by Lucy Score
As Old Judge Carwell launched into his Southern-accented recitation of the vows, I couldn’t stop rubbing my thumbs over Scarlett’s palms, reassuring myself that this was indeed happening. My mother was politely sniffling into my father’s handkerchief in the front row. Gran and Estelle sat next to them snapping about a thousand pictures with their phones. Jonah’s mom and Cassidy’s parents took up Scarlett’s side. Beyond them was the better part of all of Bootleg. And above us, someone had thought to turn on the strings of lights we used for parties.
I could smell bonfire and brisket. Everyone in the audience had a drink in hand.
And when Scarlett looked up at me, eyes sparkling with a joy that mirrored my own, I knew that I was more than ready for another fifty or sixty years with her. She was my adventure and my safe place. My best friend. And I was going to spend the rest of my life loving the hell out of her.
We all had a good laugh when Old Judge Carwell got to the honor and obey part.
And, when I got the go-ahead to give my wife our first kiss, I leaned in so only Scarlett could hear me. “Just remember who proposed first.”
Ready for more from Bootleg Springs? Book #2 by Claire Kingsley releases in May!
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Author’s Note to the Reader
Dear Reader,
Welcome to Bootleg Springs where the liquor flows and the neighbors know your every move! I hope you enjoyed your first visit. I’m not going to lie, I knew exactly who Scarlett Bodine was before I even started writing this book. It all started with that scene of Devlin seeing her for the first time chugging a beer from the tailgate of a pick-up.
I just fell in love with the idea of this blue-collar country girl who thought about sex like a man, did the dirty work in her family, and still had time to chase down every ounce of fun she could find. And I love a town that breaks all those stereotypes. Sure there’s y’alling and the mayor plays a mean banjo, but Bootleg is a prosperous tourist town with a big heart, smart neighbors, and canny entrepreneurs.
I’m really excited about this series, and not just for my usual reasons (small town, crazy family, hilarity). The suspense aspect has been so much fun to plan out with Claire. There will be six books, each with a couple and an HEA, but the mystery won’t be wrapped up until Book 6 and YOU GUYS, you really want to know what happened!
So, once again, welcome to the moonshiniest town in the whole dang country. I hope you’ll stick around! If you loved Whiskey Chaser, please feel free to tell seven hundred of your closest friends or leave a review on Amazon.
Are you getting the BFF vibe from me? Follow me on Facebook and join me in my reader’s group: Lucy Score’s Binge Readers Anonymous. And if you want first dibs on preorders and sales and awesome bonus content, definitely sign up for my newsletter! I hope to see you around!
Xoxo,
Lucy
About the Author
Lucy Score is the author of the Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon bestseller Pretend You’re Mine. She grew up in a literary family who insisted that the dinner table was for reading and earned a degree in journalism. She writes full-time from the Pennsylvania home she and Mr. Lucy share with their obnoxious cat, Cleo. When not spending hours crafting heartbreaker heroes and kick-ass heroines, Lucy can be found on the couch, in the kitchen, or at the gym. She hopes to someday write from a sailboat, or oceanfront condo, or tropical island with reliable Wi-Fi.
Lucy’s Titles
The Blue Moon Small Town Romance Series
Where It All Began
Find out where Blue Moon got its start in this prequel. John Pierce is a farmer enjoying his solitude until the grad student he reluctantly agreed to take on turns out to be a woman.
No More Secrets
Carter Pierce is a gorgeous veteran who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty tending the family farm, but he’s not in the mood to be shadowed by a big city journalist.
Fall into Temptation
Beckett Pierce is the charming mayor of Blue Moon with a soft spot for women who are trouble, especially when they live in his guesthouse.
The Last Second Chance
Jackson Pierce is the returning prodigal son. With a successful career as a Hollywood screenwriter, he has everything. Everything but the girl he left behind.
Not Part of the Plan
Emma’s got her whole life planned out. And that plan doesn’t include a detour with hunky fashion photographer and notorious ladies’ man, Nikolai Vulkov.
Holding on to Chaos
Sheriff Donovan Cardona has his hands full when his town loses its collective mind, not to mention the red-headed disaster who’s keeping secrets and accidentally flashing him every five seconds.
Bootleg Springs Series
Whiskey Chaser
Scarlett is a hell-raising tomboy with a tool belt. She’s only being neighborly when she makes her sexy next-door neighbor her new pet project.
Romantic Suspense Titles
Pretend You’re Mine
Harper starts her life over again with a fake relationship with real-life hero Luke. But fake and real and hidden truths soon turn into one unforgettable love story.
Sinner & Saint: Crossing the Line
It’s hate at first sight when Xavier, a by-the-book bodyguard, meets starlet Waverly who is desperate to leave the sparkle and danger of Hollywood behind her.
Sinner & Saint: Breaking the Rules
A dangerous game brings Xavier back into Waverly’s life. He’s the only one who can get her out alive, but will she ever trust him again?
Undercover Love
Ashley is given the keys to revenge on her cheating fiancé when she teams up with billionaire Jason Baine to bring him and his mistress down.
Other Titles
Mr. Fixer Upper
Gannon King’s on-set clashes with his field producer Paige drag them both further into the spotlight. And as the network pushes for more drama, things heat up behind closed doors.
The Christmas Fix
Cat King arrives in Merry with a camera crew, a big budget, and the intent to put the town back together again after a devastating hurricane. Christmas is just around the corner. Can she convince the surly city manager to trust her?
Heart of Hope: Hope Falls (Kindle Worlds)
Single mom Bristol begins to fight through her grief with the help of sexy stranger Beau. But Beau has a secret that will affect her entire family.
The Worst Best Man
Business mogul Aiden has never met a woman who can hold his attention for longer than a month or two. Until Franchesca, a smart mouth girl with a big Brooklyn attitude. Can he conquer the unconquerable?
Acknowledgments
Claire Kingsley for being like “Hey, we should co-write a series together!” and then holding my hand through Whiskey Chaser.
Cassy Roop with Pink Ink Designs for this gorgeous cover!
Dinosaur chicken nuggets
Author Kathryn Nolan for insisting that the book blurb was so good, my readers would throw up with excitement!
Mr. Lucy for doing literally all the things while I buried myself in this book! And for rubbing my head for an hour when I had that gross headache. And for always restocking the toilet paper in the powder room. And for bookmarking Porsche 356 convertibles because he plans to surprise me with one someday!
Dawn and those sharp eyes for typos and enduring love of all romance. For Amanda Edens for her professional proofreading.
My Binge Readers for their endless support, their diabolical sense of humor, and their acceptance of my taco obsession. Also, for those of you who provided much needed background about West Virginia.
Where’s Lucy?
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