Where do you live and why? 
I live in Pike's Run, Texas. My brother needed help with his general store, so my sisters and I headed west.

What is your profession and do you enjoy it?
I help my brother run his general store, and it keeps my busy. I like to stay active.

How would others describe you? Are they accurate?
Well, who I used to be caused a lot of problems for me and my sisters. You see...I was jilted, and it made me fearful and distrusting. I thought I was a leader and a protector, and while I was those things, in truth I was protecting myself more than my sisters. Now, however, I'm much more carefree, though I still insist on an organized life. There's no reason to become too loosey-goosey.

When you met Richard Morrison was it love at first sight?
No. But I could tell he was a kind man. We formed a friendship rather quickly.

Was it love at first sight for Richard?
No. And he tells me when he began to have feelings for me, he tried to fight them. He was afraid of falling in love.

What do you like most about Richard?
He is gentle, kind and trustworthy. He loves me as I am.

What does he like most about you?
He tells me it's how loyal I am. He often comments that when I make a friend, I have a friend for life.

If you could travel anywhere where would you go?
Oh, goodness. I think I would like to see the Grand Canyon. All that beauty and vastness. I bet being there would make me feel closer to God.

What’s one thing you learned from your personal love story?
Fear is crippling. Being vulnerable, depending on others, is not a weakness. You have to learn to trust others and, most importantly, yourself. If you don't, life will pass you by when you aren't looking.

Oh, Eulalie. How right you are. Fear can grab hold of someone and squeeze the confidence right out of them. Most poor decisions come from being afraid.

Thank you for having me here today, Kara!

Following up on the success of last year’s Christmas anthology, Winter Wishes, we’ve put together another collection of holiday stories:  

There’s no Christmas like a Regency Christmas spent under mistletoe! New York Times Bestselling author Cheryl Bolen and friends invite you to discover true love in an all-new collection of steamy romances this holiday collection.
​
Countess by Christmas by Cheryl Bolen
Silver Bells by Heather Boyd
Convincing the Countess by Alina K. Field
Rescued By A Rake by Wendy Vella
Unwise but not Dishonorable by Barbara Monajem
Meet Me at the Mistletoe by Donna Cummings
While You Were Roguish by Samantha Grace
Wedded to the Welsh Baron by Sasha Cottman
Once Upon a Kiss Gone Horribly Wrong by Bree Wolf
A Rogue and Some Mistletoe by Lana Williams
The Duke’s Christmas List by Bronwen Evans
 
My novella, Convincing the Countess, picks up from last year’s The Duke She Despised to tell the story of the duke’s friend, a seemingly stuffy business-minded fellow obsessed with building a railroad—until a widowed countess crosses his path. She’s the perfect match for this arrogant aristocrat! 

I adored The Duke She Despised and I'm soooo excited to read about Mr. Lovelace. I loved him, as well, and I'm so glad you wrote him a story!

An Excerpt of Convincing the Countess

​In this excerpt the hero questions the heroine about her plans to chaperone a young heiress all the while plotting a kiss—since she’s seated under a sprig of mistletoe!
 
“I intend for her to have every opportunity to meet worthy young men.”

“Worthy?” 

She nodded.

“And young?” He scoffed. “I’m not sure you’ll find those two qualities combined in the gentlemen of the ton.” He smiled. “Present company excluded.”

Color rose in her cheeks and her lips moved up in an answering smile that didn’t reach her lovely eyes. “Perhaps. In any case, I’ve a good eye for fortune hunters of any age.”

“Her dowry will certainly draw interest.” He recalled his brother’s belief that Mother was matchmaking, and this lady’s sharp gaze at dinner when his arm brushed Miss Cartwright’s. “Do you think I’m a danger to her?” He drawled the question like one of the rakes who frequented White’s.

“I don’t know you well enough to say. However, you are engaged in a business endeavor, and business endeavors always require capital. You are undoubtedly looking for more funds to invest.”

“Or, the project may be fully vested.”

The gray gaze pinned him, intelligent and challenging, stirring him. This lady was not just a beautiful widow. She might be a sharp businesswoman, if she was ever allowed to engage in trade.

“So, you and your partners foresee no problems? No cost overruns? No unexpected expenses?”

There were always unforeseen matters arising. The solving of them was part of the fun. Crossing swords with this lady was fun as well.

One slim finger tapped the arm of her chair. “Building a railway is not like commissioning a shipload of goods, where a gentleman, on the expectation of great profits, might sink a fixed amount, perhaps all of his wealth and then some, and learn it has been lost to the Barbary pirates with every hand, every bottle, and every crate.” The tapping accelerated. The steady gaze darkened. “In such a case, one loses in one fell swoop. For example, as one might have, if one invested in the Matilda Rose.”

The Matilda Rose? Why bring that up? The ship had been lost years ago. Plenty of fellows had lost money, but not him. On his father’s advice, he’d withdrawn from the risky investment, and so had his brother Fitz.

He shoved down a nagging unease, gave into annoyance, and forced a laugh. “My dear Lady Glanford. It’s rare to meet a woman so well versed in business.” He leaned forward in his chair and lowered his voice. “Perhaps I’ll be a danger to you. Do you know, you are seated under the mistletoe?”

Her finger stilled. She stood and extended her hand.

No rings, no bracelets, no other adornments. He bent over white fingers and brought them firmly against his lips.

Her shiver shook him down to the soles of his boots.

​“There.” Under the steady gray gaze, the pulse in her neck ticked. “I shall be more careful in the future, Mr. Lovelace.” 

Convincing The Countess
Regency
Holiday Romance

A penniless widowed countess with trade in her blood descends upon the country manor of her sons’ negligent guardian, intent on confronting him about her boys’ futures. Instead, she finds his younger brother, a business-minded aristocrat with a penchant for widows and a distaste for emotional entanglements. A man who once witnessed her greatest humiliation. A man offering enticing distractions that threaten to derail all her plans.
 
Called home at Christmas to bring his older brother to heel and sort out the family finances, a baron’s younger brother wishes nothing more than to finish the task and return to his railway project. But when he finds his mother entertaining a fetching widow he met many years earlier as the unfortunate bride of a ne’er-do-well earl, temptation steers him along a different track, one that may derail all his plans.
 
Can he convince the reluctant countess to set a course for her future that includes him? 

Preorder your copy of Mistletoe and Mayhem today for the November 10, 2020 release!

​Amazon
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FHSWGZN
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08FHSWGZN
CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08FHSWGZN
AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08FHSWGZN

Apple Books
US: https://books.apple.com/…/mistletoe-and-mayhem/id1527032295…
UK: https://books.apple.com/…/mistletoe-and-mayhem/id1527032295…
CA: https://books.apple.com/…/mistletoe-and-mayhem/id1527032295…
AU: https://books.apple.com/…/mistletoe-and-mayhem/id1527032295…

Kobo
US https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/mistletoe-and-mayhem-7
UK https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/mistletoe-and-mayhem-7
CA https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/mistletoe-and-mayhem-7
AU https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/mistletoe-and-mayhem-7

Barnes and Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1137459973…

Bio: Alina K. Field

Award-winning and USA Today bestselling author Alina K. Field earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and German literature, but she prefers the much happier world of romance fiction. Though her roots are in the Midwestern U.S., after six very, very, very cold years in Chicago, she moved to Southern California and hasn’t looked back. She is the author of several Regency romances, including the 2014 Book Buyer’s Best winner, Rosalyn’s Ring. 

Website: https://alinakfield.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alinakfield
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlinaKField
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Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Alina-K.-Field/e/B00DZHWOKY

That time between homework (God save me) and bedtime was my favorite time of day. Mom would make supper, while Bill played with his cars as he sat in his high chair, and Dad would play with us girls.

Hide-and-Seek. And this is how it went.

Dad was always "It", which blew my mind because who would choose to be "It" every time? However, I didn't question him aloud because I wasn't going to be the one who ruined a good thing.

​
Dad would start counting and we would run and hide, giggling as we ran, pushing long hair out of our faces as we raced to the best hiding spots in the house. He always counted slowly, giving us plenty of time to hide. I made my decision quickly, but Wendy would take forever, giggling as she would hide behind the couch and then change her mind and hide between the piano and the fireplace...in plain view. Then she'd giggle again and run off to a new spot.

I assumed he counted slowly to increase the suspense of the finding. I am not so sure now.

When Wendy finally settled on a place, he would shout, "Ready or not, here I come!"

We'd squeal and giggle with excitement and then he'd say, EVERY TIME, "Are you girls ready?"

And we'd all shout, "Ready!"

EVERY TIME.

And wouldn't you know it, he would find us in less than 10 seconds. At six and a half I thought he was the best detective in the world. At forty-four I am feeling a little stupid.

My dad certainly knew how to get things to work in his favor.

Where do you live and why? 
I had to get out of Boston fast. I wound up in Yuma, AZ.

What is your profession and do you enjoy it?
I survived the only way I knew how, picking pockets and running numbers. Suddenly I’m a wife and mother. It’s not what I had in mind.

How would others describe you? Are they accurate?
I’m wary. Life has made me that way.

When you met Daniel Chambers was it love at first sight?
I had no idea he would be so tall and handsome.

Was it love at first sight for Daniel?
I doubt it.  He was expecting some completely different.

What do you like most about Daniel?
He is a generous and caring man.

What does he like most about you?
I haven’t given him much to like about me, yet.

If you could travel anywhere where would you go?
All I know is what I know.  I was there. Now I’m here.

What’s one thing you learned from your personal love story?
Love is real.  It took me a while to figure that out.

You are so right, Rachel. Love is very real. It sounds like you have had some tough times. Thank you for spending time with us today!

Mail Order Rachel by Kathleen Lawless

Not the bride he was expecting!
 
Rachel has looked after herself from a very young age.  When she witnesses a murder, she needs to get out of town fast, before she’s next.  Desperate, she takes her friend’s place as a mail-order bride out west.
 
Daniel longs for a wife and family.  Not only is his mail-order bride not what he expected, she shows up with a baby that she claims isn’t hers.  When a bounty hunter arrives asking questions, Daniel’s protective instincts kick in, along with his suspicions.  What is his new wife hiding?

​Amazon

Mail Order Rachel: An Excerpt

Rachel looked past Daniel to her reflection in the shop window.  Her clothing was wrinkled and soiled, the hems of her sleeves frayed, the toes of her boots and the hem of her skirt dusty.  Next to him, in his smart suit and crisp collared shirt with a tie, she looked like a homeless urchin.

Rachel pressed her lips together, and switched her dilapidated valise from one hand to the other.  If she was going to go through with this marriage, the least she could do was look respectable. 

“I’m not some charity case,” she said.  “I’ll pay you back.”

“Whatever you wish,” Daniel said, as he pushed open the shop door.  A bell over the door tinkled as they entered. 

When a woman, whom she assumed to be the proprietress approached,  she heard Daniel explain that Rachel’s trunk had gone astray on the train, leaving her in need of a few items of clothing until it showed up. 

The proprietress turned to Rachel with a calculating smile, a measure tape draped over her shoulders and massive bosom.  When she eyed Rachel as if she were a prize mare, Rachel figured the older woman smelled a lucrative sale for her shop.

“Your figure is quite slim, for having just had a baby,” the proprietress said.  “I’m sure your husband will be pleased with whatever you choose.”

“He’s not my husband,” Rachel said.  Then seeing the woman’s startled look, she added, “not yet.” 

The woman nodded.  “Mr. Chambers is quite wealthy, you know,” she said.  “And very well-liked by the townsfolk.”

Rachel gave her a pointed look.  “I’m not marrying him for his money, but for his kind disposition.” 

She wondered if she sounded as sarcastic as she felt, for she hadn’t originally intended to go through with the ceremony.  Now, a short time later, she was picking out a gown to wear.  For, having glimpsed a shadowed sadness when Daniel’s eyes first met hers, she’d felt a tug at her heart, and couldn’t bring herself to add to whatever had caused that unhappiness. 

Bio: Kathleen Lawless

Kathleen Lawless blames a misspent youth watching Rawhide, Maverick and Bonanza for her fascination with cowboys, which doesn’t stop her from creating a wide variety of interests and occupations for her alpha male heroes.   

Her hero, Steele, in UNDERCOVER, is a modern-day cowboy, so when she was wooed by a man called Steel— while he’s not a cowboy, he is an Alpha male and her forever hero.  Which is why all of her stories end Happily Ever After.

Not that she can ever stick to just one genre.  So many stories to tell—never enough time.
​
With close to 30 published novels to her credit, she enjoys pushing the boundaries of traditional romance into historical romance, romantic suspense, women’s fiction and stories for young adults.        

Sign up for Kathleen’s VIP Reader Group to receive a free book, updates, special giveaways and fan-priced offers.    http://eepurl.com/bV0sb1
 
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​

Kara, thank you so much for having me here today. I’ve been writing romance since my children were in diapers. Now, their children are out of diapers! Yes, that’s a long time. I’ve never wanted to write anything else. There’s something about the lure of seeing two people find each other that I can’t resist.

But that doesn’t mean I make it easy for them. One of my most important questions is: why is the hero the worst possible person for her to love? And then, when I know why these two people should not be together, I can start my story. So, yes, my books are about characters and conflict.

I wrote a version of Rayder’s Appeal sometime ago, but I was told by more than one editor and other writers, that having a con man as a hero wasn’t possible. AND, worse, he’d conned the heroine – making her look like a fool. And a foolish heroine was not done. Not ever.

But I couldn’t let him go. I absolutely love Rayder Cole. He might be my favorite hero although please don’t tell the others. They’re all great…but he’s the only con man in the bunch.

So how to make this story work? They were very young when they first met and fell in love and he did the unimaginable wrong. Before they can forgive each other for what happened, Rayder and Ellie must forgive themselves for their youthful choices.

And there, right there is the conflict between them. I think I’ve created memorable characters who wrestle with their inner turmoil while racing the clock to save themselves from slander, scandal, and even prison.

​Rayder’s Appeal is a fast-paced, witty, sometimes touching story about two people who damaged each other finding their way back…

​And if you’re old enough to remember Remington Steele…you’ll really appreciate Rayder Cole the way I do.
Rayder’s Appeal is the latest entry (number 4!) in my series called The Brantons. He’s from the other side of the Branton family: the darker, more dangerous side. The series ranges from sexy to steamy and Rayder is definitely a romantic suspense. It is also a full-length novel, because Rayder deserved the full rich depth of the longer form, although it can be read as a standalone.

Here’s a short excerpt to introduce you to Rayder Cole and Ellie Macklin…
 
Eleanor Macklin’s footsteps echoed in the cavern-like stillness of her underground parking garage. She wanted to ignore the flickering shadows and crackling buzz of dying fluorescent lights overhead, but she couldn’t. She clutched her keys in tight fingers and picked up her pace. Finally reaching her car, she unlocked the door and slid behind the wheel. She released a soft exhale of relief.
 
She needed coffee and longed for her first cup of the day. Hoping her make-up hid her exhaustion she checked her reflection in the rear-view mirror.

That’s when she saw him.

A man watched from the long-fingered shadows of the pillar directly across from her.

She told herself she was imagining the man. She was tired from stress and lack of sleep. That’s all it was, she thought as she studied the still darkness by the pillar. Nothing stirred in the shadows, just in her mind. This was a secure building with twenty-four-hour security. No one could get in who didn’t belong. There couldn’t be a man watching her. Not at this time of the morning. Not on a day like any other. Not today.

But, still, she locked her door, the click loud and reassuring in the emptiness.

She checked her mirror again. And shivered when she saw movement. There was a man.

He stepped out into the weak light and strode quickly toward her car. His full-length leather coat swayed as he moved with sure strides. She gasped in fright. The edges of the open coat lifted and reminded her of raven’s wings. He was over six feet, and the thunder in his expression made her think of righteousness personified. Hardly the attitude of a street mugger, but more dangerous.

She kept her eyes trained on him in the mirror, prepared for anything. She fumbled with her keys, trying to insert the correct one into the ignition without looking for the keyhole.

There was something familiar about his walk, the cut of his jaw, and his hair.

Long hair with a blackbird sheen. Oh, God, not him.

Black, so black. All but his eyes. Please, God, not him.

Eyes so crystalline blue they could laser through a woman at thirty yards. Except the distance between them was only ten feet.

And ten long years.
 
Rayder Cole.

She inserted the key and turned it, gunning the engine, and wished for the nerve to run him down. He slowed but continued toward her. Fear battered her ribs and threatened to beat its way out.

Panic rose. Breathe! Breathe! She’d wondered how she’d react if faced with him again. Pride came to her rescue. She forced the panic down and replaced it with full seething anger.

She opened her window. “What the hell are you doing here?” she demanded.

Surely, she was wrong. Her exhausted brain had tricked her into thinking an innocent man was Rayder Cole. But everything about the man was right: his eyes, nose, high cheekbones, even the small puckered scar on his upper lip. Every detail of his face was indelibly etched in her memory and stood in full living color before her eyes. She blinked but he was still there, only a foot away from her car window.
 
“You ripped me off and you’re surprised to see me?” His voice was hot and dark with anger.

“Answer my question. What are you doing here? You’ve already stolen what you could from me.” Her money. Her trust. Her heart.

His jaw twitched. “Don’t play stupid, Ellie, it’s not your style,” he said. “I know about the forgery. I know you ripped me off.” He leaned closer. “I know.

“I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about,” she said. “You’re the one who ripped me off, remember?” She heaved in a breath, startled by the release of pent up anger and humiliation. “Ten years ago? Five grand in cash?” She refused to admit the deeper hurt, how he’d taken her virginity while his belongings were in the trunk of his getaway car. How’d she’d woken to find him gone.

“Oh, I remember,” he said, soft as lake mist. “And that’s why you’ve taken your revenge,” he said, his tone sharper.

His hands gripped her car door, tempting her to close the window on his fingers. She ignored the temptation and focused on what, exactly, he’d said.

“Revenge?” She furrowed her brow and tapped her chin with the tip of her middle finger. “I don’t think so, no, I can’t recall cooking up a revenge plot.” She kept up the pretense of intent consideration. “In fact, I don’t remember as much as thinking about you in the last decade,” she lied.

His eyes narrowed.

She liked that. It felt good to pull off a quick, nasty jab to his ego.

His intent gaze roved across her features and settled on her hair. His intensity brought up a blend of memories and emotions. She was glad she’d braided her hair, so it was tight and safe.

He’d never again comb his fingers through it, lift it to his face and pretend to love the feel of it.

Rayder gave her an insolent smile and stretched the moment for maximum effect, infuriating her. When he leaned down to the car window, an incredible vibrancy enveloped her. His. Again.

Eleanor wasn’t up to this sparring today: she wasn’t awake, she wasn’t sharp, and she wasn’t prepared. And, he knew it, which is why he’d chosen this moment to approach her. He’d always sought the advantage.

He leaned even farther into the open window, bringing in cold air, exhaust fumes and menace.

​“Ellie,” he said, his eyes warming as he used the name from long ago, when she believed he loved her. His face came close enough to kiss her, to slip his hand behind her head and tug her to his mouth. The flare in his eyes told her he knew it, too, but she didn’t retreat; didn’t flinch.

​Rayder’s Appeal The Brantons Book 4 can be purchased on major ebook retailers! For a limited time this new release is offered for only 99 cents. 
​

What can a reformed con man do when the woman who changed his life needs his help?
 
Eleanor Macklin has overcome her past and repaired the damage done by her first, and only, love. She has all she’s ever wanted, her family’s art gallery. If she’s not as spontaneous, or giving, or loving as she once was, well… that’s a life lesson she learned the hard way from a master of deceit. And trust is a thing of the past…
 
Rayder Cole has stumbled on a plot to forge stolen art that could ruin Ellie Macklin’s art gallery. He must get the forgery back before Ellie’s life is in ruins. He’s done enough damage to the only woman he’s ever loved, and now, he’s back to save what Ellie’s worked hard to build.
 
If Eleanor doesn’t take a chance on Rayder, she’ll lose everything. But trust lost is almost impossible to regain.
 
While the race is on to find the forger, Rayder’s appeal begins to work its magic again and Eleanor hates that she still finds him sexy.
 
Rayder’s determined to reclaim the woman who stole his heart before he even knew he had one…
​

Bio: Bonnie Edwards

Author Bonnie Edwards lives with her husband and pets on the rainy coast of British Columbia. She has written novels, novellas, and short stories for Kensington Books, Harlequin Books, Carina Press, and Robinson (UK) although now she publishes her work herself.

With four ongoing romance series: Tales of Perdition, The Brantons, The Christmas Collection, and Return to Welcome, she rarely spends a day without writing. Learn about more exciting releases by subscribing to her newsletter Bonnie’s Newsy Bits.

Website
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Where do you live and why?
Umm… Hello? Hey. Thank you for having me, Kara. I live out on Sandpiper Point. That’s the far end of Last Chance Beach. I renovated an old nineteen twenties-era cottage. Just a short stretch from where Kat’s gran lives. Haddie runs Sandpiper Cottage B&B and Secondhand Hearts Antique Shop.

What is your profession, and do you enjoy it?
I’m a master carpenter, although I can pretty much fix anything. My business is One Guy and a Dog Home Repairs and Carpentry. Boomer—my Yellow Lab—he’s ‘the dog’ part. He does all the tough work. [Laughs] I love my job. Been doing it for about ten years now. Last Chance Beach is a great place to live and work.

How would others describe you? Are they accurate?
[Releases a long breath] I don’t know. Quiet, maybe. I keep to myself. I have a few good buddies. We meet at Rods after work sometimes. That’s out on the fishing pier, a local joint. As for accurate…Yeah, I guess. I’m pretty low maintenance.

When you met Kat was it love at first sight?
Kat is hard to ignore. She’s gorgeous! We didn’t hit it off at first – she was mad because her grandmother was climbing a ladder in the heat, but that sorted itself out. Well…after my dog stole her— I don’t wanna talk about it.

Was it love at first sight for her?
Nope. She was pissed. Although…she admitted later that she thought I was…well…easy on the eyes. [BIG grin]

What do you like most about Kat?
That’s a tough one. There’s a lot to like. Maybe how she cares for people, especially her grandmother. But she is a really good kisser. And her legs are tanned and long. Am I allowed to say that?

What does she like most about you?
She said it’s the way I respected what she was trying to do…keep the career she loves while helping out her family. That can be a pretty big hill to climb. Still, she did call me ‘exceedingly handsome’ once. And she really liked my idea for the perfect date.

If you could travel anywhere where would you go?
That’s a good one. Maybe take Kat some of the places my kid brother goes. He’s a world traveler. Perhaps you’ll meet him someday.

What’s one thing you learned from your personal love story?
A dog can be a really good wingman. Smart little dude had my back. [Wink] If I’m being serious… Don’t be afraid to give love a second chance. Yeah. Starting over can be very nice.

Well, Ben, you are certainly a charmer! And pretty funny. Which is always a plus. And you're right, starting over can be nice. Scary sometimes, but very nice!

Secondhand Hearts
Last Chance Beach: Summer's End
​Contemporary Romance​

Tasked with convincing her beloved grandmother to move back to the mainland, Kat Worthington returns to Last Chance Beach. This vacation island paradise is filled with cherished memories, and the thought of relocating her loved one weighs heavy on Kat’s heart. Is the alternative to uproot her life, stay on the island, and help run Gran’s charming B&B and antique shop?

Handsome neighbor, Ben Hadley, sure hopes it is. He and his playful pup are doing their best to upend Kat’s plans. Will their efforts convince her to stay?

Or will it require some of Gran’s special island magic?

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CV3GN3R/

​There’s also a special add-on book - Cocktails on Last Chance Beach! And it’s FREE!
Free Book Buy Link: https://books2read.com/last-chance-cocktails

Secondhand Hearts: Excerpt

“Look at that… Didn’t even break the pot.” Gran gave her a sassy little wink. “You’ve always been one for divine timing, Kitty.”

“Pot?”

“Yup, I knew I had a matching teapot to the set that came in yesterday.” Gran stood a little straighter and squared her chin. “Besides, I’m not alone. Ben is here.”

“Who the heck is Ben?”

“That’d be me.” A deep voice came from behind, startling Kat. Spinning with a gasp, her eyes widened when connecting with six feet plus of drop-dead gorgeous, dark-haired man. He met her stare full on without so much as a hint of humility, and he nodded a curt greeting.

“Haddie Marshall are you up to your old tricks again?” Ben brushed passed Kat. “I told you to wait and I’d look with you.”

“Well, I didn’t want you to fuss. I know you’re busy.”

“Excuse me,” Kat interrupted, not bothering to disguise the irritation in her voice. “Who are you, and why would you allow my seventy-seven-year-old grandmother to climb to the scorching top of a barn and up a ladder for a teapot?”

The man stared in silence. One dark brow cocked in obvious annoyance.

“Ben Hadley meet my first grandbaby, Kitty Worthington,” Gran announced with a proud smile.

“It’s Kat, Gran. Or Katrina,” she grumbled. “No one has called me Kitty since the fifth grade.”

“Oh, shush child, you will always be Kitty to me and Grandpa Mike.” The elderly woman’s smile fell away. She took a wobbly step forward to hand Ben the box. “Be a love and take this down for me. I think I’d better hang on extra tight to the railing after all this excitement.”

​“I’ll take the box,” Kat snapped. “You help my grandmother back to the house, where we can turn on some air conditioning.”

Bio: Kathryn Hills

The rich history and many mysteries of New England are the perfect backdrop for most of Kathryn’s books. Winding roads lined by old stone walls, forgotten cemeteries, grand homes with shadowy pasts...all sparks for her imagination. Whether it’s a quaint seaside town or the vibrant city of Boston, it’s easy for this “hauntingly romantic” author to envision the past mingling with the present.

Taking it further—to have characters experience the past and present, opposite to “when” they belong—is the fun part. No surprise, some of Kathryn’s favorite stories involve time travel. And ghosts! Sprinkle in some magic, and you’re off on a great adventure.

When not writing, this award-winning author is researching, taking photographs, gardening, or cooking up something special in her chaotic kitchen. Kathryn shares her colonial home in the north woods with those she loves most – her wonderful husband and daughter, and three crazy dogs.

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Today we have Josie Riviera showcasing her book  A Chocolate-Box Summer Breeze, a sweet, contemporary romance. Take it away, Josie!

I loved writing A Chocolate Box Summer Breeze, because this sweet contemporary romance focuses on the relationship between Joe, the hero, and Emily, the heroine, who are an older couple. This is a second-chance romance between a widow and widower.
 


Also, the heroine is wealthy, and the hero is a truck driver. They happen to meet in a local California diner, which is the meeting ground for the other books in the Chocolate-Box series.
 
All of these books feature (naturally!) chocolate, and a recipe created by the characters is included at the end of each.

A Chocolate-Box Summer Breeze is the fourth in my “Chocolate-Box” series.

What is your favorite part in the book?

​One of my favorite scenes in the book is when the heroine uses an outdoor shower in the little seaside cottage the hero has rented. Being wealthy, she isn’t accustomed to this new adventure, although she declares to the hero that she is a nature-lover.

Is this book dedicated to anyone?

All of my books are dedicated to my wonderfully supportive readers.

Excerpt:

Nature, Emily soon realized the following morning when she stepped into the outdoor shower, presented a challenge. And clearly she wasn’t a nature-lover after all.

Spiders and creepy-crawlies naturally gravitated to a damp area. In addition to the leaves and sand piled in the corner, clouds rolled in while she was soaking wet and the wind picked up, leaving her shivering and taking the fastest shower of her life.

And then there was the bigger problem.

In addition to the compactness of the space, she was exposed.

Not to mention that she had to hang her rosy-red sundress and clean undergarments on the door and hoped they didn’t fall into the dirt while she quickly scrubbed herself. Thankfully, the warm water, plus the fragrant eucalyptus spearmint soap she’d brought from home lifted her spirits.

She didn’t bother with make-up except for a pastel pink lipstick, foundation, and mascara. She had secured her neatly coiffed hair with a shower cap beforehand so it didn’t get wet, and later swept back the ends with a thin, glossy-red headband.

Despite the obstacles, she was determined to impress Joe.

Why did she care about impressing him? she challenged herself. They were two friends sharing a weekend. Romance wasn’t part of the equation. Furthermore, there was no attraction between them.
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Hah, her conscience chided, and she thrust it aside. Oftentimes, her conscience was an annoyance.

Josie has a giveaway for you!

I’m celebrating everything chocolate, so my question is: Do you like chocolate?
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Please comment on this blog, because I’ll be giving away one of my Chocolate-Box eBooks. 
 
Choose from: A Chocolate-Box Christmas, or A Chocolate-Box New Years, or A Chocolate-Box Valentine.

A disillusioned widow longing for a change. A hard-working truck driver looking for love. Will Emily and Joe find their happily-ever-after in a forgotten summer breeze?

Widow Emily Varon doesn’t believe in love anymore, and she isn’t wasting her time trying to find it. At her age, she’s learned that life is a daily routine. Rinse and repeat. Safe and secure. And she’s not about to change her ways now. With her hard-won affluence, succumbing to a truck-driver’s invitation to spend a summer weekend together means only one thing. Friendship.

Widower Joe Vertucci has never met any difficulties he couldn’t overcome, and work is all he’s ever known. But when the chance for romance with Emily beckons in a little seaside town, will a dilapidated cottage wind up becoming a refuge for their hearts?

The waft of a summer breeze can bring summer rain. Or create new memories.

Sometimes you have to leave what’s familiar in order to discover where home truly is. Because for love, anything is possible.

A Chocolate-Box Summer Breeze is available for 0.99 for a limited time!

Amazon

Print books are available at Barnes and Noble!

About Josie:

Josie Riviera is a USA TODAY bestselling author of contemporary, inspirational, and historical sweet romances that read like Hallmark movies. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully supportive husband. They share their home with an adorable shih tzu, who constantly needs grooming, and live in an old house forever needing renovations.

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About:
The Cowboy's Charms was a fun book to write. The characters go on a cattle drive which created all sorts of adventure. Plus, someone sabotages them repeatedly. I had a lot of fun with that. 

I wrote this book to showcase the heroine's inner strength. She has to work against her toxic thoughts and believe that she is good enough. That people need her. That she has something to contribute.

Angelique Morgan has, without doubt, a TON of grit. She comes from wealth, falls in love with J.T. Davis, who has started a brand, new ranch, and has to learn how to do everything. Cooking, sewing, ironing, laundering, shooting. The list goes on.

Add to that, her need to be perfect at all of it. And when she isn't, she struggles. A lot.

She also has an interest in medicine and reads medical journals. She's learned so much about illnesses, injuries, and other things that she can hold her own with any doctor.

I loved getting Angelique through her forest of difficulties. She deserved the happy ending she got.

But I also must thank my inspiration for this book. My best friend. My sistie. My sunshine!

I hope you enjoy The Cowboy's Charms as much as I did writing it.

Buy The Cowboy's Charms!
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Excerpt:

“Will you sit?” J.T. asked.

Angelique visibly swallowed while walking to a chair.

As she looked up at him with worried eyes, he almost fell to his knees and declared his love right then. He gritted his teeth to keep control of himself. Plain speaking was needed at the moment, not more passionate speeches.

“I’ve been thinkin’ on what you said last night.” His nerves threatened to get the better of him, but he pushed forward. “I gotta tell you a few things before we go further.”

She straightened in her chair as if physically preparing for what he was about to say.

He cleared his throat. “I don’t have the money to hire a cook for the house or servants. Woman’s work is long. A lot of times, my ma is hard at work long after my pa is done.”

She opened her mouth, but he stopped her with a hand in the air. “I’m not sayin’ you can’t do it. I just need you to fully understand what’s ahead.”

She closed her mouth and waited for him to continue.

“It’s physical work. Work that requires serviceable clothing and no corsets.”

She blushed to the roots of her hair.

He cleared his throat and kept going. “You’ll be alone a lot. I’ll be out on the range most days until sundown. Fall and winter don’t usually require as much work as the spring, but seein’ as how I’m startin’ out, we won’t have shorter days like most ranches. I’ll have to teach you to shoot a gun.”

Her eyes widened.

“Not that my family or Kyle’s has ever had any lick of real trouble on our farms,” he rushed to assure her, “but it’s better that you know how.”

He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, wondering what else he should say. “We’ll be buildin’ a lot. I might need your help with that.”

Her mouth fell open, but she quickly shut it.

“I can’t teach you what a woman does throughout the day, but Ma and Emma can. They’ll be glad to help.” He smiled, realizing they would love Angelique and she them. “The house will be pretty close to them, just on the other side of the creek.”

He fell quiet, realizing the questioning part of the conversation was upon him. “Have you ever spent an entire day doing physical work?”

She bit her lip and nodded. “I helped the hospitals after the hurricane. So many people were hurt, they needed extra hands.”

He lifted his eyebrows, expecting to have been given a different answer. “I don’t mean to embarrass you by askin’ that. I just…” he trailed off, feeling the need to confess his feelings in a rush.

The hell with it.

“I love you.” The admission came out firm and true. A wash of relief spread over him. “I think you had me from the moment we met. But I can’t be selfish. I can’t put you in a life you know nothin’ about.”

She stood, her eyes bright with certainty. “Your world is foreign to me, I can’t deny it. However, I know with every fiber within me that I am supposed to be with you.”

His throat dried up as his heart tried to gallop out of his chest.

She continued. “I follow directions well. I’m smart. I understand there will be no rest. As I told you last night, I want to work hard. I want to be a part of what you’re doing.”

He smiled softly, pleasure wafting through him. Her words made him feel like success would be his. If someone like her believed in him, he could do and be anything. In three strides he had her in his arms. “I give you my word that if you want to seek some kind of education, I won’t mind. I’ll help you gain your dreams.” The promise was spoken fervently, surprising him with its urgency. But he meant what he said.

After pulling back a bit, she placed a palm against his cheek. “I love you,” she whispered.

He captured her lips with his, overcome with emotion and gratefulness. They joined together, getting as close as clothing would allow, the kiss firmly cementing their intentions to create a future together.

When he pulled away and gazed down into her lovely face, his mind exalted with prayer. Inheriting a ranch had surprised him, finding her astounded him. If it was a dream, he hoped he never woke.