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NEW RELEASE: Still the One

It’s release day for STILL THE ONE, my steamy sapphic second-chance romance!

You can get Still the One from all retailers:

Available as ebook from:
➞ Direct from Author
➞ Amazon
➞ Apple
➞ Kobo
➞ Google Play
➞ Barnes & Noble

Available as paperback from:
➞ Amazon
➞ Barnes & Noble

“Harper Bliss has the ability to weave a story that captivates from the get-go! The angst, the laughter, the crying, the love! WOW!”

“The best second-chance romance book I’ve ever read!”

Here’s the blurb:

All great love stories deserve a second act

Mac and Jamie had their life together all planned out. Until Jamie did the unforgivable and left Mac for another woman.

Twenty years later, they meet again for the first time at a friend’s wedding.

Mac’s pain lingers, while Jamie is still haunted by regret.

Can they let go of their history and open their hearts to the possibility of a second chance?

Find out in this gripping tale of forgiveness and the power of true love.

Grab your copy of this steamy sapphic read now!

Don’t miss Still the One if you like any or all of these things:
– Sizzling second-chance romance
– Sexy mature lady characters
– Many a steamy scene
– All The Lesbian Processing
– Celebrity cameos from the BlissVerse

Ah, Mac and Jamie. They truly are to die for. And they’re also meant for each other — it just takes them a looooong time to realize that.

Despite the amount of processing in this book, I also tried to write a real feel-good beach read, and I think it worked. But do try for yourself! (Although it is recommended to read some chapters in the privacy of your home/bedroom.)

I’m so happy with Still the One. I hope you are, too.

“One of my favourites of all time by Harper Bliss.”

“I loved it BOTH times I have read it. It’s that good.”

“A must-read, not only for Harper Bliss fans!”

“This book has everything a feel-good romance needs.”

Enjoy! ⁠

The post NEW RELEASE: Still the One appeared first on Harper Bliss.

PREVIEW: Still the One

Still the One will be available in ebook and paperback on 14 June 2023. The audio, narrated by Abby Craden, will follow a few months later.

It’s already available on my web shop:
➞ Get Still the One direct from me

Or you can pre-order from Amazon here:
➞ Amazon

Here’s a preview. Enjoy!

 

Still the One
© Harper Bliss

CHAPTER ONE
MAC

There she is. The woman who broke my heart into a million pieces. Jamie Sullivan, owner of Sully’s Sourdough—and cheater extraordinaire.

I’ve had months to prepare for this moment—years even—but maybe there’s no such thing as preparing for something like this.

I’m definitely not ready for how untouched by time she looks. Her hair is still that rich dark brown—surely this can’t be her natural color anymore—and she’s still sporting those same bangs that almost hide her eyes.

Jamie makes a beeline for me. “Wow. Gabrielle Mackenzie in the flesh.” She flashes me a smile. “I see you on TV all the time, but…” She pauses, looks me in the eye briefly before her glance skitters away. Jamie shakes her head ever so slightly, then asks, “Can I give you a hug?”

“Yeah.” I inhale deeply. It’s been twenty years. I’ve had to move on with my life and in order to do so, I had to forgive Jamie for what she did—for ripping my heart to shreds—but I will never forget. It’s not possible. “Sure.” I open my arms for what I think will be a light embrace—keeping each other at a respectable distance while gingerly folding our arms around each other. But Jamie has other plans—that’s kind of her thing.

She pulls me close. I have no choice but to bury my nose in that gloriously soft hair of hers. It feels like silk and smells like the most fragrant flowers.

“Sandra and her adult-onset heteronormativity, eh?” Jamie says, her mouth right by my ear.

“My thoughts exactly.” We let go, and I have no time to investigate my feelings, no time to gauge if there’s anything left at all of what I used to feel for Jamie, because Sandra, the reason we’re both here, bounds up to us.

“Good,” Sandra says, pointing her finger from me to Jamie. “This has happened. It’s done.” She narrows her eyes. “I’m smart enough not to ask how that made you feel. For once, it’s all about me.” She waggles her eyebrows. Poor Sandra. She’s been in the middle of our feud since the very beginning. No wonder she asked—demanded, really—that we finally get over ourselves so we could both attend her dream wedding in Maui. And here we are.

“It is all about you, gorgeous.” Jamie rubs Sandra’s shoulder. She’s still as tactile as ever, then. “Where do you want us? What should we do?”

We? Wow. That was quick. Still bossy then, as well. Or, as Jamie used to call it: taking charge of a situation.

“That lovely man over there”—Sandra points to the wedding planner I met when I arrived earlier today—“is going to tell you all about it. This is only the rehearsal so if you’d like to practice sitting together, that can be arranged.” She throws in a wink.

“There’s no assigned seating?” Jamie sounds incredulous.

“Just sit on my side of the aisle,” Sandra says. “And be nice to each other. That’s all I want.” She pulls her lips into the widest grin. “Thank you both for being here. It means a lot that you’ve put aside your, um, differences. For me.”

Perhaps I should have done that a long time ago, for the numerous parties of Sandra’s that I missed because I feared Jamie might be there. But so many things that shouldn’t happen, do—to remind myself of that I only have to glance at the woman standing next to me. And I had to say yes to Sandra’s wedding.

“The best excuse ever for a trip to Hawaii,” Jamie says in that way she has. It should sound obnoxious—because we’re not here for an exotic holiday; we’re here for our friend—but for some reason that has always eluded me, it doesn’t. Jamie gets away with everything. “It’s an honor to be here,” Jamie continues. “But I’m not going to lie, San, I’m still a little baffled at you tying the knot. Life can be funny that way.”

“The heart wants what the heart wants,” is all Sandra says, before she’s whisked off by the wedding planner.

“So?” Jamie tilts her head. “Do you want to sit with me?”

“Why not?” My smile is surprisingly genuine. Maybe instead of being cut up about seeing my ex-fiancée again, I’m simply glad to spend some time with my former best friend. It must be that.

“Come on.” Jamie leads the way to where we’re meant to sit. It gives me a chance to thoroughly scrutinize her from behind. She’s dressed in a soft pink suit and her ass looks mighty fine in those pants.

We find a spot in the middle row of only three. This is not a huge wedding, just the bride and groom’s immediate families and a small number of friends.

“Oh! My! God!” a high-pitched voice comes from behind us. “Hell has finally frozen over. What’s next? Flying pigs?”

Jamie and I turn around. Alan stares back at us. He’s one of the friends I gradually lost after Jamie and I broke up—someone who, over time, gravitated more toward her. I don’t hold it against him. I spend a lot of time abroad and when in New York, I’m usually busy with work.

“Hi, darling.” We both stand up and Jamie air kisses him.

“My god, Mac! As I live and barely fucking breathe.” Alan holds out his hands. Instinctively, I put mine in his. “Phew. You look even hotter than you do on TV. Positively smoking, darling. Hot damn, it’s so good to see you. Come here.” He pulls me to him and the enthusiastic kisses he plants on my cheeks have nothing airy about them.

“It’s wonderful to see you, Alan.” The tight-knit group of friends Jamie and I were part of brusquely fell apart after she left me. In the end, Sandra was the only one I kept in close contact with. “You look smoking hot as well, Alan.” I rake my gaze over my old pal. He’s still the same man I used to see all the time, except his hairline has receded and his face looks more weathered. I used to know every intimate detail about Alan’s life and now here we are, not quite strangers, but certainly no longer friends.

“Babe, come here.” Alan calls for a man a few feet away with his back to us. He turns around and joins us. “Please meet my far better half. This is Charles.” Alan wiggles his fingers to draw attention to the ring on his ring finger. “My husband.” Alan beams when he says the word. Another wedding I wasn’t invited to. I wonder how many there have been. Am I the only single person here? Jamie might not have brought a plus-one, but I doubt someone like her is single—unless that’s how she wants it. Although, come to think of it, people always say that about me as well. As though having my face on TV automatically makes me prime relationship material. But there are a million reasons to remain single. I should know—so I shouldn’t judge.

Charles is dashing, well-spoken, and extremely courteous. I wonder how he ended up with the likes of Alan, who is foul-mouthed, outrageous, and says whatever he thinks no matter whose company he’s in.

“Can we sit with you, Mac?” Charles asks, surprising me. Mac is what my friends call me, and I’ve only just met him. It could still be what Alan calls me when he sees me on TV. “I’m such a fan of—”

“Babe.” Alan leans into Charles’s ear and tries to whisper—but being inconspicuous has never been one of Alan’s talents. “Give them some space,” he says.

“It’s all right,” I say. “We don’t need space.” Why would Jamie and I need space? We’re not here for a reunion; we’re here for our friend’s wedding.

“Nevertheless.” Did Alan just wink at me? “We’ll see you at the rehearsal dinner. We’re sitting at the same table.” He drags Charles away, but they can’t sit very far from us.

“Don’t mind Alan,” Jamie says. “You know he always has silly notions.”

“Like what?” Jamie and I sit again and I take a good look at her face. She has aged, of course, but time has been kinder to her than it was to Alan. She’s still as stunning as when I first met her—better, even. Because those lines around her eyes promise the kind of wisdom no one has at twenty, or thirty for that matter. When they play reckless games with the heart of the person they’re meant to love most in the world.

“Let’s just say he has made rather a big deal of you being here.”

“Why?”

Jamie pulls her lips into a grin. “Come on, Mac. Surely, you know why.”

“Because we haven’t seen each other in twenty years.”

“Well, yes, although that’s not technically true. We did see each other—”

“Is Alan expecting some big drama or something?” I cut Jamie off for a reason. I don’t want to relive the couple of excruciating times I ran into her, or arrived somewhere I thought she wouldn’t be only to be confronted with her when I was nowhere near ready for that. “Because too much time has gone by for that.”

“That’s exactly what I said to him.”

“Charles seems lovely.”

“He’s such a gem.”

“How long have they been married?”

“Coming up to seven years now.” Something sparkles in Jamie’s eyes. I remember that sudden glint in her eyes well. It was one of the things that made her irresistible—that made me fall in love with her over and over again. “Guess who officiated their nuptials?”

The way she’s looking at me, there can only be one answer. “You?”

“I got ordained as a Dudeist Minister. Isn’t that the most hilarious thing you’ve ever heard? Me? Officiating for The Church of Dudeism.” Jamie sure thinks it’s a hoot. “Marrying two dudes.”

It is funny, though. Jamie’s laughter is infectious—always has been. It’s a little awkward to be sitting here with her, after all these years, but despite everything that has happened, there’s something familiar, something strangely soothing about it as well. For ten years of my life, I had the privilege of knowing Jamie Sullivan in the most intimate ways. Maybe it says a lot about me that, in hindsight, they were the best years of my life.

“It’s such a Jamie thing to do,” I say when our chuckles die down.

“Hey, um, I’ve been nervous about seeing you again.” Jamie’s face has turned all serious. “When you first started appearing on TV, I had to switch it off, and you know how much I love watching sports.” She scoffs softly, as though mocking herself. “But I’m glad you came. That you’re here.”

“I’m here for Sandra.”

“Yeah. We all are.”

The seats around us suddenly fill up, as though the wedding planner just flipped a switch. We are hushed so the rehearsal can start—and my first proper conversation with Jamie in twenty long years is cut short.

CHAPTER TWO
JAMIE

“To America.” Alan lifts his champagne glass. “Where we’re so uptight, we feel the need to practice for the best day of our life.” He rolls his eyes. “They don’t do that anywhere else in the world, you know?” He shoots his husband a wink. “Charles and I were very un-American about it. We skipped the rehearsal and went straight for the wedding instead.”

“You’re very worldly like that, darling,” I say, and my poor brain can’t help it. Attending this wedding and being here with Mac takes me back to the time she and I were planning our own commitment ceremony—back in the dark ages before same-sex marriage was legal. We had it all figured out—all the various steps meticulously mapped out. Until Cherry came along.

“The rehearsal dinner is more an opportunity for the two families to come together,” Mac says, using her sexy broadcaster voice. It makes her sound as though she possesses all the wisdom in the world. “Because our country is so big, we tend to marry more outside of our immediate circle than in other places.”

“I’d never looked at it like that.” Charles gazes at Mac like a genuine fanboy would. Who can blame him? Mac is a spectacular woman. She still has the slim, fit body of the soccer player she used to be. Her satin-like blonde hair just touches her shoulders. Her bright blue eyes stand out. Her complexion is radiant. And that sleeveless blouse is showing off some serious muscle definition.

We used to hold our very own arm-wrestling competitions—the baker against the former athlete. Kneading-dough strength versus gym-built strength. Mac always won. Losing isn’t really her thing.

“Hello friends.” Sandra crouches next to us at our table of four. “Everything going okay?” She eyes me first, then Mac.

“Hunky-dory,” Alan says.

“Mac, I’m so sorry, but my father-in-law is absolutely dying to meet you. Could you just give him a quick hello so he can get on with his life?”

“Sure.” Mac doesn’t seem perturbed by this. Her rise to TV fame happened after we broke up. When we were together, she was still working behind the scenes. I watch her rise and follow Sandra to the family table.

“How are you feeling?” Alan asks when Mac is out of earshot.

Before I can reply, he continues. “What’s it like seeing her again?”

I huff out some air. “It’s a little overwhelming. She’s so—”

“Classy? Elegant? Charming? Hot?” Alan’s on a roll.

“Absolutely gorgeous and so down-to-earth,” Charles adds.

“Wow.” I arch up my eyebrows. “Are you both crushing on Mac now?”

“Is she single? What do you know?” Alan doesn’t even acknowledge my question.

“As much as you do.”

“I follow her on Instagram,” Charles says, “and there’s never any mention of a partner or anything like that, although that doesn’t necessarily mean anything.”

“Surely Sandra knows,” Alan says. “They must still be pretty tight for Mac to come all the way to Maui for her wedding.” He taps his chin, as if we haven’t known for months that Mac would be here. But for the longest time, it was just an abstract notion in the future. Now the moment is here and we’re sharing a table with her. Mac has become very real for us—for me—again and, no matter how I twist or turn it, it’s a shock to my system.

“Don’t worry, James,” Alan says, calling me by his special nickname for me. “I’m on it. By the end of this night, I’ll know all there is to know about Mac’s personal life.” He sighs. “I can only speak for myself, but it’s so good to see her again. It’s been way too long.”

“What do you want to know?” Mac puts her hands on Alan’s shoulders and stands there beaming a smile at us. We were so wrapped up in talking about her, we stopped paying attention to where she was.

“We’re curious about you.” Alan isn’t fazed by Mac overhearing him—indiscretion is his middle name and surely Mac must remember what he’s like. “It’s only normal.”

Mac gives Alan’s shoulders a squeeze and takes her seat again. “In that case, let’s go tit for tat.”

“I’d prefer if no tits were involved.” Alan pulls a horrified face.

Mac shakes her head at him, then turns to me with a look that says ’Can you believe this guy?’

I can only respond with a shrug. Alan’s been one of my best friends for most of my life. But maybe Mac needs to reacclimatize to him a little.

“But sure,” Alan says. Although I appreciate his company and the levity it brings, I’d love to ask Mac a couple of questions in private. “Ask us anything you want, Mac.”

Instead of asking Alan a question, Mac turns to me. For a split second, I fear she might ask me how things turned out with Cherry, right here in front of my friends. But that’s not Mac’s style.

“Are you single?” she asks.

“Booyah!” Alan mimics an explosion with his fingers.

“I am,” I answer truthfully. “You?” The question naturally flows from my lips.

Mac nods.

“I don’t think we’re going to have to answer a lot of questions, babe,” Alan says to Charles. “We can just sit back and enjoy the lezzie show.” He crosses his arms over his chest, probably a little offended at not being the center of attention, and leans back.

I’m dying to inquire further, to ask Mac about her love life after me. Sandra refused to discuss that with me, claiming that if I wanted to know, I should find an adequate way to apologize to Mac so we could be friends again, and she could tell me herself. But Mac made it crystal clear she never wanted anything to do with me ever again—and that served me right.

“You must have so many admirers,” Charles says, sounding baffled at Mac’s admission.

Mac just shakes her head. She never fully grasped how beautiful she is. Although being on TV must earn her many compliments about her looks.

“Is it true there’s a special Tinder for celebrities?” Try as he might, Alan can’t keep quiet for longer than a few minutes.

To my surprise, Mac nods. I’m not surprised a dating app like that exists, but I am that Mac would use it. But it’s just another reminder that I know nothing about her any longer—about the woman I was going to marry and start a family with.

“Aaah!” Alan coos. “Have you used it?”

Mac nods slowly. “I have, but… I’m sorry, darling. I’m not spilling any beans.”

Alan clutches both hands to his chest. “Not even a tiny little bean?”

“I’m still single so clearly it wasn’t that successful.” Mac fixes her gaze on Alan. “But guess who’s a regular at Isabel Adler’s house?” She paints on a triumphant smirk, displaying a side of her that’s either new or that I don’t remember.

Alan’s mouth falls open. “No!” He shouts it as though our table has just caught fire. The other guests stop their conversations to look at us. “You can tease me about anyone else in the world, but not about Isabel Adler. That woman is a goddess and we are but mere mortals worshipping at her feet.”

Mac bursts out laughing and so do I. There’s theatrics, and then there’s this. I can’t help but eye her inquisitively myself, though.

“I’m good friends with Leila, her partner,” Mac says.

Alan looks at me with genuine devastation in his glance, as though he stayed friends with the wrong person after Mac and I broke up.

“She’s my ex, actually,” Mac continues.

“Isabel Adler’s partner is your ex.” Alan brings the back of his hand to his forehead, as though he might faint.

“Yeah, I can see that,” Charles mumbles, gently nodding.

Can he? I’ve never been able to imagine Mac with anyone else. In fact, it’s always been my greatest fear that I’d run into her on the arm of some gorgeous woman—no matter what kind of a hypocrite that would make me. Because I’m the one forever responsible for breaking us up. Although my guilt would be greatly alleviated if Mac were happily married, with the bunch of kids she always wanted—but still. But she must have had her fair share of lovers, of women adoring her—and not breaking her heart the way I did.

I tune back into the conversation just as Alan asks, “Forgive my indiscretion, darling.” He looks Mac straight in the eye and his voice is firm and solemn, like he’s taking Mac’s confession and she has no choice but to answer him. Alan’s specialty is extracting secrets from another person. “But why did things not work out between you and Leila Zadeh?”

Mac scoffs, or is that a giggle? “Let’s just say I’ve had some issues with trusting people in my life.”

That even shuts Alan up for a few moments. But thankfully not for too long. “It probably wasn’t meant to be,” he muses. “Because Leila was meant to be with Isabel.”

“Why are you single?” Mac takes me completely by surprise with her question.

“Hm.” I look into her eyes. Even though what she just said was an obvious—and deserved—dig at me, her face is kind and welcoming. “I haven’t always been single. I’m just more of a serial monogamist, I guess,” I blurt out.

“You most certainly are,” she says. “Minus the monogamy.”

“Zing!” Alan interjects, and I’m glad he does, because I don’t know what to say to that. “Good one, Mac, darling, but, um, this is all water under the bridge now, isn’t it?” He arches up his eyebrows. “Twenty years’ worth of water.”

“Of course,” Mac says, nodding. “I’m sorry.” She briefly touches her hand to my shoulder, startling me again. “I shouldn’t have said that. Alan’s right. It is water under the bridge.”

“Please, Mac, don’t apologize.” I can only hope the smile I send her hides my guilt. I’ve had to let go to move on, but I’ve never had the chance to properly apologize to Mac. At the time, she didn’t want my apologies—what could she do with some futile words, anyway? Then our worlds drifted farther and farther apart as the years went on. Now here we are, two decades later. “Don’t ever apologize to me,” I say.

<>

Still the One will be available on Wednesday 14 June 2023

The post PREVIEW: Still the One appeared first on Harper Bliss.

Cover & Blurb Reveal: Still the One

Here are the cover and blurb for Still the One:

All great love stories deserve a second act

Mac and Jamie had their life together all planned out. Until Jamie did the unforgivable and left Mac for another woman.

Twenty years later, they meet again for the first time at a friend’s wedding.

Mac’s pain lingers, while Jamie is still haunted by regret.

Can they let go of their history and open their hearts to the possibility of a second chance?

Find out in this gripping tale of forgiveness and the power of true love.

Still the One will be available in ebook and print on 14 June 2023.

Pre-order your ebook copy here:
➞ Direct from Author
➞ Amazon

The audio (read by Abby Craden) will follow in the summer.

The post Cover & Blurb Reveal: Still the One appeared first on Harper Bliss.

ON SALE: At Your Most Beautiful

My steamy summer age-gap romance At Your Most Beautiful is on sale!

DISCOUNTED FOR A LIMITED TIME – $2.99 instead of $8.99!

★★★★★ “Sexy AF!” – Amazon Reviewer

Some nights are unforgettable…

Ten years ago, Quinn Hathaway and Maya Mercer shared a night of forbidden passion they vowed to keep secret forever.

When Quinn and Maya meet again, old sparks fly, but none of the reasons to hide their passion have changed.

Quinn is still much younger and Maya has never told her son that she’s attracted to women.

Can Maya overcome her fear of what her family might think of her?

And how will Quinn’s parents, who used to be Maya’s next-door neighbors, react to their daughter’s unconventional love affair?

Best-selling lesbian romance author Harper Bliss brings you a second-chance age-gap story about not being afraid of living life on your own terms.

Get your discounted copy here:
→ Direct from me
→ Amazon US
→ Amazon UK
→ Amazon CA
→ Amazon AU
→ Amazon DE
→ Other Amazon Stores
→ Apple Books
→ Kobo
→ Barnes & Noble
→ Google Play

Please note that the price will go back up to $8.99 soon!

Enjoy!⁠

 

The post ON SALE: At Your Most Beautiful appeared first on Harper Bliss.

ON SALE: Release the Stars

My first celebrity romance, Release the Stars, is on sale!

You can get it for 99c instead of $6.99 for a limited time >>

★★★★★ “The writing is just as hot as you’d expect from Harper Bliss.” – The Lesbian Review

Can love be measured in percentages?

After her girlfriend leaves her for a man, broken-hearted novelist Charlie Cross moves from New York to Los Angeles to work on a TV show based on her books.

Charlie vows to never date any woman who isn’t a hundred percent certain of being a lesbian.

But when she is seduced by gorgeous bisexual cooking show host Ava Castaneda, whom she’s had a celebrity crush on for ages, Charlie is forced to review her belief in percentages because true love could very well be on the line.

Read the first book in the BlissVerse (celebrity sapphic romances) now!

Get your discounted copy here:
→ Direct from author
→ Amazon US
→ Amazon UK
→ Amazon CA
→ Amazon DE
→ Amazon AUS
→ Other Amazon Stores
→ Apple
→ Kobo
→ Google Play
→ Barnes & Noble

I’ve been writing a lot of celebrity romance lately and Release the Stars was the first one. It’s a great introduction to my ‘BlissVerse‘ and Charlie and Ava regularly pop up in my other books set in Hollywood.

Please note that the price will go back up to $6.99 soon!

Enjoy!⁠ ⁠

The post ON SALE: Release the Stars appeared first on Harper Bliss.

Fantasy Casting ‘The Love We Make’

Here’s my fantasy casting for Nora and Mimi in The Love We Make.

With these two as inspiration, this book practically wrote itself… [image error]

Jennifer Aniston as Nora Levine

Mimi Rogers (as Honey Chandler in Bosch) as Mimi St James

P.S. Thank you so much for making The Love We Make such a smash hit. I’m thrilled that so many of you are enjoying my ‘mature’ age-gap romance! [image error]

The post Fantasy Casting ‘The Love We Make’ appeared first on Harper Bliss.

NEW RELEASE: The Love We Make

The Love We Make is now available from Amazon (you can also read it in Kindle Unlimited):
➞ Amazon US
➞ Amazon UK
➞ Amazon CA
➞ Amazon AU
➞ Amazon DE
➞ Other Amazon Stores

Available as paperback from
➞ Amazon US
➞ Amazon UK

★★★★★ “I loved this book! I binged it all in a day.”

★★★★★ “This is such a good read! Do yourself a favour and get it as soon as you can. “

Here’s the blurb:

Best-selling sapphic romance author Harper Bliss brings you a heartfelt romance about overcoming differences, found family, and learning to see yourself through the eyes of the person you love.

Nora Levine has everything she dreams of: a leading role on a successful tv show and a quiet life with her best friends, away from the spotlight.

When the new production company CEO takes an unusually hands-on approach to her job, Nora’s hackles go all the way up.

Mimi St James just wants the best for everyone: her large family, her colleagues and employees; even the aloof star of her company’s hit show. And she’ll go the extra mile to make all of them happy.

Nora can’t help but warm to Mimi’s kind nature—and what she first saw as meddling.

Mimi soon discovers there’s so much more to Nora—good and bad—than meets the eye.

Can these two complex, strong-willed women find their way to each other?

Get your copy now and join Nora and Mimi on their deeply emotional journey to love!

Don’t miss The Love We Make if you like any or all of these things:
– Sexy mature celebrities
– All The Feels!
– Complex characters
– Found family forever

Ah, Nora and Mimi. I totally fell in love with both of them and I sure put them on an emotional roller coaster. The ride is bumpy but, as always, the ending is very happy.

Writing this book was a bumpy ride for me as well. I’m such a Nora (minus the house in Bel Air, the millions in the bank, and the six-pack abs). And as one of my beta-readers put it: don’t we all need a Mimi in our lives?

I’ll leave you to find that out now. (Spoiler alert: we so do!)

I’m so happy with The Love We Make. I hope you are, too.

★★★★★ “Full of big emotions, humour, sizzling chemistry, lots of drama queen action and deep love.”

★★★★★ “As is standard in Harper Bliss’s books, these are such well-defined and developed characters that one can’t help but feel as though they are real-life people.”

★★★★★ “It’s a Harper Bliss book so it’s damn good. I really enjoyed reading this. Older women – yes we still have it!”

★★★★★ “The romance is hot and steamy. Their friends and family are the best. Plus, we get a happily-ever-after and we all deserve that. “

Enjoy! [image error][image error][image error][image error][image error][image error]⁠

The post NEW RELEASE: The Love We Make appeared first on Harper Bliss.

PREVIEW: The Love We Make

The Love We Make will be available in ebook and paperback on 18 January 2023. The audio, narrated by Abby Craden, will follow a few months later.

You can pre-order the book from:
– Amazon (and get it delivered to your Kindle on release day)

Or you can start reading RIGHT NOW:
– Direct from me (the ebook will be emailed to you instantly!)

Here’s a preview. Enjoy!

The Love We Make
© Harper Bliss

CHAPTER ONE
NORA

I’ve just read the final line of today’s table read, but my performance—the performance of me—isn’t over until I get out of here.

“Great job everyone,” Jo, our showrunner, says. “Stella,” she addresses my co-star. “I just want to make sure you—”

Jo’s interrupted by a loud knock on the door. Before anyone can reply, the door opens. After three decades in this business, it’s no surprise to me. Too many TV executives believe every closed door is always open for them—and that’s hardly the worst of it.

We all look at the door, at the person so out of touch with the creative process of making television that they interrupt with no qualms.

I am surprised that the intruder is a woman. I’d say she’s late fifties, but I’m fifty-one and, even though she doesn’t look old, she’s definitely older than me. Or maybe she hasn’t had as much Botox.

She has that air of importance executives in this business like to carry around with them, as if to say: I’m here now, so you’d better stop whatever it is you’re doing, even if that’s the slow, difficult process of making art.

Her raven black hair is shoulder-length, her heels impressively high for a woman older than me. Her suit is high-end and stark white. Her makeup flawless. Everything about her screams money.

Jo jumps out of her chair.

“Ms. St James,” she says. “You’re a little early.”

“Am I?” Ms. St James shrugs. “Maybe you’re running late.” It doesn’t sound like a question. She plasters on a practiced smile.

Jo turns to us and gives an eye roll. “Everyone, please meet Michelle St James.”

“Thanks, Jo.” Michelle St James widens her smile. The crinkles around her eyes deepen. Definitely not a fan of Botox then—maybe to her credit. “Sorry for interrupting.” If this is what sorry looks like, I might have to revise how my character acts apologetic on the show we’re trying to make. “Please, continue. Pretend I’m not here.”

“That’s okay,” Jo says. “We were as good as done.” Way to stand your ground, Jo.

“Wow,” Stella mutters under her breath. “Who is this woman that’s got Jo all whipped?”

I lean in so that I am close to her ear. “The money,” I whisper.

“I wanted to stop by while you’re all gathered here to introduce myself. I’m the new CEO at Gloves Off Productions. I’m replacing Gerry, for reasons I’m sure you’re all aware of.” Her gaze drifts along the table, but doesn’t land anywhere. “I’m a very hands-on boss, absolutely no pun intended.” A touch of warmth reaches her smile. “Making television is my life, and this show is one of our company’s biggest assets. This means I’ll be around much more than my predecessor. I like to know what’s happening on my sets.” My sets? Also, doesn’t she have better things to do with her precious time? Crunch some numbers? Analyze some data? Count her money?

“Ms. St James will be an executive producer this season,” Jo chimes in. Her tone is as tense as her face. I’m guessing she didn’t get a choice in the matter. But who am I to complain? This is only Unbreak My Heart’s third season and both Stella and I are getting producer credits already.

A couple of the actual producers—the people who put in all the grunt work—shuffle in their seats. But this is how things go. Hollywood has never been a fair town and showbiz has never been a fair business based only on merit. Still, it’s odd for the CEO of the production company to demand this kind of role. I wonder if she’ll become executive producer on all the shows her company produces.

“I adore this show so it’s a great honor and privilege,” Michelle says. Her eyebrows twitch lightly as she locks her gaze on Jo for a second.

“Oh, yes.” Jo shoots Stella and me an apologetic smile before continuing. “Ms. St James would like to invite the leads to lunch.”

Before we can possibly protest, Jo says, “Today.”

Excuse me? Who does Michelle St James think she is to just rock up here and overhaul our schedules like this? As if there’s nothing to it? As if when she says jump, our only option is to ask how high?

“Sure,” Stella says, as expected. She’s the kind of person who doesn’t mind an impromptu change of schedule. Luckily, I’ve been around long enough to know that a carefully planned day is as much an illusion as the stories we tell on screen. It still irks me, though, that this woman can just waltz in here under the guise of wanting to meet us, when she’s clearly looking to throw around her weight.

“Of course.” I send her the fakest smile from my vast repertoire. “I’d be delighted.”

“Wonderful. I look forward to it.” Michelle St James turns on her stilettos and saunters out of the room.

“Way to make an entrance,” Stella says, reaching for her phone.

“Don’t you want to get home?” I ask.

Stella shakes her head. “One tiger mama is enough for my baby boy.” She scrolls through a few pictures that her partner, Kate, has sent while her phone was on silent. “Be still my heart. Will you look at this, Nora?” She thrusts the phone in my face. To me, it doesn’t look all that different from the gazillion pictures of Silas I’ve already had to admire.

“Adorable.” Stella’s son is cute, no matter how many times a picture of him is shoved into my face.

She puts her phone away. “Looks like we’re having lunch together.”

I can’t suppress a sigh. My dogs, although always pampered in my absence, are waiting for me at home. So is the poké bowl I like to eat for lunch, prepared by Ricky exactly the way I like it. And my soft couch, where I like to unwind after emotionally exhausting meetings like this one, with three warm furry bodies on top of me. It will have to remain empty while I listen to whatever Michelle St James has to say.

 

CHAPTER TWO
MIMI

“I’m serious, ladies,” I say. “I’m not just blowing smoke up your backsides. I’m thrilled to have this job and the opportunity to work with you. Unbreak My Heart has been such a breath of fresh air on my TV screen.” I lift my glass of cucumber water. “The three of you are a match made in heaven.” I am blowing a bit of smoke up their—very shapely, but I can’t say that out loud—behinds. It’s what you do in this town. It’s how you get overindulged people to fall in line—that and deep pockets.

“It’s been a dream come true for me from day one,” Stella Flack says. “All thanks to this one.” She points at Nora Levine. “If it wasn’t for Nora, I would never have gotten the part.”

“Really?” That’s the first I’ve heard of this. Why don’t I know this?

“Oh yes!” Stella is enjoying that glass of Chablis with gusto. “Nora changed my life.” She takes another sip.

“Let’s not exaggerate.” Nora’s features have been tight since we got to the restaurant.

“It’s not an exaggeration,” Stella says. “I didn’t get a callback until you specifically requested me, Nora.”

“Stella was rejected?” I turn to Jo.

“Water under the bridge,” Jo says. Apart from creative masterminds, showrunners also have to be excellent diplomats. “We’re here now, on the cusp of season three, ready to make another batch of episodes of our wonderful show.”

“Sorry for the delay, boss.” Stella winks at Jo.

“Being a mother of four myself, I want to assure you we’ll make every accommodation,” I say. “I want that to be absolutely clear.”

“I already made the hiatus much longer than it ought to have been.” Stella flashes us a wide smile.

“You had a baby. You never have to apologize for that to anyone.” I put down my fork. “Otherwise, you might as well apologize for being a woman and why on earth would you do that?”

“Hear! Hear!” Stella locks her gaze on me. “You’re a woman after my own heart, Michelle St James.”

“Call me Mimi, please.”

“Four kids, huh, Mimi. Damn! Respect,” Stella says.

“They’re all grown now. My youngest is twenty-six and a huge fan of yours, Nora.” I face Nora, hoping to melt some of her iciness. “He must have watched every single episode of High Life a dozen times by now. Even though when your show first aired, he was only seven or eight, but his sisters were so into it. In fact, my entire family is a bit nuts about you.”

“Aw.” Nora’s not the most engaging conversationalist. In her defense, she must get this a lot. Maybe it’s one of the reasons she’s such a recluse.

“I’d love to bring him on set once you start shooting.” Austin’s already such a mama’s boy. If I can arrange for him to meet Nora Levine, he may move back in with me—not that I would want him to.

“I’m sure we can make that happen,” Jo says, because Nora’s hardly forthcoming.

“I’d love to meet your son,” Nora says eventually. “Please, excuse me.” She dons her oversized sunglasses and gets up. Even stars like Nora need to use the bathroom.

I wisely refrain from asking Stella and Jo whether Nora’s always this cranky.

“Nora’s a very private person,” Jo offers. “It’s a miracle she said yes to this project, even though I wrote the part of Jessie specifically for her. I had zero guarantees she would go for it, but once she did, by Hollywood standards, everything moved really fast.”

“Some scripts are impossible to ignore.” This, I mean from the bottom of my heart. “Unbreak My Heart is funny without being obvious. The characters are so real, they could very well be sitting in this restaurant with us.”

“Nah. They don’t make enough money to come here,” Stella says drily. I like her. She’s a lot like Megan, her character on Unbreak My Heart. Unlike Nora, who’s nothing like sweet, caring, down-to-earth Jessie. Although Jessie’s quite edgy and she’s got many a flaw as well.

Nora returns to the table just as our meals are served.

“Tell me all about your little boy,” I say to Stella, taking the easy route of conversation. I’ll work on Nora later, when she’s in a better mood.

Stella shows me pictures of her son—and her gorgeous partner, Kate, while she’s at it—while regaling me with tales of all the amazing things a six-month-old can accomplish. It’s been so long, I seem to have forgotten what my kids were up to in their first years of existence. As far as I can remember, all they did was cry, eat, and get their diapers changed.

From the corner of my eye, I try to keep track of Nora’s reactions. She picks at her salad, not eating very much of it at all. It’s obvious she’d rather be anywhere but here. I make a mental note to try and clear the air with her—if that’s even possible—as quickly as I can.

After we’ve finished our meal, Stella says, “Let’s do a thing at my house soon. I’m emerging after having created another person. I have the extreme need to be seen as something else than just my baby’s mother. Did you experience this, Mimi?”

“Honestly, I don’t remember. I always worked, though, bar a few months after each birth. Some women don’t need to work, and no judgment on my part—every woman should do exactly as she pleases—but I needed a life outside of my family. Always have.” I fix my gaze on Stella. “But I’d love to see your house. Your partner’s an interior designer, isn’t she?” I might have missed a few tidbits, but I’ve done my homework on Stella and Nora.

Stella nods. “Yep.”

“Their house is absolutely gorgeous,” Nora says.

“So gorgeous, in fact, Nora has actually visited it more than once,” Stella quips. “How many times have you deigned to leave swanky Bel Air to come to our house, Nora?” Stella pretends to do some difficult math, counting on her fingers. “Four… five times in all the time we’ve been working together?”

“We hang out on set all the time,” Nora says. “I fail to see why we have to hang out after hours too.” The grin on her face looks genuine enough.

“If by hanging out on set you mean we’re each holed up in our own trailers, then sure.” There’s not a hint of malice in Stella’s tone, and I get the sense this is how things really are.

“We all have our own process.” This is the most I’ve heard Nora talk since we sat down to lunch. “Mine is much more inward than yours.”

Stella grins at Nora and a short silence ensues. I happily fill it.

“I’d love to visit you at home,” I repeat.

“Great. I’ll set it up. Kate will be thrilled to meet you. And to see you again, Nora.” They’re not done bantering yet. Nora doesn’t seem perturbed by her co-star’s teasing. Maybe it’s their thing and they do this all the time as a means to defuse some of the inevitable on-set tension.

“Don’t forget to invite your mother,” Nora says.

“Granted, my family are a bit much.” Stella shrugs. “But I didn’t get to pick them.”

“Maybe you and Kate can tell Mimi all about how you got together.” Nora seems very pleased with herself for making that remark.

“Oh, fuck.” Stella chuckles. “We’ve only just met. Let’s have some boundaries.”

I don’t remember reading anything about how Stella Flack met her partner when I did my research. It must be quite the story if Nora is taking such pleasure in referencing it.

What is clear to see, however, is why Stella and Nora are such a great match on screen.

“When is this party?” I ask. “Because I can’t wait.”

<>

The Love We Make will be available on Wednesday 18 January 2023 from AMAZON ONLY.

If you don’t want to buy the book from Amazon, please get it directly from me BEFORE 18 JANUARY here >>

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Cover & Blurb Reveal: The Love We Make

Here are the cover and blurb for The Love We Make:

Nora Levine has everything she dreams of: a leading role on a successful tv show and a quiet life with her best friends, away from the spotlight.

When the new production company CEO takes an unusually hands-on approach to her job, Nora’s hackles go all the way up.

Mimi St James just wants the best for everyone: her large family, her colleagues and employees; even the aloof star of her company’s hit show. And she’ll go the extra mile to make all of them happy.

Nora can’t help but warm to Mimi’s kind nature—and what she first saw as meddling. Mimi discovers there is much more to Nora than meets the eye.

Can these two complex, strong-willed women find their way to each other?

Get your copy now and join Nora and Mimi on their emotional journey to love!

Available in ebook and paperback on 18 January 2023. The audio, narrated by Abby Craden, will follow a few months later.

Pre-order:
– Direct from me
– Amazon US
– Amazon UK
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PLEASE NOTE: I will be launching this book in Kindle Unlimited, which means it will be exclusive to Amazon for at least 3 months as of the release date. If you don’t want to buy from Amazon, you will need to get the book directly from me, BEFORE 18 January.

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FREE THIS WEEK ONLY: No Strings Attached (Pink Bean 1)

No Strings Attached (Pink Bean – Book 1) is FREE for a limited time!

If you haven’t yet, you can now try the Pink Bean series for zero dollars.

Here’s what it’s all about in Book 1:

She had everything but happiness. When her fresh start awakens her truth, will she grab hold of hope?

Sydney, Australia. Micky Ferro feels empty. Worried that she’ll be drifting forever, the forty-four-year-old divorced mother of two struggles to find new meaning. But when a rudely extroverted American woman breezes into the café she works at, the directionless barista is confused by her unexpected sparks of desire.

Apprehensive but excited to leap into the unknown, Micky agrees to step out of her comfort zone as long as the relationship stays strictly casual. But although she’s determined not to fall for the first woman she’s ever kissed, she fears the day they exchange teary farewells at the departure lounge.

Will their heartfelt chemistry slip away before she finds the voice to ask for what she craves?

No Strings Attached is the steamy first book in the Pink Bean series of standalone lesbian romances. If you like emotional journeys, lighthearted reads, and stories of wondrous beginnings, then you’ll love Harper Bliss’s sexy perk up.

Download No Strings Attached to brew a cup of passion today!

Get your free copy anywhere you find ebooks:
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Please note that the price will go back up to $3.99 next week!
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