Spotlight: We Love Small Town Romance Blog Tour-Excerpts and Giveaway

 

Marrying the Wedding Crasher by Melinda Curtis
  This bachelor’s pretend girlfriend just made a shocking discovery— She’s pregnant! Although they dated for only a month, Harley O’Hannigan just agreed to be Vince Messina’s plus-one at a Harmony Valley wedding. Big mistake, given her deepening feelings for the tall, dark, unavailable bachelor. And what about Vince’s long-buried family history? Then there’s the growing secret that could transform this pretend relationship into the real thing…    

Praise for Melinda Curtis: "Wonderfully entertaining!" Jayne Ann Krentz, NYT Bestseller (referring to Playing for Love) "Reading Slade and Christine's story reminded me of why I enjoy romance. SEASON OF CHANGE has found a place on my keeper shelf!" Brenda Novak, NYT Bestseller

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 Excerpt:Harley carried her tea and cookie, and joined Vince outside. She tried to make light of his reception with his ex-girlfriend. “You must have broken Sarah’s heart in high school. She latched onto you like a bride at a wedding dress clearance sale.” “That woman is scary.” Vince took Harley’s arm and led her down the sidewalk, adding in a lowered voice, “She pinched my butt.” “You lie.” Harley stopped, completely taken aback. “She wouldn’t do that in front of a roomful of people.” “Oh, yes, she did.” With a furtive glance over his shoulder—possibly to see if Sarah was following them—Vince tugged Harley back into motion. “Didn’t you see me jump?” Harley chuckled. She had. “Don’t laugh. You’re supposed to protect me from her.” “You should have bargained for a kiss in front of Sarah.” She knew the words were a mistake as soon as they left her mouth. “I still could.” Vince’s gaze fell to her lips, his steps downshifted to slow-mo and his expression turned serious. Harley’s breath caught in her throat. Against her better judgment. Against all experience to the contrary. Harley wanted to be held by Vince. Not for show. Not to fulfill her end of a bargain. But because she liked him and because, when he kissed her, when his arms came around her, she felt that all her mistakes didn’t matter. All her mistakes... Pride had led her to accept a job with Dan. Pride had made her show her sketches to him. Pride had made her quit. “You were wrong the other day about men needing pride,” Harley said. “Pride steals your footing. It makes you doubt. It brings you down.” To a place where you needed someone to lift you up. She wanted that someone to be Vince. But that would go against the pep talks she gave herself about being resilient, not to mention, Vince didn’t want to be her rock. “You don’t need another kiss.” Her voice was a thready whisper. He cocked a brow. “I don’t?” She hadn’t been talking to him. She’d been talking to herself, talking herself down from the kissing ledge. “No. You need this.” She didn’t kiss him. She hugged him. She hugged him tight. And, for just a moment, she didn’t worry about balconies in the clouds, dreams lost or hearts that might be broken.    
Author Melinda Curtis Melinda Curtis is an award-winning, USA Today Bestseller of over 40 romances. She writes sweet romance for Harlequin Heartwarming, sweet romantic comedies and sexy sports contemporary romances. When not working on DIY projects around their home, Melinda and her college sweetheart enjoy watching Duke mens basketball and visiting their three kids and one grandchild. Sign up for her mailing list to receive two free reads.

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Always the Hero by Anna J. Stewart
  He never relied on anyone but himself...but he needs her now! Butterfly Harbor deputy Matt Knight wants two things: to date Lori Bradley and the chance to adopt Kyle, a troubled teen. Wounded in Afghanistan, Matt knows he can't move forward anchored to the past. But once he regains the guarded hotel manager's trust, will his need to protect those he loves cost him a future with this extraordinary woman?


 

Praise for Anna J Stewart “The talented Anna J Stewart delivers every time.” ~NYTimes Bestselling Author Brenda Novak “Anna J. Stewart will tug at your heartstrings more than once while leaving you utterly besotted with her characters.” ~The Romance Reviews

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  Excerpt One: Matt Knight was all about doing right by people. Especially those he cared about. But there wasn’t any moving forward, not with his life, not with Lori, as long as he was still anchored to the past. The phone rang. Before Matt could reach for the receiver, Jasper answered. “It’s for you, Matt. A Chris Walters?” “That’s Kyle’s caseworker,” Matt said as he picked up his extension. “Chris? Kyle okay?” “Doing well, actually.” The social worker’s encouraging words belied the tension in his voice. “We’re still on track for an early release. For now at least.” “What’s that mean?” Matt squeezed the receiver so hard his fingers tingled. “What’s going on?” “The judge in charge of Kyle’s case is retiring. His replacement is reviewing all the cases ahead of time and, well, since we’re jumping beyond fosterage to adoption, she has some concerns about your living situation.” “What’s wrong with my living situation?” Matt asked. “I’ve got a room ready for him, he’ll have a part-time job with the sheriff’s department, and most importantly he’ll have more stability than he’s known in years.” “I’m on your side, remember? You don’t have to convince me. She’s not denying your petition, Matt, but she has suggested a female influence in the house wouldn’t be a bad thing for Kyle. And given your marital status...” “That’s about to be resolved.” Matt looked down at the papers on his desk. “I filed the divorce papers and am getting ready to sign them as we speak.” “Okay. We’ll have to see how that plays with the judge.” “Given Kyle’s last female influence was too hopped-up on prescription meds to give him a second thought, I wouldn’t think this would be any judge’s first concern.” Matt hated to speak ill of Kyle’s mother, but the truth was the truth. “It’s a concern, Matt. And the judge only suggested it would be in your and Kyle’s best interest if there was someone in your life to help bring a bit of balance. Even if it’s just a girlfriend, which brings me to what we talked about before. She’s going to want to call Lori as a character witness.” “Lori? How does she know about Lori?” The last time his heart had pounded this hard he’d been dodging bullets. “Because I listed her in my report. You said you were dating her, that you thought it was getting serious. Are you telling me something’s changed?” Changed? Other than Matt all but ignoring her the last few weeks while he got his head on straight and cleared the emotional deck? “No, nothing’s changed,” Matt blurted before his brain could catch up with the panic seizing his chest. He’d made a promise to Kyle, and Matt Knight never made a promise he couldn’t keep. “We’ve been seeing each other for a while, off and on.” Most recently off. All the more reason to remedy that. “She’s completely on board with me taking Kyle in.” “So you’re okay with her listed as a character witness? She’ll back up your statement should the judge want to call her in during Kyle’s hearing?” “Yeah, of course.” Matt swallowed the lie. Well, it wasn’t a lie exactly. Lori did know about Kyle but Matt’s current relationship with her might be a bit, well, up in the air. “Have they set a date yet for the hearing?” “Um, yeah. Hang on, I’ve got that right...” The sound of shuffling papers scraped against Matt’s ear. “Three weeks from Monday. Looks like the judge has us penciled in for two in the afternoon.” Matt scribbled the date on his calendar, noting that was the same day as the big welcome dinner that opened the Butterfly Festival. That would take some juggling given it was all hands on deck in town for the department. “I’ll be there.” Somehow. “I thought I’d come up and see him in a couple of weeks. Need to figure out my days off.” “You’re on the visitor’s list for anytime,” Chris said. “I’m glad you told me about Lori. This will go a long way with this judge in approving Kyle’s placement.” “I hope so.” With Kyle’s troubled past, the only other placement option for him would be a group foster home or to extend his stint in the detention center he currently resided in. “Let me know if there are any more changes.” “You got it.” Matt hung up. Why was it, even when he had the best of intentions, he ended up messing things up? At least now he had even more of a reason to apologize to Lori. As much as he wanted her back in his life, he needed her. Kyle needed her. Unease settled in his gut like a stone. He hated lying. To anyone. But especially to Lori Bradley. “Everything okay?” Jasper asked. “Is Kyle still getting out?” “He sure is.” Matt picked up his pen, clicked it open and scratched his name on the divorce degree. A few seconds later, he set the sealed envelope on the counter, where it would go out in the afternoon mail.          Author Anna J. Stewart USA Today and national bestselling author Anna J. Stewart writes sweet to sexy romance for Harlequin's Heartwarming and Romantic Suspense lines. Early obsessions with Star Wars, Star Trek, and Wonder Woman set her on the path to creating fun, funny, and family-centric romances with happily ever afters for her independent heroines. Anna lives in Northern California where she deals with a serious Supernatural & Sherlock addiction, surrounds herself with friends and family and tolerates an overly affectionate cat named Snickers (or perhaps it's Snickers who tolerates her). When she's not writing books or her monthly blog for USA Today’s Happy Ever After, you can find her at fan conventions or at her local movie theater, or building her client list for her content editing services.

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Blog Tour Schedule

March 5th I Am A Reader - Spotlight A Writer's Life - Spotlight Lynn's Romance Enthusiasm - Spotlight Why Not? Because I Said So! - Spotlight Aubrey Wynne: Timeless Romance - Spotlight Laura's Interests - Spotlight Jersey Girl Book Reviews - Review The Christian Fiction Girl - Review

March 6th Bargnhtress - Spotlight Bonnie Phelps, Author - Spotlight Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers - Spotlight The Avid Reader - Spotlight T's Stuff - Spotlight My Devotional Thoughts - Spotlight Susan Heim on Writing - Spotlight Remembrancy - Review Wishful Endings - Review

March 7th Rainy Days and Pajamas - Spotlight Bookworm Lisa - Spotlight The Eco Lifestyle - Spotlight Diana's Book Reviews - Spotlight Stacking My Book Shelves! - Spotlight Reading Is My SuperPower - Review Always Books - Review

March 8th Room With Books - Spotlight Hearts & Scribbles - Spotlight Queen of All She Reads - Spotlight BookHounds - Spotlight StoreyBook Reviews - Spotlight Thoughts of a Blonde - Spotlight Alina Snow Book Adventures - Spotlight Among the Reads - Review Rockin' Book Reviews - Spotlight Kindle and Me - Review

March 9th Heidi Reads... - Spotlight Paulette's Papers - Spotlight Tianna Holley, Author - Spotlight Bunny's Review - Review books are love - Spotlight Kerrific Online - Review

 
  Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway
 Ends 3/18/18 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. 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. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway