The yacht owned by newspaper heiress, Stacey Winchester's family, the Barlow-Barretts, pulls out of the harbor in Beaufort, North Carolina and heads toward an undeveloped barrier island. In celebration of Laura Browning's latest release, Heart Broken, Stacey's family has taken over the
island for the weekend.
Mary leans over the rail, squashing the girls. "Oh, look! Dolphins!
"Stop leaning so far over the rail," Lilly says grabbing Mary's sarong. "You're going to fall in."
"If I do, you can jump in after me. Your butt looks pretty buoyant."
Melissa elbows Vonnie in the ribs. "Or, we could throw her one of Lyn's big shoes to use as a canoe. Then she can paddle over to the island."
Vonnie snorts a giggle. "Why? It's not like Mary could drown. She has her very own, personal, double D flotation devices."
Mary turns a scowl on Vonnie but then Lyn points to the starboard side of the boat, drawing everyone's attention. "Look! A horse."
"Lyn and I love horses," Mary says.
"Herds of wild horses live along the Outter Banks of North Carolina," Lilly says, showing off her knowledge of her home state. "They're the ancestors of Spanish horses that swam ashore after shipwrecks over 400 years ago. They also live along the salt marshes of Virginia and Maryland too. Stacey mentioned it when I was helping her and Laura with today's menu."
"Horses?" Mac scrunches her face. "I thought this was a beach party. Did I get my wires crossed again? If I had known this was going to be another western roast, I would have worn warmer clothes. I don't care if it is still above 70 in North Carolina in October. It's too cold for a bathing suit."
"That's why I'm not wearing a bathing suit," Melissa says. "You, know, there's no law that says you have to wear a bathing suit on the beach."
AJ looks up from her iPhone, squinting into the warm, fall sunshine. "Horses? There're horses? Where? I don't see any horses."
"That's because you're blind as a bat," Melissa quips. "Now put that phone away before you drop it in the ocean."
AJ gasps, hugging her precious to her chest. "Do you really think I'd bring her out here without protection? She has a waterproof case and I'm not letting her out of my sight."
"Not letting who out of your site?" Mac asks. "Foster and the other sidekicks are below deck. Lilly was afraid TT would fall overboard."
Lilly frowns. "TT doesn't like boats. We put her on a ferry once and she hated it."
"I hope we're not late," Melissa says, changing the subject. "There's already a crowd gathered on the point."
On a narrow strip of sand jutting out between the ocean and the intercoastal waterway, a crowd--some dressed in bathing suits as if it were still mid August--are setting up chairs to enjoy the late autumn sunshine. Further inland, there are tents and temporary shelters. The Barlow-Bartlets spared no expense. The boat pulls up to a wooden dock and the hostesses gather their familiars--except for AJ, who is clutching her precious iPhone in her hand.
"Laura said Stacey's family wanted to do this roast right," Vonnie says as the hostesses survey the island. "They even have a merry-go-round."
"And live music," Lyn adds. "I see two music tents."
The roast is being held along a path between the ocean and the sound.
Trailers are set up to cook the seafood Laura has requested for her roast. There's plenty of beer kept in coolers in make-shift bars and lots of shrimp, scallops, french fries and oysters. They're even serving fried lobster bites, fried soft-shell crab burgers, and cheesecake and ice cream for desert.
Smelling food, TT, Nibbie, Cuddles, and Creighton dash off in search of lunch while Morena and Foster follow at a more leisurely pace. The ocean side of the island is practically deserted, but along the sound-side, a handsome young man is swooshing around over the water with a water-propelled jet-pack strapped to his back while other young men are riding jet skis
"Mmm. Eye candy," Mary says.
"Speaking of eye candy, I wonder if Stacey's parents know that Mason Hatch is going to be here," Lilly says as they walk past an open shelter serving as a bar.
An assortment of beers fill the refrigerator. Oliver walks pasts the hostesses and serves a couple of young women colorful drinks.
AJ taps out some letters on her phone. "According to Google, Stacey is still married to Jace Winchester."
"And Mason is Stacey's former lover," Lyn adds, exchanging a significant look with Melissa.
Melissa waggles her brows, "Well, then let's join the roast and watch the fireworks begin!"
Broken Heart by Laura Browning
Blurb
Stacey always tried to be the perfect child. Now she's trying to be the perfect wife. But she's finding out perfection isn't all it's cracked up to be. Her husband doesn't seem interested in her, and her former lover is driving her crazy. Something's got to give...and Stacey's worried it might be her.
EXCERPT
Avoiding him was nearly impossible. Wherever Stacey looked, Mason Hatch was in her line of sight. Since she was attending her brother Brandon’s wedding, she couldn’t leave, but she sure wished Jace would stick by her side this once. She scanned the room, but her husband was nowhere to be seen.
“Hubby MIA again?” Mason’s voice was as smooth as silk in her ear. The fact he simply echoed her thoughts didn’t make his intrusion into them any more palatable. “I could tell you where to look, but I don’t think you’d like what you’d find.”
“Stop it!” Stacey hissed between clenched teeth. Every time she encountered Mason, he made some cryptic remark about her husband. Stacey was tired of it, in part because she had enough doubts concerning her marriage. But not today. She refused to have them today. Today was supposed to be perfect. Jason had made love to her last night, had tried once again to talk her into starting a family. She wanted children. She did, but something always held her back. She couldn’t stall too much longer, doing so wasn’t fair to either of them, yet the mere thought of a divorce in her oh-so-Catholic family made her shudder. God, was she really contemplating divorce? Her mother would flip.
“Just trying to make conversation among these Virginia purebreds,” Mason purred, once again barging into her brain. Why was there always a hint of amusement in his voice, as if he were actually laughing at her? Yes, she had been unfair to him, but had his contempt been there all along? Had he always regarded her with a smirk?
She sneaked a glance, finding her heels brought her nearly eye-to-eye with him. He was not short by any means, she’d simply inherited every bit of the Barlow-Barrett height and her mother’s slenderness to boot. How often she had wished for even a touch of her younger sister Preston’s curviness and her infinitely more diminutive height.
“Why can’t you single out someone else to talk to?” she demanded, knowing she sounded as petulant as she felt. “Don’t you have a date?”
He arched one dark brow, his eyes glittering like obsidian. “Perhaps I’m conducting a scientific experiment.”
“Oh? And what would your experiment be?” She didn’t want to continue this conversation, but she had no defense against his goading, had never been able to resist it, and that was what had gotten them in trouble to begin with. He was the match. She was the kindling.
“To see if there’s actually a living, breathing woman still left under your high-class brittleness, or has the rarified air of your married life already drained it away?”
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iTunes
After a long career in journalism, Laura Browning changed gears and began teaching English. The change in pace allowed her to get back to her love of writing fiction. After a push from her husband, she finally landed a book contract. She loves hearing from readers.
You can find her at: www.facebook.com/pages/Laura-Browning-Author/216152421732408
***GIVEAWAY***
Contest ends on Sunday and everyone who comments is eligible.
(We reserve the right to waive the prize in any week when there are not enough contestants for a draw to be deemed fair and unbiased)
Hello Laura, welcome to your beach party and congratulations on your book - what a lovely cover!
ReplyDeleteWooHoo, where are the speedo guys?
ReplyDeleteLOL Mary, it's not even noon! Stop ogling the men folk!! I'm just stopping in quick to welcome Laura and say congrats on Broken Heart! It sounds outstanding! Unfortunately, I have to take my poor blind dog to the vet today. I'll be out a bit, but back to party once I'm home! Toodles! Try to be good while I'm away!
ReplyDeleteI see Oliver is still hanging around - guess he is still lovesick for me.
ReplyDeleteMany congratulations on Broken Heart Laura, I wish you lots of success.
What a great turn out so far. Welcome to your roast, Laura! Now, I think I'm going to have some of those fried lobster bites for my mid-morning snack!
ReplyDeleteTry to be good?? What fun is that? Is it too cold for speedos? You know what happens when it's cold? Might negate the whole purpose of a speedo!
ReplyDeleteI love the cover of Broken Heart, Laura. And the excerpt was terrific!
You are so naughty, Mary. I love it!
DeleteFried lobster bites, Mmmmmmmm.
ReplyDeleteLyn blows air kisses to her sister hostesses. Hope your dog is OK AJ, I have a blind dog too! He doesn't miss a thing though! Mary, you are SOOOO naughty! :)
ReplyDeleteJust found out our guest of honour was here at sun-up when we were all still asleep! Gosh, I wonder if she's gone off with one of those hunky guys who were here earlier on - couldn't blame her, those guys are hot, hot, hot!
ReplyDeleteLaura, I've got to tell you I loved your excerpt and the cover...well...*fans self and waggles eyebrows* Mary, go easy on those lobster bites, you know they go straight to one's boobs!!
ReplyDeleteGood morning,
ReplyDeleteBeing on the West coast, I'm always the last one here, it seems. Hope everyone is having a Happy Friday so far. :)
Good morning Vonnie and Melissa - are we all ready to parteeee? Mary, put that guy down - you don't know where he's been!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Melissa, darlin'...how are things for you today? I'm having trouble keeping Mary and Lyn in line. Lilly's off riding on the jet ski with some delicious blond and Mac...*glances around*...ah...last I saw her she was walking behind those bushes with...ah...here she comes. *Plants hands on hips* And would you just look at the silly grin on her face. Honest to Pete. I need another mojito and maybe more lobster bites.
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! Riding on a jet ski makes feel young again...except for the jiggling spare tire. I don't remember feeling that jiggle when I was younger.
DeleteI'm completely innocent, V. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. *winks and blows air kisses around*
ReplyDeleteHiya Laura! Congrats on Broken Heart. I love a match and kindle conflict. This one sounds fabulous.
I am not innocent, and I am honest about it! I am still looking for a hot guy. You found one in the bushes Mac. I'm checking there right now. Oh, scuse me AJ I didn't know you were using that bush. I'll find another. Hehehe
ReplyDeleteSo I think I should stop checking bushes. You wouldn't believe...
ReplyDeleteI think our author was behind one of them?
*Jabs Mary in the ribs* Look at AJ's hair. Is that a twig?
DeleteI love jet skis! Totally count me in for that! Never mind the booze though. I'm still drinking coffee here. :D
ReplyDeleteBeen working on my blog stuff getting ready for the Snarkology hop on the 28th and also on my story. My heroine is developing inappropriate feelings for the male lead. I keep telling her: "This is straight paranormal. NOT a romance!" But does she listen? No!
Don't ya love when that happens?
DeleteCharacters never listen, do they? They rule the writer's mind. Non-writers don't always understand. *glances toward a dark-haired man straddling a jet ski* Think I'll take a take a ride with Hunka-sorus over there. *tugs swimming suit over her bum and strolls off*
DeleteI realized that the Snarkology is a year old tomorrow. I'm thinking about throwing a birthday party for my blog on Sunday. Any suggestions for a good party game?
ReplyDeleteVonnie, no, and especially not this one. I'm discouraging the romantic attachment but it's tough. *G* Also, going through one of those paralyzing moments of self doubt. What if everything I'm writing is crap? My CP is probably too nice to tell me the whole story sucks. ack!
So often self-doubt moves in with a 3-piece set of luggage. At least mine does.
DeleteWow! Just got back from the murky grammar waters of English writing exams. My crew of students has been sucking me down into whirlpools all day long, so if you guys were hunting me in the bushes, it was out on the high seas you would have found me. So glad to be back on dry land, and I am definitely ready for a drink.
ReplyDeletePick your poison!
DeleteTry the mojitos. They're fab. I've had 3 or 4. *hic* What are you working on now, Laura?
DeleteWell, Stacey has this hunky younger brother. For some reason the guy wants to go into politics. If his whole family wasn't so filthy rich, I'd say it was for the steady income...lol
DeletePlease don't tell me I missed all the oysters. That and an ice cold beer would make my day...Well, maybe add Stacey's guy Mason in...and all her brothers...and that would really make my day. Maybe my night too. Just kidding.
ReplyDeleteMac was feeding a guy oysters before she chased him behind the bushes. Blamer her. Me? I only took two dozen for my Hunka-sorus. Lilly, where have you been, girl?
DeleteOggling the eye candy and eating oysters. lol! I saved you some, Laura. So, how about another excerpt?
DeleteDon't worry Laura, got a stash of oysters and lobster for you behind that bush over there, next to the lady with the humongous butt. Oh sorry, just one of the hostess's with the mosteses.
ReplyDeleteOoh...lobster. This party might be too fancy for me. Please don't tell me Stacey's mother did the catering. Next thing you know, the butler will show up and insist I use a mug for the beer.
DeleteHey, I resemble that remark! If you put my butt on Mary or her boobs on me, we'd look like two well-endowed Coke bottles. lol!
DeleteCurvy though eh?
DeleteLaura you can use a mug or just lie below the spout on the keg. What ever you prefer. Oliver does the catering. But, he does bring some odd help with him. Could she have snuck in?
ReplyDeleteHey, who is out there on that jet ski, is she naked? Or is that a guy
OMG! Is that AJ? Looks like she's snapping selfies with her precious phone.
DeleteWe need to post them on facebook. For her fans! I hope Precious is waterproof!
DeleteI think iPrecious has a lifeproof case and she's now taking underwater pictures. I don't think it's pictures of the dolphins though. lol!
DeleteI agree, another excerpt would be especially nice Laura!
ReplyDeleteLet me see what I can find...
DeleteOh here's one I like...Stacey dancing with her husband's best friend...and look! It's Mason to the rescue.
DeleteWas it her imagination, or had he pulled her slightly closer? As he turned her in time with the music, his thigh brushed against hers. Now she was uncomfortable. By no means did she consider herself a prude, but she could have sworn more than his thigh had touched her. Just about to open her mouth to ask him to hold her less closely, the sight of Mason tapping her partner on the shoulder had her clamping her mouth shut. She wouldn’t mind a rescue, but exchanging Justin for Mason was like jumping from a campfire into a forest fire.
“May I cut in?”
Justin smiled graciously, but something in the way the two men eyed one another made Stacey catch her breath for an instant.
“Certainly.” Justin smiled at her and said, “I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other, Stacey.”
It was only when Mason spun her back into the crowd on the dance floor, and she caught a whiff of the spicy bite of Justin’s cologne, that she realized Justin wore the same scent her husband did. Stacey shook her head slightly. Maybe that was how Jace had discovered it. After all, it was obvious the two men had re-established their long-standing friendship.
“Are you all right?” Mason’s rumbled inquiry caught her off guard so she nearly stumbled. He caught her, his hand on her hip where, to her chagrin, he left it. The tingling it sent along her nerve endings filled her with guilt.
“Yes. Get your hand off my a**.”
He moved it to the small of her back, his thumb stroking her spine through the silk of her evening dress. “So exactly why I love you. You appear to be such a lady, but you have a mouth like a sailor.”
“Mason,” she muttered. “Please don’t. This one night, can’t we have a ceasefire?”
“I didn’t start this war, Blondie, but I’m willing to negotiate terms.” His expression was inscrutable.
Ohhhh, love it!! Thanks for sharing Laura. Whoot!
DeleteTerrific!
DeletePufff. pant. Sorry to be m.i.a. for so long, ladies, I got a bit sidetracked by a hunk---- a lovely wild horse. I'm starving, any cheesecake left? Oh Laura, that excerpt gave me goosebumps, you could cut the tension with a knife, this sounds like a fantastic book!
DeleteI bet he does want to do some negotiating. From the sheets maybe? Love this excerpt. I'm so adding this book to my wish list!
DeleteIt's hard for me to see. Some of the beer splashed in my eye when I tried to get the beer out of the keg. Stacey's mother doesn't sneak anywhere. I think she'd really like a trumpet fanfare. Cripes... that is a naked guy on the jet ski!
ReplyDeleteWipe your eyes on that guy next to you and lets go see the naked guy. Before he gets mad over AJ taking pics.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's Gerard Butler? I thought I saw him with Lyn before.
Woo hoo...Hey, hunkmeister. Mind if I borrow your shirt. (rubs face on pecs). Wow. I feel much better now. You're nice sweetie, but I'm off to see a naked Gerard Butler.
DeleteLet's go Laura, while they are reading your excerpt we can snag Gerard. We'll need a big net!
DeleteHey, Stacey! Put down the Maker's Mark and come on. You know it's only the guys in your family that drink that crap. And leave Mason alone. Jace is around somewhere...what? he's off on a fishing trip again? Doesn't that make you just a tad suspicious?
DeleteI already wanted to visit North Carolina, and now you've made me more travel hungry. Sounds like a good book, but I'm in Texas pouting because I can't visit NC. caroline@carolineclemmons.com
ReplyDeleteHi Caroline - having just returned from a trip across the pond to Pennsylvania and Ohio, I've got the 'travel bug' too. I'm just going to have to stick to travelling around the world on the Roast now though for the forseeable future anyway.
ReplyDeleteStop awhile on our virtual island and help yourself to refreshments - looks like Oliver is absorbed in looking after Stacey! :)
I am going to North Carolina. Staying near Sylva. I love it there. And it's gonna be a lot cooler then here! If I can find Jace, I'll say hello!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter "almost" went to college at Western Carolina in Sylva. We've visted the area twice and took the Dillsboro train past where they filmed the train wreck scene in the movie The Fugitive. Also visited the Cherokee Indian Reservation and went rafting on the Nahtahala River. NC has both mountains and beaches. Love it!
DeleteWell me and Gerard are gonna go out on the town. He found his clothes. I'll see you all later. No Gerard, don't button the shirt...
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to hit the hay too - or rather the sand, since I don't really want to leave the party. Try not to wake me if it goes on all night, I might be having -you know- pleasant dreams! :) Your book sounds such a great read, Laura, I hope you sell loads!
ReplyDeleteY'all can come to Carolina any time you want. Just remember, if you visit, that barbecue here is a noun not a verb, and it is always and forever...pork. I want to thank you so much for hosting such a fun party! I've got to go wrangle my own guy...wink, wink.
ReplyDeleteAnd it has a vinegar NOT tomato based sauce. Laura is a sister Heart of Carolina Romance Writer member and a nice person as well as a fabulous author. So happy you let us host you today.
DeleteLaura, Congratulations on your book,Broken Heart and the excerpts, sounds fantastic, especially the storyline! I sure do enjoy reading all the comments from all of you! Sure makes my day or night as it is this time!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Rebecca
rbooth43 at yahoo dot com
Thanks for visiting and partying with us, Becky! We love seeing you at the roasts.
DeleteI woke up this morning and found myself lying in the bushes. I could see the beach and Lyn walking arm and arm with Gerard. Fickle fellow anyhow. Anyone seen Josh Halloway?
ReplyDeleteBest of luck Laura! Thanks for playing with us so well. I love when our author is in on the fun! Kudos girlfriend!!