Eleanor Harkstead's Blog, page 12

Diverse Reader reviews The Dishevelled Duke

The Disheveled Duke is a quirky, funny story that tugged at my heart strings and made me smile. I love how this team writes! Their stories are always happy ones and in a world where much is not right—a sweet piece of well-written fiction is just the antidote to chase away the blues.

Read Sammy’s full review at Diverse Reader.

The Dishevelled Duke

A Little Bit Cupid Collection #4

It’s publication day for The Dishevelled Duke, available in ebook from Amazon and Pride.

Will a photographer be swept off his feet by a duke who’s more dishevelled than dashing?

It’s Valentine’s Day and it’s Billy last shift at The Chelsea Bunn. His photography career never took off, so it’s time to leave London, parcel up the leftover heart-shaped cakes and head back home to Hampshire.

Rumpled Charlie and his two mischievous dogs are Billy’s favourite customers, so when Charlie turns up at closing time with a mysterious wrapped gift and the offer of a whirlwind trip on the London Eye, Billy can’t say no. But Charlie is keeping a secret that could turn Billy’s world happily upside down.

As the snow falls over London and the big wheel grinds to a halt, Billy discovers that wishes aren’t just for Christmas.

Excerpt

All the champagne cupcakes had gone. Only a few slices of red velvet cake remained, sharing a plate with the last three heart-shaped cookies. Imogen had said that Billy could take them home with him. What a way to arrive. Ten years in London and Billy would appear on his parents’ doorstep with leftover Valentine’s Day cake and hundreds of unsold photographs.

At least I tried.

For the last time, Billy loaded the café’s dishwasher. In a couple of minutes he would turn the sign to closed for the last time, shut the blinds for the last time and leave The Chelsea Bunn forever. He would lug his case through the crowds, clamber onto a packed train and say goodbye to London.

But he wouldn’t say goodbye to Charlie-who-has-no-surname, who came in five times a week for a cup of tea and a bun for the two wolfhounds that dragged him around like slightly undersized donkeys. Charlie with the peppery hair and laughing eyes and the lines that crinkled around them when he smiled. And he smiled a lot.

Billy wouldn’t say goodbye to Charlie because for the last two weeks, his shifts had changed to fit around the shop’s new hours and he hadn’t seen him since. For the Bunn to be busy enough for extended hours was great, but it meant no more Charlie. Charlie didn’t come in late, it seemed, only for that mid-morning tea and cake.

Not having seen Charlie for a fortnight had made Billy realise how much he would miss the friends he had made in London. People from art school, and Imogen, who had given Billy enough shifts to eke out his life in London for just a few more months, even a place to sleep when his love life had turned sour. And most of all Charlie, who always had a smile for him, who always found the time to speak to him.

Billy’s favourite customer.

Not that Charlie would have missed him. Billy was only a server in a café, a barista if he wanted to make his job sound fancy. But he already missed Charlie, and as he wiped down the counter one last time, his gaze fell on the table where Charlie usually sat with his dogs beside him. He’d read the newspaper or fill in a crossword with his silver-barrelled pen, but more than anything he’d just chat to Billy or fuss the dogs that so clearly adored him. The table was empty now and the next time Charlie and the dogs came in, Billy would be long gone. And we never got a chance to say a proper goodbye. Billy drew in a deep breath then crossed to the door and turned the sign to closed.

He buttoned up his coat and, looping his scarf around his neck, he glanced outside.

A light snow had begun to fall, bringing a romantic sparkle to Valentine’s Day that Billy’s life was completely devoid of. He’d enjoyed nothing but romantic failures in his time in London, and spending his last day in the city in a café filled with every kind of Valentine’s-themed cake imaginable had merely reminded him of how little success he’d had in the big city.

It was time to go home.

He pressed the light switches and the shop fell into darkness, only the bulbs in the kitchen illuminated now. With a last look back at the street he flipped the lock down and shut out the world, then turned away and walked back towards the counter. It seemed right that his last night in the city was spent clearing up the mess of other peoples’ Valentine’s Day whilst the rest of the world had fun. Hadn’t that pretty much been the story of his failed adventure in the metropolis?

He jumped at the sound of a sharp knock on the glass door. Someone rattled it, someone who was too late for coffee. Don’t I deserve an evening off too?

“We’re closed!” Billy called.

He saw a figure still there at the door and felt immediately guilty. A slightly shambolic figure. If it was a rough sleeper, Billy would give them the leftover cake. He took the bag from the counter but as he headed to the door, he realised that it was Charlie.

He didn’t have the dogs with him tonight, but carried something large and flat under one arm. With one more knock at the door Charlie turned away, about to be swallowed into that ceaseless tide of Londoners that coursed along the pavement.

Billy nearly snapped the lock off in his haste to open the door. He hoped Charlie would hear him over the noise of the street.

“Charlie!”

CF White: The District Line

We’re really pleased to welcome CF White back to our blog. Her series The District Line is out soon in audio book. Read on to find out how to get your hands on a code for a free audiobook of Kick Off, the first novel in the series!

Describe your perfect Valentine’s Day.

My perfect Valentine’s Day would start with a lie in, no disturbances! Followed by tea and breakfast (scrambled eggs, smoked salmon – yum), then a stroll around London with dinner and to end a West End show. And the hope that it wasn’t raining!

Chocolates or roses? Or something else?

Roses. I’m on a diet!

Who’s your dream date for a Valentine’s Day dinner?

I have a huge crush on Taron Edgerton and I have the feeling he’d be quite the romantic. Or at least for my dream date, he would be.

Do you have a favourite Valentine’s Day book, film or song?

It might seem a little out of left field, and not specifically Valentine’s Day, but my own wedding day first dance song is still one that brings a tear to my eye… Green Day’s “When It’s Time”. Simple, sweet and not too soppy but says exactly what it needs to. A bit like my books…

Aliyah Burke: This Ain’t No Love Story

USA Today bestselling author Aliyah Burke has come to say hello and tell us about her perfect Valentine’s Day. She’s the author of “This Ain’t No Love Story”, part of the A Little Bit Cupid Valentine’s collection. It’s available on Amazon and from Totally Bound.

Describe your perfect Valentine’s Day.

To be honest, mine is just having my husband home. He spent the majority of our married years deployed so anytime he was home, would be perfect. Typically it would be a dinner at home, quiet. I don’t do a lot of loud, going out, so we were good at home.

If we were at a place where we could go to the mountains, we would have dinner in the back of the truck as the sun set and our dogs with us. We are country people at heart and city living is hard. To me being out in the wilderness with the love of my life, that is perfect.

Chocolates or roses? Or something else?

I prefer real flowers to cut ones, love chocolate but I love books. You want to get on my good side, books. Or sapphires. *grin* Sapphires are always welcome.

Who’s your dream date for a Valentine’s Day dinner?

Unfair question. Idris Elba came to mind right away, then again Djimon Hounsou with his voice, would be amazing. But I am pretty sure for me it would be Matthew McConaughey. I have always had a thing for him, so yes, I would love to be on his arm.

Do you have a favourite Valentine’s Day book, film or song?

One of my favorite songs would be “Living for the Love of You” by the Isley Brothers, not sure if it qualifies as a Valentine’s Day song or not, but I’ve had it played for me on that day.

How does Valentine’s Day tie in with your story, This Ain’t No Love Story?

My hero, Josh “Helter Skelter” Jones, has come home to visit his aunt before Valentine’s Day, his initial plan was to stay a short time then head off to find some random woman before V-day, and get back to work. That’s changed when he meets the heroine, Neyda Hughes and decides to stay there through the holiday.

Where did the inspiration for your story come from?

This story is tied in to my Interludes series and I always wanted Josh, who is a playboy from the word go, to get his comeuppance, so to speak. The woman he wants, is well aware of his reputation and isn’t about to fall for anything he has to say. This is him, changing her mind before he has to leave.

Where do you write? Have you got a little nook at home, or do you write wherever you happen to be on a laptop or on your phone?

I do have a home office that I use and have my dogs with me. I always have a notebook with me or my Remarkable to write on.

Can you tell us what you’re working on at the moment?

I am currently working on a historical, book two in my Heart’s Compass series that is out at Totally Bound. And I am finishing up a paranormal series that will be coming soon to KU only.

Pelaam: The Moment

Today we welcome Pelaam to the blog, author of The Moment from Pride’s A Little Bit Cupid collection, to tell us about her ideal Valentine’s Day.

Describe your perfect Valentine’s Day.

Get up late. Have brunch at our favourite beachside restaurant with a glass of buck’s fizz. A leisurely afternoon walking along the beach, playing minigolf, then sitting at a café, people watching. Home to shower and change, then a romantic dinner for two early evening, then relaxing on a rooftop bar. (Bear in mind, I live in New Zealand, so Feb is my summer)

Chocolates or roses? Or something else?

Chocolates are always welcome, but a nice bottle of bubbles (champagne) or a good rosé wine are also favourites.

Who’s your dream date for a Valentine’s Day dinner?

My hubby – he’s still my dream date.

Do you have a favourite Valentine’s Day book, film or song?

Not really. It’s not a Valentine movie, but I took The Princess Bride as my inspiration for the themed ball in The Moment. It’s as good as a romantic movie as it is everything else.

How does Valentine’s Day tie in with your story, The Moment?

My couple get together thanks to a Valentine’s Day costume party. It’s during the party that Jason, one of my main characters has his epiphany. “When you go on a blind date and you’re looking around, you see someone and have the moment where you think, let it be them.”

Where did the inspiration for your story come from?

I was thinking about perfect first dates. Then flipped it slightly so that Jason, in expecting to have someone he knows accompany him to the ball, is instead set up with someone he doesn’t know. However, he’s assured the stranger will make the perfect blind date for him.

Where do you write? Have you got a little nook at home, or do you write wherever you happen to be on a laptop or on your phone?

I have a desk in my bedroom which overlooks the Tasman Sea. But I write anywhere and everywhere. I always have a notebook and pens with me, although I’ve been known to write on any piece of paper available if the Muse strikes.

Can you tell us what you’re working on at the moment?

I’m currently working on the third in my The Devil’s in the Details book entitled The Eye of Evil. Although these books do have a theme of romance running through them, they’re my first real horror stories. I’m also working on another with a BDSM theme which as yet is untitled.

Thank you for popping by! And good luck with The Moment.

Keep up to date with Pelaam’s books by following her on Facebook.

Rhoda Baxter: Valentine’s Day

Author Rhoda Baxter popped by the blog to tell us what she likes to do for Valentine’s Day. Buy her latest novella, sweet f/f romance Christmas for Commitmentphobes on Amazon!

Describe your perfect Valentine’s Day.

I don’t really do much for Valentine’s Day now, but I’d like to think it would involve being given a cup of tea first thing! Obviously, as it’s the Perfect Valentine’s Day, neither of us would have to go to work. We’d probably go have an amble round a National Trust place, with a stop for tea and cake, and then home for a nice meal. That sort of lovely day would mean a whole lot of logistics involving someone looking after the kids and tidying the house, so more realistically, I’d be looking at cinema and Nandos. Not that I’m complaining. I love Nandos.

Chocolates or roses? Or something else?

Chocolates (The answer is always chocolates). I quite like a cheery bunch of daffodils.

Who’s your dream date for a Valentine’s Day dinner?

Probably my husband. Our first Valentine’s Day date was terrible. Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. The bus got cancelled, it rained, the restaurant had over-extended itself, so they stuck us poor students in a corner and forgot about us… the list goes on. But the saving grace was that, in the middle of apologising to me about how badly the date had gone, he started laughing. Then I started laughing. We’ve been giggling at our misfortunes together ever since.

Do you have a favourite Valentine’s Day book, film or song?

Pride and Prejudice (the Colin Firth version). It’s quite long, so you’d have to watch it over a few days. You’ll definitely need snacks, preferably chocolate ones.

Where do you write? Have you got a little nook at home, or do you write wherever you happen to be on a laptop or on your phone?

I write sitting in bed. It’s terribly bad for me, I’m told, but its the warmest, most comfortable place for me. I’ve written so many books sitting tucked up in bed with a hot water bottle at my feet that it’s become my ‘creative place’ now.

Can you tell us what you’re working on at the moment?

I’ve just finished writing a royal romance about a depressed princess. Now I’m in the planning stages of another book. I’d quite like to write about video games, because I talk argue about them with my teen quite a lot. I’m planning a book about two gamers who don’t realise they know each other in real life. I’m going to have to watch some video game walkthroughs for research, I reckon. It’s not procrastination at all. It’s research.

About Rhoda Baxter

Rhoda Baxter writes contemporary romances about people who make her laugh. You can find her rambling on about books, Lego and cake on her website or catch her on Twitter where she is definitely not procrastinating.

Wendi Zwaduk: Over My Head

Wendi dropped by our blog to tell us about what she gets up to on Valentine’s Day, and about her Valentine’s-themed book, Over My Head.

Describe your perfect Valentine’s Day.

It’s funny this is the first question. When I started dating my now husband, we were super young and in college. We were also rather penniless, too. Hey, it was college and we put ourselves through college. Back then, we both sort of decided Valentine’s Day was just another day and we should show each other we loved each other all through the year. That said, the big goof (after telling me we weren’t doing much, so I just got him some white chocolate) created a little Valentine getaway in his dorm. Did I mention we were both not exactly rolling in the dough? But it was perfect. It’s my version of the perfect Valentine’s Day. He made dinner and had the room decorated in red and white twinkle lights. We listened to music, danced and…well…you can imagine the rest. He also got me a little ring, not an engagement one, but I’ve still got it and would wear it if I hadn’t worn the band through. So that’s my version of the perfect Valentine’s Day, the one I spent with him. Good thing I’m married to him and get this kind of Valentine’s Day every year – without the dorm room. Lol!

Chocolates or roses? Or something else?

I’m more of a daisy girl. I love chocolate. Don’t get me wrong. I’m all about going to our local chocolatier and going a little crazy buying chocolate, but I love when DH buys me daisies.

Who’s your dream date for a Valentine’s Day dinner?

My dream date would have to be Chris Evans. I know I should say DH, but this is a dream, right? I have a mild obsession with Chris Evans, so yeah, him. Or James McAvoy. Maybe both? A girl can dream, right?

Do you have a favourite Valentine’s Day book, film or song?

It’s not exactly a Valentine’s Day song, but I do love Right Where I Need to Be by Gary Allan. It’s a country song, but it’s about the guy getting his priorities in order and being with the one he loves, versus working all his life. Like I said, not Valentine’s Day, but romantic as heck. Plus, Gary Allan wears that cowboy hat like a champ. Yum!

How does Valentine’s Day tie in with your story, Over My Head (Part of the Heart Attack Collection at Totally Bound)?

I wanted to pair an exotic dancer with a cop. Sort of clichéd, I know, but oh well. So I did and I got them together at Valentine’s Day. He shows her there is humanity in the world and she gives him a hot time. Isn’t that what Valentine’s Day is for? Hot times? I think so.

Where did the inspiration for your story come from?

I wrote a story involving another dancer and another cop, but the dancer in Over My Head, kept talking. She also became a fan favorite because they wanted to know what happened to her. So…I wrote her story. I’m glad I did. Plus, cops and exotic dancers are just ripe for drama.

Where do you write? Have you got a little nook at home, or do you write wherever you happen to be on a laptop or on your phone?

I’m a bad girl. I tend to write whenever inspiration strikes. One time, that involved me writing while I was supposed to be listening to an author presentation. Oops. I’ve always got a notebook with me and I’m known to whip out the Google docs app on my phone to jot stuff down. I have a desk at home where I’m supposed to write, but I have two dogs and two cats who believe my life’s work is to take care of them, so they tend to involve themselves in my writing. I end up sitting on the couch (I know, horrible for posture) with the dogs. They feel close to me (or are sitting on me) and I get my writing done. It’s only awkward when I’m trying to write something super hot and the dog is having either gas or a dream.

Ellen Mint: Special Delivery

Today on the blog, we’re talking to Ellen Mint, author of another story from Pride’s A Little Bit Cupid Collection, Special Delivery.

Describe your perfect Valentine’s Day.

Curled up on the couch by my fire/heater because it’s always freezing cold out and snowy. Snuggling while watching a long movie, probably with a dog on my lap because again cold and it’s my duty to provide warmth for her. Then my husband and I can fool around after.

Chocolates or roses? Or something else?

Are the roses enchanted in any way? Do the colors change with every beat of a person’s love-sick heart? Or will a single prick of a thorn turn someone into Rose-Man, not to be confused with Rosé-Man who cries a red-white wine? If not, then the chocolates, especially one with salted caramel.

Who’s your dream date for a Valentine’s Day dinner?

A dragon. Who can turn you down for not having a reservation when you walk in the door with a dragon? Plus, you can go on a flight after—assuming it’s not freezing cold and snowy outside. Have to look out for any stab-happy knights, however.

How does Valentine’s Day tie in with your story, Special Delivery?

Jack works at a floral shop putting together beautiful bouquets for lovers while he’s stuck in single island. When Tan, the biggest crush he ever had in high school, walks into the shop and orders flowers for V-Day, Jack wants to die. Now he has to be the Valentine’s Day happy, peppy delivery man for the hottest man Jack’s ever known.

Where did the inspiration for your story come from?

I wanted to lean hard into the Romcom idea, so I thought what’s the worst job to have on Valentine’s Day? Delivery man! Especially if he’s single and lonely just when his oldest crush walks through the door like a punch to the heart.

Where do you write? Have you got a little nook at home, or do you write wherever you happen to be on a laptop or on your phone?

I sit at the kitchen table which started because I used to have a tiny, hyper puppy who could get into anything at the drop of a hat. Now I have an elder black lab who doesn’t care what I do most of the day as long as I don’t interrupt her naps. But that was where I started writing and that’s where it works.

Can you tell us what you’re working on at the moment?

Hot Aliens, Bounty Hunters, and Math! Cutie-Pi is a pi-day themed SciFi Romance. Trini Martinez has been trying to flirt with her lab partner, Nolan for months. But he keeps brushing her off until one day a strange new post-doc arrives. She fears that the interloper is there to try and steal her job and research, and she’s not entirely wrong. The tentacles spurting from his head, however, she didn’t see coming. Thank god for Nolan who seemed to know exactly how to stop a tentacle man hiding inside a humanoid robot. What in the world is happening?

Special Delivery

Out now in ebook.

Jack Dawson has been madly in love with Tan Nguyen since high school. So when his oldest crush walks into his flower shop to place an order, Jack…runs into the closet to hide.

Valentine’s Day is the worst day for florists, especially lonely ones who just want a boyfriend at least a quarter as hot as Tan. Add in Jack having to hand-deliver a special romance basket for Tan’s secret date while wearing a bright red suit and he’s tempted to flee to Canada.

But, to his shock, this is going to be a February Fourteenth that Jack will never forget.

About Ellen Mint

Ellen Mint adores the adorkable heroes who charm with their shy smiles and heroines that pack a punch. She has a needy black lab named after Granny Weatherwax from Discworld. Sadly, her dog is more of a Magrat.

When she’s not writing imposing incubi or saucy aliens, she does silly things like make a tiny library full of her books. Her background is in genetics and she married a food scientist so the two of them nerd out over things like gut bacteria. She also loves gaming, particularly some of the bigger RPG titles. If you want to get her talking for hours, just bring up Dragon Age.

Find out more about Ellen on her website, and follow her on Bookbub, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.

The Ghost Garden shortlisted for major award

We’re thrilled to announce that our novel The Ghost Garden has been shortlisted for the RNA’s 2020 Romantic Novel of the Year Awards. Awarded each year by the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the RoNAs are the romantic fiction equivalent of the BAFTAs. And yes, we’re very pleased and very excited!

January Bain: Lovestruck

January Bain’s novella, Lovestruck, is from the Valentine’s collection A Little Bit Cupid. There’s eight stories in the collection, spread between Pride and Totally Bound Publishing. Lovestruck is available to preorder now, and is published on 4th February 2020.

Here’s January to tell us about the inspiration for her story.

I often get asked, where do your ideas for your books come from? That’s an excellent question, in my opinion, and one I love to answer. They all come from different places, usually unexpectedly and while I’m in the shower causing me to dance around looking for a bit of paper and a pen while soaking wet, but the plot for LOVESTRUCK came to me in one glorious afternoon. I asked myself one question: What if cupid’s arrow was real? The concept had me stirred to the nines as I thought about what could that mean to a couple that had just met, and he got struck in the hiney by an arrow that would change his life forever!

So, first up, meeting cute: What if a young boy tears out of a Valentine’s Day Shoppe with the real bow and arrow clutched in his five-year-old hands, and he nails the hero with it right off the hop? Then the ensuing ruckus and events would cause the entire town of Snowy Lake to be turned on its head as the hero strives to make the heroine fall in love with him! And each antic can out do the last making the story almost too much fun to write. My heartrate increased just thinking, with a lot of glee, just how easy it would be to throw everything I had at the poor guy.

Within a few short hours I had the plot all hammered out, like it was all meant to be. And I proudly present it to my readers under the title: LOVESTRUCK. Because that is exactly what happened to the hero…

Hugs,

January Bain

Storyteller

About Lovestruck

Connected to the Manitoba Tea & Tarot series

What if Cupid’s arrow is real?

What if Cupid’s arrow is real? When the ancient artifact is discovered by a newfound witch and lent to a friend for her Valentine’s Day display, all Hades breaks lose when it inadvertently falls into the wrong hands.

Magic is in the air as two polar-opposite people, sweet small-town Emma Hurst and big city man Stone Collins, are forced to deal with his over-the-top romantic gestures that threaten embarrassment at every turn. Being swept off her feet by a heartthrob is one thing, but having love forced on them by a spell is quite another, something Emma won’t stand for. Soon no one knows what’s real and what’s been caused by the tricky god of love.

Will Cupid win or will cooler heads prevail? It’s going to take every last sprinkle of Valentine magic to sort out this kerfuffle….

Excerpt

Oh, did you expect me to play fair?” Cupid laughed. “I am the god of love. I am never fair.  ~Rick Riordan, The House of Hades

Emma Valentine Hurst’s hand hovered over the open chocolate box. Hmm. A sinfully dark chocolate truffle or a heart-shaped melt-in-your-mouth orange liquor? After her dismal morning, both.

She slipped the first one into her mouth, closed her eyes and let it melt on her tongue while trying to ignore the ongoing struggle of wills between mother and son going on right behind her. A sudden sharp snap alerted her to trouble. She whirled around to discover her new Cupid-with-arrow display teetering precariously on its pedestal. In a flash she crossed the short distance, just in time to save the display from toppling over, but not in time to stop the child from taking off with his prize, clutching it in his candy-stained hands. The bow and arrow recently held upright and loaded for action by none other than Cupid himself.

“Tommy! Stop that! Put that back right now. Don’t you dare, young man, I’m warning you!”

Timothy Adam Jones took off like a bat, well, right out of hades for the front door of the newly minted Valentine’s Candy Shoppe, his mother Vanity trying desperately to catch up with the five-year-old. He seemed to have been blessed with feet that must be invisibly winged like Mercury or Hermes, depending on whether one preferred the Romans or the Greeks. She was more personally more enamored of the Greeks for their mythology came first. Though Cupid was decidedly more Roman.

But the determined child who had already made the front entrance also had the advantage of being sugar-fueled thanks to his doting mother allowing him to graze at each and every candy bin to his heart’s content, hence Emma’s dismal morning. To Vanity’s credit, she was being hampered by her four-inch heels, a tight pencil skirt, and a multitude of hair extensions that obscured her sideways vision like blinders on a plow horse. The fashion plate succeeded in only teetering dangerously back and forth on the tiled floor and within precarious inches of a towering display of crystal cut-glass stemware.

Emma swallowed the remains of the chocolate and charged after the child, waving his mother off who gave her a grateful though chagrined look. Afterall, he had her Cupid’s arrow clutched in his tight little fists, having torn it off her new Valentine’s display. So now the display didn’t make sense for why would Cupid being holding his arms out so awkwardly? Pretending to mime an arrow? It just wasn’t going to work.

And not to mention her best friend Charm McCall had loaned it to her with the express sentiment that she keeps it safe and out of anyone’s hands. That it was the real deal. And knowing Charm, that meant it was charged with magic, whatever that would entail. But right now, all she wanted was to get the precious artifact back in one piece and where it belonged before her friend found out what had happened.

Timmy turned the handle of the shop’s front door and slipped through the opening before she could grasp the back of his snowsuit.

“Whoopee, I’m Robin Hood!” he yelled at the top of his surprisingly robust lungs while tearing off down the street, holding his prize in front of him.

Emma took off after him, grateful for her running shoes. She ignored the frosty air that bit at her skin. February in Snowy Lake in the northern reaches of Canada’s heartland was a cold, cold affair. The next two weeks plus one day of celebrating the Winter Festival—claim to fame the longest one in Canada beating out Quebec by twenty-four hours—concluded with a Valentine’s Dance on Saturday, February 14th. The town competitive? Naw. Well, maybe. But it was the highlight of their winter and helped the residents, all twelve-hundred and fifty-nine of them on a good day, stay away from the doldrums of the endless white freezing stuff that lined driveways and fields with equal abandon. Snow. The four-letter word that was greeted with such fanfare in late October, and vilified by most by early February.

“Timmy! Stop! I’ll give you a big bag of candy,” she yelled at the small figure disappearing down the street, doing a dazzling display of male daring by pretending to shoot every person he met. He was also too busy darting around the legs of passersby to give her any mind. She began to gain on him. Just a few more steps and I’ll have that little candy monster in my grasp.

Ah-ha. She reached for him just as he let the arrow loose from the bow. No! She watched in horror as it went flying into the air on a straight trajectory and right into the backside of a retreating figure. The person, a man, stopped in his tracks. Oh—fudge. He was walking alongside Charm’s Mountie, Ace Collins. She grabbed the bow from Timmy and clutched it to her stomach. The child slumped to the sidewalk and began to cry.

The tall man, as tall as Ace who Charm had likened to Bigfoot on first meeting him out Saskatoon berry picking last fall, turned around and stared right at her. Everyone else backed away a bit, leaving them to sort it out. Of course, they all stayed, lining the sidewalk, a good show in Snowy Lake was not something to be missed. A popcorn vendor was likely on their way.

“You could have just said, hello, but I get your point,” the man said, his brown eyes locked with hers. She couldn’t seem to find her tongue to speak. Words. That’s what was needed. He’d just said something clever, now it was her turn. But what could she say to this fine-looking hunk of maleness that carried such a striking resemblance to the town’s newest Mountie? Right down to the rich brown wavy hair and chiselled jawline. Oh. My. Goddess.

“I’m sorry. It wasn’t me. I mean, it’s my bow, on loan, but I didn’t shoot you. Timmy, tell the man.” She looked in desperation at the young boy still carrying on his now full-blown tantrum at her feet, rolling around the sidewalk in his bright blue snowsuit. “Tell him you shot him in the—aw—derriere, not me.”

No help in that direction. Timmy ignored everything but his own grief at the loss of his new toy. The man continued to stare at her for a few more intense seconds, eyebrows raised in disbelief, before seeming to realize he had an arrow attached to his backside. Ace, his ever-supportive brother, stopped laughing long enough to inspect the damage.

“Afraid we’re going to need medical intervention, Stone. That thing’s rather well attached.” Ace’s tone was quite calm for a man whose sibling had just been shot.

About January Bain

January Bain has wished on every falling star, every blown-out birthday candle, and every coin thrown in a fountain to be a storyteller. To share the tales of high adventure, mysteries, and full-blown thrillers she has dreamed of all her life. The story you now have in your hands is the compilation of a lot of things manifesting itself for this special series. Hundreds of hours spent researching the unusual and the mundane have come together to create books that features strong women who live life to the fullest, wild adventures full of twists and unforeseen turns, and hot complicated men who aren’t afraid to take risks. She can only hope her stories will capture your imagination.

If you are looking for January Bain, you can find her hard at work every morning without fail in her office with her furry baby, Ling Ling. And, of course, she’s married to the most romantic man! Who once famously remarked to her inquiry about buying fresh flowers for their home every week, “Give me one good reason why not?” Leaving her speechless and knocking her head against the proverbial wall for being so darn foolish. She loves flowers.

If you wish to connect in the virtual world she is easily found on Facebook. Oh, and she loves to talk books…

Find out more about January on her website, and follow her on Twitter and Goodreads.