Away
To Me
Tri-Town
Book 1
by
V.J. Allison
Genre:
Contemporary Romance
What
would you do if you found out your late spouse wasn’t the
biological parent of your stepchild as they had led you to believe?
Would you let it go, in hopes the child wouldn’t go looking for
their birth family, or would you help them in their search?
This
is the dilemma Neil Falcon faces when he first discovers his late
wife, Rita, wasn’t the biological mother of his teenage
stepdaughter, Rikki.
His
decision to look for her roots puts them on a path that leads them to
a part of Neil’s past, one he thought was locked away
forever.
Kelsey
Wagner is shocked to see the man she once adored appear on her
doorstep with claims that Rikki may be her biological child. After
finding out her daughter wants her to be a part of her life, she
agrees.
Amidst
the confusion of raising a teenage daughter, the old feelings
resurface. They know their daughter wants them to become a family,
but can they make it work?
EXCERPT, CHAPTER 1:
Rikki squealed in excitement as she held up the box set of DVDs on Christmas Morning. “How’d you know I love the show?” It was every single season of the revival part of a science fiction series, plus all the specials.
Neil and Kelsey exchanged a grin.
“Thank your dad, it was his idea,” she said.
“Actually, your mom wanted to know what to get you and—Oomph,” Neil groaned.
Rikki jumped on his lap and hugged him tightly.
“You two are the best parents ever,” she exclaimed and grabbed her mother.
Kelsey’s head connected hard with Neil’s.
They yelped in unison.
Rikki leapt up and yelled as she ran out of the room, “I’m going to call Taffy and let her know.”
Kelsey rubbed the side of her head and cringed. “Did you get a goose egg from that too?”
“That girl doesn’t know her own strength.” He cricked his neck and grinned. “I should have known she was going to go nuts when she saw that. She’s been a fan since the series premiere.”
“Next time, we’ll wear helmets,” Kelsey promised and leaned her arm into his. “Something tells me we’re going to be watching a lot of DVDs over the rest of the holiday break.”
“That’s fine.”
“I’ve only seen a couple of episodes of it, and not any of the newer ones. I don’t have a clue who she’s talking about, and she’s been grumbling at me.”
His arm went around her shoulders. “Look at it like this, watching all of the episodes will get you in the loop.”
“True.”
Damn, she looks so cute when she’s confused.
He quickly cut off that train of thought and gestured to the hoodie on the floor beside them. “You remembered my favourite team.”
She grinned. The New York baseball team sweater was a joint gift from her, Rikki and the pets. “It’s not every day you meet a Canadian who loves an American team. Most people I know are Toronto fans,” she replied.
“I don’t remember telling you.”
“You wore their shirts a lot, so it was easy to remember.”
Kelsey and her photographic memory.
He laughed and pulled something out from behind a pillow. “Merry Christmas, Kelsey.”
She eyed the small, gaily wrapped box warily. “What’s this?”
“Not much, it’s something I thought you’d like.”
I hope she loves it, and Rikki better have given me the correct size.
It’ll be a bitch to get it fixed or replaced if she hates it.
She gave him a puzzled glance and slowly started to peel off the wrapping. When she pulled off the cover, she gasped with wide eyes, and put a hand over her mouth.
Shit, she hates it.
“Don’t you like it?”
She caressed the small silver and onyx ring with a sniffle. “I love it.”
“But.”
“I can’t accept it.”
“Why not?”
“It’s not appropriate.”
His eyes rolled. “How so?”
She let out a long breath. “Friends don’t give friends rings.”
“That’s bullshit, Kelsey, and you know it. You’re more than a friend to me.”
She peered up at him. “Says who?”
His cheeks warmed under the scrutiny. “We’re Rikki’s parents and members of the same family. An unconventional one, but we’re still a family.”
Kelsey stared at him for a moment and started to nod slowly. “I don’t think it’s right for you to give me a ring.”
Neil sighed. “It was Rikki’s idea to get it for you, so technically it’s from both of us.” When she opened her mouth to protest again, he added, “Mothers are allowed to get rings from their children.”
She nodded again.
Is she crying? Not yet.
He tightened his arm around her. “She’s going to be disappointed if you don’t wear it.”
Kelsey shot him a filthy look and with a shake of her head, took the ring out of the box. “I don’t want to hurt her feelings.”
He grinned triumphantly.
“Put it on before she comes back.”
She slid it on her right ring finger and admired it. “How did you know what size—oh, never mind. Rikki told you.”
He laughed. “She picked it out and insisted on getting it in silver. She knows you like it better than gold.”
“She’s too smart for our good,” Kelsey grumbled jokingly. She reached up to touch his cheek and rested her head on his shoulder. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” he whispered.
His gaze locked with hers and he felt something nudge him, hard. Without thinking, he nuzzled his forehead against hers, and his eyes slid shut as he leaned toward her.
“Punky, get back here, you brat!”
Neil and Kelsey jumped and straightened as the corgi blew past them and into the kitchen with a ribbon in his mouth. Rikki skittered around the corner in her sock feet and almost slid out of the room as she tried to catch her dog.
With an uncomfortable glance and chuckle, Kelsey and Neil shifted away from each other.
She stood up when an annoyed meow echoed from the next room. “Maybe I’d better help.”
“Yeah,” he replied and with a sigh, got up. “Hopefully that damn chowder head will let us catch him this time.”
That was too fucking close.
Next time, kiss her fast, don’t hold back.
Or don’t kiss her at all.
He let out a long sigh as he got up and followed Kelsey into the next room.
Under
Your Scars
Tri-Town
Book 2
by
V.J. Allison
Genre:
Contemporary Romance
Alexis
has that special something about her that Seth can’t fathom. His
friend Mirabelle’s new employee is even prettier than the
merchandise she sells. Too bad she’s distantly polite when he tries
talking to her.
Alexis
is attracted to Seth, but she’s in hiding from her past and her
mistakes. Getting involved with the one person she's attracted to
could blow her cover.
When
they’re forced to work together, their libidos ignite. Alexis is
terrified to open up and give in to her feelings for Seth. If he
remembers that night five years ago, he’ll never speak to her
again.
It
becomes a question of whether Seth will expose her and force her to
keep running, or if he'll help her face her past.
EXCERPT, Chapter Two:
Alexis followed Mirabelle’s finger, which was pointing at a funhouse housed in a trailer. She saw a plexiglass maze at the bottom of it, and when she looked up at its second level, she saw a rope bridge, along with the tops of mirrors. The trailer shook as people walked around inside of it. Sounds of laughter, excited screaming, and the pump of loud electronic music surrounded them as they walked up the steps into the start of the maze.
Alexis was the last to enter it, right behind Seth. She smiled as she remembered the trick to get through the glass maze and kept her eyes on the floor. An opening was indicated by no reflections from the floor or her white and green sneakers on the plexiglass. She neatly stepped through and heard a thump followed by a grunt. She glanced around and didn’t see any-thing unusual. There was a small group of teenagers behind her, but they were too busy laughing to pay attention to her.
A moment later, she heard a louder bang and an annoyed-sounding sigh. She looked up again and realized she couldn’t see Mirabelle or the others through the various planes of clear plastic. Only Seth was ahead of her, and he was moving at a snail’s pace. The temptation to push him so he’d move faster rose within her. Why is he going so fucking slowly? The others are probably through the maze now and upstairs. They’re not going to like waiting.
Her urge to shove past him was quashed when she saw him take a step forward into an obvious panel of clear plastic. He hit it face first and pulled back with a shake of his head, then glared at it in disgust. Seth held up a hand and turned to his left. His hand hit a panel with a loud whack. He let out a long sigh, and his cheeks turned red.
She held back a giggle as he repeated the motions and al-most cheered when he found the next opening. She followed him through, and when he hit another panel, she snickered.
He shot her a dirty look over his shoulder. “What are you laughing at?”
“Nothing,” she replied airily. Normally, I’d be annoyed, but this is really funny. I never thought Seth would be the kind of guy that walked into glass walls. He seems like the type that breezes through something like this because he’s so put together.It some-how made him seem more human to her and more likeable. Damn, there I go again. Focus on helping him, and stop drooling on his boots.
“If you’re only staying with me to watch the fun, I’m going to turn around and get out of here,” he muttered irritably and motioned for her to go ahead of him.
Seth turned around and walked into another wall. She winced in sympathy. He glared at it with fisted hands, and his face was a bright shade of crimson.
Maybe it’s not so funny after all. He looks pissed. I guess I should help him. He has been sweet to me, and it’s the least I can do. “I don’t desert a friend in need,” she said quietly. She linked her arm through his and tugged him toward the next opening. “If I leave you alone, you’ll be in here all night and won’t have any fun.”
She felt him hang back, and a moment later, a tingle of pleasure ran up her arm as his fingers entwined with hers. She squeezed his hand and felt a strong and warm pressure in re-turn. Holding his hand wasn’t smart, but she relished the sensation of his calloused fingers caressing hers. A feeling of safety flooded her body, unlike anything she had felt in her life when she stood this close to a man. She forced the feelings aside and pointed to the floor with her free hand. “Look for reflections,” she whispered, so the people behind them couldn’t hear her. “See how there’s no reflection in this spot? That’s an opening.” She stepped through, leading the way.
They came to another intersection. “Try it now.” She stared up at him and smiled.
Their gazes locked, and another tingle zinged through her, this time hitting her stomach. God, he has such a gorgeous smile. His full lips hinted a sensuality that made her insides shake with desire. Shit. I can’t think that way about him. He’s helping his best friend renovate Mirabelle’s store. We’re colleagues at best.
Seth looked down, and for the first time, he walked through the opening without hitting a piece of plexiglass.
Triumph surged in Alexis’s gut. She tried pulling her hand out of his, but it wasn’t happening. His fingers were tangled around hers, and he wasn’t letting her move. It was a larger taste of the exquisite torture she was enduring at the store, having him nearby. She felt some sexual attraction toward him, but the more she was around Seth, the more she liked him as a person. He’s a friend! Remember that! They exited the maze and headed up the steel stairway to the second level.
COVID's
Arrow
by
V.J. Allison
Genre:
Contemporary Romance
When
two people are in love, social distancing cannot prevent them from
being together.
Vicki
has been half in love with her friend and co-worker, Mason, since she
started working at a grocery store eight months ago. When a pandemic
reaches the province, social distancing protocols are installed, and
their friendship is put on hold. A break at work brings them back
together, but will they have the time Vicki hopes to pursue her
hidden desires?
**Only
.99 cents!**
Hiltz’s Grocery Store,Bridgewater, Nova ScotiaVicki Demone stood behind her assigned register and wiped down her side of the recently installed plexiglass barrier and uttered a long sigh. It had been another busy eight-hour shift, filled with the usually kind customers, but the amount of rude people had been slowly increasing since the social distancing rules of the new decade had begun.She flipped a lock of white-blonde hair out of her blue eyes as she recalled the last customer who had gone through Mason’s checkout, barely five minutes ago. The man had been extremely rude, from saying a number of offensive terms about other people, the distancing itself, and how it was inconveniencing his lifestyle.The customer had been so loud, Vicki could hear it well above the din of her own register beeping and the quiet chatting between people at a distance. Mason being screamed at was only part of the abuse they took on a daily basis with the virus restrictions in place. Social distancing was the norm now, even with things slowly opening up.Like Mason, hearing a customer complain was not unusual for her, after working as a customer service representative for the last five years. She had started at Hiltz’s Grocery eight months ago, and although she loved the work, it was exhausting. She would go home from a shift, dragging her feet, and barely able to take a shower before crawling into bed and falling asleep.She glanced at him across the two-register gap between them, and let out a soft sigh as he leaned over to wipe down the conveyor belt, as he always did between customers nowadays. His black polo shirt stretched taut against his back, showcasing the sky-blue store logo tight against his lean musculature. The back of his brown hair brushed the top of the collar, showcasing how long it had been since he’d had his hair cut. Vicki’s fingers tingled as she wondered what it would be like to feel its softness against her palms.A sharp stab of longing ran through her. She missed their talks in the lunchroom during their breaks, or before and after a shift, as well as their movie nights. He had become her best friend in the five months before social distancing and the stay-at-home order came from the premier, not quite three months ago.Mason glanced over his shoulder and his brown eyes met her gaze. He gave her a sad smile, one that conveyed his frustration over the last customer. Vicki returned it and sighed inwardly, wishing they could stand next to each other, so they could talk privately. It wasn’t easy to share their innermost secrets with the required two metres between them. She had been to his place a few times, in the public areas of his apartment building’s lawn, and he had done the same with hers, but it wasn’t the same. It was not like they were in a theatre, or hanging out, watching hockey in his small apartment or hers, like they had just started doing when the virus hit Nova Scotia, and the State of Emergency edict had been declared.Vicki glanced to the left and saw her supervisor, Carrie, approaching. The fiftyish woman with blue eyes and grey hair was kind to everyone, even when she was reaming someone out for unprofessionalism. She was one of Vicki’s favorite people, and the reason why Vicki loved working at Hiltz’s Grocery.“Vicki, go on your break. I’ll take care of this.” Carrie gestured to the register and smiled. She stood a ways from the register, to keep social distancing protocols in place.Vicki nodded and smiled as she exited her area behind the plexiglass. “Gotcha. See you in half an hour, boss.”“Tell Mason it’s time for his break too, he’s been on since eight this morning,” Carrie replied and typed her code into the register.Vicki’s heart raced, and a surge of joy went up her spine. She and Mason hadn’t had a break together in three weeks, and although they had called and texted each other, and chatted via social media, it wasn’t the same. It would be nice to have five minutes with him. She would give her right arm to spend that, and more time with him. He had said the same thing during his last text to her that morning, long before their shifts had started. It was almost as if he felt the same.
V.J.
Allison was born and raised in southern Nova Scotia, Canada, and her
work reflects her strong Maritime roots. She is a stay-at-home mother
to a son on the autism spectrum, married to the love of her life, and
“mama” to a rescued Maine Coon cat named Marnie. She has been
writing various stories of novel length and short stories since her
school days, and sees writing as a vital component to her life.
She
is a small town erotic romance author published by eXtasy Books, and
her novels have been received with great acclaim. Her second novel,
Away to Me, is a recipient of the eXtasy Books and Devine
Destinies’
Editor’s Choice Seal of Excellence and Enjoyable
Reading.
On
January 4, 2021, she released her first independently published
story, COVID’s Arrow, which had been previously released in
the Together We Stand charity collection of stories about essential
workers.
When
she isn’t writing, she loves to read romance and science fiction
novels (notably Star Wars); listen to music (heavy metal, rock,
alternative); and do graphics design. She runs her own graphics
design company, Veridian Rose Designs, specializing in book
promotional posters and Facebook cover photos. This self-proclaimed
geeky rocker chick is a warrior and advocate for various chronic
illnesses including Occipital Neuralgia, Trigeminal Neuralgia,
Diabetes, Migraines, and Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia. She is also an
advocate for the prevention of animal cruelty and is a voice for
Autism Awareness.
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