incredibly illegal) stakeout for the Bratva. Lexa barely has time to sleep, let alone find love.

Enter Caelin Vass, the handsome Scotsman who runs Empire Investments. Caelin offers Lexa a new job with dollars galore, as well as a hot bod (his own) to contemplate every workday. Even so, Lexa isn’t sure. Freaky things keep happening whenever Lexa and Caelin are alone. The energy between them is magical, sensual, and way overwhelming.

Is Lexa leaving her old prison just to enter a worse one… or is Caelin Vass all he seems and more?

***12,000 word novella, previously published on Kindle Vella as Blood Slave***

Available on Kindle Unlimited for just 99¢

I've never wanted anyone more than Caelin Vass.

Never hated a man so much, either.

Vass looms before me right now. He's all broad-shoulders, brown hair, and searing dark eyes. Imagine a Celtic god in a three-piece suit; that's the general idea. We stand in his office—a place that's all plush leather chairs and heavy wooden furniture.

Sadly, Vass and I aren't alone. Some chick in a kimono kneels before him. She toys with his belt buckle with ill intent. And by ill intent, I mean she's about to give my potential employer a blow job.

In his fancypants office.

Right in front of me.

Wish I could say this is the first time something like this happened. It isn't. I also wish I didn't want to punch Kimono Chick in the throat and take her place.

Yet I do.

Still, I must stay away from Vass' pants and get this gig. Why? It pays one hundred grand a month. For someone like me, that money's literally a life-saver.

Across the room, Kimono Chick smirks so hard, it's a wonder her face doesn't get stuck that way. "Join in or get out."

Meanwhile, Vass stares at me with a smoking hot look that makes my thighs clench. He knows the affect all this has on me.

Stupid Vass.

Stupid thighs.

Which leads to a big decision: do I go for the job, the belt buckle, or the door?

Tough call.

CEE BEE writes stories that blend epic fantasy, steamy romance, and lots of sass. If you want immersive tales that transport you to fresh worlds (and new book boyfriends) then you’ve come to the right author.

CEE BEE also writes young adult fare under the name Christina Bauer. Check out Christina’s books at www.christinabauerauthor.com. There’s a literal sh*t ton of them.

CEE BEE's Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram

The Author will be giving away a $20 Amazon or B&N Gift Card via Rafflecopter Draw.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thank you for joining us today. Please come back again later this week for more authors, books, and giveaways.

Nancy

DAUGHTER OF LIGHT by Author Eileen Dreyer **Book Blast**

Welcome to Notes From a Romantic’s Heart. It is my pleasure to welcome Author Eileen Dreyer back to the blog. Today, we’ll be featuring her book, Daughter of the Light, Book 2 in the Daughters of Myth series. You can find all the stops on Eileen’s tour at Goddess Fish Promotions. Don’t forget to enter the Rafflcopter drawing for your chance to win a $20 gift card. The entry form is at the bottom of this post.

GENRE: Paranormal Romance

He’s had enough…

Harry Wyatt, Earl of Hartley has enough problems trying to keep his estate solvent. What he does not need is yet another lost child showing up on his land looking for the Hartley Fairy Diamond made famous by a recent film. A fairy diamond that is no more than myth handed down by delusional ancestors and responsible for the perilous state of his finances. And yet there is something about this latest visitor, something beside her delicate beauty and troubling familiarity. Something that is compelling him to go against everything he believes to help her. To want her.

She’s on a quest…
Sorcha, daughter of Mab Queen of Fairies is on a quest. Dropped into a cold, alien world, it is her task to recover the great fairy stone that has been lost to the land of mortals, a stone whose absence has upended the balance of nature. If she doesn’t get the stone back, spring will not come. But there is a handsome mortal standing in her way. A mortal she is drawn to like no other man, fairy or mortal. A mortal who claims he doesn’t believe in her, but whose memories and fears say otherwise. A mortal with green fairy eyes. A mortal she could love, if only he weren’t mortal and she fairy.

Note: This title was previously published as Dark Seduction

You can find Daugher of Light on Amazon

“Here! What are you doing? Get up!”

Startled, Sorcha looked up to see long legs in front of her. Thick boots, sturdy pants, long, sleek limbs. Tall limbs. She kept looking up and then up and still he went on.

A man.

A mortal, dark and fierce and glowering at her.

Sorcha stumbled to her feet, her instinct that of flight. This man was her enemy, surely, in this terrifying place.

“I—I... Forgive me...” she gasped and stumbled. Her feet were too numb from the cold to hold her up, her senses still in too much upheaval.

She reached out for balance and ended up crashing into the mortal’s chest. He grunted, struggling to stay upright. He reached for her, but it was too late. In a tangle of limbs, the two of them tumbled over and their momentum carried them rolling all the way down the long hill into the rocks at the bottom.

“Ooomph!” he grunted, coming to a halt right on top of her.

“Please...” She shoved at him, but it was like trying to move granite. “I... can’t... breathe...”

“Oh. Sorry.”

He lurched up, a hand on either side of her head, until he balanced himself over her, lifting his weight but not his control. “I...”

But then he stopped and stared. Sorcha couldn’t help it. She stared back. A mortal he might be, but he was magnificent. Taller than even the Tuatha, stronger than the elven guards, fiercer than the Dubhlainn Sidhe. Dark and sharp-edged, with high cheeks and a taut jaw and a rapier of a nose. A face on which even a scowl was a thing of beauty. And Sorcha revered beauty.

But that wasn’t what silenced her. It was his eyes. Dark-fringed, wide, crystal-bright. And green.

Fairy green.

Sorcha’s heart leapt in her breast. She felt joy bubble up in her, the relief of a saved life, the delight of finding that she’d been wrong. There was another familiar face in this alien place.

“Ah, how lovely,” she said, lifting her hand to his face. “You’re the one I’m to be looking for, then.”

“The one you’re looking for?” he asked, his voice oddly hushed, his eyes still deep and dark.

She laughed. “Of course. Didn’t the queen herself tell me to look for the one who is us? And who would be quicker to recognize the mark of a fairy than I? Your sister thanks you for her welcome, mo dearthair’”

“What?”

She gave him an even larger smile. “Ah, pardon. I forget it’s the mortal tongue I need. I merely called you my brother. I thank you, my brother, for my welcome.”

For a second the stranger stared at her. Then, shaking his head, he dragged her to her feet. “That’s it,” he said. “I’m calling the police.”

New York Times bestselling author and RWA Hall of Fame member Eileen Dreyer and her evil twin Kathleen Korbel have published over forty novels and novellas, and ten short stories in genres ranging from medical suspense to paranormal to romance. She is thrilled to have joined Oliver Heber Books to continue her Drake’s Rakes series about Regency aristocrats who are willing to sacrifice everything to keep their country safe, of which Ill Met by Moonlight is a near relative.

A former trauma nurse, Eileen lives in St. Louis with her husband, children and large and noisy Irish family, of which she is the reluctant matriarch. A seasoned conference speaker, Dreyer travels to research, and uses research as an excuse to travel. Oh, who's she kidding? She doesn't need an excuse. She has the Irish wanderlust and satisfies it as often as she can to the point that she has sung traditional Irish music on four continents. She also had the incredible chance to research Drake’s Rakes by attending the 200th anniversary of not only the Battle of Waterloo, but the Duchess of Richmond ball (in period attire). She has animals, but refuses to subject them to the limelight.

Eileen's Website ~ Facebook

Eileen Dreyer will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N 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. Please come back again soon for more authors, books, and giveaways.

Nancy

BOUQUET by Author Lucinda Race **Book Birthday**

It is my pleasure to welcome my good friend, Author Lucinda Race, to Notes From a Romantic's Heart. Today, we'll be celebrating a Book Birthday for her new release, Bouquet, Book 6 in the Crescent Lake Winery series.

Liza Bradford never dreamed she’d be a widow, raising two boys, and starting a business as an event planner. It wasn’t part of her life plan, but neither was crushing on the handsome Drew Cameron. Between being on the board of her family’s winery and running the kids around for summer activities, she doesn’t have one spare minute to date. Besides, she’s better at planning weddings for other couples than finding her own happily ever after. After all, she thought she had her one chance at true love.

Drew Cameron is good-looking and rich—and he fell hard for Liza the first time he laid eyes on her. He’s been patiently waiting until she was ready to go on a date, so she almost knocked him over when she asked him out first. He likes a woman who knows what she wants and goes after it. But he’s worried about her finances and the fact that he has the means to make her life effortless. As a bonus, her boys fill a void in his life he hadn’t realized being an only child had created.

Is Liza ready to move forward with her life and embrace love, or will Drew’s wanting to take care of her and the boys turn the sweet bouquet of their future to vinegar?

You can find Bouquet on Your Favorite Platform

Liza couldn’t believe what she was seeing as her boys raced around Anna’s house into her sister’s backyard. Even though she had just gotten done telling them she needed help unloading the van.

“George. Johnny!”

She contained the frustration that threatened to bubble up and over and at the same time hoped someone would think to come and help her. If they did, they could make one trip instead of three with the jugs of lemonade and iced tea and, of course, the cake. It was Memorial Day and this family liked every reason to get together. As the family grew, there were more and more celebrations.

It would have been so much easier to have it at her place, but it was Anna’s turn to host and she and her husband Colin wanted to show off their backyard, complete with an inground pool that had been finished just in time for the holiday weekend. She smiled to herself. That also explained why the boys had taken off like a shot from a cannon. It was hot.

She pushed her blond bangs from her forehead and tapped the button to ease open the hatch on her minivan. She grabbed the sweat-covered tea jug and struggled to hold on to it before it slipped and crashed to the ground. The plastic top popped off, drenching her pale-blue capris with the caramel-colored liquid.

“Damn it.” She tried to whisk the tea from her pants in vain.

“Hey, Liza, can I help?”

A deep male voice interrupted her next slew of profanity. Heat flushed her cheeks as she noticed Drew Cameron’s concerned face.

“Hi. Are you here for the party?” She propped one hand on the side of the van in a poor attempt to look casual.

“I am.” He bent over, straightened the gallon-sized plastic jug, and then reached under the van to retrieve the lid. He handed it to her. “I guess no tea today.”

She glanced down and inwardly groaned. What a way to make a good impression on the man she had a tiny crush on for the last year or so. “Except on my clothes and it’s okay; it was just for a couple people who love my sweet tea.”

He handed her a pure-white linen handkerchief from his back pocket. “Here. Use this.”

What guy carried around a fancy handkerchief anymore? Her late husband, Steve, never had anything this fancy. She accepted it since it was better to try and blot the spots than let them stain her new outfit.

“Thanks.” She gave him a smile so as not to appear ungrateful.

“Colin invited me to stop over and see the new landscaping, and he mentioned the family was getting together. Since I happen to know some of the best cooks in the valley would be here, I took him up on the offer.”

She held out the now-stained cloth and quickly withdrew it. “I’ll wash this and get it back to you.”

“No need.” He took it from her. “Give me a sec to toss this in the car and I’ll help you get the rest of the stuff into the house.”

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 she weaves stories about strong women and the men who love them.

Lucinda lives with her 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.

Lucinda's Website ~ Facebook ~ FB Reader's Group ~ Twitter

Amazon Author Page ~ BookBub ~ Goodreads

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Thank you so much for stopping by. Please come back again soon.

Nancy