Professionally: college professor, counselor, boring.
Personally: whiskey drinking, rock and roll lovin, gluttonous reader with a foul mouth and a dirty mind.
From the USA Today bestselling author of The Wedding Game comes a new romantic comedy about the antics that ensue when three siblings come together for their parents’ fiftieth-anniversary party.
Martin and Peggy Chance believe love should last a lifetime. With their fiftieth wedding anniversary on the horizon, they’ve modeled a beautiful relationship for their three grown children. But to their dismay, that lesson hasn’t quite caught on—the three siblings just can’t seem to take a chance and find love in their own lives.
There’s Ford, the eldest, devoted to his work and resistant to romance…or so he claims. Cooper, the middle child, can’t get past his divorce—until he reconnects with a feisty baker from his past. And Palmer, the baby of the family, is the free-spirited world traveler who always pictured herself with someone other than a handsome small-town family doctor.
When the Chance siblings come together to plan the ultimate anniversary party for their parents, they’ll have to navigate romantic entanglements, sibling rivalries, and the definitive end of their childhood. Whatever happens, The Reunion promises to be a fun, flirty, wild ride.
Excerpt:
TO: Family and Friends
FROM: Cooper Chance
SUBJECT: 50th Wedding Anniversary
You’re invited to celebrate the 50th wedding Anniversary of Peggy and Martin.
· Food and drinks.
· Music.
· Fun.
Party is at the original Watchful Wanderers store.
Sunday, June 2nd.
RSVP to Cooper Chance—just reply to this email
No presents.
***
TO: Cooper Chance, Ford Chance
FROM: Palmer Chance
SUBJECT: Re: 50th Wedding Anniversary
Bro,
Please do not tell me you just sent a wedding anniversary invite through an email? Did that just happen?
Palmer—your not-so-happy sister
***
TO: Palmer Chance, Ford Chance
FROM: Cooper Chance
SUBJECT: I Did
***
TO: Cooper Chance, Ford Chance
FROM: Palmer Chance
SUBJECT: Re: I Did
You know I hate it when you respond in the subject line. It’s more work to delete the subject line and type in your response, than to just reply in the body of the email.
But ignoring that, what happened to the beautiful linen invites I picked out? You can’t just send an email for Mom and Dad’s 50th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. We look so . . . uncultured.
***
TO: Palmer Chance, Ford Chance
FROM: Cooper Chance
SUBJECT: Re: I Did
The invites you wanted to purchase were going to be twelve dollars a pop. TWELVE dollars, Palmer. That’s a waste of money, a waste of resources, and just a useless way to kill more trees. Also, while you’re out galivanting around the world, who do you think was going to have to address all of those?
Me.
So, I did what was easiest. Sent an email. If you don’t like it, too bad.
***
TO: Cooper Chance, Ford Chance
FROM: Palmer Chance
SUBJECT: Re: I Did
You realize the family owns a multi-billion dollar, franchised, outdoors store, right? Twelve dollars an invite is a blip in the pool of gold Mom and Dad are sitting in. Now we look like cheap asses who send out a wedding anniversary invitation through email. You’re an editor, but you didn’t even beef up the text. You made bullet points. Food.
Drinks.
Music.
Fun.
^^^ Yup, screams fun, Coop.
***
TO: Palmer Chance, Ford Chance
FROM: Cooper Chance
SUBJECT: Re: I Did
Once again, if you’re not here, you can’t have an opinion.
***
TO: Cooper Chance, Palmer Chance
FROM: Ford Chance
SUBJECT: Re: I did
Just catching up.
The invitation is less than ideal, especially for such a large and monumental event in our parents’ lives, parents who have given us every opportunity to succeed in life. I think we need to treat this anniversary with a little more appreciation and a little less complaining about the time and effort we have to put forth in order to make it happen.
I just spoke with Larkin and she is ordering the linen invites, having them shipped overnight, and we will have them sent out ASAP. We will treat the email as a funny save the date. I will reply all and tell everyone to expect a formal invitation in the mail.
Larkin and I will be flying out to Washington on Tuesday. We will be working up until the anniversary party on some very time-consuming tasks. Please be conscious of our time and energy.
I’ll be sure to have Larkin schedule in some meetings to go over all party arrangements as well as time with the family, but we won’t be staying with Mom and Dad. We booked two rooms at the Marina Island Bed and Breakfast, one being the attic suite so we can conduct business in private.
Please send your itineraries to Larkin and any requests so she can schedule them in.
Thank you.
Ford
About the Author:
USA Today Bestselling Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.
He was made for her, all she had to do was take the leap…
Taking the Leap, the all-new beautiful and emotional contemporary romance from New York Times bestselling author Kristen Ashley, is available now! Read on for a peek inside this incredible love story.
Alexandra Sharp has been crushing on her co-worker, John “Rix” Hendrix for years. He’s her perfect man, she knows it.
She’s just not his perfect woman, and she knows that too.
Then Rix gives Alex a hint that maybe there’s a spark between them that, if she takes the leap, she might be able to fan into a flame This leads to a crash and burn, and that’s all shy Alex needs to catch the hint never to take the risk again.
However, with undeniable timing, Rix’s ex, who broke his heart, and Alex’s family, who spent her lifetime breaking hers, rear their heads, gearing up to offer more drama. With the help of some matchmaking friends, Rix and Alex decide to face the onslaught together…
As a fake couple.
Fall in love with Rix and Alex! Amazon: https://amzn.to/3BR8VKs Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/TakeLeap Apple Books: https://apple.co/3l7nhQb Nook: https://bit.ly/3jWRxOw Kobo: https://bit.ly/3tr6xHf Google Play: https://bit.ly/3lbw6sp Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3yRqmZn
My Review
There's just something about a Kristen Ashley novel that keeps me turning pages, and this one wasn't any different.
Rix
is a former firefighter, and works with Judge in his prior position at
River Rain, and now in their expanding adventure trail program. Alex
also works with them, and has a massive crush on Rix. Some early
misunderstandings cause tension between them, but it's mild. There's
some other drama with Rix misunderstanding Alex's behavior toward him,
her situation of having to be in her sister's wedding and saying that
she's bringing home her boyfriend (who just happens to be Rix), Chloe
stepping in and setting them up in a situation where they have to
pretend to be a couple. During their pretending, they make an agreement
that they will have an end date that will come after the wedding. Throw
in Alex's toxic family, Rix's ex-fiance and former coworkers, and
there's drama within drama.
Despite what would appear chaotic,
the story flows and wasn't filled with unnecessary angst. Just the
typical KA drama that ends well.
I know there's more stories
here, as Judge's brothers, and Chloe's siblings, and Hale all have their
stories that need to be told. Hopefully they'll come soon!
Excerpt
What kind of coffee drink do you like?
I could have lied, and when I saw him at the office, said I was driving when I got the text and that was why I didn’t answer.
But there was a part of me that was so excited to get my very first text from Rix, and that part was strong.
So strong, that thought didn’t even occur to me before I texted back with oodles of curiosity, Why?
Because I’m buying you a coffee, babe.
Another babe.
That was three.
Highly inappropriate, even infantilizing.
I said not one word about the “babe.”
Instead, I texted, Iced Chai.
Once I sent that, I texted, Mocha latte, iced or hot.
And on its heels, I sent, For just hot, flat white.
Then I got nervous that I might be sounding like a goof.
So nervous my thumbs couldn’t seem to stop tapping letters, and I therefore texted, I assume you want to know what I want right now, rather than all that I like. So just to say, I tend to be a coffee explorer, since I like coffee. And caffeine on the whole. That means the list is kinda long. But if you’re asking for right now, which you are, because it’s chilly this morning, flat white.
After I sent that, I realized that I was absolutely sounding like a dork in sending it, all of it, including the three before. As such, I watched in agony as Rix’s three dots cycled and cycled and then they did it some more.
Until I got, How much coffee have you already had?
This would have been funny if it wasn’t so mortifying.
Just one, I responded miserably.
Try to cycle down cuz you’ll have another when you get to work. Later.
I decided I’d texted enough, so I let that lie.
It didn’t lie for long.
Rix showed at my desk at River Rain (which wasn’t going to be my desk at River Rain for very long, it’d be my desk at Trail Blazer since we were moving the next day, Judge’s office furniture, mine, and some unused stuff they had sitting around was all going to the new offices for temporary use because the telephones and Internet were being hooked up that day and it was time to occupy Trail Blazer).
Rix set my flat white down while I valiantly attempted not to blush, he made no attempt whatsoever to hide he totally did not miss I failed at this endeavor, smiled a smile that I wanted to think was friendly, but instead it seemed sexy, this thought being exacerbated when he muttered under his breath so I almost couldn’t hear it, “Only you could make a rambling coffee order adorable.”
I sat frozen.
Rix winked at me and said in his normal voice, “Bottoms up, Alex.”
With that, seeing as he was in his chair that day, he wheeled away.
Since there was a lot going on with packing for the move and tech hookups and such, I only had to deal with Rix in passing for the rest of Monday.
However, Tuesday morning, I was shoving stuff into my bag at home, preparing to head down the mountain to dig into the move, when my phone chimed.
OK, I have ten minutes, explain today’s coffee order.
Yes.
Another text from Rix.
A startled laugh escaped from me because he was being funny.
I then texted back, You don’t have to buy me coffee.
To which he texted, I know I don’t.
Then I sent, I’m just saying, we’re good. We had a blip last week. But now we’re great.
We’re great?
Damn.
Why did reading those two words texted by him make my breasts swell?
Good. Great. I mean, things are fine. You don’t have to butter me up with coffee.
So coffee is a way to butter you up?
Oh God.
What was that?
Was it flirty?
Or was it just being funny and friendly?
Or was it just a kind of getting-to-know-you, valued co-worker, but in a jokey fashion?
Tell him what you want and stop texting, Alex! I admonished myself.
I did not stop texting.
Well, yeah. Kinda. Like I said, I like coffee.
You did say that, so maybe you’ll tell me what kind you want this morning.
Time to get beyond this.
Iced Chai.
That’s tea.
Oh my God!
Flirty?
Or jokey?
I’m feeling tea today, I replied.
Right. And then he sent, That only took five minutes. I’d fill the other five by asking you what kind of donuts you like, but we got a lot to get accomplished today. I’m sure I’ll enjoy your dissertation on that, but I’d prefer to sort out my office so I can start doing the shit I’m getting paid to do.
He one hundred percent did not need my views on donuts then.
Therefore, I noted, Good call.
He sent a smirk emoji, which shared the impossible.
Rix could even make emojis sexy.
Add Taking the Leap to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3yY4ifE
About Kristen Ashley Kristen Ashley is the New York Times bestselling author of over sixty romance novels including the Rock Chick, Colorado Mountain, Dream Man, Chaos, Unfinished Hero, The ’Burg, Magdalene, Fantasyland, The Three, Ghost and Reincarnation, Moonlight and Motor Oil and Honey series along with several standalone novels. She’s a hybrid author, publishing titles both independently and traditionally, her books have been translated in fourteen languages and she’s sold over three million books. Kristen’s novel, Law Man, won the RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award for best Romantic Suspense. Her independently published title Hold On was nominated for RT Book Reviews best Independent Contemporary Romance and her traditionally published title Breathe was nominated for best Contemporary Romance. Kristen’s titles Motorcycle Man, The Will, Ride Steady (which won the Reader’s Choice award from Romance Reviews) and The Hookup all made the final rounds for Goodreads Choice Awards in the Romance category.
Connect with Kristen Amazon: https://amzn.to/2FyJg18 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3hl0A7e Instagram: https://bit.ly/33o8nfv Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2ZtoKGz BookBub: https://bit.ly/3bYcTFl Twitter: https://bit.ly/35Kg6rh Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3mftcCt Website: https://www.kristenashley.net Stay up to date by subscribing to her mailing list: https://bit.ly/3mjJiLd
For More information about Blue Box Press, visit: Facebook: https://bit.ly/37fl0uT Instagram: https://bit.ly/2Y7uBQp Website: https://bit.ly/2AIIr3A Stay up to date on all 1001 Dark Nights releases, join their mailing list today! https://bit.ly/2zgxaHu
"Are you a different man?" she asked softly. "I don't fight fires." "You're fighting one for me."
Taking the Leap, the all-new emotional and steamy fake relationship contemporary stand-alone romance the River Rain series from New York Times bestselling author Kristen Ashley, is available now!
Alexandra Sharp has been crushing on her co-worker, John “Rix” Hendrix for years. He’s her perfect man, she knows it.
She’s just not his perfect woman, and she knows that too.
Then Rix gives Alex a hint that maybe there’s a spark between them that, if she takes the leap, she might be able to fan into a flame This leads to a crash and burn, and that’s all shy Alex needs to catch the hint never to take the risk again.
However, with undeniable timing, Rix’s ex, who broke his heart, and Alex’s family, who spent her lifetime breaking hers, rear their heads, gearing up to offer more drama. With the help of some matchmaking friends, Rix and Alex decide to face the onslaught together…
As a fake couple.
Fall in love with Rix and Alex! Amazon: https://amzn.to/3BR8VKs Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/TakeLeap Apple Books: https://apple.co/3l7nhQb Nook: https://bit.ly/3jWRxOw Kobo: https://bit.ly/3tr6xHf Google Play: https://bit.ly/3lbw6sp Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3yRqmZn
Add Taking the Leap to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3yY4ifE
About Kristen Ashley
Kristen Ashley is the New York Times bestselling author of over sixty romance novels including the Rock Chick, Colorado Mountain, Dream Man, Chaos, Unfinished Hero, The ’Burg, Magdalene, Fantasyland, The Three, Ghost and Reincarnation, Moonlight and Motor Oil and Honey series along with several standalone novels. She’s a hybrid author, publishing titles both independently and traditionally, her books have been translated in fourteen languages and she’s sold over three million books.
Kristen’s novel, Law Man, won the RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award for best Romantic Suspense. Her independently published title Hold On was nominated for RT Book Reviews best Independent Contemporary Romance and her traditionally published title Breathe was nominated for best Contemporary Romance. Kristen’s titles Motorcycle Man, The Will, Ride Steady (which won the Reader’s Choice award from Romance Reviews) and The Hookup all made the final rounds for Goodreads Choice Awards in the Romance category.
Connect with Kristen
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2FyJg18 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3hl0A7e Instagram: https://bit.ly/33o8nfv Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2ZtoKGz BookBub: https://bit.ly/3bYcTFl Twitter: https://bit.ly/35Kg6rh Pinterest: https://bit.ly/3mftcCt Website: https://www.kristenashley.net Stay up to date by subscribing to her mailing list: https://bit.ly/3mjJiLd
For More information about Blue Box Press, visit: Facebook: https://bit.ly/37fl0uT Instagram: https://bit.ly/2Y7uBQp Website: https://bit.ly/2AIIr3A Stay up to date on all 1001 Dark Nights releases, join their mailing list today! https://bit.ly/2zgxaHu
Have you ever
fake dated your bodyguard? I don't recommend it.
Especially if
he's anything like Erik Wilder: former football player, world class know-it-all
and unapologetic grump.
To be clear,
I didn't want a bodyguard (hence the fake dating idea). Most days, I can’t
figure out why he wants the job either. We drive each other insane, probably
because we’re as opposite as two people can be.
He’s
suspicious, never talks about his past and has the comfort skills of a cactus.
I’m a happily ever after kinda girl who knows exactly what she wants out of
life.
Erik’s words
might say that the lines have to stay firm between us, but those dark eyes of
his? They tell another story when he looks at me.
He’s just as
stubborn as I am, but when our fake dating plan starts to feel a lot more real,
it's only a matter of time before his professional walls come crashing
down.
I just have
to hope my heart doesn't get buried in the rubble.
Well, let’s see ... I’m a
wife and a mother. If the things that I write bring a smile to someone's face,
then I've done my job. I am obsessed with Outlander (both the books and the
show). I’m almost exclusively a romance reader, which means some people will
never consider me a literary snob. If I could meet one historical figure, it
would be Jane Austen. I received my Bachelors in Public Relations and worked in
health care marketing before I had my babies. I hate Twitter. I do it, but I
hate it. Also, if you want to get on my good side, bring me wine and I'll love
you forever.
