Title: HOME IN YOUR ARMS
Author: Charlotte O’Shay
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Here's the cover:
Isn't it gorgeous? I love the colors and image! Okay, enough gushing, here's the rest of the book info...
Book Blurb:
After her sweetheart Joe dies in a road accident, twenty-four hours after he returns from Army service, grieving Karla Payne slams the door on love.
Five years later, Karla's tavern business is booming, and she owns her home, but she knows forever love has no part in her future. Headed to interview for his first civilian job, retired career Army 1st Sgt. Zane Blackthorne can't resist visiting his late buddy's beloved Vermont hometown. He also can't resist looking up Joe's sweetheart, Karla, who is an alluring mix of brains, beauty, and bravery.
Loyalty to his brother-in-arms demands Zane fight his attraction to Karla. Besides, even if Karla wants him, she'll never love him. Can Zane say goodbye to the woman he has no right to call his own? Even if his only true home is in her arms?
Excerpt:
What did he think? He thought it was the height of stupidity. Zane might be a bastard who only had a high school GED before the Army helped him get a college degree, but he’d never been a stupid man. Somehow he’d managed to back away from the lion’s den of temptation this woman represented. Did he want to go there again? No. Did he need confirmation of his weakness where she was concerned? Absolutely not. How long would it take before he was hopelessly ensnared, and she made a meal of him? That might have already happened. Even if she had no clue of his desire, just because she had no idea of the power of her allure or that he’d seen the answering heat in her shadowed eyes at breakfast didn’t mean they should act on it or take this…whatever it was, to the next level. Hell, no. The exact opposite. If it was a test to visit Willow Springs and get to know Karla, he’d failed miserably. Because he owed it to Joe to walk away. Now.
“To tell the truth, Karla, I’m not one hundred percent I’m gonna take that job up in Burlington. He rubbed a hand along the back of his neck, avoiding her gaze like a coward. “It may be I go back west, explore some other options…” When she didn’t respond he dared a glance at her.
After a long beat she said, “Oh.” Her sea-green eyes widened with surprise, the pupils large and black. “Sure. I wasn’t aware. I mean why would I be?” She lifted her shoulders with a shrug and a light laugh, then glanced down at the worn porch step before meeting his gaze again. “Of course you need to explore every opportunity. This is an important decision. It’s the rest of your life you’re talking about.” She stepped back from him and put her hand out again. This time he took her hand and used his other to cover it. With a light, formal smile, her eyes bright with self-assurance, she completed her goodbye. “I wish you every success in your future, Zane. I’m so glad you stopped by Willow Springs on your journey.” Her casual attitude of moments before when she’d hugged him and they’d laughed about Mrs. Howard was erased. She’d gotten the message he’d put down—loud and clear. He couldn’t say it made him happy.
He allowed his hand to slide from hers slowly, needing to savor the exceptional softness of her skin one last time. Then he lifted his duffel and turned in the direction of the Deerbourne. As he reached the end of her street, he turned and took one last look back at her. But of course she wasn’t standing on the step waving or waiting as he left her sight. Why would she? He cut whatever connection was forming between them before it could become stronger.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub)
Giveaway:
We're celebrating the upcoming release of Home in Your Arms by Charlotte O'Shay and you can win a $25 Amazon Gift Card. Click below to enter:
Runs October 2 - 17 and is open to US/Canada residents.
Winners will be drawn on October 19, 2020.
Author Biography:
Award-winning Author Charlotte O’Shay was born in New York City into a big family and then married into another big family.
Negotiating skills honed at the dinner table led her to a career in the law.
After four beautiful children joined the crowded family tree, Charlotte traded her legal career to write about happily ever afters in the City of Dreams.
Want to talk love, romance and all things bookish? Sign up for Charlotte’s newsletter.
Social Media Links:
WEBSITE & NEWSLETTER