Re-gifting is definitely a thing I avoid . . . except when it comes to a holiday book. FROM THIS DAY FORWARD, my Dana Ransom contemporary, has a lot of . . . history. But first, here’s a taste . . .

“Don’t make a habit of depending on me.”

She heard a volume in that casual warning. He was a bad boy and she’d better be on guard. Why didn’t she believe that? He did.

When she didn’t draw away, he seemed determined to prove it to her.

His hand cupped her wind-flushed cheek, his thumb hooking beneath her chin to angle it up. She knew what he was planning. She had plenty of time to resist. But her eyes were closing, her lips parting and when he finally bent to claim them, she all but melted down the front of him.

(And the rest of the scene . . .)

If he wanted to show her he was a man who couldn’t be trusted, he should have seized her up with a rough disregard. But he didn’t. He undercut everything he was trying to convince her of with a kiss that was achingly, searchingly sweet. Tough guys didn’t kiss like that. Disreputable womanizers didn’t go to such great lengths to ease up slow, seeking just the right slant, just the right pressure to earn just the right response. And Robyn responded with all the right emotions. For all of ten seconds.

Then her hands flew up, pushing against his chest with an unnecessary force. He wasn’t trying to restrain her. She was fighting against her own desire to linger in his embrace.

“Don’t,” she cried out in a hoarse little voice, all jagged and edged in fear.

And Kyle, not understanding that she was afraid of herself not him, growled in his own defense, “Did he hurt you or was he just a fool?”

“Who?” Robyn panted.

“Your ex-husband.”

“I—he—I’m not divorced.” She jerked away and began to fumble frantically in her purse for her house keys. She should have had them in her hand. She should have been ready.

“Not—I don’t get it.” He was staring at her, obviously confused and growing angry. “Are you separated? The ring—”

She grabbed up her key and jammed it into the lock, thrusting open the door so hard she almost fell inside. And she was angry, too. Angry at herself for feeling so scared and so aroused. There were tears in her eyes when she told him furiously, “I never would have left him. He left me. My husband died.”

He stood, stunned into wordlessness as she slipped inside and slammed the door in his face.

This particular contemporary has a curious publishing past. I wrote it as the final book of four contracted by Zebra/Kensington for its “Lucky in Love” contemporary romance series back in the 1990s. The manuscript was accepted. I seem to remember seeing a cover. But before it was released, the line folded and my book, along with those of many other authors, was never published. Fast forward to 2014. Belle Books was acquiring contemporaries and my former editor purchased all four of my “Lucky in Love” books for reissue. FROM THIS DAY FORWARD would finally have its special day – just like main characters, Robyn and Kyle. Since it IS the season for auld lang syne, it’s back making rounds with readers.

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Published: November 20, 2014

Length: 188 Pages

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Can two broken hearts make a perfect match?

Widowed on her honeymoon, Robyn Lee pours all her unfulfilled dreams of a happily-ever-after into her wedding planner business, hiding her own heartbreak by making perfect memories for couples beginning the loving future she was denied. The last thing she needs is for the brother of her dream client--whose endorsement will guarantee Robyn's success--to rock the boat . . . and her regimented world.

Through the lens of his camera, photojournalist Kyle Travers has witnessed all the ugliness life can offer. Still reeling from the death of his coworker in the field, he sees the frilly job of photographer at his sister's wedding as an annoyance--until he meets the steely organizer who protects her broken spirit almost as fiercely as he does his own--making him wonder if two fractured halves can make a stronger whole.

Since this is our last gathering before Christmas, I wish all who celebrate the very best of times, and seasons greetings to all!

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