This month’s theme is “Summer Romance.” June is typically the month for weddings. Today’s featured book is Marrying Mandy, the first book in the Brides of Clearwater series by Melanie D. Snitker.

Inspiration behind the Book:

I love reading contemporary marriage of convenience stories, and I wanted to write one showing how two people can start off as friends and, with God’s help, fall in love and together become the family they’ve always dreamed of having.

About the book:

A marriage of convenience might be crazy… or an answer to both of their prayers.

Mandy Hudson swore she’d never marry. Abandoned by her parents and raised by her grandparents, she has a hard time trusting that real love will last. When her grandmother dies, Mandy’s shocked to discover a stipulation in the will. Considering marriage to her best friend may be the only way to keep her family’s beloved bed-and-breakfast.

The loss of his job threatens Preston Yarrow’s shaky financial stability. Besides, he can’t watch his best friend give up the only real home she’s ever known. Frustrated by Mandy’s stubborn refusal to let him help, he’s certain they are stronger together than they are apart.

Excerpt:

Mandy turned her head to look at Preston. He was staring out toward the river, his eyes narrowed. His serious expression worried her.

“I have an idea, but you’re not going to like it.” He shifted his focus to her.

Butterflies filled Mandy’s stomach and her heart flip-flopped in her chest. She knew where he was going and shook her head. “No.”

Preston moved until he faced her. They both sat cross legged, their knees touching. “Hear me out. And while you do, think about it logically.”

She fought against the instinct to leap to her feet and walk back to the house. If she had any other options, she probably would have. Instead, she straightened her spine, set the bag of muffins on the grass beside her, and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Go ahead.”

“If we got married—” He held up a hand to stop her when she started to object. “You promised you’d hear me out.” Preston waited long enough to make sure she would keep her word and continued. “If we got married, there’d be no problem with you keeping the B&B. The lawyer said you only needed to be married a year. At that point, the house and land will be yours—just as it should be. You don’t have to put anything in my name.”

Mandy’s jaw dropped. “You’re suggesting a marriage in name only? What is this, the 1800s? You’re insane.” She considered what he said and frowned. “So, we’d stay married for a year, and then what? Get a divorce?”

“If that’s what you want.” Preston’s expression made it difficult for Mandy to tell what he was thinking.

Disbelief toward his idea gave way to anger. “You know what I dealt with as a kid. My parents got a divorce and signed me over to my grandparents like an old car or something. There are a lot of things I’m determined to not do and getting a divorce is one of them. So yeah, that’s not happening.”

“Then we don’t get a divorce.” His brows rose, and he stared at her with a look daring her to counter him. In the past, it usually preceded a list of reasons for why he was right, and she was wrong.

That wouldn’t work this time. He hadn’t dared her to climb a tree or race him to the edge of the river. This was marriage they were talking about. And since she didn’t believe in divorce, they were also talking about forever. It’d take a lot more than goading or stroking her ego to get her to agree.

About the author:

Melanie D. Snitker is a USA Today Bestselling Author who writes inspirational and sweet romance novels. She and her husband live in the beautiful Texas Hill Country with their two children who keep their lives full of adventure. They share their home with two dogs, a guinea pig, two lizards, three frogs, and a toad. In her spare time, Melanie enjoys photography, reading, baking, computer games, and hanging out with family and friends.

Author media links:

Website – https://www.melaniedsnitker.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/melaniedsnitker

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/melaniedsnitker/

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Melanie-D.-Snitker/e/B00MGOUYRW

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8440136.Melanie_D_Snitker

Bookbub – https://www.bookbub.com/authors/melanie-d-snitker

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The star of this month’s Cat Tail is Dumbo, my brother’s cat. Dumbo is a 2-year-old Flame Point Siamese male. I asked my brother if he would share some photos and interesting details about Dumbo, who is very unique.

Dumbo is very friendly even to strangers. He greets everyone by walking around their feet and laying on his back for a short belly rub.

Dumbo likes to go outside. He gets up and sits on my laptop and stares at me to let me know he’s ready for us to go out.

Dumbo follows me everywhere outside in the yard like a dog. He even comes when I call. Climbs on everything, trees, cars,the house roof. He understands the word “No” and stops and sits down when you tell him no if I’m opening the door but want him to stay inside.

I give him rides in the wheelbarrow. He enjoys that and even jumps in by himself sometimes.

Today’s guest is author Michelle Lowe. Michelle, thank you for joining me today. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I have been married to my husband, Brian, for twenty years. We have a wonderful son, Jake, and one lazy hound dog named Daisy. We live in Asheboro, North Carolina where I enjoy cooking for my family and searching for Native American Indian arrowheads on our property.

What is your book about?

When Sage Patterson is forced to sell her mother’s beloved beach house, she at least hopes to put all the hurt and embarrassment of the previous year behind her. With her loyal friend and rescue dog, Molly, by her side she finds refuge in the tranquil settings of Ocean Isle Beach, watching each evening a mysterious painter paint by the waterway. This temporary refuge is interrupted, however, when real estate attorney Jacob Gable threatens to steal her heart and push her towards forgiving the man who ultimately broke her trust, making her realize there is much more at stake than only losing her mother’s precious beach house.

What is the inspiration behind your story?

The inspiration for The Maritime Cure was my mom who bravely battled Multiple Sclerosis for nearly fifteen years.

Do you have a day job? If so, how do you find time in your day to write?

I do have a day job, as a Registered Nurse. I work part-time so this affords me time to write. I especially enjoy writing early on weekend mornings with a cup of coffee in hand, or when the weather is bad outside.

Are you a night owl or morning person?

I am a morning person. I love to get up early and I’m usually spent by 8:30pm or so. My family and friends are aware of this and regularly enjoy joking about my early bedtime habit.

What does your family think of your writing?

My family has been very supportive and excited for me. This means more than I could possibly express.

Who was the first person you allowed to read your completed book?

My friend Alicia, who is also a nurse. We laughed recently when I found an old story in which she had critiqued in the margins with a red pen!

Do you have a favorite author or book?

My favorite Book is The Black Opal by Victoria Holt. I have read almost all of her books and have my mom’s old hardbacks- which are beautiful!

What’s next for you as an author?

I have two more novellas which will be published soon by Anaiah Press.

Where can readers find you online?

instagram.com/authormlowe

twitter.com/Author_MLowe

facebook.com/MichelleSLoweAuthor

GIVEAWAY:

Michelle is giving away an adult coloring book with the Bible verse, BE STILL AND KNOW. You can enter the drawing at the following link.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/6ae93a9b9/?

Buy link:

To celebrate June as the traditional month of weddings, today’s story is about a diamond engagement ring.

Once upon a time, a young man took a young woman to a jeweler’s to look at engagement rings. She had her finger sized (just in case) and looked at a display of diamonds and wedding sets. Her favorite was a diamond solitaire that was so brilliant it glistened in the overhead lights. Not a full carat, but very beautiful.

A few days after the visit to the jeweler’s, the young man stopped by his beloved’s home. On bended knee, he asked her to marry him, and he presented her with the ring in a little pink box. She was thrilled, and accepted his proposal.

She showed off her new diamond to family, friends and co-workers.  Their “ooh’s” and “aahs” over the diamond made her very proud.

Through several years of marriage, two children and added pounds, that diamond remained a constant presence in the woman’s life. She had only to glance at the diamond to know that she was loved by the man with whom she was walking through life.

One afternoon the woman took her young son to the grocery store. As she pushed the cart, her son played “semi truck” with it. This involved pushing and pulling on the little front seat, adding the loud noise that the “air brakes” made. As they rounded a corner, the mother’s finger was caught in the “air brakes,” causing instant pain.

Not wanting to make a scene, the woman quietly finished her shopping and left the store. She was halfway home when she glanced at her ring finger, as she always looked at the diamond glistening in the sunshine. A sick feeling entered the pit of her stomach as she realized the diamond was gone. She knew instinctively that it broke off when her hand got caught in the “air brakes.”

When she got home, she told her husband what had happened, hoping he would be understanding. Maybe he could find it if he went back to the store. After all, whenever she lost one of her contacts on the bathroom floor, he was the one to find it.

Alas, he was not very sympathetic to her loss. “You’ll never find it now,” he said. She had to try, so she returned to the store. Searching every inch of the aisles turned up empty. Sadly disappointed, she returned home.

Unfortunately the diamond was uninsured. The warranty was invalid, since returning to the jewelry store to get it inspected and cleaned every six months had been inconvenient. The diamond was lost for good.

You’re probably guessing that I am the woman in the story. I cried that day when my beautiful diamond was torn from my finger. I didn’t blame my little son. He was simply playing a game he’d played before. I did have to deal with forgiveness towards my husband for not returning to the store to help me search for it. And I had to deal with forgiveness towards myself, for not following through with the warranty requirements.

Even if we bought another diamond to replace that one, we could not replace the sentiment in which it was given. The gift of love that promised a lifetime of happiness could never be replaced.

I pretty much accepted that I would never have another diamond. So I was very surprised and happy when on Christmas Day my husband presented me with a little burgundy box. Inside I found a one-carat diamond solitaire.

Whether he realized it or not, my husband was reaffirming his love for me with his gift. His action told me that if he had to do it all over again, he would still choose me.

Because of the first situation, we were careful this time. However, we had a mishap with the ring that almost lost it forever.

On the way to church on morning, I was applying lotion to my hands. I slipped the ring off and laid it in my lap. Then it was gone. I yelled at my husband to stop the car and help me search for it, but he didn’t. Half mile down the road, I finally got him to stop. I opened the door and got out, which was a mistake. After searching the car, we didn’t find it. We turned around, too upset to go on to church.

As we drove home, a song played on the radio. The song that says the Lord is more precious than gold. I knew that was true, but I prayed silently, “Not this ring, Lord. I don’t want to lose this ring.” A glance at my husband showed his disgust over the incident.

Before we arrived home, I realized it might have fallen on the ground when I got out of the car. I talked him into returning to the place where we had stopped. We searched through a couple of inches of snow. We had almost given up hope when I brushed the snow lightly with my foot. A glint of gold shone through the white. It was my ring. I picked it up and put it on my finger. Rejoicing, but subdued.

Fortunately, this story had a happy ending.

P.S.: The ring is now insured.

Summer is here, and many of us are planning vacations to get away from our daily routines. Today our featured book will take you to the fictional town of Crystal Lake, where romance is in the air. Crystal Lake is a great little getaway where you’ll fall in love with the characters and their stories. I enjoyed reading this series by one of my favorite authors, Laura Scott.

Author’s inspiration:

When I was young I spent several summers in a small lake town located in Wisconsin and fell in love with the cozy atmosphere and quirky townsfolk. Crystal Lake might be fictional but the characters in the story speak to my heart.

About the book:

Can he trust her with his secret?

Reeling from a broken engagement that resulted in a small town scandal, ER nurse Julie Crain just wants to be left alone over the Fourth of July Holiday weekend. But when single dad, Derek Ryerson and his young daughter need a place to stay to recuperate from a car accident, Julie can’t ignore their plight. She knows she needs to protect her heart, but little Lexi clearly needs love and support. 

Derek is the strong silent type, insisting on helping despite being injured. He seems too good to be true, and maybe he is. Because she soon realizes the former soldier has a secret that could tear them apart forever.

Excerpt:

Derek knew he probably sounded like a lunatic, but he didn’t care. The pain along the right side of his chest was bad, far worse than he’d let on, and after what the petite brunette nurse had said about the possible damage to his lung, he was very much afraid that, once they’d completed the scan, they’d whisk him off to surgery.

He’d downplayed his injuries because he didn’t want to stay overnight in the hospital, unless, of course, Lexi needed to be observed. No matter what, he was not going to leave his daughter. Lexi had already been through so much, more than any six-year-old should have to handle. With her mother dead and buried, she needed him now, more than ever.

If only he’d stopped for something to eat earlier, he wouldn’t have been driving through the intersection at the same moment as the idiot who’d run a red light, had slammed into them.

“Daddy?”

He turned his head, hiding a wince, to look at his daughter. True to her word, the pretty nurse—what in the world was her name?—had gotten Lexi into a wheelchair and brought her over to the side of his gurney. He forced a broad, reassuring smile. “Hey Lexi, how are you feeling?”

Her solemn gaze didn’t waver from his. “Fine,” she whispered. “Can we leave now?”

If only they could.

About the author:

Laura Scott is a Registered Nurse by day and an author by night. She has written over 70 books and has more ideas than time to write! Laura lives in Wauwatosa Wisconsin with her husband of 35 years and babysits for her son’s puppy, a Red Fox Labrador Retriever named Otis.

Author media links

Website: https://www.laurascottbooks.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/LauraScottBooks

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/laurascottbooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurascottbooks/

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