by Jenna Brandt
Turn the page for a sneak peek of the next K-9 stand alone book, Lawfully Protected, by Evangeline Kelly releasing May 8, 2018!
Still want more? Coming soon: Zach’s story in the new spin-off series, Clear Mountain Romances, by Jenna Brandt.
Zach and Erica met at their best friends’ wedding, but Zach’s obnoxious behavior caused Erica to avoid him. Something about her caught Zach’s attention, because he can’t stop thinking about her. Yet, he knows he blew it and doesn’t know how to fix it.
Six months pass without either of them finding a successful relationship. The opposites encounter each other again at their friends’ baby shower. This time, Zach is on his best behavior, but Erica makes it clear, she won’t date a non-Christian. Zach makes the choice to brave church to hopefully entice Erica to take a chance on him. He joins Aiden and his family at Clear Mountain Assembly where Erica goes to church as well.
Over the next few months, Aiden comments that Zach is changing into a better man. Gone is his bachelor lifestyle and endless parade of women. Erica must have noticed too, because she agreed to finally go out with him.
Want to find out what the future holds when two opposites attract? Then make sure to read the first book in the Clear Mountain Romances coming soon.
Preview – Next Book in Series
Evangeline Kelly’s Lawfully Protected
If I ever got married, it would be to a man who loved cats.
Snowball, my white Himalayan kitty, stared at me with her beautiful blue eyes, and then rubbed herself against my leg, purring like she was on cloud nine. Cats, despite their bad reputation, were easy to please. You just had to know how to handle them. They weren’t like dogs, letting anyone pet them—in some cases even a burglar. No, cats were more discriminating creatures, and they figured out very quickly if you were worth their attention. Once they decided you were good enough, they would follow you anywhere—literally.
“Don’t you worry,” I crooned. “Mama’s going to buy you that outfit.”
Stooping down to pet behind her ears, I stroked her soft fur and checked the time. I’d promised Jane from the local buy and sell Facebook group that I’d meet her husband in fifteen minutes at Rooster’s Nuggets, a local fast food restaurant. I regularly bought used items from that group and even though they came second hand, most of the items were top quality.
Normally, when someone wanted to purchase something from the site, they would stop by the seller’s home. Maybe it made me untrusting, but I didn’t feel comfortable going to a stranger’s house if I didn’t have to. I’d read too many stories about serial killers finding unsuspecting victims that way, and I had a knack for attracting strange characters. It was better to be safe than sorry. Thankfully, Jane understood my uneasiness and had arranged to have her husband meet me at a neutral location.
Thank goodness it was Friday, and after a long day at work, I was looking forward to a little levity. Seeing that outfit on Snowball would crack me up. She would look just adorable in that blue crocheted bodysuit and hat to match.
Clucking my tongue, I picked up one of Snow’s toys and led her over to her bed so she wouldn’t follow me outside when I left. She seemed content to play, so I headed to the front entrance and swung open the door. A man stood on the porch, hand held high as if about to knock, and he wore a shirt that said: Sadie’s flower shop.
“Hello, can I help you?” I asked.
“Delivery for a Miss Allison McBride. Is that you?”
A wave of uncertainty washed over me as I surveyed the plant in his hands. It had lush green leaves and big red . . . lips. That was the only way I knew how to describe them—big puffy bloodshot smackers. Psychotria elata—that’s what they were called. I’d just had a conversation about them the previous evening at dinner with my coworkers, Melissa and Walter, and Walter had even shown me a picture online. Maybe they were playing a joke on me. “Uh . . . yes, I’m Allison, but I didn’t order—”
“Someone else ordered this for you, Miss McBride. It appears you have an admirer.” He handed me the plant, and I took it, glancing down at the strange gift. It was beautiful for sure but not your typical flower bouquet from an admirer.
I was a career counselor at a private college, and Walter was one of the history professors there. Melissa worked in the administration office, and she’d known Walter for a while. Melissa and I regularly got together for dinner, and she had insisted Walter come along with us this time—said he had a little crush on me but not to worry because he was harmless.
He was at least twenty years older and not my type, so I’d been reluctant at first. Since she’d already invited him, I went along with it so I wouldn’t hurt his feelings, though I’d instantly regretted that decision. He’d stared at me all evening with these huge bug eyes.
“This is from Walter Henley, right?” I asked, looking for a card.
The delivery guy smiled. “Sorry, Miss. The customer preferred to remain anonymous, and he didn’t want to include a note. He said to tell you,” he glanced down at a pad of paper in his hands, “you wanted to see this plant up close, and now I’ve made it possible for you.” He snickered. “He paid quite a bit for this. We don’t normally carry this plant—had to special order it.”
Definitely Walter. After talking non-stop about the Irish potato famine in 1845, he’d brought up the plant randomly in conversation—awkwardly referred to it as “Hot Lips.” Apparently, they were actually referred to that way because no one went around saying, “I have a Psychotria elata plant.”
Releasing May 8th
About the Author
Jenna Brandt is a Christian historical romance author and she is branching into contemporary romance in 2018. Her historical books span from the Victorian to Western to WWI eras with elements of romance, suspense and faith. Her debut series, the Window to the Heart Saga, has become a bestseller and her new multi-author series, The Lawkeepers, is sure to be a fan-favorite. She is also an author in the First Street Church kindle world.
She has been an avid reader since she could hold a book and started writing stories almost as early. She has been published in several newspapers as well as edited for multiple papers. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in English from Bethany College and was the Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper while there. Her first blog was published on Yahoo Parenting and The Grief Toolbox as well as featured on the ABC News and Good Morning America websites.
Writing is her passion, but she also enjoys cooking, watching movies, reading, engaging in social media and spending time with her three young daughters and husband where they live in the Central Valley of California. She is also active in her local church where she volunteers on their first impressions team as well as writes for the church’s creative team.
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Also By Jenna Brandt
The Window to the Heart Saga
Trilogy
The English Proposal (Book 1)
The French Encounter (Book 2)
The American Conquest (Book 3)
Spin-offs
The Oregon Pursuit (Book 1)
The White Wedding (Book 2)
The Christmas Bride (Book 3)
The Viscount’s Wife (Book 4)
First Street Church Romance, WWI Trilogy
Love’s Mending Embrace (Book 1)
Love’s Unending Grace (Book 2, releasing March 2018)
Love’s Perfect Place (Book 3, releasing summer 2018)
The Lawkeepers Series
Jenna Brandt’s Lawfully Loved
Lorana Hoopes’ Lawfully Matched
Elle E. Kay’s Lawfully Held
Lorana Hoopes’ Lawfully Justified
Jenna Brandt’s Lawfully Adored
Ginny Sterling’s Lawfully Yours
Under the Mistletoe (Christmas Anthology)
For more inf
ormation about Jenna Brandt visit her on any of her websites.
www.JennaBrandt.com
www.facebook.com/JennaBrandtAuthor
www.twitter.com/JennaDBrandt
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Acknowledgments
Since I can remember, writing is the only thing I love to do, and my deepest desire is to share my talent with others.
First and foremost, I am eternally grateful to Jesus, my lord and savior, who created me with this “writing bug” DNA.
In addition, many thanks go to:
My husband, Dustin, and three daughters, Katie, Julie, and Nikki, for loving me and supporting me during all my late-night writing marathons and coffee-infused mornings.
My mother, Connie, for being my first and most honest critic, now and always. As a little girl, sleeping under your desk during late-night deadlines for the local paper showed me what being a dedicated writer looked like.
My angels in heaven: my grandmother, who passed away in 2001; my infant son, Dylan, who was taken by SIDS four years ago; and my father, two years ago.
Lorana Hoopes for editing my book and being a wonderful critique partner.
To my Beta Bells for giving me insight and letting me know what to change and why. Your ideas helped make this a better book.
To my ARC Angels for taking the time to read my story and give valuable feedback.
To the Jenna Brandt Books Street Team, who have pounded the virtual streets on the internet, helping to spread the words about my books. Your dedication means a great deal.
To my partners in this adventure creating The Lawkeepers Series: Annie Boone, Kate Cambridge and Lorana Hoopes.