Hold On To Me (Welcome To Redemption)
Page 16
“You smell good enough to eat,” he murmured. “Do you have to ride the bus?”
Holding her camera in one hand, she hugged his arms close with the other. “Dana and Nadine brought their digital cameras for some candid shots, so I told them we’d meet them out there.” She turned her head and gave another one of those glances up through her lashes. “That is, if you don’t mind giving me a ride?”
“So long as you don’t mind a detour down a deserted road on the way there.”
A soft, breathless laugh accompanied a sassy wiggle of her hips against his growing desire. “Why do you think I didn’t ride the bus?”
His low growl against her neck made her laugh again and hunch her shoulder.
Loving every minute of it, he asked, “You enjoy torturing me, don’t you?”
“I do. Especially in the mornings.”
“Promise to never stop?”
“As long as you promise to hold on to me forever.”
“Done.”
~~~~~
I hope you enjoyed Jenny and Grant’s story. Jenny definitely lives up to my tagline of Resilient Heroines, and Grant did a great job earning her trust and healing her heart. His journey may not have been as soul-searching as Jenny’s, but without her, he’d still be lost without even knowing it.
If you haven’t already done so, Donna Marie Rogers and I would love for you to read the rest of the series and fall in love with the characters who’ve become our friends.
—Stacey Joy Netzel
Welcome to Redemption...
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...a small town in Northeast Wisconsin where second chances don’t always come easy, but if you’re willing to try, anything is possible.
Book 1: A Fair Of The Heart, by Donna Marie Rogers
Single mother, and work-at-home beautician, Lauren Frazier can barely keep a roof over her head, let alone stop it from falling down around her. When handyman Caleb Hunter shows up at her door for a haircut, it’s like the answer to her prayers—and the attraction is instantaneous. Too bad her troublesome ten-year-old son isn’t quite as thrilled to have Caleb hanging around.
Old wounds have kept Caleb from returning to Redemption permanently. When he receives word of his mother’s unexpected death, guilt and regret bring him home again, but will the love of a good woman keep him there? Beautiful, witty, and strong, Lauren excites Caleb like no woman ever has, but she’s a package deal, and he’s not sure he’s prepared to take on a ready-made family.
Book 2: A Fair To Remember, by Stacey Joy Netzel
Reformed gang member Wes Carter feels Redemption, Wisconsin, is just the place to relocate his financial business for reasons more than just the name. He’s ready for a nice, quiet life in small town USA. Tara Russell has decided it’s time to add some excitement to her life and get a little wild—no matter how uncomfortable it makes her or her overprotective family. They meet at the local fair one warm summer night and discover opposites attract for all the right reasons. Add a dash of Sugar in the form of an incorrigible Great Dane, and it’s destined to be A Fair To Remember.
Book 3: The Perfect Blend, by Donna Marie Rogers
Carrie Lowell swears off men for good after nearly losing her business in a bitter divorce settlement to her abusive ex-husband. She’s on the verge of filing bankruptcy when handsome librarian Matt Jacobs walks into her shop and offers sound—if unwanted—business advice. Sure, financially he’s a godsend, but emotionally he’s a threat to the barricade she’s built around her heart.
Heir to a vast fortune, Jacob Spalding flees LA for the tiny Midwest town of Redemption, Wisconsin to escape the scandalous nightmare his life has become. Now known as Matt Jacobs, he buys a little cottage and settles in to small town life. Soon, he finds himself infatuated with the owner of the coffee shop across the street. Too bad the infuriating woman is as contrary as she is beautiful.
Book 4: Grounds For Change, by Stacey Joy Netzel
Charlie Russell lived with a secret for fourteen years, but now guilt has pushed him to the breaking point. He meets psychologist Dana McClain and feels an instant connection that has nothing to do with his Great Dane, Sugar, spilling coffee down her shirt. Dana switched to counseling animals because she has a history of becoming too emotionally involved with her clients. She figures she’s safe helping Charlie with Sugar’s issues, until he reveals his secret and asks for her help. She tries to convince herself it’s all about the dog, not the guy, but history has a way of repeating itself.
Book 5: Home Is Where the Heart Is, by Donna Marie Rogers
Used to the finer things in life, heiress Melinda Spalding is thrown for a loop when her brother relocates to the Midwest. Her parents even expand their business to the small town and put her in charge of the project. Discovering she likes “Mayberry” and its quirky inhabitants is almost as shocking as her growing attraction to the local auto mechanic. But LA is where she belongs…or is home truly where the heart is?
Drew Porter learned at his mother’s knee how treacherous women can be—and when snooty "Lindy" Spalding skids into his life and nearly hits his dog, she seems worse than most. An unlikely bond between their pets gives him an intriguing glimpse behind her pretentious exterior. While his heart wonders if there’s more to her than meets the eye, his head tells him to run as fast as he can in the opposite direction.
Book 6: The Heart of the Matter, by Stacey Joy Netzel
All Allie Daniels ever wanted was a family of her own—until her doctor informs her she’ll never be able to have children. She hides her desolation, refusing to let any man close enough to see her broken heart. Most certainly not the town veterinarian, whose cute three-year-old son reminds her of what she’ll never have.
Rick Wilde had a serious crush on Allie back in high school, but life took them in different directions. Now a single parent, he returns to Redemption several years later to raise his son, Lukas. His interest in Allie is renewed, but her shoulder is colder than the bitter winter wind.
Brought together by an orphaned kitten, Allie finds herself helpless to resist Lukas’s impish innocence—not to mention Rick’s warm charm and sexy good looks. Does she dare take a chance on an impossible dream, or will Rick’s desire for more kids devastate their future?
Book 7: Never Let Me Go, by Donna Marie Rogers
Sheriff Chase Lowell has never been more scared in his life than when he discovers the diner where Hannah Porter works has been robbed at gunpoint. He’s been in love with her for as long as he can remember, but has kept his feelings in check because she’s his best friend’s little sister.
Hannah has had a crush on Chase since she was in the third grade. He’s kind, compassionate, and as handsome as they come. They’ve known each other forever, which seems to be the problem—he thinks of her more as a kid sister rather than a romantic interest.
But something changes the night he races into the diner and crushes her in his arms. When he makes her safety his personal mission, Hannah decides to make it her mission to get him to see her in a different light.
~~~~~
Watch for more Welcome to Redemption books in the future, and if you haven’t read books 1-7, make sure you check them out. Also, if you’re loving this series and want to help support my work, and Donna Marie Rogers’, all reviews are greatly appreciated.
One more thing, all authors love hearing from their readers, so please feel free to drop me a note through my website. Or join my newsletter on the sidebar of my blog page and I’ll keep you apprised of any fun news, contests, and new releases.
Copyright © 2013 Stacey Joy Netzel
Hold On To Me
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting
the hard work of this author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.
Contact information: http://www.StaceyJoyNetzel.com
Cover art by Tamra Westbury
About Stacey Joy Netzel
I fell in love with books at a young age, so for me it seemed only natural to graduate to writing them. I credit my parents for encouraging my dreams of becoming a published author, as well as the very talented friends I've made in Romance Writers of America (RWA) and Wisconsin Romance Writers (WisRWA).
An avid reader and fan of movies with a happily ever after, I live in Wisconsin with my husband and three children, a couple horses and some barn cats. In my limited free time I enjoy gardening and canning, and visiting my parents up north at the cabin on the lake with the whole family.
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Follow online:
Website and Blog: http://www.StaceyJoyNetzel.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/StaceyJoyNetzel
Twitter: http://twitter.com/StaceyJoyNetzel
Stacey Joy Netzel’s Other Titles:
Lost In Italy
2012 *WINNER* romantic suspense
WisRWA’s Write Touch Readers’ Award
~
Colorado Trust Series
(romantic suspense published by The Wild Rose Press)
Trust In The Lawe
Shattered Trust
Shadowed Trust
~
More Than A Kiss
(contemporary romance)
~
Chasin’ Mason
(contemporary western romance)
~
Welcome to Redemption Series
(small town romance series with Donna Marie Rogers)
~
Stacey Joy Netzel Novella Collection
(available together or individually)
Dragonfly Dreams
If Tombstones Could Talk
Ditched Again
~
Romancing Wisconsin Series
Mistletoe Mischief
Mistletoe Magic
Mistletoe Match-Up
Three Christmas stories now available separately, originally published as Mistletoe Rules anthology with TWRP.
2010 *WINNER* WisRWA’s Write Touch Readers’ Award
Or get the
Romancing Wisconsin Volume I Holiday Boxed Set
that includes an exclusive bonus story
~
Beneath Still Waters (Still Waters Part One)
in the Tales From The Mist anthology
Rising Above (Still Waters Part Two)
If you enjoy a little mystery in your romance, and maybe even a mystical twist, here’s an excerpt from my paranormal Still Waters two-part series. This is from Beneath Still Waters (Part One), the short story published in the acclaimed Tales From The Mist anthology.
BENEATH STILL WATERS
Part One
An old legend tells of a beautiful witch unjustly persecuted who became a ghost bent on revenge...
The danger lies in not believing.
~~~
On a sorority camping trip in the Colorado Rocky Mountain National Park, Becca scoffs at the story of the Ghost of Still Waters, despite the convictions of her fellow campers, Liz and Shane. When Liz challenges her to summon the witch’s spirit, will Becca’s disbelief seal her fate?
~ EXCERPT ~
“Hey, any of you ever hear the story about that guy who died up here a couple years back?” Johnny asked.
Liz’s eyes widened. “Someone died up here?”
He nodded. “His friends said the Ghost of Still Waters lured him into the wicked currents, and he drowned.”
“Ghost?” Megan shifted closer to Johnny.
“He probably fell in and couldn’t swim,” Becca quipped.
Ted scooped up the flashlight at his side and flicked it on to shine the light up from beneath his chin. “The Ghost of Still Waters,” he intoned in a low, spooky voice.
“Ooh—I love scary stories,” Liz said.
“I don’t,” Megan protested.
“Tell us.” Liz sat forward on the edge of the log. “I’ve never heard this one.”
When Megan leaned against him, Johnny put his arm around her. “Come on, it’ll be fun.”
“What do you think, Becca?”
At Liz’s question, Becca shifted her gaze from Megan’s anxious expression, past Johnny’s amusement and Ted’s steady regard, to the hint of a smile tilting the corners of Shane’s mouth upward. Finally, she came to Liz’s expectant face, lit only by the fire on this moonless night.
Surprised they’d asked her opinion, she shrugged. “What’s a campfire without a ghost story, right?”
“You say that like you don’t believe in ghosts.”
“I don’t.”
“You haven’t heard this one yet,” Johnny said.
Megan cringed, hunching her shoulders and nervously nibbling on a fingernail even though the story had yet to be told.
Still smarting over their earlier laughter, Becca couldn’t help but scoff. “Oh, Megan, really? Ghost of still waters? Wicked currents? This oughta be good.”
The blond relaxed a bit at Becca’s open cynicism.
“There’s this place along the river where the surface of the water is so still you’d swear you’re looking at glass,” Johnny began in a low, quiet voice. “But the currents beneath the surface are wicked fast.”
The ominous fact was underscored by the sound of rushing water tumbling over the rocks and boulders of the riverbed barely twenty yards from their campsite. Becca never would’ve admitted it out loud, but a shiver shimmied up her spine.
Megan’s manicured nails clutched Johnny’s shirt. “This river?”
“This very river,” he confirmed. Clearly happy to have her plastered against him, he tightened his hold and grinned at his teammate. “Go ahead. You tell the story better.”
Ted set the flashlight aside before sitting up straighter, rubbing his hands together in delight. “All right, here we go.”
It didn’t take a genius to figure out this was a play the two had run more than a few times. Megan was practically in Johnny’s lap, and beside Becca, Liz leaned forward in eager anticipation. Her breasts were ready to pop free from her bra—an enticing view not lost on Ted, Johnny, or Shane.
After a glance down at her own green T-shirt, Becca gave a mental sigh. Sure, the color went well with her red hair, but the modest neckline did nothing to show off what she considered a decent figure—size six jeans and a generous C-cup. Maybe if she started dressing more like Liz, or even Megan with her shoulder-baring halter-top and low-rise jeans, guys wouldn’t overlook her more often than not. Or use her as a bet.
“Back in the eighteen hundreds, there was a young witch who lived in these mountains. In fact... ” Ted paused and looked around. “What remains of her cabin isn’t too far from here.”
Megan gave a little moan, as if the long-dead woman would suddenly appear right behind her.
“The townspeople were all scared of her, but since she kept to herself mostly, they left her alone. Then one day—”
“Does this witch have a name? And why were they scared of her?” Becca fired off the questions as Megan glanced uneasily over Johnny’s shoulder.
“Shh,” Liz said with annoyance.
“The legend warns against speaking her name.”
“Don’t encourage him,” Shane added.
“Why not?” The fearful question came from Megan.
“She practiced black magic,” Ted explained. “They say if you speak her name, it could awaken her spirit.”
The fire popped, throwing a shower of sparks skyward. Becca noticed Megan and Liz both jerk in reaction, as if the witch had sent a sign.
She didn’t believe there was an
ounce of truth to the story. “You guys probably don’t even know it.”
Ted met her gaze with a solemn nod.
“Are you chicken?” she challenged him and Shane. Now she was starting to have fun.
“Some things are better left unspoken,” Shane warned.
“Just tell us.”
Despite Liz’s urging, Ted hesitated. Becca guessed it was part of their presentation.
“Her name is... ”
“Don’t say it,” Shane breathed, closing his eyes. “Please don’t say—”
“Alianna.”
A burst of rustling leaves preceded a loud clatter in the forest behind them. Megan let out an ear-piercing scream.
~~~~~
BENEATH STILL WATERS (Part One) is part of the Tales From The Mist anthology; available wherever ebooks are sold. Also sold in print.
Once you’ve finished that one, check out the rest of the story in
RISING ABOVE
Still Waters Part Two
Imagine you’ve lived before, but don’t remember or believe it’s even possible. Therein lies the danger. For in not believing and learning from your pasts, the power shifts to the one who would see you dead. Again.
Ryan James never gave much thought to ghosts or the idea of reincarnation—until the appearance of the beautiful Ali Whitman triggers terrifying visions that feel like real life. As he pieces together their past lives, he discovers they aren’t the only players. Worse, if he can’t convince Ali to believe before their past adversary makes the next move, he’ll lose her all over again.