Sneak Peek & Sale

It’s always exciting when a new book gets dressed up and ready for her big debut at the Reader’s Ball. More Than Words Can Say has finished primping and is anxiously waiting for the carriage that will carry her to the Bookstore Ballroom. Unfortunately, that carriage ride is still two months away. But never fear . . . our little princess is a lady through and through. Because you are such particular friends, she’s going to allow you to join her in the carriage for a short visit.

Here’s a sneak peek at Abigail and Zach’s story:

Her cheeks were growing pink. Probably because he was just standing there staring at her like an idiot instead of saying something.

Tightening his grip on the square, he cleared his throat. “What kind of proposition?”

She thrust a set of papers at him, the sheets crinkling as the corners bent against his chest. “A business proposition. A rather . . . um . . . unconventional one, but one I believe will prove beneficial to both of us if you’ll look past the first hurdle.”

He reached for the papers. “That hurdle being?”

She straightened her posture, which was an impressive trick of engineering since she was already standing as stiff as the board he’d been working on moments ago. Then she met his gaze and something grabbed at his gut. “Marriage,” she said. “To me.”

A cough exploded in his throat. He ducked his chin and turned aside, the choking sensation worsening to the point that he had to brace his arms against the workbench as he struggled to control the spasms. He’d always wondered how his brother Seth felt when an asthma attack hit. Now he knew.

“It might appear to be a beggar’s bargain on the surface,” she said from behind him, “but I promise there are benefits.”

At the word benefits, images jumped immediately to Zach’s mind. Vivid images. Of bedsheets and unpinned hair. Of luscious curves, dimpled smiles, and welcoming glances.

His throat constricted further. Not even a cough could escape now.

“To start with, you can have all the sticky buns you like free of charge. For life.”

Breakfast. She was talking about breakfast.

Finally, a bit of air seeped into his lungs, allowing him to wrestle his unruly thoughts into submission as he turned to face Miss Kemp. He leaned back against the workbench, not yet trusting his knees to hold him upright on their own, and forced himself to meet his tormentor’s gaze.

He thrust the crumpled papers back at her. “I ain’t lookin’ for a wife.”

She made no move to collect the unwanted documents. “There’s a law,” she blurted. “A ridiculously archaic city ordinance that precludes women from owning businesses in Honey Grove. After my father died, the city council gave me three months to grieve, then approached me with an ultimatum. If I don’t sell the business, I can either partner with a male financial backer by the end of the month or have the marshal close the bakery doors for me. Permanently.”

Zach frowned. That seemed a bit extreme, but he didn’t doubt her word. Plenty of men believed that women belonged in the home and nowhere else. And he wouldn’t put it past them to enforce their will on her by dusting off some outdated legislation.

“That’s unfortunate, but I still don’t see what this has to do with me.”

Dimples appeared for the first time that afternoon as her lips curved in a triumphant grin. “You, my dear sir, are option number three.”

More Than Words Can Say (available now for preorder) is a stand-alone sequel to More Than Meets the Eye which released last June. After reading Evie and Logan’s story, hundreds of my readers clamored for big brother Zach’s tale. Since I had fallen hard for the gruff, overprotective lug myself, I was happy to oblige.

Zach’s story is on its way, but in the meantime, if you want to read his prequel, the e-book version of More than Meets the Eye is on sale this month for only $1.99. Evie and Logan’s story is full of intrigue, adventure, and a fun-loving pet hog named Hezekiah. Grab it while it’s on sale, and tell a friend!

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Which summer books are you most looking forward to reading?