Here’s to finding love in any place, at any time!
This collection of eleven
short stories of chance romance reflects the hope that comes with the
first bloom of romance, whether you find it in your youth, midlife, or
the twilight years.
We dedicate Stories of
Chance Romance to all the women who face breast cancer and to the teams
of family, friends and medical professionals who support them on their
journey.
Like so many woman, we have
been closely and personally touched by this disease. Roxy was diagnosed
and successfully treated in 2010—the same year Brenda lost her very dear
friend, Mary Beggan, to breast cancer.
All authors’ profits from
the sale of this anthology are being donated to advance the research,
education, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
The Authors
Roxy Boroughs
got the acting bug in elementary school, creating skits at recess and
performing them for the class, thanks to her very indulgent teacher. She
went on to study theater in university, met the love of her life there,
and spent many years performing in movies, commercials and on stages
across Canada and the US. Soon, portraying one character wasn’t enough.
She wanted to be them all. So she poured her years of drama experience
into writing plays and novels.
Look for her award-winning
romantic suspense A STRANGER’S TOUCH, as well as its sequel, A
STRANGER’S KISS, along with a sweet, romantic comedy called CRAZY FOR
COWBOY. Find her on Facebook, Twitter and her website
http://www.roxyboroughs.com/.
Brenda Collins
has wanted to write romance since she was twelve years old. At the age
of twenty, she spoke to an editor in Toronto, Canada, who expressed an
interest in her story; however, she soon realized it takes more than an
idea to be an author. She joined a number of writing groups to learn
about ‘the craft’ and completed two mystery manuscripts. To help her
fellow writers develop strong business skills, Brenda has published
articles, and delivered workshops to hundreds of writers, on career
planning, professional networking and presentation skills. Her most
recent article, entitled How to Improve your Presentations, is in the
2013 Writer’s Market (Brewer, R.L., ed. F&W Media Inc. p. 153).
Brenda’s debut novel, WITCH
IN THE WIND, starts with a murder, but comes to life with witches,
warlocks, a canine familiar and a magical dimension called The
Otherland. For upcoming titles in The Otherland Chronicles, and other
stories, keep an eye on Brenda’s website www.brendamcollins.com and
follow her on Twitter.
Connect with Roxy
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Facebook 2
An Excerpt
Gina
headed to the Big Ridge High gymnasium, thrilled to find herself back in
Montana, and at her old alma mater, ten years after graduating. Amidst the
bobbing helium balloons and dim lighting, she could still make out the sign
welcoming everyone to the reunion.
Anticipation
tickled her insides. Thanks to email, she’d kept in touch with many of her old
buddies and couldn’t wait to see them again. Luanne, Conner, and Kirstin—the
four of them had stuck together like honey on bread—done projects, endured gym
class, and dreamed of a future when they’d grow out of their awkwardness.
And
Gina had. Braces off, she’d opted for laser surgery and pitched the glasses,
and her beanpole body finally had some curves. She’d been on her share of
dates—even had a marriage proposal—but hadn’t found Mr. Right. In spite of all
the years that had passed, she still measured men by her high school crush.
Adam Reinheart.
He
sure had her heart.
Two
years older, he’d been unobtainable at the time—tall and tanned, with curly
brown hair, and boyish dimples that made him irresistible to the girls.
And
he had a bright future. His father, who owned one of the local gas stations,
hoped Adam would attend a prominent university.
Would
she still feel the same magic when she saw him?
Someone
tapped Gina’s shoulder and she twirled around. Ten years hadn’t changed Kirstin
one bit. She still had the same mischievous eyes, and let go with the same
contagious laugh as the two hugged.
Quickly,
they caught up on the intervening years—Kirstin’s two children and Gina’s small
catering business.
“Who’s
all here?”
“The
whole gang,” Kirstin told her. “Luanne...and Conner. You should see him
now—just back from a tour of duty as a medic.”
“How
about...Adam?”
“Reinheart?”
Gina’s
shoulders slumped when Kirstin frowned. “He didn’t come?”
“Oh,
he’s here all right. Follow me.” Kirstin led her across the dance floor, as Say My Name by Destiny’s Child segued
into Breathe by Faith Hill.
Through
the parting crowd, she saw him—looking about as scrumptious as a man could.
Maybe he had a little less hair on top but the sight of him still made Gina’s
heart do a flip.
“Adam,”
Kirstin yelled over the music. “Do you remember Gina?”
“I
sure don’t.” Adam’s gaze wandered over Gina’s orchid-colored halter dress. A
slow smile spread across his lips.
Having
made the introductions, Kirstin turned to leave. Gina reached for her, nervous
to be left alone with her teenage idol.
But
Kirstin just winked. “Three’s a crowd,” she said, before disappearing into the
dancing throng.
Squelching
her nerves, Gina looked up at Adam and willed herself to speak. “The last time
we met, you were heading off to university.”
“I
did a year.” He gave a lazy shrug. “Why sweat it? I’ll inherit the gas station
one day.” His eyes made another sweep of her dress.
Gina
was starting to wish she’d worn a sweater. She crossed her arms over her chest.
“So, you’re working there now?”
He
laughed as though the idea was absurd.
“How
do you spend your days then?”
Another
shrug. “I hang out. Watch TV.”
Gina’s
lips quivered, her smile cracked. She was proud of her achievements, her work
ethic. What had Adam accomplished? Was this the man she’d wasted so much time
dreaming about?
“So,
Jenny,” he said, grabbing her arm with a clammy hand. “Wanna dance?”
She
shook him off with a quick backward step. “The name’s Gina. And no thanks.”
Desperate
for air, she fought her way to the exit. One moment, she was weaving through
bodies.
The
next, she was spun around, locked in a man’s embrace.
About
to protest, she looked up, and into, the kindest eyes she’d ever known.
“Conner?”
He
laughed. “You recognized me.”
“Hardly,”
she admitted. Connor had always seemed frail as a teen. Not anymore. This man
was solid, his biceps firm. When he smiled, it lit up the room.
“How
are you enjoying the reunion?”
Gina
shook her head. “It’s...”
What
could she say? Different than I expected?
“It’s
been an eye-opener,” she told him, finally. “How about you?”
He
took her hands in his. “Seeing you again has made my evening.”
Her
cheeks heated. Was her old pal flirting with her? “You were always a good
friend, Conner.”
“I
wanted to be more than that.”
How
had she overlooked him in high school? He was smart, caring and, through the
passing years, had acquired the kind of confidence that made a man truly
attractive.
“Gina,
would you like to dance?”
“I’d
love to.”
Three
songs later, he held her tight and whispered in her ear. “Great reunion, don’t
you think?”
“The
best,” she murmured, right before he kissed her.
Just click on the blog name to follow the tour!
Oct 11th - The Book Hoard/spotlights
Oct 12th - Laurie's Thoughts & Reviews/Ten's List Blog Post
Oct 14th - The Bunny's Review/guest post
Oct 15th - Romance Meets Life/spotlights
Oct 15th - I am a Reader, Not a Writer/interview
Oct 16th - MK McClintock Blog/review and spotlights
Oct 17th - The Book Connoisseur/spotlights
Oct 19th - Caroline Clemmons Blog/interview
Oct 19th - A Novel Idea Live/guest post
Oct 20th - My Devotional Thoughts/spotlights
Oct 21st - @Random of A Novel Idea LIVE/live interview
Oct 22nd - Reviews by Molly/review and spotlights
Oct 23rd - It's Raining Books/interview
Oct 24th - Melissa's Midnight Musings/guest post
Oct 25th - Kimberly Lewis Novels/spotlights
Oct 26th - Black Lion Tour Blog/wrap-up
The Giveaway
The authors will give away Kindle copies of Crazy for Cowboy by
Roxy Boroughs (a sweet romantic comedy) and Witch in the Wind (a sweet
paranormal/fantasy romance) by Brenda M. Collins. One each at every stop! Comment for your chance to win!
From the Authors
7 comments:
It is so wonderful to have both of you here with us today. The book sounds lovely and what a wonderful and generous thing to do. Your own books sound equally great--looking forward to reading both!
Thank you so much for hosting us. We truly appreciate the fact that you've given of your time and expertise to help us spread the word.
Very classy post, pretty cover and generous in giving to the fight against breast cancer!
GRRREAT job, Roxy!
(and I wouldn't mind winning a copy of that Crazy for Cowboy book!)
Stephanie Queen
Roxy and Brenda, it's wonderful of you to donate the proceeds from this book to breast cancer organization. I'm spreading the word and off to purchase my copy now. No need to put my name in for the draw since I own both of your other books. Thanks so much!
Hi Stephanie and Sheila. Thanks so much for stopping by. Your support means so much.
Just found this tour. It'a a worthwhile cause. Congrats on the new release. This book sounds fantastic. Can't wait to read it.
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
Our last day - who can believe we've visited 15 amazing blogs over the last month. Roxy and I appreciate the support so much! THANK YOU to MK and Black Lion for organizing the tour and another big THANK YOU to each one of our wonderful hosts for letting us share a day with their 'peeps' to talk about the fight against breast cancer.
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