The Lost (37 page)

Some small-town romances feature knitting clubs, some cookie clubs, and some quilting clubs. But my new series has something else entirely.

Welcome to Galton, New York, home of the Enemy Club.

The Enemy Club is made up of four women who had been the worst of enemies back in high school. They were the class brainiac, the bad girl, the princess, and the outcast. Now, all grown up, they’ve managed to become the best of friends. But they’re friends with a difference. They’ve promised to tell one another the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help them Gracie (the baker of the pies at the Last Chance Diner). Because they see things from their very (very!) different points of view, this causes all sorts of conflicts and a nuanced story, where no one has a lock on what’s right or wrong.

In
Sweet Kiss of Summer
, Nina Stokes is the woman with the problem, and she’s going to need everyone’s help to solve it. Her brother lost his life in the war. On his deathbed, he asked a nurse to write Nina a letter, instructing her to give his house back in Galton to his war buddy, Mick Rivers.

Or did he?

How can Nina know if the letter is real or a con? And even if it’s real, where has Mick been for the past two years, during which Nina tried everything to contact him to no avail? How long should she be expected to keep up the house in this limbo, waiting for a man who obviously takes her brother’s last wish lightly?

So when a beautiful man claiming to be Mick roars up Nina’s driveway one summer afternoon in a flashy red car, demanding the house that he feels is rightfully his, every member of the Enemy Club thinks that she knows best what Nina should do. Naturally, none of them agree. The themes of friendship, duty, and honor run deep in Galton, and in
Sweet Kiss of Summer
, they are all tested. To whom do we owe our first duty: our family, our friends, our country—or ourselves?

What I loved most about writing
Sweet Kiss of Summer
was that there was no easy solution for anyone. As I wrote, I had no idea what Nina would do about her dilemma. Mick struggled with an even thornier problem, as his secrets were bigger than anyone in the Enemy Club could imagine. I could understand everyone’s point of view. There is just so much to consider when you’re not only out for yourself, but for your country, your community, your family, and ultimately, something even bigger.

I hope you’ll enjoy reading about these characters as much as I’ve enjoyed writing about them. Come visit me at
SophieGunn.com
to learn more about the small town of Galton and the Enemy Club, to see pictures of my kitties, and to keep in touch. I’d love to hear from you!

“A love story like nothing you’ve read before! This premise is utterly unique, and so original and brilliant that I wish I’d thought of it first. Caridad Piñeiro is breaking the mold with her ‘Sins’ series. If you want something wonderfully different, do not miss
Stronger than Sin
.”

—Maggie Shayne,
New York Times
bestselling author

“[A] compelling and scintillating tale of mad scientists, devoted doctors, and wounded warriors. There isn’t a thing missing in this imaginative and fast-paced love story.”

—
RT Book Reviews

“An entertaining and sizzling read.”

—
RomRevToday.com

“I was enthralled by the story from the first page and could not put it down… Piñeiro has changed the face of paranormal romance and is definitely an author to watch.”

—
FreshFiction.com

“Romance and intrigue… be prepared to be sitting on the edge of your seat, anxiously awaiting the next book.”

—
FallenAngelReviews.com

“Second in this series and just as tightly written as the first. It stands alone. This is suspenseful and the passion is strong.”

—
Romance Reviews Magazine

“This has all the makings of a great paranormal romance—a beautiful heroine, a dark, sexy, and protective hero, and a compelling and relevant subplot.”

—
RT Book Reviews

“Caridad Piñeiro never disappoints, and her new series looks to be a winner in every possible way. No author is better at crafting novels which explore the paranormal than Caridad Piñeiro.
Sins of the Flesh
expertly intertwines suspense and passion to create a spellbinding story of the paranormal.”

—
SingleTitles.com

“Page-turning action and sizzling love scenes as only Caridad Piñeiro can deliver!”

—L. A. Banks,
New York Times
bestselling author

“Faster than the speed of light… an action-packed thriller that never takes a breath… Caridad Piñeiro provides another one of her super romantic suspense thrillers.”

—
Midwest Book Review

“I can hardly wait for the next in this exciting new series to come out. This is as good as paranormal gets!”

—
RomanceReviewsMag.com

“Captured my full attention with its too-human characters and its too-real plot. A fascinating, adrenaline-fueled read! I could not stop turning pages!”

—Debra Webb, national bestselling
author of
Everywhere She Turns

“The beginning of what promises to be a fascinating series… If you’re looking for a book that will grab your attention and keep it, get a copy of
Sins of the Flesh
today.”

—
RomRevToday.com

“The best romantic suspense I’ve read in years. It’s truly her best book yet. Caridad has created a whole cast of characters who seem to live and breathe… Thankfully,
Sins of the Flesh
is first in a series.”

—
AmericanChronicle.com

“If you’re feverish for a chilling scientific thriller with a sharp edge of romance, I prescribe
Sins of the Flesh
as a sexy, satisfying cure!”

—Jessica Anderson, award-winning
author of
Skykeepers

“
Sins of the Flesh
boasts enough heart-jacking action in its plot and enough relationship development to keep readers happily turning the page from the first line… to the chilling finish. This one should come with a ‘Satisfaction Guaranteed’ sign right on the front cover.”

—
BittenByBooks.com

“Caridad Piñeiro is one of the most gifted and talented paranormal writers we have. I can’t
wait
until the next novel in this new series comes out! She is on my automatic reading list! No one creates a page-turner like Piñeiro!”

—Lindsay McKenna,
USA Today
bestselling author of
Dangerous Prey