Title: A Cure For Spring Fever
Author: Barbara Robinson
Genre: Fantasy Romance / Light Paranormal
Book Blurb:
For centuries, Gamekeepers have used their magical abilities to create a buffer between the creatures who dwell in the enchanted forest and the sleepy coastal town that sits in its shadow. When Gamekeeper Stan Ross’s magic begins to fail, he must find out what went wrong, then fix it before the two worlds collide. His hit or miss magic has already led to a few close calls so he journeys to the Sacred Isle searching for answers and advice. Finding a cure proves elusive—until Stan encounters a kitchen witch who captivates him body and soul. Lynnette Peters is healing from her own wounds, however, and it isn’t clear whether she’s ready to open herself to the possibility—or the peril—of love.
Excerpt:
Stan pulled up at the curb outside the bakery, turned off the ignition and tucked his polarized sunglasses into the visor. The door of the bakery triggered a little bell as he pulled it open, announcing that a customer had entered the store. The shopkeeper was turned away from him, placing some fresh muffins onto cooling racks as he approached the counter. “Be right with you,” she called over her shoulder.
It struck him that there was something very familiar about this woman as he watched her from behind. Maybe it was the way she stood with one ankle hitched up against her leg, like someone caught in the ‘tree posture’ of a yoga flow, or the economy of movement needed to flip the muffins out of their tins. Everything was somehow so familiar, as if he could anticipate her next movement in advance of its execution.
When she flipped the last tin over, he caught her sudden, sharp intake of breath as the hot pan brushed the inside of her arm. His body responded with an instant pulse of arousal as he recalled the woman from the grove in exquisite detail, gasping in just that way in response to his touch. As she turned to face him, he no longer had any doubts.
Here was his elf-woman, quietly running a bakery shop that he drove past every day on his way to work.
He couldn’t believe that he hadn’t recognized her that night in the grove, as the short, curvy blond had made an impression, even amongst the chaos of the mjolkhare incident. It had been dark in the grove, though, and the woman’s features had been hidden by the robe and the mask. Seeing her in daylight, there could be little doubt that they were one and the same. Besides, even if his eyes had deceived, him his other senses had not. She still smelled of wildflowers and deliciousness. If he reached out to touch her, he was sure her flesh would be warm to his touch.
If he needed further proof, her own reaction was a dead give-away. She blinked in surprise, then her eyes grew wide, and she took a step back from the counter. She stiffened, poised to run, and Stan felt as if he had a wild thing cornered.
His next move, his next word, would be crucial. “Hey, there,” he said, giving her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “I wondered where you’d got to, after you’d slipped away from me in the grove.” He paused and looked around the café space at the front, then smiled again as he let out a low whistle of appreciation. “The place sure looks better than it did the last time I was here.”
“Well, that’s not saying much, is it?”
Her voice was wary, but at least she hadn’t hightailed it to the kitchen yet. She was willing to listen, but she still looked spooked. Not that he could blame her—he was probably the last thing she’d expected to walk through her door today. Stan watched as she backed herself right up against the wall behind the counter and folded her arms across her chest in a defensive posture. So far, the reaction wasn’t exactly one of unbridled enthusiasm, but he supposed that his sudden materialization might take a bit of adjustment.
“No, I suppose not,” he replied. “Still, it’s nice to see that you have everything ship-shape again. You look well.”
At his words, her hand flew to the kerchief that held back her tumble of hair and her blue eyes darkened in annoyance. Did she think he was making fun of her? She wore a black and white polka dot blouse with a bright red apron that sported the bakery’s logo. Stan thought she looked good enough to eat—right down to the smudge of flour on her cheek.
“How did you find me?”
“I didn’t,” he replied. “I didn’t make the connection to the bakery. Maybe if you had spoken, but it was dark, and we were both cloaked and wearing masks. I had no way of knowing who you were, or where you’d gone.”
“Then what are you doing here?”
“I honestly just came in for some coffee,” he answered. “It’s my turn to pick up coffee and doughnuts for the crew back at the base. I can’t pretend that I was on some kind of mission to find you again, but I might have been if I’d had anything to go on. Now that our paths have crossed again, though, I don’t mind telling you I’m glad they did.”
She appeared to consider this, studying him with an intensity that made him fidget. “I see,” she said, apparently satisfied. “In that case, what can I get you?”
The friendly, impersonal voice caught him offguard. They’d gone from an emotionally charged, private moment to an everyday exchange without any warning, and it left him feeling a bit at sea. He was playing catch up, unable to read what was going on behind her eyes, but he could play it cool—for now.
“I’d like a half dozen black coffees with cream and sugar on the side, and a dozen assorted doughnuts. But make one of them a Boston Cream, and keep it out of the box—I’ll have it with my coffee on the way in.”
“Excellent choice,” she said, her voice light and friendly, until their fingers brushed as she handed him his doughnut. At his touch, the illusion of friendly indifference slipped away. Her face flushed and she pulled her hand back, but it was too late. She was unmasked.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Amazon.com: A Cure for Spring Fever (Jelly Beans and Spring Things) eBook : Robinson, Barbara : Kindle Store
What makes your featured book a must-read?
A Cure for Spring Fever is a fun, uplifting read. It is a feel-good love story with a light, comedic touch—and the added bonus of fairy tale creatures, enchanted forests and a bit of magic added in for good measure.
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Author Biography:
Barbara Robinson is an author of contemporary and historical romance set against a backdrop of magical realism. She is known for world building that features rich and immersive detail supported by meticulous research and careful observation. She finds inspiration in myths, folktales, and academic writing on a variety of subjects. Diagnosed with autism and giftedness, she also enjoys exploring themes of neurodiversity in her writing.
Barbara has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of King’s College and a Master of Arts from Dalhousie University (Halifax, Nova Scotia). She recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing from Humber College (Toronto, Canada), and was awarded a Letter of Distinction for outstanding achievement.
Barbara is a lover of nature who works out plot lines and character sketches while nurturing her garden, walking in the woods, or sitting by the shoreline watching waves. She lives in Nova Scotia, Canada, nestled between the province’s ancient mountains and rugged coastlines. These vistas shape her story settings, while providing the perfect backdrop for life with her husband, her hounds and her dragon (Pogona Vitticeps).
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