by: Kyra Jacobs
Series: Checkerberry Inn
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 7, 2016
Publisher: Entangled Publishing ~ Bliss
Amazon US | Paperback | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | Goodreads
Sometimes you’ve got to fake it ‘til you make it…
Stephanie Fitzpatrick wanted out of the spotlight after her pro-golfer husband was caught on camera cheating. But when she returns to Michigan for a job interview and some much-needed R&R, a fib told by her well-meaning sister has her looking for a temporary fiancé, or she can kiss her new start good-bye. Desperate to hide the truth, she goes to the one man who can help—her former best friend.
Miles Masterson is relieved to see the Checkerberry Inn beginning to thrive once more. Not only does it ease his mind about his grandmother’s financial future, but also about his decision to finally escape town. But then one all grown up and sexy as hell friend from the past shows up needing rescue. Now the temptation to change the “temporary” arrangement into something more is making it harder to think about leaving.
Each book in the Checkerberry Inn series is a standalone, full-length story that can be enjoyed out of order.
Miles hung up, then dropped back into his office chair and scanned the space around him. This office had been his second home since graduation. It was where he’d cut his teeth on finances, played accountant, payroll clerk, marketing coordinator—you name it, if it had to do with anything other than manual labor here at the inn, he’d done it. And now, at long last, that was finally all about to change.
It wasn’t that he disliked the inn, or hated working for his grandmother. But the profits had been slim to none too often in the past, and keeping the old beauty afloat during the post 9/11 economic slump had taken its toll on him. And on Ruby. Every day she got a little older, a little more frail. But Brent was the responsible grandson, and he was on her payroll now as well. That meant the responsibility of watching out for their beloved Ruby could now officially be handed off, and no one would be able to misinterpret Miles’s overprotective ways for her anymore.
He suddenly felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders. He stood, drew in a deep breath, and made an executive decision to cut out of work early. For years he’d put his time in and then some. To say he’d earned a little comp time would be an understatement.
Besides, what would Ruby do if he left early—fire him?
With a smile on his face and feeling lighter than he had in years, Miles headed for the hall. Halfway to the lobby, a ping sounded from his phone. An email was in his inbox, the subject Techworks Info. He opened it with a flick of his thumb, rounded the corner, and caught his foot on an unexpected object. Unable to stop his forward momentum, Miles tripped over a pile of gaudy pink luggage and landed painfully on his right side. His cell went skidding down the hall as a startled squeak rang out from the luggage’s owner.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry! I stopped to adjust my grip and suddenly you were there and…and, well, there just wasn’t enough time to react.”
An outstretched hand came into his peripheral vision. With a grimace, Miles pushed himself into a sitting position. This was just one out of a hundred—no, a thousand—things he wouldn’t miss when he left the inn: awkward encounters with flighty guests. He took a deep breath and looked toward the responsible party, ready to lie that it was quite all right and he was just fine. But then his gaze locked onto a ball cap-wearing, heart-shaped face with auburn brows drawn together above dark, oversized sunglasses.
Recognition hit him like a freight train. No cap or sunglasses in the world could keep him from recognizing his childhood best friend. The one girl who’d unknowingly set the bar for all those who came after, and set it so high that Miles had given up trying to find someone able to reach it.
“Stephanie?”
Hi Kyra. Welcome to Read Your Writes Book Reviews. How are you?
Hello all! I’m so very happy to be here.
Tell me about your Checkerberry Inn series.
This is a sweet romance series set in central lower Michigan (Mount Pleasant) and revolves around characters who work at a bed-n-breakfast called, you guessed it, the Checkerberry Inn. Book one centered around the innkeeper’s grandson—who also serves as its groundskeeper—Brent Masterson, and a stranded Hoosier named Kayla Daniels. Book two focuses on Brent’s cousin, Miles, who is the inn’s chief financial officer, and his childhood best friend Stephanie who’s come back to Michigan after a recent messy divorce. Book three (coming 2017) is about the inn’s chef, Maddie, and…well, you’ll just have to wait and see. (wink)
How would you describe Stephanie and Miles?
The perfect match. Both are confident, strong-willed, and go after what they want in life. Unfortunately, after her recent failed marriage, Stephanie has lost a bit of that confidence. Lucky for her, Miles will be there to help pick up the pieces.
Her Unexpected Engagement is a friends to lovers story. What makes Stephanie and Miles such good friends?
They grew up living next to one another outside of town, and formed a close bond at a young age. Stephanie was one of three girls and the tomboy of the family, and spent most of her free time in her younger years playing down at the old pond with the Masterson boys and their friends instead of inside playing dolls with her sisters. Miles found her easy to talk to and always up for a challenge. Theirs was the kind of friendship that, though distance and years separated them, could easily be picked right back up.
Can you tell me about one of your favorite scenes from the book?
I have several, but one that makes me laugh every time is the night Miles takes Stephanie out for drinks at Chevvy’s (an old barn converted into a biker bar). He’s trying to get her to loosen up and stop hiding from the world, and she ends up taunting him into drinking right along with her. They hitch a ride from Brent back to Miles’ place, and then things start to heat up for the first time between Miles and Stephanie. Only, it’s getting late by then, and things don’t exactly go as either one of them planned…
Oh. That sounds good. What’s your favorite part of a romance book to write and why? (The beginning, the first meeting, first kiss, getting to know each other, first love scene, big fight, HEA or something else?)
Wow, that’s a great question. I don’t know that I really have a favorite part, more like favorite scenes in each book. Because truly, each story is different. The scenes that come at me fast and furious I have the most fun writing. Usually those are the getting to know each other or big fight/dark moment scenes.
What's next for you?
Right now I’m finishing up book three in this series, then turning my attention back to finishing book three in my fantasy romance series, the Kingdoms of Fire and Ice. After that, I’ve got about 4 story ideas vying for my attention, so whichever commands my attention most will be next on the docket. (smiles)
Busy woman. Kyra, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me.
And thank YOU so much for having me here today!
Purchase Her Unexpected Engagement from:
Amazon US | Paperback | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | Goodreads
The Checkerberry Inn Series:
(Clicking on the book covers will take you to Amazon.)
Kyra Jacobs is an extroverted introvert who writes of love, humor and mystery in the Midwest and beyond. When this Hoosier native isn’t pounding out scenes for her next book, she’s likely outside, elbow-deep in snapdragons or spending quality time with her sports-loving family. Kyra also loves to read, tries to golf, and is an avid college football fan.
Be sure to stop by her website www.KyraJacobs.wordpress.com to learn more about her novels and ways to connect with her on social media.
Places to find Kyra Jacobs:
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I love the cover. The book sounds good too.
ReplyDeleteYes. The cover is nice. I think I bought the first book in the series. I heard that it was good. I just haven't read it yet. You know, being the book hoarder that I am.
DeleteThat's me too. I have so many books on my shelf that haven't gotten read yet. But I know one day I will get to them. Until then, I will admire their pretty covers.
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