by Harper Bliss
Kristin peers at it as though it’s a gesture not many people have ever had the balls to aim at her.
“Not when it comes to my aunt. Nu-uh,” he says. “She’s a woman of her word if ever there was one.”
“A woman after my own heart then.” Kristin gives him a small smile. I don’t think she’s capable of anything more generous, as though her genetics don’t allow her wide grins.
“After we’ve talked with Hera, we can set an opening date,” I say, my voice brimming with excitement.
When Jessica first introduced me to Kristin, I misjudged her as the kind of person who would take great offense at my then-profession. But looks can be deceiving—something I should know all about—and Kristin embraced the idea of the new coffee shop from the start. It helped that she already had a partnership going with two women who run a Pink Bean branch, slash feminist book shop, in Newtown.
“We’ll see,” Kristin says. “I know she’s your aunt, Rocco, but it will also depend on the budget.”
Rocco waves her off again. Kristin looks at his fluttering hand as though, if he waves it at her one more time, she might very well slap it away. “This is even better than mates’ rates, Kristin. This is family.”
Even I’m curious about meeting Rocco’s aunt. I’ve known him for a long time, but I’ve never met her. However, I do know all about her long-term partner Samantha suddenly dying of a cerebral hemorrhage last year. Rocco may have cried about it when he was with me but I’m sure he was a rock for his aunt. He’s that kind of guy. As camp as they come, yet with a heart of gold underneath. I love him to bits for both those elements of his personality.
A woman on a pale blue racing bicycle stops in front of the window, catching all of our attention. From her lanky form, I can tell it’s Liz. She takes off her helmet and straps it to the handlebar of her bike. She waves at us through the window.
“I can’t believe there’s going to be a Pink Bean in bloody Bondi,” she says as she steps inside. “Now that I no longer live here.”
“Sorry, darling,” Rocco says. “But this is where it’s happening. You shouldn’t have been such a lez and moved in with your girlfriend after two dates.”
The three lesbians surrounding him protest loudly, telling him off for his inane utterance of clichés. While Liz admires the space, I see a bright red flatbed truck pull up outside. The driver manages to maneuver it into a tight spot, impressing me with their parking skills.
Rocco claps his hands together. “Hera’s here.”
We all watch Hera as she descends from the truck. She stands looking at the building for a split second, just long enough for me to take her in. She’s tall with short cropped dark hair that is greying slightly at the temples. Her jeans are faded and marred with paint spots. The T-shirt she’s wearing is loose and shapeless, but from its sleeves, a pair of bulky biceps protrude. Hera pushes her tortoiseshell glasses up her nose and heads inside.
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To read the rest of Katherine’s story, get More Than Words HERE
A Note from Harper
Dear Reader,
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If you’ve enjoyed this book, you can make a big difference. Reviews are the most powerful tools in my arsenal when it comes to getting attention for my books. Being an author who writes for a niche market (lesbian fiction), I don’t have the financial muscle of a big New York publisher behind me when it comes to marketing. I can’t take out full page newspaper ads and put posters in the subway.
But I do have something much more powerful and effective than that, and it’s something those publishers would kill to get heir hands on: a committed and loyal group of readers. (You!)
Honest reviews of my books bring them to the attention of other readers (and encourage the Amazon algorithm to promote my books in 'Also Boughts' and search results on the website.)
If you enjoyed this book I would be very grateful if you could spend a few minutes leaving a review (it can be as short as you like) on the book’s Amazon page. You can find the links HERE >>
* * *
Thank you,
* * *
Harper xo
Get Three Books FOR FREE
Building a relationship with my readers is the very best thing about writing. I occasionally send newsletters with details on new releases, special offers and giveaways.
And if you sign up to my mailing list I’ll send you all this free stuff:
A copy of Few Hearts Survive, a Pink Bean Series novella that is ONLY available to my mailing list subscribers.
A free copy of Hired Help, my very first (and therefore very special to me) lesbian erotic romance story.
A free copy of my first ‘longer’ work, my highly romantic novella (35.000 words) Summer’s End, set on an exotic beach in Thailand.
You can get Few Hearts Survive (a Pink Bean Series novella), Hired Help (a spicy F/F novelette) and Summer’s End (a deeply romantic lesfic novella) for free by signing up at harperbliss.com/freebook/
Click here to get started: www.harperbliss.com/freebook/
Acknowledgments
Dear Reader,
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I hope you enjoyed reading Jessica’s story. I sure had a ball writing it, mainly because, just like Jess, I had a massive crush on Liz. It’s not Liz I want to talk about in this note, however… because, well, I usually talk about myself, don’t I?
How does this book possibly pertain to Harper, you might think. Well, let me lay it all bare for you again. (Just my emotional exhibitionist streak rearing its head again!) I’ve been one of those fortunate people who’ve never had to deal with a cancer scare (although, just like about everyone, I’ve seen it touch many lives around me.) What I have experienced, however, is what it feels like to wake up from general anesthetic with only one breast intact.
A few years ago I had breast reduction surgery and a few things didn’t go according to plan. I ended up needing a second surgery, which reduced one of my breasts to a lower cup-size, and took away most of my nipple. Not a mastectomy by a long shot, but it took me almost a year before I could look at my chest in the mirror again.
In previous author notes, it has been well established that I’m of the hypersensitive, rather squeamish type. A characteristic I was able to put to good use when channeling Jessica’s fears. When you wake up one day and your body is not how it once was, it takes some getting used to. But I got used to it (I even got over my doctor putting actual leeches on my nipple to ‘stimulate blood flow’ before deciding to operate again -- real life Game of Thrones really isn’t as fun as watching it on TV!)
I didn’t have Liz to pull me through the bad times, but I did have my wonderful wife, Caroline, who put her half-British stiff-upper-lip-ness aside and assured me that to her, I was and always would be the same person I was when my two breasts were still intact.
My editor, Cheyenne Blue, knows more about me than most, that’s how good a friend she is. (She squirmed when I told her about the leeches, though.) I also couldn’t wish for a better person to entrust my scandalous manuscripts to.
My super-sweet beta-reader Carrie claims I’m corrupting her (and I’m proud to do so), nevertheless, her enthusiasm is always a bright moment during the nerve-racking process of putting out a book.
I’ve been putting my beloved Launch Team to the test, not only with the number of books I ask them to read and review, but also with the subjects I throw at them. But they always handle everything with grace and kindness.
Last but not least, Dear Reader, I must admit that I sometimes underestimate you, and think my themes are too salacious or contentious for you, after which you don’t hesitate to tell me that they’re decidedly not, and who’s the prude now? Point very much taken. Thank you for sticking with me all this time. For one, I would never be able to expose myself so emotionally if it weren’t for you reading all my words.
Thank you.
About the Author
Harper Bliss is the author of the Pink Bean series, the High
Rise series, the French Kissing serial and many other lesbian romance titles. She is the co-founder of Ladylit Publishing and My LesFic weekly newsletter.
Harper loves hearing from readers and you can reach her at the email address below.
www.harperbliss.com
[email protected]
Also by Harper Bliss
For a complete list of all Harper Bliss titles, please visit harperbliss.com/books
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It’s never too late to find the right person… and yourself along the way.
Micky Ferro has lived her entire life according to other people’s expectations. She married a man, had two children, and became a dutiful stay-at-home mom in suburban Sydney. Until she realized, with a little help from her best friend, that her picture-perfect life wasn’t making her happy.
On the first anniversary of her divorce, Micky decides it’s time for the next step in her journey and gets a job at her neighborhood coffeeshop, The Pink Bean. Becoming a barista sparks a big change in Micky’s daily routine, but could loud-spoken American customer Robin do the same for her love life?
Don’t miss the first book in this heart-warming new series from the bestselling author of the French Kissing and High Rise series.
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In the Distance There Is Light
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Two women lose the man they love. All they have left is each other.
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Sophie’s life is turned upside down when her partner, Ian, dies in a tragic accident. The only one who can understand her devastation is Ian’s stepmother, Dolores. Together, they try to make sense of their loss and rebuild their shattered lives. While their shared grief brings them closer, it also takes their relationship in an unexpected direction. Where does sorrow end and romance begin? Or has Ian’s death blurred the lines too much?
If you love deeply emotional lesbian romance with a twinge of controversy, don’t miss this intense but hopeful novel by chart-topper Harper Bliss.
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French Kissing: Seasons 1-3
Paris... City of lights, City of love, City of drama!
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French Kissing follows a group of Parisian women as they navigate the stormy waters of love and life.
Claire and Juliette have been best friends for twenty years. Together they own a successful PR agency, but their journey to success has come at a price. Juliette and her partner Nadia have drifted apart after ten years together while Claire hasn't been on a real date for as long as she can remember. Meanwhile, their happily single employee Steph is getting a bit too close to a new, high-profile client.
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Prepare for the Pink Bean/French Kissing crossover (in French Kissing: Season Four) by reading this box set at 30% off the price of the individual seasons!
BUY NOW
Copyright © 2018 by Harper Bliss
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.
Cover picture © Depositphotos / photorista
Cover design by Caroline Manchoulas
Published by Ladylit Publishing - Hong Kong
ISBN: 978-988-78014-2-9