* Review * NO DARKER PLACE by Debra Webb

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * NO DARKER PLACE by Debra WebbNo Darker Place by Debra Webb
Series: Shades of Death
Published by MIRA on February 28, 2017
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four-half-stars

They want revenge. They need each other.

Detective Bobbie Gentry has one objective: to stop the serial killer who robbed her of her husband, her child and her life. Nick Shade understands Bobbie's pain—and her desire for vengeance. He's on a mission of his own, and the murderer known as the Storyteller is next on his list. Nick knows that the best way to find his target is to stick close to Bobbie. But as she becomes more and more reckless in her attempts to lure the Storyteller out of hiding, he has to make a choice. Will he protect her from herself even if it means passing up the chance to take out one more monster? As for Bobbie, she's forced to decide just how much she can trust this stranger who knows so much about her. And both of them are about to learn whether or not two broken people can save each other.


An intense continuation of The Storyteller’s reign of terror!  If you haven’t read the prologue to this series THE BLACKEST CRIMSON, I highly recommend reading that one as well.  It was a great kick off that had us already invested in Bobbie Gentry’s story when this one started.  The characters are well developed and the plot is thick.  You will not want to put it down until you get to the end!

Detective Bobbie Gentry is alive for one reason … to bring down the man that took her family from her.  She lives and breathes revenge and will not stop until “The Storyteller” is no longer killing innocent people!

Nick Shade has a secret past that no one knows about, but it is the reason he has a life mission of bringing as many serial killing monsters to justice as he can.  He knows he can help Bobbie Gentry, but as “The Storyteller” closes in, she begins to unravel even more.  Will he be able to keep her safe long enough to catch the guy, or is she too determined to bring him down no matter what the cost to herself?

four-half-stars

* Author Spotlight * THROWING LIGHT by K A Servian

* Author Spotlight * THROWING LIGHT by K A ServianThrowing Light by K A Servian
Published by Sweetpea Publishing on February 13, 2017
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Grace is in turmoil. She's trying to come to terms with her mother's death and handle the unexpected arrival of her ex-boyfriend when a mystery document she finds in a box in the attic turns her life on its head and raises questions she is compelled to answer.

In her search for the truth, she stumbles into the middle of a missing person cold case in a small town where the inhabitants have kept a secret to protect one of their own for twenty-five years. Grace's investigation unearths long-held rivalries and opens old wounds, causing the past to collide with the present with terrifying results.


When did you know that you wanted to be an author?
 
I’ve always had a vivid imagination and endless curiosity. I enjoyed creative writing at school but tucked it away for many years while I pursued a career in fashion design and applied arts. About two and a half years ago, an idea for one scene about half-way through my first novel formed in my head. I decided to try writing a manuscript incorporating that scene, just to see if I could. What started out as an experiment, turned into an obsession and soon I was writing daily, taking courses and working with a developmental editor.
 
Are there any specific authors that you feel inspired you in your love of books and inspired you to write yourself?
 
I love Eleanor Catton’s (The Rehearsal, The Luminaries) writing, her descriptive prose is mouthwatering, Ken Follett is an amazing writer. The detail in his books is mind blowing. Jane Austen’s novels are so witty, charming and ground-breaking in terms of women’s literature and I must also include Margaret Mitchell because ‘Gone with the Wind’ is a masterpiece.
 
What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?
 
Anything creative – Pattern making, sewing, jewellery making, screen-printing. I do and teach these subjects.
 
If you could take a dream vacation anywhere you wanted, where would it be?
 
I’m a home body. A holiday at home is my idea of paradise.
 
What did you do to celebrate publishing your first novel?
 
Nothing, I was in the midst of completing an assignment for my Advanced Diploma in Creative Writing.

 

AUTHOR BIO:

After a twenty-plus-year career in the applied arts industry, including owning her own fashion and jewellery labels, Kathy decided to turn her creative skills to writing fiction.

Her first novel, Peak Hill, was a finalist in the Romance Writers of New Zealand Pacific Hearts Full Manuscript contest in 2016.

Kathy now squeezes full-time study for an advanced diploma in applied writing in around writing novels and short stories, teaching sewing and pattern making and being a wife and mother.

 

FOLLOW LINKS:

Website       Facebook     Twitter     Instagram    Author Page  

Join K A Servian’s Newsletter and get a free copy of: Missing the Obvious.

 

GOODREADS GIVEAWAY:

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/enter_choose_address/225139-throwing-light 

Enter to win one of two print copies!

 

 

* Review * WISHES AT FIRST LIGHT by Joanne Rock

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * WISHES AT FIRST LIGHT by Joanne RockWishes at First Light by Joanne Rock
Series: Heartache, TN
Published by Harlequin Superromance on March 1, 2017
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five-stars

Starting over, one wish at a time…

Gabriella Chance has devoted her life to helping others overcome traumatic events. Now it's her turn. Gabby's come home to Heartache, Tennessee, to finally face her past. She finds solace in an unlikely ally, her high school crush, Clayton Travers. But while Clay wants to be Gabby's refuge, he's returned to Heartache to confront his own demons. With so many painful secrets in their past, can they hope to wish for a happy future…together?


With her latest Heartache, TN novel, Joanne Rock takes us through another emotional journey of heartache, healing and finding justice!  She weaves an addictive story centering around this small town and it’s core families and how they deal with finding love, family drama, town corruption, etc. Great characters and riveting drama keep out attention and keep us wanting more from this town!

Gabriella Chance left Heartache, TN a decade ago after a traumatizing event and didn’t look back. Now she’s returning home to finally face her past and make the demons stop chasing her. She received comfort and support from the one she is most surprised to find back in town … her high school crush!

Clayton Travers also let memories chase him out of town many years ago and is only returning now under duress. He wants to get in, get the things done that he needs to do and then head back out of town as soon as he can. Finding Gabriella back in town changes that in the blink of an eye. So many feelings race back into his body just at the sight of her. Will they be able to confront the past and move forward with their future … possibly together?

five-stars

* Review * SWEET VICTORY by Gina L Maxwell

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * SWEET VICTORY by Gina L MaxwellSweet Victory by Gina L. Maxwell
Series: Fighting for Love #4
Published by Entangled: Brazen on February 27, 2017
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four-half-stars

Confident but distrustful Sophie Caldwell needs help if she’s going to save her family business. Her grandma left one rule for Sophie to maintain ownership from her uncle before she’s thirty: get married. But how does she get her uncle off her ass when she's only twenty-seven and hasn’t had a boyfriend in years?

Lean, cut, British-born MMA fighter Xander James has never lost a fight, and he’s not about to start now. On the brink of a comeback to be a UFC champion, his landlord wants to take away his last chance by shutting down his gym. No. Hell no. Fortunately, his landlord’s niece has a problem of her own. Time for a proposal she can’t refuse.


HOT!! You won’t want to miss this sexy, tearing up the sheets read from Gina L Maxwell.  If you’ve been following this series you’ll recognize several characters, and you’ll share in the disappointment that it’s the end of the road with the last book in the series.

Sophie Caldwell is a strong independent gal that doesn’t take crap from anybody, but all of a sudden she finds herself in quite the pickle and needing some help. Her uncle is trying to sell her inheritance right out from under her! There is only one stipulation in her grandmother’s trust that can save the family business … she has to get married!  With no man in sight, Sophie is at a loss of what to do when help comes from the most unexpected place.

MMA fighter and gym owner, Xander James has been lusting after Sophie from afar ever since he moved in across the street from her shop. He’s in the middle of a hard push to make it back to his former UFC championship level when he finds out his landlord, Sophie’s uncle, is trying to play this game with her which would also force his gym and other businesses to close. Dire straights call for quick thinking … and offering up a proposal he never expected to make!

four-half-stars

* Review * GAME CHANGER by Jami Davenport

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * GAME CHANGER by Jami DavenportGame Changer: Seattle Steelheads Football by Jami Davenport
Series: Game On in Seattle Book 7
Published by Cedrona Enterprises on February 28, 2017
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four-half-stars

When horse racing and football collide, Hunter McCoy, star tight end of the Seattle Steelheads and neophyte horse owner, finds himself in a battle of wills with a sexy horsewoman and a stubborn, champion Thoroughbred.

In order to save the farm and fulfill her dying mother's wish, Kate Vanderhof-Carrigan’s Thoroughbred has to beat Hunter's horse in the Derby, an easy enough feat until her heart entered the race.

Lilli McCoy, Hunter's sister, has been burned by men before, but she'd believed her last boyfriend was The One. He wasn't. He couldn't deal with Lilli's disability and used her blindness as tool to cheat on her. Reeling from the betrayal, Lilli returns home to lick her wounds. She hadn't factored in the instant attraction she’d feel for her brother's playboy teammate, Cameron Swift. One playboy in her life should've been enough.

A new delve into horse racing from one of my favorite sports authors! A really enjoyable read that takes you through the trials and tribulations of falling in love but being in denial about it, and when to let yourself trust that you’ve truly found “the one”. If you are coming to this book expecting your typical football engrossed novel, you will not find it. There’s a very moderate amount of football talk or action in this story … but there is a large presence of horse racing in it. I was slightly thrown when a 2nd hero’s perspective started being shown, but I soon caught on with what was going on and went with the flow … and in the end, the 2nd side story was just as sweet as the first! 🙂

Seattle Steelheads tight end Hunter McCoy has been all about family and football for a long time now, but he has a new passion in his life that he’s brought his sister Lilli and a few of his friends and teammates along for the ride on. He’s the majority owner in a Derby contender race horse with several of them having part ownership. He’s sure they are going to win the Kentucky Derby this year … but then he meets someone who is sure SHE is going to win!

Kate Vanderhof-Carrigan comes from a long line of horse breeding and championship training at her family’s Kentucky farm. She has one last chance to save the farm … and honor her mother’s dying wish … she has to win the Derby this year!! A friendly competition abounds with a good bit of a love hate relationship going on with Hunter and Kate. Will they be able to agree to disagree and find some common ground in the end? And when his sister falls for one of his teammates, will he be able to keep his cool and not lose a friend … and his sister?

four-half-stars

* Review * DELICIOUS SATISFACTION by Sabrina Sol

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * DELICIOUS SATISFACTION by Sabrina SolDelicious Satisfaction by Sabrina Sol
Series: Delicious Desires #3
Published by Entangled: Brazen on February 27, 2017
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four-stars

As LA’s hottest up-and-coming chef, Alexa Montoya is known for her ruby red lipstick, award-winning arroz con pollo and a penchant for falling for the wrong kind of men. And when a confrontation with a loser ex-boyfriend lands her in some legal trouble, she’s forced to call her long-time friend, Dante Perez, to bail her out. Only this time, Dante seems different, somehow. More gorgeous, more sexy, more…mouthwateringly irresistible. Suddenly she’s tempted to give the lawyer much more than a simple thank you…

Dante is tired of seeing Alexa with guys who only know how to steal her money and break her heart. He’s watched--and waited for--her long enough. Helping with her legal situation will finally give him a chance to win her over for good. His plan? He’ll seduce her into finally believing that there’s something deliciously right between them…

Despite their chemistry, Alexa can’t trust that Dante won’t leave. But Dante knows how to win a case. And he’ll do whatever it takes to convince Alexa that she’ll always leave him hungry for more…


A sexy take on a friends to lovers story with a hint of a reunion mixed in! Sabrina Sol brings a lot of culture to the recipe to take us deep into the mind of this hot tempered beauty! The characters are fun and their chemistry is HOT!

Chef Alexa Montoya isn’t known for keeping her cool. Her reputation for acting before she thinks proceeds her well, and just when she’s starting to aim to do better, she has a run in with an ex and explodes! Thankfully she has a friend who is a lawyer to get her out of the mess she has dug for herself.

Attorney Dante Perez has known Alex since he was roommates with her brother in college. They have history and attraction between them, but she’s famous for pushing him away. He’s tired of sitting back and watch her put herself out there for loser after loser only to have her heart broken again. Will he have any luck making her see him for the great guy he is this time around?

four-stars

* Review * THE HOT ONE by Lauren Blakely

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE HOT ONE by Lauren BlakelyThe Hot One by Lauren Blakely
Published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform on February 27, 2017
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four-stars

At first glance, stripping naked at my ex-girlfriend's place of work might not seem like the brightest way to win her back.
But trust me on this count - she always liked me best without any clothes on. And sometimes you've got to play to your strengths when you're fighting an uphill battle. As a lawyer, I know how to fight, and I'm prepared to fight hard for her. I might have let her slip through my fingers the last time, but no way will that happen twice.
He's the one who got away...
The nerve of Tyler Nichols to reappear like that, stripping at my job, showing off his rock hard body that drove me wild far too many nights. That man with his knowing grin and mischievous eyes is nothing but a cocky, arrogant jerk to saunter back into my life. Except, what if he's not...?
He's the one I've tried like hell to forget but just can't. Maybe I'm cursed to remember him. My money is on him being the same guy he always was, but what's the harm in giving him a week to prove he's a new man? I won't fall for him again.
But how do you resist the hot one...


A sexy, fun read about reuniting with a lost love!  The characters were a lot of fun to get to know, and they had a sizzling amount of chemistry to show for themselves.

Attorney Tyler Nichols thought he was happy … until happenstance brought HER back into his life.  The one that made his life complete all those years ago.  The one that he mistakenly pushed out of his life.  The one whose heart he regrets breaking.

Delaney likes to think she’s over him.  She tells people she is.  She acts like she is.  But late at night when she needs a vision in her mind, it’s him she sees.  Now here he is trying to get her to talk to him … to forgive him.  He’s the jerk that broke her heart!  Why would she want to have that back in her life again?  He’s just the same guy he always was … or is he?  Is it possible he could have changed?  She’s hesitant to let him get close enough to find out … but what if she lets the world she always wanted slip right through her fingers?

four-stars

* Review * UNDER SHADOW OF DOUBT by Juanita Kees

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * UNDER SHADOW OF DOUBT by Juanita KeesUnder Shadow Of Doubt by Juanita Kees
Series: Under The Law Book 1
Published by Escape Publishing on February 25, 2017
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four-stars

She might be the biggest star in Australia, but she never forgot the small town she came from, or the man she left behind...

Peta Johnson may be rich, famous, and adored, but it doesn’t protect her when the man she married turns out to be a monster. With her little girl missing, Peta will do anything to get her back — including returning to the small Western Australian town she vowed never to see again.

Jaime Caruso left his heart in Williams when he left to pursue a military career, but it soon shrivelled and died when he discovered the girl he loved didn’t love him enough to wait. Back in town to help his ailing father, Jaime struggles with the memories and plans to leave — permanently — as soon as possible.

But then Peta returns and Jaime gets swept up into the nightmare she is living. Feelings long buried soon bubble to the surface, and as they race to save the life of the daughter Jaime doesn’t know is his, they must decide if life — and love — really does give second chances.


A powerful reunion story!  We’re met with intrigue from the start as they search for her kidnapped daughter.  There are some holes in the plot throughout the book when big things are brought up and never developed, but overall it was a fast paced, action packed story with interesting characters.

Peta Johnson wanted a good life and thought she would enjoy that with her daughter and husband, but instead he turned into a man she didn’t recognize.  Now her daughter is in danger and she’ll do anything to get her back!

Jaime Caruso was Peta’s high school sweetheart, but he walked out on her to join the military and never looked back … or so she thought.  He happens to be back in town to help his ailing father just when Peta needs him most … to help rescue the daughter he didn’t even know he had!

four-stars

* Blog Tour / Book Review * GOING DOWN HARD by Carly Phillips

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Blog Tour / Book Review * GOING DOWN HARD by Carly PhillipsGoing Down Hard by Carly Phillips
Series: Billionaire Bad Boys Book 3
Published by CP Publishing LLC on February 21, 2017
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five-stars

Billionaire Bad Boys: Rich, Powerful and sexy as hell.

Derek West rose from poverty to take the tech world by storm. He's sexy, confident and gets any woman he wants. And who he wants is Cassie Storm, the rich girl he's never been good enough for.

She's desperate to save her family's company and there's only one man who can help. But Derek isn't interested in helping. He wants to possess both the company and the woman he's never been able to forget.

His plan? To seduce her out of his head. Except once he's had a taste of Cassie, he doesn't want to let her go. Her family remembers where he came from, and they won't allow it. When the truth about their pasts comes to light, though, it may be Cassie who's going down hard.


A super sexy continuation in the Billionaire Bad Boys series!  Past mistakes are forgiven, new connections are forged, and lots of secrets are uncovered as Carly Phillips brings us Derek West’s story!  All three of these bad boys have been genuinely good guys when all is said and done … I have really enjoyed them all!  It’s raw, it’s sexy and it’s captivating!

Derek West grew up as the groundskeeper and maid’s son. He watched those around him have it easier than him and have better things, but it just drove him to rise above it all. His technical magic led to an app that made he and his college pals the billionaire’s they are today … but he has never forgotten where he came from … or the injustice done to his family in the end!

Cassandra Storms was the spoiled rich girl living in the main house. She had the world handed to her on a platter, and played the rich princess game all too well.  The attraction between them as teens was shot down before it could even begin, but the second they lay eyes on each other again, it rears it’s ugly head!  The tables are turned a bit now and it’s Cassie coming to Derek needing a favor … and he decides he’s all too happy to welcome her into his bed for the ride of her life … then he’ll send her on her merry way.  As secrets from the past are unraveled and he learns she’s not who he expected, will the time they spend together actually build a connection that he won’t be able to walk away from?

 

 

Going Down Hard (Billionaire Bad Boys Book 3) by Carly Phillips

Date of Publication: February 21, 2017

Blurb

A stand-alone Billionaire Bad Boys novel.

Billionaire Bad Boys: Rich, Powerful and sexy as hell.

Derek West rose from poverty to take the tech world by storm. He’s sexy, confident and gets any woman he wants. And who he wants is Cassie Storm, the rich girl he’s never been good enough for.

She’s desperate to save her family company and there’s only one man who can help. But Derek isn’t interested in helping. He wants to possess both the company and the woman he’s never been able to forget.

His plan? To screw her out of his head. Except once he’s had a taste of Cassie, he doesn’t want to let her go. Her family remembers where he came from, and they won’t allow it. When the truth about their pasts comes to light, though, it may be Cassie who’s going down hard.

Available From


About Carly Phillips

After a successful fifteen-year career with various New York publishing houses, and over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels published, N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips is now an Indie author who writes to her own expectations and that of her readers. She continues the tradition of hot men and strong women and plans to publish many more sizzling stories. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers. You can find out more about Carly at www.carlyphillips.com.

Find Carly Phillips Online

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five-stars

* Blog Tour / Book Review * WHISPER OF LOVE by Melissa Foster

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Blog Tour / Book Review * WHISPER OF LOVE by Melissa FosterWhisper of Love by Melissa Foster
Series: The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor, #5
Published by EverAfter Romance on February 22, 2017
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five-stars

Tempest Braden adores her family and her small hometown, but sometimes too much of a good thing can be confining. At almost thirty, having watched most of her siblings find true love, she's anxious to experience her own happily ever after, and the move to Pleasant Hill, Maryland, is just the change she needs. When she rents a room from ruggedly handsome, and closed-off, artist Nash Morgan and his adorable son, Phillip, she thinks she's found a little slice of heaven on the outskirts of town, where she can concentrate on building her business. That is, if she can ignore the undeniable heat between her and the sinfully hot single father.

When Nash bought his farmette, he had one goal in mind―to provide a loving, stable home for his son. He never imagined he'd be raising Phillip alone, or renting out a room to keep their heads above water. Then again, he never imagined losing his brother, or spending two years sailing around the world with parents who seemed to forget one son was still alive.

Sparks fly from the moment Tempest moves in, and her positive energy and inquisitive nature brings new life into Nash and Phillip's quiet, confined world. For the first time in years, Nash wants to let a woman into his world, but while his loss made him stronger, that strength came at a price, leaving him walled off and wary of opening his heart again.


I love all of the Braden stories, but there’s just something about this one that just stole my heart!  The relationship between this father and son is just plain sweet and adorable … and add Tempe into the mix and they make such a great family!

Tempest Braden has left her nest of loving and over-protective family members to venture out on her own in Pleasant Hill.  She’s watched her siblings start settling down and finding their happily-ever-afters and she’s decided she wants to go after her dream of where she wants her career to go.  She is slowly building her clientele and hoping renting a quiet room from Nash Morgan will help her have some peace to rest and be creative!

Single father Nash Morgan and his adorable son Phillip are such a temptation to her!  Who knew sparks were going to fly between them as soon as she stepped foot in the place?  Nash has put a lot of his life on hold to be the best father that he can be for his son … and he also harbors a lot of pain from his past and a part of himself that is closed off that he’s afraid to ever let in.  Will having Tempe around help heal him?  And when he finds out things weren’t exactly as they seemed all those years ago, will he be able to move past the self doubt he has been living with to find that happy ending?

 

 

 

 

Whisper of Love
The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor, MD #5
By: Melissa Foster

Releasing February 22, 2017
World Literary Press

 

 

BLURB:
Tempest Braden adores her family and her small hometown, but sometimes too much of a good thing can be confining. At almost thirty, having watched most of her siblings find true love, she’s anxious to experience her own happily ever after, and the move to Pleasant Hill, Maryland, is just the change she needs. When she rents a room from ruggedly handsome, and closed-off, artist Nash Morgan and his adorable son, Phillip, she thinks she’s found a little slice of heaven on the outskirts of town, where she can concentrate on building her business. That is, if she can ignore the undeniable heat between her and the sinfully hot single father.

When Nash bought his farmette, he had one goal in mind—to provide a loving, stable home for his son. He never imagined he’d be raising Phillip alone, or renting out a room to keep their heads above water. Then again, he never imagined losing his brother, or spending two years sailing around the world with parents who seemed to forget one son was still alive.

Sparks fly from the moment Tempest moves in, and her positive energy and inquisitive nature brings new life into Nash and Phillip’s quiet, confined world. For the first time in years, Nash wants to let a woman into his world, but while his loss made him stronger, that strength came at a price, leaving him walled off and wary of opening his heart again.

 

Link to Follow Tour:  http://tastybooktours.com/tours-master/2016/10/28/whisper-of-love-the-bradens-at-peaceful-harbor-5-by-melissa-foster

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24779243-whisper-of-love

Goodreads Series Link https://www.goodreads.com/series/174204-the-bradens-at-peaceful-harbor-md

 

 

BUY LINKS:      Amazon | B & N | Google | iTunes | Kobo

 

 

EXCERPT:

Nash Morgan shifted his three-year-old son, Phillip, onto his hip and reached behind him to shut the gate. The chickens scurried away amid cackles and mad wing flaps. He set Phillip on the ground, and his son shook his head, shrugging like he’d been doing this for twenty years and couldn’t believe the chickens still ran from them. He ruffled his boy’s springy dark curls, drawing a serious, expectant look and an outstretched hand from Phillip. Nash loved his little man’s eagerness to get started on their evening chores. He handed him a smaller bucket from inside his larger one and nodded toward the coop.

Phillip returned the nod and clomped his booted feet into the coop to collect the eggs. Nash adjusted his baseball cap, listening as Phillip counted off each egg with an “Mm-hm.”

He drew in a deep breath, hoping, for the millionth time, that he was doing enough for his son. He was the only parent Phillip had. Or rather, the only one who wanted him, a fact that never failed to grate on him like nails dragging along a chalkboard. His cell phone rang and Larry Robert’s number flashed on the screen. Nash uttered a curse. Larry owned a gallery in North Carolina, and he’d given Nash his first big break. A break that could have carried him to a lifetime of success. But after Phillip was born he’d been unable to keep up with the demands of custom orders. Larry was opening another gallery in Virginia, and he wanted to feature Nash’s work. Nash had turned him down, but Larry was persistent.

Swallowing the acidic taste of disappointment, he let the call go to voicemail and looked across the yard at the barn, which served as his workshop for the furniture he made and sold in town. He’d long ago locked up his metalworking and wood-sculpting workshop and stored his unfinished work. Gallery-worthy pieces, if he ever had the time to finish them. Pipe dreams. He’d had them, even made them a reality for a while. But that was a long time ago, and there was no sense thinking about something that could never be—at least not until Phillip was much older.

He ducked into the coop and checked the chickens’ food and water. Scanning the nesting beds, he snatched up the few eggs Phillip had missed. Phillip leaned against Nash’s leg and yawned. Nash couldn’t imagine anyone not loving their child with all their heart, but Phillip’s mother, Alaina, had taken off three months after their son was born, and other than receiving official documents releasing her from her parental rights, he hadn’t heard from her since. Not a day passed that he didn’t worry about the long-term effects her leaving would have on his son.

“Good job, Phillip.” He said his son’s name so fast it came out sounding like “Flip.” He set down his bucket, wrapped his arms around his boy, and whispered in his ear, “I love you, little dude.” He kissed his cheek and scooped him up, earning the sweetest giggle known to man.

Nash grabbed the buckets and headed for the goat pen. Big and Little, the two goats, trailed behind them as Phillip followed Nash through the process of checking their food and water and sweeping out the goat house, as he did every night. Phillip wiggled the nozzle of the water pipe, just as Nash had, mimicking his “Hm.” Nash tossed a cup of oats in the food bin and waited while Phillip did the same. Big nibbled on Phillip’s shirt, and Phillip leaned down and kissed his head.

“C’mon, buddy.” Nash had grown up in rural Virginia. Most of his friends had lived on farms, and he had no doubt that caring for animals would help Phillip learn responsibility. Not to mention that his son adored all types of animals, from squirrels to goats to worms. That was just fine with Nash. In his experience, animals were a lot more trustworthy than people.

The sound of tires on gravel drew his attention. He scooped Phillip into his arms, locked the goat pen, and grabbed the buckets.

“Visitor,” he said, carrying Phillip toward the house and eyeing the Prius parking behind his old Ford pickup truck. His truck was a gas guzzler, but as much as he hated that, he needed the bed of the truck to haul the furniture he made into town. He hoped Tempest Braden, the woman coming to see the room he was renting out, wasn’t a preachy tree hugger. Hell, he hoped she would turn out to be the silent type so he could pretend she didn’t live in their house.

Phillip’s brows knitted, his hands firmly planted around Nash’s neck. He wasn’t used to visitors. The last several people who had come to see the room they had for rent hadn’t been the kind of people Nash wanted around his son. They’d rubbed him the wrong way—too aggressive, too loud, too shady, too flighty. He just needed a stable, responsible person to rent the room so he could afford to upgrade a few of his tools and start saving for Phillip’s future. He tightened his grip on his son and headed up to meet the tall blonde stepping from the car.

Her wispy skirt fluttered around her knees. Large pink roses with muted green leaves looked as if they’d been thrown onto the flimsy white material haphazardly. A fringe of lace lined the edges. On anyone else the flouncy, floral skirt might look immature. But her legs went on forever, and coupled with her tight, curve-hugging tank top, she looked like Sweet and Sexy collided at the corner of Sinful Temptation.

 

AUTHOR INFO:

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance, and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic, perfect beach reads, and always family oriented.

Author Links:   Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

 
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