I can't wait for... Love, Life, and the List by Kasie West (Can't-Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday)


Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

If you don't already know, I'm a huge Kasie West fan! Her books are sweet, fun, and easy to relax with, which sometimes is exactly what I need. I'm looking forward to her newest, which is the start of a three-book standalone set with crossover characters. It's my pick this week...

The Ghost Chronicles 2 by Marlo Berliner (Excerpt & #Giveaway)

 
On Tour with Prism Book Tours

This is the perfect book to be promoting on Halloween
today! Read an excerpt and enter the giveaway below...

The Ghost Chronicles 2
by Marlo Berliner
Young Adult Paranormal
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages
October 17th 2017 by Teddy Blue Books

Summary

**If you love ghost stories and the paranormal, then THE GHOST CHRONICLES series is the perfect new read for you!**

What's there to fear if you're already dead?
Plenty.
Michael and Sarah now know for certain, there is a destination after death.
They also know they better find their way out of the afterlife fast, before the devil claims Michael's soul.
What they don't know?
Before they can get to heaven...
they may just have to go through hell.

*Inspired by the legend of a haunting at the famous Angel of the Sea bed and breakfast in Cape May, NJ*

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

Excerpt

He read the main inscription on the top and bottom of the plaque out loud, “The Cocoanut Grove, November 28th, 1942, Phoenix out of the Ashes.”

Sarah started to read the rest, “Erected by Bay Village Neighborhood Association, 1993. In memory of—”

But she never got the chance to finish, for two ghosts suddenly materialized directly in front of them.

The young man and woman looked to be about their age and held hands as if they were also a couple. They were dressed in old-fashioned clothes – the man, clad in a brown suit and vest with a casual top hat, and the woman, wearing a pink chiffon party dress.

“My name is Daniel,” the man said, giving them a warm, friendly smile.

“And my name is Ruth,” the woman said in a kindly way. “We can tell you all about the Cocoanut Grove.”

Daniel extended his hand to Michael. “There’s something important here that we need to show both of you.”

“Something you will need to learn and remember later on,” Ruth said in a soothing, yet serious voice, as she took Sarah’s hand gently in her own.

Sarah glanced at Michael questioningly, but before he could do anything, Daniel grabbed his arm.

Powerless to stop him, the spirit invaded his consciousness.

Michael struggled to break free, but the man’s hold on his mind was strong. Stronger than anything he’d ever felt. Even stronger than the inmate who had briefly hijacked his mind at Eastern State Penitentiary.

As before, memory and reality melded together, until he was firmly and unwillingly plunged into the past.

Other Books in the Series

The Ghost Chronicles
by Marlo Berliner
Young Adult Paranormal
Paperback & ebook, 298 Pages
November 17th 2015 by Teddy Blue Books

Summary

Can Michael get to heaven before the devil gets him first, and if it means leaving Sarah is he sure he still wants to go?

Michael Andrews had everything – a loving family, a great girlfriend and a promising basketball career. That was before the accident that took his life. Now, he’s a ghost, wandering among the living, struggling to understand why he’s stuck. All he wants is to move on.

That is until he meets Sarah, an attractive young girl who died just as tragically as he did. The only trouble is falling in love and binding oneself to another soul is forbidden, for it may keep one or both of the souls bound to earth for longer than they should be.

To make matters worse, there’s also a danger in going too far with Sarah, because the “joining” of two souls in the afterlife is also strictly forbidden and they don’t know what will happen if they do go that far. Each time they touch they can feel the boundaries of their energies slipping perilously into one another.

Things get even more complicated as Michael learns he’s being pursued. Demons are after him because he’s a marked soul, a soul the devil wants very badly for some unknown reason.

So, maybe falling in love in the afterlife isn’t such a good idea.

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

About the Author


Marlo Berliner is the award-winning author of THE GHOST CHRONICLES, her debut book which was released in November 2015 to critical acclaim. Marlo writes young adult, women’s fiction, and short stories. Marlo is represented by Eric Ruben of The Ruben Agency.

When she's not writing or editing, Marlo loves reading, relaxing at the beach, watching movies, and rooting for the Penn State Nittany Lions. After having spent some wonderful time in Pittsburgh and Houston, she’s now back in her home state of New Jersey where she resides with her husband, two sons, and a rambunctious puppy named Max.


Tour Schedule

October 30th: LaunchHarlie's Books & Mythical Books
October 31st: Wishful Endings
November 1st: 100 Pages A Day
November 2nd: Beck Valley Books
November 3rd: Mello & June, It's a Book Thang!
November 6th: Mel's Shelves
November 7th: Colorimetry
November 8th: Min Reads and Reviews
November 9th: Brooke Blogs
November 9th: The Bookworm Chronicles
November 10th: Bookworm Lisa
November 11th: Grand Finale

Tour-Wide Giveaway

$20 Amazon eGift Card
Open internationally
Ends November 15th

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Grab Our Button!

Have you read the first book in the series? What did you think of the excerpt?

Truthers by Geoffrey Girard (#Giveaway)


Truthers
(Series #)
by Author
YA Thriller
Paperback & ebook, ? Pages
Date ? 2016 by Publisher

Summary

Katie Wallace has never given much thought to 9/11. She was only a year old when terrorists struck American soil. But now her dad has landed in a mental institution after claiming to know what really happened. He insists the attacks were part of a government conspiracy. And he claims that Katie is living proof: the lone survivor of a massive cover-up.

Hoping to free her dad, Katie sets out to investigate his bizarre claims. Soon she's drawn into the strange and secretive world of 9/11 conspiracy theorists known as the "Truthers".

Wading through a dangerous web of fact and fiction, questions and distortion, Katie no longer knows what to believe. But she does know that she's being followed -- and that someone is determined to stop her search for the truth.

A novel for teens, exploring 9/11 & our conspiracy culture...

(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

Praise for the Book

"In this intense thriller... Girard takes readers down a disturbing, provocative path; both sides start to make sense as information is revealed and theories are debated. It's a fast-paced nail-biter with a resourceful heroine, packed with surprises that force readers to question every revelation and take nothing at face value." ―Publishers Weekly [Starred Review]

"A beautifully written, captivating must-have that will hook readers from beginning to end. Girard has created a well-developed, quirky, tenacious main character for whom teens can't help but root." ―School Library Journal

"[Truthers] moves at a fast clip, and readers will get caught up in both the conspiracy construct (actual Truther theories are explored) and the romance that is as tangled as the web of confusion surrounding September 11." ―Booklist

"A book teens will love. History, mystery, romance, action, and intrigue--all in one!" ―YA Books Central

About the Author


Photo Content from Geoffrey Girard

Geoffrey Girard writes thrillers, historicals, and dark speculative fiction. His first book, Tales of the Jersey Devil, thirteen original tales based on American folklore, was published by Middle Atlantic Pressin 2005, followed by Tales of the Atlantic Pirates (2006) and Tales of the Eastern Indians (2007). Simon and Schuster published two Girard novels simultaneously in 2013: CAIN'S BLOOD, a techno thriller, and PROJECT CAIN, a companion novel for teen/YA readers which was nominated for a Bram Stoker award for "Superior Achievement in a Young Adult Novel."

In 2017, Carolrhoda Books published TRUTHERS, a YA novel about the 9/11 conspiracy, and Adaptive Books published MARY ROSE, a psychological thriller/ghost novel.

Girard's short fiction has appeared in several best-selling anthologies and magazines, including Writers of the Future (a 2003 winner), Prime Codex, Aoife's Kiss, The Willows, Murky Depths, Apex Horror & Science Fiction Digest, and the Stoker-nominated Dark Faith anthology. The debut collection of his short fiction, first communions, was published by Apex Books in May, 2016.

Born in Germany and shaped in New Jersey, Geoffrey currently lives in Ohio and is the English Department Chair at a famed private boys' high school. Prior to teaching, he worked as an advertising copywriter, web developer and marketing manager. He has a BA in English literature from Washington College and an MA in creative writing from Miami University, where he is now working on an MFA. He has presented and led workshops on creative writing at schools, bookstores and various writers' conventions/events.


Tour-Wide Giveaway


- 5 Winners will receive a Copy of THUTHERS by Geoffrey Girard.
- 1Winner will receive a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card.
- Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter | Ends November 25, 2017

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Even This: Getting to the Place Where You Can Trust God with Anything by Emily Belle Freeman (Review)


I've heard this author speak at an event called Time Out for Women and she was a favorite,
so I was thrilled to grab her newest for review from the publisher. Read my thoughts below...

Even This:
Getting to the Place Where You Can Trust God with Anything
by Emily Belle Freeman
Christian Nonfiction
Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 176 Pages
September 5th 2017 by Shadow Mountain

Summary

In Even This, Emily Belle Freeman shares her own deeply personal experiences of feeling forgotten by God—from the fear of abandonment in a dark hospital room to the desperation that followed months of unanswered prayers. In a moment of honesty, she found herself asking the question she had been afraid to consider: "Where is God in this?"

Through biblical insight, genuine realness, and beautiful prose, Emily will help you discover how to:
  • Diminish the power of doubt by coming to understand why the place of deepest asking is where the believing begins.
  • Stop letting fear dictate the depth of your belief through daily reflections that will restore your confidence in God.
  • Let go of your need to control by discovering what is holding you back from being completely vulnerable with God.
(Affiliate links included - I receive a small kickback if you make a purchase using my links.)

My Review

EVEN THIS is a candid, inspiring book about looking for God's goodness, letting go of our fears and giving control over to the One who is exactly what we need in our lives. Based on personal experience and scriptures from the Bible, it is easy to relate to what the author shares about what she has learned and is still learning, and also find a basis for her beliefs. The somewhat lyrical style is beautiful to read and the short chapters that also flowed well from one to the other makes it perfect to read in short pieces or all at once. Each chapter asks questions that give the reader a chance to ponder, and it includes a journaling section at the end that is quite helpful. It's a perfect book for some self reflection or as a gift. Highly recommended!


I can't share all the pieces of spiritual wisdom that are in this book. There are so many I related to and loved! One would be:

"[A]t what point does the learning part transition into the living part? When does what you believe turn into who you will become?"

I've been trying to get my kids to understand this for the past year. We always ask what they learned at church, but I had switched to asking what can you apply to your life and how will you do it? I want them to live their beliefs and to see those beliefs in action.

Another part I loved would be:

"I want to discover Him in the hard things, because a belief in a God that only provides happy things isn't real. And I want it to be real, this relationship I have with God. There, in the dirt, it is there that I will discover how an infinite God can also be intimate. When I find Him there in the mess, when I gather the memory of His goodness, it leads to one truth that cannot be ignored: Someone who is willing to be there for you, walk through fire for you, dig through the dirt with you, fix the damage, enter the dark places, and the questioning places, and the aching places—the One who meets you in the most intimate places must love you."

We've all dealt with hardship, struggle, inadequacy, and loss. Finding God among all that can be tough. I love how she works through that and admits her own struggles and doubt, but also finds the good that is there and develops her trust in God. It inspires me to do more and to document and talk about what I witness each day as God works in my life.

In the end, was it what I wished for? I loved reading this and taking some time to reflect on my own life. I loved the experiences and reflections she shares and am looking forward to implementing some of the things I learned from this book. Recommended to Christian readers regardless of denomination.

Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not require a review nor affect it in any way.

About the Author


Emily Belle Freeman is a best-selling author, popular inspirational speaker, and cofounder of Multiply Goodness. Her greatest joy comes from spending time with her husband, Greg, her children, and her grandchildren. For a few minutes every day she leaves the dishes in the sink and writes about the ever-present goodness of God in the ordinary details of her life.



Have you heard Emily speak or read any of her other books?

The Ghost Chronicles 2 by Marlo Berliner (#Giveaway)

 
On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Book Tour Launch for
The Ghost Chronicles 2
By Marlo Berliner

What’s there to fear if you’re already dead?
Plenty.
Come along with us as we continue to delve into what it might be like to be a ghost in the afterlife. Follow Michael and Sarah’s story, learn more about the setting, feel a little romantic tension... We hope you enjoy what you find! 

Note from the Author

THE GHOST CHRONICLES 2 is a YA paranormal with adult crossover appeal and it is the second book in my award-winning Ghost Chronicles series. The first book won the 2016 NJRW Golden Leaf Award for Best First Book, was named FINALIST in the National Indie Excellence Awards for Young Adult Fiction, received the Literary Classics Seal of Approval, was awarded a B.R.A.G. Medallion, and was named one of the “best indie YA books we have seen in the past year, from both self-publishers and small presses” by IPPY Magazine. The second book continues Michael’s ghostly adventures in the afterlife, now with Sarah by his side. Here’s the full blurb for the book:

What’s there to fear if you’re already dead?
Plenty.
Michael and Sarah now know for certain, there is a destination after death.
They also know they better find their way out of the afterlife fast, before the devil claims Michael’s soul.
What they don’t know?
Before they can get to heaven…
they may just have to go through hell.

The setting for THE GHOST CHRONICLES series was inspired by The Angel of the Sea, an award-winning bed and breakfast in Cape May, NJ that I visited several years ago. This spectacular inn has been featured on several television programs and in magazines throughout the world. Most notably, it was chosen by Oprah Winfrey as one of the “Best Vacations in the World” and included in her television talk show. The Angel of the Sea is one of the most recognized Victorian structures in the United States. Legend has it that in the late 1960’s, a girl fell to her death at the Angel of the Sea and did at one time, haunt the inn. The story of the girl has been included in several non-fiction books about ghosts in Cape May. My heroine in THE GHOST CHRONICLES, Sarah McConnell, was inspired by this legend.

— Marlo


The Ghost Chronicles 2
by Marlo Berliner
Young Adult Paranormal
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages
October 17th 2017 by Teddy Blue Books

**If you love ghost stories and the paranormal, then THE GHOST CHRONICLES series is the perfect new read for you!**

What's there to fear if you're already dead?
Plenty.
Michael and Sarah now know for certain, there is a destination after death.
They also know they better find their way out of the afterlife fast, before the devil claims Michael's soul.
What they don't know?
Before they can get to heaven...
they may just have to go through hell.

*Inspired by the legend of a haunting at the famous Angel of the Sea bed and breakfast in Cape May, NJ*

GoodreadsAmazon USAmazon UKBarnes & Noble 

Tour Schedule

October 30th: Launch, Harlie's Books & Mythical Books
October 31st: Wishful Endings
November 1st: 100 Pages A Day
November 2nd: Beck Valley Books
November 3rd: Mello & June, It's a Book Thang!
November 6th: Mel's Shelves
November 7th: Colorimetry
November 8th: Min Reads and Reviews
November 9th: Brooke Blogs
November 9th: The Bookworm Chronicles
November 10th: Bookworm Lisa
November 11th: Grand Finale

Other Books in the Series

The Ghost Chronicles
by Marlo Berliner
Young Adult Paranormal
Paperback & ebook, 298 Pages
November 17th 2015 by Teddy Blue Books

Can Michael get to heaven before the devil gets him first, and if it means leaving Sarah is he sure he still wants to go?

Michael Andrews had everything – a loving family, a great girlfriend and a promising basketball career. That was before the accident that took his life. Now, he’s a ghost, wandering among the living, struggling to understand why he’s stuck. All he wants is to move on.

That is until he meets Sarah, an attractive young girl who died just as tragically as he did. The only trouble is falling in love and binding oneself to another soul is forbidden, for it may keep one or both of the souls bound to earth for longer than they should be.

To make matters worse, there’s also a danger in going too far with Sarah, because the “joining” of two souls in the afterlife is also strictly forbidden and they don’t know what will happen if they do go that far. Each time they touch they can feel the boundaries of their energies slipping perilously into one another.

Things get even more complicated as Michael learns he’s being pursued. Demons are after him because he’s a marked soul, a soul the devil wants very badly for some unknown reason.

So, maybe falling in love in the afterlife isn’t such a good idea.


About the Author


Marlo Berliner is the award-winning author of THE GHOST CHRONICLES, her debut book which was released in November 2015 to critical acclaim. Marlo writes young adult, women’s fiction, and short stories. Marlo is represented by Eric Ruben of The Ruben Agency.

When she's not writing or editing, Marlo loves reading, relaxing at the beach, watching movies, and rooting for the Penn State Nittany Lions. After having spent some wonderful time in Pittsburgh and Houston, she’s now back in her home state of New Jersey where she resides with her husband, two sons, and a rambunctious puppy named Max.


Tour Giveaway

$20 Amazon eGift Card
Open internationally
Ends November 15th

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Grab Our Button!

Weekly Update #237, English Tea Party Anyone?


Welcome to my Weekly Update where I post my blog's schedule for the week!

I'm linking up to The Sunday Post, hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

This last week was full of fun and craziness. Fun with the kids for their school fall parties and a church fall festival, plus playing some co-ed volleyball, and hanging out at book club with the girls (we discussed Mary Poppins, which was our read, and had an English tea party with cucumber sandwiches, a special cake, and loose leaf tea!). I also had two of my kids sick, which was not so fun.All the extra stuff made things extra busy. I also needed to make sure the kids were outfitted for Halloween and then had some last minute book tour changes for Prism Book Tours that made it extra hectic. I didn't read as much as I would have liked so I'm hoping to get some good reading in this coming week.


Here's tentatively what to expect on the blog this week:

Even This: Getting to the Place Where You Can Trust God with AnythingThe Axe of Sundering (Adventurers Wanted, #5)Truthers
The Ghost Chronicles 2: (Book Two)Daughter 4254Secrets at Seaside (Sweet with Heat: Seaside Summers, #5)
The Dark Intercept (The Dark Intercept, #1)This Mortal Coil

Enter to win an Amazon gift card for my monthly giveaway for October (for three more days):

I've been hosting a meme this year called Can't-Wait Wednesday that is taking over for my Waiting on Wednesday posts since the host, Jill over at Breaking the Spine, went inactive in August 2016. You're welcome to join in or link up your Waiting on Wednesday posts each week. Find out more here.

The Instagram challenge, #WishfulWonder, that Rissi over at Finding Wonderland hosts is on for October. Check it out:

How is fall treating you? Are you ready for Halloween?

Support Your Local Sheriff by Melinda Curtis (Grand Finale & #Giveaway)

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Book Tour Grand Finale for
Support Your Local Sheriff
By Melinda Curtis

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Note from the Author

This is my 10th trip to Harmony Valley. Support Your Local Sheriff pits tall, dark and quiet Sheriff Nate Landry against community activist Doris Schlotzky and the sister of the woman he almost married, Julie Smith, who shows up in town with the toddler son Nate didn’t know existed.


“Ladies and gentlemen,” Doris said in her high-pitched, grating voice. “We should be proud of many things in our community. The wonderful festivals we have. The resurgence of new businesses. And the low crime rate. But that isn’t good enough.”

Not good enough? The little black rain cloud over Nate’s head sucked the oxygen from the old church.

“In this age of police misconduct, the people need a voice.” Doris had a death grip on the podium.

Nate thought it might be his death she planned.

Hearts & Scribbles - Support Your Local Sheriff

My mom had a huge crush on James Garner. Why? Why not!

James Garner was handsome as all get-out. He was a versatile leading man, able to play serious roles as well as ones drawing on humor and heart. And he took on acting roles on both the big screen and the small one. He was immensely popular from the 1950s to the 1970s, and just when my mom was lamenting his so-called retirement, in 1984 he returned to the big screen in an older man-younger woman film called Murphy’s Romance. And when he played the older lead in The Notebook in 2004, my mom was thrilled. She loved that he was drawn to play honorable characters doing what was right in hard situations.

I can mark the years by James Garner. . .


The gray-haired residents of Harmony Valley had probably never done the wave at a sports stadium. But their heads turned in the same rippled effect to stare Nate’s way, starting from the back of the church and moving forward. Grins and coos rippled through the assembled, almost as if—
The little hand returned to Nate’s shoulder, followed by a hot-breathed “Hi.”

Mystery solved. Residents were doing the neck-craning wave to watch an angelic toddler putting on a show behind Nate.

When Nate turned his head, he received another gentle forehead bump. “You’re an awesome little dude.” Nate ruffled the boy’s hair.

Mello & June, It's a Book Thang! - In Defense of Colorful Wedding Dresses

I admit, I wore white at my wedding. But that doesn’t mean I’m not open to admiring women who wear colorful wedding dresses.

It takes chutzpah to wear something other than white or cream. Honestly, sometimes I get a wild hair and try on orange jeans. I haven’t bought a pair yet. I know I’m not bold enough to do so. I respect anyone who can comfortably pull this off.


"This is a slow building romance. The sparks don't really jump off the page but the story has a gentle pull that kept me engaged and interested. There are all kinds of meddling, crazy and quirky characters thrown into this book. Combine that with the small town antics and you will be shaking your head and rolling your eyes, just like me. It was a lot of fun."

Heidi Reads... - Excerpt

“Hello, Nate.” Julie Smith put nearly three years of disdain and disappointment in those two words.

“Julie.” Nate shot to his feet, steady as always, guarded as always. If Nate was the sheriff, he was off duty. He wore a brown checkered shirt and blue jeans, not a service uniform.

Duke was balanced on her thighs, his small hard-soled sneakers digging in for purchase as he reached for Nate once more.

Couldn’t Duke loathe Nate as much as Julie did?

Paulette's Papers - The Story Behind the Story

Readers often ask writers where they get their story ideas. I like to tell people my story ideas often come from one person I know, have met, have seen on television, or have read about. For example:

I once asked my assistant what her biggest frustration was in dating and she told me autocorrect. Her stories about texting faux pas led to the plot line of Always A Bridesmaid. . . .


“Flynn,” Nate said. “This is Julie, my…”

And there it was. That awkwardness Julie had been waiting years for.

She pounced. “I’m the sister of Nate’s ex-fiancée.”

Flynn slid a questioning look Nate’s way.

Her moment had arrived. Julie stood, scooping Duke to her hip with her left arm. “Didn’t Nate tell you he was engaged? He left my sister at the altar.” That wasn’t all he’d left, but Julie didn’t want to waste all her ammunition on the first volley.


"Duke has a cute personality. Been a little while since I have visited Harmony Valley, love the residents of the town, a good series. I have read several in the series and plan to read more."


Julie’s aim was off. Nothing was ruffling him. Nothing was satisfying her need for revenge. She’d have to hunker down for the long haul. She’d never been good at the long game, at chess or Monopoly. This time, the stakes were higher than bragging rights or a pile of paper money. This time, she had to be patient.

“Want Mama.” Duke collapsed against Julie’s shoulder, his forehead pile-driving into the only tender spot on her body.

Her sharp intake of breath caused Nate to dip his head and stare at her more closely. She smoothed her expression into her game face, determined that he only see what she wanted him to see—a strong woman who despised him.



“You got married.” Nate’s gaze was gentle.

Julie didn’t want his gentleness. She wanted his anger. She wanted to argue and shout, and have him argue and shout back. “You think I’m married because…”

A small crease appeared between Nate’s brows, only for a moment. “Well… This little guy…”

A surge of satisfaction shored up sagging dreams of revenge. “You think a woman has to be married to have a child?”


"Sweet, sassy and romantic, Support Your Local Sheriff is definitely going on my faves list for 2017! Colorful characters, a cozy small town setting and an adorable toddler will make you laugh and smile, while Nate and Julie’s story will leave you swooning and maybe even wiping at a few stray tears. Add this book to your TBR, my friends! And now I’m off to track down this author’s back list!"


“I’m not married,” Julie said. “And Duke isn’t my child.”

The bottom dropped out of Nate’s world and his stomach plunged to the center of the earth.

“Who…” He washed a hand over his face and planted his feet more firmly on the church planks. “Whose child is he?”

“Look at him.”

Brooke Blogs - 5 Reasons to Date Your Local Sheriff

I write small town romance. There is one consistent resident in every small town – the local sheriff. Let’s say you live in a small town with a sheriff and you’re single. Let’s say you have a dating pool of the butcher, the baker, or the sheriff. Who’re you gonna date? Here are five reasons to choose the sheriff. . .


The little boy had the Smiths’ gray eyes and wide smiling mouth. Like most kids his age, he had thin lanky legs. His sprouted from a pair of khaki shorts. The friendly sparkle to his eyes was all Smith. But the dark, unruly hair was hard to mistake as anything other than a Landry gift. And as for those ears…

Nate tugged one of his own.

The kid would grow into them.

The kid. His kid.

Becky on Books - Interview

Where did the inspiration for this book come from?

Nate first appeared in Book 2 of the series. He patiently awaited his turn in Book 10. And that’s probably one of his key characteristics. He’s tall, dark and silent, keeping his past to himself. But the impetus of the story came from my former sister-in-law, Lynn. Lynn had cancer while she was dating my brother. Chemo sent her into early menopause, so they didn’t use birth control. When they broke up, she had no idea she was pregnant. In Book 4, I referenced Nate having left someone at the altar. Lynn’s story seemed the perfect backstory for Nate’s jilted bride.

And don't forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven't already...

Support Your Local Sheriff
(Harmony Valley #10)
by Melinda Curtis
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
October 1st 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Will he pass the daddy test?

With his job in jeopardy, it couldn't be a worse time for Sheriff Nate Landry's recent past to come back to haunt him. But it would take an army to stop SWAT team leader Julie Smith. The fellow cop—and sister of his ex-fiancée—wants one thing from the beleaguered lawman: custody of the toddler son that Nate didn't know he had.

He may not be natural daddy material, but he quickly takes a shine to little Duke. And then there are the feelings Nate's been hiding for years. Only now Julie's running for sheriff of Harmony Valley—against him. Time to retreat? Not if he wants a future with the woman he loves.


Other Books in the Series


About the Author


USA Today and Amazon Bestselling Author, Melinda Curtis is the award winning author of contemporary romance that spans the sexy scale - from sweet romance to sweet romantic comedy (written under the Melinda Curtis brand) to fun, sexier romances (written under the Mel Curtis brand).

Melinda loves writing romances about women who don't realize how strong they are until a hero comes along to show them, while simultaneously capturing the wry humorous power struggle of falling in love (because, really, who lets the man have the last word?).


Tour Giveaway

- 1 winner will receive autographed copies of Time for Love, A Memory Away, A Man of Influence, and Marrying the Single Dad
- US Only. International will receive ecopies.
- Ends November 1st