Title: Once Upon a Beast (Bourbon Falls #1)
Author: Kyra Jacobs
Genre: Contemporary Romance (Sweet)
Book Blurb:
It’s a fairy tale as old as time…
Everyone in Bourbon Falls knows Delaney Brooks doesn’t need a man—including Delaney. So when a storm sends her niece’s car hydroplaning into the town hermit’s bushes, it’s nothing Del can’t handle herself. But the winds also cause costly damage to the roof of her family’s beloved bookstore, and Del accepts it’s time to seek help.
Isaac Manning never intended to be the bad guy. But a slanderous post went viral, and he’s forced to take cover in Bourbon Falls, Indiana, hiding to protect his tech company until the online storm blows over. The strategy goes smoothly until a teenage girl destroys his lawn. Now two locals have seen his face, and one is tugging at his heartstrings.
Del’s fundraiser can save her family’s bookstore but she’ll need an amazing website built to draw the crowds in. Isaac, wanting a break from his loneliness, is happy to trade his skills for Del’s landscape panache. But can the two truly work together to support the town’s biggest event of the year without jeopardizing their hearts and reputations too?
Excerpt:
Up ahead, Isaac’s deaf bulldog nuzzled the lead hanging from a hook by the door, then turned back as if to say, “Hurry up already, will ya?”
“Patience, buddy,” Isaac said, reaching for his sunglasses, a ballcap, and the leash. “You’re eager to meet your new friend, huh?”
He snapped the lead to Louie’s collar and opened the door, then stepped aside to let his dog pass. Is that what Del would become to them? A new friend?
Isaac knew he had to be cautious. Just because she hadn’t seemed to recognize him in the rain last night didn’t mean she hadn’t had an aha moment after she’d gone home and Googled him. If she acted differently around him today, he would know she knew.
But then what? Pack up and move in the dark of night?
He glanced back at the dining room half full of boxes. At least there wouldn’t be much packing to do if it came to that. Unfortunately, he doubted anywhere else he could land would be rent-free. Could he swing paying rent in Manhattan and somewhere else?
Isaac shook his head and stepped out into the midday sun. It was too soon to think like that. Clearly, all this alone time had made him paranoid. Well, that, and the whole fiasco last fall. He’d never received so many vicious hate tweets in his life.
Clueless so far to their nearby guest, Louie took his time sniffing out the perfect patch of yard to fertilize. Though the woods that surrounded their house and yard were lush and green, the sound of a revving chainsaw would have alerted any other dog of their visitor. It wasn’t until they were on their way down the drive and on other side of the woods that Louie realized anyone else was there. Suddenly, the bully lunged forward with more gusto than anticipated. Isaac watched in horror as the lead slipped from his grip, Louie barreling down the driveway and heading straight for Del.
She turned her gaze toward Louie, but rather than take off running, Del set the saw down and knelt to receive the incoming four-legged welcome wagon. Oblivious as always to his own brute strength, Louie barreled into her, knocking her clean over. By the time Isaac caught up to them, a full-out slobberfest had commenced. Beneath a happy, wiggly Louie lay a dirtied, doggie-kiss-covered, laughing Del, her sunglasses half knocked off.
“I am so sorry about Louie. He just really loves people,” said Isaac, gently muscling his dog off her.
“I can see that,” she said, rising to dust herself off.
He studied her carefully, watching for any glimmer of recognition. If she’d gone home last night and discovered who he really was, she was doing a good job of hiding it. Hopefully, his secret was still safe. Question was, how long could that last?
“You must hate coming over here,” he said. “Every time you do, you end up getting dirty.”
“Nah, I live to get dirty. Why else would I start my own landscaping business?” She straightened her shades and motioned toward where his battered shrub had been. “It also allows me to play with cool toys for doing stuff like this. Look a little better now?”
“Wow, yeah it does. Kinda makes me wish you were cutting its twin down, too.”
Will would agree. He hated plants.
Which was why all the ones in their office were fake.
“Really?” She studied the monster evergreen on the drive’s opposite side. “I mean, I’m already here. If you want it gone, say the word. Just remember, once it’s down, I can’t put it back up.”
He nodded. “Go for it.”
“All right, then. Stay back, we wouldn’t want Louie to get an unexpected haircut.”
She stepped away from them, retrieving her chainsaw as she went. Del’s movements were smooth, practiced. The confidence he’d seen in her actions last night was even more pronounced today, but rather than be intimidated by it, Isaac felt an invisible tug pulling him in her direction. This wasn’t just loneliness—it was attraction, plain and simple. An attraction he shouldn’t act on, not with the massive dark cloud currently hovering over him.
She sawed through a thick outer branch and watched it fall, then bent to drag it out of the way. Man, did she have a great butt. Connected to a killer set of legs. Legs like that would look even better wrapped around—
Isaac looked away. Whether inspired by loneliness or an unexpected attraction, these thoughts were doing him no good. It’d be best to just let her do her work and go. Safer. Louie dropped his rump onto Isaac’s foot with a whine, as though reading his owner’s thoughts.
“Totally off limits,” he whispered to his deaf dog.
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What makes your featured book a must-read?
Anyone in the mood for a fun, reimagined telling of Beauty and the Beast? If you’re looking for a feel-good, small-town romance with a heroine who isn’t afraid to speak her mind, a hero in need of redemption, and an endearing cast that includes an adorable bulldog, then this tale is sure to warm your heart. Grab your copy today—it’s FREE for a limited time! And with book two in the series on sale for just 99 cents, now’s the best time to load the entire series on your favorite reading device!
Giveaway –
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Runs January 21 – January 28, 2025.
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Author Biography:
Kyra Jacobs is an extroverted introvert who’s always called Indiana home. Growing up in the Midwest means she’s well-versed in fickle weather, pork tenderloins that don’t fit on a bun, and sarcasm. Putting her Indiana University degrees in Public Management to good use by day means Kyra does the bulk of her writing late into the night. Fueled by caffeine and funny memes, she weaves humor and chaos into her stories, which range from sweet romance to mysteries and even paranormal/fantasy.
When this Hoosier native isn’t at a keyboard, daydreaming through her fingertips, she's likely outside, elbow-deep in snapdragons or spending quality time with her sports-loving family. Kyra also loves to bowl, tries to golf, and is an avid college football fan. Be sure to stop by kyrajacobsbooks.com to learn more about her novels and ways to connect with Kyra on social media.
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