Title: Planting the Seeds of Love: A Novella
Author: N. N. Light
Genre: Sweet Romance, Friends to Lovers Romance, Small Town Romance
Book Blurb:
The day her grandfather died, Sally’s life changed forever.
Twenty-Two-year-old Sally Rayton returns to the family farm she deserted four years ago to bury her grandfather. Her plan: to settle her grandfather’s estate and return to her life in the city with her boyfriend, Trevor Mattson.
Her childhood friend, Jack Smith, has other ideas.
Jack convinces Sally to transform the farm into a brewery and fulfill her grandfather’s dream while keeping the Rayton Farm in the family. Sally works side-by-side with Jack while Trevor is hundreds of miles away in the city. The more time she spends with Jack, the stronger her feelings are for him. Sally’s torn between her new feelings for her best friend, Jack and her boyfriend, Trevor.
When Trevor shows up to propose to Sally right before Christmas and finds her in Jack’s embrace, she’s unsure which man she loves. Will it be her best friend and farmer, Jack, or will it be rich, successful Trevor? City or Country… only Sally’s heart knows what’s right and true.
Watch the book trailer: https://youtu.be/uPaHDQDL0RE
Excerpt:
"Sally?" A soft familiar voice called through the darkness. Sally recognized the voice immediately.
"Grandpa?"
The darkness cleared and she was back on the farm, rocking on the porch swing. The smell of bug spray and musk cologne surrounded her. An arm squeezed her in a side bear hug. She giggled.
"Grandpa! I can't breathe when you do that." She turned and hugged him. She inhaled his scent.
"Is it really you?" she whispered.
He stroked her hair.
"My baby girl, I'm always with you," his deep voice replied.
She lifted her head.
"But are we back on the farm?" Her face fell. "Or is this a dream?" She pinched his cheeks to make sure.
"Ow. Consider this a visitation," he said as he swatted her hands away. "Come rock with me and tell me what's troubling your heart."
Sally sat up and snuggled next to him, as she did when she was little. He put an arm around her shoulders. She exhaled, realizing she was holding her breath.
"Come on, tell me what's going on. You can't carry the weight of the world on your shoulders forever."
Sally started to tear up. She knew she was only dreaming but maybe this was the only way to communicate with him.
"Oh Grandpa, I don't know what to do. You left me the farm in your will and ever since then, my life has been turned upside down."
He nodded.
"You're probably wondering why I left it to you in the first place."
She nodded.
"The last time we spoke, you knew I didn't want to come back."
"I know, child, but sometimes we don't know what's about to happen. Life is a mine field, filled with traps and explosives."
Sally smiled. Grandpa always had a euphemism for everything. It's one of the things she loved most about him.
"Good war analogy."
He smiled.
"But from the looks of things, you and Jack created an ingenious business while still keeping the Rayton Farm in the family." He paused until she looked at him. "I'm proud of you, Sally. It's a smart plan and you two make a great team."
Sally rolled her eyes.
"You don't fool me." She pointed a finger at him. "I know this was your idea all along. Jack's just trying to make your dream come true."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Your dream, too. Didn't you want to open a cafe one day?"
She stared at him.
"Yes," she started. "But I wanted to do it in the city." She turned back to look straight ahead.
He cleared his throat.
"But that's not what's bothering you." He paused. "Is it?"
She sighed.
"No," she whispered.
"Grandpa knows best." He patted his chest. She laid her head on his chest, curled up in a ball and wrapped her arms around him.
"Oh Grandpa..." she cried. "I'm so confused."
He held her close as she cried. When she was done, he gave her his red handkerchief. She blew her nose before continuing.
"I love them both. Insane, isn't it?"
He shook his head.
"It's perfectly natural to love two men at the same time. You love Trevor for the man he is and for the life you have in the city. He's a good man, with a good family. He can offer you security and he loves you very much."
Sally chewed on her lower lip as she thought about Trevor.
"Jack, however, holds a special place in your heart. Always has and always will. You grew up together. He's a brave man, willing to do anything for you, even if it means letting you go. His love for you goes beyond the here and now; he's loved you his whole life."
"Jack? He's loved me all this time?" She looked up into his warm eyes.
"Of course. But his love is not in question. What about you? Do you love him?"
She furrowed her brows.
"I... I don't know."
"You love Trevor." He paused. "Can you imagine spending the rest of your life with him? Have children with him? Build a life in the city with him, leaving all this behind?"
She scrunched up her face, as if in pain.
"I don't know. I guess that's what I have to figure out." She sat up straight. "What do you think?"
He laughed.
"Don't put this on me, girl. It's not my life, not my heart. You have to choose."
"But I can't choose." She stood up and started pacing back and forth.
He watched her agony for a moment before dealing the blow.
"Can you imagine life without Jack?"
Sally sucked in her breath. Pain spread throughout her whole body, as if someone punched her in the stomach.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/plantingseeds
Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01581XM50
Amazon CA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01581XM50
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01581XM50
What makes your featured book a must-read?
We wrote Planting the Seeds of Love: A Novella in just under two weeks. We collaborated to get the POVs of Sally and Jack just right. Why a farm friends-to-lovers sweet romance? Both of our families were farmers and, in our dedication, we dedicate it to farmers for their hard work ethic, love of the land and feeding the world. Please take a chance and read this novella. It's an uplifting, feel-good romance. It's short in length but heartwarming. Fans of Hallmark movies will love this romance.
Read what fellow readers think:
"I don't usually read romance novellas (or romance in general, call me hard-hearted if you want to), but this is a sweet coming of age novel which makes you wish too could come back home." - Author Ann M. Noser
"I found N. N. Light’s book refreshingly honest in its character development while still laying out those adult themes of desire, loss of control and jealousy." - L. Paul
"For a short story, this one is so well-developed and full of wonderful characters, it was a pleasure to read. " - K. Westrope
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $10 Amazon gift card:
Open Internationally. You must have a valid Amazon US or Amazon Canada account to win.
Runs June 29 – July 6, 2023.
Winner will be drawn on July 7, 2023.
Author Biography:
N. N. Light is the award-winning husband-wife writing team, commonly known as Mr. N and Mrs. N. Books are their addiction and lifeblood.
Life is meant to be lived; cherish the exciting moments, and relish in those all too brief moments of relaxation. They are here to live their own lives, read as many books as humanly possible and live it passionately. N. N. Light's Book Heaven serves as a vessel to project their passions, and clue in their loyal readers as to what inspires them in this crazy world. So, sit back, relax, and read on.
Social Media Links:
One link to rule them all: https://bio.link/nnlightsbookheaven