Release Date: September 28, 2012
Genre: Contemporary Romance Anthology (11 short stories)
Formats: Kindle
Here’s to finding love in any place, at any time!
This collection of eleven short stories of chance romance reflects the hope that comes with the first bloom of romance, whether you find it in your youth, midlife, or the twilight years.
We dedicate Stories of Chance Romance to all the women who face breast cancer and to the teams of family, friends and medical professionals who support them on their journey.
Like so many woman, we have been closely and personally touched by this disease. Roxy was diagnosed and successfully treated in 2010—the same year Brenda lost her very dear friend, Mary Beggan, to breast cancer.
All authors’ profits from the sale of this anthology are being donated to advance the research, education, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
Gina
headed to the Big Ridge High gymnasium, thrilled to find herself back in Montana
Anticipation
tickled her insides. Thanks to email, she’d kept in touch with many of her old
buddies and couldn’t wait to see them again. Luanne, Conner, and Kirstin—the
four of them had stuck together like honey on bread—done projects, endured gym
class, and dreamed of a future when they’d grow out of their awkwardness.
And Gina had.
Braces off, she’d opted for laser surgery and pitched the glasses, and her
beanpole body finally had some curves. She’d been on her share of dates—even
had a marriage proposal—but hadn’t found Mr. Right. In spite of all the years
that had passed, she still measured men by her high school crush.
Adam Reinheart.
He sure
had her heart.
Two years
older, he’d been unobtainable at the time—tall and tanned, with curly brown
hair, and boyish dimples that made him irresistible to the girls.
And he
had a bright future. His father, who owned one of the local gas stations, hoped
Adam would attend a prominent university.
Would she
still feel the same magic when she saw him?
Someone
tapped Gina’s shoulder and she twirled around. Ten years hadn’t changed Kirstin
one bit. She still had the same mischievous eyes, and let go with the same
contagious laugh as the two hugged.
Quickly,
they caught up on the intervening years—Kirstin’s two children and Gina’s small
catering business.
“Who’s
all here?”
“The
whole gang,” Kirstin told her. “Luanne...and Conner. You should see him
now—just back from a tour of duty as a medic.”
“How
about...Adam?”
“Reinheart?”
Gina’s
shoulders slumped when Kirstin frowned. “He didn’t come?”
“Oh, he’s
here all right. Follow me.” Kirstin led her across the dance floor, as Say My Name by Destiny’s Child segued
into Breathe by Faith Hill.
Through
the parting crowd, she saw him—looking about as scrumptious as a man could.
Maybe he had a little less hair on top but the sight of him still made Gina’s
heart do a flip.
“Adam,”
Kirstin yelled over the music. “Do you remember Gina?”
“I sure
don’t.” Adam’s gaze wandered over Gina’s orchid-colored halter dress. A slow
smile spread across his lips.
Having
made the introductions, Kirstin turned to leave. Gina reached for her, nervous
to be left alone with her teenage idol.
But
Kirstin just winked. “Three’s a crowd,” she said, before disappearing into the
dancing throng.
Squelching
her nerves, Gina looked up at Adam and willed herself to speak. “The last time
we met, you were heading off to university.”
“I did a
year.” He gave a lazy shrug. “Why sweat it? I’ll inherit the gas station one
day.” His eyes made another sweep of her dress.
Gina was
starting to wish she’d worn a sweater. She crossed her arms over her chest.
“So, you’re working there now?”
He
laughed as though the idea was absurd.
“How do
you spend your days then?”
Another
shrug. “I hang out. Watch TV.”
Gina’s
lips quivered, her smile cracked. She was proud of her achievements, her work
ethic. What had Adam accomplished? Was this the man she’d wasted so much time
dreaming about?
“So,
Jenny,” he said, grabbing her arm with a clammy hand. “Wanna dance?”
She shook
him off with a quick backward step. “The name’s Gina. And no thanks.”
Desperate
for air, she fought her way to the exit. One moment, she was weaving through
bodies.
The next,
she was spun around, locked in a man’s embrace.
About to
protest, she looked up, and into, the kindest eyes she’d ever known.
“Conner?”
He
laughed. “You recognized me.”
“Hardly,”
she admitted. Connor had always seemed frail as a teen. Not anymore. This man
was solid, his biceps firm. When he smiled, it lit up the room.
“How are
you enjoying the reunion?”
Gina
shook her head. “It’s...”
What
could she say? Different than I expected?
“It’s
been an eye-opener,” she told him, finally. “How about you?”
He took
her hands in his. “Seeing you again has made my evening.”
Her
cheeks heated. Was her old pal flirting with her? “You were always a good
friend, Conner.”
“I wanted
to be more than that.”
How had
she overlooked him in high school? He was smart, caring and, through the
passing years, had acquired the kind of confidence that made a man truly
attractive.
“Gina,
would you like to dance?”
“I’d love
to.”
Three
songs later, he held her tight and whispered in her ear. “Great reunion, don’t
you think?”
“The
best,” she murmured, right before he kissed her.
.
If you were stranded on an island name 10 people you would want with you.
Submitted by Roxy Boroughs – Stories of Chance Romance.
1. My husband. He’s my best friend and has a smile that always lifts my spirits.
2. Survivorman, Les Stroud, for his practical skills in the great outdoors.
3. Jamie Oliver, to whip up something tasty.
4. Billy “The Exterminator” Bretherton, to keep the pests away.
5. Bill Maher, for laughs.
6. Alexander Skarsgård, from True Blood. Hey, I may be married but I still enjoy a bit of eye candy.
7. Lady Gaga for music and wardrobe. That girl could definitely work a palm leaf.
8. My 88-year-old mom. Because I’d miss our twice daily phone calls.
9. My buddy, co-author, and social butterfly extraordinaire Brenda M. Collins. When I’m peopled-out, she’ll keep everyone entertained.
10. Captain Kirk. Because I’m a big Star Trek TOS fan, and because he’d get us all off that island before you could say, “Beam me up, Scotty.”
Roxy Boroughs got the acting bug in elementary school, creating skits at recess and performing them for the class, thanks to her very indulgent teacher. She went on to study theater in university, met the love of her life there, and spent many years performing in movies, commercials and on stages across Canada and the US
Look for her award-winning romantic suspense A STRANGER’S TOUCH, as well as its sequel, A STRANGER’S KISS, along with a sweet, romantic comedy called CRAZY FOR COWBOY. Find her on Facebook, Twitter and her website http://www.roxyboroughs.com/.
Brenda M. Collins has wanted to write romance since she was twelve years old. At the age of twenty, she spoke to an editor in Toronto , Canada
Brenda’s debut novel, WITCH IN THE WIND, starts with a murder, but comes to life with witches, warlocks, a canine familiar and a magical dimension called The Otherland. For upcoming titles in The Otherland Chronicles, and other stories, keep an eye on Brenda’s website www.brendamcollins.com and follow her on Twitter.
Next few stops
Oct 12th - Laurie's Thoughts & Reviews/Ten's List Blog Post
Oct 14th - The Bunny's Review/guest post
Oct 15th - Romance Meets Life/spotlights
Oct 15th - I am a Reader, Not a Writer/interview
The authors will give away Kindle copies of “Crazy for Cowboy” by Roxy Boroughs (a sweet romantic comedy) and “Witch in the Wind” (a sweet paranormal/fantasy romance) by Brenda M. Collins. One each at every stop!
Ends October 25th...winners will be announced during the Tour Wrapup on October 26th.
Ends October 25th...winners will be announced during the Tour Wrapup on October 26th.
Just comment for a chance to win! Be sure to include your email addy.
Follow the tour and comment often to increase your chance of winning!!
12 comments:
We love when authors can visit your blogs Laurie--fabulous as always. Such a fun post by Roxy Boroughs! Thank you for hosting Roxy and Brenda on this special tour.
Thanks so much for having us Laurie! Both Roxy and I really appreciate your support for our project to fight breast cancer.
Indeed. Thanks for hosting us, Laurie. I had a blast pondering who I'd take with me on my island. Is there anyone on my list who's also on yours?
Roxy you know I'm totally with you for Alexander Skarsgård, from True Blood but did you forget about Johnny Depp?? ;-)
I would certainly take Mr Skarsgard ;)
But if I had to list my top ten, I don't think he'd even make the cut. Yes, really. I'd put Jason Isaacs in his place instead, and then perhaps Daniel Craig. (swoon)
Okay, I'll give you Daniel Craig, for sure. But now the island might be getting a bit crowded. Do you think we can make it a really BIG island, like Newfoundland, where it's really cold, and we'd have to SNUGGLE UP with Daniel, Johnny, Alex and Jason, just to survive......
hugh jackman is on my list. yummy. great cause, great book and great list Roxy. thanks for a fun interview.
Brenda, we could do that. And since we have a rather large island, I'd like to add Anna Paquin to that list. ;)
Thanks Louise and Alyssa. You've made some yummy suggestions. I may have to leave my husband at home.
I really got a chuckle out of having Captain Kirk there....I'm a big Startrek fan, too....I loved that you included George Clooney for Brenda! I'd want my hubby there --- He can build anything out of anything!! :)
Oh, Alyssa if Anna Paquin comes, then for sure, we have to invite her hubby,Stephen Moyer - as another vampire from ture blood he wouldn't cut into our food supply!!
I want to say thanks so much to everyone who came by to chat and support our book tour. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month so we want to keep this issue alive and circulating on Twitter, Facebook and all over the Blogosphere.
Thanks too for the support of our blog host and Black Lion Tours.
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