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The Editor's Corner
April is a promise of spring and Loveswept romance is here to warm things up.
L. P. Dover continues her edgy, emotionally gripping Second Chances series with the story of a beautiful widow who can't resist a chiseled NFL player in Catching Summer. The Society of Gentlemen series from K. J. Charles continues with the sizzling A Gentleman's Position. For a new series, ladies, meet Micah, a man who takes what he wants-until he meets the one woman he needs in Stacey Kennedy's Bound Beneath His Pain. An epic love affair steals the show in Stina Lindenblatt's This One Moment. Annie Rains continues her small-town Hero's Welcome series with a cowboy turned marine in Welcome Home, Cowboy. Gillian Archer is hot on the trend of MC romance, introducing her True Brothers series with Ruthless. And MC Sons of Odin returns with Violetta Rand's irresistible novel about a sexy-as-sin biker who tempts a good girl to go bad, Possession.
Off the Hook from USA Today bestselling author Laura Drewry is the first in her Fishing for Trouble series featuring three unforgettable brothers-each of whom is a great catch. Then the swoon-worthy McKinney Brothers series from New York Times bestselling author Claudia Connor continues with J.T. in Worth It All. USA Today bestselling author Alexis Morgan kicks off her new Sergeant Joe's Boys series with Always for You: Jack, where a foster son learns about love and life in record time. And the new Fireside series tells a story of an old love reunited in His to Love from new Loveswept author, Stacey Lynn. USA Today bestselling writing duo M. J. Fields and Chelsea Camaron are back with the Caldwell brothers in Jagger, which is not only full of swagger and sensuality but also packs an emotional punch as the last bachelor standing fights for a woman who's worth every ounce of trouble. And yet another Aces Hockey romance from Kelly Jamieson releases this month featuring pro hockey hunk Duncan in Icing. There's also something naughty for you from New York Times bestselling author Jen McLaughlin in Lust Is the Thorn where a soon-to-be ordained priest has to decide who he loves more. Then prepare yourself for razor-sharp suspense from New York Times bestselling author Patricia Rosemoor with His Deception. Two words for you: secret bodyguard. And for fans of the hit TV show Empire, Lisa Marie Perry's Sin for Me kicks off the sizzling Devil's Music series.
Friend Loveswept and let the romance begin!
Until next month-Happy Romance!
Gina Wachtel
Associate Publisher
Read on for an excerpt from the next book in the Sergeant Joe's Boys series:
Always Be True: Tino
Alexis Morgan
Available from Loveswept
Chapter 1
"Wait for it … "
Tino Gianelli mumbled the words under his breath as he stood poised and ready to leap into action should it become necessary, which he was betting would happen any second now. The petite blonde had caught his attention right after he'd arrived two hours ago. He didn't know who she was, but he did know the woman had way more energy than any one person needed to have. She was here, there, and everywhere. And right now, she was too busy talking to one of the other volunteers to realize she was about to back into an open five-gallon bucket of paint.
Sure enough, as soon as she finished answering one question, someone else called out to her from the other side of the gym. When she spun to answer, only Tino's quick reflexes and superior strength saved the day. He picked her up by the waist and hauled her to safety a few feet away before setting her back down. As soon as he was sure she wouldn't fall, he reluctantly released his hold on her.
Wow, she was even shorter than he'd thought. At a shade under six feet himself, he had at least ten inches over her in height, maybe closer to eleven. He pointed toward the bucket. "Sorry if I startled you, but you were inches from disaster."
At least she didn't immediately rip into him for manhandling her with no warning. Instead, she glanced at the bright orange plastic bucket he was pointing to and then back at him. Her eyebrows shot up, and her mouth instantly lit with a bright smile framed by a killer set of dimples. "Well, that would have been embarrassing, not to mention a waste of good paint. Thanks for swooping in to save the day-and me."
He grinned down at her. "You're welcome."
She held out her hand. "I'm Natalie Kennigan, project coordinator."
He liked her firm grip on his hand, but he liked her happy laugh even more. Evidently he wasn't the only one who felt that way, because several others in the area paused what they were doing long enough to glance in their direction. Tino ignored them and kept his entire focus on Natalie. It had been a long time since he'd been around someone who radiated such warmth, and he couldn't help but soak up as much as he could.
"Tino Gianelli, volunteer and part-time hero."
She acknowledged his introduction with another quick smile. "This must be your first time volunteering here, Mr. Gianelli. I would have remembered if we'd met before."
Yeah, well, she was pretty damn unforgettable herself, but he kept that fact to himself. "Yes, it's my first time here, and please call me Tino."
"How did you hear about our project?"
Tino looked around the gym. "My mother saw an article in the paper and mentioned it. I had some time on my hands and thought I might be able to help."
That was mostly true. He'd left the military a few weeks ago and had yet to decide what to do next. Evidently he'd been underfoot a bit too much at home, because as soon as his mother read about the project needing volunteers with experience in the building trades, she'd shoved the paper under his nose at breakfast. After tapping on the article with her forefinger, she'd informed him that if he wasn't going to get a steady job or go to school, he could at least make himself useful to somebody. At the time, he'd resented the implication that he wasn't pulling his weight. While he didn't actually mind doing a little physical labor, he'd spent the past ten years serving their country. Wasn't that enough? Obviously not.
Natalie was too busy studying the newly patched holes in the wall to notice the downturn in his mood. She ran her fingers along the tape he'd just applied to cover up the seams in the drywall. "Well, we appreciate all the help we can get. Especially when said help knows what he's doing. I'm guessing that's not the first repair like this you've done."
That was true enough, even if he'd spent most of the last decade with a rifle in his hand instead of a trowel. She didn't need to hear about that, though.
"Patching drywall is just another of my many talents. I'm also a fair hand at carpentry, simple plumbing, and electrical repairs, not to mention painting." He reached out to touch the damp smear of soft green color on her cheek with his fingertip and held it up for her to see. "You look good in this color, but I suspect you meant for this to end up on the wall."
Her fair complexion flushed rosy pink, but her smile didn't fade in the least as she accepted the rag he pulled out of his hip pocket. As she scrubbed at her cheek, she told him, "It has been said that what I lack in skill around here I make up for with enthusiasm, which is why they keep me away from the power tools. The details about why that is are truly tragic, so please don't ask."
He held up his hands as a promise not to pry. "I'll just let my imagination run wild then. For what it's worth, right now I'm picturing a battle between you and a wall. It involves jackhammers and chain saws."
Her laughter rang out again. "Close enough. All I can say is that it was epic."
Then she gave his toolbox a glance that could only be described as envious. "Are all those toys yours? Looks like you came prepared for anything."
For anything except meeting someone like her. "I wasn't sure what kind of work I'd be doing, and I'd rather use my own tools."
"I'm glad you came prepared. God knows there are all kinds of jobs around here that need doing. Enough to keep an army of volunteers busy for months." She glanced around the gym, maybe checking on the progress being made. "Speaking of which, I'd better get back to work myself."
Tino should've let her walk away. He had his own assigned task to finish, but he couldn't resist spending a few more minutes in her company. "I was about to cut out some more damaged drywall. Want to try out my reciprocating saw?"