by: Nancy Fraser
Genre: Contemporary Steamy Romance
Release Date: July 5, 2021
Publisher: Books From a Romantic’s Heart Publishing
Amazon | Paperback | Goodreads
Five years earlier, Emily Bennett ran out on Chase Michaels on the eve of their wedding. At twenty-two, she wanted more than the island of Last Chance Beach could offer. Intent on making a name for herself as a world-class journalist, she left to take a job with a big city newspaper.
Heartbroken, Chase left Last Chance Beach and joined the Coast Guard in an effort to rebuild his life. Returning four years later for a family emergency, he decided to stay and go into business with his best friend.
Emily’s returning as well. Not as the journalist she’d hoped to be but as a bestselling romance author. One of her books is about to be made into a movie, and filming will take place on Last Chance Beach and in the nearby town of Summerville.
Will Emily’s return give them a second chance at the love they once shared? Or, will her ‘other’ reason for leaving put a wedge between three best friends that can’t be healed by time or intention?
Together, they are steamy sexy ... even when they’re at odds with each other. Despite vowing to cut the other a wide berth, you know they won’t be able to follow through.
Individually, you have to respect Chase’s dedication to his family, his friends, and to the island of Last Chance Beach itself. He’s an honorable man who, despite having his young heart broken, is willing to put himself out there for those he loves.
Emily has grown up from the scared twenty-two-year-old who fled her wedding. She’s accepted her dreams weren’t going to work out as planned and has reversed course quite well. Her ability to swallow her fears and return to the island and face her friends and family gives her an admirable strength.
This is a second chance romance. What do you love about second chances?
The possibility of something wonderful happening just when you think it never will. I do a lot of second chances in my books. Whether it’s a second chance romance, or a second career, or just a second chance at improving oneself, I believe everybody deserves a fresh start. Most of my second chance romances revolve around older characters, especially in my Cougars & Cubs series, so giving these younger characters (late twenties) a fresh start was a fun change of pace.
What was it like to write a heroine who’s a best-selling romance author?
Fun actually. I’ve been telling everyone I’m living vicariously through Emily. She’s an NYT bestseller with a movie deal. Who wouldn’t want to be her? There’s actually a funny story behind the creation of her “career”. I was halfway through planning my promotion when I realized Emily needed book covers for the book that was being made into the movie, and for her new book for which she does a tour. So, I created them as part of my promo. I fell in love with one of the covers so much that I’ll be re-using on one of my upcoming Cougars & Cubs books.
How important do you think location plays in writing a story, especially this one?
I’ve always felt that both location and the characters’ careers should play an integral part in any story. Otherwise, they’re just cardboard cut-outs. This book, in particular, relies heavily on setting. Because it’s part of a 20-book, multi-author set, the logistics of the island itself were a challenge. The books intertwine in the sense that supporting characters and locations cross over between books. No doubt in at least one or two of the upcoming books, you’ll get a second nod to my movie set or the actors and actresses.
It seems as though every time I turn around, you’re releasing yet another book. How do you do it? Are you just glued to your computer typing away frantically?
It’s all in the organization. LOL ... I wish. I have to admit, isolation over the past year and half has helped. However, it’s more discipline than anything else. I’ve wanted to be a full-time writer for decades. Up until I retired from the outside work world at the end of 2013, it was never possible.
I have a schedule, right down to the hour. Obviously, I deviate sometimes.
Crap happens. Life intervenes. I set myself three goals a day: time spent on social media, time spent on editing the previous day’s work, and volume of writing. My goal for the day is always 4,000 words. I usually exceed that. What can I say? I type fast. I work from 8 a.m. to 11 doing edits and social media; from 1-6 writing; and then back a couple hours in the evening making up for anything I missed.
My weekends, or at least most of them, are for family and catching up on my obsession with the new Marvel television shows on Disney+.
You’re a romance author, but you write in multiple sub-genres of romance. What appeals to you about all the different sub-genres?
I jump genres to stave off boredom. I can’t read one genre, and I can’t write one. I know it’s been drilled into authors for years to find a niche and create a fandom that will read everything you write. I’d much rather have those who enjoy my writing follow me on a wild trip from sweet, to steamy, to paranormal, from contemporary to historical and back again.
Okay, Nancy. Time to sell your book. Why should a reader pick up Return of the Runaway Bride?
The easy answer ... I need the money. Seriously though, it’s the beautiful setting, the chance at a second chance. And, probably the most important plot point for me, is the endurance of friendships and love despite the obstacles life throws in the way. Plus, when you can get a hunky hero to admit he was wrong ... how much better can it get?
Nancy, thank you so much for taking the time to answer some questions for me.
Thank you for having me. I hope to see you and your readers again soon. After all, there are definitely more books coming soon!
Vernon Patterson, his new, much younger wife Tiffany, and Chloe stood off to one side of the yard, deep in conversation with the mayor and the head of the island’s historical society. From what she’d heard in passing, Emily realized they were discussing the coup of attracting a movie production to the area.
“You know,” her mother whispered, stepping close to her side, “It wouldn’t hurt to let them know it’s your book that made all their bragging possible.”
“I’m not quite there yet, mom. I’m still fielding questions about what I’ve been doing and how long I’m staying.”
“Let me guess. That last question came from Chloe Patterson.”
Emily pressed her fingers to her lips to hold in her laugh. “Yes.”
“No doubt she’s worried you’ll interrupt her pursuit of Chase—even though I’m pretty sure he’s not the least bit interested.”
“She’s got nothing to worry about,” Emily said, wishing she sounded more confident than she felt. “Chase and I are cutting one another a wide berth.”
The look her mother gave her was less than subtle.
“I’d better go inside and get another vegetable tray,” her mother said. “Why don’t you straighten out the food table and check the cooler while I’m gone?”
Emily gave a smart salute. “Yes, Ma’am.”
She’d gone no more than a few feet in the direction of the picnic tables and makeshift bar, when a large, warm hand gently grasped her arm. Without turning, she said, “Hello there, Jared. I was wondering when you’d finally come to visit.”
Jared’s familiar chuckle rang in her ear. “I wasn’t sure what to make of your return. Or, of how it was going to affect my best friend. I thought I’d give it a few days to see if I’d need to talk him off a ledge.”
Emily swallowed the dryness in her throat, and asked, “And did you? Need to talk him down?”
“No, apparently he’s doing just fine. Or so he says.”
She turned to face him then, meeting his green gaze. “I didn’t come home to cause anyone heartache, Jared. Least of all Chase. I came to see family, to straighten a few things out with friends.”
“And have you? Straightened things out?”
“So far, so good. It’s a work in progress.”
“I would imagine it is. Heaven knows it was for me. First, you left, taking away the only true confidant I’ve ever had.”
His words stalled and Emily realized how much he was struggling. Sometimes secrets ate you up inside.
“And, then, Chase left,” she said softly.
“That was a relief of sorts,” he admitted. “It kept me from having to admit I was part of the reason you left. And it put things in perspective for me.”
“Well, I’m back now, if you need to talk.”
“Thank you. You’re a good friend. Or, at least you were,” he teased.
“And I still am.”
“You know,” her mother whispered, stepping close to her side, “It wouldn’t hurt to let them know it’s your book that made all their bragging possible.”
“I’m not quite there yet, mom. I’m still fielding questions about what I’ve been doing and how long I’m staying.”
“Let me guess. That last question came from Chloe Patterson.”
Emily pressed her fingers to her lips to hold in her laugh. “Yes.”
“No doubt she’s worried you’ll interrupt her pursuit of Chase—even though I’m pretty sure he’s not the least bit interested.”
“She’s got nothing to worry about,” Emily said, wishing she sounded more confident than she felt. “Chase and I are cutting one another a wide berth.”
The look her mother gave her was less than subtle.
“I’d better go inside and get another vegetable tray,” her mother said. “Why don’t you straighten out the food table and check the cooler while I’m gone?”
Emily gave a smart salute. “Yes, Ma’am.”
She’d gone no more than a few feet in the direction of the picnic tables and makeshift bar, when a large, warm hand gently grasped her arm. Without turning, she said, “Hello there, Jared. I was wondering when you’d finally come to visit.”
Jared’s familiar chuckle rang in her ear. “I wasn’t sure what to make of your return. Or, of how it was going to affect my best friend. I thought I’d give it a few days to see if I’d need to talk him off a ledge.”
Emily swallowed the dryness in her throat, and asked, “And did you? Need to talk him down?”
“No, apparently he’s doing just fine. Or so he says.”
She turned to face him then, meeting his green gaze. “I didn’t come home to cause anyone heartache, Jared. Least of all Chase. I came to see family, to straighten a few things out with friends.”
“And have you? Straightened things out?”
“So far, so good. It’s a work in progress.”
“I would imagine it is. Heaven knows it was for me. First, you left, taking away the only true confidant I’ve ever had.”
His words stalled and Emily realized how much he was struggling. Sometimes secrets ate you up inside.
“And, then, Chase left,” she said softly.
“That was a relief of sorts,” he admitted. “It kept me from having to admit I was part of the reason you left. And it put things in perspective for me.”
“Well, I’m back now, if you need to talk.”
“Thank you. You’re a good friend. Or, at least you were,” he teased.
“And I still am.”
The book will be $0.99 during the tour.
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Like most authors, Nancy began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English teacher’s pet which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.
Nancy has published over thirty-five books in full-length, novella, and short format. When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.
Places to find Nancy Fraser:
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