Coming this Thursday, March 20th, Book 2 in the Book Nirvana Series: Runaway Love Story!
Wrong time, wrong place, perfect guy.
A heartbreaking distress cry interrupts my search for a new art gallery job. Darling Maxie needs my help, so now I’m stuck in Eugene, Oregon, rescuing the auntie who rescued me.
Running into adorable Coach Dalton ignites a sweet flirtation that quickly turns spicy. He’s wise, funny, and he’s going through the same heartbreak: losing a loved one to dementia.
But he wants lasting love, and I’m only passing through. No matter how much I crave him, I can’t let him derail my dreams.
Come to Book Nirvana for a spicy, funny, heart-wrenching tale of true love and second chances.
Runaway Love Story was previously published and has been revised and updated with new chapters.
Pre-order Runaway Love StoryAnd by “updated,” I mean quite a lot of changes! This book was released by a small press early in my writing career. Since then, I’ve learned a lot, so I really enjoyed the chance to smooth the story’s rough edges, dive deeper into the characters’ minds and hearts, add new scenes, and rewrite the whole shebang in first-person present point of view. I hope you’ll have as much reading Runaway Love Story as I had writing it. Here’s a snippet to whet your appetite:
Having just arrived in Eugene, Oregon to help her beloved great-aunt Maxie move into assisted living, Laurel’s running off her frustrations in Alton Baker park when she’s accosted by harrassers.
Just a few more minutes, then I’ll turn around. There are still lots of people on the trail, so I tune out the inner voice reminding me that a woman alone after dark is asking for trouble. Instead, I focus on birdsong, tweets and chirps and trills and caws and—
“Yo, sweet thang. Don’t run away.” A guffaw splutters from the bushes.
A higher voice chimes in. “Mmm. Look at that ass. Mama, you make me so hard.”
Shitshitshit. In my hurry to catch a run before sunset, I neglected to unpack my pepper spray. My thudding heartbeat picks up speed, and so do my feet. Asshole kids hiding in the shrubbery, harassing women. I almost clap back with a few choice words, but that usually escalates things. Better to ignore them and keep on running.
“Come back, Blondie. I just want a little taste.”
Footsteps sound behind me—only one set but closing fast.
I gulp air and lengthen my stride. My quads burn and my sides ache, my reserves nearly spent.
I’ll never run without pepper spray again.
The guy is right on my tail, puffing like a bellows.
“Babe, there you are. Hold up.” This voice is deeper and lacks the mocking tone of the others.
Without slowing, I risk a backward glance. Tall bald guy. Serious runner, judging by his gear. His face drips from exertion, but his broad smile holds no threat. He tilts his shaved head toward the bushes and rolls his eyes.
I slow, and he pulls up alongside me, exclaiming with unnecessary volume, “I stopped to tie my shoelaces, and you disappeared.”
Hard of hearing? Near-sighted?
He throws a glance over his shoulder and lowers his voice. “You okay?”
Understanding dawns. He’s rescuing me!
“I’m good, thanks.” I jog to a stop and bend over, hands on my knees, gulping air. He waits beside me and scans the bushes, his breathing hard but steady. Expensive running shoes. Above his enormous feet rise long, well-muscled legs encased in snug shorts and the finest ass I’ve seen in a long, long time—high and firm and muscular. My fingertips itch to trace its contours.
Holy heck, what’s wrong with me?
His back to me, he surveys the trail. And what a back it is, outlined by his sweat-soaked T-shirt, narrow at the waist and broad at the shoulders. He runs his long fingers over his shiny shaved head and turns to face me.
Late thirties, I’m guessing. Aquiline nose, straight, pale brows, and deep-set eyes, blue as the summer twilight. A short golden beard covers his jaw. His lips spread in a slow smile, transforming his bony face into something dazzling.
Our eyes meet, and a spark jolts through me, strong and sharp and aimed straight at my core.
Uh-oh.
Learn more about Runaway Love StoryThanks for reading!
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