Want Me Always (Heron Harbor Book 1)
Page 16
HOLD ME FOREVER - COMING 2021
Lark Donovan doesn’t need anything besides her art. That’s what she’s told herself for years as she’s traveled the country selling at art festivals and teaching workshops. She’s independent and takes life day by day, because that’s the only way to keep from getting hurt. The only rule she’s lived by is to never return to Heron Harbor Island, but that’s one she has to break to be in her sister’s wedding...
Police Chief Hunter McMullen loves his life on Heron Harbor. The only thing missing is someone to share it with. He thought he’d found that once and the rejection still stings, especially when sexy, free-spirited Lark Donovan returns for a family wedding they’re both in. Reunited for the first time in years, they’re thrown together to celebrate another couple’s love–and damn if the sparks between them still don’t fly.
Now, it’s all Hunter can do to avoid convincing Lark with his hands, his mouth, and his body that they belong together. But he can already sense her pulling away–again. The only question is how hard they’ll both fight to hold on to happiness...forever.
Acknowledgments
Every book is special, but this one holds an extra sparkly place in my heart. It represents new beginnings, fresh possibilities, and perseverance through seemingly insurmountable obstacles. There was a time I wasn’t sure if this book would ever be finished. Yet here it is, in your hands, due in no small part to a cadre of fantastic people to whom I am immensely grateful.
I’m lucky to have the best writer pals a girl could ever ask for: Laura Kaye, Stephanie Dray, Christi Barth, Kate Quinn, MD Waters, and Eliza Knight. Thank you for your friendship, encouragement, counsel, guidance, business savvy, and monthly dinners. I’m glad you’ve got my back. I’ll always have yours.
I owe Christi Barth more than a million thank yous for reading and editing at breakneck pace, and for her insightful comments. She made this book infinitely better and forced me kill some darlings, which I’m still smarting over, but I’ll survive. Thank you for always being there, open hearted, outstretched hand.
Stephanie Dray is a source of constant support, inspiration, and motivation. Thank you for believing in me.
Laura Kaye is more than my best friend, she’s been with me every step of the way on my writing journey. Thank you for the gift of your time and genius, series concept inspiration, plotting help when I’ve written myself into a corner, formatting the manuscript, publishing expertise, and marketing advice. I’ve loved our writing retreat weekends to your cozy beach house where so much of this book was written. I know I can always count on you to share the spinach artichoke dip with me.
I’m especially lucky to have a circle of friends who’ve known me the bulk of my life and yet still choose to hang out with me. To Jennifer Alessi, Greta Jansson, Peggy Murphy, Ann Olenick, Mary Pearce, Lora Robertson, and Ellen Santora, thank you all for refilling my cup. Our weekends away mean the world to me. Let’s never let them lapse.
I’m indebted to Marsha Regenstein and Rana Strazza for their comfort and support while I finished the end of this book. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
And finally, a deep and abiding thank you goes to my family who put up with my vacant stares when I’m in writing mode. It’s not that I’m not listening; I’m just thinking about something else. Seriously, Gillian, Riley, and Lila, I realize you’d rather I not have to go away to write, but thanks for being cool with it. And to Riley and Lila, I appreciate the notes and words of encouragement to “finish the book!” And lastly, and most especially, to my love, Patrick: Thank you for everything—your encouragement, your faith, the time away, the investment. I couldn’t have done this without you. I love you always.
Other Books by Lea Nolan
His Billion Dollar Baby
Burned by love and grieving over his brother's death, sexy billionaire CEO Carter Anderson wants nothing more than to protect his family. So when beautiful and unassuming physical therapist Gwen Radley shows up at the funeral, pregnant with his brother's baby, Carter's certain she wants an interest in the Anderson empire—and both his suspicion and attraction grow when circumstances force Gwen to move into his family's mansion.
An orphan, Gwen's never wanted anything more than a family, and she finds in the Andersons a place she and her baby might belong. When Gwen's therapy expertise leads to long hours of intense, late-night collaboration on a lucrative project, the attraction between her and Carter leads to a night of white-hot passion. But Carter's distrust remains, leading them both to wonder if he will ever embrace his brother's baby—or the love that's blooming between them.
ORDER HIS BILLION DOLLAR BABY NOW!
About the Author
Lea Nolan is a USA Today bestselling author who writes smart, witty contemporary stories filled with head-swooning, heart-throbbing, sweep-you-off your feet romance. She also pens books for young adults featuring bright heroines, crazy-hot heroes, diabolical plot twists, plus a dose of magic, a draft of romance, and a sprinkle of history. Born and raised on Long Island, New York she loves the water far too much to live inland. With her heroically supportive husband and three brilliant children, she resides in Maryland where she scarfs down crab cakes whenever she gets the chance.
To learn more about her books and find exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and other news, visit LeaNolan.com or subscribe to her newsletter.