by Kathryn Shay
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Author’s Note
Welcome to The Gentileschi Sisters! They’re a lively bunch, and I had so much fun taking them on their journeys. In essence, these novellas were a joy to write.
The idea for this series came from NO OTHER LOVE, where the oldest of them appears. Calla had a rough time of it, and I treated her sisters to no less difficulty in finding love. But in truth, I suffered over making them suffer, so I put a lot of light (as in sunshine, not humor) in each story.
Alexandra came out exactly as I thought she would—sweet, cheerful and always looking on the bright side of life. But I was sure to give her a backbone. Nobody likes a doormat as a heroine. So right from the beginning, she shows her strength. You might ask where she got this strength. From her father, King Alessio and from her mother Queen Renata, of course. They raised all seven girls to stand up for themselves. And, boy, do they. I was particularly touched by Lexy’s sense of fairness and her ability to so genuinely forgive.
Ryder was another story. He was a very hard man to handle. Initially, I saw him a bad boy—lots of women and bad habits. But when I he appeared on the page, and he met Lexy, that just didn’t happen. I did manage to imbue him with faults—why the heck didn’t he call Lexy back after the Gentileschi revelation? My proofreader said she wanted to slap him upside the head. And to a degree, I did too. But he just…didn’t do it. He says he was unable to forgive himself, so he’d never ask her to forgive him. Is that enough of a reason? You’ll have to decide.
One thing I know for sure: I didn’t want him to give up Lexy for his father. Richard is such an unlikeable man throughout the whole book. But to me, Ryder would be that unselfish. And think hard before you answer—how far would you go for your parents? In my experience, children never get over the need for a dad or mom, even one who’s abandoned them.
And we can’t forget Pickles! Did you like her story?
Let me know what you think of this novella. And don’t forget to order the rest of the series.
Best,
Kathy
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Don’t miss the rest of the books in
THE GENTILESCHI SISTERS Series
THIS GUY’S IN LOVE, Book 2
Detective Francesca Marcello Gentileschi can’t afford another screw up like the one she made at her last precinct where she fell for one of her colleagues. Unfortunately Detective Tyrell Beauregard Collingsworth has other things in mind for the lovely princess cop.
CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE, Book 3
When Evangelina Gentileschi is hit by a stray ball at a Major League baseball game, the batter, Mike Jagielski leaps over the dugout and climbs into the stands to help her. Neither knows that the entire course of their lives are about to change.
HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE, Book 4
The last thing grade school teacher Gabriella Gentileschi wants is a man in her life, especially not one who makes her flash back to the worst thing that happened to her. But gym teacher Dante Federico is determined to make Brie like him—and maybe more.
LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER, Book 5
Widowed at twenty, Mariella Gentileschi Moretti came to the U.S. to get her law degree and plans to return home to help her father run the country. But Dr. Jordan Dubois, one of her professors, threatens all that when he takes an interest in her that is anything but ethical.
I THINK I LOVE YOU, Book 6
Ravenna Marcello Gentileschi badly wants a show at the prestigious Parkers, a top-notch art gallery in Baltimore. But can she put up with stiff and starchy Blake Parker, the owner, long enough to have her paintings displayed before the world?
Take a look at the next book in the series, THIS GUY’S IN LOVE:
“Okay, buddy, hands up against the car.”
“I ain’t your buddy.”
“Yeah, I know.” When the guy slapped his hands on the hood, Frankie Marcello checked him for a gun, then yanked his arms back and cuffed him. “I got better taste than you.”
The thief let loose with several expletives, which Frankie laughed off. “Save it for your friends in lockup.”
Mack came from the rear of the small, unassuming house and eased his already-cuffed charge into the black and white.
When she tried to do the same on her side, the guy resisted. “Need some help there, Francesca?”
Oh, man, she wasn’t ready to take him on right now. She’d gotten elbowed in the skirmish, and her eye already hurt like hell.
“None needed, Tyrell.”
He circled the car. “You got him, I guess.”
Frankie wrestled the suspect into the backseat of the police vehicle and into the custody of the uniforms. When she turned around, Tyrell was still behind her.
“What the hell?” The night was cool and starless, but in the light of the street lamps, he tipped her chin. “What happened?”
“His elbow got in my way.” She swatted Ty’s hand away. “I’m okay.”
His gray eyes turned glacial. In that cool way he had of dealing with criminals, or when undercover, he said, “I’ll remember not to be concerned about you again.”
She sighed. The two of them shot sparks off each other ever since she came to work at the Middle District in Baltimore Police Department three months ago. Among other things, he always called her by her full name, just to needle her, so she responded by using his full one. “I didn’t mean to bite your head off. My eye hurts like hell.”
Crossing to his car, he opened the trunk and pulled something out of what looked like a cooler. “Here, use this right away. It’ll keep the swelling down.”
“You guys keep ice packs on hand?”
“Best you do, too. We need them more than you’d think.” The corners of his firm mouth turned up and his eyes crinkled. Damned if perfect, blond Tyrell Beauregard Collingsworth didn’t have a great smile. It reminded her to not get too chummy with him. She’d already given in to the charm of one man at her former district, and totally regretted it.
About the Author
A NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author, Kathryn Shay has been a lifelong writer and teacher. She has written dozens of self-published original romance titles, print books with the Berkley Publishing Group and Harlequin Enterprises and mainstream women’s fiction with Bold Strokes Books. She has won many awards for her work: five RT Book Reviews awards, the Bookseller’s Best Award, Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year and several “Starred Reviews.” One of her firefighter books hit #20 on the NEW YORK TIMES list. Her novels have been serialized in COSMOPOLITAN magazine and featured in USA TODAY, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL and PEOPLE magazine. There are over ten million copies of her books in print and downloaded online. Reviewers have called her work “emotional and heart-wrenching.”
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