Stacy Claflin's Blog, page 28
January 25, 2018
Romance is in the Air: A Celebration of Clean Romance Giveaway
– Romance is in the Air –
A Month-Long Celebration of Clean Romance
– February 2018 –
Starting February 1st and running through the entire month of February we will be showcasing 14 fabulous authors. There will be 15 different giveaways, free ebooks and lots of great deals on books.
We’re starting off with a $100 Kick-Off Giveaway. One lucky winner will receive a $100 Amazon Gift Code or $100 in Paypal Cash.
Check out this great list of authors we will be spotlighting!
Be sure to stop by each week during February to learn about these amazing authors. You definitely don’t want to miss out on all the giveaways! To be sure you never miss a post subscribe to I Am A Reader’s Mailing List.
Giveaway Details
$100 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon.com eGift Card
Ends 2/28/18
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via PayPal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the participating authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
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January 22, 2018
Can an old marriage pact save her from a stalker?
What do a fifteen-year-old pact, a fake engagement, and a stalker have in common? Audrey Hughes.
Audrey’s ex-boyfriend won’t take ‘no’ for an answer. A master manipulator and a violently selfish man, he’s decided Audrey is his property. And he’s determined to get her back. Forcibly, if necessary.
She flees to the one place she ever found ‘family’—to Enchantment Bay. More precisely, to Logan Hunter.
Logan is a successful attorney and consummate bachelor. His work is his wife, and that’s the only long-term relationship he sees for himself. Until a childhood sweetheart shows up and reminds him of the pact they made years earlier—to get married.
It surprises him that she remembered, stuns him that he’s intrigued, and shocks him to discover her reason for returning. He uses all his influence and connections to protect her, only to be the one who causes her unbearable pain and drives her away.
Can Logan find a way to keep Audrey safe, make things right, and mend both their broken hearts?
AVAILABLE AT:
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[image error]
Excerpt
Logan Hunter slid on his sunglasses and made himself comfortable on the porch swing. He closed his eyes and allowed the warm, Oregon morning sun to warm him from the outside in. It had been a few years since he’d taken a real vacation from the firm, and though the two-month break hadn’t been his idea—it was a use-it-or-lose-it situation—he was settling into the idea rather quickly now that it had started.
The plan was to spend most of the summer working on his house and car, then at some point, have a guys’ camping trip with his brothers and some cousins, maybe even his dad and uncle.
Music played from his shorts pocket. The tune told him it was the office.
He pulled out the phone and accepted the call, still keeping his eyes closed. “Logan here. I thought you guys wanted me to take the time off.”
“Do you know where the file is for the Davidson case?” His assistant Carly’s voice was more on edge than usual.
Logan readjusted himself on the seat and kicked up his feet onto the top of the railing. “I passed all my cases onto the others. I think Howe has that one.”
“He’s yelling at me because he doesn’t!”
“Tell him it’s there with all the others. Oh, and tell him he’s smart enough to figure these things out himself. I’m on vacation.”
“Sorry to bother you, but he’s throwing a real fit.”
That didn’t surprise Logan. Howe had no patience and a short fuse. “Want me to chew him out for you?”
“Well, I…” Her voice trailed away. “That isn’t why I called. I was just hoping you knew where the file is.”
“Like I said, with all the others. He probably just missed it. Details aren’t his strong suit.”
Carly sighed. “That’s what I told him. Well, not about him missing details. You’re the most organized person I know. You keep this place afloat.”
Logan couldn’t deny that much. Everyone in the firm relied on him heavily, which was part of the reason he could never bring himself to take more than a few days off at a time—and then only around major holidays. If he was honest with himself, he loved being needed, so he played into the cycle as much as anyone else.
His life was his job. Logan Hunter was the best attorney in town and he had no intention of letting anything hold him back from being the most sought-after lawyer in Enchantment Bay. Friends and family joked about him being married to work, but it wasn’t far from the truth. He certainly wasn’t going to have an actual wife. Not when previous dating relationships had gotten in the way of his job. The last time he’d had a girlfriend, Logan had been so distracted he’d nearly lost a huge case.
It was the wakeup call he’d needed, and he hadn’t forgotten the lesson. No more dating.
He hadn’t realized Carly was still talking on the phone.
“Logan?”
“Can you repeat the last part?” he asked.
“Do you want me to tell the others you’re unreachable until Labor Day?”
“That would probably be for the best. If they have questions about the cases that aren’t in my notes—and I left meticulous notes in each file—they can ask the clients themselves.”
“Got it. Marked you DNC.”
“DNC?”
“Do not call. This’ll be the last you hear from the firm, Logan. I promise. Sorry to bother you.”
“It’s no problem. Just tell Howe to breathe and maybe take up yoga.”
Carly laughed. “That I’d love to see. Well, have a great summer.”
“Thanks, Carly. You too. Be sure to take some time off for yourself.”
“I will.”
Logan cracked open one eye and ended the call. The real question was if he could stay away from the firm for two whole months. Handing off his cases to the other lawyers had been one of the hardest things he’d done in a long time.
Not going in to the office would be just as challenging. He definitely wasn’t a Mr. Fix-It type, so working on the house would be an interesting adventure, to say the least.
But before he started on any projects, he just wanted to sit on his front deck and enjoy the morning. Birds sang all around the yard. A lawn mower roared to life down the street. Dogs barked in the distance. Sweet aromas from flowers next door wafted his way and mixed nicely with the scent of fresh-cut grass.
It was the perfect day. Once the shade covered this side of the house, he’d have to head over to the beach to catch some more rays. Maybe stop by Mom and Dad’s coffee stand. They loved nothing more than when their kids stopped by to say hi.
In the meantime, Logan had at least an hour of solitude to enjoy.
“Logan? Logan Hunter?” An excited feminine voice pulled him from his thoughts.
He held back a groan and forced his eyes open. A tall, slender brunette with cascading waves grinned at him. Logan pulled off the sunglasses and studied her. She was gorgeous, and he’d never seen her before. He would have remembered her face, that much was certain.
She bounced up the walkway, stopped at the foot of the steps, and beamed. “It’s so good to see you again, Logan! You look great.”
So much for never having seen her before. He strolled over to the top of the steps and tilted his head, studying her some more. She had striking green eyes and a light sprinkling of freckles across her nose.
Where would they have met? She still didn’t seem familiar. He was certain he’d remember that face. “You look great, too.”
Her smile faded. “You don’t remember me, do you?”
Guilt stung, but he shook his head. “Sorry, no. I wish I did. Care to help me out?”
“Audrey Hughes.” Her pretty eyes widened in expectation.
His mind raced. The name sounded familiar, although he couldn’t remember where he’d heard it before. A client, maybe?
“The summer of our junior year.” Her bright green eyes widened more, obviously in hopes that he’d remember.
Logan’s mouth dropped. “Audrey? Audrey Hughes?”
She nodded and clutched her hands together. “You remember?”
A flurry of fifteen-year-old memories raced through his mind. Audrey had been in Enchantment Bay with her family for just one summer. She’d been a part of his social group all season long, and they had become good friends. More than friends, actually. But after she had returned home, they’d lost contact with each other.
And now that he had a free summer, she was back. Interesting timing.
“I hope your silence is a good thing.” The pleading in her expression made his heart skip a beat. She was a lot prettier than he remembered.
He cleared his throat. “Yeah, of course. I’m just surprised to see you. It’s been a long time.”
“Fifteen years. Hard to believe how fast time flies by.”
Logan laughed. “You sure know how to make a guy feel old.”
Pink colored her cheeks. “Sorry, but if you’re old, then that makes two of us.”
He shook his head. “Definitely not. So, what brings you back to Enchantment Bay?”
Audrey’s expression darkened for a moment, but then brightened so quickly that Logan had to question if it had changed at all. She smiled sweetly. “Actually, I came to see you.”
“Me?” She couldn’t have surprised him more than by saying that. “You came all the way here to see me?”
“I don’t suppose you remember our deal?”
Logan pressed his palm against the railing. His mind spun. “We made a deal?”
She nodded toward the porch swing. “Mind if we talk?”
“Uh, sure.” He stumbled back.
What had he agreed to?
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January 20, 2018
Can they look past their hurts to find love?
[image error]Tiffany Saunders is on the run. When she winds up stranded in a seaside town, she wants nothing more than to forget her horrific past and kept moving. But a chance meeting with a handsome local changes everything.
Jake Hunter has some deep emotional scars and is trying to cope with running the family business. The last thing he wants is a relationship—until a mysterious brunette walks into his store and complicates it all.
Tiffany prefers to keep the painful memories of the past where they belong—in her rear view mirror. But dark secrets cannot stay hidden forever. Just as the walls around Tiffany’s heart start to come down, the past catches up with her. Will true love be able to conquer all?
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Excerpt
[image error]The bell rang and a pretty brunette walked in by herself. Jake did a double take for that fact alone. During tourist season, everyone traveled in packs.
She looked about his age, early-twenties, and had long, wavy hair that nearly reached her waist. Despite the heat, she had on skinny jeans and a long-sleeved sweater.
As the door closed behind her, she pulled her dark sunglasses to the top of her head and looked around the store. She had gorgeous, almond-shaped eyes. Most of the girls coming in looked like they hoped to run into a Hollywood producer who would hire them on the spot for the next blockbuster. This girl had a natural beauty, and that made Jake curious.
He got up and walked over to her. “Can I help you?”
Looking startled, she turned to him. “I just need a few things. I don’t think I’ll need any help.” She crinkled her cute, button nose as she gazed to the back of the store.
“Are you sure? I know where everything is.”
She turned back to him, her bright green eyes studying him. “I’m not even sure what I need yet.”
“No one else is here, so you may as well take advantage of my expertise. Once the next rush hits, I’ll be stuck at the register.”
One side of her full lips curled down. “I’ll risk it, but thanks.”
“Okay, but if you do need any help, you know where I am.”
She nodded, not moving her feet.
Jake studied her lightly freckled face. She seemed to have a lot on her mind, very much unlike every other girl running into the shop. People came to town so they could forget their worries and the locals were all busy with their own businesses that time of year.
“Just give me a shout if you need anything.” He went back around the counter, this time, leaning against it rather than sitting, so he could watch her. There was a sadness about her that made him curious. Jake wanted to know more, but she obviously didn’t want to talk.
She switched her purse to the other shoulder while still standing in the same spot. Finally, she went toward the far side, near the back where they had some refrigerated goods. He continued to watch her in the mirrors along the ceiling. The girl stopped and looked at a few things, but didn’t even pick anything up.
The door opened, forcing Jake to focus on ten new people in the store. He recognized a few of them who had been coming in regularly since the previous weekend. Another group came in, followed by another. The store was soon as packed as it had been all day.
He kept his eye out for the sad, pretty girl, but she didn’t come to the register. He couldn’t find her in the mirrors either, so she must have not found what she needed and slipped away when he was busy with customers.
People came in and out for the next half hour before the store emptied again. He looked at the clock. It was only a quarter past three. Where were his brothers when he needed them?
The brunette came around an aisle, holding a few basic items. Where had she been hiding?
He smiled. “You found what you need. Sure I can’t help with anything else?”
She shook her head, the sunglasses falling over her forehead. “I’m good.” She pushed the glasses back and dumped everything on the counter.
Jake rang up the microwave dinner, milk, coffee, and cold cereal. He told her the total and waited for her to hand him the card so he could find out her name. Instead, she gave him some cash.
“No card? You’re not the typical tourist.”
“Nope.” She looked around, looking eager to get out of the shop.
Not that he could blame her. Jake couldn’t wait for the shop to close. “Where are you staying?”
“Around.”
“There are a lot of places to eat around here. You don’t need to eat this.” He held up the TV dinner before putting it into the bag.
She gave him a sad look. “I’m not a tourist.”
“Do you live around here? I thought I knew all the locals.” He did, actually, but he didn’t want to put her on the spot.
She took the bag and stepped away from the counter. “Keep the change.”
“But it’s over five dollars.”
“Get yourself a latte. I gotta go. Sorry.” She hurried toward the door, sliding her glasses back onto her nose.
Shaking his head, Jake watched as she left the store. If she wanted to lay low, she had come to the wrong town.
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January 19, 2018
New Release: Bayside Destinies
[image error]What do a fifteen-year-old pact, a fake engagement, and a stalker have in common? Audrey Hughes.
Audrey’s ex-boyfriend won’t take ‘no’ for an answer. A master manipulator and a violently selfish man, he’s decided Audrey is his property. And he’s determined to get her back. Forcibly, if necessary.
She flees to the one place she ever found ‘family’—to Enchantment Bay. More precisely, to Logan Hunter.
Logan is a successful attorney and consummate bachelor. His work is his wife, and that’s the only long-term relationship he sees for himself. Until a childhood sweetheart shows up and reminds him of the pact they made years earlier—to get married.
It surprises him that she remembered, stuns him that he’s intrigued, and shocks him to discover her reason for returning. He uses all his influence and connections to protect her, only to be the one who causes her unbearable pain and drives her away.
Can Logan find a way to keep Audrey safe, make things right, and mend both their broken hearts?
AVAILABLE AT:
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Excerpt
Logan Hunter slid on his sunglasses and made himself comfortable on the porch swing. He closed his eyes and allowed the warm, Oregon morning sun to warm him from the outside in. It had been a few years since he’d taken a real vacation from the firm, and though the two-month break hadn’t been his idea—it was a use-it-or-lose-it situation—he was settling into the idea rather quickly now that it had started.
The plan was to spend most of the summer working on his house and car, then at some point, have a guys’ camping trip with his brothers and some cousins, maybe even his dad and uncle.
Music played from his shorts pocket. The tune told him it was the office.
He pulled out the phone and accepted the call, still keeping his eyes closed. “Logan here. I thought you guys wanted me to take the time off.”
“Do you know where the file is for the Davidson case?” His assistant Carly’s voice was more on edge than usual.
Logan readjusted himself on the seat and kicked up his feet onto the top of the railing. “I passed all my cases onto the others. I think Howe has that one.”
“He’s yelling at me because he doesn’t!”
“Tell him it’s there with all the others. Oh, and tell him he’s smart enough to figure these things out himself. I’m on vacation.”
“Sorry to bother you, but he’s throwing a real fit.”
That didn’t surprise Logan. Howe had no patience and a short fuse. “Want me to chew him out for you?”
“Well, I…” Her voice trailed away. “That isn’t why I called. I was just hoping you knew where the file is.”
“Like I said, with all the others. He probably just missed it. Details aren’t his strong suit.”
Carly sighed. “That’s what I told him. Well, not about him missing details. You’re the most organized person I know. You keep this place afloat.”
Logan couldn’t deny that much. Everyone in the firm relied on him heavily, which was part of the reason he could never bring himself to take more than a few days off at a time—and then only around major holidays. If he was honest with himself, he loved being needed, so he played into the cycle as much as anyone else.
His life was his job. Logan Hunter was the best attorney in town and he had no intention of letting anything hold him back from being the most sought-after lawyer in Enchantment Bay. Friends and family joked about him being married to work, but it wasn’t far from the truth. He certainly wasn’t going to have an actual wife. Not when previous dating relationships had gotten in the way of his job. The last time he’d had a girlfriend, Logan had been so distracted he’d nearly lost a huge case.
It was the wakeup call he’d needed, and he hadn’t forgotten the lesson. No more dating.
He hadn’t realized Carly was still talking on the phone.
“Logan?”
“Can you repeat the last part?” he asked.
“Do you want me to tell the others you’re unreachable until Labor Day?”
“That would probably be for the best. If they have questions about the cases that aren’t in my notes—and I left meticulous notes in each file—they can ask the clients themselves.”
“Got it. Marked you DNC.”
“DNC?”
“Do not call. This’ll be the last you hear from the firm, Logan. I promise. Sorry to bother you.”
“It’s no problem. Just tell Howe to breathe and maybe take up yoga.”
Carly laughed. “That I’d love to see. Well, have a great summer.”
“Thanks, Carly. You too. Be sure to take some time off for yourself.”
“I will.”
Logan cracked open one eye and ended the call. The real question was if he could stay away from the firm for two whole months. Handing off his cases to the other lawyers had been one of the hardest things he’d done in a long time.
Not going in to the office would be just as challenging. He definitely wasn’t a Mr. Fix-It type, so working on the house would be an interesting adventure, to say the least.
But before he started on any projects, he just wanted to sit on his front deck and enjoy the morning. Birds sang all around the yard. A lawn mower roared to life down the street. Dogs barked in the distance. Sweet aromas from flowers next door wafted his way and mixed nicely with the scent of fresh-cut grass.
It was the perfect day. Once the shade covered this side of the house, he’d have to head over to the beach to catch some more rays. Maybe stop by Mom and Dad’s coffee stand. They loved nothing more than when their kids stopped by to say hi.
In the meantime, Logan had at least an hour of solitude to enjoy.
“Logan? Logan Hunter?” An excited feminine voice pulled him from his thoughts.
He held back a groan and forced his eyes open. A tall, slender brunette with cascading waves grinned at him. Logan pulled off the sunglasses and studied her. She was gorgeous, and he’d never seen her before. He would have remembered her face, that much was certain.
She bounced up the walkway, stopped at the foot of the steps, and beamed. “It’s so good to see you again, Logan! You look great.”
So much for never having seen her before. He strolled over to the top of the steps and tilted his head, studying her some more. She had striking green eyes and a light sprinkling of freckles across her nose.
Where would they have met? She still didn’t seem familiar. He was certain he’d remember that face. “You look great, too.”
Her smile faded. “You don’t remember me, do you?”
Guilt stung, but he shook his head. “Sorry, no. I wish I did. Care to help me out?”
“Audrey Hughes.” Her pretty eyes widened in expectation.
His mind raced. The name sounded familiar, although he couldn’t remember where he’d heard it before. A client, maybe?
“The summer of our junior year.” Her bright green eyes widened more, obviously in hopes that he’d remember.
Logan’s mouth dropped. “Audrey? Audrey Hughes?”
She nodded and clutched her hands together. “You remember?”
A flurry of fifteen-year-old memories raced through his mind. Audrey had been in Enchantment Bay with her family for just one summer. She’d been a part of his social group all season long, and they had become good friends. More than friends, actually. But after she had returned home, they’d lost contact with each other.
And now that he had a free summer, she was back. Interesting timing.
“I hope your silence is a good thing.” The pleading in her expression made his heart skip a beat. She was a lot prettier than he remembered.
He cleared his throat. “Yeah, of course. I’m just surprised to see you. It’s been a long time.”
“Fifteen years. Hard to believe how fast time flies by.”
Logan laughed. “You sure know how to make a guy feel old.”
Pink colored her cheeks. “Sorry, but if you’re old, then that makes two of us.”
He shook his head. “Definitely not. So, what brings you back to Enchantment Bay?”
Audrey’s expression darkened for a moment, but then brightened so quickly that Logan had to question if it had changed at all. She smiled sweetly. “Actually, I came to see you.”
“Me?” She couldn’t have surprised him more than by saying that. “You came all the way here to see me?”
“I don’t suppose you remember our deal?”
Logan pressed his palm against the railing. His mind spun. “We made a deal?”
She nodded toward the porch swing. “Mind if we talk?”
“Uh, sure.” He stumbled back.
What had he agreed to?
AVAILABLE AT:
January 13, 2018
Fate can only be avoided for so long. Gessilyn’s time is up.
[image error]She has been living a quiet life pretending to be human for many years, but now she’s a witch on the run. Claudia, her old rival, has found her—and she wants Gessilyn dead.
If she’s to survive, Gessilyn must return to her roots and learn magic from a father she never knew. The power within her reveals itself to be stronger than anyone has ever seen, and Gessilyn finds herself more a risk to herself than anyone else is until she can learn to control it.
While needing to focus on all she has to learn, Gessilyn finds herself increasingly drawn to Killian, the handsome loner in her father’s coven. She tries to ignore her growing feelings, but they only intensify. Will she be able to hone her powers in time to defeat Claudia, or will Killian distract her and become her downfall?
**Sweet Desire is a standalone that connects the Transformed series with the Curse of the Moon series.**
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Excerpt
The moon’s glow on my skin tingled. Then it intensified to a near-burn. It shone full and bright. I gritted my teeth and ignored the discomfort. My pain indicated something more ominous coming.
Cawing from a murder of crows disrupted the quiet of the night. I shuddered at the irony of the group’s name because they announced ominous things to come. They circled the outline of the moon. It gave them an eerie glow. They grew louder.
“Is this a warning for me?”
Silence.
Several woodland creatures scurried away.
Goosebumps formed on my arms and neck. I swept my long hair to the side and twisted it around my manicured nails. The moonlight made it seem especially blonde.
I took a deep breath and ran a finger along the skirt of my dress. “Do you have a message for me?”
The black scavengers flew erratically, completely blocking my view of the moon. Their cawing sounded more like screams. I wanted to cover my ears but refused myself the comfort. The noise became deafening.
I squatted to the ground, refusing to leave. I needed to figure out their message.
The birds dispersed and disappeared from sight as quickly as they’d appeared.
Gasping for breath, I stood and steadied my shaking arms. My heart thundered in my chest. I was no closer to understanding the message, but I had ways of finding out.
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January 3, 2018
Giveaway! Fill Your Reader with Free & 99c Books!
Grab these free & 99c books to fill your reader for the new year!
Don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the end!
Giveaway Details
$50 in Paypal Cash or a $50 Amazon.com eGift Card
Ends 1/6/18
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors, bloggers, and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
January 1, 2018
New Year, New Books: Free & 99c Books + A Giveaway!
Start your new year off with a great new book!! Fill your reader before these prices go up!
December 30, 2017
Family comes first. Until it kills you…
[image error]Rusty Caldwell is a lonely victim of tragedy. After losing his wife and kids to a drunk driver, he spends most nights towing drunks to keep them off the streets. His one-track existence takes a turn when he finds out his estranged sister Mandy has committed suicide.
After flying out to offer his support, Rusty learns there’s much more to the story. It turns out his sister had been cheating on her husband Chris with Travis Calloway, the rich CEO of the biggest company in town. Before Mandy died, she claimed that Travis fathered one of her children and demanded that he pay up…
Rusty and Mandy’s neighbor Laura look into Travis, only to receive death threats for their troubles. With Travis and Chris both looking guilty, Rusty better find out the truth before he’s the next one to fall.
AVAILABLE AT:
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Excerpt
Rusty reached for the doorbell, but stopped when he heard a commotion across the street. He backed up and glanced down a couple houses. A lady stood with her arms folded, staring at two other ladies storming off.
He went to the sidewalk. “Is everything okay?”
The lady turned to him and shook her head. “Never cross the Calloways.”
Rusty tilted his head. “Who?”
She threw her arms in the air. “Be glad you don’t know.” She climbed into a car and sped off, peeling the tires.
“Okay…” Rusty went back to his sister’s door.
Yelling sounded from inside. It sounded like his brother-in-law. Rusty recognized his voice from the phone. His stomach twisted in knots. Maybe this trip was a bad idea. He rang the doorbell, anyway.
“Coming,” called Chris, sounding far less angry than a moment earlier.
The door opened, and a man with short, dark hair and dark eyes answered. He had a five o’clock shadow and dark circles underneath his deep brown eyes. “Rusty?”
He nodded and held out his hand.
Chris shook it. “Come on in. The police want me to come back down to the station. Do you mind staying with the kids?”
“That’s why I’m here.”
“You’re a lifesaver. This last week has been a nightmare.” Chris turned around and led Rusty up the stairs. He went left, and gestured toward a gray sectional couch with stuffing coming out of the armrests.
A girl, about thirteen, with hair as dark as his sat with her eyes closed, dancing in her seat to music only she could hear in the earbuds. A boy, about eleven, with light brown hair hanging over his ears had his full attention on the television. They both had the same dark bands under their eyes as their dad—the very ones Rusty was so familiar with, too.
“That’s Kaylie. And that’s Brady.”
Neither glanced up.
“Kids!”
Kaylie pulled her earbuds out and Brady paused the show. They both turned to Chris, their eyes bloodshot.
“This is your Uncle Rusty. He’s going to watch you guys while I’m out.”
“I don’t need a babysitter,” Kaylie said.
“Me, neither,” Brady said.
“I’m not here to babysit,” Rusty assured them. “Just here in case you need something. Lunch, maybe?”
“Grilled cheese,” Brady said and turned his show back on.
“I apologize for their manners.” Chris turned to them. “Kids, be nice.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Kaylie stuck her earbuds back in and closed her eyes.
“Sorry to run,” Chris said. “But make yourself at home. Thanks again.”
“No problem.” Rusty set his suitcase next to the couch on the brown shag carpet.
Chris hurried down the stairs, and neither kid seemed to notice. He stopped near the front door and his phone sounded. Chris’s face clouded over as he glanced at the screen. He swore about a text.
“Is everything all right?” Rusty asked.
“What?” Chris looked at him, his face noticeably paler.
“Are you okay?”
“It’s the CEO of my work. He’s… I need to get the cops off my back so I can get back to work.”
“Doesn’t your boss understand you’ve lost your wife? You need time to recover and—”
“The only thing Travis Calloway cares about is the bottom line.”
Calloway? Wasn’t that the same name the neighbor had said outside?
Chris cracked his knuckles. “What I wouldn’t give for just one drink.”
“You don’t want to do that. You’ve been clean for years, haven’t you?”
His expression pinched. “Yes, I’m the one who helped Mandy get clean. I’m not going to drink. I just want one sometimes, you know? If my idiot boss and the cops would get a clue, I’d be fine.”
Rusty leaned against the cracked banister. “Surely, your boss can understand the need to—”
Chris’s phone rang. He swore and answered it. “I’m doing the best I can, Ricardo. The cops have it out for me. They won’t leave me alone.” He paused. “I can’t tell the police to wait! You’re going to have to tell Travis I’ll work nights or something. My wife just died.”
Rusty turned toward the kids and watched them, trying not to eavesdrop on Chris.
“Look, Ricardo, I can’t afford to lose this job, but I can’t tell the cops to take a hike, either. They want me down at the station now. The longer you keep me on the phone, the longer it’s going to be until I can get back to work… You can’t do that me! I have vacation days.” Chris let loose a string of profanities and put his phone away.
Rusty turned back to him. “Can I help with anything?”
Chris stared at him, his face reddening. “I hate that pompous jerk.” He picked up a potted flower and threw it against the wall. It shattered, sending soil in all directions.
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December 23, 2017
Awkward, bookish Alexis has been living a lie…
[image error]What if your whole life was a lie?
Alexis Ferguson wasn’t blessed with the perfect body, but the ambitious over-achiever has used her book smarts to get her where she is today. It’s too bad that everything she knows is wrong.
After meeting a gorgeous stranger on a blind date, Alexis feels like she’s known him her entire life. Suddenly, dark long-forgotten memories swirl in her mind. She realizes she’s powerful, stunningly beautiful, and marked for death.
As she faces the one who ordered her execution years ago, Alexis must learn her strange new powers and trust in unlikely allies to keep herself alive.
Deception is the first installment in the Transformed Series, a young adult paranormal series that features gripping supernatural drama, surprising twists, dynamic characters, page-turning suspense, heart-pounding action, and angsty teen romance. You won’t put it down until the stunning conclusion.
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Excerpt
The next day at lunch, I ducked into a small study room to get away from all of the attention.
I actually missed being invisible.
Tanner sat at one of the two tables, his face buried in a notebook. He glanced up and arched a brow. “Alexis. I didn’t think that you were into studying anymore.”
I almost smiled. “Believe me, I have no intention of letting my grades drop. It wasn’t my idea to have all of this attention thrown upon me.”
He looked me up and down. “You don’t seem to be resisting it much.”
“The clothes were a gift,” I snapped.
“I bet. You’re going to pass your sister in popularity soon.”
“I’m not trying to compete with Natalie. What’s it to you, anyway?”
“I pay attention to things, that’s all,” he said. “I pay very close attention.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” I folded my arms.
“I know what you are, Alexis.” He stared me down.
My voice caught in my throat. “What do you think I am?”
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December 21, 2017
Always the wedding planner, never the bride….
[image error]She’s single and stuck. His relationship is going nowhere. Will the next wedding they plan… be their own?
Dakota Hunter is great at wedding planning but terrible at finding a guy. Each one she encounters is worse than the one before… until she meets Clay. There’s one teensy problem: her attractive new assistant has a long-term girlfriend.
Clay Harper is thrilled to land his new job with Dakota, surrounding himself with happy couples day in and day out. But when he sees true love in person, he realizes his own relationship is far less than happy. It doesn’t help that being around Dakota feels easy. It feels right.
As Dakota and Clay grow a deeper connection, Clay’s girlfriend refuses to go down without a fight. Can the wedding planners go from seeing happy couples… to being one?
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Excerpt
Dakota Hunter squeezed her wine glass with such force, she was sure it would shatter. She narrowed her eyes at Tate, who sat across the table.
He laughed at his own joke, oblivious to Dakota’s annoyance. “…and what’s worse, she actually thought I found her attractive!”
Tate stared at her, clearly waiting for her to join in on the laughter.
“Pardon me.” Dakota held herself together well enough to set down her wine glass without breaking it, and then she fled to the bathroom. She waited for the other two patrons to leave and then she paced. “Deep breaths.”
Out of all the bad dates she’d ever been on, this was the worst—by a long shot. Tate hadn’t stopped talking about his long history of ex-girlfriends since they’d sat for appetizers, and there was no question why his list was so long. The only thing she couldn’t figure out was how any of them made it past the first date.
The meal hadn’t even arrived, and Dakota couldn’t take another minute with him. She had two choices—three, really, but the last one wasn’t an option. She could either run for her car from the bathroom, go back to the table and pay him for the dinner she wasn’t going to eat, or sit through the meal.
Dakota had a reputation to uphold and she couldn’t risk him speaking badly about her business, so she knew the answer. She needed to tell him she wouldn’t be able to stay for the rest of the meal. Then she would give him whatever cash she had in her purse and get out of there.
She’d long ago learned to bring her own car and some cash on a first date.
“What’s my excuse going to be this time?” She turned to the mirror and fixed some smudged mascara. Then she took a deep breath and prepared herself in case he made a scene. At least she had plenty of experience calming people down in her line of work.
She had the perfect excuse to leave—piles of work to do back at The Chateau. One might even call it an emergency. She sure would.
Dakota took another deep breath and headed for the table.
“Is everything okay?” Tate asked. He was studying his reflection in a knife with marked pride.
She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, there’s an emergency at work. I’m the boss, so I have to be there.”
He frowned, still looking at himself. “Is there a fire?”
Dakota shook her head as she dug through her purse. “Nothing that bad. Just work stuff, but it needs my attention right away.”
“I didn’t realize weddings could be so dangerous.” He chuckled and finally glanced at her.
“You have no idea.” She handed him two twenties. “Have a nice night.”
He tucked the cash into a pocket. “Maybe we can try this again another night?”
Dakota’s stomach lurched at the thought. “I’ll give you a call when I’m ready for that.”
Tate smiled. “Great.”
The server arrived, and he immediately started flirting with her.
Dakota shook her head and rushed away. She had blocked and deleted Tate’s number from her phone before reaching her car.
By the time she reached The Chateau, her mind had finally stopped racing.
“Maybe that was a sign that I need to stop dating for a while,” she mumbled as she climbed out of her car.
It had been a long time since she’d had a steady boyfriend. Maybe she was trying too hard. She thought of Tate. Or she wasn’t trying hard enough.
She went inside, eager to bury herself in paperwork and forget all about the botched date—and perhaps men in general.
“Back so soon?” asked Marcel, her main photographer.
Dakota groaned. “Don’t ask—please.”
He hurried over. “You can’t leave me hanging like that. What happened?”
She leaned against the nearest wall and ran her hands through her hair. “I said not to ask.”
“You know better than to say that to me. The date didn’t work out?”
“Do they ever?”
Marcel frowned. “What about that one guy? What was his name? Aaron?”
She shook her head. “He was too obsessed with his mother. I just need to focus on work and I’ll be fine.”
“Want me to dig out a bottle of wine from the cellar?”
“Thanks, but I have so much to do. I have to be prepared when Charlotte calls, and I’m not sure when that will be.”
Marcel’s eyes lit up. “This is going to put us on the map, you know.”
A dull ache intensified at the base of Dakota’s head. “Don’t remind me. I need to hire another assistant—there’s no way I can do this with the current staff.”
“Do you want me to do anything?”
“Just keep taking your beautiful pictures.” Dakota forced a smile and headed for her office. She settled into her chair and stared at the stuffed manila files. They almost made an evening with Tate not seem so bad.
No. No, they didn’t.
Dakota grabbed the top file and feathered through the pages. She really needed another assistant. Aria and Marina were wonderful, but she really needed a third now that she had a big name client.
She leaned back in her chair, still trying to believe that Charlotte Pemberley—one of the stars of Real Homemakers of Seattle—wanted Dakota herself to plan her big wedding with her agent-turned-fiancé.
She found a top twenty station and got to work.
Her mind wandered back to the fateful phone call…
“Can I talk to Dakota Hunter?” boomed the feminine voice on the other end of the line.
“Speaking,” Dakota said, distracted by an email.
“This is Charlotte Pemberley, and my cousin—”
“Did you say Charlotte Pemberley?” Dakota interrupted. “The Charlotte Pemberley?”
She sighed. “Yes. You come highly recommended, and I was wondering if you can do a rush wedding? I want it in the winter. An outdoor, snowy wedding would be nice.
Can’t you see it? It does snow there in March, right?”
Dakota’s mouth dropped open. She didn’t know what was crazier—a wedding in the snow or the fact that a famous reality star wanted her services.
“Are you still there?” Charlotte asked.
“Yes, yes. Sorry. I can accommodate you. I can’t promise snow, but it’s a possibility.
We had some this April, but last March, everyone was in their shorts.”
“We could probably do fake snow, right?”
“Sure. I’ll just need to get some information first.”
Knock, knock.
Dakota sat up straight, brought back to the present. “Come in.”
The door opened, and in walked a man a little over six-feet tall with light brown, shoulder-length hair tucked behind his ears. His dark blue eyes seemed almost purple.
He was gorgeous, and obviously lost.
Clearly, he was a groom. Such a lucky bride.
She smiled at him. “The consultations are down the hall in room thirty-four. Aria will be right with you.”
“Dakota Hunter?” He rubbed his light beard and pulled off his dark blue blazer. He wore a form-fitting shirt, which showed how clearly muscular he was.
He knew her name? Usually, she was just the wedding planner to most of the grooms.
She cleared her throat and sat taller. “I am. And you are?”
He extended his hand and walked toward her. A dimple formed as he smiled. “I’m
Clayton Harper. You can call me Clay.”
Dakota’s voice caught in her throat. She stood, shook his hand, and coughed.
“Pleasure. How can I help you, Clay?”
“I heard you’re in the market for an assistant.”
She nearly choked on the air. “I am, actually. Where did you hear about me?”
“From Sullivan. We were friends in college, and I ran into him. We got to talking.” He shrugged, his grin still lingering.
“Sully?” Dakota asked.
Clay nodded.
Dakota would have to give her brother a huge thank you. “Have a seat.”
His eyes widened. “You want to interview me now?”
“Sure. You’re here.”
“Oh, okay.” He sat, obviously flustered. “Well, I don’t have my resume printed out at the moment. I can pull it up on my phone.”
Dakota sat and leaned over her desk, trying not to get distracted by his rugged good looks. “Don’t worry about it. Let’s just chat.”
He leaned back in the chair. “Sounds good. The Chateau is most impressive.”
She arched a brow. “Oh? Have you already looked around?”
“I checked it out online, but I have to say, it’s much grander in person.”
Dakota beamed. “I’ve put a lot of work into it.”
“That much is obvious.” He held her gaze and pulled some loose hair behind an ear.
Her heart raced. As much as she needed an assistant, she’d rather spend a night on the town with Clay. Too bad she couldn’t start the night over, replacing Tate with Clay.
He pulled his gaze away and glanced around the room. “So, you like weddings?”
She snickered. “You could say that. I’ve always loved planning big events, so this business seemed to be the natural choice. What about you?”
Clay turned back to Dakota. “To be honest, I’m looking for experience running a business. I got my MBA, but I’ve done nothing with it as of yet. Just working in cubicles. If I have to do that for another day, I might have to throw myself off a cliff.”
“We can’t have that. But why here?” She leaned back in her chair, starting to feel more relaxed.
“You have an opening.”
“What kind of business do you plan to run long-term?”
“I’m not sure. That’s part of my problem. I just don’t know what I want to do. I love everything about business—marketing, planning, you name it—but somehow I ended up stuck doing grunt work.” He paused and raked his fingers through his hair. “I’m totally screwing up this interview, aren’t I?”
“No. You’re honest. I like that.”
He smiled. “Do you want to see my resume now?”
“Sure.”
He dug into his jacket pocket and pulled out the hottest smartphone on the market. He scrolled across the screen and handed it to her. “Sorry, I would have printed it first, but I didn’t think you’d want to interview me on the spot.”
Dakota glanced over his resume. “Yet you came in person, anyway?”
“I thought it would be better than a phone call.”
She handed the phone back to him along with her business card. “Can you email that to me?”
Clay slid his finger across the screen a few times. “Done.”
“So, are you willing to deal with paperwork, licensing issues, red tape, and similar things?” She was testing him before letting him know that she really needed his help with the big wedding.
“I love that stuff.”
Dakota gave him a double-take. “You do?”
He leaned forward. “I like to think of it as a challenge.”
“Okay, well that’s good to know. What about working with clients?”
He nodded. “I’ve been told I’m a people person.”
Dakota grinned, feeling like the room had warmed ten degrees since he’d entered. “I have a big-name client that I’m going to need help with. I’ll need you to fill out a confidentiality agreement.”
Clay flicked a nod. “Sure thing.”
Her heart rate sped up. “Okay, then. Let me check out your references, and if everything looks good, you can start as soon as possible. I assume you need to give notice at your current employment.”
He chuckled. “Already did. I can start Monday.”
“You quit without a job lined up?” Her eyes widened.
“What can I say? I like to live on the edge.”
Dakota rose and held out her hand. “I think we’ll get along. Welcome aboard.”
He stood up. “I’ve got the job?”
She smiled. “Assuming you don’t turn out to be a serial killer, I’d say so.”
“You can rest assured my record is clean.” Clay took her hand and shook it with a firm grip.
How would she be able to focus with him as her assistant? She took a deep breath.
“Then I’m sure I’ll see you Monday. I’ll give you a call by tomorrow night. We can discuss salary and benefits then. Also, you’re okay with working Saturdays, I hope.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem. Thank you very much.” He released her hand, gave a slight nod, and showed himself out of the office.
Dakota fell back into her chair and fanned herself. She’d have to send Tate a thank you card for being such a horrible date. Otherwise, she may have missed out on meeting Clayton Harper.
Hopefully having Clay as her assistant wouldn’t prove to be too much of a distraction.
This was a business, after all. She didn’t mix business with pleasure. Although she might be willing to bend her rule for him.
Stop.
The most important thing was giving Charlotte Pemberley the best wedding anyone had ever experienced.
Dakota released a long, slow breath and then sat up. She needed to check his references, but first she needed to dig a little deeper. Sullivan had gone to school with him, and he could tell her more about Clay. But first, she needed to call her brother-in-law. It wouldn’t be the first time the lieutenant had run a quick background check for her.
She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer, hoping Clay was as good as he seemed.
Then she picked up her phone.
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