Yeah, I'll admit it - I fell in love with this book the moment I sighed/snickered over the title. Angsty, romantic goodness!
When globe-trotting photographer Allison
Cain comes home to her family ranch in Montana it’s to get to know her nephew
and to make amends with the widowed brother-in-law she’s left alone to raise
his young son.
Evan Carver could never deny his late
wife’s younger sister anything, despite the fact she’s been conspicuously
absent over the past three years since her sister’s death. Now she’s home again
on what she’s called an extended vacation. Evan’s first concern is for his son,
Cody, and how his aunt’s visit will affect the five year old when she decides
to return to her high profile career.
Allison has no intention of going back to
work. In addition to getting to know Cody, she needs to confess her biggest
secret to Evan. How do you tell the man you’ve always loved that you’re not
just his son’s aunt, but also his mother?
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Excerpt:
Slowly she raised her head. Unshed tears filled her eyes, making
them glisten like liquid stars. Evan felt a lump form in his own throat. She
blinked rapidly in what Evan suspected was a conscious effort to hide her
emotions. A knot tightened his gut. He had the sudden urge to take Ali in his
arms, as he’d done the day she arrived, and bury her face against his chest,
preferably without the argument that followed.
In the very back of his over-used imagination, he could see her
coming willingly into his arms. He could feel the heat of her tears against his
chest. His reaction surprised and frightened him in equal measure. He didn’t
want to feel this way about her, especially when he knew she wouldn’t stay.
“Me, too,” she admitted softly, drawing Evan’s attention from
her teary eyes to her soft, pink lips. The tears she’d been fighting back so
tenaciously now pearled on her lashes, threatening to spill forth at any
second.
Evan moved away from the tree, inching his way around Cody and
close to Allison’s side. Cautiously, he lifted his hand and caught the first
tear on his thumb, uncertain of exactly what had made her cry, yet knowing he
selfishly welcomed the chance to offer her comfort.
“When I left South America, the only thing I could think of was
coming here. I wanted desperately to feel the lush grass beneath my bare feet
and to smell the fresh, clean air.”
“I don’t care what made you decide to come home. You’re here now
and welcome to stay as long as you like.” Drawing her into his arms, he held
her close and tilted her chin up with his fingertips until their gazes met.
At the first touch of his lips to hers, Evan tasted the cinnamon
and apple of the dessert they’d just consumed. He pressed his lips more firmly
to hers. She hesitated only briefly before returning his kiss with one of her
own. He barely had time to consider what they’d done when Ali’s trembling voice
broke through his consciousness.
“Evan,” she whispered. “Don’t, please.” Pressing her hands to
his chest, she pushed lightly. Yet, when he would have backed away, she
clenched the front of his shirt tightly in her fists. “We can’t . . .” she
warned, still seemingly unwilling to let him go.
“Ali, it was only a kiss.”
She looked up at him with tear-filled eyes and Evan knew if he
didn’t let her go he’d likely do something they’d both regret. Gently, he
grasped her hands in his and pulled them from the death grip she’d taken on his
shirt. With his thumb he wiped away a final spent tear then released her
completely. A moment later he was on his feet and walking back toward the
damaged fence. It would take every ounce of strength he possessed, he realized,
to keep from turning around and taking her into his arms again.
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Author Bio:
Like most authors,
Nancy Fraser began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with
crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made
her the English teacher’s pet, which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of
teasing. Still, it was worth it.
When not writing
(which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five beautiful grandchildren and
looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in
Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people. She
invites you to visit her website (www.nancyfraser.ca) and follow her on
Twitter (@nfraserauthor). Or, more importantly, just enjoy what she writes.
Thank you so much for hosting me today. I look forward to checking back later.
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