Title: The Association, Book 1 - Everett
Author: Judy Kentrus
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Book Blurb:
The carefree lives of four sixteen-year-olds were changed forever when they witnessed a cold-blooded murder. Since high school, Everett, Jackson, Mason, and Ryder, The Association have shared dark secrets. As teenagers, they suffered threats to themselves and their families. Blackmail was a reminder that their lives were under scrutiny while they achieved success in their chosen professions. As adults, they decide ‘no more.’ As they start their investigation into the murder, they have no idea how their unknown enemy manipulated their lives.
Everett Troy returns to his hometown, Beacon Pointe, to fulfill a life-long dream—producing and directing the musical play he has written. He was forced to leave home when he was eighteen, breaking the heart of the only woman he ever loved.
Laura Davis has been the wardrobe coordinator at the Footlight Theater since she was twenty-five years old. A mother and a grandmother, her life is about to change when the only man she’s ever loved is coming home. Would she be able to work alongside him and hide her love and secrets? Confronted by unforeseen challenges, their newly awakened love is tested by the unknown enemy that wants to prevent their happily ever after.
Excerpt:
Scene: Everett Troy returns to the Footlight Theater in Beacon Pointe and encounters Laura, the love of his life, the woman he was forced to leave when he was eighteen.
Stepping into the lobby always brought a smile to her face, but now that it had been brought back to life, her heart smiled, too. The rebuilt antique crystal chandelier would sparkle like thousands of stars when lighted. Rich mahogany walls supported framed pictures of the famous stars that had graced the stage. The picture of Everett Troy clutching his Tony Award gave her pause. He wasn’t smiling, and his intense blue eyes said, I’ve worked hard and deserve this award.
The sound of a keyboard being struck echoed throughout the lobby, and she quickly turned away from her lost love’s picture. The office and maintenance staff left at four thirty, so she was supposed to be the only one in the building. “Burglars don’t announce their presence by playing a piano.” She took hesitant steps across the lobby and entered the house through one of three doors.
She almost faltered walking down the carpet runner and stopped. Three specifically directed spotlights illuminated the piano on the stage. Her hand went to her throat, and her breath caught. One Hand, One Heart filled her head.
The moment Everett stepped into the building, the richness enveloped him in welcome. The newly refurbished lobby looked magnificent and confirmed he’d made the right decision. It was the theater that had drawn him through its doors and helped bring his talent to life. This was where he belonged.
He needed to see the house and moved quietly over the opulent carpeting that led to three doors. The Center Sage Spot illuminated the upright piano backed by a red velvet curtain. With all that had been going on the past few weeks, he hadn’t found time to sit down and play for his own enjoyment.
Everett sat on the wooden bench and adjusted his legs under the keyboard. Like an experienced maestro, he lifted a pointer finger and slowly depressed the key of C.
The acoustics in the old theater had always been spectacular, and the one note reverberated and echoed off the high ceiling and walls.
“You always did know the right key to play in music and my life.”
The sound of his love’s voice cut right through him. He lowered his hands to his lap and watched her approach the steps to the stage. She was the first reason he’d had to return home. He gave her a genuine smile.
“Laura.”
“Troy.”
“You and my grandmother always called me by my last name. I once asked her why, and she confessed to loving Troy Donohue.”
“I didn’t have anyone famous in mind. I always called you that so you would remember who you were.”
He nodded in approval of her reasoning. “There were times during my career I got close to losing my identity. Too bad you weren’t around. What’s it been, five years?” He knew exactly how long it had been since he’d set eyes on the only woman he’d ever loved.
“Five years since you came home for the film festival and gala held in your honor. You were so mobbed by all your fans and the people who wanted to kiss your ass we never got a chance to talk like normal human beings.”
Everett’s cheeks lifted in a smile at her honesty. “My popularity never cowed you.”
“No. I knew you as a person first, but I’m very proud of what you’ve accomplished. Hell, my former boyfriend is an Oscar-winning movie star and Tony Award winner.”
“How come you never capitalized on how well you really knew me?”
“What we had was no one’s business, and I didn’t want to bring notoriety to myself and my family. You look distinguished with the silver in your black hair.”
“You’re the second woman to tell me that today.”
“The one you kissed goodbye?”
“No, the flight attendant on my flight home. You still look like the teenager who wore my high school ring. Technically, you’re still my girlfriend since you never gave it back to me.”
“I hate to burst your bubble, but I believe there’s a statute of limitations on boyfriend-girlfriend status. She took a few steps closer. “So, is it true? You’re really home to stay?”
Everett, too, moved in her direction. He really wanted to pull her into his arms and find out if her kisses were still as sweet, but that would come in time, he hoped. He had many years to make up for.
“Yes, it’s what I’ve wanted for a long time.”
“Why now, after all these years?”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Books2read: https://books2read.com/u/bxgD26
Book Bub https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-association-everett-the-footlight-theater-1-by-judy-kentrus
What makes your featured book a must-read?
If you enjoy a captivating romantic suspense set in a seaside town, you won’t be able to put down the first book in the series and will want to read the other three. Four successful men are determined to uncover those responsible for the deep emotional pain they have carried since they were sixteen. This trauma has prevented them from building lives with the women they have loved since they were teenagers. Readers have given the book five stars.
Giveaway –
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Author Biography:
Hi, I’m Judy Kentrus. I write Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Sweet Romance, Rom-Com, Later-in-Life Romance, and Historical Romance. My stories are fun romances that make you laugh, cry, and fall in love.
I’ve always been a romantic at heart, and I married my high school sweetheart. I make my home in the Poconos of Pennsylvania. My two grown children have given me six wonderful grandchildren.
When I’m not giving couples their happily-ever-after, I'm in the kitchen baking, especially cookies. My family and friends have dubbed me the cookie queen. My website has a new recipe every month.
My stories are fun, sexy romances that make you laugh, cry, and fall in love.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.judykentrus.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judykentrus/?hl=en
Amazon Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Judy-Kentrus/author/B00J73FZ1A