So
this month is Valentine’s Day and we’re into all things romance. To get you in
the mood, I thought I’d share an excerpt of my next book (launch date still
TBD). This is from Last Stop Paradise, Book 3 (and most likely final) book in
my Shellwater Key Tales series. This story introduces Callie Dalton, childhood
friend of Layla and Emma (Books 1 and 2) who comes home to Shellwater Key to
escape a huge scandal. There to pick up the pieces is Noah Johnson, the sexy handyman/set
designer/carpenter who has appeared in the previous two books. Now it’s his
chance to finally get the girl.
Callie is contemplating buying a bottle of wine as an act of rebellion against her recently deceased husband, but finds it's more complicated than she thought.
Excerpt…
“I
prefer beer myself,” a husky, male voice said in her ear.
She
shrieked and nearly knocked a section of Chardonnay right onto the floor. Noah
Johnson – aka part-time pool boy – stood grinning at her with a mischievous grin.
“Do
you make it a habit to scare unsuspecting women in pools and grocery stores?”
Callie snapped at him, willing her racing heart to settle down to a normal
pace. Of course, her roaring pulse had nothing to do with his nearness and the
fact that he smelled so delicious, like soap and…was it sawdust? Why did a pool
guy smell like a woodshop, and why did that turn her on so much? All she could
do was imagine him using those strong hands to handle the tools.
Noah
stuffed his hands in his pockets, regarding her without bothering to hide his
amusement. “You’re the first actually. Sorry if I make you jumpy.”
“You
don’t make me jumpy,” Callie denied.
A
dimple appeared in his cheek as he chuckled. “You just shriek at everyone who
comes up and says ‘hi’?”
“You
snuck up behind me,” Callie countered.
“You
were pretty intent on wine selection.” Noah gestured to the shelves behind her.
“I know finding the right bottle can be intimidating in a place like this. Too
many choices.”
“Tell
me about it,” Callie said, glad to be on a safe topic. “Too many choices for everything.
Did you know there are eighteen kinds of instant rice? Eighteen?”
Something
shifted behind his eyes. “It’s been a while since you were in a store like
this, I guess.”
“Yeah,
we had people to do the shopping. It was easier that way, at least according to
my husband.” Heat rose from her neck and she was thankful her sunglasses hid
some of the color that must be rushing to her cheeks. “I feel stupid.”
“You
are far from stupid, Callie. You might be the bravest person I know.” He
pointed to her baseball outfit. “You’re disguise could use a little work,
though. The sunglasses indoors made me look at you more closely.”
She
snatched off the shades, feeling even more awkward. “I’d rather not attract too
much attention just yet.”
He
huffed with laughter. “Good luck with that. Shellwater Key has an amazing
gossip train. You’ll probably have company by the time you get home.”
“Thanks
for the warning,” Callie said, wondering how long she had until the jig was up.
“You’re
welcome. Anyway, sorry again if I make you so jumpy.”
“I
already said you don’t. I’m not affected by you in the least,” Callie said,
wondering if her nose might start growing after such an outrageous lie. “Just
because you have those changeable eyes and a killer smile doesn’t mean I’m
going to fall at your feet.”
“Changeable
eyes?” he echoed, seemingly intrigued by this.
“Yeah,
they’re never just one color. It’s like some kind of weird magic trick,” Callie
said, wiggling her fingers like she was trying to cast a spell.
“Right.”
The corners of his mouth turned up once more. “What about my killer grin? Is
that magic, too?”
Noah’s
smile should be illegal. He had to know the soft curving of his lips linked
straight to her core, causing warmth to radiate all through her body.
Stop…no warmth spreading anywhere,
Callie. You can’t be flirting with a stranger in the wine aisle of the
supermarket.
She
let out a delicate snort; trying to shake off the spell he cast with so much
ease. “I was just trying to be nice. It’s a smile, like anyone else’s.”
“Uh
huh.” He chuckled and Callie almost forgot to breathe.
“I
mean it,” Callie whispered, even as she relished the fizz of attraction zinging
through her veins. How long had it been since she’d felt so alive? So attuned
to her body? “You’re nothing special.”
“I
know that.” The warmth in his changeable eyes seemed to grow as he closed the
gap between them. “But I think you might be, Callie Dalton.”
She
swallowed and backed up a step, only to be trapped against a wall of bottles.
They rattled on the shelf as she shifted and Callie feared the entire stock
might end up on the floor after all.
Clean up in aisle ten! Desperate widow
going at it with the pool boy against the Merlot!
Then Callie
forgot all about the delicate glass as Noah edged another inch closer. He
reached above her head, the motion causing his chest to brush against hers. The
contact was brief, but it ignited a spark that made her gasp.
“No effect? Are you sure?” he whispered, the sound
sending shivers down her spine. In the next instant, he placed a bottle in her
hand and moved away. “Try this one. I think you’ll like it.”
Kristin Wallace is the USA Today Best
Selling Author of inspirational and contemporary romance, and women’s fiction
filled with “Love, Laughter and a Leap of Faith”. She is the author of two best
selling series, Shellwater Key Tales (sweet contemporary romance) and Covington
Falls Chronicles (inspirational romance). Check out Book 2 in the series, (Straight
On Toward Paradise) as well as Book 1 (Left Turn At Paradise), which is
available for only 99 cents right now.
For buy links visit my AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
Or my website: Kristin Wallace Author
Wow, what a romantic excerpt. Now I can't wait to read the book. Hope it comes out soon.
ReplyDeleteLove the sparks in this! :)
ReplyDeleteSo fun, Kristin, and love the banter. Please keep us posted on the release date!
ReplyDelete