by Lisa Plumley
“He’s adorable!” Jayne cried, still petting the puppy. Her breakup-ees gathered around, too, exclaiming over his floppy ears and wavy fur.
“You like him?” Riley asked. “He’s a cockapoo. Half cocker spaniel, half poodle. But we can get a plain old poodle, too,” he added hurriedly, “if you’d rather.”
She didn’t understand the vulnerability in his worried, hopeful look. But she did want to ease it.
“I love him! I can’t wait to raise him together,” she said, nuzzling the puppy’s nose. “You know,” Jayne added thoughtfully, “I’ve been thinking about this, and I could write anywhere. I could travel with you, and so could he.”
“I could take pictures anywhere,” Riley countered, “even in San Francisco. I’ll walk little Primp every day.”
“Primp?” Jayne raised her eyebrows. “We can’t call him that. It’s one letter away from being a criminal offense.”
“Well, Leopard Print Compact just sounds stupid.” Riley pet the puppy, making googly eyes at him. “But you inspired me to get him, so his name will have to remind me of you.”
“He’s a boy. We’ll turn him into a sissy dog.”
“With a rhinestone collar like the one they gave me, he’s already on his way.”
“Never mind. We’ll think of something.”
They huddled together over the puppy, their fingers touching as they got acquainted with “family life.” Then Jayne and Riley smiled. An unspoken accord traveled between them. As one, they turned together to their friends.
“We’d better go walk the dog,” Jayne said.
“Yeah, right away,” Riley agreed, grabbing the leash from the corner of the pet carrier. “I’ll take Jayne back to the other lodge in my suburban, if you all want to rendezvous there.”
Everyone looked skeptical. Jayne and Riley didn’t care. The outdoors waited—and along with it, privacy. After a few goodbyes (and a promise to meet later at the Hideaway Lodge), they carried the puppy and leash outside. They breathed deeply of the fresh air surrounding them. They smiled.
Jayne glanced at Riley. “So…you wanna sneak back inside after they leave and have a real reunion?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Riley said, grinning. “After all, we have a reputation to protect,” Jayne went on. “If I’m going to write that True Love 102 book—”
“Which, of course, you should.”
“—then we’re going to have to live it. We’re going to have to live true love, every minute of every day.”
“That’ll be easy,” Riley said, and kissed her. “Because I truly love you. Every minute of every day.”
“And I love you. Every minute of every day.”
They put on their puppy’s leash, linked hands, and started walking. This time, their steps fell perfectly in sync.
“It’s the only right thing to do,” Jayne told the man she loved, shrugging playfully as she considered their future together. “We have to fulfill our destiny, after all.”
Riley agreed, with another kiss to seal the deal. And then, for every minute of every day afterward…they did share true love.
Hiking, shopping, and one completely cute puppy included.
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From the Author
Thank you for reading this book! If you enjoyed it, I hope you’ll share your enthusiasm by writing a review online, posting about this story on your Facebook page, Twitter account, or blog, or just telling your friends.
If you’re curious about my other books, please visit my Web site at www.lisaplumley.com, where you can read first-chapter excerpts from all my books, sign up for my new-book reminder service, catch sneak previews of my upcoming books, request special reader freebies, and more.
You can also follow me on Twitter, like my official Facebook page, or circle me on Google+. I’d love to connect with you!
Best wishes,
Lisa Plumley
Like connected stories? Look for Lisa’s series romances!
“Perfect” series
Perfect Together
Perfect Switch
Kismet Christmas series *
Home for the Holidays
Holiday Affair
Together for Christmas **
All He Wants For Christmas
Morrow Creek series
The Matchmaker
The Scoundrel
The Rascal
“Marriage at Morrow Creek” in the anthology Hallowe’en Husbands
Mail-Order Groom
The Bride Raffle
Wanton in the West (short-story/e-book exclusive)
“Something Borrowed, Something True” in the anthology Weddings Under a Western Sky
The Honor-Bound Gambler
Notorious in the West
Morrow Creek Runaway
All of Lisa’s series books stand alone and can be read in any order. Remember, you can also visit Lisa’s RomanceWiki page to view a list of books in the “Perfect,” Kismet Christmas, and Morrow Creek series in reverse order (most recently published first).
*Note: So Irresistible is a prequel to Together for Christmas, but is not part of the Kismet Christmas series.
**Don’t miss Recipes From Together For Christmas, a collection of five delicious holiday recipes for miniature pies!
More from Lisa Plumley: Mysteries
Lisa also writes cozy mysteries as Colette London. Her Chocolate Whisperer series (featuring chocolate expert—and amateur sleuth!—Hayden Mundy Moore) kicked off with Criminal Confections and Dangerously Dark and continues with The Semisweet Hereafter in October 2016, all from Kensington Books.
Visit www.colettelondon.com today to sign up for updates on Colette’s books, catch all the news on Facebook at facebook.com/colette.london.books, or follow @Colette__London on Twitter.
Praise for the novels of Lisa Plumley
MORROW CREEK RUNAWAY
“Plumley’s Morrow Creek series continues to delight! The latest entry is a tale of love lost and found. It’s funny, charming and full of sexual tension, complete with a fabulous cast of characters fans will love.” —Romantic Times (4 stars!)
ALL HE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS
“Fourth in the Kismet Christmas series, All He Wants for Christmas is the perfect combination of naughty and nice. The Christmas spirit in a small town paired with steamy hot romance will satisfy all fans of contemporary romance this season. The witty banter will have readers laughing, and the sexy interludes will delight.” —Romantic Times (4 stars!)
“In the charming fourth contemporary set in Kismet, Mich., (after Together for Christmas), a charismatic CEO falls unexpectedly for a store manager. Jason and Danielle have incredible chemistry—and very different ambitions that might drive them apart. Plumley paints a beautiful portrait of a town where the holiday spirit is felt all year round and gives readers warm glimpses of the couples from previous stories.” —Publishers Weekly
NOTORIOUS IN THE WEST
“Plumley returns with a new novel in her Morrow Creek series: a western version of Beauty and the Beast. Opposites attract in this funny, loving battle of the sexes with strong characters and lots of witty banter. Readers are in for a sizzling treat.” —Romantic Times (4 stars!)
SO IRRESISTIBLE
“Plumley delivers yet another witty romance with this fun read featuring likable characters and plenty of steamy scenes.”—Booklist
“So Irresistible is a fun, sexy read with characters readers will immediately love. Their sexual chemistry burns up the pages.”—Romantic Times (4 stars!)
THE HONOR-BOUND GAMBLER
“Welcome to Morrow Creek, Plumley’s little slice of the West and a romance with heart and grit. Lively storytelling and a cast of engaging, delightful characters—from a rapscallion little boy to a conniving reverend to a hardened gambler and a preacher’s daughter—are simply perfect for this tale. Love and redemption are the soul of this heart-tugging charme
r.”—Romantic Times (4 stars! + K.I.S.S. hero)
TOGETHER FOR CHRISTMAS
“Plumley makes her third trip to Kismet, Mich. (after Home for the Holidays) in this laugh-out-loud Christmas romp. This sweet romance tugs at the heartstrings from the beginning and doesn’t let up until the final page.”—Publishers Weekly
“This is a genuinely fun story, with complex, engaging characters and a thoroughly charming holiday atmosphere. No matter what, Lisa Plumley knows how to craft a terrific, heartwarming story with deliciously happy endings, and I definitely plan to go back and read her other books set in Kismet. At least that will give me something to do until her next book comes out!”—The Romance Reviews
MELT INTO YOU
“Plumley (Holiday Affair, 2010) has written another delightful story filled with everything her fans expect—likable characters, a great romance, humorous situations, witty dialogue, and a heartwarming story. “—Booklist (starred review!)
“This is a delightful story with a hero who could easily be a real jerk, but is quite a sweetheart, and a heroine determined to not be hurt by love again, yet can’t help herself. Her mistrust of the hero is quite understandable, and his struggle to learn how to be good is entertaining. “—Romantic Times (4 stars!)
THE BRIDE RAFFLE
“Ms. Plumley knows how to make her characters real and relatable. We know these people. We have friends like this. This ability to create realistic characters makes Ms. Plumley’s novels even more compelling. I loved every page of this book and found it hard to put down. I can’t wait to see what Ms. Plumley produces next! “—Historical Romance Writers
“Lisa Plumley has penned a really cute, delightful tale with The Bride Raffle. Looking for something that is lighthearted and fun? Something that combines romance and humor? The Bride Raffle by Lisa Plumley is perfect for you! “—CataRomance (4 stars!)
MAIL-ORDER GROOM
“Everyone has a secret in this delightful tale from the Old West. The concept of the mail-order groom, rather than bride, is an entertaining twist on a standard plot. There’s plenty of gun-slinging, bloodshed, and lovemaking going on from start to finish, which will keep readers turning pages until the very end. “—Romantic Times (4 stars!)
“Lisa Plumley has written a charming romance between two very appealing characters. An engaging novel with a heroine you won’t soon forget. “—Love Western Romances (4 spurs!)
HOLIDAY AFFAIR
“Secrets and subterfuge add complexity and zing to this well-crafted, heartwarming story that features a wealth of engaging characters, including five remarkable, memorable children, and great sexual tension. A deliciously satisfying, cocoa-worthy holiday read.”—Library Journal
“Lisa Plumley’s latest holiday novel delivers. It has warm gooey holiday moments complete with happy children, Christmas traditions such as caroling and decorating Christmas cookies and, oh yeah, hot and steamy romance. Loaded with fun pop-culture references and witty dialogue, Holiday Affair delivers on entertainment!”—The Romance Reader (Five Hearts!)
MY FAVORITE WITCH
“In keeping with Plumley’s tradition of lively romantic comedy (Home for the Holidays), her first foray into the paranormal witch world subgenre is quirky, sexy, creative, and hilarious.”—Library Journal
“Humorous adventures and unexpected romance with a sprinkling of heartwarming moments will keep the reader well entertained in this delightful tale, skillfully crafted by the clever Plumley.”—Booklist
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
“Lisa Plumley once again gifts readers with a Yuletide story sure to put you in a holiday mood. This is vintage Plumley. She’s created a cast of characters that are a bit eccentric, quirky, and likeable and spun a story that will make you smile.”—Lezlie Patterson, McClatchy-Tribune News Service
“A delightful secondary romance adds to the fun in this upbeat romp that is touching, hilarious, and lightly dusted with seasonal charm.”—Library Journal
LET’S MISBEHAVE
“Once again, Plumley shows her fine flair for comedy as Marisol learns that there is life beyond Rodeo Drive, and the Connelly triplets discover that they can’t scare away every nanny. Full of witty dialogue and hilarious situations, this romp with a heart is certain to please readers.”—Booklist (starred review; named one of the Top Ten Romances of 2007)
“Plumley not only delivers a fun-filled premise, clever dialogue and a delightfully sexy sports-loving hero, she brings to life a memorable, hilarious and utterly unique heroine readers will adore. This is pure romantic fantasy and an absolutely entertaining novel from start to finish.”—Romantic Times (4½ stars Top Pick!)
MAD ABOUT MAX
“A cool cast of secondary characters adds much to the story as clever Plumley, who is already known for her entertaining romantic comedies, presents another winner in this humorous and engaging tale about a man who literally loses his shirt, but finds his heart.”—Booklist (starred review)
“Mad About Max kept me laughing from beginning to end. What great characters! Very highly recommended, especially for fans of romantic comedy.”—Romance Junkies
JOSIE DAY IS COMING HOME
“Turning not-so-perfect, unlikely characters into romance heroes and heroines is Lisa Plumley’s forte, and she once again delivers a zany cast who will make you laugh!”—The State newspaper
“In this heartwarming, often humorous story, the feisty Josie proves that you can go home again—if you’ve got the right stuff. And once again, the talented Plumley, whose books include Perfect Switch, proves that when it comes to writing romantic comedy, few do it better.”—Booklist
Books by Lisa Plumley
Contemporary Romances
All He Wants For Christmas
So Irresistible
Together for Christmas
Melt Into You
Holiday Affair
Home For The Holidays
Let’s Misbehave
Mad About Max
I Shaved my Legs for This?! (anthology w/Theresa Alan, Holly Chamberlin, and Marcia Evanick)
Once Upon a Christmas
Josie Day is Coming Home
Perfect Switch
Perfect Together
Reconsidering Riley
Santa Baby (anthology w/Kylie Adams, Elaine Coffman, and Lisa Jackson)
Falling For April
Making Over Mike
Her Best Man
Man Of The Year
My Best Friend’s Baby
The Honeymoon Hoax
Surrender
Historical Romances
Morrow Creek Marshal
Morrow Creek Runaway
Notorious in the West
The Honor-Bound Gambler
Weddings Under a Western Sky (anthology w/Elizabeth Lane and Kate Welsh)
The Bride Raffle
Wanton in the West
Mail-Order Groom
Hallowe’en Husbands (anthology w/Denise Lynn and Christine Merrill)
The Rascal
The Scoundrel
The Matchmaker
The Drifter
Lawman
Outlaw
Paranormal Romance
My Favorite Witch
Time-Travel Romances
Timeless Winter (anthology w/Sandra Davidson and Kathryn Hockett)
Timeless Spring (anthology w/Sandra Davidson and Cynthia Thomason)
Books by Lisa Plumley (writing as Colette London)
Chocolate Whisperer cozy mysteries
Criminal Confections
Dangerously Dark
The Semisweet Hereafter
“Chocoholics and food cozy fans rejoice! With prose as smooth and delicious as its theme, this quality debut cozy by an anonymous bestselling novelist introduces a smart protagonist with an unusual and tasty profession.” —Library Journal (starred review) on Criminal Confections
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