ALWAYS MY GIRL is HERE!!!

I cannot believe that today is finally here!!  Honestly, this has been the longest wait for a book that I can remember.  But ALWAYS MY GIRL (Shaughnessy Brothers book #3) is here!! 

 Something about Quinn and Anna called to me from the first time I put them in a scene in the first Shaughnessy book - MADE FOR US.  And their story just was dying to be told.  I actually wrote about a quarter of it while writing book two - LOVE WALKS IN.  So it's been a long wait, a long process and now it's ready to be read by the world.

YEAH!!

So, friends to lovers.  What could be scarier?  If things work out, great.  But if they don't, you lose twice as much.  That's the dilemma faced by Quinn Shaughnessy and Anna Hannigan.  They've been friends since they were five and Anna's been in love with him for almost that entire time.  But as time goes by and Quinn shows no interest, she finally has to come to grips with the fact that it's never going to happen.

Until Quinn finally opens his yes.

That scene was the most fun to write because he literally falls on his ass when he realizes that his buddy, his pal, his girl next door is suddenly a very sexy woman.  I laughed the entire time I wrote it and every time I re-read it, it still made me giggle.  So you'll have to let me know if you felt the same way about that scene. 

Along with Quinn and Anna's story, you'll also get to catch up with the rest of the Shaughnessy family - Aidan and Zoe, Hugh and Aubrey, Riley, Owen, Darcy, and Ian.  I am so in love with this family and they are a joy to write and work with.  I hope you're loving them as much as I am!!

So get your copy of ALWAYS MY GIRL everywhere today!!
Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1S3ZcXQ
B&N:  http://bit.ly/21uhqSm

iBooks:  http://apple.co/253fGE1
Kobo:  http://bit.ly/295e4Ee

Happy Reading!!!

FREE Book Alert!!

Sometimes you just never know when it's going to happen!  But it looks like for TODAY ONLY,  "Made for Us" - book one in the Shaughnessy Brothers series, is FREE!!  WOO HOO!!  Don't miss out on this chance to get it and get started on the series!!  Especially since book two - "Love Walks In" - just came out yesterday!!!

So what are you waiting for???  Go forth and read!!

BUY LINKS:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Zfg7FF
B&N: http://bit.ly/1psNham
iTunes: http://apple.co/1UeFvNI
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1XtOOYn

And in case you missed it yesterday, "Love Walks In" is available now too!

BUY LINKS:

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1TJ0YLB
B&N:   http://bit.ly/1LpuEOp
iTunes:  http://apple.co/1QWdVCA
Kobo:  http://bit.ly/1pmXWTq

Sunday Funday #3!!

Peek into: Meant for You

Series: Montgomery Brothers Book 5

Available NOW!!!

Buy Links

Amazon: http://goo.gl/kwGY0g

Barns & Noble: http://goo.gl/E6K2FC

iTunes: https://goo.gl/oeXMYO

Meant For you is book 5 in the Montgomery Series, a series centered around an extended family who works hard together, plays hard together and loved one another deeply. Each member of the family has their individual story and finds their happily-ever-after. This is Summer, the baby girl of the family, and Ethan, a family friend for many years, story. Come along for the ride and watch them dare to dream and learn to love together.

“Hey,” he said quietly, his hands braced on either side of the doorjamb. “How are you doing?”

How was she doing? How was she doing?? She wanted to scream at him that she was miserable and upset and angry and scared and worried and… She silenced her inner tirade and simply looked at him. No, she didn’t just look; she drank in the sight of him. He was perfection to her. He always had been and he always would be. It wasn’t fair. Why couldn’t she have just gotten him out of her system? Why couldn’t one night of wild sex have been enough to make her move on? Or for that matter, why couldn’t a week’s worth of wild sex have been enough? Why was it that she wanted him now more than ever? Even after the way he had crushed her earlier? True, he didn’t really know she was there, but the fact remained.

“Fine,” she finally forced herself to say. “I was just getting ready to go to sleep.”

Ethan nodded. “You left so abruptly earlier. I was worried about you.”

“Oh, were you?” she asked sarcastically. “I don’t see why. Summer and I don’t really talk. I was playing peacemaker between the two of them. I didn’t take her seriously,” she said mockingly. “Sound familiar?”

He hung his head. “Dammit, Summer! That wasn’t what I meant. I was just trying to—”

“Um, excuse me,” Gabriella called from inside the room. “While I am sure this riveting drama would entertain me a lot more than the last two hours of reality TV, I think the rest of the occupants of this floor would rather not have to listen to it. So either the two of you come in and hash this out— quickly— or go to Ethan’s room.”

They both stood and stared at her for a long moment. Ethan stepped back and looked at Summer expectantly. “I believe we’re done,” she finally said and got a mild sense of satisfaction when Ethan paled.

“Five minutes, Summer. Just give me five minutes to explain.”

“Explain what, Ethan? That we had a quick fling? Believe me, I got it. Loud and clear.”

“It’s not that!” he snapped. “This whole situation—”

“Is being broadcast for the entire sixth floor!” Gabriella called out. “Seriously, Summer, just go down the hall to his room with him and be done with it.”

Indecision warred within her. To go or not to go. She didn’t want to hear what Ethan had to say; none of it was going to make her feel any better. And unfortunately, she seemed to have a habit of throwing herself at him when they were alone, and even as pissed off as she was right now, she couldn’t help but notice the way that his hair was rumpled and his jawline was shadowed. She had no doubt it would be rough and scratchy against her skin.

Dammit. Her nipples hardened at the mere thought of his jaw rubbing up against her, and now she had to cross her arms to try to disguise it. Ethan’s eyes followed her movements and she saw the heat flare in his dark eyes and knew that it was too late; he already knew the effect he had on her.

“Fine,” she huffed. “Five minutes. But I’m telling you now that nothing you say is going to matter. You made your position perfectly clear earlier.”

“Good night, Gabriella,” Ethan called pleasantly into the room.

“Good night, Ethan,” she replied with a smile and when the door closed, she added, “and Summer.”

With Summer’s hand firmly in his, Ethan dragged her down the hall and into his room. She pulled free and stalked across the room and stood by the window. He closed the door and leaned against it and just watched her. The short flannel boxers, the soft, clingy T- shirt, and her long, tan legs… She made quite a picture. Her blond hair was loose and hanging down her back, and he knew she’d let it dry naturally because it wasn’t styled the way she normally wore it. Her face was devoid of makeup, she was mad as hell, and she was the sexiest, most desirable woman he had ever seen.

Quietly, he walked across the room to her. When he reached her, he placed his hands on her shoulders to get her to face him, but she stepped away before he even had the chance. His stomach clenched. Had he screwed things up so badly that she wouldn’t let him touch her even in the most casual sense? “Summer?”

She turned toward him but her expression was blank. “Go ahead. Say what you have to say so I can go back to my room.”

He wanted to yell that he wanted this to be her room. Their room. He hated coming back here by himself after spending the better part of a week sharing a hotel room with her. It was lonely as hell to be there without her after such an emotionally draining day. Normally the solitude didn’t bother him, but after having so much time with her over the last week, Ethan was starting to get used to it. Beyond used to it—he wanted it, he craved it, and now wasn’t sure he’d be able to live without it.

Sunday Funday #2!!

Sunday Funday Peek into: Meant for You
Series: Montgomery Brothers Book 5
Available NOW!!!

Buy Links 
Amazon: http://goo.gl/kwGY0g
Barns & Noble: http://goo.gl/E6K2FC
iTunes: https://goo.gl/oeXMYO

Meant For you is book 5 in the Montgomery Series, a series centered around an extended family who works hard together, plays hard together and loved one another deeply. Each member of the family has their individual story and finds their happily-ever-after. This is Summer, the baby girl of the family, and Ethan, a family friend for many years, story. Come along for the ride and watch them dare to dream and learn to love together.

Excerpt

So,” he began, “what time were you thinking about
going to dinner?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t think we have reservations. What about you?”

He took a step closer. “I had kind of planned on ordering room service and just hanging out in my room. So I’m flexible.”

“Oh. Okay.” She was nervous and didn’t quite know what to say. The thought of having dinner with Ethan in his room was beyond appealing, but she knew it wasn’t going to happen. “I…um…I guess I’ll talk to Gabriella and we’ll call you when we have something planned.”

Ethan nodded. “I guess you could. Or…”

“Or what?”

He leaned in close, close enough to watch her pupils dilate and close enough to inhale the sweet scent of her. “Or…you can come with me.” He gave no other details because it was all implied right there.

She wanted desperately to say yes; it was like getting a second chance at your perfect fantasy. Could she really walk away from that? One look at Gabriella and she unfortunately had her answer. “I…I can’t.”

His eyebrows shot up at her response. “What? Why?”

“You and I both know why. I didn’t tell anyone about last weekend, Ethan. I’m here now with Gabriella, and she’s definitely going to notice if you and I leave together. And besides that, we’re sharing a room. She’ll definitely notice when I don’t come back.” Somewhere in the back of her mind, Summer knew this was for the best. She just wished it didn’t hurt so much.

Ethan took a step back and nodded. He didn’t want to pressure her or make her uncomfortable. He’d only recently come to grips with how he felt about her; maybe he needed to take some time to let her get to know him as a man and not as just a friend of her brother’s. “I understand. I guess I’ll see you at dinner.” He didn’t move; hell, he barely breathed. It wasn’t hard to see the indecision on Summer’s face, but in the end, she turned and walked over to the gift shop. He didn’t move when she stepped out of his sight, and he didn’t move when Gabriella turned in his direction.

“Are you out of your mind?” Gabriella hissed as soon as Summer came and stood beside her.

“What are you talking about?” Summer asked wearily as she picked up a magazine and began to flip through it.

“Care to tell me why you’re standing in here with me reading Men’s Health when you could be off somewhere with Ethan?”

Summer looked at her in shock. “Me and Ethan?” she squeaked. “Are you crazy? Where…whatever gave you that idea?”

Gabriella threw her head back and laughed, a full, throaty sound that made people turn in their direction. When she was able to catch her breath, she faced Summer. “Seriously? You are seriously asking me that question?”

“Yes.”

Gabriella shifted her purse from one shoulder to the other. “Okay, let’s start with the fact that you watch him at the office all the time.”

“I do not.”

“All. The. Time. Secondly, he watches you just as much.”

Summer’s eyes widened. “He does not.”

Gabriella nodded. “All. The. Time. Hell, he’s stand-ing there doing it right now. Why don’t you do us all a favor and go enjoy yourself?”

“But what about—”

“I will be fine hanging out by myself. I think I’ll have dinner sent to the room and enjoy eating dessert in bed.” When Summer tried to interrupt, she stopped her. “My lips are sealed, Summer. No one will hear about this from me.”

“But what about Zach?”

Gabriella actually frowned at the mention of her boss. “What about him?”

“You work for him. If he finds out about this, he’ll freak out.”

“Please. Your brother freaks out about a lot of stuff, and like I said, he won’t hear about it from me. If he asks me if I know anything, I’ll deny it with my last breath.”

She smiled. “Go. I know you said you weren’t interested in hooking up with anyone, but I get the impression that statement didn’t include Mr. Reed over there.”

Summer was afraid to turn around. “Is he really still standing there?” she whispered.

Gabriella nodded. “And watching you like he can’t wait to have you for dessert.”

Summer smiled. “Then I guess I shouldn’t make him wait.”

Sunday Funday #1

Sunday Funday
Peek into: Meant for You
Series: Montgomery Brothers Book 5
Available NOW!!!

 Buy Links
Amazon: http://goo.gl/kwGY0g
Barns & Noble: http://goo.gl/E6K2FC
iTunes: https://goo.gl/oeXMYO

Meant For you is book 5 in the Montgomery Series, a series centered around an extended family who works hard together, plays hard together and loved one another deeply. Each member of the family has their individual story and finds their happily-ever-after. This is Summer, the baby girl of the family, and Ethan, a family friend for many years, story. Come along for the ride and watch them dare to dream and learn to love together.

Excerpt
Right now he wanted to give her exactly what she wanted; hell, he’d agree to anything if it meant she’d stop crying. “Summer.” Her name came out as a plea and before he could stop himself, he pulled her into his embrace. “Please don’t cry.”

“Then promise me you won’t go,” she cried into his shirt. “I’ve never asked anything of you, Ethan. Please. Please do this for me. If you don’t go, Zach won’t go and I’ll know that you’re both safe.”

“I can’t do that, princess,” he said softly, using the nickname he had always called her when they were kids. She looked up at him; her eyes shining with tears. “Everything is set; we can’t back out because you think something might go wrong. There’s a chance that we could get hurt at any given time, Summer. We all take risks every day. There are no guarantees in this life. Sometimes, you have to take a risk.”

Summer continued to stare up at him as he spoke. Ethan was right, she thought. There were no guarantees. She had taken many risks in her life, not like climbing one of the tallest mountains in the world, but to her, they were huge. Could she possibly do that again?

“Most people go through life too scared to take a risk,” he continued. “I don’t want to have any regrets and neither does Zach. We committed to this and we’re going to see it through. Tell me that you understand. Would you be able to live with yourself if you never took any risks?”

She seemed to instantly sober up. Her eyes became clearer and she shifted against him. “You’re right, Ethan,” she said quietly. “Everyone needs to take risks.”

He nodded, seemingly happy that he had comforted her and that she finally seemed to come to accept what he and Zach were going to do. “Exactly. I’m glad that you agree.”
“Oh, I do,” she said right before she stood up on her toes, wrapped her arms around Ethan’s neck and pressed her lips to his. Summer felt a moment of panic when Ethan seemed to stiffen against her, but then in an instant, everything changed. His arms banded around her, pulling her as close as she could possibly get against him. He was warm and solid and everything she had ever imagined he would be.

In her wildest dreams she had never imagined Ethan Reed kissing her like this. Summer had hoped to surprise him with her kiss and then have a perfectly pleasant experience to remember. But this? What was happening right now? Pleasant didn’t even begin to describe. Ethan kissed her like his life depended on it. His tongue lightly traced her lower lip and when she dared to open up for him, he swept inside and completely took control. She may have whimpered; she may have moaned. All Summer knew at that moment was that never in her life had she been kissed like this.

Had never felt like this; needy, anxious, and yes, completely and utterly turned on.

Wow.

The Shaughnessy Brother Series Has Arrived!!

I cannot even begin to explain how excited I am about today.  "Made for Us" - book one in my new Shaughnessy series is finally LIVE!!  Woo-Hoo!!!  

Here's the thing - series books.  You either love them or hate them.  Personally?  I love them.  I like introducing characters that you get to follow before and after they have their story and you really get to know them.  For the Shaughnessys, there are six siblings - five brothers, one sister.  Each sibling is going to have a book of their own over the next two years.  "Made for Us" is eldest brother Aidan's story.  He's a building contractor and a bit of a control freak.  He has a routine and he sticks to it.  And all the while, he sees himself as the anchor of the family - the one who everyone turns to and who helped his father raise his siblings after the death of their mother.

He meets his match (and don't they all!) in Zoe Dalton.  She's an interior designer/decorator who finds herself working for Aidan.  They butt heads immediately because she's as strong-willed as he is.  Sparks fly immediately and that's when things get fun!

As for the rest of the family, they are quite the eclectic bunch!  Let me introduce you:
Aidan - oldest, building contractor
Hugh - owns a string of private luxury resorts, has a lot of OCD issues
Quinn - former NASCAR driver who now deals in classic car restorations
Riley - musician.  Okay, he's one of the hottest rock stars in the world!
Owen - Riley's twin, astrophysicist.  Extremely shy and socially awkward.
Darcy - the baby of the family, only girl.  She's kind of bratty at first but she's going to grow up to be AMAZING!!  I seriously can't even wait to start her story!

Believe it or not, Shaughnessy books two, three AND four (Hugh, Quinn and Riley) are already written but they won't be out until 2016.  I believe they will be released in April, August and December.  Don't hold me to that, they may be a little different but you can be sure that as soon as I have a release date, you'll know about it!

So it's a big day!  I'm going out to celebrate with friends - go to Barnes & Noble and do my pictures with the books!  I'm a goof, I know.  If you haven't ordered your copy of "Made for Us", what are you waiting for???  Go for it!!  Here's the Amazon link:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UTWFWMA?refRID=02KRAH3Y06XPYB5CSTY2&ref_=pd_rhf_eetyp_p_img_7 

And don't forget you can join me and Sara Humphreys for a month-long celebration over on Facebook where you have the opportunity to win prizes every day!  Stop by for the Scavenger Hunt!  Here's the link:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1492072517751546/

Have a FABULOUS day!!

 

New Release!!

So look what came out today!!  It's a few days early, I know, but I was too excited to wait to hit send!  So here's a little back cover info:

There were three guarantees in Tricia Patterson’s life:
1. Her friendship with Sean Peterson was rock solid
2. She had a career that she absolutely adored
3. This summer was going to be the death of her
With the proverbial “Always a Bridesmaid and Never a Bride” becoming her new mantra, Tricia didn’t know how she was going to survive this year’s round of weddings. Six of them this summer alone! In an attempt to ward off the pity-party, her best friend Sean gives her the perfect solution to help her get through – he’ll pretend to be her boyfriend. While not certain that was going to be of any help, Tricia’s knows it also won’t hurt.
When circumstances beyond Sean’s control keep him from coming home to Tricia’s aid, he sends his brother Ryan in his place. Four years older than his brother and his best friend, Ryan isn’t sure why these weddings are such a big deal. He’s also not sure of what the exact nature is of this relationship between Sean and Tricia. And that’s becoming a big problem because the more time he spends with Tricia, the more he realizes that she’s the one he wants to plan a wedding with.
*This is a 40,000 word stand-alone novella* 

You can find it (so far) on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo.  I hope to have the iTunes link soon!
 
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/oz2u6gu
Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/px7fszy
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-wedding-season-1

And the countdown is on...

You know what's funny?  I've been writing/publishing books for almost four years.  To date, I have twenty-one contemporary romances on the shelves (so to speak) and yet the waiting for release day is suddenly new and different.  Why?  Because I am actually IN stores!  It's the weirdest thing!  Before when I was e-publishing, it was just a matter of hitting "publish" and waiting for it to pop up on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.  But now?  It's a whole new world!

Tomorrow when "Meant for You" is officially released - rumor has it that it's already on the shelves in a LOT of stores - I will hit my local Barnes and Nobles and Walmarts and go and see where they are on the shelves and take pictures.  It may sound silly but it just makes me so happy to see them there!

So if you're in Central North Carolina tomorrow and cruising around the area bookstores, look for me!  I'll be the one taking selfies with the books!  LOL!

All of my babies are home...

And by babies, I mean books.

Yes, I have children.  No, they don't all live at home.  Pretty much whenever that happens it's more like a drive-by than an actual visit.  He comes home for the weekend and it's over super fast.  So, no.  Those are not the babies of which I speak.

I'm talking Montgomerys.

Sigh.

Yesterday was the BEST UPS delivery ever.  Although to the driver it was just another delivery, I almost hugged him.  He backed away slowly as I did a happy dance at the sight of the boxes. 

Inside those two boxes were my copies of "Meant for You" and the "Stay With Me/More of Me" duo.  So you know what this means right?  All of the Montgomery series stories are now in paperback and on my shelves!!!  And soon to be on book store shelves all over the place too!!

Yeah, heads up Barnes and Noble - I'm coming to multiple locations next week and taking pictures again and screeching like a fangirl over my own books.  Warn security.  Maybe have Starbucks on alert with a muffin and a tall hot chocolate (no whip!) ready as a distraction.  Just sayin.

I love looking over at this bookcase and seeing it full with these books.  I can't describe the feeling to you.  When the first two books came to me, I cried.  Like a big, sad, ugly cry.  My husband and 15 year old son sort of looked at one another awkwardly as they tried to figure out what the heck was wrong with me. 

And then wanted me to pose for a picture!  Without fixing my makeup!  Men!

I know I write.  I know I publish.  But for so many years my books have been something that you can SEE on your Kindle, your NOOK, your iPad and whatnot.  But to hold them in my hands??  Well, that really was something amazingly emotional.  And while I admit I do cry easily - and sometimes at completely inappropriate times - the emotion here was real.

The only problem with that picture you see?  You'll note the three white spots on the wall.  In reality it looks like a lower-case 'n' and an exclamation point and yes, it's left over from the construction.  No, the walls aren't finished.  The ceilings aren't finished.  And no one has come back.  I have a feeling that is some kind of message on the wall that the painters and drywall guys were using to communicate with one another that I'm a crazy person.  What do you think?

While I Was Gone...

Yes, yes, I know.  I've been MIA for a few weeks.  I apologize.  I wish I could say that it was for something super cool like a vacation or because I had won the lottery but alas, no such luck.  I had to have some minor out-patient surgery and while I was recovering, North Carolina seemed to go crazy with ice and snow.  Seriously, I've lived here for 20 years and never saw so much winter weather happen so close together.

The good news is that the snow is just about gone - YIPPEE!! - and I am feeling better.  It's like a win/win right now.  All is right with the world and everything is returning to normal.  Insert the hallelujah chorus here.

That's not to say that I wasn't productive.  Sort of.  Yes, yes, I did spend a little too much time sprawled out on the couch watching HGTV and playing computer solitaire but I've also been hard at work on the next book while preparing for the release of my very first Sourcebooks Casablanca title, "Return to You".  Which comes out tomorrow.  Did I mention that?

So I promise to get back to work here on the blog and back to my regularly scheduled writing schedule. 

After tomorrow.

Tomorrow if you are in the RTP area of North Carolina, chances are you are going to be seeing me in various Barnes and Noble locations, screaming like a woo-girl and taking selfies with the books on the shelves and probably enjoying some Starbucks hot chocolate while doing it!  If you're out shopping and see "Return to You", please snap a picture and post it on my Facebook fan club page!

Also, don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter and get exclusive sneak peaks at upcoming books and giveaways!  Subscribe here!

And...I'm back! 

"Return to You" - Coming March 3rd!!

Can you tell that I'm getting excited about this upcoming release???

In my years of being an indie author, I used to put out a book every month (sometimes every two months).  With a pace like that, there wasn't a lot of time to get excited because I was already on to the next book.  Well, "Return to You" has been a labor of love and I can't believe it's almost here!

Did you know you can pre-order it?  I'm being totally for real right now!  :) 
Amazon HERE
Barnes and Noble HERE
And if you are going to be coming to meet me at Authors in the City in Myrtle Beach on Saturday, March 14th, you can pre-order you copy to be sure that I'll have it ready for you HERE

Isn't the cover so pretty??  I can't wait to walk into my local Barnes and Noble - okay, the six of them that are within a 45 minute drive of my house - and see it on the shelf! 

Here's a little excerpt of James and Selena's story!

“So what exactly does that mean?” he asked casually. “Are you saying that you’ve forgotten about me?”

“Well…no,” she said.

He took a step closer.

“Are you saying that you don’t think about me?”

“Not anymore,” she lied.

And he took another step closer.

“Do you think of me at all? Even a little bit?” His voice dropped, and it was no more than a low rumble.

“No,” she whispered.

He was toe to toe with her.

He could see the pulse jumping at the base of her throat, could feel the tremble of her body, and when those big green eyes looked up at him with something akin to longing, he was lost. “Liar,” he whispered right before claiming her lips with his.

She didn’t even pretend to put up a fight. Selena’s arms came up and wrapped around his neck just at James’ arms banded around her waist to pull her close. Tongues dueled, hands wandered as they feasted on one another after too long of a drought. He couldn’t breathe, and yet the thought of taking his mouth from hers was the bigger threat. Her nails scratched his scalp as his hand traveled down and cupped her bottom to pull her even closer to him.