Woot-woot! The next book in my Trappers Cove small-town romance series is off to the editor! I adore this pairing between a hunky, Greek-American, big-city entrepreneur laboring under a family curse, and a fiery, Italian-American journalist determined to save her small-town newspaper and preserve the soul of Trappers Cove, WA.

As in all my Trappers Cove books, you’ll find cozy small-town vibes, laughs, plenty of steam, a tasty slow burn, heart-warming friendships, and Madame Zora, TC’s resident psychic whose tarot cards nudge reluctant lovers toward risking their hearts and opening their minds.

After two failed businesses in Seattle, Xander Anagnos is thrilled to inherit his Uncle Gus’s alien-themed souvenir shop. He has big plans to remake the dilapidated old shop into a chic, upscale shopping center which, in Hannah Leone’s opinion, will be jarringly out of step with Trappers Cove’s quirky, funky vibe. Here’s a convo between our not-yet-lovers:

“Speak of the devil,” Garrett whispered. “Hey there, Hannah. Your usual?”

“Yeah, plus a hot chocolate for Mom. Her ulcer’s acting up again.” She handed Garrett a pile of neon-colored fliers and dropped into the chair opposite Xander. “For Saturday’s sale.”

“I’ll put one in the window.” Garrett tilted his head. “You okay, Hannah?”

Xander noted the tightness at the corners of her plush lips. Dark shadows under her eyes too. Guess he wasn’t the only one dealing with work stress.

She flashed an unconvincing smile. “I’m just grand.”

While Garrett prepared her drink order, she peeled the elastic from her ponytail, shook out her glossy dark hair, then gathered it back into a knot at her nape, her long fingers sliding through the silky strands.

He crossed his arms, tucking away hands that itched to touch her. “Liar. You’re not feeling grand.”

Her chuckle rang dry and brittle. “Just came from another argument with my mom. She’s trying to convince me to shutter the TC Beacon and move.”

Her words landed like a sharp poke between his ribs. He’d just met her, and now she was leaving?

“Move where?”

“She says a smart girl like me should have no trouble picking up a job in Seattle or Portland.” She snorted. “Girl? I’m forty. And in this economy? Mom’s overestimating my chances by miles.” She gave Garrett a warm smile, then sipped the coffee he’d brought. “Thanks, Gar. Parents, right? They always think we can move mountains.”

Garrett made a wry face and moved back to his duties.

Huh. Maybe he and Hannah weren’t the only ones facing family troubles.

Xander sipped his own drink, stalling his return to work. “At least your mom believes in you. Count yourself lucky.” He reached across the table and grazed her knuckles with his fingertip. “Really nice story on Gus. It was kind and fair.”

Her expression flattened. “I’m always fair.”

And touchy, it seemed. This next bit called for the utmost delicacy. “Hannah, could I ask one more favor?”

She cocked an eyebrow. “Shoot.”

He laid his hand over hers—partly to soften the request, but also because sitting this close and not touching her was an impossibility.

“If you do any more articles on Gus, could you tone down the alien angle? Our family is kinda…let’s say they’re not exactly open-minded.”

She took another sip but didn’t pull her hand away. “Everyone knows he believed in aliens. So what? He was a good man. He wasn’t hurting anyone.”

“Yeah, Uncle Gus was a special guy. I’m glad he landed here, where people are allowed to be…eccentric.” He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. “But it’s hard to imagine him resting in peace while his family tears his memory to shreds.”

Her dark eyes brimmed with sympathy. “Xander, he’s beyond needing our protection.”

She was right, but he couldn’t shake this need to protect his uncle’s reputation—a gesture of love from second son to second son.

“If you won’t do it for Gus, do it for me—a hard-working entrepreneur who’s trying to make a fresh start in your town.”

Her expression shifted to a sly smile, her thumb teasing his palm in slow arcs, back and forth. And damn if his long-neglected d**k didn’t perk right up.

“I won’t make any promises. You’re not the only one fighting for his business. But I am on your side. I want the shop to succeed. I want you to succeed. See you at the sale tomorrow.” She released her hold on him, and immediately, he missed her warmth.

When she left, he draped his napkin across his lap and thought hard about baseball, and bugs, and ugly little aliens—but his body remained unconvinced.

He wanted Hannah all the way to the marrow of his bones. But he didn’t dare trust her.

👽👽👽

Love, Legacy, and Little Green Aliens is available for pre-order from your favorite online bookstore.

Thanks for reading!