Friday, March 11, 2022

 

 Bonds of Love

 Weekenders Romance Watch

 

Romantic Suspense (Sweet)

Author:  Mickie Sherwood

Genre:  Romantic Suspense

Buy: Amazon | B&N | Kobo

  Re-Release

Blurb:
Three days. Two secrets. One love?

Senator Jordan Dupré has kept an adoption secret for years. Now a blackmailer issues an ultimatum: pay up or else. Enter Deacon Burke, her old flame. He's the last person she needs to meddle in her affairs and mess with her heart.

In years past, Jordan kissed, loved, lied to, and left Deke. Even so, instructions left by her deceased husband call him to her aid. He goes and his secret tags along.

Will their secrets complicate the reunion or rekindle their bonds of love?


Note: Formerly Cherished Moments
This novel is rewritten, re-edited, re-titled, and re-covered.


Enchanting Excerpt:
A dark shadow blocked the red sunlight on the inside of her lids. She opened her eyes to a blurry silhouette dressed in black, who then reached downward to grip her arm. His grasp was tight but not harmful. When her sight cleared, she focused on the face that caused her blood pressure to rise.

Deke.

Despite years with no contact, her knees still knocked, and her heart ached.

“Jay. Are you okay?”

The rich, mellow voice was music to her ears, one which she really loved to hear. He slid his hand down her arm and gently clutched her hand. His touch added to her jittery stance, and her stomach lurched.
Again, Jordan closed her eyes and emptied her stomach right at his feet. He offered her a folded white handkerchief, holding it under her nose when she opened her eyes. The affable expression on his face soothed her. His spontaneous grin showed his one imperfection—a slanted bottom tooth. However, his smile was one of perfection to her. She recalled his explanation that the dental flaw was a family trait; one he chose to honor.

“Hi, Deke.” Jordan greeted him as though their last conversation had been eighteen minutes ago, instead of eighteen years. For a moment, she no longer felt like the grown-ass woman she was.
 
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/MickieSherwood
Blog: https://www.mickiesherwood.com/blog
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/MickieSherwood
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Louisiana_Lady

 

Friday, November 22, 2019

A Vow for Christmas


Weekenders Romance Watch


Spinster Mail-Order Brides Series Book 7

Author:  Linda Carroll-Bradd
Genre:  Historical romance
Buy: Amazon
 

Blurb:
Against his better judgment, Chad Rutherford advertises for a mail-order bride to take care of his household. As a widower, he’s had his great love and she died, so now he only wants companionship. But vivacious new wife Vika brings light and laugher back into his life until he’s ready to consider more for their relationship. Then a stranger threatens to rip away everything.

Enchanting Excerpt:
Mister Rutherford straightened. “We’d best collect your luggage. Come along, children.” He urged them forward.
 

She was left staring at the back of the three people who looked like a self-contained unit. Did room exist for her in any of their hearts? Shoulders drooping, she trudged behind them, wishing for a strong arm to lean on. On the platform near the freight car rested the trunk holding all her clothes, accessories, and valuables. Next to it were two wooden crates packed with kitchen items, linens, blankets, and her mother’s porcelain tea set. On top of the crates sat the wicker basket holding her beloved pet.
 

The baggage clerk lifted a hand. “Ah, Miss Vika. She’s been whimpering the last few miles.” He lowered the basket to the platform and worked to loosen the rope knot.
 

“Thank you, Mister Frederick, for all your good attention.” She reached into her reticule and pulled out a dime for his tip. Maybe extravagant but the clerk took good care of her Biscuit. Then she leaned down to drop her carpetbag before lifting the lid with one hand and slipping the other into the slim opening to grab Biscuit’s collar. “Calm down. I’m here.” Once she was sure the dog wouldn’t escape, she slid in her other hand to grab the leather leash and clipped it on. With a shove, she flicked back the lid.
 

Biscuit jumped out then shook herself before running her nose along the platform boards.
 

“What in blue blazes is that thing?” Frowning, Mister Rutherford pointed.
 

“She’s my dog, Biscuit.” Vika hurried to the platform edge and let her pet run down the four steps to the dirt to take care of her needs.
 

“You wrote nothing about bringing a pet.” He scoffed and waved a hand in the air. “And a scrawny dog, at that.”
 

After a moment, Biscuit hopped back to the platform then trotted toward the children, tail wagging like a flag in a stiff wind.
 

Her stomach rolled.
 

Both children looked at the dog then glanced at their father’s frown.
 

Would the presence of this surprise pet invalidate their agreement? Tiredness swamped her. “You never wrote that I couldna.” Needing the comfort of a warm being who loved her, she scooped up the dog, hugged Biscuit to her bosom, and kissed her furry head between her pointed ears. “Actually, you never wrote much of anything.”




Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linda.carrollbradd
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/lindacarroll-bradd
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/linda-carroll-bradd

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Mardi Gras Magic

Weekenders Romance Watch


A single day could mean the start of something new. . .

Author: Mickie Sherwood
Genre: AA Romance Novella
Price: $0.99 New Release/$0.00 Kindle Unlimited
Buy: Amazon 

Blurb:
Stood Up – What do you do when you’re jilted by your fiancé?
Stand Up – How supportive are you of your best friend’s treachery?
Step Up – When is it time to move forward?

Sienna Gaudet’s determined not to let her ex ruin a good time.
Kirk Ratcliff secretly yearns for a chance with his best friend’s ex.



Why would either succeed?


Mardi Gras Magic




Enchanting Excerpt:
Crowds jammed the streets of the French Quarter. Sienna looked over the jubilant masses from her balcony. Capturing the early morning excitement digitally wasn’t the same as a live-eye view, but the videos would open up a never seen world to some who visited her online magazine. She smiled as she swung to re-enter her suite, stopping short at the feeling of being watched.


Unconsciously, she pulled the silky robe tighter around her curvy figure.


“Of course, everyone’s watching everyone else. Why should I be exempt?”


Still, she couldn’t shake the sensation. Using the zoom lens allowed her to search toward the unnerving vibe. She panned the camera slowly, suddenly reversing for a doubletake. Sienna zoomed in. “Oh, jeez.”


There he stood. Down the way and across the street on an adjacent balcony. Coffee mug in hand, half-lathered face, and a snowy towel draped over his shoulder. “Just what I need.” She snapped a shot anyway.


Sienna lowered her camera. The idea he remained focused on her with no evidence of remorse irked her. He took a drink. Then, he had the nerve to salute with his cup. A salute he cut short at the appearance of the pretty young thing at his side.


“Hmph.” She dismissed him by simply going into the room.





How does Sienna Gaudet extinguish an old flame?

With Kirk Ratcliff, her new spark!



Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/MickieSherwood
Blog: https://www.mickiesherwood.com/blog
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/MickieSherwood
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Louisiana_Lady




Friday, October 26, 2018

99Cents Halloween Special - Azure Blackstone Holidays Series

Weekenders Romance Watch

It's a cold, dark Halloween night in New Orleans.
Will Frank get a trick or a treat?

Sweet Treat Reads

Azure Blackstone Holidays Series
Author: Mickie Sherwood
Genre: AA Romance
Price: $0.99 Special - Limited Time Offer
Buy: Amazon | B&N | Kobo

Azure Blackstone Holidays Series is a compilation of three sweet romance short reads.

Set in New Orleans, the stories follow the whirlwind romance between carjacking survivor Azure Blackstone and rescuer Frank Hickman over Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Halloween - Book One - Azure Apparition (The Meet)
It's a cold, dark Halloween night in New Orleans. Will Frank get a trick or a treat?

Thanksgiving - Book Two - Azure's Premonition - (The Date)
Winter's in the air. But the chill Azure feels isn't from the weather.

Christmas - Book Three - Azure & Frank (The Gift of Love)
Will Frank's gift of love be enough to save Azure's Christmas spirit...and their romance?


Halloween - Book One - Azure Apparition (The Meet)

Blurb:
Hardnosed construction worker, Frank Hickman, has got to be hallucinating. Is the shimmering beauty in bed beside him a figment of his imagination? Or some warped Halloween prank pulled on him by his boys?

Azure Blackstone has been carjacked. Will Frank's realization come too late to save her?

Enchanting Excerpt:
He slept for what seemed like hours before his system hauled him out of bed. It was just as expected when he raised his head from the commode. Why a man in his forties put himself through the punishment to fit in was beyond him. He knew his stomach would be roiling for days.

Frank stepped over to the sink to revive himself with a splash of cool water. Brushing and gargling got rid of the sour taste in his mouth. The water was so refreshing he lingered until he felt good enough to stumble back to bed. His rugged brown features reflected green around the gills when he looked in the mirror. Beyond that sight, he saw a glow from the bedroom behind him.

Knuckling his eyes didn't clear his vision.

Whirling around, he thought he was mistaken, for everything looked all right now. However, another look in the mirror had him doubting his eyes, again. The aura magnified until the entire room behind him glowed red. This confirmed for Frank that he had overdone it. He decided the best way to dissolve his drunken stupor was to enter the room on the attack.

What confronted him stopped him dead in his tracks.


Will Frank get a trick or a treat?




Twitter: www.twitter.com/MickieSherwood
Blog: www.mickiesherwood.com/blog
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/MickieSherwood
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/Louisiana_Lady

 

Saturday, October 6, 2018

Chasing Adventure


Weekenders Romance Watch

Entertainers of the West Series Book 8

CHASING ADVENTURE
Author:  Linda Carroll-Bradd
Genre:  Historical Romance
Buy: Amazon 
 


Blurb:
Dime novelist, Thora Alviss, travels to Montana Territory seeking an ex-US marshal, Harte Renwyck, for an interview, knowing he has knowledge to make her characters better. Harte shies from publicity about his past life, especially about the tragedy related to his last arrest. Thora’s thirst for a good story is stronger than her ability to remain out of danger, and Harte comes to the rescue time and again. Will Thora give up and return east, or will she learn the survival skills she’s been writing about? Can Harte look past his resentment and see the adventurous woman close at hand?

Enchanting Excerpt:
“I admit to being a bit travel weary and the assistance is much appreciated. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Nodding, she walked up the steps.


Lofty praise for being neighborly. When was the last time he’d had such pretty words aimed in his direction? Moving with the speed of Mercury, Harte vaulted the steps and rounded the corner of the depot office. A small mountain of luggage comprised of a portmanteau, two valises, two carpetbags, and a satchel squatted beside a wooden bench. His boots skidded to a stop. Looked like he’d be the one making multiple trips.
 

“Oh, dear.” She let out a sigh. “In New York City, the porter used a push cart, and the quantity didn’t pose such a problem.” She dashed forward and grabbed the satchel, lifting the long strap over her head so it rested on her opposite hip. Then she leaned over and reached for a carpetbag.
 

Not wanting her to strain anything, Harte moved to her side. “I offered, although I didn’t know you had so many pieces. But I’ll manage. Somehow.” For a man accustomed to traveling light, he couldn’t imagine what she packed inside all these cases.
 

Cheeks blushing, she straightened and turned her head, her neck stiff. “Deputy, I am a healthy woman perfectly capable of assisting with the transport of my own belongings.”
 

“Duly noted, miss.” His words came out more clipped than he intended. Years of dealing with criminals had stolen his ability for idle talk. Setting his jaw, Harte hoisted the portmanteau to balance on his left shoulder then stooped to grab the handles of the matching carpetbags. “If you lift the valise, I can stretch my fingers around the handle.” Barely, but for his pride’s sake, he needed to make the offer.
 

Bending over, she lifted both valises. “I’ve got them. Now, if you’ll indicate the direction, we’ll be on our way.”
 

The corner of the leather case dug into his shoulder, and his right hand already ached from the weight. “Head toward the brick building down a ways on the opposite side of the street. The boardinghouse is past the mercantile.” He trudged down the steps, each move jolting his shoulder muscles. The lady’s rigid posture and swishing bustle informed him she still resented his thoughtless remark. Not exactly how he envisioned his morning walk through Sweetwater Springs. Chivalry, my backside.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linda.carrollbradd
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/lindacarroll-bradd
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/linda-carroll-bradd


Saturday, September 15, 2018

Soulful Alliance


Weekenders Romance Watch

New Bayou Love Romances Release

Soulful Alliance

Author: Mickie Sherwood
Genre: Mainstream Romance
Buy: Amazon | B&N | Kobo
Price: $0.99 - Last day for introductory price is September 16, 2018

Blurb:

Hounded by a childhood tragedy most of her adult life, Marcy Rayburn tucks tail and hides out in Bayou Country, forsaking a high-profile singing career and all chances of any meaningful relationships. No matter how long she’s been out of the limelight, the reclusive entertainer finds that she’s still fodder for the gossip news. Will the appearance of Jack, an unannounced interloper, cast her back into the spotlight and her heart into a tailspin?

Unceremoniously dumped by his fiancée, Jack Connolly has spent the last few years living in an alternate reality. Going down South to repair and retrieve the company’s helicopter is a pain in his rear. That pain soon has a name, and ultimately, a grip on his walled-off heart. Is he willing to revisit his old world and sacrifice his freedom to give Marcy what she needs?

Two hearts ache. But, will a soulful alliance remedy the pain or only mask the hurt?

Soulful Alliance is a sweetly sensual, relationship-based love story.



Enchanting Excerpt:
Burped, fed, and ready to play, she placed Mya on a pallet spread out in the Great Room. Marcy sat cross-legged beside her. The laptop screen stared at her like a big-eyed specter waiting to steal her thoughts. “This is hopeless.”

Writer’s block was an inevitable outcome to the looming deadline for her latest manuscript. Too many distractions pulled her in too many directions. Her lids fluttered rapidly, eyes magnetized to the cursor’s hypnotizing blink. Marcy’s descent into oblivion was a few seconds in length. However, she jerked awake in a terrorized state, relieved to see Mya napping. “Jack.” She launched upward and rocketed outside.

“Jack!” her terrified shriek rent the air. She bolted blindly, kicking herself for leaving him unattended too long. “Come, Jack!”

“Son-of-a-bitch!” A man’s voice thundered. “What?”

His yell startled Marcy. He sprinted in her direction from the other side of the helicopter. Her antennae skyrocketed. All she saw was danger blitzing her way. She cut short and made a beeline for the house.

Marcy looked over her shoulder at him. He gained on her, his head down like a sprinter off the blocks. A baseball cap obscured most of his features. However, the bush of hair around his mouth flared red—an admonition for her to beware.

Her heart pounded loud enough to rupture her eardrums. The harder she pushed, the farther away her refuge seemed to get. She tamed the hair from her eyes for another quick glance. Foreboding knotted in the pit of her stomach. He was swifter than she. That unfortunate truth bore out. A vise squeezed her upper arm.

Marcy hollered and fought for her life.

“Stop hitting me!” he commanded, flinging the arm out that held her captive.

The move bandied her about like a rag-doll. His cap hit the ground as he turned his head toward the house in the distance. His distraction was her chance.

She wanted her freedom. Nothing else would do. So, she attacked with everything she had: biting his hand, elbowing, stomping. All of her efforts failed when his arm snaked around her body, constricting her intake of breath. The more she struggled, the tighter he compressed. Her feeble attempts at extrication turned her thoughts to Mya—all alone.

“The baby’s in the house.” She cursed the fragility in her tone.

“I’m not going to hurt you, lady,” he stormed.

“But, you are.” She heaved, unable to control the panting while bent over the crook of his arm, her body gouged into his.

“I just want you to stop kicking my ass, that’s all.”

For Mya’s sake, she had no choice but to make a deal with the devil. She went limp.

“I’m going to release you to turn around. Can you do that without a fight?”

“Yes.”

He did as committed. “Turn around.”

She turned all right and took off again. Marcy zigzagged across the field to throw him off. He jetted right behind her, practically breathing down her neck. Then, the fingers he slipped through her hair grazed her scalp. His grasp thwarted her escape. He transferred his grip to her arm, spinning her around so fast her eyes locked on his white-knuckled hold.




Jack races toward love. Marcy's heart is the finish line.


Website: http://www.mickiesherwood.com/blog
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/MickieSherwood
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Louisiana_Lady





Friday, June 1, 2018

Gumshoe Girl

 Weekenders Romance Watch


Author: Andi Ramos
Genre: Romantic Mystery
Buy: Amazon| Apple| B&N


Blurb:

Sheagan O’Hare got more than she bargained for when her newly inherited detective agency lands its first case; a missing person, embezzlement, and murder. Sheagan’s out to prove she can hang with the pro's, despite the constant reminder of her amateur status from an annoyingly attractive FBI agent, Colin 'Mac' MacEvine, who’s forced himself into her life.

How does she feel when an old high school friend hopes to ignite a new romance?

Will she be able to discover if detective work and love can mingle before someone gets hurt?


Enchanting Excerpt:
Her cheeks flushed. Cristal, she scoffed. Who is this Bimbo, anyway?
 

As if she had room to criticize this girl’s intelligence, when Sheagan was the one sweating her makeup off in a four-by-four-foot air-duct.

Yeah, who’s the stupid one?
 

She heard passionate sounds coming from the right of the room and recognized his tone. Leaning sideways, Sheagan pressed her face to the grate, but her limited view revealed only a portion of the bed and unable to make out major details, like faces.

Crap, I can’t see anything. Damn! She needed to get a better look.


As she shifted her weight, the metal walls started to reverberate and Sheagan stifled a gasp, willing the rumbling to cease. Her breathing became labored as the musty air stole the aroma of the sweet perfume wafting up waft from the suite below. She stilled her movements and did the only thing she could think of... nothing. Nothing but stare at the heap of blankets and wait.


Come on, bimbo, come up for air. I know he doesn’t last that long.

Her discomfort increased as the noise from their passion became more intense. Ugh, that’s it, I’ve had it!
 

She mashed her cheek and upper body against the grate.

I just need a peek to confirm.
 

She pressed harder, ogling the bed. Finally, she caught a tiny glimpse.

Just a little further.
 

She pushed and heard a chirring sound, then a scraping. She froze in place, but the grate gave way with a creaking groan and crashed to the ground. Time stood still as Sheagan realized there was nothing between her and the floor except air.


Website: http://www.andiramos.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andiramosauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/andiramosauthor

Sunday, March 18, 2018

Prancing Around with Sleeping Beauty

Weekenders Romance Watch


Author: Stacy Juba
Genre: Chick Lit
Buy: Amazon | B&N | iBooks


Blurb:
Dance instructor Rory Callahan likes to play it safe. When she meets Kyle, he’s impulsive, persistent, and her exact opposite. He’s keeping Rory on her toes more than twenty years of dance teachers ever had. Unfortunately, he’s the grandson of her family’s archrival and she doesn’t want to disappoint them. After all, her parents imagine her as a proper princess - hence her namesake Aurora, AKA Sleeping Beauty.  Rory’s also dealing with a boyfriend who’s perfect for her, an obnoxious boss, and desperate dance moms. Kyle wants to change her whole life, but Rory doesn’t like the stakes. After all, princesses are the ones who get happy endings. . .aren’t they?


Enchanting Excerpt:
High above the crowded beach, an airplane skimmed the cloudless blue sky, its hum a distant whine over the thunderous surf. Behind it trailed a banner with red block letters. Cupping her hand over her brow, Rory Callahan squinted in the glaring sunlight.
 

WILL YOU MARRY ME, RORY?
 

She gasped, and her bare feet pressed into the gritty sand. Rory gripped the sides of her sunken beach chair. Her boyfriend, Dr. Brad Walker, a general surgery medical resident at Mountain View Medical Center, occupied the second chair, engrossed in a sports magazine, oblivious to the romantic gesture—or pretending he was oblivious.
 

Rory had accompanied him to the Jersey Shore for his parents’ thirtieth anniversary party. When Brad suggested a morning at the beach before driving back to the Catskills, she never expected a marriage proposal. Her stomach clenched, the semi-queasy reaction surprising her.
 

After all, she had wanted this—well, maybe not this, not yet—but Rory had wanted a declaration of love from the guy her mother worshipped and that her annoying big brother insisted “wasn’t that into her.” Obviously Brad was into her. This proved his willingness to make their relationship work. She would show her brother, and her friends, too. Rory knew her roommates worried that Brad didn’t carve out enough time for her, but unlike Dylan, the girls minded their own business.
 

All brides-to-be probably felt jittery during the proposal. She choked down the very normal mound in her throat, reached over, and touched Brad’s hand. “I had no idea you were planning this. Yes. I’ll . . . I’ll marry you.”
 

Brad dropped the magazine onto his nearby flip-flops as if sand fleas had nested inside the pages. His chiseled face had blanched whiter than his pale chest, arms, and legs. Summer was almost over, and Rory would bet this was the first time he’d worn the charcoal print swim trunks she bought him. “What? What the hell are you talking about?”


Website: http://stacyjuba.com/blog/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stacyjuba
Facebook Group - Storybook Valley Sweethearts: https://www.facebook.com/groups/StorybookValley/


Saturday, March 17, 2018

Druid Warrior Prince

Weekenders Romance Watch

Author: Juli D. Revezzo
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Buy: Amazon


Blurb:
Gwenevieve Macken’s well-ordered world falls into chaos as encroaching interlopers scheme to possess both her and her land. Although she’s been trained to spot the signs of inhuman evil in men, the amassing armies take on guises she never expected.

When a foreign guardian presents himself as her only option for salvation, Gwenevieve must make a choice between her desires, and fulfilling the mythic fate to which she was born. A forced marriage to a Tuatha dé Danann warrior isn't part of her plan.


Enchanting Excerpt:
“Ho, open the gates!” Isaac called.
“Password!” the guard bellowed back.
He cried out the words... [S]oon the gate’s hinges creaked in annoyance as someone inside threw their weight against the pull. Two men guided the gate as it yawned wide.
Lord Macken waited beyond, pacing like a caged animal. “There you are!” Then he took in the condition of their band. “What happened?”
Isaac, Nigel, and Maedus exchanged a glance. “Our friend requires a healer,” Maedus said. “Have you seen Mistress Cyreth around?”
“The girl?” Gwenevieve asked.
“Take him inside.” Sir Macken then called out for his wife, and within seconds, she stepped through the door.
“Lord Tam requires the healer,” Sir Macken shouted.
She nodded and lumbered around the side of the house, demanding, “See that Mairrann Mac Carthaigh comes.”
Sir Macken turned his attention back to Maedus’ band. “He will take care of you, son.”
Isaac helped Tam to his lodging and at last, Sir Macken addressed his daughter. Rage clouded his eyes.
Maedus felt Gwenevieve fold into him.
Perhaps she might be safer outside the walls. “No going back now, lass,” he murmured.
“Can’t you slap me on the wrist and be done with it?” she whispered.
“It’s not my place.” He slid off his horse’s back and held his arms up for her. Despite the clouds, the sun lowering toward the horizon blinded him for a moment.
Gwenevieve slid into his arms and to the ground.
“What’s my father paying you? I’ll pay you twice as much to talk him out of punishing me.” She gave him a light kiss on the lips, melding against him as if they were the only two in the world. As if they’d returned from a pleasant afternoon’s ride. “I’d much rather you put me over your knee than let my father do it.”
Maedus blinked. She’d kissed him. What had she just promised?


Website: http://www.julidrevezzo.com
Blog: http://julismapsroom.blogspot.com/

Friday, November 17, 2017

Sweet Caroline

Weekenders Romance Watch


Sweet Caroline
Author: Becky Lower
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy: Amazon


Blurb:
Caroline Stuart never returned to Lobster Cove after an embarrassing summer night when she was fifteen. But her cousin’s marriage was an event she couldn’t miss. Imagine her surprise when she discovers her partner in the bridal party is Grant Jackson, the same boy who humiliated her years ago. She still hates him. Yet, he still excites her.

Grant had more than the usual problems fitting in as a teenager, being the only boy of mixed heritage in the school. And he’d somehow alienated the one girl he desperately wanted to impress. With Caroline’s return to Lobster Cove, he finally has an opportunity to make amends, if only she’ll listen. If only she’ll let go of the past.

Enchanting Excerpt:
Abbey laughed as the other two bridesmaids stood at the window, giggling. “Come take a look at the groomsmen.” She hustled Caroline to the window.

Four men stood outside, handsome in their dark gray, three-piece suits.

“No tuxedos?” Caroline craned her neck to see the men.

“As Penny said, nothing conventional here today.” Abbey pointed to one of the men. “Allow me to point out my Charlie, the one with the light brown hair.”

“And whose fine backside am I staring at?” Caroline gestured to the man facing away and leaning over to straighten his pants leg.

“I’m glad you approve. That’s your groomsman.” Abbey laughed.

At that precise moment, the man straightened and glanced at the window.

Mocha skin, piercing, unexpected blue eyes, and curly black hair. Caroline caught her breath and put a hand on her suddenly nervous stomach. “Grant? Please tell me he’s not Grant.”

“I’m surprised you even remember him, Caro.” Abbey glanced at Caroline with widening eyes and gave her a playful swat on the arm. “Del picked his groomsmen, and Grant was the only one tall enough to pair with you. I hope you don’t mind.”

Caroline pivoted away from the window, her mind buzzing and her panic rising as she recalled the last time she’d seen Grant. “Yes, I do mind, but we’re too late to change things around. For Penny and Del’s sake, I’ll be cordial. But once today is over I hope never to see him again.”

Website: http://www.beckylowerauthor.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/becky.lower
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BeckyLower1