Gwen Forrester, Ph.D., 32, gifted psychotherapist and beautiful widow, is stuck in a rut, dating hotties on the fast track, when what she really wants is a life partner who’ll help her raise a family and make a difference in her home town of Tompkins Falls. New in town, Officer Peter Shaughnessy, 30, has recovered from the gunshot wound he suffered in a drug bust in his hometown of Syracuse, but he’s still smarting from his ex-wife’s betrayal and, before that, the years of abuse from his alcoholic father. When Gwen’s very-pregnant niece Haley trips the security system at Gwen’s lakeside home one moonlit summer night, it’s love at first sight for responding Officer Peter and stunned Aunt Gwen. By joining forces to help Haley, Peter and Gwen discover they’re a good team. Long, exhilarating canoe trips convince them they’re on the same page with their life goals. Then a destructive squall lands them on the rocks, and a night of stormy passion reveals painful truths that drive them apart. Are they willing to go to any length to find their way back to love?
I really like this cover. I love the peacefulness of the setting coupled with the sweetness of the characters at the top. Definitely draws me in.
EXCERPT #1
“Gwen Forrester?” Peter asked. At her nod, he stepped aside.
Her startled gaze shifted to Haley and softened with love. Her face lit up with delight when she spied the big belly. “Oh!”
The two rushed toward each other, embracing, laughing, crying, talking so low he could make out only a few words—“your mother?” and “boy we met at Christmas” and “when?”
“October, really?” Gwen stepped back. “Just two more months?” She caressed Haley’s face. “Have you had anything to eat today?”
“I’m starved.” Haley grinned.
“Ma’am?” Peter got no response. He might as well be invisible. “Ms. Forrester?” he said louder.
Gwen turned with a look of pure joy, cheeks flushed, eyes wide. She was a chic, older, ash-blond version of Haley. Even more beautiful.
“Yes, Officer?”
Her dreamy gaze made him wonder if she was flirting with him. Get real, Shaughnessy. “If you won’t be pressing charges, my partner and I will clear out of here, Ms. Forrester.”
She held out her hand, tilted her head coquettishly, and told him, “It’s Gwen. And you are?”
“Officer Peter Shaughnessy.” Her handshake was firm and surprisingly strong for such a slender, feminine woman. He cleared his throat. “You’ll need to get those locks fixed right away, ma’am.”
“Gwen,” she reminded him with a flutter of thick, dark eyelashes.
“Gwen, my partner and I recommend that you put your vehicle in the garage tonight, close and lock the overhead door, deadbolt the kitchen door, and set the alarm. Call a locksmith first thing in the morning.”
Her only response was, “Haley and I will be having breakfast around nine. We’d love to have you join us, Officer.”
He opened his mouth to repeat the caution but closed it again. His partner had told him Tompkins Falls operated more like a small town than a city. This definitely wasn’t going by the Syracuse Police Department procedure book that he still had in his head.
Haley touched his arm and winked. “Come for breakfast, Officer. I need protection from the Inquisition. And Gwen makes a mean omelet.”
Her startled gaze shifted to Haley and softened with love. Her face lit up with delight when she spied the big belly. “Oh!”
The two rushed toward each other, embracing, laughing, crying, talking so low he could make out only a few words—“your mother?” and “boy we met at Christmas” and “when?”
“October, really?” Gwen stepped back. “Just two more months?” She caressed Haley’s face. “Have you had anything to eat today?”
“I’m starved.” Haley grinned.
“Ma’am?” Peter got no response. He might as well be invisible. “Ms. Forrester?” he said louder.
Gwen turned with a look of pure joy, cheeks flushed, eyes wide. She was a chic, older, ash-blond version of Haley. Even more beautiful.
“Yes, Officer?”
Her dreamy gaze made him wonder if she was flirting with him. Get real, Shaughnessy. “If you won’t be pressing charges, my partner and I will clear out of here, Ms. Forrester.”
She held out her hand, tilted her head coquettishly, and told him, “It’s Gwen. And you are?”
“Officer Peter Shaughnessy.” Her handshake was firm and surprisingly strong for such a slender, feminine woman. He cleared his throat. “You’ll need to get those locks fixed right away, ma’am.”
“Gwen,” she reminded him with a flutter of thick, dark eyelashes.
“Gwen, my partner and I recommend that you put your vehicle in the garage tonight, close and lock the overhead door, deadbolt the kitchen door, and set the alarm. Call a locksmith first thing in the morning.”
Her only response was, “Haley and I will be having breakfast around nine. We’d love to have you join us, Officer.”
He opened his mouth to repeat the caution but closed it again. His partner had told him Tompkins Falls operated more like a small town than a city. This definitely wasn’t going by the Syracuse Police Department procedure book that he still had in his head.
Haley touched his arm and winked. “Come for breakfast, Officer. I need protection from the Inquisition. And Gwen makes a mean omelet.”
This totally sounds like the way my dad's hometown operates. I love it.
EXCERPT #2
The wind picked up speed. Gwen’s breathing grew labored. A wave gushed over the gunwale behind her. And another. Keep going.
The pitch of the hillside changed subtly. She rested for a few seconds and squinted at the shoreline, seeking a welcoming cove or a low spot where they could land. Nothing yet. She dug in hard for another mile, but she wished she could hear Peter so they could work in synch. As it was, she made his job harder. Whether she paddled too fast or too slow, he had to correct their course.
With the looming storm, the sky darkened as if it were twilight. She turned back to Peter and saw his head low, his shoulders straining. She dug her paddle in and prayed. Every stroke mattered.
About half a mile farther, waves assaulted the canoe. Gwen’s lungs labored, and her shoulders burned. The eerie light gave her shivers, but it was bright enough for her to see a stream and a thin waterfall that sliced through the hillside and plunged into the waters of a rocky bay.
Nine Mile Bay. The hillside from this point north was still steep, but rough tracks cut through the tree cover. Four-wheel-drive vehicles had access to a few remote houses much of the year. We’ll find shelter.
“Soon,” she yelled above the wind.
A flash of lightning on the western shore shot fear through her body. A sob escaped her.
Ooh, she's adventurous. Not me. You wouldn't be able to convince me to get into a canoe. Especially not with a storm coming.
Let's get to know more about the author behind the series.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born in the upstate-New York village known as the Birthplace of Women’s Rights, Katie O’Boyle passionately loves the Finger Lakes in every season. She cherishes the lakeside porch as a place for intimate sharing, laughter and inspiration. Some years ago, Katie was a stellar student and closet substance abuser at a picture-perfect small college. She credits loving friends, 12-step spirituality, and plenty of hard work for her transformation into her grown-up self: tech-savvy college professor and passionate author of warm-hearted romance. She skillfully weaves those essential experiences and knowledge throughout the Lakeside Porches romances.
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Website: http://www.katieoboyle.com
Twitter: @TompkinsFalls
Facebook: Katie OBoyle Author
Website: http://www.katieoboyle.com
Twitter: @TompkinsFalls
Facebook: Katie OBoyle Author
Buy Links….
Stepping Up To Love, http://tinyurl.com/qdhr8du
Coming Home To Love, http://tinyurl.com/ogxm2z8
Finding the Way Back To Love, http://tinyurl.com/n8n79gw
Thank you, Katie, for joining me today! May you enjoy fabulous reviews, healthy book sales, and a very long career.
Stepping Up To Love, http://tinyurl.com/qdhr8du
Coming Home To Love, http://tinyurl.com/ogxm2z8
Finding the Way Back To Love, http://tinyurl.com/n8n79gw
Thank you, Katie, for joining me today! May you enjoy fabulous reviews, healthy book sales, and a very long career.
What a pleasure being on your site, Elizabeth. You epitomize the gracious hostess and supportive colleague! :-) --katie o'boyle
ReplyDeleteAww. Thanks. You were great to work with. I hope we get the change again someday soon.
DeleteBeautiful blog site, Elizabeth. Inviting and serene.
ReplyDeleteAs always, Katie, nice job!
Veronica Lynch
Thanks, Veronica! I'm so glad you stopped by! --katie o'boyle
DeleteThank you so much for stopping by, Veronica! Glad you enjoyed your visit.
DeleteI loved this site and the comments about the cover! As for those excerpts, they are intriguing, hinting at a sweet romance with a good dose of action. On my TBR pile soon :)
ReplyDeleteAnnie (aka Kelly Ann Scott)
Great to have you here, Annie! Let me know how you like the book. :-) --katie o'boyle
DeleteThank you, Annie. Thanks for dropping by!
Delete