That Unexpected Kiss (Kissed By Fate Book 2)
Page 1
Kissed by Fate
That Unforgettable Kiss
By Tamara Ferguson
Amazon
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#1 International Bestseller
The Romance Reviews Readers’ Choice Award Winner
In New Adult Romance
2016 Ian Book Of The Year Finalist
THIS NOVEL IS ALSO INCLUDED IN:
A TOUCH OF PASSION
Romance by USA Today, New York Times
Multi-Award Winning, Bestselling Authors
TRR Readers’ Choice Award Winner
Amazon
Kobo
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Goodreads
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Praise for That Unforgettable Kiss
Tamara takes us back to the serene and enchanting town of Crystal Rock and into the lives of its close-knit community. She has mastered the art of portraying her characters' emotions perfectly to create a captivating story. Tamara creates stories that are so enchanting they will make your heart stop. Her flawless writing style perfectly and vividly captures the moments and brings the story to life. And just when you think the story has reached its climax, she takes it to the next level and delivers a whole new reading thrill—
5★--Faridah Nassozi For Reader's Favorite
Ferguson captures the hearts of her readers with likable and intelligent characters. Her men are passionate and masculine and her women are feminine, with appealing charm and “smarts.” She paints beautiful outdoor scenes that grip the imagination of the nature lover and enrapture the heart of the romantic, by portraying sensuality with unadulterated “not too much” explicit detail! Although That Unforgettable Kiss is an alluring tale of romantic fate, Ferguson mixes in a bit of suspense, making it an engaging read smoothly leading you to an ideal end—
5★-- Cheryl E. Rodriguez for Readers' Favorite
There’s more to this story than just love. I found myself absorbed by the characters. Kissed by Fate is a story of two people who are determined, stubborn and definitely in love. I really loved the way the story evolved and how the two of them managed to work together as well as resolving some important problems—
5★--Samantha Dewitt (Rivera) for Readers' Favorite
Praise for That Unexpected Kiss
This book was thrilling, sweet, romantic and had an incredible undeniable connection between our two main characters. In this book we follow Julie, who is returning to her home town, where she embarks on a journey of love with a man who she loved for as long as could remember yet could never have. And also, a journey of discovery about the disappearance of her mother. This is a thrilling read that will captivate you from the start, and is oozing with love, passion and great characters—
Amazon Reviewer
Praise and Awards
#1 International Bestselling Author Tamara Ferguson
THCW Voted #13 Best Indie Book of 2017
4 Time Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards Winner For Short Story Fiction, Romance Suspense & the Silver Medal Winner for Military Fiction (2015 & 2016)
2 Time Romance Reviews Reader’s Choice Award Winner For New Adult Romance & Anthology Romance (2015 & 2016)
5 Time Independent Authors Network Book of the Year Finalist (2016 & 2017)
Women’s Fiction and Novellas
New Apple Romance Selection for Literary Excellence (2016)
National Indie Excellence Awards Romance Finalist (2015)
Four Time Pinnacle Book Achievement Award Winner
“Tamara creates stories that are so enchanting they will make your heart stop.”
Faridah Nassozi For Reader's Favorite
“Tamara Ferguson has a deft hand when it comes to writing romance. She chooses her words and scenes carefully so that the reader never forgets that romance doesn't always come easy in the real world. Sometimes it may need a little help from a magical setting, a good friend, or an innocent child.”
Ray Simmons for Readers’ Favorite
In Flight is a brilliantly written, compelling, and fast-paced story with the sheer ability to completely captivate your mind-
Faridah Nassozi for Reader's Favorite
A heart stopping romance and suspense novel about two individuals who are perfect for each other but their past relationships stand in the way of a lasting intimacy. The character development is excellent. The blending of romance and suspense is quite successful, too, so that it is an effort to put down the book without reading until the last page–
Maria Beltran for Reader’s Favorite
Tales of the Dragonfly, set in a lovely Wisconsin lake town, includes a host of characters, from the ordinary to the unusual. In it, Tamara Ferguson has presented a story of intrigue, mystery and love. Readers will urge Sam on as he rushes to solve the mystery before harm might befall his beloved Penny—
Patricia Reding for Reader’s Favorite
Tales of the Dragonfly Book II: In Flight offers a healthy dose of self-reflection and romance that everyone who has ever loved and lost will enjoy. Between the romance and suspense of murder, readers will have something to turn the page for from the get-go, all the way to the end—
Writer's Digest Book Awards
Wow. Just wow! How’s that for a review? Author Tamara Ferguson has done an absolutely wonderful job in creating characters that her readers will relate to, care about and continue to think of long after the novella is done, and if that isn’t the hallmark of a great author, I don’t know what is—
Tracy Slowiak for Readers’ Favorite
Two Hearts Surrendered by Tamara Ferguson was an instant hit with me. I’m a sucker for a good military romance and this one topped the charts. Luke and Kelly shared a bond and strength that allowed them to be a couple that I would love to read more about. A great military drama/romance that makes you want more—
Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite
Tamara Ferguson's Two Hearts Surrendered is well-written and engaging. Luke and Kelly are compelling characters whom the reader can't help but cheer for when they meet up and hope that the two, who are so obviously in love, will eventually find a way to make a life together. Her plot is compelling and real, especially those parts concerning the care and rehabilitation of wounded veterans, and her romantic passages are sensitive, caring and tasteful. I enjoyed reading Two Hearts Surrendered, and I highly recommend it—
Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
“It reminded me of a Nicholas Sparks story.”
Amazon Australia Reviewer
[From Magical Weddings}
My favorite story was “Two Hearts Surrendered.”
When Air Force pilot Luke Bryant was 13, he saved the life of six-year-old Kelly Callahan. While home on leave 14 years later, he attends a wedding and runs into a now 20-year-old Kelly. After only hours to get to know each other, his leave is over. They stay in contact promising themselves to each other when suddenly he is sent on a secret mission. After she doesn’t hear from him for months, she learns he was critically hurt and refuses to see her. The magic of this story is how he comes to terms with his injuries so he can share his life with Kelly—
Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock (Blog)
Books By Tamara Ferguson
Tales of the Dragonfly Romance Suspense
In Tandem
In Flight
Coming Soon: Emergence
Coming Soon: Extended Flight
Kissed By Fate New Adult Romance
That Unforgettable Kiss
Coming Soon: That Unexpected Kiss
Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Romance
Two Hearts Surrendered
Two Hearts Unspoken
Two Hearts Undone
Two Hearts’ Christmas Wish
Two Hearts Find Christmas
Two Hearts Unbroken
Coming in Nov 2018: Two Hearts Under Fire
Mistletoe Kisses & Christmas Wishes Set
(Includes Two Hearts Christmas Wish)
Daydreams & Dragonflies Sweet Romance
A Kiss Upon A Star
A Kiss Beneath A Christmas Star
Anthology Romance
Magical Weddings
A Touch of Passion
Mother’s Day Magic
Annie Acorn’s 2016 Romance Treasury
Love In Times of War
Hunks To The Rescue
Sweet and Sassy: The Best Kind of Romance
Hotshot Charmers: Men Women Love
Sweet Heat: Where Romance and Suspense Meet
A Christmas She’ll Remember
Sweet and Sassy Christmas: A Time for Romance
Sweet and Sassy Valentine
A Valentine She’ll Remember
Coming In May 2018: Unforgettable Thrillers
Coming In June 2018: Sweet and Sassy Weddings
Coming In June 2018: A Wedding She’ll Remember
Coming In Sept 2018: Sweet and Sassy Suspense
Coming in Nov 2018: Love Under Fire
Coming in Dec 2018: Holiday Hunks
FREE AUTHORS’ BILLBOARD BOOK BITES 11
Kissed by Fate 2
That Unexpected Kiss
By Tamara Ferguson
Kissed by Fate
That Unexpected Kiss
Copyright © 2017 by Tamara Ferguson
All Rights Reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Cover Art
That Unforgettable Kiss
Copyright © 2017
Adriana Hanganu
Adipix Design
CONTENTS
Praise For That Unforgettable Kiss
Praise And Awards
Books By Tamara Ferguson
Title Page
Copyright
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
EPILOGUE
A Note From The Author
About The Author
Excerpt From Two Hearts Surrendered
Excerpt From Two Hearts Unspoken
Excerpt From A Kiss Upon A Star
Excerpt From Tales of the Dragonfly In Flight
Connect With Tamara Ferguson
One fateful night, not so long ago...
Julie Thompson heard the sound of laughter echoing through the air as she rushed along the path near the lake on her way to Dragonfly Pointe. Sixteen-year-old Julie had volunteered to stay overnight at fourteen-year-old Christina Montgomery’s campout at the beach and help if she was needed. Christina’s mom was accommodating an awfully large group of teenagers tonight, and there was a ton of food and drinks to dole out, as well as the cleanup to take care of tomorrow.
Julie had decided to take a climb up to the peak of Crystal Rock before she joined the rest of the girls, who were probably gathered around the bonfire near the beach by now since it was rather chilly tonight. Dragonfly Pointe had always been one of Julie’s favorite places to think, and it’d been ages since she’d taken the time to hike up to the overlook and appreciate the view.
The moon hung bright and full, so it was eerily light as she scrambled along the smooth slippery surface of the rocks near the edge of the lake before making her way along the trail. Just as she reached the ledge leading into the shallow cave situated near the landmark’s peak, Julie ran into her best friend’s younger sister Kate, who was stepping outside with tears running down her face.
“Kate? What’s wrong?”
Shaking her head, Kate covered her face with her hands.
Reaching out, Julie pulled Kate into her arms, where she began crying even harder.
Moments later, Kate took in a deep breath and broke away. Grabbing Julie’s hand, she tugged her aside from the cave’s entrance. “Why did this have to happen to someone like her, Julie?” she asked in a whisper.
Julie finally figured out what was going on. “Christina’s inside the cave and not at her party?”
Kate nodded. “She wanted to be alone with me for a while so the two of us could talk.”
“Still. Was it such a good idea to let her climb up here? She’s awfully weak.”
Kate scraped the tears from her eyes. “Nobody’s exactly said so, but I don’t think she has much time left. Mrs. Montgomery said that this is Chris’ party though, so she could do whatever she wanted to do tonight.”
Despite the circumstances, a smile tugged at Julie’s mouth. “Christina’s awfully stubborn.”
A smile appeared through Kate’s tears. “So is Mrs. Montgomery. I wonder how Chris managed to talk her into having the get-together here in the first place?”
“Camping out is definitely not Dianne Montgomery’s style. Is it?”
Kate giggled.
“So, what’s going on?”
“I thought I’d better go get Dan—if he’s shown up yet, that is. Then he can carry Christina back to the party. She’s just dozed off so I’m really glad you’re here. Would you mind waiting and keeping her company?”
“Of course not. Go get your brother. He is here, by the way. I parked my car next to his truck at the beach lot.”
Kate began walking toward the trail. “I still haven’t figured out why Dan insisted on helping out tonight.”
Julie had a pretty good idea why. It was bittersweet considering the circumstances. Dan and Christina would’ve probably been a couple someday. Julie knew a lot of girls who were crazy about sixteen-year-old Dan Callahan, but Christina was the first girl Julie had ever seen attract Dan’s attention.
Julie frowned. Although Christina had probably never realized it since she wasn’t in the least self-absorbed.
“I noticed all the cars in the parking lot. Just about everyone from town has shown up tonight, haven’t they?”
“Yeah, they have. I’m so glad her mom went along with Christina’s idea of having this party here.” Kate answered, heading down the path.
Hearing the huskiness in Kate’s voice, Julie was certain she was crying again.
“See you in a few minutes,” Kate called out, sounding like she was nearly at the bottom of the trail.
Julie took a moment to gaze upward at the glittering stars and bright full moon before taking in a deep breath and entering the cave.
Christina seemed to be asleep. But when Julie settled in beside her on top of the blanket, she opened her eyes. “Hi, Jules,” she said softly.
Julie gave her a wry smile. “Hi, Chris. Don’t you think you might be overdoing it a little tonight?”
Christina’s eyes met Julie’s and she continued holding her gaze. “No,” she whispered.
Julie swallowed. Did that mean…?
She wasn’t going
to ask. But oh, God, no. Why had this happened to Christina, of all people? She was going to die from cancer at only fourteen-years-old. She’d lived through one remission already, and when Christina and her mom had discovered that the cancer had returned, the entire community had grieved.
“She loved you,” Christina said softly.
Julie started, before turning to glance at Christina, whose eyes were fixed upward as if she was in a trance.
“Never doubt it.”
“I…” Julie cleared her throat. “Do you mean...?”
“Your mom,” Christina answered. “She never wanted to leave you, or your dad either.”
Few people knew of Christina’s remarkable gift. Kate Callahan and Julie were amongst a handful of friends who couldn’t help but believe Christina’s claims that she could envision the past as well as foresee the future.
Plus, Christina’s prophecies had a strange predilection for coming true.
Just the mention of Julie’s mother was upsetting though, so attempting to calm her chaotic thoughts, Julie settled further back against the pillow. “How do you know this stuff?
“There’s a lot of superstition about Dragonfly Pointe, but there’s some really interesting Indian folklore associated with it too.” Christina hesitated before her eyes met Julie’s. “I just got through telling all of this to Kate. But, supposedly, any death that occurs at Dragonfly Pointe provides strength to those who are left behind to mourn. The Indians claim this ground is sacred.”
“Yeah,” Julie was thoughtful as she answered. “I think I might have heard that a few times when I was growing up.”
Christina smiled ruefully. “Yeah and what I’ve heard has made me curious. I’ve had a lot of time on my hands since I had to quit going to school. I started researching information about this town and its history since I got my new computer.”