With the
kind of last few months we’ve had, who doesn’t need a second chance? I’ve got
just the thing to help brighten up your reading, author Viv Royce’s latest
release, A ROYAL SECOND CHANCE SUMMER.
Prince
Nicolas is looking for a priceless royal heirloom. Trying to stay under the
radar, he keeps that he’s a prince secret—especially from the cute antiques
dealer he asks to help him. The longer it takes, the more time they get to
spend together, though no matter how attracted he is to Lizzie, love is
certainly not an option for the heir to the crown of Belfort.
Lizzie
Cates fled her family’s new-found fame and fortune because life in the
spotlight wasn’t for her. She loves her small town, where the most exciting
thing on the schedule is the car parade for the Fourth of July. That’s just how
she likes it, until Nicolas comes along. Lizzie finds herself falling for the
caring man who craves the country and small-town life as much as she does.
Except
Nicolas has a secret that will shatter both their dreams...
Purchase
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Here’s an excerpt for your reading pleasure:
Bill, the
local deputy, who was a regular at her shop, had warned her just the other day
that there had been several burglaries and thefts from cars lately, even in
broad daylight. “When you’re at work somewhere, you watch out,” he had said.
“And if you don’t trust the situation, give me a call. Better safe than sorry,
I say.”
She
shivered and checked that her phone was still in her pocket. Yes. There it was.
Touching it calmed her nerves a little. It was her only connection with other
people. At this remote house there was no one around to hear her if she cried
out for help. No one to come to her aid.
Grant was
coming over later today to help her put the bigger items, like the sideboard
and a dressing table, into the van, but he wouldn’t be here for hours. Until
then, she was on her own.
She took
a deep breath and tried not to listen to the eerie silence of the empty house.
It’s okay. Nothing happened before when I was working somewhere alone, and
nothing will happen today.
She
stepped out of the front door into the blinding light of a hot June day. She
narrowed her eyes against the sunshine which pierced right into her brain. She
had to blink a few times to see everything clearly. The bright yellow van she
had rented to move the larger objects from the house sat in the driveway. A
figure stood beside it.
A tall,
dark-haired man in a blue shirt and jeans. He was looking at the van’s closed
side door, as if wondering how to get inside. Then, with two determined
strides, he moved to the passenger side and looked through the window. This
sudden sight made her heart rate shoot up. What is this guy doing? Why is he
here?
She
clutched the statuette tighter and stared at him. Was it someone she knew?
No, his
broad shoulders seemed unfamiliar to her and, when he turned his head to look
at the house’s garage, his profile didn’t ring a bell either. She couldn’t
heave a sigh of relief that it was an acquaintance from Wood Creek who had come
over to ask if he could have first look-see at some prize pieces before she put
them up for sale. This was a complete stranger.
A
physically fit stranger who showed a great deal of interest in this house where
she was working all alone. At that thought, he turned his head to her. Her
breath caught. He had a strong face with a chiseled jaw, deep brown eyes which
looked rather pensive, and a determined mouth that curved up in a hesitant
smile. She had never seen such a handsome man.
But
hadn’t she read somewhere that con men were often good-looking, smooth-talking
guys? She should be wary. She took a step back and asked, “What do you want?”
“Good
morning,” he called out, raising a hand as if to fend off the hostility edging
her question. “Is this the cottage of Mrs. Landers?” He had a warm, deep voice
with a light accent. Maybe French?
“Yes.”
She didn’t say that Mrs. Landers had died. Maybe he didn’t know and… He could
be some distant relative who was just stopping by to see her. Maybe he was
looking at the van because he was surprised to find something like that in the
driveway of a frail old lady who didn’t drive anymore.
Still,
her uneasy feeling lingered, and nerves wriggled in her stomach. Nerves about
his sudden appearance, nothing to do with his looks.
“Good. I
uh...” He hesitated.
Someone
who told lies for a living should be more self-assured. Didn’t they rehearse
their stories in advance? And this slight hesitation made him more sympathetic.
She wanted to take a step toward him and ask if she could help him. But
wouldn’t that be exactly how he’d want her to respond if he couldn’t be
trusted? Bill had looked so serious when he’d warned her about the recent
thefts. I’d be crazy to fall for a friendly smile and lose property that isn’t
mine.
For those
who aren’t familiar with the author, here’s a little background on her.
With the
same trademark atmospheric settings, relatable characters and cute canines that
made several of her cozy mysteries #1 Amazon US and Canada bestsellers in
multiple categories, Vivian Conroy pens romance as Viv
Royce, creating heartthrob heroes ranging from rugged pilots to royals
reluctant to believe in true love who meet their match in that girl next door
or the co-worker with the business ideas exactly opposing their own – happy
endings guaranteed!
When not
frequenting fictional worlds, Viv loves to hike (especially in the mountains),
craft with paper, felt and clay, and hunt for the perfect cheesecake.
Quite
active on Twitter, she's the founder of #HistFicChat, a live Twitter chat about
historical fiction, featuring authors like Kate Quinn, Anna Lee Huber and Susan
Spann, and would love for readers to follow her and connect via @VivWrites.
For more
on Viv and her writing, connect with her on:
Thanks so
much everyone for stopping by today. What is it about royalty trying to be “normal
everyday citizens” that draws us in as readers?
I would HATE to be royalty (which fortunately isn't going to happen).
ReplyDeleteWanting to be 'normal' strikes me as sensible.
Not my genre - but looks like a a fun read.
ReplyDeleteI can completely understand not wanting to be in the 'royal spotlight,' Mason. It must be very difficult. An antiques shop is an interesting setting for this kind of story, and I can see how it would work well there. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSecretly a prince? Quite the twist.
ReplyDelete