Nora Roberts Land (43 page)
And there was another thing bothering me. I wasn’t “supposed” to be dating anymore. I’d gotten married because I thought I was done with that part of my life. But no, I wasn’t. Single again, I had to get back out, and it really is a jungle out there. There’s a lack of anonymity when you date in a small town. The pitying glances and whispered comments followed me to Dare. There she is, the divorced Hale girl, coming home to get her head screwed back on after falling on her face for some guy in the big city. Of course, there are some who blamed the “big city” for my divorce. I guess everyone needs a reason.
Dating as a divorced thirtysomething isn’t what I would call fun. When was dating ever fun? There’s the initial awkwardness. The “is he or isn’t he going to pick up the check?” dilemma. And the whole first kiss nonsense. I preferred to wait and see if it was going to go anywhere, but others suggest getting it out of the way early. You have to go with what’s comfortable. But the worst thing, the absolutely worst thing beyond a dull, boring, or downright unattentive date is not being physically attracted to a great guy in front of you. If sexual attraction were the EASY button at Staples, we might all be better off as a civilization. Humans are often drawn to people who aren’t particularly good for them.
This was a problem I suffered from, or so I thought. I found myself attracted to the last man I would ever want to date. He was hot enough, smart enough, and funny enough, but he was in the same profession as my ex—a rabbit hole I did not want to fall down again—seemed to have zero interest in settling down, and made me pretty much unhinged by a single, intense look. If you’re thinking I ran about as fast as the Road Runner, you’d be right.
Like a good hero, he kept coming after me. How could I resist my own hot version of J.D. Robb’s timeless character, Roarke? Ladies, you know what I’m talking about. It wasn’t easy to open up again, but the right one makes it worth it. Like any Nora hero, he made me—the heroine—want to risk everything because the pay-off—love, fun, trust, and happily ever after—was worth it.
I’m happy to say we’re engaged now. I’m trading in my Divorcée Woman alter ego for Married Woman. And this time, it’s going to stick, because he’s The One. It really is true what they say. You simply “know” down to your core. So, this is my last editorial for this paper. My guy and I will be permanently working for my family’s paper in the Rocky Mountains. Isn’t that something out of a Nora Roberts book?
After the ups and downs I’ve been through, there’s a lot I learned. First, divorce isn’t the end of your life. It feels like it. It’s a horrible thing to go through, but it’s not the end. It’s only another beginning. Second, some men let you down. Some don’t. Look at the man in front of you and discern the difference. Third, forgive yourself. You were simply learning some important lessons, and that’s okay. Growing is messy. Fourth, when you don’t know what to do, plow ahead. You’ll run into something. I did. Fifth, opening yourself up to another person after your heart was torched, the ashes scattered to the four winds, is one of the bravest acts you can do. Yet, without love, our lives aren’t as radiant as they could be. Mine wasn’t. It’s cliché, but true. Lastly, with a little help from fate—scratch that, sometimes a big help—we make our own happy endings. But it’s a day-by-day process. Never forget that. I don’t plan to this time ‘round.
Happy endings do exist. You can go home, discover who you’ve really become, and find your match. Not Mr. Right or Prince Charming. I still don’t think they exist. If they do, who wants to live with them anyway? I have my faults. He has his. In the grand scheme of things, the world doesn’t end when our faults clash because it’s cushioned by love and commitment. Oh and a promise—just like my favorite J.D. Robb character, Eve Dallas, said.
So, I’m glad Nora was right all along. I can’t wait for the day I put her books in the hand of the daughter I hope to have and encourage her to expect her own happily ever after. We’re all better off believing in Nora Roberts Land.
It’s good to be home.
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for spending your time in NORA ROBERTS LAND, where dreams come true and love conquers all. As you might expect, I am a big Nora Roberts fan and have been so grateful to have her blessing on using her name in the title and premise. This book actually is even more personal since my sister’s ex–husband essentially said the same thing as Rick–the–Dick to her when they were getting a divorce. It’s nice to turn that lemon into lemonade. And since I’m originally from a small town, I created Dare Valley to show my love for them.
If you enjoyed the book and want to give your own Nora fan shout–out, I’d love for you to give a review. As a new author, your opinion helps other readers want to read my books. You can do so
here
I would also love for you to hear about my upcoming books in the Dare Valley series. Jill and Brian are up next in FRENCH ROAST, and if you want to receive any fun extras or enter our awesome contests, which will entail things like Don’t Soy with Me coffee cups, you can sign up for my
newsletter
and connect with me on
Facebook
. I’ve also included an excerpt from FRENCH ROAST if you turn the page.
Thanks again for making my dreams come true as an author. I look forward to getting to know you along with all of the other characters in Dare Valley. Grandpa says hi, by the way.
Happy reading,
Ava
Coming Soon
The Dare Valley Series continues…
Book 2: FRENCH ROAST
Jill and Brian’s story
Available August 13
Small-town biz wiz Jill Hale has been in love with her childhood best friend Brian McConnell for as long as she can remember. A falling out led to years of estrangement, but when Brian returns to Dare Valley after trying to make it big as a chef in New York City, Jill’s determined to make amends. She’s convinced that starting a restaurant together will be the perfect win–win situation, allowing her and Brian to work together
and
play together.
After a series of missteps sliced and diced Brian’s career in the Big Apple, he came home to regroup and find himself. He’s convinced that reestablishing his connection with Jill, the girl who got away, will put his life back on track. And when she approaches him with her plan for going into business together, he’s certain it’s the one way he can have it all—his dream job and his dream girl.
Jill and Brian are falling for each other all over again when Brian’s ex sashays into town, intent on sabotaging their reunion. Add in a mysterious investor who’s determined to get Jill on board with his project, and the bond between the couple is tested to the limit. Will their second chance at love implode, or will they find their own recipe for a happy ending?
And Coming September 24
Book 3: THE GRAND OPENING
Are you ready for Jill and Brian’s story?
HERE’S AN EXCERPT FROM FRENCH ROAST
Jill realized she’d do pretty much anything for this man. Hike the Continental Divide in the snow. Darn holes in socks. Cripes, she needed to get a clue. Or a life.
“No…I thought I’d drop by and see if you wanted to come to dinner tonight. I’ll cook.”
Her head darted back. They’d been spending time together over the past few months, but cooking…from scratch. This was new.
“Like a real date?” she asked. Dammit, maybe the whole fire truck ride had infused her with life–and–death energy, but she wanted to be clear.
“Ah, sure. If you want to call it that.” He jiggled change in his pocket, ducking his head, hitching his shoulder up like he did when he was nervous. “I want to cook for you.”
He did? Her heart warmed like she was holding a puppy. “That’d be awesome! I’d love that. I mean…” Overdone, she realized. “Great, simply great.” Shut up, Jill.
“Why don’t you pop by at seven?”
“Can I bring something?”
“Just yourself.”
And the way he said it made her knees quiver, actually quiver.
“Great!” she breathed out and ground her teeth. Maybe she should study the dictionary so she could learn to form cohesive sentences.
“Okay.” He edged back. Then, he rushed forward to kiss her cheek. “See ya then.” He turned, bumped into the table, and cruised out, not looking back.
Jill righted the paper cup he’d knocked over, fighting the urge to touch her cheek. The patrons’ muffled chuckles only made her lovesick grin grow wider.
She wasn’t the only one off her rocker. Brian was making a real move.
It was about damn time.
Click
here
to get your copy!
Ava Miles
Ava Miles has always known what she appreciates the most about romance novels. It’s the affirmation of romantic love and the guarantee of a “happily ever after”. Which made it all the more incomprehensible when her sister Michelle’s ex–husband concluded that Michelle reading Nora Roberts’ books was to blame for their divorce. It was only later that Ava realized she had the hook for a new story and her first contemporary romance,
NORA ROBERTS LAND
, was born.
Ava and Nora share membership in their local Romance Writers of America chapter, Washington Romance Writers, but had never met. Regardless, Ava considered it common courtesy to let Nora know about her work–in–progress, and soon
NORA ROBERTS LAND
was on its way to publication.
Far from the first in her family to embrace writing, Ava comes from a long line of journalists. Ever since her great–great–grandfather won ownership of a newspaper in a poker game in 1892, her family has had something to do with telling stories, whether to share news or, in her case, fiction. Her clan is still reporting on local events more than one hundred years later at their family newspaper, much like the Hale family in her book.
Born and raised in the Midwest, Ava is a member of the Romance Writers of America and Washington Romance Writers. She is also part of an unofficial group that regularly convenes a writing retreat at Nora Roberts’ restored Inn Boonsboro in western Maryland. Now writing full–time in the peace and quiet of her northern Virginia porch–swinging–friendly community, she is putting the finishing touches on the next book in her
Dare Valley Series
and plotting her next series.
If you'd like more information about Ava Miles and her upcoming books, visit
http://www.avamiles.com/
and connect to Ava on
Facebook
,
Twitter
and
Pinterest
, and join her at
Nora Roberts Land
If you enjoyed reading this book, please share that with your friends and others by posting a review. Thank you!
Copyright June, 2013, Ava Miles. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means—graphic, electronic or mechanical—without permission in writing from the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.
Table of Contents
