Just One Summer Is Almost Here!

Hey, guys! I'm excited about a few things. First, today was our students last day. We teachers are never quite sure we'll make it 'til the end. It's always a sweet blessing to still be alive and conscious at the bitter end. And of course, I'm excited about a fun New Adult book coming your way June 10th.

Just One Summer is a novella collection written by four authors, about four young women. It was a lot of fun to write (maybe not nacho-eating fun, but in the creative sense), and really cool to work with friends.

Four college girls, best friends since childhood, have found one constant in their ever-changing lives–summer. Every June the girls have chosen a destination to reconnection. Only this summer is different. Now each one must face life's challenges on her own, overcome fear and failure, and learn the beauty of falling in love for the first time.

You'll love the novellas from authors Amy Matayo, Nicole Deese, and Tammy L. Gray. And then there's mine! And I wrote about a hot cowboy! Does it get any more summer than that? (Okay, yes, if hot cowboy was in a pool. With sweet tea. And Coppertone. And ice cream. But that's a story for another time.)

Here's a little peek into my story, Wild Heart Summer:

Twenty-one year old Avery Crawford has had to fight for everything in her life, and this summer is no exception. When her culinary internship in a chic restaurant falls through at the last minute, she gets an unexpected offer to work on a dude ranch in the quaint town of Sugar Creek. The problem? The ranch is owned by the grandfather she's been kept from all her life.

Avery is completely out of her element with the cattle drives, trail rides, and most of all–cute ranch manager Owen Jackson. Not in the market for romance, Avery still finds herself tempted by the cowboy’s Southern charm and sweet kisses. But as secrets unravel on the ranch, Avery  will have to let go of the old wounds if she wants to hold onto the love Owen offers her. When the summer’s over, Avery must risk it all–or lose much more than her heart.

The novella collection also includes…

ISLAND SUMMER by Nicole Deese:
Joss Sanders needs an escape, a reminder of a sweeter, simpler, and steadier time. Only her family’s cabin isn’t exactly how she remembered it as a child, and neither is the charming boy who lives next door. Change is everywhere. If Joss doesn’t stop living in the past, she just might miss the promise of her future.

WAVES OF SUMMER by: Tammy L. Gray:
Sydney Andrews wants nothing more than to get away from a controlling ex-boyfriend, find some clarity, and enjoy a drama-free vacation. But nothing in Sydney’s life is ever that easy. Especially when the sexy bartender she meets at her mother’s wedding wants more than just her friendship. He wants the girl Sydney’s forgotten how to be.

DARBY'S STORY by Amy Matayo:
Darby Sparks has lived a very sheltered life as a homeschool graduate, a small town resident, and the only child of two overprotective parents. But she’s had enough. She wants to see the world and chase her dreams, so that’s just what she does–until she runs out of money. With limited options, Darby finds herself working for Lennon Dixon, owner of a downtown Los Angeles tattoo parlor. To call the job unfamiliar is the world’s biggest understatement. And to call her attraction to Lennon unexpected is a very close second.

WE'RE all very excited about this book. I love, love, love summer, and I'll take a beach read any season of the year. This book allowed me to go back to my new fictional town of Sugar Creek and write my first cowboy. I kind of had a cowboy crush when the book was done. (insert yeehaws here.) You can pre-order Just One Summer now on most e-retailers, including Amazon. My Facebook friends got to read chapter one of Wild Heart Summer, and my newsletter subscribers got to read the first three. I'm sharing chapters all over the place. I hope you're not missing out!

Have a great first week of June!