tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62326523700831647492024-03-14T11:38:16.125-05:00BiblioJunkiesBooks. Boys. Pie.bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.comBlogger2179125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-29149774357441823702022-08-11T16:52:00.001-05:002022-08-11T16:52:14.201-05:00Bibliojunkies News<p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHQ_pUjhjeGf3zJZi4bgIPzp-DIZEj_jsoQQyQWfkmAoyWeYdg4OnC4Q07uspi1lZQE8Tmjx2wfQTI_W3R4atTC5R-u0MT7xiMHhJ0bk87KrQqUG0idYdfpVPQsq9kOuKPC3v_-qCcJgGM2JCDjYCjFcIcATXunVBJZREuINAUHdsHVoftZO5wwnQ/s6912/Bibliojunkies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="6912" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHQ_pUjhjeGf3zJZi4bgIPzp-DIZEj_jsoQQyQWfkmAoyWeYdg4OnC4Q07uspi1lZQE8Tmjx2wfQTI_W3R4atTC5R-u0MT7xiMHhJ0bk87KrQqUG0idYdfpVPQsq9kOuKPC3v_-qCcJgGM2JCDjYCjFcIcATXunVBJZREuINAUHdsHVoftZO5wwnQ/w491-h210/Bibliojunkies.jpg" width="491" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Hi Everyone!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Bel here and I wanted to let you know of some changes here at Bibliojunkies HQ.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Over the last two years, the three of us - Shel, Bel and Nat - have experienced some significant life changes that have required our attention elsewhere. We still love to read but blogging has not been something all three of us could sustain regularly. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">So with that being said, I have decided to continue reading and reviewing books, and to continue working with publishers and promotional organizations on releases, cover reveals, sales promos, etc. I have transitioned to Instagram and Twitter; find me at<b> @lvndrgms3</b> on both platforms.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">This is both exciting and bittersweet. Bibliojunkies has been a great platform for us to showcase our love of books, and to meet other avid readers and fantastic authors. We've attended book cons, book signings, and met some amazing folks along the way. We will forever be grateful for the opportunities book blogging has given us, and how it helped to expand our worldview.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Much love to Nat and Shel as they continue on with their pursuits. In the meantime, I hope you'll stick around and join me as I take on my next phase. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b><i>~ Bel</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Connect with Bel:</i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/lvndrgms3/">Instagram</a> I <a href="https://twitter.com/lvndrgms3">Twitter</a> I <a href=" https://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscombelinda_y_m">Goodreads</a> I <a href="https://linktr.ee/lvndrgms3?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=c6882496-20b5-4370-a626-148e0290e97f">Linktree</a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-32001451251499231492022-05-25T22:32:00.001-05:002022-05-25T22:32:00.271-05:00A Lady for A Duke by Alexis Hall<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><b>* * * * *</b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHp0T4Y_favRKhR9fyApRkbrT2D1WDSwha0ndHWEAancbngtHYHuMDmRG1UongCCTm_YPcJsdbxyZQEZXNJ1Cbsv6F0gtoLi3_BQ3JXW0QwVQit0AsTERd8VLaOJ2WEGl3e8RaL48pRByG6W1vOLi1vD6m3QP7ygkiyGRA2oOJP_VDLhLnoFfJMw87/s2048/A%20Lady%20for%20a%20Duke.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1344" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHp0T4Y_favRKhR9fyApRkbrT2D1WDSwha0ndHWEAancbngtHYHuMDmRG1UongCCTm_YPcJsdbxyZQEZXNJ1Cbsv6F0gtoLi3_BQ3JXW0QwVQit0AsTERd8VLaOJ2WEGl3e8RaL48pRByG6W1vOLi1vD6m3QP7ygkiyGRA2oOJP_VDLhLnoFfJMw87/w263-h400/A%20Lady%20for%20a%20Duke.jpg" width="263" /></span></a></div><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Calibri;"><span id="freeText6648686168889356583" style="background-color: white;"><b>A lush, sweeping queer historical romance from the bestselling author of <i>Boyfriend Material</i>—perfect for fans of Netflix’s <i>Bridgerton</i>, Evie Dunmore, and Manda Collins!</b><br /><br />When Viola Caroll was presumed dead at Waterloo she took the opportunity to live, at last, as herself. But freedom does not come without a price, and Viola paid for hers with the loss of her wealth, her title, and her closest companion, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood.<br /><br />Only when their families reconnect, years after the war, does Viola learn how deep that loss truly was. Shattered without her, Gracewood has retreated so far into grief that Viola barely recognises her old friend in the lonely, brooding man he has become.<br /><br />As Viola strives to bring Gracewood back to himself, fresh desires give new names to old feelings. Feelings that would have been impossible once and may be impossible still, but which Viola cannot deny. Even if they cost her everything, all over again.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Source:</b> NetGalley; ARC generously provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It's always so interesting to read one of your favorite authors when they're switching up genres and in Alexis Hall fashion, he's delivered a queer historical romance featuring a trans heroine which I was excited about, and seriously how awesome is it that we can be reading something like this?!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Viola, in he</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">r former life when she was known as Marleigh, had been unhappy in his body and the world his body inhabited. When Marleigh was severely injured during the Battle of Waterloo, he took advantage of being presumed dead to disappear for a while and eventually rebuild her life in a way that finally felt true to herself. Now as Viola and reunited with her former best friend Gracewood, she sees what the loss of Marleigh's presence and their friendship has done to him. Gracewood has thought all along that Marleigh was dead. In a way, yes, the Marleigh he knew no longer exists. But meeting Viola, and sensing a connection he hasn't felt in a long time, pulls him from the deepest recesses of his grief and addiction back into the light. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The story is heartbreaking but also so, so sweet. There's so much pain and doubt and some regret yet so much to love as Viola is determined to live her life without apologies. I felt all her fears as well because as much as she feels free in one sense, she's also bound herself to a life and a role that limits women, something she's getting used to. And she's nervous about being recognized, outed and shunned. It becomes more complicated with Gracewood as she wants to, on the one hand, reveal herself to him to ease his pain and because she loves him. She misses their camaraderie as much as Gracewood does, and can't help but slowly fall in love with him. On the other hand, she wants him to live a happy life free of any trouble, with a beautiful wife and children, and that would certainly not happen should they give in to their feelings. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Y'all, my heart broke for them so many times! I think that's the grueling part of this story - seeing how much their pain and trauma have consumed them, and how society would never accept or condone Viola's choice over her own body or Gracewood's choice to love whom he chooses. Then there are the most spectacular moments of <i>the</i> most intimate connection between two people and all I could do was swoon and want to rail against the world and remake it just so that they could exist as they'd like. You know that's some good writing when you feel that way!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now I am not LGBTQIA+ so I can only review this story from my perspective as a reader who enjoys a good story and wants to grow and gain a better understanding of the world. It gets a bit slow in the middle but picks back up with the help of some entertaining side characters the way only Hall can create them. As a romance it hits the markers of drama, the great love of your life, second chance, redemption, and of course, the happily ever after. But I defer to folks within the LGBTQIA+ community to comment on the rest. For me, <i>A Lady for a Duke</i> is breathtaking and romantic and I'd definitely recommend it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>~ Bel</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;"><b>CW:</b> grief, abusive father (memories), addiction, panic attacks, PTSD (war), bullying (side character), kidnapping (side character)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-49480949977271936322022-05-24T00:30:00.001-05:002022-05-24T00:30:00.220-05:00Our Last Days in Barcelona by Chanel Cleeton<p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: medium;"><b>* * * * *</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLyEs0uuCrScvlLVut_lsKG-4I4dBmPU138OYsr6v4ABP-2cu9V0ynEViOmBfUt3CKkQgObdbdpSXbRbY9hRqxLkzOUyBHpKFM3_3AYbZU11TreEZNDmNEnbFOZNFnC45mepfDg0dIFEPxFO__8yinJVJlqS-HuXndImjP3mvkQXSkt41rYW1UPcj/s499/58867862.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="332" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLyEs0uuCrScvlLVut_lsKG-4I4dBmPU138OYsr6v4ABP-2cu9V0ynEViOmBfUt3CKkQgObdbdpSXbRbY9hRqxLkzOUyBHpKFM3_3AYbZU11TreEZNDmNEnbFOZNFnC45mepfDg0dIFEPxFO__8yinJVJlqS-HuXndImjP3mvkQXSkt41rYW1UPcj/w266-h400/58867862.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;">When Isabel Perez travels to Barcelona to save her sister Beatriz, she discovers a shocking family secret in New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton’s new novel.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Barcelona, 1964. Exiled from Cuba after the revolution, Isabel Perez has learned to guard her heart and protect her family at all costs. After Isabel’s sister Beatriz disappears in Barcelona, Isabel goes to Spain in search of her. Joining forces with an unlikely ally thrusts Isabel into her sister’s dangerous world of espionage, but it’s an unearthed piece of family history that transforms Isabel’s life.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Barcelona, 1936. Alicia Perez arrives in Barcelona after a difficult voyage from Cuba, her marriage in jeopardy and her young daughter Isabel in tow. Violence brews in Spain, the country on the brink of civil war, the rise of fascism threatening the world. When Cubans journey to Spain to join the International Brigades, Alicia’s past comes back to haunt her as she is unexpectedly reunited with the man who once held her heart.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Alicia and Isabel’s lives intertwine, and the past and present collide, as a mother and daughter are forced to choose between their family’s expectations and following their hearts.</span></span></p><p><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia;"><i><b>Source: </b>NetGalley; advance copy provided by Berkley in exchange for an honest review</i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">What can I say about Chanel Cleeton's Perez Sisters series that hasn't been said already? These books have absolutely captivated me, swept me away and taught me so much history as well. <i>Our Last Days in Barcelona</i> is gorgeous, a little suspenseful and delivers on the happily ever after.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">I adore the dual timeline format that Cleeton adopted for these books, even more so as I'm so keen to see how all the dots connect. This time we also get a glimpse of the matriarch of the Perez family, Alicia, and I was surprised by the less than perfect start to her marriage. It's this mystery that ties into Beatriz's disappearance that has Isabel worried, flying from Florida to Barcelona to locate her whereabouts. While on this mission, she learns other family secrets that unsettle her.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><i>Our Last Days in Barcelona</i> highlights the strained, complex relationship Cuba has with Spain. With Alicia's timeline set in the late 1930's, there's a heightened sense of trepidation in Spain with the threat of pending civil war. I know that Spain's political history is complicated, but Cleeton keeps the focus zeroed in on this specific moment and the terrifying impact it was having on its citizens. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">I so appreciate this series for all that it has introduced me to Cuba's rich multi-cultural heritage and the turbulent decades that these books have spanned. The Perez family with all of their ups and downs and uncertainties, have become real to me and I feel grateful for being included on this journey.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><b><i>~ Bel</i></b></span></span></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-38437003068828685062022-05-17T00:30:00.001-05:002022-05-17T00:30:00.232-05:00The Emma Project (The Rajes #4) by Sonali Dev<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">* * * * *</span></b></i></span></p><p><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoLPea_1w16aOxxWD68iGiGqs3uAjj5ufdPsqbHTSh_Xoq0l50U1ZQ93wX-xZJNS4juWLIUjXuLBB_B56rV3toeh0FT5SaOdaKqg3vB43kOYFXB2vUeS_ThlYp_LTP_omiiDZZsCoghdwUsUja8GuuzeL526RknOXSUtyotO3Aa4GjclJ_3NYuitn/s1000/The%20Emma%20Project.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="662" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoLPea_1w16aOxxWD68iGiGqs3uAjj5ufdPsqbHTSh_Xoq0l50U1ZQ93wX-xZJNS4juWLIUjXuLBB_B56rV3toeh0FT5SaOdaKqg3vB43kOYFXB2vUeS_ThlYp_LTP_omiiDZZsCoghdwUsUja8GuuzeL526RknOXSUtyotO3Aa4GjclJ_3NYuitn/w265-h400/The%20Emma%20Project.jpg" width="265" /></a></span></b></div><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Calibri;"><b style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><i>Emma</i> gets a fresh Indian-American twist from award-winning author Sonali Dev in her heartwarmingly irresistible Jane Austen inspired rom com series.</b><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">No one can call Vansh Raje’s life anything but charmed. Handsome—</span><i style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Vogue</i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"> has declared him California’s hottest single—and rich enough to spend all his time on missions to make the world a better place. Add to that a doting family and a contagiously sunny disposition and Vansh has made it halfway through his twenties without ever facing anything to throw him off his admittedly spectacular game.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">A couple years from turning forty, Knightlina (Naina) Kohli has just gotten out of a ten-year-long fake relationship with Vansh’s brother and wants only one thing from her life…fine, two things. One, to have nothing to do with the unfairly blessed Raje family ever again. Two, to bring economic independence to millions of women in South Asia through her microfinance foundation and prove her father wrong about, well, everything.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Just when Naina’s dream is about to come to fruition, Vansh Raje shows up with his misguided Emma Project... And suddenly she’s fighting him for funding and wondering if a friends-with-benefits arrangement that’s as toe-curlingly hot as it is fun is worth risking her life’s work for.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><b>Source:</b> NetGalley; advance copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review</i></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am declaring this fourth installment in The Rajes series as my favorite! Why? Because Vansh and Naina make excellent adversaries-turned-something-more in <i>The Emma Project</i>. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes, Vansh has a magnetic personality that attracts people but he also makes them feel safe and heard. When you look past the Raje family legacy and the looks, there is an authentic soul in that body. He's someone who's strived to prove himself beyond the Raje name to find his life's purpose. Naina is not quite charismatic nor does she care to be. At the moment she's still dealing with the fallout from the revelation of her fake relationship with Yash. The press feels sorry for her, the Raje family are all but giving her the cold shoulder thinking that it was she who manipulated Yash all these years. None of those problems compare to what is currently her biggest problem which is working with a finicky benefactor who revels in power trips. Naina's had to deal with difficult men all her life, her father being the worst of all. She has a strained relationship with her parents, especially her father who's disappointed he never had a son, and who is only ever worried about his status in the community. He's essentially a bully to her and her mother, and her mother has never fought back. Now she's facing another man who wishes the pull the strings as far as her life's work is concerned. The last thing Naina wants to do is allow even an inch of space for Vansh to step in and take away her access to funding. But when it looks like there's no other option, she grudgingly agrees to work with Vansh to share the funding and hopefully out-maneuver their patron. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Out of all the Rajes novels, I consider <i>The Emma Project </i>to be most like a rom-com and it's definitely due to Vansh's personality and Naina's often biting retorts to his attempts at charming his way through things. He's irresistible and is quick with the one-liners as well. I think I enjoyed this best of all because their chemistry ignites from the word "go", which made me realize that it's been a while since I've felt that kind of spark in the characters I've read recently. This is friends-to-lovers or better yet, frenemies-to-lovers with Naina obviously viewing Vansh as her competition in acquiring the financing she needs for her project.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Romance aside, there's also a good amount of time spent on how women are viewed and how Naina's had to overcome both her father's disappointment in not having a son, and his ambitious desire to have his daughter married off to a family that can elevate his standing, and specifically his ego. She has grown up in a household where women are torn down and stripped of their own desires. She saw the maltreatment her mother silently accepted. Naina has refused to be that kind of person. She wants to be a stronger woman who doesn't need a man at her side because a man would only demand she give up what she loves. But her father has also demonstrated how men behave and she's learned her lesson well, using that to work around her oftentimes misogynistic benefactor.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was an absolute joy to read The Emma Project and I'm still smiling about it. Sonali Dev gives you heart and soul in her storytelling and it's been a privilege getting to know The Rajes. I'm glad this series is ending on such a high note!</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>~ Bel</i></b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-22586400691229678572022-04-20T13:13:00.027-05:002022-04-20T13:13:00.241-05:00Sari, Not Sari by Sonya Singh<p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">* * *</span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIt6Krr5iHMkZbqFSCwPrSv3251X9sYUsr6y-PqPyt-vz25xrsVTft8H3HWxryeIci1hWMCTB8E18dkM9-e8-4KJqEV-v6IxdXkXs25DdgAtxZbGXdWPTm9PMeKWdhWHl1kRoK3Xgk2mR2XjgfYtqrYuS7mZ8LBbCJc4L9z87zP2ijmArU1198PsCr=s2199" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2199" data-original-width="1399" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIt6Krr5iHMkZbqFSCwPrSv3251X9sYUsr6y-PqPyt-vz25xrsVTft8H3HWxryeIci1hWMCTB8E18dkM9-e8-4KJqEV-v6IxdXkXs25DdgAtxZbGXdWPTm9PMeKWdhWHl1kRoK3Xgk2mR2XjgfYtqrYuS7mZ8LBbCJc4L9z87zP2ijmArU1198PsCr=w255-h400" width="255" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Calibri;"><span id="freeText15687930925721838207" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><b>This delightful debut rom-com follows the adventures of a woman trying to connect with her South Asian roots and introduces readers to a memorable cast of characters in a veritable feast of food, family traditions, and fun.</b><br /><br />Manny Dogra is the beautiful young CEO of Breakup, a highly successful company that helps people manage their relationship breakups. As preoccupied as she is with her business, she’s also planning her wedding to handsome architect Adam Jamieson while dealing with the loss of her beloved parents.<br /><br />For reasons Manny has never understood, her mother and father, who were both born in India, always wanted her to become an “All-American” girl. So that’s what she did. She knows next to nothing about her South Asian heritage, and that’s never been a problem—until her parents are no longer around, and an image of Manny that’s been Photoshopped to make her skin look more white appears on a major magazine cover. Suddenly, the woman who built an empire encouraging people to be true to themselves is having her own identity crisis.<br /><br />But when an irritating client named Sammy Patel approaches Manny with an odd breakup request, the perfect solution presents itself: If they both agree to certain terms, he’ll give her a crash course in being “Indian” at his brother’s wedding.<br /><br />What follows is days of dancing and dal, masala and mehndi as Manny meets the lovable, if endlessly interfering, aunties and uncles of the Patel family, and, along the way, discovers much more than she could ever have anticipated.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"> </span></span></p><p><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia; font-size: 14px;"><i><b>Source:</b> NetGalley; ARC provided by publisher in exchange for a honest review</i></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">As a South Asian who grew up outside of the community and looking to learn about her own roots, <i>Sari, Not Sari's</i> premise spoke to me on a deeply personal level, but that's about as far as it went.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Manny is a successful CEO of Breakup, a company that she built from the ground up. Her expertise is in relationships and specifically how to help people end relationships cordially with minimal damage when those relationships come to the end of the road. It's a lucrative business and people are noticing as evidenced by articles and tv interviews. A recent write up in a high-profile magazine is supposed to catapult the company into the stratosphere, but the excitement is dimmed when Manny sees that they've photoshopped her cover to make her lighter-skinned. Being that her darker skin tone is one of the few things she feels ties her to her Indian heritage, it sends her into a frenzy, and now she wants to find out more about the culture she comes from.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">You know, I get all of this because I feel it, too. It's just that I found the way Manny goes about it to be a head scratcher. She agrees to help Sammy, a client and fellow South Indian, with a temporary breakup on the condition that she accompany him to his family's wedding so she can learn all about everything Indian. I have two reactions to this. One, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px;">the idea that attending a weeklong wedding celebration is enough to learn all about a culture that's as diverse as the number of dialects within the Indian subcontinent is a faulty one. </span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Two, one of her best friends and colleague, Anjali is Indian so it makes no sense to me that she'd never sought to connect to the culture through their longtime friendship. But going to a wedding with someone she barely knows will solve her identity crisis problem. See? Head scratcher.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px;">Full disclosure - I started <i>Sari, Not Sari</i> with the sincere hope of finding something meaningful for myself through Manny's experience, but it all fell flat from the beginning. I wasn't into their romance, either. I would've liked to see Manny learn about her family's roots and culture through genuine connection outside of a wedding celebration. Instead, she only saw the showy parts, the ostentatious celebratory stuff that's all surface level and part of what she's seeking. It's a small fraction of a rich culture and that's all she takes from it to feel fully Indian. It didn't jibe with me in the least.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px;">What I was hoping for and what I read were two completely different things. Upon reflection, I think I wanted the content of <i>Sari, Not Sari</i> to be more women's fiction, and in a rom-com format there's only so much deep-diving that can happen into a question as loaded as "What does being Indian mean?". I'm disappointed this didn't work out for me but I think this story works for a reader who wants to get lost in the joyful experience of an Indian wedding.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px;"><b><i>~ Bel</i></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-79999126477970661192022-04-08T00:30:00.001-05:002022-04-08T00:30:00.242-05:00Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b>* * * 1/2</b></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjT_DxBICeMVPboCxbhUuvnN2lDyuqajWnteeGkZhVsQIx7J7F0Ec0TXS-4NdApc0tvcGvTSHMCQTnxeBHAPTynMt1dTtGQjBlLh8bHLuOfc67awg26s6g_nLFKAfdjMnbFSn9kxFP1bp2YmtLOW718boS5hqX6GXlCOyEAh1sYVrN-H8dxJm3i2vVr=s475" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjT_DxBICeMVPboCxbhUuvnN2lDyuqajWnteeGkZhVsQIx7J7F0Ec0TXS-4NdApc0tvcGvTSHMCQTnxeBHAPTynMt1dTtGQjBlLh8bHLuOfc67awg26s6g_nLFKAfdjMnbFSn9kxFP1bp2YmtLOW718boS5hqX6GXlCOyEAh1sYVrN-H8dxJm3i2vVr=w268-h400" width="268" /></span></a></div><p><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Calibri;"><b style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">From the acclaimed author of <i>Boyfriend Material</i> comes a delightfully witty romance featuring a reserved duke who’s betrothed to one twin and hopelessly enamoured of the other.</b><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Valentine Layton, the Duke of Malvern, has twin problems: literally.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">It was always his father’s hope that Valentine would marry Miss Arabella Tarleton. But, unfortunately, too many novels at an impressionable age have caused her to grow up…romantic. So romantic that a marriage of convenience will not do and after Valentine’s proposal she flees into the night determined never to set eyes on him again.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Arabella’s twin brother, Mr. Bonaventure “Bonny” Tarleton, has also grown up…romantic. And fully expects Valentine to ride out after Arabella and prove to her that he’s not the cold-hearted cad he seems to be.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Despite copious misgivings, Valentine finds himself on a pell-mell chase to Dover with Bonny by his side. Bonny is unreasonable, overdramatic, annoying, and…beautiful? And being with him makes Valentine question everything he thought he knew. About himself. About love. Even about which Tarleton he should be pursuing.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><b>*Source:</b> purchased copy</i></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since I read my first Alexis Hall book a few years ago I've felt that I can never really go wrong reading his novels. He makes me laugh, snicker, look up words in the dictionary...I just always enjoy them. <i>Something Fabulous</i> somewhat rested that for me.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">I loved Valentine right off the bat. Yes, he's a bit clueless about matters of the heart but his clueless heart is sincere. And he believes in duty which is why he proposes marriage to Arabella. Except Arabella is repulsed by this idea because he's doing this out of a sense of duty, and he has no genuine feeling for her. Neither does she have any for him. I commiserated with her up to this point because she shouldn't have to be in a loveless marriage. She wants romance and she should have that. It's just that she wants the drama, too. She runs off in the dead of night away from her family, from Valentine, and then her brother Bonny shows up the next morning to insist Valentine set everything right again. Bonny's worried for his twin sister since they've never been far from each other, and he knows that she was not the least bit impressed by Valentine's attempt at a marriage proposal. This is all fairly understandable. But what ensues can only be described as consistent bullying towards Valentine.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">In truth, I enjoyed the story more than I was irritated by it. Arabella is a drama queen to the nth degree and I did not like any scene she was in. All her melodrama and machinations only served to torture Valentine - emotionally and physically - and put him in harm's way several times. She does this in the name of self-preservation and above all, adventure, and seems only too delighted to thrust Valentine into danger. Her behavior does not elicit sympathy in the least. Bonny messed with Valentine, too, but mostly in a teasing and crossing boundaries way. The thing is Valentine is not a bad guy. He's just oblivious, and part of that comes from the fact that he's never felt anything real before. All he has comprehended so far is that he's part of the upper class and with that comes responsibilities and expectations. He has tried to live up to them, but there's never been anything that has caused him to question his life until now. This bizarre traumatic series of events has disrupted his world so abruptly, and yet somehow, Bonny has squirreled his way into Valentine's ambivalent heart.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">I want to say this was a fun read but it doesn't feel right to say that when the comedic aspect comes at the expense of Valentine's agony and abuse. A lot of it is repetitive, and while forced proximity can be an exciting trope, it feels so ... wrong here because of the other cast of characters involved. I mean, Bonny is not as terrible as his twin but it's not like he readily jumped to Valentine's defense. So I'm not particularly fond of Bonny, either, for playing along with Arabella's games.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">It might sound like I'm dissing this story but I don't think <i>Something Fabulous</i> was a waste of time. I stuck around for Valentine and in the end I came around to Bonny, and the idea of them together. I wish their union wasn't borne out of all the chaos, but I'm certainly wishing them a happily ever after.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><b><i>~ Bel</i></b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-57343536316408997092022-04-04T00:30:00.001-05:002022-04-04T00:30:00.228-05:00Witch Please (Fix-It Witches #1) by Ann Aguirre<p><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">* * </span></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtt3MuHCCp2VezrbydamUk3HuIlb6w-aNgi9c3et94GJSt1cpymhgoIJPMPoes1lSDXtRsJvMbKX75IDyeIrohLf4JS2vonRNTQJHo6OKfWoF0xXgO-3SMrIdHi9N5XFSmUi64BXRRSME/s1024/Witch+Please.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="683" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtt3MuHCCp2VezrbydamUk3HuIlb6w-aNgi9c3et94GJSt1cpymhgoIJPMPoes1lSDXtRsJvMbKX75IDyeIrohLf4JS2vonRNTQJHo6OKfWoF0xXgO-3SMrIdHi9N5XFSmUi64BXRRSME/w266-h400/Witch+Please.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Calibri;"><b style="background-color: white;">Practical Magic meets Gilmore Girls in this adorable witchy rom-com with:<br /><br />• A bisexual virgin baker with a curse<br />• A witch looking to avoid romantic entanglements<br />• And a chemistry between them that causes literal sparks</b><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Danica Waterhouse is a fully modern witch—daughter, granddaughter, cousin, and co-owner of the Fix-It Witches, a magical tech repair shop. After a messy breakup that included way too much family “feedback,” Danica made a pact with her cousin: they’ll keep their hearts protected and have fun, without involving any of the overly opinionated Waterhouse matriarchs. Danica is more than a little exhausted navigating a long-standing family feud where Gram thinks the only good mundane is a dead one and Danica’s mother weaves floral crowns for anyone who crosses her path.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Three blocks down from the Fix-It Witches, Titus Winnaker, owner of Sugar Daddy’s bakery, has family trouble of his own. After a tragic loss, all he’s got left is his sister, the bakery, and a lifetime of terrible luck in love. Sure, business is sweet, but he can’t seem to shake the romantic curse that’s left him past thirty and still a virgin. He’s decided he’s doomed to be forever alone.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Until he meets Danica Waterhouse. The sparks are instant, their attraction irresistible. For him, she’s the one. To her, he’s a firebomb thrown in the middle of a family war. Can a modern witch find love with an old-fashioned mundane who refuses to settle for anything less than forever?</span></span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Source: borrowed from </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">HooplaAudio</span></span></i></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><i>Witch Please</i> started off well. It seemed to live up to its clever, cutesy title. Danica and Titus seemed like the classic rom-com couple that readers and viewers always adore, and it was all going swimmingly until...until several details popped up that made the story not so great overall.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;">As the blurb suggests, Danica and Titus are both looking for love, though they have differing requisites for their long-term relationships. Danica needs to end up with a fellow witch to appease her grandmother and continue their witchy legacy. Titus just wants to be with someone who actually wants to be with him wholeheartedly. Commitment has always eluded him and he has this debilitating tendency to fall head first for any person. It feels so right and so different with Danica, whereas all she wants is a quick fling with a non-witch before she agrees to her grandmother's terms. I was okay with this setup because forbidden love is kind of sexy, but then it veered into an unpleasant direction.</span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;">Danica's grandmother is distrustful of humans. History has treated woman and witches badly. However, her distrust is full on bigotry when you get further into the story, and she uses it to manipulate Danica and her cousin, Clem. She'd previously shut out Danica's mother because she married a non-witch, a big no-no, so she's willing to do the same to Danica. Clem also goes along with the grandmother and is outright hostile and unsupportive of Danica's relationship with Titus. The part that's frustrating is that Danica can see her grandmother's unreasonable and unfair behavior. She sees it towards non-witches, she see how her grandmother treats her mother, yet she doesn't say anything. She and her cousin are so indoctrinated that they simply accept their grandmother's bullying. Danica spends most of the story worrying about pissing off her grandmother instead of confronting her. It was incredibly annoying.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;">Another plot detail that was horrifying - and I'm sorry but this is a spoiler - is that Titus' unfortunate love life is because of a curse that was placed on him by Danica's mother. Her mother had simply arranged for Danica's true love to never be able to connect with anyone so that he'd only be available to Danica when the time was right. It was her way of providing a happy outcome for her and to counteract the grandmother's meddlesome ways. WHAT??? NO!!!!! This is not romantic in the least. Instead it's manipulative and just so WRONG! Rather than up to her own mother, she took the coward's way out and effectively robbed Titus of his choice over his own fate. Not only was he not aware of it, he also thought that something was wrong with him. How is that remotely acceptable? This is not a fairytale of centuries past so we shouldn't have to deal in that kind of backwards scheming in a story in today's climate. Yet Danica accepts it with no qualms and reacts like it's a loving gesture. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;">The one small bright spot in all this is Titus and his sister providing a home to their younger stepsister. Their parents are essentially clueless about how their kids feel left out and now shoved aside with a baby on the way. Titus has a big heart and it was so sweet of him to create a safe, welcoming space for her. There's more involved in that bizarre family dynamic but this really was the one thing that warmed my heart in this story.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;">I can generally handle flawed characters and scenarios and wade through the storm with them. Do I expect my heroines to be perfect? No. But I expect some awareness or smarts. Danica's complete inaction to call out inappropriate behaviors were problematic. She didn't seem like an adult with her own mind but a child restrained and too afraid to venture outside the bubble. Even when she did finally stand up for herself she never addressed all the issues. And while she and Titus got together, I did not celebrate it because it was due to magical manipulation instead of free will. I did not find it endearing at all. </span><i style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;">Witch Please</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"> might conclude with a happy ending, it's the issues that weren't treated with any kind of gravity - the bigotry, manipulation and complacency - that make that ending unsatisfying. </span></p><p><b style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><i>~ Bel</i></b></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-45535730413379484722022-03-30T06:32:00.003-05:002022-03-30T06:32:20.912-05:00Murder Most Actual by Alexis Hall<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">* * * *</span></b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiuL088FHSRlkdDXQtvlHq1q4rxNhmUbT20Wnsi9ubY4Ue-wcLxLhXxgM7jGrYVTCjvrf5oB6LZ4XWGxVFBkY3q-ESd-3OFNX9Ig8NjxqjhH3xzVIRmN6_2PyRHLpt8rCFVAYubf1LUFALeD6gg61s-mpM6bcVB7Zpj6SMddWwNkNVukEeMTXVyh4W=s475" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="308" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiuL088FHSRlkdDXQtvlHq1q4rxNhmUbT20Wnsi9ubY4Ue-wcLxLhXxgM7jGrYVTCjvrf5oB6LZ4XWGxVFBkY3q-ESd-3OFNX9Ig8NjxqjhH3xzVIRmN6_2PyRHLpt8rCFVAYubf1LUFALeD6gg61s-mpM6bcVB7Zpj6SMddWwNkNVukEeMTXVyh4W=s320" width="207" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">From the author of </span><i style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Boyfriend Material</i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"> and </span><i style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake</i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"> comes a cozy mystery that revisits the Golden Age of detective fiction, starring a heroine who’s more podcaster than private eye and topped with a lethal dose of parody -- perfect for fans of Clue, Knives Out, and Only Murders in the Building!</span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">When up-and-coming true crime podcaster Liza and her corporate financier wife Hanna head to a luxurious hotel in the Scottish Highlands, they're hoping for a chance to rekindle their marriage - not to find themselves trapped in the middle of an Agatha Christie-esque murder mystery with no way home. But who better to take on the case than someone whose entire profession relies on an obsession with all things mysterious and macabre? Though some of her fellow guests may consider her an interfering new media hack, Liza knows a thing or two about crime and – despite Hanna’s preference for waiting out the chaos behind a locked door – might be the only one capable of discovering the killer. As the bodies rack up and the stakes rise, can they save their marriage -- and their lives?</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><b>Source:</b> NetGally; ARC provided by Kobo Rakuten for an honest review</i></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alexis Hall writing a cozy mystery? Sign me up! <i>Murder Most Actual</i> is delightful mystery that pays homage to Clue and the current obsession with true crime mystery shows. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When Liza and Hanna check into their hotel they weren't to know that their getaway, which is an attempt to repair their strained marriage, would be hijacked by multiple murders and a snow storm. The hotel is filled with the quintessential quirky characters including a Poirot-like detective who refers to himself in third person. The first murder when it occurs naturally unsettles all the guests, but Liza's inquisitive mind is drawn to the intrigue. As much as Hanna wants her wife to keep away from danger, she knows that this falls squarely into Liza's area of interest. As the bodies pile up, Liza gets deeper into the mystery potentially risking her own safety and that of Hanna's.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I truly enjoyed this book! It felt old-timey in a way and I absolutely go for that stuff being that I grew up on Agatha Christie's Miss Marple and Poirot series. I never got into the true crime frenzy, however, I did enjoy reading Liza's process and getting a bit of an idea of it.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Aside from the mystery, I was incredibly taken with the subplot of Liza and Hanna's relationship. The reason for their holiday is that their marriage has felt a little off recently. Hanna distracted by work, Liza who spends the bulk of her time researching and working on her podcast with her co-host means a lot of time has been spent apart and losing touch with one another. Hanna booked their getaway hoping that would be a kind of refresh button for them. It's not easy closing a gap that's been steadily widening. I think Hall did spectacularly at capturing the nuances of a long-term relationship that has stalled, of a couple who feel so distanced from each other that where the little things they used to like about the other become the things that irritate. All the subtle changes that steadily occur over a period of time that end up gaining momentum and that eventually change the face of the relationship. I understood that so well. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I've read a few Alexis Hall books and I've become used to his style of writing and the self-deprecating ways most of his characters have. So I was impressed by how easily he switched to mystery-mode and by how it felt different. He's still excellent with the eccentric characters, but the way he wrote Liza and Hanna as more serious-minded and steady individuals with their humor intact was what felt different for me. I've already said I enjoyed it and yes, I'd recommend <i>Murder Most Actual</i> to any mystery fan or any Alexis Hall fan.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>~ Bel</i></b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-40430106210749722662022-03-02T15:17:00.001-06:002022-03-02T15:17:00.260-06:00One Night on the Island by Josie Silver<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b>* * *</b></span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgW-YS02yZNpCznLld1MNxoCmR5T1L68xZW_KUDWIZoLyhfGJbiEtTWA6ruAlre-RiaZpBTkFXtJLT8gM5iE3WyO9pvjP1KP5A9f5zX1PA_fw7bRoHsn15SRMrj8bWvOv77jJHD2qg0jaCjHS5s-ICSVfu796_Z2U2Je-i1563oSmj-F-vGKd6Oov6W=s1542" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1542" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgW-YS02yZNpCznLld1MNxoCmR5T1L68xZW_KUDWIZoLyhfGJbiEtTWA6ruAlre-RiaZpBTkFXtJLT8gM5iE3WyO9pvjP1KP5A9f5zX1PA_fw7bRoHsn15SRMrj8bWvOv77jJHD2qg0jaCjHS5s-ICSVfu796_Z2U2Je-i1563oSmj-F-vGKd6Oov6W=w260-h400" width="260" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Spending her thirtieth birthday alone is the last thing that dating columnist Cleo wanted, but she is going on a self-coupling quasi-sabbatical--at the insistence of her boss--in the name of re-energizing herself and adding a new perspective to her column. The remote Irish island she's booked is a far cry from London, but at least it's a chance to hunker down in a luxury cabin and indulge in some quiet, solitary self-care while she figures out her next steps in her love life and her career.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Mac is also looking forward to some time to himself. With his life in Boston deteriorating in ways he can't bring himself to acknowledge, his soul searching has brought him to the same Irish island in search of his roots and some clarity. Unfortunately, a mix-up with the bookings means both solitude seekers have reserved the same one-bedroom hideaway on exactly the same dates.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Instantly at odds with each other, Cleo and Mac don't know how they're going to manage until the next weekly ferry arrives. But as the days go by, they no longer seem to mind each other's company quite as much as they thought they would...</span><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Written with Josie Silver's signature warmth, charm and insights into the human heart, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">One Night on the Island</i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"> explores the meaning of home, the joys of escape and how the things we think we want are never the things we really need.</span></span></p><p><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia; font-size: 14px;"><i><b>* Source: </b>NetGalley; ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review</i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><i>One Night on the Island</i> sees two individuals at pivotal moments in their lives crashing into each other's orbit at a most inconvenient time. Cleo is supposed to be at Salvation Island 'self-coupling'. She's an online columnist who's turning 30 and she and her editor decided that she should go to the island to celebrate that milestone by marrying herself as a way to embrace herself as she enters into her thirties. It's so weird even to Cleo. Then of course Mack shows up to the same cottage that Cleo booked claiming that he's supposed to be there as well. He rented it from his distant cousin so he could immerse himself in his photography while he gives his estranged wife space after she asked for a divorce the year before. Neither he or Cleo are willing to budge and there's really nowhere else to go on the island. Their solution is to draw a chalk line through the house and they can each reside on their own side. Stuck on the island, they have to make do and be civil.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">This was a strange kind of romance and I have to tell you, I was on the fence through most of it. I was unsettled by the initial hostility between Cleo and Mack because some of it felt so unnecessary. Cleo seemed to put on tantrums and Mack was so closed off. It just comes down to that fact that I didn't want to encounter this kind of vibe in my reading. Things between them thaw when they start to find some common ground and make peace. And yes, it's weird again how they swing from antagonists to buddy-buddy and start revealing their secrets. Mack is distraught over the breakup of his marriage and still after over a year apart can't accept that it's over. Cleo is finally embracing her single life and keeps lobbing truth bombs Mack's way about the state of his relationship. Her honesty is brutal but one thing that's a no-go zone is is two boys. He adores them and wants everything for them. While he and Cleo get cozy and attraction builds, he's still hesitant to let go of his marriage. Even if it's his wife wanting the divorce and already off with someone else. His vows are sacred to him.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">There were times I felt that the book should've been two different books. What Cleo and Mack were going through independent of each other was more interesting to me than their 'thing'. I liked being in on their thoughts and self-analysis when they were off by themselves. I normally enjoy a forced proximity romance, but this didn't get its hooks in me. It just felt that the other person was conveniently there and they thought, why not? </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px;">It's difficult to explain because there are profound moments between them where I understood the sentiments they shared, but as far as the romance goes, I didn't feel their heat.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px;">I did appreciate the residents of Salvation Island. They're all such engaging characters making anyone feel at home amongst them. I liked how they'd tease Mack and Cleo about their accommodation snafu and hint at any budding romance between them. They all had their own interesting stories and I thought they were absolutely delightful.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px;">I adored Silver's other book, <i>One Day in December</i> because I liked those characters and I liked what they were working through so I was hoping I'd feel the same about <i>One Night on the Island</i>. It's a quiet, subdued story and romance that worked in parts, but this time it wasn't for me.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px;"><b><i>~ Bel</i></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-61599002514432362992022-02-01T00:30:00.010-06:002022-02-01T00:30:00.241-06:00With Love from London by Sarah Jio<p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><b>* * * * 1/2</b></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0Kqhk8Yk8IFDDi4NQpkcbjnuGpj8nJ7bGejFlTT3jSbDWFOaQydpi-xoH1rl0JNjWvR5wVufrScYwk_jyjceVGrRwLOdkU_gVXmznYVG2dbwCB1haHoY3YP6tpiOJ5Su97Yc6qO94gMNMHRSCqSD12BkZ8LAqoMGUSscEh__yXuFYeWspgNY6a1g4=s400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="259" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0Kqhk8Yk8IFDDi4NQpkcbjnuGpj8nJ7bGejFlTT3jSbDWFOaQydpi-xoH1rl0JNjWvR5wVufrScYwk_jyjceVGrRwLOdkU_gVXmznYVG2dbwCB1haHoY3YP6tpiOJ5Su97Yc6qO94gMNMHRSCqSD12BkZ8LAqoMGUSscEh__yXuFYeWspgNY6a1g4=w259-h400" width="259" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><b><br /></b></b></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #d46306; font-family: Calibri;"><b style="background-color: white;"><b>A librarian inherits a bookshop from her estranged mother, leading her halfway across the world on a journey of self-discovery that transcends time and honors the unbreakable bonds of love and family.</b></b><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">When librarian Valentina Baker was a teenager, her mother, Eloise, unexpectedly fled to her native London, leaving Val and her father on their own. Now in her thirties and fresh out of a failed marriage, Val feels a nagging disenchantment with her life--and knows she is still heartbroken over her mother's abandonment.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">In a bittersweet twist of fate, Val receives word that Eloise has passed away, leaving Val her Primrose Hill apartment and the deed to a bookshop Val never knew she'd owned. Though the news is devastating, Val finds herself more determined than ever to discover who her mother truly was. She jets across the Atlantic, departing Seattle for a new life in charming London.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Slowly but surely, Val begins to piece together Eloise's life in the UK, falling in love with her pastel-colored flat, cozy neighborhood, and tucked-away storefront. But when she discovers that The Book Garden is in danger of going under, Val must work with its eccentric staff to get it in working order. In the process, she learns more about Eloise than she ever thought possible. And as Val races to save the shop, Eloise's own story unfolds, leading both mother and daughter to unearth revelatory truths.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Source:</b> NetGalley; ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">The main draw of <i>With Love from London</i> for me, and I suspect loads of other readers, is that it's a story about the love of books. How they transport you, how they comfort you and how magical they can be. As a librarian, Valentina knows all about this, having a love for books she inherited from her mother at a young age. Even after her mother disappeared from her life, Val continued to find solace in books, both old and new discoveries. Soon after her divorce, she receives word that her mother has passed away and that she is the beneficiary of her mother's treasured bookshop and flat. It fills Val with conflicting emotions. On the one hand, she's still traumatized by her mother walking out on her. On the other, she's curious to learn what drew her mother back to her homeland and kept her there. And since she's divorced and has nothing at the moment to tie her down, she could use the the change of scenery.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><i>With Love from London</i> is charming from the get go. I could easily understand Val's apprehension about what lies ahead, just as easily as I could sense the wounded child within. She's looking for answers and doesn't realize how much she wants to understand her mother's motives until she arrives in London. I appreciated that the story was told in two POVs - Eloise's and Val's first person voice. In a way, both storylines are tragic. Both women in different ways experience perfect timing and bad timing, the paths taken and not taken, new opportunities that are born out of disappointments. It's also a joy to see how similar they are like when they have the same visceral reaction to the same book but decades apart. Val's journey to discover her mother's story is laid out through several riddles Eloise had set out for her before she passed. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">I did cry a little at the end. I couldn't help it, it was just so darn sweet and poignant. Even with some predictable elements I thought the the story was engaging and lovely. I looked forward to it every time I picked it up because I knew that after the heartbreaks and grieving would come second chances. If anything, <i>With Love from London</i> is an ode to any passionate booklover out there of any age or genre, who appreciates how a good book is good for the soul!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><b><i>~ Bel</i></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Content warning:</b> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">- divorce, illness (Eloise - ovarian cancer; brief mention of the diagnosis but no graphic details)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><br /></span></span></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-4939693688736583092022-01-27T07:14:00.001-06:002022-01-27T07:14:46.720-06:00Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b>* * * * *</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiv2eyF1QuFFGx_VDevIzZcMZnRXS92HqkiarRvMQfEaRC5GmK3eeUdHmstZP-jIWvUjZoTNs4GVLTK0knIVBi5ATO_MS4dnCkDW8rnjagDHYpG0GAUTVeNezUgLYIkP_IbHlVRgaA-bWCYMMmqN06B-0V5W3er_WYqm2glkmn2_MNQVao9iv08Gwee=s318" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiv2eyF1QuFFGx_VDevIzZcMZnRXS92HqkiarRvMQfEaRC5GmK3eeUdHmstZP-jIWvUjZoTNs4GVLTK0knIVBi5ATO_MS4dnCkDW8rnjagDHYpG0GAUTVeNezUgLYIkP_IbHlVRgaA-bWCYMMmqN06B-0V5W3er_WYqm2glkmn2_MNQVao9iv08Gwee=w320-h320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span id="freeText7399898158846643256" style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"><b>The first openly nonbinary contestant on America’s favorite cooking show falls for their clumsy competitor in this delicious romantic comedy debut “that is both fantastically fun and crack your heart wide open vulnerable.” (Rosie Danan, author of The Roommate)</b><br /><br />Recently divorced and on the verge of bankruptcy, Dahlia Woodson is ready to reinvent herself on the popular reality competition show Chef’s Special. Too bad the first memorable move she makes is falling flat on her face, sending fish tacos flying—not quite the fresh start she was hoping for. Still, she's focused on winning, until she meets someone she might want a future with more than she needs the prize money.<br /><br />After announcing their pronouns on national television, London Parker has enough on their mind without worrying about the klutzy competitor stationed in front of them. They’re there to prove the trolls—including a fellow contestant and their dad—wrong, and falling in love was never part of the plan.<br /><br />As London and Dahlia get closer, reality starts to fall away. Goodbye, guilt about divorce, anxiety about uncertain futures, and stress from transphobia. Hello, hilarious shenanigans on set, wedding crashing, and spontaneous dips into the Pacific. But as the finale draws near, Dahlia and London’s steamy relationship starts to feel the heat both in and outside the kitchen—and they must figure out if they have the right ingredients for a happily ever after.</span></span></p><p><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia;"><i><b>Source:</b> NetGalley; advance audio copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review</i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">I'll describe <i>Love & Other Disasters</i> in one word: PRECIOUS. It's a memorable experience when a book starts off so well and carries that momentum through to the end. I was wowed from the get go and couldn't help but smile every time I listened to it.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;">Dahlia and London meet on their first day of taping the cooking show, Chef's Special. They're both wracked by nerves that come from being on live tv, the jitters from competition and also all the personal stuff that lingers in the back of their minds. Each has come to the cooking show with a clear agenda - win the competition and show the naysayers that they can make a success of themselves. Dahlia has the kind of personality that easily makes friends. Everyone is instantly at ease with her. She's one of my favorite characters because she's forthright and speaks with absolute sincerity which I find to be an admirable trait. London is equally straightforward and has learned over the years that they don't want to deal with bull. Coming on to Chef's Special took guts because they're announcing to the world that they're nonbinary while back at home, their father has yet to accept them. Dahlia somehow endears herself to London and the instant connection and acceptance surprises them.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;">Listening to London's journey educated me about how one can question their sexuality and struggle to find a space that accommodates their sense of self. That London was able to do that and have so much support behind them was heartwarming. That it isn't always sunshine, roses and acceptance, as demonstrated by her strained relationship with her father, is heartbreaking. Dahlia's journey has also taken her in a different direction. Married at a young age, happy until she realized that she no longer wanted the same things as her husband, she made the bold move to divorce and then to pick up the pieces and remake her life. Both of them have much to prove to themselves and anyone else who has ever doubted them.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;">While Dahlia and London's relationship takes off with the cooking show as a backdrop, what happens away from the show is equally interesting. I lived for the little details they'd pick up about each other, the inevitable closeness that brought them together as friends and then even more. I loved some of the high jinx they'd get into like when they crashed a wedding, and I was floored by their raw, vulnerable moments like when Dahlia admitted her insecurities aloud after getting drunk at said wedding. That moment seriously got me in the gut and also broke my heart. I felt the weight of that and it's so incredible to come across a writer's words that so uniquely and perfectly captures what feels like a universal sentiment. </span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;">I was pleased to see the nonbinary, queer and trans rep, and I was glad to read a story that wrote from those perspectives. London does have to deal with a fellow contestant's hostility towards their presence, but they don't give that person much energy, and Kelly doesn't make that a central issue in the story, either. Instead she devotes time to London's relationship with their father. London gives energy to the relationships that matter, but will set boundaries and is prepared to walk away from a toxic situation if it risks their well-being. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;">I don't know how else to express what a gem Love & Other Disasters is. It took me a long while to even write this review because I didn't feel I could effectively say how much I liked this book. I strongly recommend listening to the audiobook, if you can. The narrator, Lindsey Dorcus, made Dahlia and London's personalities come to life so vividly. It's a wonderful thing to feel a book has enriched and expanded your perspective of life and I can say that <i>Love & Other Disasters</i> has definitely done that for me!</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>~ Bel</i></b></span></span></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-35936964900160681522022-01-25T07:27:00.016-06:002022-01-27T06:52:34.863-06:00Southern Bombshell (North Carolina Highlands #5) by Jessica Peterson <p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b>* * * * </b></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiel4cgzWQd8o6p6j024uOUSQGaZRdGxfqE8wxmKcDYsfiBYVGSLELyKyicu0LCBomOhADboefP-Nx1Xbe4MWLOglocdvv3f5V1gz5atKsaJENz7rS57Pq1Xc5w9j6oov6zu_w6bRN3J-zUjUuy7R9lPzT9AURUNqanyFBq3iaAx6uKERbI7MgcMO5s=s475" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiel4cgzWQd8o6p6j024uOUSQGaZRdGxfqE8wxmKcDYsfiBYVGSLELyKyicu0LCBomOhADboefP-Nx1Xbe4MWLOglocdvv3f5V1gz5atKsaJENz7rS57Pq1Xc5w9j6oov6zu_w6bRN3J-zUjUuy7R9lPzT9AURUNqanyFBq3iaAx6uKERbI7MgcMO5s=w268-h400" width="268" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Calibri;"><b style="background-color: white;">The Wedding Planner’s Rulebook:<br />Keep the bride happy.<br />Keep the wedding party out of trouble.<br />Never let anyone know you’ve been in love with the groom for years.<br /><br />I lived by these rules. Until Nate Kingsley.</b><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">The Capulets and Montagues have nothing on the Beauregards and Kingsleys. Our families have feuded for centuries, and Nate was always forbidden—which made fooling around with him that much more delicious. But then I fell for him, and he fell off the face of the earth, ghosting me without so much as a goodbye.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Fast-forward two years: as an expert in romance, I’m a wedding planner to the rich and famous. I never expected Nate to show up at my office, least of all with a shiny new fiancée on his arm. She’s got money to burn, and she wants me to plan the most extravagant wedding of my career.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">It’s a make-or-break moment for my business. I convince myself I can do Nate’s wedding and keep my feelings for him in check, even if he does look good.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Really, really good.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">But when the secrets we buried years ago come to light, what kept us apart suddenly binds us together. Even if my heart belongs to Nate, and his belongs to me, he belongs to someone else. And that’s a rule we absolutely cannot break.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><b>Source:</b> ARC provided in exchange for an honest review</i></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818;">Now that all those pesky older brothers are out of the way, it's Milly's time to shine! She's always just been kind of on the periphery, quietly doing her own thing while her brothers have been getting all the attention. So no one would know that Milly was quietly in love with Nate Kingsley, quietly had a steamy fling with him, and then quietly got her heart broken into a million pieces when Nate broke up with her. Milly quietly nursed her broken heart and threw herself into her work as a wedding planner, putting Nate firmly in the rear view mirror. That is until he walks into her office with his fianc</span>é<span style="color: #181818;">e, ready to hire her as their wedding planner. Awkward doesn't even cut it. Milly, who's meticulously cultivated a poised, organized professional persona over the years is slightly thrown off her game. However, she'll set aside her personal feelings and do the job.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://media.giphy.com/media/PSnzR9D2qWr7Jird3q/giphy.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/PSnzR9D2qWr7Jird3q/giphy.gif" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nate still feels bad about walking out on Milly two years ago. Worse because he never revealed the reason why. He'll always regret how he did it but not why he did it. But they've since moved on and by all accounts, they both seem happy. Sure, having her plan his wedding to Reece will be weird as all get out but they can both be adults about this. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It's apparent that though Reece and Nate love each other, they're missing the sizzling chemistry that Nate and Milly had. And as I worried about the potential of the story moving towards a cheating storyline, Nate and Reece simply drift apart leaving Milly and Nate to pick up from where they left off, like none of the preceding two years ever happened. They still need to address the circumstances of their breakup but they can put that off while they ... reconnect.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><a href="https://media.giphy.com/media/l3q2PfUUkfb6V8Kek/giphy.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="257" data-original-width="480" height="257" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/l3q2PfUUkfb6V8Kek/giphy.gif" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nate and Milly create a lot of heat and intensity which is great when you're expecting that kind of drama in a romance. I liked that they're both a few years older, also wiser as they've had time to grow up. While Milly's been thriving at work with her borthers at the family's resort, Nate's been doing the same albeit without the supportive atmosphere that Milly's privileged to have. Nate's dad is a gambler and a walking nightmare. Everything he touches turns to trash and Nate does what he can to keep him away from the business aspect of their whiskey distillery. He also gets protective of Milly, not wanting her to be in the cross hairs of his ongoing fight with his father. Milly has enough to deal with what with her brothers' overprotectiveness and her own troubles with finding joy in her work again - something we all experience at some point or other - and it takes rekindling things with Nate again and honest conversations with him to reconsider what brings her joy. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;">I liked this second chance love story. It's obvious these two were made for each other and I loved their moments together. Nate's pretty much the whole package and Milly is pretty terrific herself. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I do have to address a couple of details. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;">One of them is during Nate's point of view when he's recalling his family dynamics and he mentions that his mother passed away, and in parentheses it's mentioned from what disease she died of. Honestly, it was jarring and caught me off guard and was incredibly triggering. It took me out of the moment and I was upset to come across it, even more so when that specific detail ended up not having any bearing on the rest of the story. If it had nothing to do with the plotline as a whole then I don't understand why it had to be included. Then this "feud" between the Beauregards and the Kingsleys. The blurb compares it to Romeo and Juliet levels of rivalry but there wasn't enough in there to give said feud any weight or presence in the story. All I could get was Nate's dad's jealousy of the Beauregards' success, and that the feud started decades back, and I wish there'd been something more tangible and recent perhaps to make the feud seem insurmountable, therefore making Nate and Milly's reunion scandalous. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;">I liked <i>Southern Bombshell</i> even if those couple of details bothered me. There's a lovely epilogue at the end from another family member we haven't heard from before and it's actually a fitting end to the series on the Beauregards, filled with all the happily ever afters for everyone in this big, loud, protective, unconditional loving family.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>~ Bel</i></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><b>.</b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><b>.</b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><b>.</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Edit 1/27/21 -- CW </b>for mention of brain cancer (Nate's mom); also mention of CTE (Beauregards' dad who was a NFL player; Beau has also been diagnosed with it and this was first mentioned in Southern Southern Seducer book 1 of the series); gambling problems (Nate's dad, and Nate's brother but his brother has recovered)</span></span></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-25469799069197896352022-01-13T00:30:00.009-06:002022-01-13T07:27:46.596-06:00Her Big City Neighbor (Cider House Sisters #1) by Jackie Lau<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>* * * *</b></span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDFodfGAWvF8RSckxbVEz-6_ALF-cvJ7w72EK6LlMWe2W0Dbs648GhR27Xv2LRbBFoELW2iacdD-txXQhT17d-E_T439LEpdqLsehVixq95L-K6MDfLrkZoDNNb_30K4tIX5TVJcAgfZJHmDjN6QCgZYqYvMMGWBPQqonDFlWQHLUmSvlDnTE95OEz=s475" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDFodfGAWvF8RSckxbVEz-6_ALF-cvJ7w72EK6LlMWe2W0Dbs648GhR27Xv2LRbBFoELW2iacdD-txXQhT17d-E_T439LEpdqLsehVixq95L-K6MDfLrkZoDNNb_30K4tIX5TVJcAgfZJHmDjN6QCgZYqYvMMGWBPQqonDFlWQHLUmSvlDnTE95OEz=w268-h400" width="268" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;">When small-town engineer Amy Sharpe inherits a house in Toronto, she decides it’s the perfect opportunity to start over and go back to school. Away from the family that takes her for granted, away from the ex who expected so much and gave little in return.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">The new Amy enjoys wandering around the city and frequenting bubble tea shops, German beer halls, dim sum restaurants, and coffee bars serving Japanese pastries. She has a roommate with the same name as her favorite fictional character, and a group of friends who meet at a cider bar every couple of weeks.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">The new Amy is also in lust with her brooding, tattooed next-door neighbor, Victor Choi, who is far from friendly but looks really hot cutting the grass without a shirt. Too bad the grass doesn’t grow faster.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">As she starts telling him about her daily adventures—and as a little kissing in the garden becomes a regular activity—Amy begins to feel more than lust. But she fears she’s falling into her old patterns in relationships and refuses to let herself be underappreciated again.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Is Victor really more than a hot fling? And what’s he hiding behind that grumpy exterior?</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><b>Source:</b> borrowed; audiobook from Hoopla</i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">It's been one of my goals to get to a Jackie Lau book and let's just say that I now understand why she posts so much about food!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">I picked <i>Her Big City Neighbor</i> because I wanted something light-ish and also adventure-ish, and its blurb fit into what I was looking for. I loved Amy's wide-eyed, open to all possibilities attitude and I found it uplifting, something else I realized I needed as I listened along. Moving from a small town to having her own place in the big city is a bit of a culture shock in some ways but her excitement at exploring her new neighborhood and trying new things just made me smile constantly. Having a hot neighbor who's not bad to look at while he's out mowing the lawn is a definite bonus. I was amused by Amy's attempt to befriend Victor who only ever responded to her non-stop cheery commentary with grunts and monosyllables. Her good nature eventually wears him down and before you know it he's sharing beer with her in the backyard. Chatting turns into kissing which turns into ....</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">So here's what I most loved about the story - Amy's liberation. While she lived at home she was the reliable daughter and aunt who never said 'no' and did everything for everyone. No one in her family could understand or support her decision to move away and go back to school. She was so taken for granted and it was frankly annoying. Living on Toronto and having these new experiences showed her what she had been missing and more importantly, what she had every right to do. She also left behind a an ex boyfriend who didn't bring much to their relationship. In fully enjoying her single life and making new friends, she garnered the strength to set aside any lingering guilt to declare out loud exactly what she wanted and deserved whether it was family or a burgeoning relationship with Victor. For his part, Victor was learning to come out of his self-imposed bubble after suffering a loss that hit him hard. Numbness was his cure to life carrying on. Amy's enthusiasm and energy simply renewed his interest in things around him and gave him the courage to feel again.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">The second thing I loved about the story - the food! Oh.My.God. I learned a hard lesson in the first chapter and that I should never read or listen to a Jackie Lau book on an empty stomach. The story is filled with serious food porn which made me ravenous half the time! There is serious joy in someone excitedly trying new things and gaining such pleasure from those experiences. I kind of wished that I was the one trying some of these new foods for the first time again. From pastries to bubble tea to dim sum ... it was all so delicious and I pretty much lived vicariously through Amy. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://media.giphy.com/media/YP1qjrF0J7sTOc8EBf/giphy.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="480" height="111" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/YP1qjrF0J7sTOc8EBf/giphy.gif" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">I thought the audiobook narration by Emily Woo Zeller was well done. She was animated and captured all of the characters nicely. I especially liked how she captured Victor's mom. It was perfect and so very familiar to me. <i>Her Big City Neighbor</i> was a fun escape for me and I know for the next time I listen to a Jackie Lau book to make sure I have some delicious snacks on hand.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><b><i>~ Bel</i></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><br /></span></span></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-63781195996358938022022-01-06T11:11:00.000-06:002022-01-06T11:11:08.999-06:00Star Mother by Charlie N. Holmberg<p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><b>* * * * *</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_2tsHmgeRa3snL0Of81y9cbL7H6bxq0CxbXpdEw0BFBoyq0m0O0fAUCrHkUMmfyY6y1iaKA4aVGop6p3xOFG6KaPkyBR53Y_ZzkUCbHEhVG5CY6aCbdWQjfUhyZ9zqyrVyO_gSYaVIWLvpFcI72IfvFXgjwZVLb_WbzjljCyrA7NlccTfDYF8W0Vd=s475" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_2tsHmgeRa3snL0Of81y9cbL7H6bxq0CxbXpdEw0BFBoyq0m0O0fAUCrHkUMmfyY6y1iaKA4aVGop6p3xOFG6KaPkyBR53Y_ZzkUCbHEhVG5CY6aCbdWQjfUhyZ9zqyrVyO_gSYaVIWLvpFcI72IfvFXgjwZVLb_WbzjljCyrA7NlccTfDYF8W0Vd=w268-h400" width="268" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Calibri;"><span id="freeText12069589259014657484" style="background-color: white;">A woman’s heart proves as infinite as the night sky in a breathtaking fantasy by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg.<br /><br />When a star dies, a new one must be born.<br /><br />The Sun God chooses the village of Endwever to provide a mortal womb. The birthing of a star is always fatal for the mother, and Ceris Wenden, who considers herself an outsider, sacrifices herself to secure her family’s honor and take control of her legacy. But after her star child is born, Ceris does what no other star mother has: she survives. When Ceris returns to Endwever, however, it’s not nine months later—it’s seven hundred years later. Inexplicably displaced in time, Ceris is determined to seek out her descendants.<br /><br />Being a woman traveling alone brings its own challenges, until Ceris encounters a mysterious—and desperate—godling. Ristriel is incorporeal, a fugitive, a trickster, and the only being who can guide Ceris safely to her destination. Now, as Ceris traverses realms both mortal and beyond, her journey truly begins.<br /><br />Together, pursued across the Earth and trespassing the heavens, Ceris and Ristriel are on a path to illuminate the mysteries that bind them and discover the secrets of the celestial world.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><b>Source:</b> gifted paperback</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I've had the pleasure of reading my first 5-star novel of 2022. I hadn't heard of <i>Star Mother</i> until I saw my good friend's brief review of it on Goodreads which immediately caught my interest. She loved it so much that she gifted me a copy and what I discovered was an exceptional story unlike anything I've read recently. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ceris is a young woman on the cusp of leaving home to be wed when the Sun God sends a signal to her village that he is looking for a new young woman to birth a star. Two young women are up for the honor but it's Ceris who volunteers. Realizing her betrothed is in love with one of the possible contenders for, and wanting to secure a legacy for her family that would make them proud, she gives up her mortal life. She defies all expectations when she survives the birth of her star and gets the Sun God to agree to let her return home. Only it's 700 years later and Ceris fis now alone in a world that has moved on from her. She resolves to find her descendants so she can make a home amongst them and on her journey encounters the godling, Ristriel. Ristriel is running away from something and is cagey about himself. They make a pact to protect each other until they reach their destinations.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>Star Mother</i> is a truly unique experience in that as a reader, I had to leave my preconceptions at the door and allow the story to flow. A majority of it feels abstract, like the idea of the Sun God needing a mate to birth a star, and then wrapping my head around the concept of how that unfolds. Then there's a big section where Ceris is finding her way to another city and she befriends Ristriel. Talk about abstract! Not only is he ethereal, there's also so much about him that's mysterious and jolting. He carries a sadness within him that's so tangible, and even had one of the most heartbreaking lines in the novel. In a way, parts of this story were challenging for me. While the world-building is impressive it's also describing the obscure. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Midway through something just clicked for me and I couldn't set it down. A lot of that had to do with Ceris who's a formidable personality. She's astute, circumspect, and loyal. Definitely not someone to be underestimated as evidenced when she questions the Sun God and the gods' laws. The romance that eventually grows between her and Ristriel is one borne out of a shared understanding of their immeasurable losses. Finally they are honestly loved for themselves. I was so entranced and moved by them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyeS--UVS6SyzSrja3ImDssWgoltX4CAEISoiR0DacnPm6SykaXyKJTVKuaOfPuyOUf22KLf1Mp8gdNnLo3mL-NjKlHe5aHxt3Y8H34PO6RLZ17Vujme-irFjhN0DupYK7D2LjKpknYRvDW1O_79QHZLujjnIp52ayNbEFLED5FkIHeH6gNrdS3ymu=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyeS--UVS6SyzSrja3ImDssWgoltX4CAEISoiR0DacnPm6SykaXyKJTVKuaOfPuyOUf22KLf1Mp8gdNnLo3mL-NjKlHe5aHxt3Y8H34PO6RLZ17Vujme-irFjhN0DupYK7D2LjKpknYRvDW1O_79QHZLujjnIp52ayNbEFLED5FkIHeH6gNrdS3ymu=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I finished <i>Star Mother</i> I was left with a deeply contented feeling. I couldn't believe how much I ended up loving it. It challenged my own senses at first before I happily surrendered to the story. I see that a sequel will be coming out in March, this time about the Sun God and I know I'll be getting my hands on that real fast. In the meantime, for a quietly satisfying and mystical read, that feels like the creation of a new mythology, I wholeheartedly recommend reading <i>Star Mother</i>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>~ Bel</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-4784446305297537772021-12-12T16:04:00.196-06:002022-01-06T08:00:42.851-06:00Christmas in Rose Bend by Naima Simone <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>* * * *</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZWqEoDY75mFAdA6h9D3idHsqnmKmpa5n32kaRlhtTup6wAHlxnGxWfmFFaNxSDRWhMljqIKHF6udPequwlTaGAjh1iz9P3y_JQjp_Yu8y_ckkFOiXRwrwCKJCnrHyxQJ__UXJp3LL-8/s466/Christmas+in+Rose+Bend.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="318" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZWqEoDY75mFAdA6h9D3idHsqnmKmpa5n32kaRlhtTup6wAHlxnGxWfmFFaNxSDRWhMljqIKHF6udPequwlTaGAjh1iz9P3y_JQjp_Yu8y_ckkFOiXRwrwCKJCnrHyxQJ__UXJp3LL-8/w273-h400/Christmas+in+Rose+Bend.jpg" width="273" /></span></a></div><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Calibri;"><span id="freeText17110258402854269131" style="background-color: white;"><b>The holidays have never been her thing. But Christmas in Rose Bend has more than one surprise in store…</b><br /><br />Grieving ER nurse Nessa Hunt is on a road trip with her sullen teen half sister, Ivy, and still reeling from her mother’s deathbed confession: Nessa’s dad wasn’t really her dad. Seeking answers, they arrive in Rose Bend to find a small town teeming with the kind of Christmas cheer Nessa usually avoids. But then she meets the innkeeper’s ruggedly sexy son, Wolfgang Dennison.<br /><br />Wolf’s big, boisterous family is like a picture-perfect holiday card. Nessa has too much weighing on her to feel like she fits—even though the heat between her and Wolf is undeniable. And the merriment bringing an overdue smile to Ivy’s face is almost enough to make Nessa believe in the Christmas spirit. But with all her parental baggage, including lingering questions about her birth father, is there room in Nessa’s life for happy holidays and happily-ever-after?</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia;"><i><b>Source:</b> NetGalley; ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review</i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;">Christmas is that magical time of the year when second chances make themselves known, opportunities pop in to view, new beginnings spring up, or the best trope of all -- the hardened heart softens and a broken heart is mended. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;">In <i>Christmas in Rose Bend</i>, Nessa finds herself in her personal hell, a town that lives and breathes Christmas. She's there with her sister Ivy, a sibling she barely knows. Nessa's family's complicated history has made this one of the hardest Christmases she's had to face yet. Her mother passed away months ago, her father who had left her and her mother years before, passed away recently leaving her to care for Ivy. Nessa isn't ready for this. There's so much unresolved pain and anger from being abandoned by her father, then there's the massive secret bomb that her mother dropped on her before her death that's only compounded her feeling of abandonment and not fitting in. But spending the Christmas season in Rose Bend with Ivy was her late father's wish, and as much as it pains Nessa, she will step up and try to be a big sister to Ivy and not have her feel that she's been abandoned too. When she literally runs into Wolf, she and Ivy become fully embraced in his big family's generosity. His family runs the B&B Nessa and Ivy are staying at so there's no avoiding the family, and in particular Wolf who makes her feel things. Same goes for Wolf who feels an instant like to Nessa but also senses her apprehension. Not that he should get involved with anyone, much less a guest, anyway. His survivor's guilt from coming back from war has made him feel especially vulnerable, broken and feeling unworthy of anyone's love and forgiveness.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;">The overall story is beautiful. Three people pushing out of their own darkness to discover love, learn to trust and redefine family. And during Christmas when the festive mood facilitates those things. However, there's a lot to wade through to get to the happy ending. <i>Christmas in Rose Bend</i> is extremely heavy on grief, so it's not light or joyous holiday reading if that's what you're going for. Both of Nessa's parents passed away from cancer. Ivy's mom died when she was young. Wolf lost his best friend while they were serving, and his siblings have also experienced tragic loss which was at the center of the first book in this series. The blurb eludes to some sadness, but I wasn't prepared for what felt was an onslaught. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;">I made my way through it, though. The story does pick up. With backstories in order, and Nessa and Ivy settling in, I started to enjoy the story better. Nessa sand Wolf have incredible chemistry. I particularly liked Wolf's character because he's a modern day hero with some pretty outstanding qualities - attentive, conscientious about how he makes a woman feel with his presence. He's basically a dreamboat in a man bun. I also liked how Nessa was written as a bit prickly and not touchy feely. Her metamorphosis into someone who is willing to trust again and put herself out there is slow-going but she eventually gets there. And Wolf respects her boundaries. Where the story is weighed down by tragedy, it makes up for it with these particular details that modern romance fans appreciate. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;">It's my first time reading Naima Simone. While I liked <i>Christmas in Rose Bend</i>, it took me a bit to get past all the emotional turmoil and tragedies. Simone is a descriptive writer who's packed in some serious punches yet has somehow made this story palatable despite all the sorrow. As I said previously, this isn't lighthearted fare, but it's perfect if you want a story about redemption and forgiveness that eventually lead to the happily ever after.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>~ Bel</i></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-25369912508741341942021-11-28T16:03:00.113-06:002021-12-30T12:49:55.220-06:00Meet Me in London Blog Tour <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBWG1TO75hvkXTgE1XcJhMYrdvo3jnenBN8sT5tN7OKIe14VBW0LpoA8h_588RZN0hu6aQD377I0mYhplZ-F6OyS-q_H0eOzQWaXS40PAzd_PS6jaAHQGI-QFJjSxCHU9KJQ8t3EaRz83ZWl0Vz7Q8nO-JcVJS6EWoJiMOtyvBP-5mt_qfkG2ZeLiE=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBWG1TO75hvkXTgE1XcJhMYrdvo3jnenBN8sT5tN7OKIe14VBW0LpoA8h_588RZN0hu6aQD377I0mYhplZ-F6OyS-q_H0eOzQWaXS40PAzd_PS6jaAHQGI-QFJjSxCHU9KJQ8t3EaRz83ZWl0Vz7Q8nO-JcVJS6EWoJiMOtyvBP-5mt_qfkG2ZeLiE=w640-h160" width="640" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtt-p5b5MYywHWjNxXT_z9MgOO2M5cvEmrkd-L2BHvfaOsDrI21Pd4PMwlwXwqrAwFoWl6OlU0N0EOEu9kUvsJhE2jkRCSio_oDY01z-lysJn1S6up5OuqfFca7DrCbedLr9bwcLRh7Tr7TEW-DfTyyiiFWT8xS-WQF94mDnHCzic9JOSVLjpjK1k5=s3200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3200" data-original-width="2125" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtt-p5b5MYywHWjNxXT_z9MgOO2M5cvEmrkd-L2BHvfaOsDrI21Pd4PMwlwXwqrAwFoWl6OlU0N0EOEu9kUvsJhE2jkRCSio_oDY01z-lysJn1S6up5OuqfFca7DrCbedLr9bwcLRh7Tr7TEW-DfTyyiiFWT8xS-WQF94mDnHCzic9JOSVLjpjK1k5=w266-h400" width="266" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW215706064" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW215706064 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ee24a3df-ede9-4a5c-86de-61360d8886a4}{10}" paraid="1647093609" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW215706064 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Book Summary:</span><span class="EOP SCXW215706064 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW215706064" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW215706064 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ee24a3df-ede9-4a5c-86de-61360d8886a4}{17}" paraid="1260167682" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW215706064 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW215706064 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW215706064 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW215706064" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW215706064 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ee24a3df-ede9-4a5c-86de-61360d8886a4}{26}" paraid="1244287950" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW215706064 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">What do you do when your fake engagement starts to feel too real?</span><span class="EOP SCXW215706064 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #222222; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW215706064" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW215706064 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{cd5bba8b-5f34-4e5b-94f5-2afd87b21cbe}{100}" paraid="908661916" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW215706064 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW215706064 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW215706064 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #222222; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW215706064" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW215706064 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ee24a3df-ede9-4a5c-86de-61360d8886a4}{41}" paraid="1873099326" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW215706064 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #222222; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Aspiring clothes designer Victoria Scott spends her days working in a bar in Chelsea and her </span><span class="EOP SCXW215706064 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #222222; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW215706064" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW215706064 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ee24a3df-ede9-4a5c-86de-61360d8886a4}{58}" paraid="1029445187" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW215706064 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">evenings designing vintage clothes, dreaming of one day opening her own boutique. But these aspirations are under threat from the new department store opening at the end of her road. She needs a Christmas miracle, but one is not forthcoming.</span><span class="EOP SCXW215706064 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #222222; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW215706064 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ee24a3df-ede9-4a5c-86de-61360d8886a4}{58}" paraid="1029445187" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="EOP SCXW215706064 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #222222; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW215706064" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW215706064 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ee24a3df-ede9-4a5c-86de-61360d8886a4}{72}" paraid="12291493" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW215706064 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Oliver Russell’s Christmas is not looking very festive right now. His family’s new London department store opening is behind schedule, and on top of that his interfering, if well-meaning, mother is pressing him to bring his girlfriend home for a visit. A girlfriend who does not exist. He needs a diversion. Something to keep his mother from interfering while he focuses on the business.</span><span class="EOP SCXW215706064 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #222222; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW215706064 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ee24a3df-ede9-4a5c-86de-61360d8886a4}{72}" paraid="12291493" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="EOP SCXW215706064 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #222222; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW215706064" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW215706064 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ee24a3df-ede9-4a5c-86de-61360d8886a4}{86}" paraid="493747751" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW215706064 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #222222; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">When Oliver meets Victoria, he offers a proposition: pretend to be his girlfriend at the opening of his store and he will provide an opportunity for Victoria to showcase her designs. But what starts as a business arrangement soon becomes something more tempting, as the fake relationship starts to feel very real. But when secrets in Victoria’s past are exposed, will Oliver walk away, or will they both follow their hearts and find what neither knew they were looking for?</span><span class="EOP SCXW215706064 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #222222; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW215706064 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ee24a3df-ede9-4a5c-86de-61360d8886a4}{86}" paraid="493747751" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="EOP SCXW215706064 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: #222222; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E249" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E249" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="line-height: 1.38; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span id="E250" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E250" style="display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Buy Links: </span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E249" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E249" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="line-height: 1.38; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E250" style="display: inline; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E251" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E251" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="line-height: 1.38; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a contenteditable="false" href="https://bookshop.org/books/meet-me-in-london-9781335459978/9781335459978" id="E252" is="qowt-hyperlink" qowt-eid="E252" target="_blank"><span id="E253" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E253" style="color: #1155cc; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BookShop.org</span></a><span id="E254" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E254" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> I <a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335459978_meet-me-in-london.html">Harlequin </a> I <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/meet-me-in-london-georgia-toffolo/1136867575?ean=9781335459978">Barnes & Noble</a> I <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Meet-Me-London-Georgia-Toffolo/dp/1335459979/ref=monarch_sidesheet">Amazon</a> I <a href="https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Meet-London/Georgia-Toffolo/9781335459978?id=7670068459528">Books-A-Million</a> I <a href="https://www.powells.com/book/meet-me-in-london-9781335459978">Powell's</a></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E255" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E255" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="line-height: 1.38; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E255" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E255" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="line-height: 1.38; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E255" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E255" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="line-height: 1.38; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Excerpt:</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E255" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E255" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="line-height: 1.38; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW14762831" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{44}" paraid="433109904" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">OLIVER RUSSELL COULD wrangle a wayward balance sheet back into the black, take failing stores apart and breathe new life into them, make difficult calls on staffing and personnel issues, make his shareholders happy and very, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">very</span><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> rich. But he had never managed to curb his mother’s meddling in his private life.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{61}" paraid="504437916" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{61}" paraid="504437916" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Some things were just impossible.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{68}" paraid="1895430705" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{68}" paraid="1895430705" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Earth to Oliver. This is your mother asking about your Christmas Day plans. Will I need to set an extra place at the dinner table? Hint, hint. Your mother xx</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" color="windowtext" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{75}" paraid="1211768002" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{75}" paraid="1211768002" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Sitting on a stool at the bar in the upmarket wine bar The Landing, Oliver groaned as he interpreted the “hint” as yet another badly veiled attempt to discover his relationship status. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Great one, Mum. Way to put pressure on a guy.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{82}" paraid="1535073284" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{82}" paraid="1535073284" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Could this week get any worse? He threw his mobile phone onto the sticky, beer-stained counter, gripped the tumbler in front of him and took a sip of a much needed fifteen-year-old Scotch. As the honey-colored syrup oozed down his throat and hit his stomach with a warming buzz he silently counted all the ways things had gone wrong in such a short space of time.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{89}" paraid="387954975" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{89}" paraid="387954975" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">First mistake: allowing his mother to believe he was finally settling down when in reality his love life could only be described as...nonexistent. And now having to think up all the ways he could appease his parents over the holidays without going quietly insane.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{96}" paraid="1236797307" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{96}" paraid="1236797307" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Whereas other families had jolly traditions of games and church on Christmas Day, his parents’ idea of fun was to corner him in the living room, pin him down with laser stares and interrogate him for signs of commitment, a potential wife and progeny. A grandchild, or preferably many grandchildren, to spoil and give meaning to their later years, someone to carry on the family name and also an heir to entrust the business to. As an only child Oliver was expected to do so, as his father had done before him.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{103}" paraid="1407706701" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{103}" paraid="1407706701" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Trouble was, after his last romantic failure, settling down was not on Oliver’s bucket list. At least, not for a very long time.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{110}" paraid="800811435" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{110}" paraid="800811435" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Second mistake: in the spirit of keeping the family business afloat he’d agreed to clean up the mess his cousin was making of the new build. Ollie should have let him fall on his sword, but that would have meant his parents suffering too and there was no way he was going to allow that. So, here he was in a rowdy bar in Chelsea at ridiculous o’clock at night—or was </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW190344732 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2,url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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")); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">it</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> early </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW190344732 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2,url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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")); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">morning?—</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">having only just finished work, with the prospect of another seventeen-hour day tomorrow and the next day, and the next...</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{117}" paraid="1811744155" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He took another sip of whiskey but almost choked as someone bumped into his hip, jolted his arm and sloshed the Scotch, rich but burning, down his throat.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{124}" paraid="294434478" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{124}" paraid="294434478" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Hey, gorgeous.” A woman old enough to be his mother—and even though deep down he loved his mum, Lord knew he didn’t need two of them—appeared at his shoulder and beamed at him. Her eyes were wine-glazed and the lipstick smudged over her mouth almost up to her nostrils made her look like a startled fish. “I’ve got mistletoe, you know what that means, right?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{131}" paraid="1788439591" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{131}" paraid="1788439591" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“That it’s time I left?” Scraping his stool back he stood, steadying the woman as she swayed, and then handed her into the waiting arms of her friends who were all dressed as...well, he wasn’t entirely sure, but there were glitter wings and feathery haloes involved, so he imagined they were supposed to be Christmas angels. In November?</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{138}" paraid="708121868" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{138}" paraid="708121868" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">As if knowing all about his work stress and family dilemmas even the music in the bar seemed to mock him. Too loud and too cheery and all about being home and in love at Christmas. He shuddered. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">No thanks.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{145}" paraid="363523112" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{145}" paraid="363523112" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Which brought him to his third mistake: choosing the bar from hell to drown his sorrows in. It wasn’t even December and yet here they all were screeching Christmas carols at the top of their tone-deaf voices. Christmas was everywhere. In the glittery tinsel that hung in loopy garlands across the ceiling and the fake tree in the corner. The soundtrack to the evening. The clothes people were wearing. Christmas was hurtling fast towards him and he was running out of time. He had so much to do to fix his first mistake before the doors of the new Russell & Co. department store opened, way behind schedule, but in time for the busiest, and therefore most lucrative time of the year.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{152}" paraid="1028966700" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{152}" paraid="1028966700" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He just needed some kind of miracle to make it happen.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{159}" paraid="968536459" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{159}" paraid="968536459" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">On the counter his phone vibrated. He picked up and grimaced at another text, knowing what was bound to be coming but also knowing if he ignored </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW190344732 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2,url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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")); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">her</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> it would only get worse:</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Oliver? It’s a simple question. Blink once for yes. Twice for no. Are we finally going to meet your new girlfriend? Your mother xx.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{166}" paraid="2085755222" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Uh-oh. She was dropping the veiled interest and taking a more direct approach. This was serious.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{173}" paraid="1212638513" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{173}" paraid="1212638513" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He flicked a text back:</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{180}" paraid="718248602" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{180}" paraid="718248602" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">When your message flashes onto my screen it identifies you as my mother. There is also a little photo of you smiling at me at the top of your texts. You don’t need to tell me who you are.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{187}" paraid="1875729036" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{187}" paraid="1875729036" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He added two kisses, because, well, she was his mother: Ollie xx.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{194}" paraid="72867579" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{194}" paraid="72867579" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">A pause while he watched three gray dots dance on his screen and then:</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{201}" paraid="257534100" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{201}" paraid="257534100" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Not a single blink. How do I interpret that? We just want to see you happy. Your mother xxx</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{208}" paraid="414407578" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{208}" paraid="414407578" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">By happy, she meant married. As if you couldn’t be otherwise. Although he knew just as many people who were married and miserable as married and happy.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{215}" paraid="1055615140" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{215}" paraid="1055615140" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">How was he even meant to send a blink by text anyway? He rolled his eyes instead. Nothing confirmed as yet.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{222}" paraid="592399369" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{222}" paraid="592399369" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Before he could say “Bah Humbug” her reply flashed on his screen:</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{229}" paraid="938145837" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{229}" paraid="938145837" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">When will you know? Your mother xx</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{236}" paraid="585555144" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{236}" paraid="585555144" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Oliver: I don’t know.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{243}" paraid="102624318" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{243}" paraid="102624318" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">If he told her the delightful Clarissa had moved on to a more malleable boyfriend his mum would be trying to arrange dates for him.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{250}" paraid="641367316" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{68b3b358-4011-4d5f-aaa1-29439505dda7}{250}" paraid="641367316" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">As if on cue another text arrived:</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{2}" paraid="1227826783" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{2}" paraid="1227826783" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Is there something you’re not telling us? Is it over? So soon? Again? Oh, Oliver.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{9}" paraid="650383653" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{9}" paraid="650383653" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He could feel the disappointment coming through the airwaves as her next text quickly followed:</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{16}" paraid="197805009" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Perhaps I should invite the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW190344732 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2,url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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")); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Henleys</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> over on Christmas Day. I heard Arabella’s back from her Indian ashram trip and SINGLE. And stop rolling your eyes at me. Your mother xx</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{23}" paraid="1151813565" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{23}" paraid="1151813565" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He couldn’t help but laugh at that, despite his growing frustration. He tried to stay noncommittal. Apparently, according to his ex, noncommittal was a strength of his:</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{30}" paraid="682825804" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{30}" paraid="682825804" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Do NOT set any more dates up for me. Nothing’s confirmed re Xmas. I’ll let you know when I know.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{37}" paraid="1721689417" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{37}" paraid="1721689417" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Mum: At the new store opening then?</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{44}" paraid="285164477" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{44}" paraid="285164477" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Just a matter of weeks away. She clearly wasn’t giving up. She never gave up. She wouldn’t give up until she was holding his first child. Or maybe his second—his second set of triplets.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{51}" paraid="1585158194" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{51}" paraid="1585158194" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">That was the problem; she wasn’t giving up. He just needed to appease her. Or ignore her. So, he chose the latter.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{58}" paraid="1593791890" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{58}" paraid="1593791890" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Realizing he hadn’t finished his drink and grateful that the bar staff were now shuffling the off-tune singers outside, he sat back down and resumed his contemplation of the whiskey in front of him. At some point the staff would shuffle him out too, but for now he craved this brief peace and quiet, save for his mother’s infuriating but well-meaning texts and a muted conversation between the servers coming from a little room off to the side of the bar.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{65}" paraid="1043401133" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{65}" paraid="1043401133" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">He could hear Paul, the guy who’d served him earlier say, “Hey, Vicki, are you OK to close up tonight? I promised Amanda I’d get home early. It’s our anniversary.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{72}" paraid="502254793" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{72}" paraid="502254793" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Of course.” A soft voice filtered through. “You helped me out by taking the early shift so I could teach my </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{72}" paraid="502254793" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">class, so I’m more than happy to hang around here for the stragglers. Sara said she’d stay on and help me clear up.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{79}" paraid="967742780" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{79}" paraid="967742780" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Stragglers?</span><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"> Was that what he was now? Ollie looked around the bar at the three other solo drinkers—all male, all staring hopelessly into glasses of alcohol. He laughed to himself. Yeah, damned right he fitted that description; moving slowly. He didn’t want to hurry because the sooner he went home, the sooner tomorrow would arrive bringing with it all his problems.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{86}" paraid="1440951831" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{86}" paraid="1440951831" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“So how did class go today?” he heard Paul ask the owner of the soft voice. “Any more visits from the local cops?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{93}" paraid="545350899" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{93}" paraid="545350899" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Police? Interesting. Ollie leaned forward to hear the mystery woman’s answer.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{100}" paraid="611162412" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{100}" paraid="611162412" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Oh, that was all just a misunderstanding. Her brother gave her the iPad, Jasmine didn’t know it was stolen.” A pause. “Um. By her brother.” A rumble of soft laughter that sounded so free and bright had Ollie straining to see who the voice belonged to. It wasn’t the other woman who worked here because she was now collecting glasses from empty tables and her accent was Cockney through and through. This Vicki woman was from somewhere else. Southwest maybe, a tiny hint of something he recognized from holidays down in Cornwall. Laughter threaded through her intonation. “We sorted it out. The police dropped the charges against her.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{107}" paraid="881308406" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{107}" paraid="881308406" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“So, one of the kids you’re teaching is harboring stolen goods. Great. You really need to stay away from trouble like that, Vicki.” Paul came back into the bar and started to wipe down the counter with a dishcloth.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{114}" paraid="928071708" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{114}" paraid="928071708" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The woman followed. “If I stayed away there’d be even more trouble for her, I’m sure. She’s so talented. You should see her designs, they’re stunning. Really fresh ideas. She could go a long way with the right guidance. I’m pulling out all the stops.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{121}" paraid="45791951" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{121}" paraid="45791951" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“You’re too good to those kids.” Paul frowned. “Instead of focusing on your own career you’re spending all your energy on a bunch of no-hope teenagers who probably have never even heard the word </span><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">gratitude</span><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{128}" paraid="312532794" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{128}" paraid="312532794" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The Vicki woman turned and put her hands on her hips, giving Ollie full view of her face. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Wow.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{135}" paraid="532150306" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">She was wearing a dress that looked like it had come straight out of the nineteen fifties; all slash neck and cinched waist in a fabric of cream and scarlet flowers. Her glossy, dark hair was loosely tied into a ponytail that was pulled forward over one shoulder. She had bright </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW190344732 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2,url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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")); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">red</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> lipstick on full lips—not smudged in the slightest, and the most intense dark eyes he’d ever seen.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{142}" paraid="18212328" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{142}" paraid="18212328" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">In stark contrast her skin was pale; he wasn’t sure whether it was makeup or natural and he didn’t care. Oliver Russell had known a lot of beautiful women in his time, but she was next level. Quite simply, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{149}" paraid="125281351" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{149}" paraid="125281351" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">That gorgeous red mouth curled into a smile, but a little frown appeared over her eyes. “Paul, honestly, they’re struggling in so many ways. They have so much hope and potential and no one else seems to care. If I don’t help them, then who will?”</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{156}" paraid="916985420" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{156}" paraid="916985420" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’m just saying, be careful, that’s all. Your heart’s too soft, Vicki, you’re going to get hurt.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{163}" paraid="333390330" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{163}" paraid="333390330" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It’s a fashion design class for underprivileged kids, Paul. Not target practice in the ’hood. Trouble is, we’re fast running out of opportunities for them to showcase their work. All the design schools have organized shows already and we’re lagging behind. I’m going to have to be creative with my thinking.” </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{163}" paraid="333390330" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{163}" paraid="333390330" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Her eyes wandered over the bar and settled on Oliver, just for a moment.</span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{170}" paraid="1240225142" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{170}" paraid="1240225142" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Instinctively, he smiled. She gave him the faintest of smiles back and didn’t look away immediately. A look of surprise flickered behind her eyes. Even from here he could see the flush of her cheeks as their gazes met and, as if someone had flicked a switch, a rush of heat hit him too. Interest. The flicker of awareness. Brief. </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW190344732 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2,url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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")); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">So</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> brief he checked himself; maybe he’d imagined it?</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 18.3458px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{177}" paraid="1537430301" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW190344732 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span class="SCXW190344732 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre;"> </span><br class="SCXW190344732 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; white-space: pre;" /></span><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{195}" paraid="2044514517" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="TextRun SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 17.2667px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Excerpted from Meet Me in London by Georgia Toffolo. Copyright © 2021 by Georgia Toffolo. First published in 2020 by Mills & Boon. This edition published in 2021 by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A. </span><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 17.2667px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{195}" paraid="2044514517" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: left; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 17.2667px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{195}" paraid="2044514517" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: left; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="EOP SCXW190344732 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; line-height: 17.2667px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5a253ae3-7fff-793a-19b4-857fc66e7ea0"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Author Bio:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW190344732" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfXwdnix2vKOC37fwfbybiZM9bTVD28O99kS_hsFerrQIbKqtenYfVBOTVwDQKj7Jf6R5_wsMnOUl5Q4pSAJBTDy72XuGBkW_JJQAXQa_Myihm4GN5tgA3UzEu11LJjM74eO9TnfHV3N-CkzkQ0zr1bMJFhLxCvYPFaeV0ksbSUKhIqQT5VGnwt-At=s7360" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7360" data-original-width="4912" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfXwdnix2vKOC37fwfbybiZM9bTVD28O99kS_hsFerrQIbKqtenYfVBOTVwDQKj7Jf6R5_wsMnOUl5Q4pSAJBTDy72XuGBkW_JJQAXQa_Myihm4GN5tgA3UzEu11LJjM74eO9TnfHV3N-CkzkQ0zr1bMJFhLxCvYPFaeV0ksbSUKhIqQT5VGnwt-At=w134-h200" width="134" /></a></div><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Georgia Toffolo</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a broadcaster and TV personality. She has been a firm favourite with the public right from the start of her TV debut, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Made in Chelsea, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">all the way to winning over the hearts of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in 2018.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Georgia turned her eye to fashion and has curated two sell out collections with fashion retailer Shein. An ambassador for many British brands, both large and small, Georgia has also collaborated with Dyson, Baileys, Emma Bridgewater, Great British Racing, Foreo and Malibu amongst many more.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most recently, Georgia has dived into the world of fiction by publishing her debut novel Meet Me in London with publishing house Mills and Boon. This is the first of an original series of four books following a group of lifelong friends and bringing personal anecdotes to life with humour and charm.</span></p></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{195}" paraid="2044514517" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: left; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span color="windowtext" style="background-color: transparent; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Review:</span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{195}" paraid="2044514517" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: left; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span color="windowtext" style="background-color: transparent; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW209321293" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW209321293 BCX0" paraeid="{229936d9-ae47-4f69-99f3-b15fa37d4ef0}{154}" paraid="271713265" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW209321293 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW209321293 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><i>Meet Me in London</i> has the kind of vibe that I was going for – charming leading man with his family’s burdens on his shoulder meets creative independent woman with a big dream and an </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW209321293 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2,url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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")); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">ever bigger</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW209321293 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> heart. It’s love at first sight for Oliver but Victoria is used to random men declaring their love for her. She’s just not used to a man sticking around. Since Oliver needs a way to get his meddling but well-meaning mum off his back, he proposes an arrangement with Victoria: pretend to be his </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW209321293 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2,url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,PD94bWwgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4wIiBlbmNvZGluZz0iVVRGLTgiPz4KPHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iNXB4IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjRweCIgdmlld0JveD0iMCAwIDUgNCIgdmVyc2lvbj0iMS4xIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHhtbG5zOnhsaW5rPSJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnczLm9yZy8xOTk5L3hsaW5rIj4KICAgIDwhLS0gR2VuZXJhdG9yOiBTa2V0Y2ggNTYuMiAoODE2NzIpIC0gaHR0cHM6Ly9za2V0Y2guY29tIC0tPgogICAgPHRpdGxlPnNwZWxsaW5nX3NxdWlnZ2xlPC90aXRsZT4KICAgIDxkZXNjPkNyZWF0ZWQgd2l0aCBTa2V0Y2guPC9kZXNjPgogICAgPGcgaWQ9IkZsYWdzIiBzdHJva2U9Im5vbmUiIHN0cm9rZS13aWR0aD0iMSIgZmlsbD0ibm9uZSIgZmlsbC1ydWxlPSJldmVub2RkIj4KICAgICAgICA8ZyB0cmFuc2Zvcm09InRyYW5zbGF0ZSgtMTAxMC4wMDAwMDAsIC0yOTYuMDAwMDAwKSIgaWQ9InNwZWxsaW5nX3NxdWlnZ2xlIj4KICAgICAgICAgICAgPGcgdHJhbnNmb3JtPSJ0cmFuc2xhdGUoMTAxMC4wMDAwMDAsIDI5Ni4wMDAwMDApIj4KICAgICAgICAgICAgICAgIDxwYXRoIGQ9Ik0wLDMgQzEuMjUsMyAxLjI1LDEgMi41LDEgQzMuNzUsMSAzLjc1LDMgNSwzIiBpZD0iUGF0aCIgc3Ryb2tlPSIjRUIwMDAwIiBzdHJva2Utd2lkdGg9IjEiPjwvcGF0aD4KICAgICAgICAgICAgICAgIDxyZWN0IGlkPSJSZWN0YW5nbGUiIHg9IjAiIHk9IjAiIHdpZHRoPSI1IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjQiPjwvcmVjdD4KICAgICAgICAgICAgPC9nPgogICAgICAgIDwvZz4KICAgIDwvZz4KPC9zdmc+")); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">fiance</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW209321293 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> until December, only so that he can provide some happiness to his mum and ailing father around the launch of the family’s new flagship store. And she gets … actually she doesn’t really get much in return from that itself. However, since he’s the man responsible for the new department store opening in their neighborhood, he offers to provide space for the local vendors, and provide Victoria’s fashion design students a chance to showcase their designs on the catwalk.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW209321293 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW209321293 BCX0" paraeid="{229936d9-ae47-4f69-99f3-b15fa37d4ef0}{154}" paraid="271713265" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="EOP SCXW209321293 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW209321293" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW209321293 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{8c4c33b1-12c4-4691-a816-b850f3b8686a}{144}" paraid="1075180654" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW209321293 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Despite the reservations that keep eating at her, Victoria goes with the plan. She recognizes Oliver’s good heart and also learns how much it means to him to see his parents well. She also sees how much the responsibility of carrying on the family business and being the one to fix all his cousin’s mistakes take a toll on him. See Victoria’s perspective on life is rather simple – do what makes you happy. Ever since she and her friends survived a car accident, she’s all about being authentic, which is why the pretending to his parents does weigh on her. Oliver senses that Victoria’s been through a trauma and though she doesn’t reveal all to him, he builds trust with her.</span><span class="EOP SCXW209321293 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW209321293" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW209321293 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{08afbbab-1446-4ef5-803c-0cd28b1f8371}{44}" paraid="1594799928" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW209321293 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW209321293 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{08afbbab-1446-4ef5-803c-0cd28b1f8371}{44}" paraid="1594799928" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW209321293 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">One of the things <i>Meet Me in London</i> does is address the idea of what constitutes a ‘happily ever after’. Oliver’s of the thinking that nothing can match what his parents have so he’s not even sure if marriage is for him. Victoria knows that to most, happily ever after means marriage then kids. However, that dream of having kids cannot be realized for her due to the accident and it’s something that’s so hard, and personal, and painful to face every day much less bring up to Oliver. I was sad for Victoria because that choice to have kids was taken from her, but I also admire her for finding her way to make peace with it. It has left her with scars </span><span class="TextRun SCXW209321293 BCX0" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">–</span><span class="TextRun SCXW209321293 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW209321293 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> physical and emotional – especially since her ex dumped her because of the no </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW209321293 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2,url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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")); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">kids</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW209321293 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> thing. </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2 SCXW209321293 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2,url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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")); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">So</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW209321293 BCX0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> one can’t blame her for being cautious about relationships or even being hesitant about when and how to reveal such a personal secret.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW209321293 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW209321293 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{08afbbab-1446-4ef5-803c-0cd28b1f8371}{44}" paraid="1594799928" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="EOP SCXW209321293 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p></div><p class="Paragraph SCXW190344732 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraeid="{125de9cd-7873-4ee2-9c9a-c0cdfb8eeebf}{195}" paraid="2044514517" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: left; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="TextRun SCXW209321293 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 19.425px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">While <i>Meet Me in London</i> had those heavy moments, it was overall a delight to read. I enjoyed getting to know Oliver and Victoria. Their chemistry was beautiful and intimate in the way that you could feel their bond deepening below all the pretense. I loved certain descriptions of their intimate moments like how he touched her throat slightly, or her lips before they kissed. Those little details got to me. I know Victoria’s personal situation might be upsetting to some readers, and I did think Toffolo wrote that with sensitivity. Keeping that in mind, it makes <i>Meets Me in London</i> all the more charming because Oliver and Victoria got to redefine their own "happily ever after'. </span></p></div></div></div>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-2846799668412613052021-11-27T00:30:00.003-06:002021-11-27T00:30:00.314-06:00Harlequin Series Investigator Blog Tour - Day 6<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><b>Welcome to the Harlequin Series Investigator Blog Tour!</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6E1bNEUOic1Pf5sWhU6EMUyXBp1_-1HQP4Q4942_yNCgf0ZSI73yVqGST5DBoz-DCaBMsFabXOU44LnhyYhmIjB9s3BIIX1xHbnyVir2cv4MB3djJ-it2lW7fYXngq0rkding_yzg4p0/s2048/Tour+image_Investigator_Harlequin.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6E1bNEUOic1Pf5sWhU6EMUyXBp1_-1HQP4Q4942_yNCgf0ZSI73yVqGST5DBoz-DCaBMsFabXOU44LnhyYhmIjB9s3BIIX1xHbnyVir2cv4MB3djJ-it2lW7fYXngq0rkding_yzg4p0/w487-h230/Tour+image_Investigator_Harlequin.png" width="487" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">We're featuring one book from the Harlequin series each day for the rest of the week. Looking for something new to read or to gift to someone this holiday season? Harlequin's got you covered! Join us here Monday through Saturday this week to learn about your next great read!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b>Day 6: Christmas Vendetta</b></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E72" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E72" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span id="E73" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E73" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuoPXKQChnpdy-3Exr3hAVa-5ksg-Qj4jE8tl6tKwf-CIiU5KAzK-jEfd1_ewXnIIueCPlZd8aYwcEDGZqE9gnaYB4FFlHuJMXZofdnFsTeq-LQyIngk2tclfK1aoOQilOPvg23VjMyiY/s2048/cover_Christmas+Vendetta_Valerie+Hansen+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1294" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuoPXKQChnpdy-3Exr3hAVa-5ksg-Qj4jE8tl6tKwf-CIiU5KAzK-jEfd1_ewXnIIueCPlZd8aYwcEDGZqE9gnaYB4FFlHuJMXZofdnFsTeq-LQyIngk2tclfK1aoOQilOPvg23VjMyiY/w253-h400/cover_Christmas+Vendetta_Valerie+Hansen+%25281%2529.jpg" width="253" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">CHRISTMAS VENDETTA by Valerie Hansen (on-sale Nov.30, Love Inspired Suspense): Is she a mistaken target…or next on an enemy’s hit list? Sandy Lynn Forrester's Christmas holiday takes a terrifying turn when someone breaks into her home and attacks her roommate…thinking it's her. But no one believes that an imprisoned man from Sandy Lynn's past is behind the attacks—except for her high school heartbreak, ex-cop Clay Danforth. Can she trust Clay to keep her safe in the Ozark wilderness long enough to stop a ruthless criminal’s vengeance?</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E77" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E77" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span id="E78" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E78" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #303030; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335554703">IndieBound</a> I <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Buried-Cold-Case-Secrets-Abrams-ebook/dp/B094R941NW/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=BURIED+COLD+CASE+SECRETS+by+Sami+A.+Abrams&qid=1637072482&qsid=133-7575147-1798556&sr=8-1&sres=1335554785%2CB07L1S92HW&srpt=ABIS_BOOK"> </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Vendetta-Emergency-Responders-Book-ebook/dp/B094R72GQG/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=CHRISTMAS+VENDETTA+by+Valerie+Hansen&qid=1637072527&qsid=133-7575147-1798556&sr=8-1&sres=133555470X"> </a></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Vendetta-Emergency-Responders-Book-ebook/dp/B094R72GQG/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=CHRISTMAS+VENDETTA+by+Valerie+Hansen&qid=1637072527&qsid=133-7575147-1798556&sr=8-1&sres=133555470X">Amazon</a></span> I <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/christmas-vendetta-valerie-hansen/1139453329?ean=9781335554703" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Barnes & Noble</a> I <a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335722782_christmas-vendetta.html" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Harlequin.com</a></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #303030; font-size: 11.5pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #303030; font-size: 11.5pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><b style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #741b47; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Excerpt</b></span></p><blockquote><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E73" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E73" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" id="E-9" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-9" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The lack of explanation from Clay caused her to glance over at him. Instead of paying attention to her, he was frowning and looking in the car mirrors.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-94" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-94" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-95" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-95" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-73" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-73" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-74" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-74" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sandy Lynn whipped around as far as her seat belt would allow. Since the snow had stopped, more peo</span><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" id="E-48" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-48" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ple had ventured outside, evidently to take advantage of the respite. The street was crowded. “What? What do you see?”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-144" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-144" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-145" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-145" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-125" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-125" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-126" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-126" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Probably nothing.”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-194" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-194" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-195" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-195" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-175" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-175" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-176" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-176" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Okay,” she drawled, “then why are you making scary faces?”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-244" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-244" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-245" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-245" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-225" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-225" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-226" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-226" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m not.” Clay flashed her a lopsided smile. “This is my normal face.”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-294" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-294" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-295" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-295" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-275" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-275" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-276" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-276" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Maybe it’s the black-and-blue eye socket that makes you look odd,” she said, not believing that excuse for an instant.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-357" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-357" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-358" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-358" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-336" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-336" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-337" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-337" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Again he stayed silent. She felt the car begin to ac</span><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" id="E-311" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-311" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">celerate. The tires slipped in the slushy street, and they fishtailed several times before Clay got it under control.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-433" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-433" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-434" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-434" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2" id="E67" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E67" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-411" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-411" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Okay. That does it. </span><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" id="E-374" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-374" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">What </span><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" id="E-375" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-375" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is going on?”</span></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-475" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-475" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-476" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-476" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We’re being followed,” Clay said as he sped up, slid</span><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" id="E-450" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-450" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ing again and again. “I’m heading for the police station.”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-560" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-560" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-561" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-561" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-539" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-539" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-540" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-540" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Finally, something that makes sense.” Bracing with her left hand on the dash, her right gripping the over-the-door assist handle, Sandy Lynn did her best to an</span><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" id="E-514" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-514" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">chor herself on the seat.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-610" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-610" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-611" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-611" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-591" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-591" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-592" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-592" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Clay turned corner after corner until she was unsure of their position. “I thought you said—”</span></span></p><p class="qowt-stl-Default x-scope qowt-word-para-3" id="E106" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E106" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" id="E107" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E107" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A hard smack jolted her car and snapped her head back against the support at the top of the seat. She wanted to shout orders at him, to tell him how to get them out of this situation, but truth to tell, she didn’t have a clue.</span></span></p><p class="qowt-stl-Default x-scope qowt-word-para-3 qowt-word-para-0" id="E-662" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-662" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-663" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-663" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="qowt-stl-Default x-scope qowt-word-para-3 qowt-word-para-0" id="E-643" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-643" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-644" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-644" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Prayer would be good, she reasoned, if she had the words to pray or knew what to ask for.</span></span></p><p class="qowt-stl-Default x-scope qowt-word-para-3 qowt-word-para-0" id="E-726" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-726" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-727" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-727" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="qowt-stl-Default x-scope qowt-word-para-3 qowt-word-para-0" id="E-705" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-705" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-706" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-706" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">Survival </span><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" id="E-679" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-679" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">leaped into her thoughts as she called out wordlessly to her heavenly Father.</span></span></p><p class="qowt-stl-Default x-scope qowt-word-para-3 qowt-word-para-0" id="E-776" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-776" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-777" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-777" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="qowt-stl-Default x-scope qowt-word-para-3 qowt-word-para-0" id="E-757" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-757" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-758" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-758" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The car was hit again. Clay righted it.</span></span></p><p class="qowt-stl-Default x-scope qowt-word-para-3 qowt-word-para-0" id="E-830" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-830" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-831" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-831" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="qowt-stl-Default x-scope qowt-word-para-3 qowt-word-para-0" id="E-809" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-809" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-810" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-810" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A harder smash followed quickly.</span></span></p><p class="qowt-stl-Default x-scope qowt-word-para-3 qowt-word-para-0" id="E-883" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-883" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-884" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-884" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="qowt-stl-Default x-scope qowt-word-para-3 qowt-word-para-0" id="E-864" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-864" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-865" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-865" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Clay hollered, “Hang on!”</span></span></p><p class="qowt-stl-Default x-scope qowt-word-para-3 qowt-word-para-0" id="E-946" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-946" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-947" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-947" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="qowt-stl-Default x-scope qowt-word-para-3 qowt-word-para-0" id="E-925" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-925" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-926" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-926" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They went airborne, diving nose-first into a drain</span><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" id="E-900" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-900" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">age ditch.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="qowt-stl-Default x-scope qowt-word-para-3 qowt-word-para-0" id="E-925" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-925" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #221e1f; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sandy Lynn saw his head snap forward just as the airbag engulfed him. The passenger side of the dated vehicle was not equipped with crash protection, so the seat belt was the only thing keeping her from flying through the shattering windshield.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="qowt-stl-Default x-scope qowt-word-para-3 qowt-word-para-0" id="E-925" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-925" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-format="{"font":"Calibri"}" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-1029" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-1029" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Breathless and shocked, she just sat there, wonder</span><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" id="E-1002" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-1002" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ing if this was as bad as it was going to get or if their pursuers were going to stop to finish them off.</span></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-1442" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-1442" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #741b47; font-size: large; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">About the Author</span></b></p></blockquote><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E105" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-family: Calibri; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhQCEb9Gvls-gNYT7UBam_iaydA_JvJGiMpUMjibv8XOc0WqMJxoYyiBMMMiyuvzrj-QHK4V5BzxajUplKjm_RzKZkrz-vCMm8sAJGOWXo-r2YDUMk_4DtsU7J0GLRZ6eT2rBE1dPaBA/s2048/1406_2017-09-29_1398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1838" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhQCEb9Gvls-gNYT7UBam_iaydA_JvJGiMpUMjibv8XOc0WqMJxoYyiBMMMiyuvzrj-QHK4V5BzxajUplKjm_RzKZkrz-vCMm8sAJGOWXo-r2YDUMk_4DtsU7J0GLRZ6eT2rBE1dPaBA/w179-h200/1406_2017-09-29_1398.JPG" width="179" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E187" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E187" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="qowt-font3-Arial" id="E189" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E189" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #0a0a0a; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Valerie Hansen resides in the rural Ozarks where she writes the books of her heart, primarily for Love Inspired Romance and Suspense. She is married to her childhood sweetheart and has worked as a teacher's-aide, EMT, fire dept. dispatcher, dog breeder, commercial artist, dulcimer builder, Veterinarian's asst., 4-H leader, Sunday School teacher, antique restorer and certified Storm Spotter, etc. See </span><span class="qowt-font3-Arial" id="E190" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E190" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #0a0a0a; display: inline; text-decoration-line: underline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ValerieHansen.com</span><span class="qowt-font3-Arial" id="E191" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E191" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #0a0a0a; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for more!</span><span id="E192" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E192" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #0a0a0a; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKugtdaM4MKLZaGeDgBpXDCQiUgSDnD0iqJPvrkIUmjKqDj10Y0GadTsE1AEBdzHtFWmhdgVLuZfAA-OB3VzQuWhPppR5z0ow4f795MHPjZ2SZelrE0OAq7UuOTD7EIq6Cdwr0VGNxMs/s970/Intrigue_Banner_970x300+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="970" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKugtdaM4MKLZaGeDgBpXDCQiUgSDnD0iqJPvrkIUmjKqDj10Y0GadTsE1AEBdzHtFWmhdgVLuZfAA-OB3VzQuWhPppR5z0ow4f795MHPjZ2SZelrE0OAq7UuOTD7EIq6Cdwr0VGNxMs/s320/Intrigue_Banner_970x300+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-9739559892713074932021-11-26T00:30:00.002-06:002021-11-26T20:14:45.122-06:00Harlequin Series Investigator Blog Tour - Day 5<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><b>Welcome to the Harlequin Series Investigator Blog Tour!</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6E1bNEUOic1Pf5sWhU6EMUyXBp1_-1HQP4Q4942_yNCgf0ZSI73yVqGST5DBoz-DCaBMsFabXOU44LnhyYhmIjB9s3BIIX1xHbnyVir2cv4MB3djJ-it2lW7fYXngq0rkding_yzg4p0/s2048/Tour+image_Investigator_Harlequin.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6E1bNEUOic1Pf5sWhU6EMUyXBp1_-1HQP4Q4942_yNCgf0ZSI73yVqGST5DBoz-DCaBMsFabXOU44LnhyYhmIjB9s3BIIX1xHbnyVir2cv4MB3djJ-it2lW7fYXngq0rkding_yzg4p0/w487-h230/Tour+image_Investigator_Harlequin.png" width="487" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">We're featuring one book from the Harlequin series each day for the rest of the week. Looking for something new to read or to gift to someone this holiday season? Harlequin's got you covered! Join us here Monday through Saturday this week to learn about your next great read!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b>Day 5: Buried Cold Case Secrets</b></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E72" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E72" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span id="E73" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E73" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLKhTmBPPL8oxu1u1s0VptGOX_AvHdhHSVjZo8R-zu8ZgZPdOSJZV4aMo58eCV0Z7I6l0sbQwkAkA_apl9PLzBIMv307Lle33U5udep9s8iLeFP_m7772PAMXFsgneA7JtarSv-rpcI0/s2048/Cover_Buried+Cold+Case+Secrets_Sami+A.+Abrams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1294" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLKhTmBPPL8oxu1u1s0VptGOX_AvHdhHSVjZo8R-zu8ZgZPdOSJZV4aMo58eCV0Z7I6l0sbQwkAkA_apl9PLzBIMv307Lle33U5udep9s8iLeFP_m7772PAMXFsgneA7JtarSv-rpcI0/w253-h400/Cover_Buried+Cold+Case+Secrets_Sami+A.+Abrams.jpg" width="253" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">BURIED COLD CASE SECRETS by Sami A. Abrams (on-sale Dec.28, Love Inspired Suspense): Recovering her missing memories could be the key to solving a murder. Searching for her best friend’s remains could help forensic anthropologist Melanie Hutton regain her memories of when they were both kidnapped—unless the killer gets to Melanie first. For her safety, Melanie must rely on Detective Jason Cooper, who still blames her for his sister’s death. Can Jason set the past aside to solve the cold-case murder…and shield Melanie from the same fate?</span></span></div><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E105" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E105" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E77" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E77" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span id="E78" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E78" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #303030; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335554789">IndieBound</a> I <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Buried-Cold-Case-Secrets-Abrams-ebook/dp/B094R941NW/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=BURIED+COLD+CASE+SECRETS+by+Sami+A.+Abrams&qid=1637072482&qsid=133-7575147-1798556&sr=8-1&sres=1335554785%2CB07L1S92HW&srpt=ABIS_BOOK"> </a></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Buried-Cold-Case-Secrets-Abrams-ebook/dp/B094R941NW/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=BURIED+COLD+CASE+SECRETS+by+Sami+A.+Abrams&qid=1637072482&qsid=133-7575147-1798556&sr=8-1&sres=1335554785%2CB07L1S92HW&srpt=ABIS_BOOK">Amazon</a></span> I <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/buried-cold-case-secrets-sami-a-abrams/1139453334?ean=9781335722867" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Barnes & Noble</a> I <a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335554789_buried-cold-case-secrets.html" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Harlequin.com</a></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #303030; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #303030; font-size: 11.5pt; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><b style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #741b47; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Excerpt</b></span></p><blockquote><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2" id="E67" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E67" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span id="E-10" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-10" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Does it still hurt?”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-82" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-82" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-83" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-83" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-63" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-63" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-64" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-64" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She jumped.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-134" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-134" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-135" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-135" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-115" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-115" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-116" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-116" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Didn’t mean to startle you. Guess I have a habit of doing that.” Jason rested against the neighboring tree.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-183" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-183" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-184" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-184" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-164" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-164" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-165" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-165" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Several deep breaths later, she forced a smile. “It’s okay.”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-246" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-246" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-247" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-247" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-225" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-225" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-226" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-226" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He narrowed his gaze and studied her a mo</span><span id="E-200" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-200" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ment. “Well? Does it?”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-298" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-298" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-299" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-299" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-278" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-278" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-279" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-279" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“A little.” Truthfully, a lot, but Jason didn’t need to know that. “I, uh, wanted to thank you for watching out for me today.”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-352" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-352" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-353" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-353" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-331" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-331" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-332" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-332" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Just doing my job.” The muscles in his neck and shoulders tensed.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-408" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-408" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-409" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-409" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-387" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-387" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-388" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-388" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We both know it’s more than that.” She wiped her hand down her face. “Jason. We’re going to be working together for the foreseeable future. Do you think we can call a truce, at least while we do our jobs?”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-464" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-464" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-465" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-465" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-443" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-443" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-444" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-444" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">His jaw twitched, and he remained silent.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-520" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-520" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-521" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-521" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-499" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-499" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-500" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-500" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She’d asked a lot, but the strain between them had to stop. She watched him for a few minutes then shook her head.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-597" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-597" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span class="" formattedrun="true" id="E-598" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-598" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-574" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-574" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" formattedrun="true" id="E-575" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-575" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Never mind.” She pushed from the trunk and limped to the hole in the ground. Her lead-filled heart threatened to drop to her feet. To think that</span><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" id="E-539" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-539" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" id="E-540" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-540" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">fifteen years ago, she’d had a crush on him. He’d teased her and Allison, but he’d never allowed others to speak unkind words to them. If only she could return to those carefree days. The days before she had died on the inside and her friend had died for real.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-662" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-662" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span class="" formattedrun="true" id="E-663" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-663" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-641" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-641" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="" formattedrun="true" id="E-642" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-642" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">Someday, Allison, I’ll find your body. I prom</span><span id="E-616" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-616" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">ise.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-712" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-712" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-713" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-713" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-693" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-693" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-694" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-694" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She swiped the wetness from her cheeks and lowered herself into the grave. The movement mimicked her mood. She picked up her trowel and searched for more bones.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-816" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-816" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-817" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-817" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-789" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-789" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-790" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-790" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An hour later, Melanie’s headache had be</span><span id="E-731" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-731" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">come unbearable, causing her stomach to roil. Just what she needed, to lose her lunch in front of Jason. Scanning the grave, she spotted the paint</span><span id="E-732" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-732" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">brush she used for delicate work. She grasped the </span><span id="E-733" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-733" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">handle, but</span><span id="E-734" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-734" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> dropped it. She tried again, but her fingers refused to cooperate. Her eyelids grew heavy. Something was off. She sat on the edge of the hole.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-872" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-872" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-873" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-873" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-851" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-851" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-852" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-852" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Jason, help.” Her words were slurred. She struggled to stay upright. The trees in front of her blurred and swayed.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"> </span></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-851" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-851" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-930" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-930" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">He </span><span id="E-891" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-891" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">kneeled down</span><span id="E-892" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-892" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and came face-to-face with her. “What’s wrong?”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-1006" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-1006" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-1007" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-1007" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-986" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-986" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-987" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-987" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I don’t know.”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-1056" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-1056" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-1057" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-1057" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-1037" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-1037" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-1038" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-1038" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Help me out here. What’s the last thing you did?”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"> </span></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-1089" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-1089" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-1090" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-1090" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I—I…” She struggled against the gray cloud jumbling her thoughts. “Took a break a while ago. Only digging since.”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-1142" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-1142" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-1143" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-1143" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-1123" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-1123" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-1124" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-1124" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">His gaze flew to a spot behind her.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-1192" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-1192" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-1193" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-1193" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-1173" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-1173" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-1174" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-1174" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She wilted into him. Her vision tunneled, and darkness closed in.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-1242" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-1242" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-1243" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-1243" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-1223" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-1223" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-1224" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-1224" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Keith! Grab the cooler and her bag!”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-1292" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-1292" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-1293" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-1293" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-1273" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-1273" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-1274" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-1274" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jason’s frantic voice registered, but her body had shut down.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-1342" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-1342" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-1343" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-1343" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-1323" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-1323" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-1324" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-1324" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">His warm arms lifted her. Her head bobbed and landed on his shoulder.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-1392" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-1392" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-1393" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-1393" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-1373" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-1373" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-1374" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-1374" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Her cheek bounced against his chest in cadence with the pounding of his feet on the path.</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;"> </span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-1442" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-1442" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">His rhythmic breathing was the last thing she heard before the world went dark.</span></p></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-1442" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-1442" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #741b47; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">About the Author</b></p></blockquote><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E105" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-family: Calibri; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggIbX4PizeTn78aF3tM1zw1jMbfLc3d5WbD1Bdc0SHy4g6MM1DPxz04oYZ0xAbEdjG3oH4JquxNRGPY4diAwLQw-qHLuRDXpO_2tnzLLdBgvC8VWldvfpvzPKz8R6Tsj3Rt9Jgh9QkN0/s2048/83783_2021-03-18_1930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2025" data-original-width="2048" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggIbX4PizeTn78aF3tM1zw1jMbfLc3d5WbD1Bdc0SHy4g6MM1DPxz04oYZ0xAbEdjG3oH4JquxNRGPY4diAwLQw-qHLuRDXpO_2tnzLLdBgvC8VWldvfpvzPKz8R6Tsj3Rt9Jgh9QkN0/w200-h198/83783_2021-03-18_1930.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #0a0a0a; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">Two-time Genesis winner Sami A. Abrams and her husband live in Northern California, but she’ll always be a Kansas girl at heart. She enjoys visiting her two grown children and spoiling their sweet fur babies. Most evenings, if Sami’s not watching sports,</span><span style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #0a0a0a; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">you’ll find her engrossed in a romantic suspense novel. </span><span style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #0a0a0a; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">She thinks a crime plus a little romance is the recipe for a great story. Visit her at </span></span></div><a contenteditable="false" href="http://www.samiaabrams.com/" id="E164" is="qowt-hyperlink" qowt-eid="E164" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.6667px;" target="_blank"><span class="qowt-font3-Arial" id="E165" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E165" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #1155cc; display: inline; font-family: Arial, "Arial Unicode MS", Arimo, "Microsoft Sans serif", sans-serif !important; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.samiaabrams.com</span></a><span class="qowt-font3-Arial" id="E166" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E166" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #0a0a0a; display: inline; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. </span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKugtdaM4MKLZaGeDgBpXDCQiUgSDnD0iqJPvrkIUmjKqDj10Y0GadTsE1AEBdzHtFWmhdgVLuZfAA-OB3VzQuWhPppR5z0ow4f795MHPjZ2SZelrE0OAq7UuOTD7EIq6Cdwr0VGNxMs/s970/Intrigue_Banner_970x300+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="970" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKugtdaM4MKLZaGeDgBpXDCQiUgSDnD0iqJPvrkIUmjKqDj10Y0GadTsE1AEBdzHtFWmhdgVLuZfAA-OB3VzQuWhPppR5z0ow4f795MHPjZ2SZelrE0OAq7UuOTD7EIq6Cdwr0VGNxMs/s320/Intrigue_Banner_970x300+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-49150428945749816172021-11-25T00:30:00.035-06:002021-11-26T19:58:12.015-06:00Harlequin Series Investigator Blog Tour - Day 4<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><b>Welcome to the Harlequin Series Investigator Blog Tour!</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6E1bNEUOic1Pf5sWhU6EMUyXBp1_-1HQP4Q4942_yNCgf0ZSI73yVqGST5DBoz-DCaBMsFabXOU44LnhyYhmIjB9s3BIIX1xHbnyVir2cv4MB3djJ-it2lW7fYXngq0rkding_yzg4p0/s2048/Tour+image_Investigator_Harlequin.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6E1bNEUOic1Pf5sWhU6EMUyXBp1_-1HQP4Q4942_yNCgf0ZSI73yVqGST5DBoz-DCaBMsFabXOU44LnhyYhmIjB9s3BIIX1xHbnyVir2cv4MB3djJ-it2lW7fYXngq0rkding_yzg4p0/w487-h230/Tour+image_Investigator_Harlequin.png" width="487" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">We're featuring one book from the Harlequin series each day for the rest of the week. Looking for something new to read or to gift to someone this holiday season? Harlequin's got you covered! Join us here Monday through Saturday this week to learn about your next great read!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b>Day 4: His to Defend</b></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E72" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E72" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span id="E73" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E73" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACLcsnRbms6nD12J7TFPh9OGl_xqviuKZDAcPNulvcaqufIEQPghrng0qaYcEhDxJWRfsKBMQjTEqVGfXRozY8polkTY4rfwDh848afpDDR02GTJKgt19jdSz1Ksu8aG2FMVBr5WCwLM/s2048/cover-His+To+Defend_Sharon+C.+Cooper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1294" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACLcsnRbms6nD12J7TFPh9OGl_xqviuKZDAcPNulvcaqufIEQPghrng0qaYcEhDxJWRfsKBMQjTEqVGfXRozY8polkTY4rfwDh848afpDDR02GTJKgt19jdSz1Ksu8aG2FMVBr5WCwLM/w253-h400/cover-His+To+Defend_Sharon+C.+Cooper.jpg" width="253" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E99" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E99" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">HIS TO DEFEND by Sharon C. Cooper (on-sale Dec.28, Harlequin Romantic Suspense): A romantic reunion…threatened by their past. Amina Kelly broke Sergeant Maxwell Layton's heart when she married his best friend. But the detective never forgot her…or the sizzling attraction they never acted on. Years later, while Maxwell and Amina work together to find her ex's killer, Maxwell finds his desire for the nurse stronger than ever. As he puts his life on the line to keep Amina safe, Maxwell realizes that the greatest risk of all might be to his heart. </span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-3" id="E101" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E101" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span id="E104" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E104" style="display: inline; font-family: Calibri; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E105" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E105" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E77" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E77" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span id="E78" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E78" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #303030; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335759566">IndieBound</a> I </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/His-Defend-Sharon-C-Cooper-ebook/dp/B09733MMJV/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2M6XNWPQNBXX0&keywords=his+to+defend+sharon+cooper&qid=1637978039&sprefix=his+to+defend+sha%2Caps%2C292&sr=8-2" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Amazon</a> I <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/his-to-defend-sharon-c-cooper/1139670404?ean=9781335759566" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Barnes & Noble</a> I <a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335759566_his-to-defend.html" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Harlequin.com</a></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E96" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #303030; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt; text-align: center;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E96" style="background-color: #fefefe; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b>Excerpt</b></span></span></p><blockquote><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E68" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E68" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span id="E-12" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-12" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Do you think the break-in is connected to the mug</span><span id="E-13" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-13" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ging?” Amina asked.</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-156" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-156" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-157" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-157" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-131" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-131" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-132" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-132" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maxwell’s eyebrows shot up. If he didn’t know bet</span><span id="E-100" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-100" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ter, he would’ve thought she was a mind reader. Earlier, when he considered the two incidences might’ve been connected, he hadn’t planned to say anything to her just yet. But in case they were, he needed to do some dig</span><span id="E-101" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-101" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ging. What he didn’t want to do was scare her, but he also wanted her to be on alert.</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-218" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-218" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-219" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-219" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-197" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-197" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-198" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-198" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes,” he said honestly. “It’s too much of a coin</span><span id="E-172" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-172" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cidence. I’m even wondering if that botched mugging wasn’t an attempted kidnapping.”</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-268" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-268" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-269" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-269" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-249" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-249" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-250" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-250" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her hand went to her chest. “If you’re trying to scare me, it’s working.”</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-318" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-318" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-319" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-319" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-299" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-299" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-300" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-300" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sweetheart, the last thing I want to do is scare you, but something is going on. Until we figure out what,</span> </p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-355" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-355" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-356" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-356" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-338" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-338" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-339" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-339" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think you should stay here. In the meantime, can you think of anything you have that someone might want? A family heirloom? Gold? Bonds? A limited-edition book? Anything?”</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-418" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-418" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-419" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-419" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-397" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-397" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-398" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-398" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No, nothing like that. I have a pair of diamond ear</span><span id="E-372" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-372" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rings that my parents gave me when I graduated from high school.”</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-468" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-468" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-469" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-469" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-449" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-449" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-450" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-450" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I might be way off with this next question, but I have to ask. Do you have anything of Jeremy’s?”</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-518" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-518" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-519" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-519" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-499" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-499" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-500" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-500" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She frowned. “Not that I can think of—why?”</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-568" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-568" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-569" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-569" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-549" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-549" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-550" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-550" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t know. I might be way off, but I wonder if any of this has to do with his murder?” Maxwell wiped his hands and grabbed his cell phone off the counter. About a half an hour ago, Danny had texted him a still shot of the suspect.</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-616" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-616" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span id="E-617" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-617" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2" id="E97" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E97" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span id="E-584" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-584" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maxwell held up his phone to her. “Do you recog</span><span id="E-585" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-585" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">nize this guy?”</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-666" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-666" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-667" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-667" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-647" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-647" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-648" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-648" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amina stared at the photo for a few minutes. The quality wasn’t great, and much of the man’s face was hard to make out, but she might know him.</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-729" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-729" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-730" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-730" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-708" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-708" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-709" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-709" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She eventually shook her head. “He doesn’t look fa</span><span id="E-683" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-683" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">miliar. Should I know him? Who is he?”</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-779" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-779" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-780" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-780" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-2 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-760" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-760" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-761" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-761" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The suspected killer.”</span></p></blockquote><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt; text-align: center;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E105" style="display: inline; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b>About the Author</b></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E105" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-family: Calibri; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZogrYStti6SusXeHgBMvrWmOYo5kTXxKYVpQf7t0F02g9WGOzSadN4on9hlFbwhxJZrBdwGloAg_5ZGQnGtSKZaN9QZaVJfsP3iI_XIGxBfNlypDr2MwDHZUxndzjyebipUtrq1ZPbEo/s2045/34574_2021-03-28_1934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2045" data-original-width="1315" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZogrYStti6SusXeHgBMvrWmOYo5kTXxKYVpQf7t0F02g9WGOzSadN4on9hlFbwhxJZrBdwGloAg_5ZGQnGtSKZaN9QZaVJfsP3iI_XIGxBfNlypDr2MwDHZUxndzjyebipUtrq1ZPbEo/w129-h200/34574_2021-03-28_1934.jpg" width="129" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Award-winning and USA Today bestselling author, Sharon C. Cooper, loves anything that involves romance with a happily-ever-after, whether in books, movies, or real life. Sharon writes contemporary romance, as well as romantic suspense and enjoys rainy days, carpet picnics, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. She’s been nominated for numerous awards and is the recipient of an Emma Award for Romantic Suspense of the Year 2015 (Truth or Consequences), Emma Award - Interracial Romance of the Year 2015 (All You’ll Ever Need), and BRAB (book club) Award -Breakout Author of the Year 2014. When Sharon is not writing or working, she’s hanging out with her amazing husband, doing volunteer work or reading a good book (a romance of course). To read more about Sharon and her novels, visit </span><a href="http://www.sharoncooper.net/" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #00635d; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">www.sharoncooper.net</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKugtdaM4MKLZaGeDgBpXDCQiUgSDnD0iqJPvrkIUmjKqDj10Y0GadTsE1AEBdzHtFWmhdgVLuZfAA-OB3VzQuWhPppR5z0ow4f795MHPjZ2SZelrE0OAq7UuOTD7EIq6Cdwr0VGNxMs/s970/Intrigue_Banner_970x300+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="970" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKugtdaM4MKLZaGeDgBpXDCQiUgSDnD0iqJPvrkIUmjKqDj10Y0GadTsE1AEBdzHtFWmhdgVLuZfAA-OB3VzQuWhPppR5z0ow4f795MHPjZ2SZelrE0OAq7UuOTD7EIq6Cdwr0VGNxMs/s320/Intrigue_Banner_970x300+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-76439429392350735332021-11-24T09:05:00.000-06:002021-11-24T09:05:00.374-06:00Harlequin Series Investigator Blog Tour - Day 3<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><b>Welcome to the Harlequin Series Investigator Blog Tour!</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6E1bNEUOic1Pf5sWhU6EMUyXBp1_-1HQP4Q4942_yNCgf0ZSI73yVqGST5DBoz-DCaBMsFabXOU44LnhyYhmIjB9s3BIIX1xHbnyVir2cv4MB3djJ-it2lW7fYXngq0rkding_yzg4p0/s2048/Tour+image_Investigator_Harlequin.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6E1bNEUOic1Pf5sWhU6EMUyXBp1_-1HQP4Q4942_yNCgf0ZSI73yVqGST5DBoz-DCaBMsFabXOU44LnhyYhmIjB9s3BIIX1xHbnyVir2cv4MB3djJ-it2lW7fYXngq0rkding_yzg4p0/w487-h230/Tour+image_Investigator_Harlequin.png" width="487" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">We're featuring one book from the Harlequin Intrigue series each day for the rest of the week. Looking for something new to read or to gift to someone this holiday season? Harlequin's got you covered! Join us here Monday through Saturday this week to learn about your next great read!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b>Day 3: UNDERCOVER K-9 COWBOY</b></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E72" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E72" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span id="E73" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E73" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eny-dWw_zU7YeUTXHPsx1EYc7ymRaoDclnkFKklnZkAHHL5wpjx2fklvQAmTBH0wHK3nCS8cSJ5P4lTA4uXgEKmhbYzdykOybpFlq-vDPQNYuMh0o9JtdcpRJcVZMwCk5k_kqNAxPfk/s2048/cover_Undercover+K-9+Cowbow_Addison+Fox.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1294" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eny-dWw_zU7YeUTXHPsx1EYc7ymRaoDclnkFKklnZkAHHL5wpjx2fklvQAmTBH0wHK3nCS8cSJ5P4lTA4uXgEKmhbYzdykOybpFlq-vDPQNYuMh0o9JtdcpRJcVZMwCk5k_kqNAxPfk/w253-h400/cover_Undercover+K-9+Cowbow_Addison+Fox.jpg" width="253" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E77" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E77" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span id="E78" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E78" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #303030; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href=" https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335489357 "><br /></a></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E124" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E124" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span id="E125" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E125" style="display: inline; font-family: Calibri; white-space: pre-wrap;">UNDERCOVER K-9 COWBOY by Addison Fox (on-sale Jan.25, Harlequin Romantic Suspense): A by-the-book Fed goes rogue for justice. To stop the drug epidemic ravaging Midnight Pass, FBI agent Ryder Durant reluctantly takes matters into his own hands. Poised to set a trap at Reynolds Station, he has to contend with Arden Reynolds—who prefers Ryder's K-9 to the Fed protecting her family. As Ryder and Arden spar, embers spring into flame. And those flames are as dangerous as the crime ring lurking too close to home…</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E126" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E126" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E77" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E78" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #303030; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335759597">IndieBound </a> I <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Undercover-Cowboy-Midnight-Pass-Texas-ebook/dp/B099ZYXL8K/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=UNDERCOVER+K-9+COWBOY+by+Addison+Fox&qid=1637001968&qsid=133-7575147-1798556&sr=8-1&sres=B099ZYXL8K%2C1335456260&srpt=ABIS_EBOOKS"> </a></span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Undercover-Cowboy-Midnight-Pass-Texas-ebook/dp/B099ZYXL8K/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=UNDERCOVER+K-9+COWBOY+by+Addison+Fox&qid=1637001968&qsid=133-7575147-1798556&sr=8-1&sres=B099ZYXL8K%2C1335456260&srpt=ABIS_EBOOKS"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Amazon</span> </a> I <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/undercover-k-9-cowboy-addison-fox/1139886440?ean=9781335759597" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Barnes & Noble</a> I <a href="http://harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335759597_undercover-k-9-cowboy.html" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Harlequin.com</a></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E96" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #303030; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt; text-align: center;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E96" style="background-color: #fefefe; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b>Excerpt</b></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt; text-align: center;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E105" style="display: inline; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman" id="E75" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E75" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 18.5pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></p><blockquote><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman" id="E75" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E75" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 18.5pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Y</span><span class="qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman" id="E76" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E76" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 10.5pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">ou want answers?”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I do.” Arden said.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Then I want a few of my own first.”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although she didn’t say anything, anticipation lit her blue eyes. It surprised him how that struck somewhere low in his gut. Like he was enjoying getting a reaction—any reaction—from her.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You don’t like me very much, and I’d like to know why.”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That small light winked out, fading away as if it had never been. “I have nothing against you.”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E88" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman" id="E88" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E88" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’d say you do. You have since the first time we met.” Ryder tilted his head toward the wide-open window be</span><span class="qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman" id="E89" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E89" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">side them.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E89" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E89" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Right out there on Main Street.”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E92" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 10.5pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span id="E92" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E92" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 10.5pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">He remembered the moment well. It had been a pretty fall day and he’d tied Murphy up outside the coffee shop to bask in the sun for a few minutes while he ran in to</span><span id="E93" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E93" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 10.5pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span id="E94" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E94" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 10.5pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">snag a quick cup. The night before, he’d run his first op since coming to Midnight Pass and was pretty much subsisting on fumes. He’d come back out to find Arden, expectantly waiting for him, full of barely veiled insult and clear irritation that he’d left his dog outside.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I wasn’t aware that Murphy was a working dog that day. I may have been a bit terse.”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“And the other night? At your place?”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I—” She stopped, clearly considering her words. He was surprised to find that he had the patience to wait for whatever it was she had to say. “I don’t appreciate cocky arrogance.”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E102" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman" id="E102" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E102" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You live on a ranch full of testosterone-fueled cow</span><span class="qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman" id="E103" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E103" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">boys. And in a town full of the same. Surely you come up against a bit of cocky banter now and again?”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That’s an excuse for it?”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It’s a fact. I’d have thought you’d be used to it by now.”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It doesn’t mean I have to like it.” Her tone was prim and her already strong, fit posture stiffened a few more degrees north.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E112" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman" id="E112" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E112" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ryder was good at his job because he knew how to read people. It was also what made him a good K-9 han</span><span class="qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman" id="E113" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E113" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">dler. He paid attention and he read situations before re</span><span class="qowt-font2-TimesNewRoman" id="E115" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E115" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">acting. And every instinct he possessed read this one as arising from something that had specifically happened to her.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: italic; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; font-style: italic; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With someone who had hurt her.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Someone, Ryder suspected, who had been cocky and arrogant and likely unkind to her.</span></span></p></blockquote><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-4" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #221e1f; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt; text-align: center;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E105" style="display: inline; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt; text-align: center;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E105" style="display: inline; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt; text-align: center;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E105" style="display: inline; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b>About the Author</b></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E105" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-family: Calibri; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQ6SjtghNsN1y85dYNm6fFhJ2-VGSMD6NzMEiRT4VJS9Zz0CnLy0pcU1yjPHCLvzVtLHortnUUa4-jAESJiViuet7w4X1YTD8IMXkX_cbznktFGmBupjCct3ILdL61CJQVaXBIh6TnJI/s300/addison-fox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="240" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQ6SjtghNsN1y85dYNm6fFhJ2-VGSMD6NzMEiRT4VJS9Zz0CnLy0pcU1yjPHCLvzVtLHortnUUa4-jAESJiViuet7w4X1YTD8IMXkX_cbznktFGmBupjCct3ILdL61CJQVaXBIh6TnJI/w160-h200/addison-fox.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif" id="E127" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E127" style="color: black; display: inline; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">About ADDISON FOX: </span><span face="Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif" id="E128" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E128" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: black; display: inline; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">Addison Fox is a lifelong romance reader, addicted to happy-ever-afters. She loves writing about romance as much as reading it. Addison lives in New York with an apartment full of books, a laptop that’s rarely out of sight and a wily beagle who keeps her running. You can find her at www.addisonfox.com, facebook.com/addisonfoxauthor or on Twitter (@addisonfox).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E128" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: black; display: inline; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKugtdaM4MKLZaGeDgBpXDCQiUgSDnD0iqJPvrkIUmjKqDj10Y0GadTsE1AEBdzHtFWmhdgVLuZfAA-OB3VzQuWhPppR5z0ow4f795MHPjZ2SZelrE0OAq7UuOTD7EIq6Cdwr0VGNxMs/s970/Intrigue_Banner_970x300+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="970" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKugtdaM4MKLZaGeDgBpXDCQiUgSDnD0iqJPvrkIUmjKqDj10Y0GadTsE1AEBdzHtFWmhdgVLuZfAA-OB3VzQuWhPppR5z0ow4f795MHPjZ2SZelrE0OAq7UuOTD7EIq6Cdwr0VGNxMs/s320/Intrigue_Banner_970x300+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-35296474554633592002021-11-23T00:30:00.008-06:002021-11-26T19:40:00.381-06:00Harlequin Series Investigator Blog Tour - Day 2<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><b>Welcome to the Harlequin Series Investigator Blog Tour!</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6E1bNEUOic1Pf5sWhU6EMUyXBp1_-1HQP4Q4942_yNCgf0ZSI73yVqGST5DBoz-DCaBMsFabXOU44LnhyYhmIjB9s3BIIX1xHbnyVir2cv4MB3djJ-it2lW7fYXngq0rkding_yzg4p0/s2048/Tour+image_Investigator_Harlequin.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6E1bNEUOic1Pf5sWhU6EMUyXBp1_-1HQP4Q4942_yNCgf0ZSI73yVqGST5DBoz-DCaBMsFabXOU44LnhyYhmIjB9s3BIIX1xHbnyVir2cv4MB3djJ-it2lW7fYXngq0rkding_yzg4p0/w487-h230/Tour+image_Investigator_Harlequin.png" width="487" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">We're featuring one book from the Harlequin Intrigue series each day for the rest of the week. Looking for something new to read or to gift to someone this holiday season? Harlequin's got you covered! Join us here Monday through Saturday this week to learn about your next great read!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b>Day 2: AN OPERATIVE'S LAST STAND</b></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E72" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E72" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span id="E73" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E73" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPFtrX09XnCaJTEIx9p0PB2asAg5k0Q_Z_YMtek7Ruaxk6bA3lCLVSG1eVRd4jb1Pgo6JbbOnDU22XsZoxka0pzNzalULJZeZNzvV3t6X7xbiieW8v3L7WKSbiL9AdAKfTJKE9i_p15g/s2048/cover_An+Operative%2527s+Last+Stand_Juno+Rushdan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1294" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPFtrX09XnCaJTEIx9p0PB2asAg5k0Q_Z_YMtek7Ruaxk6bA3lCLVSG1eVRd4jb1Pgo6JbbOnDU22XsZoxka0pzNzalULJZeZNzvV3t6X7xbiieW8v3L7WKSbiL9AdAKfTJKE9i_p15g/w253-h400/cover_An+Operative%2527s+Last+Stand_Juno+Rushdan.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E99" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E99" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span id="E100" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E100" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AN OPERATIVE'S LAST STAND by Juno Rushdan (on-sale Jan.25, Harlequin Intrigue): A kill squad is closing in…now this team leader must risk everything for answers. Barely escaping CIA mercenaries, ex-agent Hunter Wright is after the person he thinks targeted his ops team, Topaz, for treason. Deputy director Kelly Russell is still the one woman he can't resist, but she believes Hunter went rogue. Now she's his only shot at getting the answers they need. Can they trust each other enough to save Topaz—and each other?</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-3" id="E101" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E101" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span id="E104" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E104" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E105" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E105" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><br /></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E77" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E77" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span id="E78" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E78" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #303030; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335489401">IndieBound</a> I </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Operatives-Last-Stand-Fugitive-Heroes-ebook/dp/B09B2GS9TK/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=AN+OPERATIVE%27S+LAST+STAND+by+Juno+Rushdan&qid=1637001865&qsid=133-7575147-1798556&sr=8-1&sres=B09B2GS9TK&srpt=ABIS_EBOOKS" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Amazon</a> I <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-operatives-last-stand-juno-rushdan/1139891345?ean=9781335489401" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Barnes & Noble</a> I <a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335489401_an-operatives-last-stand.html" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Harlequin.com</a></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E96" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #303030; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt; text-align: center;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E96" style="background-color: #fefefe; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b>Excerpt</b></span></span></p><blockquote><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E76" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E76" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span id="E-10" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-10" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She looked up at him and smiled, her eyes a deep co</span><span id="E-11" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-11" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">balt blue, dark fire-red hair, her skin pale and creamy, those angular features, her full pink mouth, the effort</span><span id="E-12" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-12" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">less sensuality. It all hit him like a gut punch. God, she was breathtaking.</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-133" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-133" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-134" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-134" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-112" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-112" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-113" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-113" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“A drink? No.” Amusement rang in her voice, and something inside him sank.</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-216" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-216" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-217" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-217" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-195" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-195" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-196" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-196" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“All right,” he said nonchalantly. He forced a smile, swallowing his disappointment, and stepped across the hall. Of course. Some things weren’t meant to be. This was for the best anyway. Everything came at a price. To be with Kelly Russell might cost him his soul. “I’ll let you get some sleep. It’s been a long week, and we’ve got an early flight.”</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-292" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-292" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-293" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-293" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-270" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-270" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-271" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-271" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Hunter,” she said, and he glanced back at her. “Who said anything about sleeping? I </span><span id="E-232" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-232" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">am </span><span id="E-233" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-233" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">interested in the euphemism behind your offer of a nightcap.” Another smile, this time flirty, sexy. Full of promise. “And to answer the second part to your question, my room.”</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-356" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-356" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-357" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-357" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-336" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-336" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-337" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-337" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every muscle in his body tightened with need, mak</span><span id="E-309" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-309" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ing it difficult for him to think of anything else, least of all playing it cool.</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-416" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-416" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-417" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-417" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-399" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-399" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-400" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-400" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We need to establish the rules of engagement first,” she said.</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-466" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-466" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-467" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-467" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-447" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-447" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-448" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-448" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All business. Always in control. Even now. For some inexplicable reason, it only added to her allure.</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-516" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-516" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-517" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-517" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-497" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-497" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-498" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-498" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He strolled back across the hall. “I’m listening.”</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-568" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-568" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-569" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-569" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-549" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-549" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-550" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-550" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This has to be a one-night-only situation. It can never happen again.”</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-617" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-617" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-618" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-618" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-600" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-600" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-601" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-601" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He reached out and tucked a fiery strand that had escaped her twist behind her ear. Her skin was warm and soft, with a perfect porcelain texture. “My mother always told me, never say never.”</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-667" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-667" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-668" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-668" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-648" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-648" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-649" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-649" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m serious, Hunter.” She slipped her key card in the slot, unlocked the door and opened it. “One night to assuage our mutual curiosity.”</span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-730" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-730" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-731" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-731" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0 x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E-709" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E-709" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Carlito, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0pt;"><span formattedrun="true" id="E-710" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-710" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Curiosity. Chemistry. Semantics. “If we enjoy our</span><span id="E-684" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E-684" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">selves, why only one night?”</span></p></blockquote><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E105" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt; text-align: center;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E105" style="display: inline; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b>About the Author</b></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E105" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcDAF_UuwK6J5XRDSkLeVzIxUY0OBCK4-4_PMEDVnnh_FYk1Wx-5WR_zjNkCBHFG5LIX9JtsgO7dz08WPHcment28D97jr8TZCe9IrqB-E2MK310eJvoRpl4Bpah4ShyphenhypheniSGBxROPIoTo/s521/Juno+Rushdan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="521" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcDAF_UuwK6J5XRDSkLeVzIxUY0OBCK4-4_PMEDVnnh_FYk1Wx-5WR_zjNkCBHFG5LIX9JtsgO7dz08WPHcment28D97jr8TZCe9IrqB-E2MK310eJvoRpl4Bpah4ShyphenhypheniSGBxROPIoTo/w200-h150/Juno+Rushdan.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="freeTextauthor18215357" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Juno Rushdan is a veteran US Air Force intelligence officer and the award-winning author of romantic thrillers. Her books are action-packed, nail-biting page-turners with twists you won’t see coming. Critics from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, BookPage and Library Journal have called her work “heart-pounding James Bond-ian adventure”, “fast-paced”, “gripping”, “a thrill ride” that “will captivate lovers of romantic thrillers.” She is married to her own military hero and is privileged to have two rambunctious kids and a spoiled rescue dog. For a FREE book from Juno: <a href="http://bit.ly/JunoFREE" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #00635d; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/JunoFREE</a>. Be sure to follow her on BookBub for the latest on </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"> sales: <a href="http://bit.ly/BookBubJuno" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #00635d; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">bit.ly/BookBubJuno</a>.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKugtdaM4MKLZaGeDgBpXDCQiUgSDnD0iqJPvrkIUmjKqDj10Y0GadTsE1AEBdzHtFWmhdgVLuZfAA-OB3VzQuWhPppR5z0ow4f795MHPjZ2SZelrE0OAq7UuOTD7EIq6Cdwr0VGNxMs/s970/Intrigue_Banner_970x300+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="970" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKugtdaM4MKLZaGeDgBpXDCQiUgSDnD0iqJPvrkIUmjKqDj10Y0GadTsE1AEBdzHtFWmhdgVLuZfAA-OB3VzQuWhPppR5z0ow4f795MHPjZ2SZelrE0OAq7UuOTD7EIq6Cdwr0VGNxMs/s320/Intrigue_Banner_970x300+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-84505538720955325912021-11-22T00:30:00.125-06:002021-11-26T18:25:06.887-06:00Harlequin Series Investigator Blog Tour - Day 1 <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><b>Welcome to the Harlequin Series Investigator Blog Tour!</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6E1bNEUOic1Pf5sWhU6EMUyXBp1_-1HQP4Q4942_yNCgf0ZSI73yVqGST5DBoz-DCaBMsFabXOU44LnhyYhmIjB9s3BIIX1xHbnyVir2cv4MB3djJ-it2lW7fYXngq0rkding_yzg4p0/s2048/Tour+image_Investigator_Harlequin.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6E1bNEUOic1Pf5sWhU6EMUyXBp1_-1HQP4Q4942_yNCgf0ZSI73yVqGST5DBoz-DCaBMsFabXOU44LnhyYhmIjB9s3BIIX1xHbnyVir2cv4MB3djJ-it2lW7fYXngq0rkding_yzg4p0/w487-h230/Tour+image_Investigator_Harlequin.png" width="487" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">We will be featuring one book from the Harlequin Intrigue series each day for the next 6 days. Looking for something new to read or to gift to someone this holiday season? Harlequin's got you covered! Join us here Monday through Saturday this week to learn about your next great read!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b>Day 1: LITTLE GIRL GONE</b></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-0" id="E72" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E72" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span id="E73" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E73" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EvcZKeZA3_UsRPl9iUNr8D2pEXQVxCW2yRK8Yop-rZq4Dv-0SzcKhtT_x86uzjJ0j_6rM7Hd3pxQhmFJJkXkXA4O8qz1n7xty4dW6Yt-J8pWHFZJ2HrBd7PG3qjJCnrfuP8N3OKNM_o/s2048/cover_Little+Girl+Gone_Amanda+Stevens.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1294" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EvcZKeZA3_UsRPl9iUNr8D2pEXQVxCW2yRK8Yop-rZq4Dv-0SzcKhtT_x86uzjJ0j_6rM7Hd3pxQhmFJJkXkXA4O8qz1n7xty4dW6Yt-J8pWHFZJ2HrBd7PG3qjJCnrfuP8N3OKNM_o/w253-h400/cover_Little+Girl+Gone_Amanda+Stevens.jpg" width="253" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /><span style="color: #741b47;">LITTLE GIRL GONE by Amanda Stevens (on-sale Dec.28, Harlequin Intrigue): Nothing matters more to her when a child's life is at stake. Special agent Thea Lamb returns to her hometown to search for a child whose disappearance echoes a twenty-eight-year-old cold case—her twin sister's abduction. Working with her former partner, Jake Stillwell, Thea must overcome the pain, doubt and guilt that have tormented her for years and denied her a meaningful relationship. For both Thea and Jake, the job always came first…until now. </span></span><p></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E74" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E74" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><br /></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E77" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E77" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span id="E78" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E78" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #303030; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href=" https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335489357 ">IndieBound</a> I </span><a href=" https://www.amazon.com/Little-Girl-Procedural-Crime-Story-ebook/dp/B09798Q8BQ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=LITTLE+GIRL+GONE+by+Amanda+Stevens&qid=1637001796&qsid=133-7575147-1798556&sr=8-1&sres=B09798Q8BQ%2CB003KVL35W%2C1250209765%2C1250132363%2C1250153964&srpt=ABIS_EBOOKS " style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Amazon</a> I <a href=" https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/little-girl-gone-amanda-stevens/1139689805?ean=9781335489357 " style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Barnes & Noble</a> I <a href="http://Harlequin.com" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Harlequin.com</a></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E96" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #303030; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt; text-align: center;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E96" style="background-color: #fefefe; display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b>Excerpt</b></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="color: #221e1f; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></p><blockquote><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="color: #221e1f; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“While I was trying to fish the doll out of the pool, someone came from behind and hit me over the head hard enough to daze me. Next thing I know, I’m caught in a whirlpool several feet below the surface. I lost my flashlight, so I was spun around underwater in complete darkness. No up, no down.” He paused. “For a while there, I wasn’t sure how I’d get out.”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span id="E78" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E78" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thea watched his expression as he spoke. He still seemed shaken from the experience. She’d never seen him like that. “I knew something bad must have hap</span><span id="E79" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E79" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">pened.”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" id="E82" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E82" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">He summoned a brief smile. “I know what you’re</span><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" id="E83" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E83" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span class="qowt-font1-Calibri" id="E84" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E84" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">thinking. I even thought so myself at the time. So much for my keen instincts. Someone came up behind me and I never sensed a thing.”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="color: #221e1f; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That’s not what I’m thinking.”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="color: #221e1f; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No?”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="color: #221e1f; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m thinking you could have died down there and I would never have known what happened to you.”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="color: #221e1f; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Thea.” He said her name so softly she might have thought the tender missive was nothing more than a breeze sighing through the treetops.</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span id="E94" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E94" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The sun bearing down on them was hot and relent</span><span id="E95" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E95" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">less, but Thea felt a little shiver go through her. It hit her anew how much she’d missed that tender glint in his eyes as their gazes locked. How much she’d missed his husky whispers in the dark. The glide of his hand along her bare skin, the tease of his lips and tongue against her mouth. The way he had held her afterward, as if he never wanted to let her go. But he had let her go and she’d done nothing to stop him. </span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="color: #221e1f; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She drew a shaky breath. “Don’t ever do that to me again.”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="color: #221e1f; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Get caught in a whirlpool? I’ll do my best.”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="color: #221e1f; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She scowled at him. “Don’t make light. You know what I mean.”</span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span id="E104" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E104" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m fine, Thea.” He seemed on the verge of saying something else, but he held back. Maybe he thought she wanted his restraint. She did, didn’t she? They were in a precarious situation. Adrenaline and attraction could be a dangerous combination. Throw in unresolved is</span><span id="E105" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E105" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">sues and they were asking for trouble.</span></span></p></blockquote><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span id="E105" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E105" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E105" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt; text-align: center;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E105" style="display: inline; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><b>About the Author</b></span></span></p><p class="x-scope qowt-word-para-1" id="E92" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E92" qowt-entry="undefined" qowt-lvl="undefined" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.295; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8pt;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E105" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E105" style="color: #221e1f; display: inline; text-align: justify; text-indent: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZQt9v6sxi6AYH8Y009ap3qfnDGzuGd61beXgY6w3KmEw4MvU6yRQBbbOR6BwlHrPqEM-w5Gpbi54awByFeT7r2zvJU2vIS0p6ypDRE0aH-ggrxjOzjE2q7fYepzLTHt4a4DJJ5POW1A/s266/Amanda+Stevens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="177" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZQt9v6sxi6AYH8Y009ap3qfnDGzuGd61beXgY6w3KmEw4MvU6yRQBbbOR6BwlHrPqEM-w5Gpbi54awByFeT7r2zvJU2vIS0p6ypDRE0aH-ggrxjOzjE2q7fYepzLTHt4a4DJJ5POW1A/s0/Amanda+Stevens.jpg" width="177" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span id="E76" is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E76" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #303030; display: inline; font-family: Calibri; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amanda Stevens is an award-winning author of over fifty novels. Born and raised in the rural south, she now resides in Houston, Texas.</span></p><p><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E76" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #303030; display: inline; font-family: Calibri; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWGersiPjf-sHJDZmuQb-UsA5cj5kq2CwTaLqq270yasDhS18azwN_ydAX2u_sd0LyR81E0q5ZPxabDQsVK7L8FMkXX2Sn2gkIyHJWrslpdnF5lu4CfEmqgdO74qULmRU6-o3J2g3Zc4/s970/Intrigue_Banner_970x300+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="970" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWGersiPjf-sHJDZmuQb-UsA5cj5kq2CwTaLqq270yasDhS18azwN_ydAX2u_sd0LyR81E0q5ZPxabDQsVK7L8FMkXX2Sn2gkIyHJWrslpdnF5lu4CfEmqgdO74qULmRU6-o3J2g3Zc4/s320/Intrigue_Banner_970x300+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span is="qowt-word-run" qowt-eid="E76" style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #303030; display: inline; font-family: Calibri; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-27381333690725590012021-11-17T12:52:00.001-06:002021-11-17T12:52:37.137-06:00The Nobleman's Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks (Montague Siblings #3) by Mackenzi Lee<p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><b>* * * *</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxVCn76RRzaM4bkGm13S1c-CINHJy67NsSrW_JHFazWGhvSbgTPuatRjTPGXGqo0Xs9jZrBbnuw_J0PaqVqyziE809BHuwM7dQlrqJK_5SeUsZHOyCNseUkvMEeuB9Nw3MiA9yqiWloE/s475/The+Nobleman%2527s+Guide+to+Scandal+and+Shipwrecks.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="313" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxVCn76RRzaM4bkGm13S1c-CINHJy67NsSrW_JHFazWGhvSbgTPuatRjTPGXGqo0Xs9jZrBbnuw_J0PaqVqyziE809BHuwM7dQlrqJK_5SeUsZHOyCNseUkvMEeuB9Nw3MiA9yqiWloE/w264-h400/The+Nobleman%2527s+Guide+to+Scandal+and+Shipwrecks.jpg" width="264" /></a></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-family: Calibri;"><p>Adrian Montague has a bright future. The sole heir to his father's estate, he is an up and coming political writer and engaged to an activist who challenges and inspires him. But most young Lords aren't battling the debilitating anxiety Adrian secretly lives with, or the growing fear that it might consume him and all he hopes to accomplish. In the wake of his mother's unexpected death, Adrian is also concerned people will find out that he has the mental illness she struggled with for years.</p></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Calibri;"><span id="freeText17244954890756009237" style="background-color: white;">When a newly found keepsake of hers-a piece of a broken spyglass-comes into Adrian's possession, he's thrust into the past and finds himself face to face with an older brother he never knew he had. Henry "Monty" Montague has been living quietly in London for years, and his sudden appearance sends Adrian on a quest to unravel family secrets that only the spyglass can answer.<br /><br />In pursuit of answers about the relic, the brothers chart a course to locate their sister Felicity. But as they travel between the pirate courts of Rabat, Portuguese islands, the canals of Amsterdam, and into unknown Artic waters, the Montague siblings are thrown into one final adventure as they face a ghostly legend that threatens their whole family.<br /><br /><b>Return to the enchanting world of the Montague siblings in the finale to the New York Times bestselling and Stonewall Honor-winning series, featuring a teenage Adrian Montague as he desperately seeks the now adult Monty and Felicity-the older siblings he never knew he had.</b></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></p><p><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia;"><i><b>Source:</b> NetGalley; ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review</i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">There was no shortage of excitement when I found out I was approved for the arc of this book. The Henry "Monty" Montague and Felicity Montague are probably my favorite fictional siblings because their humor and dry wit speak to my soul. I'm so glad Lee takes us back to introduce us to the youngest Montague, Adrian whom the siblings left behind when they left to seek adventure and carve their own paths.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;">The instant we meet Adrian we learn he's unlike his older siblings. He suffers from anxiety and OCD and has a difficult time with things that most of us would assume are mundane. His spitfire of a fiance, Louisa not only loves Adrian to pieces but also knows how to help him through his challenging moments. He's an aspiring social justice warrior, writing articles anonymously to draw attention to the plight of workers, much to his father's chagrin. After his father gives him a box of his deceased mother's belongings, Adrian becomes curious about one item in particular - a broken spyglass. For some reason, he feels that this spyglass is the key to finding out why she was "sad" and why she died. His curiosity leads him to finding Monty. He didn't even know he had an older sibling, much less two. Explaining his thought process and suspicions about their mother to Monty, Monty agrees to accompany him to Portugal to learn more about the shipwreck that his mother had been involved in. Obviously, this means a detour to find Felicity is in order. Adrian, who's never ventured far and who isn't exactly made of X Games material is thrust into a whole new world of pirates, espionage and family secrets. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;">I enjoyed this high flying adventure! Monty is always a blast and I was so happy to experience his special brand of Monty-ness again! He is all melodrama and jokes whereas Felicity is quietly effective and biting. Poor Adrian, his entire world thrown upside down and these two non-conforming people to lead him through it. Aside from the thrill and danger of their epic travels, Adrian's story is about his own self-discovery. His concerns that he might suffer from the same ailment that plagued his mother is constantly weighing on him. Monty and Felicity recognize that Adrian is different and do tend to tread lightly around him when the moment calls for it. I so appreciated that they never sought to tell him to get over it. They simply tried to gently lead him to clarity or ride through the wave with him. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;">Lee says in her notes that <i>NGSS</i> centers heavily around mental health issues and that she pulled from her own her own experiences to tell Adrian's story, and that while they might resonate with some, they do not speak for all. She goes on to explain from a historical context how anxiety and depression were labelled, diagnosed and treated within the constraints of the medical knowledge of the time. As always, the historical details are what bring me to Lee's novels and this time the Montague siblings are embroiled in the myth of The Flying Dutchman - the legendary ghost ship. I had heard of The Flying Dutchman but was not familiar with much else about it. Adrian's desperation to find it spurs the adventure into dangerous waters and life-threatening situations, all so he can understand the mystery that is his mother and what changed her years ago. In understanding what happened to her, he hopes it will help explain why he is the way he is, and possibly avoid the same fate as her.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;">I love this series for its adventuresome fun, intrigue and let's face it, whenever Monty is involved, shenanigans. Never a dull moment is had when he's around, though with this family reunion, Monty does revisit his unhappy childhood and tries to come to peace with where he's at in his life. He's happy with his love, Percy but still feels unworthy thanks to many years of toxic treatment at his father's hand. So while the overall tone of <i>The Nobleman's Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks</i> is that of breathtaking exploits, there is some gravitas to it, as well. I think Lee handles it very well and I'm sad that the series is now over, but I am oh so grateful for the ride along!</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>~ Bel</i></b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Content Warning/Trigger Warning:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white;">- anxiety, OCD, (on page; Adrian throughout the story), depression (memory; the siblings' mother), suicide (inferred; the siblings' mother), physical abuse (memory; Monty's memory of what his father did to him)</span></span></p><p><br /></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-43066288816454990582021-10-25T07:20:00.007-05:002021-10-25T07:47:57.989-05:00Grave Reservations by Cherie Priest<p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><b>* * * *</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbgH-CpVawFXqHSoMaQQ37J7mTSX2J0_BZVfe9gLQejKq2oLBz7UocfupcI90KkEmaPAYwFLGJ0igs0wPHowxVDWx1kMfwFW5L6p5tkb54ob9JNXxKKrgD2YQIVlWdAXUIGoVaGSzmP4/s475/Grave+Reservations.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbgH-CpVawFXqHSoMaQQ37J7mTSX2J0_BZVfe9gLQejKq2oLBz7UocfupcI90KkEmaPAYwFLGJ0igs0wPHowxVDWx1kMfwFW5L6p5tkb54ob9JNXxKKrgD2YQIVlWdAXUIGoVaGSzmP4/w266-h400/Grave+Reservations.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div><b style="font-family: Calibri;"><p style="color: #181818;"><b style="color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></b></p><span style="color: #351c75;">A psychic travel agent and a Seattle PD detective solve a murder in this quirky mystery in the vein of Lisa Lutz’s The Spellman Files and Charlaine Harris’s Aurora Teagarden series.</span></b><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span id="freeText4000097475327216643" style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><br />Meet Leda Foley: devoted friend, struggling travel agent, and inconsistent psychic. When Leda, sole proprietor of Foley's Flights of Fancy, impulsively re-books Seattle PD detective Grady Merritt’s flight, her life changes in ways she couldn’t have predicted.<br /><br />After watching his original plane blow up from the safety of the airport, Grady realizes that Leda’s special abilities could help him with a cold case he just can’t crack.<br /><br />Despite her scattershot premonitions, she agrees for a secret reason: her fiancé’s murder remains unsolved. Leda’s psychic abilities couldn’t help the case several years before, but she’s been honing her skills and drawing a crowd at her favorite bar’s open-mic nights, where she performs Klairvoyant Karaoke—singing whatever song comes to mind when she holds people’s personal effects. Now joined by a rag-tag group of bar patrons and pals alike, Leda and Grady set out to catch a killer—and learn how the two cases that haunt them have more in common than they ever suspected.</span></span></p><p><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia;"><i>* Source: NetGalley; ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review</i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">A psychic travel agent and a detective teaming up to solve a murder is the pairing I didn't know I needed! I guess it might be weird to say a mystery is adorable but this one was. Along with being suspenseful it was also funny and tender in the right moments.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Leda and Grady meet through unusual circumstances. He hires to arrange his flights but when she reschedules his return flight hoe, he's annoyed. Leda, who's "clairsentient" as she terms it herself, can't exactly explain to him why she's insistent on him skipping this particular flight to wait for the next one. from certain death when she reschedules his flight. It's only when he realizes the certain death she saved him from that he wonders how on earth she did it so he decides to pay her a little visit. After she reveals her little secret - that she's sort of psychic - Grady has an idea. He wants to hire her to help him solve a murder that's been a thorn in his side. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;">It's an unorthodox approach and he'd probably be ripped for it back at his station if anyone caught wind about it, but he's desperate.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"> He's baffled by certain details of the case and after hitting so many dead ends, Leda's gift could provide a breakthrough. Leda's a whole lot of hesitant about this as she's still learning about her gift but agrees to assist. A little extra cash wouldn't hurt as she tries to get her travel agency business going. It's in the midst of working together that Leda makes the unexpected discovery that Grady may have a connection to her own mystery - the murder of her </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;">fiancé a few years back. How the two cases are connected is elusive to her, and as alarming as it is, and as much as she's not sure how trustworthy Grady is, she's sure of at least one thing: that she must see this through and Grady is essential to that.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;">Though it's a mystery, there's a level of lightheartedness that I enjoyed. Leda is quirky, to say the least. Her best friend, Niki sometimes has to push her. Mind you, I tend to be quite judgmental about best friend characters in stories because I feel that a lot of the times they're written to be so over the top that they overshadow the main character. In Niki's case, she has that tendency that but I never thought she overwhelmed Leda when they were in scenes together. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;">Leda has a unique way to hone her gift. Her clairvoyant karaoke schtick might seem gimmicky but she's somehow able to tap into people's emotions and convey messages through song. She may not understand why a particular song comes to her but she's willing to be the conduit. Those were sweet moments with the added touch that I also found new meaning in certain songs. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;">A good mystery can be so satisfying. <i>Grave Reservations</i> is witty and enjoyable and I especially love when unlikely partnerships occur. Leda's innocent nature and big, soft heart strike a nice counterbalance to Grady's many years of detective work that's probably made him a little tired and jaded. I appreciated that he never condescended to her. He might've been a bit exasperated by her and Niki's goofiness and tendency to not listen very well at times, but he always treated her respectfully. Knowing firsthand that Leda's the real deal probably helps, too. I liked this curious, engaging mystery and definitely recommend <i>Grave Reservations</i>. I also wouldn't mind another one featuring Leda and Grady. It'd be fun to see how her gift continues to grow.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>~ Bel</i></b></span></p><p><br /></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232652370083164749.post-9924555721062352322021-09-20T07:00:00.001-05:002021-09-20T07:00:00.304-05:00The Heron's Cry (Two Rivers #2) by Ann Cleeves<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>* * * *</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Os9vmVFUu7_KfVMARBuRQtE7ZAOVcvF8wnLvbeFA_iiWaJFt6_T0LWja63FVK87ktF_30JtK_bU10-OMcM1Lr3sJcZP5GuIChrSon1O2IOvx1VHCIVGMa-rtdjRVktO5X13N3Lbs1Ug/s400/The+Heron%2527s+Cry.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="263" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Os9vmVFUu7_KfVMARBuRQtE7ZAOVcvF8wnLvbeFA_iiWaJFt6_T0LWja63FVK87ktF_30JtK_bU10-OMcM1Lr3sJcZP5GuIChrSon1O2IOvx1VHCIVGMa-rtdjRVktO5X13N3Lbs1Ug/w263-h400/The+Heron%2527s+Cry.jpg" width="263" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Calibri;"><span id="freeText7251021489743227470" style="background-color: white;"><b> Cleeves--<i>New York Times</i> bestselling and award-winning author of the Vera and Shetland series, both of which are hit TV shows--returns with the extraordinary follow-up to <i>The Long Call</i>, in the Two Rivers series, soon to be a major TV series too.</b><br /><br /><br />North Devon is enjoying a rare hot summer with tourists flocking to its coastline. Detective Matthew Venn is called out to a rural crime scene at the home of a group of artists. What he finds is an elaborately staged murder--Dr Nigel Yeo has been fatally stabbed with a shard of one of his glassblower daughter's broken vases.<br /><br />Dr Yeo seems an unlikely murder victim. He's a good man, a public servant, beloved by his daughter. Matthew is unnerved, though, to find that she is a close friend of Jonathan, his husband.<br /><br />Then another body is found--killed in a similar way. Matthew soon finds himself treading carefully through the lies that fester at the heart of his community and a case that is dangerously close to home.<br /><br />DI Matthew Venn returns in <i>The Heron's Cry</i>, in Ann Cleeves powerful next novel, proving once again that she is a master of her craft.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><b>Source:</b> NetGalley; ARC kindly provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review</i></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You know, when I read <i><a href="https://bibliojunkies.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-long-call-two-rivers-1-by-ann.html">The Long Call</a></i> last year, I thought it was good and I liked DI Venn. It surprised me how often I'd think back to the story and in particular, DI Venn. I was drawn to his calmness, his ability to be still in the midst of chaos as he quietly turned things over in his mind while also managing detectives under him whose personalities differed from him. It's a quality I so wish I could master. <i>The Heron's Cry</i> was obviously going to land on my TBR pile. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think the greatest thrill about any Ann Cleeves novel is that she's able to pack in so much story. She seamlessly moves from character to character, inviting the reader into their private thoughts and drops all sorts of insightful, curious notes. I like her way of storytelling because whether or not those details are pertinent to the main mystery at hand, they're excellent for understanding the various personalities that populate the village or community the story is set in. With regards to DI Venn, she strikes a perfect balance between his professional and personal sides which he himself tries to keep as separate as possible. While he's often deliberate in his intentions and carries himself in a disciplined manner, Cleeves shows us his tender qualities, which are drawn out whenever he's around his husband, Jonathan. They're not showy displays of affection but simply more honest, more vulnerable interactions where Venn feels safest and allows for a more emotional connection. The first book in the series examined his strict religious upbringing and his continued struggle to make peace with it. <i>The Heron's Call </i>continues that line and also brings Venn closer to possibly reconciling with his religious mother. If not that, at least understanding her better.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In <i>The Heron's Call</i>, the victim, Dr. Yeo is an admired member of the community. Not only is he personally known to one of the detectives on Venn's team, a few of the suspects are as well. And some of them are even high profile. The personal and professional sides clash a bit amongst the detectives which for sure make conducting the investigation trickier. Dr. Yeo was working for an organization that advocates for patient rights and his latest casework involved the deaths of patients who had been suffering from depression. (As this is a sensitive subject and the investigation uncovers some troubling details I will leave a few content/trigger warnings at the end of this review.) </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I would say my only disappointment with <i>The Heron's Cry </i>was that I figured out the whodunnit a few chapters before the big reveal. It's weird because most often when I read mysteries, I like to try to guess at it and I'm generally wrong which is a good thing for me because I'd rather that twist or surprise, but in this case I wanted that question to carry me through the end. It didn't take away from Cleeve's marvelous writing or the suspense of the story, however, so I still say this reading experience is a win. Cleeve's writes the kind of mystery that I crave - thrilling, compassionate, deeply emotional and thoughtful. Fans of small village British mysteries will take to this one as well!</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i>~ Bel</i></b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri;"><b>Content Warning</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> - depression; death of one of the previous patients by suicide; mention of online suicide chat forum; a separate group within that suicide forum that encourages taking action towards suicide</span></span></p>bibliojunkieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526109919132819157noreply@blogger.com0