Candy Hearts – I’M SURE by Beverly Breton

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Charlotte Copper

Blurb
During the day, Megan surrounds herself with water lilies and goldfish in the ponds she creates. At night, memories of her lying ex-boyfriend are a reminder she can never again trust a man.
Jason embraces his career as paramedic firefighter, even though ugly experience declares his profession a greedy mistress. During quiet nights at the station, he wonders if this bachelor existence is all he’ll ever know.
Then Jason meets Megan and sparks fly, chased by flashes of anger when Jason, battling a raging apartment fire, stands up Megan on their first date. Is St. Valentine powerful enough to bring these two strong-willed people together?

Excerpt
Jason reaches over the table and takes my hand in his.

Much as I try scrubbing at the dirt, my nails are almost never 100% clean, and I’ve got a long scratch across my knuckles. And anyhow, in the middle of a work day, that’s part of who I am.

He turns my hand palm up and runs his finger across the calluses.

My heart skitters a beat at the feel of his hands cradling mine. His touch exudes caring. Imagining him tending a person in distress is easy.

Need I say it? I like the feel of him touching me. The world is charmingly in order right here, right now. But what is he doing? “Is something wrong with my hand?”

“Every time I see you, you’re in the water. And you’re the odd duck. I was just seeing”—he turns his head to examine my palm, his carved cheeks in profile, “if there’s a web between your fingers…”

Bemusement laces his tone. “Like a Labrador retriever?” I retort, stifling the urge to flex my fingers; I don’t want him to let my hand go.

He laughs and releases my hand. “My favorite animal. But a dog? No. That’s not what you bring to mind.”

His grin is so open, so easy, I decide to divulge something I’ve never told anyone. “I did wish for scales when I was younger. I thought it would be cool to be a mermaid.” He takes me in for a beat, his gaze deep.

“I can see that.”

His voice is low and velvety. I draw in a ragged breath.

Buy Links:
AMAZON
THE WILD ROSE PRESS

About the Author:
Beverly Breton is an eternal fan of the happy ending, and a sucker for any book that grabs the reader through characterization and emotion. A career non-fiction writer and editor, Beverly has written articles and personal essays for newspapers and magazines across the country, and has taught college writing at the undergraduate and graduate level. She now writes romantic short stories, and has garnered such awards as Night Owl Reviews Top Pick and You Gotta Read Reviews highest rating You Gotta ReadFive Stars. She is also a professional floral designer, and her garden nursery experience and love of plants is fondly woven into her latest short story I’m Sure featuring a pond garden designer and the emergency responder who falls for this fiery-haired near-mermaid when he discovers her up to her thighs in water one February morning.

http://www.beverlybreton.com

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Candy Hearts – HOT STUFF by CJ Fosdick

Posted on February 13, 2016 by Charlotte Copper

BLURB:
Hot Stuff takes on double meaning when klutzy Kate is faced with rookie cop Dallas looking for a stolen lawn statue. In her quiet, crime-free Wisconsin village, Kate has her hands full writing slogans for candy hearts and keeping her kleptomaniac brother with Asperger’s Syndrome inside the law. Even her grandmother’s famous Snickerdoodle cookies can’t ameliorate the crime when a stolen lawn statue turns out to be a drug dispenser. Will Kate rise above her concern of what Dallas’s uniform represents and admit the charming Texas rookie is the man of her dreams?

EXCERPT:
“Over the years, we’ve learned some lawn décor Evan brought home belonged to that category you call a 10-99…er…some might call it this.” He finally smiled when I pulled a handful of candy hearts from my pocket and singled out the one that read Hot Stuff.

“Billington knows about all this?”

“Certainly. Our neighbors are aware of this, too. When something goes missing, they usually show up here first to see if it’s planted in his garden. If they can identify it, we simply have a custody exchange, then mollify my brother with a trip to a local garden shop for some kind of a replacement.” I popped a candy heart into my mouth and offered him one after flicking a strand of cat fur off the KissMe heart.

He screwed up his face, clearing his throat. “Valentine candy in July?”

“I won a six-month supply after writing new imprints for the company. The candy has a long shelf life,” I added.

He declined my offer.

“Bite Me.”

“Ma’am?”

“That was one of my slogans. The candy boss wanted something modern. You Know was another one. Kids today can’t get through a sentence without sprinkling it with ‘you know’.”

He studied me with a lopsided grin. “Why didn’t Billington tell me all this?”

“I don’t think he knows I write slogans and ads.”

He pulled on his ear. “I mean about your brother stealing yard ornaments.”

“Oh well, I suspect Evan’s fancy may be an inside joke at the precinct.”

BUY LINK:
THE WILD ROSE PRESS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, CJ Fosdick has freelanced for over 30 years, writing stories and articles for local and national publications. She has stories published in three anthologies, including Minnesota’s Blossoms & Blizzards. Her debut novel, The Accidental Wife published in 2015, evolved from an award-winning short story. She pursues her novel dreams on a wooded country hilltop in Rochester, MN, with husband, family, and a menagerie of wild and domestic animals. Follow her on…

Website: http://cjfosdick.com
Twitter: Falorac13

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Candy Hearts – BE MINE by April Hollingworth

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Charlotte Copper

Blurb

Beth has always loved Mark. He was the boy of her dreams even though she was nothing more than his little sister’s best friend. Now he’s back from the military and looking at her differently. Though that could be the plate of lasagna she dropped in his lap.

A series of mishaps gives Mark opportunity to spend time with her. He is sure that he is the man for her but experience has taught Beth not all men can be trusted. Can he convince her that he wants her to be his for Valentine’s Day and ever after?

Excerpt:

Exiting my car, I spot Mark’s, a couple of parking spaces away. Hurrying into the building, I can’t wait to see him. When I do, I come to a screeching stop, tripping over my own feet; I stumble forwards only to be caught in his strong arms.
“You okay?” He asks steadying me.
“I’m fine, thanks to you,” I reply, looking him up and down, I ask the question slamming around my brain, “So why are you dressed in only shorts?”
A laugh escapes him, as he traces my jaw line. “I was training,” he explains.
A second later, the door opens to the gym area; Jonathan appears also dressed in loose shorts, similar to Mark’s. “Hey Beth, are you early or am I running late?” he inquires while wiping the sweat from his muscular torso.
“Both,” I reply, for lack of anything better to say.
“Okay, I’ll be back in a second,” he replies, walking past us and into the men’s changing rooms.
“I best get ready too,” Mark informs me, releasing me slowly, before heading into the changing rooms.
I can’t help turning around and watching his fantastic back disappear.
Just before the door closes, he pops his head out, and with a wicked grin on his face asks, “Did you enjoy the view?”
“Oh yes,” the words fly from my mouth before I can think about stopping them.
Heat enters his eyes burning brightly into mine, before he retreats behind the closing door.
“Damn.” I mutter, before finally moving into the ladies room to get ready for class.

Buy links:

WILD ROSE PRESS
AMAZON

About the Author:

Born in Dublin, April moved to England, finally returning to Ireland. April now lives in West Cork but wants to move to America.
When she was a child, April fell in love with books, amazing stories filled with mystery and intrigue, danger and fantasy. This love has progressed into a passion for April. She I also likes photography and cemeteries,the older the better.

Author Links:
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/April-Hollingworth/e/B00H48PPAG/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/1APRIL1979/
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4759078.April_Hollingworth
Tsu: http://www.tsu.co/1April
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/118009679059842391721/
My Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/aprilhollingworthauthor
My website: http://aprilhollingworth.wix.com/april-hollingworth
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/aprilhollingworthblog
Links to twitter: https://twitter.com/No1Bitchmaster