KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!
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SWEET BEGINNINGS
Indigo Bay Sweet Romance Series Book 8
BY MELISSA McCLONE
Blurb
A little hope changes everything…
Artist Hope Ryan dreams of seeing her artwork displayed in top galleries again, but a devastating betrayal left her unable to paint as she once did. Instead, she settles for creating unique items for tourists and wedding couples in her hometown. Although Hope longs for more, she refuses to venture outside her comfort zone, fearing the heartbreak and disappointment of failing again.
Highly paid sportscaster Josh Cooper never overcame his bitterness after an injury on the football field sidelined him for good. Finding his solace in alcohol and women only made matters worse until he finally hit rock bottom. Now, he’s looking for redemption. When he’s asked to fly a wedding gown across the country for one of the victims of his wrongs, he doesn’t hesitate.
Arriving in Indigo Bay, Josh finds himself captivated by the artist creating the wedding favors. He knows exactly what he wants—Hope—even though she deserves someone better. Can Josh prove he’s more than a broken has-been? Or will he not only lose Hope but also lose himself?
SWEET BEGINNINGS
Indigo Bay Sweet Romance Series Book 8
BY MELISSA McCLONE
Excerpt
He headed outside, and then through a pair of double glass doors. Large vertical painted panels hung on the wall facing him. The landscapes with dunes, grass, and the ocean in the background made him feel as if he were standing on the sand, not inside on a hardwood floor. Incredible artwork.
To his left, a blonde stood near the top rung on a ladder. Jean shorts showed off long, lean legs. Her pink t-shirt inched up at the back, giving a glimpse of smooth, honey-colored skin. She stretched on her tiptoes to attach the top of a panel to a clip.
That looked sketchy.
The ladder shifted.
Josh ran toward her. “Be careful.”
She swayed, arms sticking out as if trying to balance herself, but the ladder tipped over. The woman fell, limbs flailing.
He stepped forward to break her fall. Somehow, she landed in his arms. The breath he’d been holding rushed out.
“I’ve got you.” He stayed upright without dropping the gift bag, folder, or keys. Then again, he’d spent over half his life making sure he held onto the football no matter who was about to tackle him.
Catching her was unexpected. Not unenjoyable. She didn’t weigh much, was soft in the right places, and smelled like strawberries.
His pulse quickened. Something that hadn’t happened with a woman in months. He wasn’t in any hurry to let go of her. At least until she shifted positions, wiggling as if she wanted down.
Yeah, this was more awkward for her than him.
Josh placed her on her feet but kept his hands on her waist to make sure she was steady. She was tall. Around five-nine to his six-three.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
Her cheeks a bright pink, she nodded.
She was thin, not the healthy kind. If his mom were here, she’d make the woman eat a meal and two desserts. “You sure?”
“Yes.”
The woman, who he assumed to be the artist, raised her chin, letting him see her hazel-colored eyes—more green than brown with gold flecks. Her pretty face was makeup free, but her clear skin, high cheekbones, and full lower lip didn’t need anything extra.
“Thanks for catching me,” she said, almost breathless.
“Glad I was around.” She was attractive in a girl-next-door kind of way. He’d always preferred women with perfect makeup and designer clothes… camera ready was the term he used. “The floor might have hurt.”
Her gaze dropped to the hardwood before returning to his. “I hope I didn’t hurt you.”
“You didn’t.” Linemen hit harder. Josh was standing too close for strangers, so he stepped back. “Are you Hope, the one making Jenny’s wedding favors?”
“I am. “Hope’s cheeks turned redder. “Are you the groom? I mean, Dare?”
“No, I’m Josh Cooper, a friend of Jenny’s from her hometown.” He felt comfortable calling himself a friend after the times they’d spent together over the past month. Holding up the gift bag, he said, “She wanted you to have this.”
“That’s so thoughtful.” Hope sounded touched, a shy smile gracing her lips as she took the gift. “Jenny sounded so sweet when we spoke on the phone.”
“She is.”
As Hope peeked inside the bag, a lock of hair fell across her face. Josh fought the urge to push the strands behind her ear to see her face better.
What was going on? He wasn’t interested in a vacation romance. Even if he were, he was in recovery. No dating for twelve months. He’d heard that during his stay in rehab, at the sober house, and in therapy.
His interest, if he wanted to call it that, had to be due to holding her so closely, intimately. He was male, and he was missing physical contact. Something he’d had plenty of before rehab. When he’d been drinking—okay, while he’d been playing football, too—there’d been a revolving door of women coming in and out of his life. For months, there’d been none.
“Thanks for delivering this.”
Hope’s words jolted him back to reality. “Did you paint the panels?”
“Yes.”
Her satisfied smile zinged through him like a pinball, bouncing off parts and lighting up his insides. Not pretty—beautiful. He gulped.
His reaction was unexpected and unwelcome. Maybe he should call Rudy or Dr. Kettering to see what they had to say about his attraction to Hope. Granted, looking was different than touching. On purpose touching. Catching her didn’t count, but Josh didn’t want to make any mistakes. Not when he’d come so far.
Hope studied the opposite wall where more panels hung. “My boss, Zoe, wants the room to look less multipurpose-ish for social events, starting with this weekend’s wedding.”
“You succeeded.” Thankful to have something else to look at other than Hope, he took in the various panels. Each fit together as if part of a panorama. “You’ve brought the outside in.”
“That was the plan.”
“It’s perfect.” Josh was far from an art expert, but he’d been to galleries and recognized talent, even if the panels weren’t typical canvases or tapestries. “You’re good at what you do.”
She kept her gaze lowered. “Thanks.”
He waited for her to say more—the creative types he’d met might be introverts, but once their art was mentioned they lit up and wanted to talk. Hope, however, didn’t. That intrigued him. Was she shy or embarrassed about winding up in his arms?
“You’re welcome,” he said finally.
She wiped her palms over her shorts. “I better get back to work.”
No way was she hanging that panel by herself. If he hadn’t caught her, she could have broken a bone or hit her head. He didn’t mind putting off his shower.
Josh picked up the ladder. “Want help?”
About Author Melissa McClone…
With a degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, Melissa McClone worked for a major airline where she traveled the globe and met her husband. But analyzing jet engine performance couldn’t compete with her love of writing happily ever afters. Her first full-time writing endeavor was her first sale when she was pregnant with her first child! Since then, she has published over forty romance novels with Harlequin and Tule Publishing Group. She’s a USA Today Bestselling author and has also been nominated for Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award. When she isn’t writing, you can usually find her driving her minivan to/from her children’s swim practices and other activities. Melissa lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three children, two spoiled Norwegian Elkhounds and cats who think they rule the house. They do!
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Links to Melissa’s website, blog, books, etc.
Website: https://www.melissamcclone.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissamcclonebooks
Buy links:
iBooks – https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/sweet-beginnings/id1363186300?mt=11
Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CTFB7QN
Nook – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sweet-beginnings-melissa-mcclone/1128590577?ean=2940155629528
Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/sweet-beginnings-2
Google play – https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Melissa_McClone_Sweet_Beginnings?id=oGdZDwAAQBAJ
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**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Melissa is giving away a beach-themed prize pack: Autographed copy of Jenny (hero from Sweet Beginnings is introduced in this book.), Thirty-One Gifts Keepsake Tray, Thirty-One Gifts mini journal, Thirty-One Gifts nail file, Two kitchen towels, Oven Mitt, Hot pad, Beach Sign, and Flip flop tea lights to one lucky reader who comments on her Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog.
Thanks, Melissa, for sharing your book with us!
Don’t miss the chance to read this book!
Thanks for having me on your book bench today, Karen! Appreciate being able to tell you about my newest release!
Good morning, Melissa, and welcome back to Karen’s Killer Book Bench. I love your books and am happy to share them with my readers. This sweet book sounds like a great read. Thanks for sharing it with us today!
Melissa writes so well and brings her characters to life so beautifully!
This sounds like another great read!
Thanks Karen and Melissa!
Thanks Kathleen!
Melissa, I just read the blurb and excerpt and liked what I read. Sounds like a very enjoyable read! Thank you for the opportunity to win the giveaway. I didn’t know Thirty-One had other items other than tote bags. I know the totes are ones used by authors4veterans for the giveaways to Fisher House.
Both you and Karen have awonderful day!
Hi Judy! Yes, Thirty-one has everything from totes to kitchen stuff, a variety of prizes. I do something similar to authors4veterans and have for the past five years. Mine is called #authorswithheart and we do it for the three Fisher House in WA state. I use the thermal totes for those.
Melissa, I just read the blurb and excerpt and liked what I read. Sounds like a very enjoyable read! Thank you for the opportunity to win the giveaway. I didn’t know Thirty-One had other items other than tote bags. I know the totes are ones used by authors4veterans for the giveaways to Fisher House.
Both you and Karen have awonderful day!
Sounds like an awesome read.
Thank you for the chance!
Good luck, Kimberly!
Sounds awesome
Thanks Kate!
Love Melissa’s books and look forward to reading this one!
Thank you, Pam!
love your books cant wait to read
Thanks so much Valencia!
Her books never disappoint me…sometimes I even read them again 🙂
Aw, thanks Ronda 🙂
I always love Melissa’s books
Thank you, Janine!
Definitely need to check out this book! Cute prize package.
Glad you like it, Glenda! Thanks.
Hello Melissa and Karen 😊😊
This sounds like an absolutely wonderful read!
Thank you for the chance in this amazing giveaway ❤️🏊♀️👙🕶🐚⛱🏖
Thanks. And good luck, Melissa!
A lovely book excerpt.
Thanks Catherine!
I enjoyed the excerpt and the book.
No need to count me for the giveaway
Thanks so much, Denise!
Loved reading the blurb and excerpt from SWEET BEGINNINGS by Melissa McClone. Love Melissa’s book and can’t wait for the opportunity to read this one. I’d love to read more about Josh and Hope.
Thank you for the amazing and oh so generous giveaway! Along with everything else, I’d be thrilled to get a copy of JENNY which I’ve not been able to read yet either.
Thanks Kay, and good luck with the giveaway!
always nice to see a giveaway from an author and to find out about new authors to me and new books from authors.
Thanks Robyn 🙂
Great book and awesome prize!
Thanks Shelly! Good luck 🙂
I would love to read this book and I love this prize package
Thanks, Megan, and so glad you like the prize. It was fun to put together.
Interesting book. Thanks for the chance.
Best of luck, Sue. Thanks!
What a way to meet a guy…falling into his arms! 🙂 Sounds like a very interesting story. Awesome prize pack too. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks and glad you like the prize, Robin!
i love this cover and would love to read it in our cabin by the lake…sounds so good
I love the cover, too, Amy! Thanks!
Looks like this is going to be a great beach read!
Thanks, Jessica! It was fun setting a book on the Carolina coast. I’ve never used that before 🙂
I love Melissa’s writing! 😀
AW, thanks Sabrina!
haven’t read this book yet. it is on my list. the cover looks nice and blurb sounds enticing
Thanks so much, girlfromwva!
Sound like a great read I think my mom would love this book it’s like the one’s she likes.and thanks for the chance.
Thanks, Stacey! Good luck with the giveaway!
I read the excerpt and now can’t wait to read the book
Thanks Barbara!
I loved Sweet Beginnings and Jenny! I would love this prize pack! We love all things beach/fish themed💖🌴
So glad you enjoyed them, Lucy. Best of luck with the prize pack!
Awesome giveaway
Thanks BethRe!
Thanks for the chance to win! Such nice and fun prizes!
Best of luck, Steph J.!
looks interesting
Thanks bn100!
I enjoyed the excerpt 😊 Thanks for sharing!
So glad, Lori H!
This is a new to me author. Adding to my TBR.
Thanks, J Haupt! 🙂
I love Melissa’s books and this one is no different. I can see this being a wonderful beach read. Thanks so much for the chance.
Thanks so much, Eileen. Good luck with the giveaway!
Melissa, you alway have the cutest giveaways.
Thank you, Michelle K. I have fun with them!
Looks good
Thanks Dorothy B!
Nice
Thanks Gary B!
I haven’t read this one yet! Sounds great!
Thanks Sharon!
Hi Melissa, I have been a fan since way back. i believe the first book of your I read was one about a Mermaid. I love the excerpt. you have a gift for taking imperfect people and helping them find the perfect person for them. I am looking forward to reading Sweet Beginnings.
Hi Gigi! That mermaid book was In Deep Waters… I wrote that during 9/11 and kinda went over the top with it to escape what was happening around us and dedicated it to my two kids (the third wasn’t around yet!) Thank you so much for the kind words. You made my day <3
I like the sound of this book! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thanks Colleen C!
awesome prize pack
So glad you like it Angelica. Good luck!
Awesome!
Thanks for the chance
Thanks and best of luck, Nicole!
Love your books! Keep writing!
This book sounds great
The book sounds great! I love finding new reads. Thanks for the chance.
This book sounds very interesting, love reading your books
He must love strawberries.
This sounds like an excellent read, Melissa! Thank you for sharing it with us. Thanks for the sweet giveaway.
I really can’t wait to read this! Your books NEVER disappoint!
sounds like a great read. thank you for sharing with us 🙂
Thanks so much for the great book find, and the beach swag is so adorable!
The book Jenny sounds very good I can not wait to read the book
Thanks for the chance to win such an amazing prize
The book sounds like a wonderful read and thanks for the chance to win
As always your books sound amazing. I can’t wait to read 🙂
Hope you have a beautiful evening and start to the week
This book sounds lovely! I love the theme of the prize pack as well.
The books sounds amazing, Thanks for this amazingly generous giveaway.
Good excerpt! Thanks for the chance to win.
Love your giveaways Melissa and your books.
I would love to read this book & its such a cute giveaway 🙂
Love your giveaways Melissa and your books. Thanks for the chance
The book sounds great. Thanks for the chance.
this sounds so good! would love to take it on a trip to the lake.
Sounds great! looking forward to it, when days ere not so hectic
I’m so glad you re posted this on Facebook!! I now have found another place to hang out! I do love your books!
This looks like such a great book
Wy live in the midweat, so beach is more like lake front! I just like hearing water movement!
The book sounds good. Thank you for the awesome chance in your giveaway prize pack!