The HBS Author's Spotlight SHOWCASES Cali MacKay New Book: One Sweet Summer.
New Release: July 27, 2013
One Sweet Summer
A Mermaid Isle Romance
Author: Cali MacKay
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Riley Carter’s never found anyone who could live up to her first love, Thorsen Black. So imagine her surprise when, twelve years later, he shows up at the unique and quirky inn she manages on Mermaid Isle, off the coast of Maine. The sweet, gangly teen has matured into a sexy and handsome man, leaving her heart desperate to pick up where they left off.
It’s impossible for her to ignore the way her body instantly reacts to his touch and he's just the distraction she needs when she finds out the owners of the Siren Song Inn are selling it to Holt Enterprises. Holt only has eyes on the bottom line and Riley knows they’ll strip the inn of everything that makes it special, ruining not only the Siren, but devastating the island economy.
While fighting to save her beloved inn, Riley falls in love with Thorsen all over again. But when she’s faced with the real reason Thorsen’s on the island and his unbearable betrayal, will she be able to save the inn and her chance at true happiness?
Excerpt
Chapter One
Riley fought to take a breath, the news hitting her like a sucker punch to the gut, her world crumbling out from under her. “You can’t sell the inn. It’s the heart of the island. It’s my home.”
She knew business had slowed with the downturn in the economy, but they’d managed to stay profitable, even if the numbers were down. She’d hosted conferences and booked more weddings, kept the numbers up for the artist retreats, and even held treasure hunts for the legendary Mermaid Isle pirate treasure. They’d all busted their butts to make sure the inn stayed afloat. It was just a rough patch they’d need to ride out, but they’d been through worse and managed to pull through.
“Riley, you’ve done an amazing job running the place, and it’s because of you that we’ve managed to hold on as long as we have. But the roof will need to be replaced in the next year or two, and the entire place needs to be updated. We just don’t have the money to keep up with everything that’s needed, and the truth is, we’re getting old. We want to retire while we’re still young enough to enjoy it.” Jack reached over and took Ava’s hand, giving her a smile. Married forty years and still in love like they were teenagers.
She could only be so lucky to find love like that someday.
Ava’s easy smile could normally part the grayest clouds, yet today, it did little to take the edge off Riley’s nerves. “We weren’t looking to sell just yet, but we got an offer out of the blue. We couldn’t refuse, Riley, but we negotiated your position into the sale, so you’ll have nothing to worry about. You have the option to continue working at the Siren Song Inn or you can take the generous severance package they’re offering. We’re hoping you’ll stay, though. It’ll be easier for us to leave the place if we know you’ll still be here to take care of it.”
At least she could still stay if she wanted to. Not that it would be the same with Jack and Ava gone and new owners at the helm. They’d want to change it. Turn it into another cookie-cutter hotel. Gone would be her artist’s collective and the herbalist conference. And who knew what they’d do with the century-old cottages.
Maybe if it was an individual or a couple rather than some corporation. They might stand a chance then. “Who’s bought the Siren?”
As if reading her thoughts, Jack frowned. “Holt Enterprises. They’re big, but promised to let you take the lead on the changes they’ll be making.”
Yeah…and dreams were made of cotton candy and gumdrops. She bit back a groan, not wanting to make this anymore difficult on Jack and Ava than it already was. “Where will you go?” Now that she’d made Mermaid Isle her home, she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.
“Honey, another Maine winter will do us in.” Jack sat back and laughed. “I want sun and warm waters. Sandy beaches that I can walk on without getting swept out to sea. Drinks I can sip out of a coconut or pineapple and are loaded up with rum.”
Riley wanted to protest that they could have those things here, but knew it wasn’t the same. And Jack was right—the winters could be harsh this far north, even if they were still in the southern part of Maine.
“Might do a bit of traveling before we settle down.” Ava looked at her, her motherly concern still worrying her brown eyes. “But we’ll come back during the summers. And we’ll stay in touch. We’ll only be a phone call or email away—not to mention all the current technology. What’s it called? Swipe?”
That made Riley laugh. “The world must be coming to an end then, if I’m going to finally get you two to go online and actually answer emails.”
“You’ll manage just fine, my dear.” Ava got to her feet and Jack followed suit. “If anything, you might finally get the funds to do all those things you’ve been wanting to do here at the Siren. Change is good.”
“When? When will the sale be finalized?” Riley’s breath hitched as she waited for an answer. She’d come here every summer as a child, worked at the inn during her vacations once she’d turned eighteen, and then full-time straight out of college. It was where she’d grown up, where she’d fallen in love for the first time. It was all she knew, all she loved—and she’d given it her all.
“In two weeks. And don’t worry—we’ll tell the others.” Ava gave her a big hug. “Just remember, this will always be the Siren Song Inn. As long as you’re here, the heart of it will never change.”
“I hope you’re right.” She couldn’t bear to think of the Siren changing so much it no longer felt like home.
Riley waited for Jack and Ava to leave her office and then collapsed into her chair, tears stinging her eyes as she tried to swallow down the golf ball-sized lump in her throat. She knew they’d been looking to retire, but she hadn’t expected them to sell the place. Not that she held it against them—all their money was tied up in the inn, and they’d never be able to retire without freeing up those funds.
She thought of what the Siren meant to so many people. Cultivated over the years to be an artist’s retreat, there was a long list of people who came year after year to meet with other like-minded folks, and be inspired by the rugged natural beauty and colorful town.
Unlike other places that catered only to the rich and well off, Mermaid Isle was more approachable and far more unique than any other resort town Riley had ever been to, especially given its long history. Legend had it that thieves and pirates had stashed their plunder in one of the many caves that could be found on the island, and later, it was settled by a small group of women who’d come north to escape the witch trials that reached far past Salem. Add to that the commune that blossomed in the sixties and the artisans that flocked to it in the last few decades, and it would be impossible to duplicate the character of the island and its people.
End of Sample. One Sweet Summer by Cali MacKay is now available.
Author Genre: Contemporary Romance
Website: Romance Writer Cali MacKay
Author's Blog: Google +
Blog: Covers by Cali
Twitter: @calimackay
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Author Description: Cali MacKay lives in New England with her husband, two girls and their crazy mutt. When not tapping away on her laptop and getting her characters into trouble, she can be found designing book covers for other authors, wrangling her girls, and splicing DNA. ? She's also a decent potter, adventurous cook, and horrible gardener
Author's Book List
The Pirate and the Feisty Maid
- Part Two: Her New LoverAll Molly wants is to spend her time in Ronan's arms, but when he's away at sea for months at a time, she can't help getting into trouble. Now she'll have to suffer the consequences at Ronan's hand-- a punishment she's all too keen on.
With him barely back a week, she's none too happy to hear he'll be leaving for another nine months away on the high seas. She's damned if she's going to sit idly by and wait for him, but he has his own plans for keeping his sweet lass out of trouble.
Question is, who'll get their way? The pirate or the feisty maid?
*Not suitable for readers under 18 years of age*
Order the Book From: Amazon
- Barnes and Noble
- Smashwords
The Pirate and the Feisty Maid
- Part One: At His Hand*Author's note: This is a short story erotic romance (approximately 32 pages) that can stand on its own as a steamy read. However, this is also the introduction to the Feisty Maid serial romance, where readers can follow Molly and Ronan on their steamy adventures. Part 2 (approximately 75 pages) is currently available.*
All Molly wants is to spend her time in Ronan's arms, but when he's away at sea for months at a time, she can't help getting into trouble. Now she'll have to suffer the consequences at Ronan's hand-- a punishment she's all too keen on.
With him barely back a week, she's none too happy to hear he'll be leaving for another nine months away on the high seas. She's damned if she's going to sit idly by and wait for him, but he has his own plans for keeping his sweet lass out of trouble.
Question is, who'll get their way? The pirate or the feisty maid?
*Not suitable for readers under 18 years of age*
Order the Book From: Amazon
- Barnes and Noble
A Highland Heist
- A Contemporary Highland Romance (Volume 3)Feisty and fiery security expert, Maggie Brennan, is thrilled when she lands the job to design the security system for the Highlander’s Hope. At the top of her field, she usually prefers to work alone, but when the owner of the priceless jewels insists she work with his computer security expert, Conall Stewart, she doesn’t mind it as much as she thought she would. Not when Conall is damn smart and smoking hot, despite his gruff and grumpy exterior. Maggie loves a challenge, and she’s sure Conall could be a whole lot of fun if he just loosened up a little. The last thing Conall wants is to deal with Maggie, especially when she pushes all his buttons with her perky and highly caffeinated demeanor. All he wants is to be left alone, but the woman is distractingly gorgeous, brilliant and funny. Before he even has a chance to shore up his defenses, she’s managed to weasel her way into his heart, despite him having sworn off any type of relationship. Yet outside forces are playing dirty, and there’s suddenly more on the line than the Highlander’s Hope and a love they never thought they’d find.
*Though this is book 3 in the series, it can easily stand alone.*
Order the Book From: Amazon
- Barnes and Noble
- Smashwords
A Highland Home
- A Contemporary Highland Romance (Volume 2)Rowan Campbell is desperate for answers. She’s lived her life without knowing a thing about her father, her mother refusing to speak of him, even on her deathbed. With her cheating fiancé gone and no one else in her life, Rowan moves to her mother’s hometown in Scotland, determined to find the father she’s never known. When Angus Macleod agrees to help a family friend move to Scotland from the States, the last thing he expects is to fall hard for the fiery redhead, who makes him rethink his bachelor ways. Looking for any excuse to spend time with Rowan, he’s more than happy to help her find her father, even if she’s skittish about committing to anything serious. But when Angus discovers Rowan’s mother left Scotland pregnant and terrified, he wonders how dangerous Rowan’s quest might be. Before long, Angus finds himself hindering rather than helping, despite knowing his actions could ruin any chance he has for happiness. With Rowan closing in on her father’s identity, will Angus be able to keep her from harm? And will she ever forgive him for standing in her way?
* This is Book 2 in the series, though it can easily stand on its own. *
Order the Book From: Amazon
- Barnes and Noble
- Smashwords
The Highlander's Hope
- A Contemporary Highland Romance (Volume 1)When Dr. Catriona Ross discovers clues to a long lost highland treasure, her only hope of finding the jewels is to obtain the help of Scotland's most eligible bachelor and playboy, Iain MacCraigh. Iain can't believe his luck when he finds out the jewels are hidden away somewhere on his land-- and it doesn't hurt that the historian looking for them has curves to go with her smarts. With his brother betting the family fortune, this is the life line he desperately needs. The odds are against them, and with word getting out about the jewels, they're not the only ones on the hunt. Time's running out, but can they learn to trust each other, or will they lose the jewels and true love in the process?
*This is Book One in the series.*
Order the Book From: Amazon
- Barnes and Noble
For One Last Kiss
- A Grim Reaper RomanceAs a reaper, Lilly knows that relations with the living are strictly forbidden, and even more damning is to contact someone from her past. Yet when she gets the opportunity to see her betrothed once more, she cannot possibly resist the chance for one last kiss.
*This is a short story with an extended preview of the full length novel JACK- A GRIM REAPER ROMANCE.*
*Some scenes are not suitable for those under 18 years of age.*
Order the Book From: Amazon
Jack
- A Grim Reaper RomanceWhen the bodies of murdered prostitutes start piling up in Whitechapel, Lilly knows it’s a fellow reaper gone rogue—a man the living call Jack the Ripper.
***
Lilly Gordon delivers death to unsuspecting souls, Fate’s decisions carried out with a simple touch. But when a woman is found brutally slain before her destined time to die, Jack, Lilly’s ex-lover and a fellow reaper, is fingered for the crime, the evidence undeniable.
As the only one who’s been close to Jack, Lilly finds herself dragged into the investigation by Lord Mason Archer, chancellor to the reapers. But Lilly and Mason have a past of their own, and the long hours spent in Mason’s company leave Lilly falling for the difficult man who not only infuriates her, but makes her heart race. With the latest victim mutilated beyond recognition, it seems the killings cannot get any more heinous—but there’s more than one force at work, and Lilly soon realizes there are things far worse than death and dismemberment when dealing with Jack the Ripper.
***Author’s Note: Some scenes may not be appropriate for readers under the age of eighteen.***
Order the Book From: Amazon
- Barnes and Noble
Author Recommended by: Ruth Cardello
Ruth Cardello is New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author. She is the author of the Legacy Collection.
Check out Ruth Cardello's Author's Spotlight.
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