Shannon here: Pat Nichols shares a romantic excerpt from her latest Women’s Fiction title, Big Secrets, Little Lies. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for a print copy, U.S. only or international, an Amazon gift card. Deadline: June 17th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Pat:
While I primarily write women’s fiction, my books include romance subplots. In Big Secrets, Little Lies—book one of the three-book Butler Family Legacy series—corporate attorney Daisy Butler struggles between a budding relationship with the man who holds sway over her career and the stranger who captures her heart.
In Chapter 13: Michael Warner, wealthy partner in his father’s New York law firm, invites Daisy to dinner at his penthouse overlooking Central Park.
Excerpt from Big Secrets, Little Lies by Pat Nichols:
“One more treat.” Michael pulled her chair away from the table and guided her to a wicker love seat facing the park. “To a bright future.”
Whose? His, hers, theirs? Daisy imagined falling in love with Michael and embracing his wealthy lifestyle. Would his family accept her if they knew the truth about her family?
“You’re deep in thought.”
Daisy blinked. “I was wondering if you dine out here often.”
“When the weather permits, and when I entertain special guests.”
Like his parents’ sunroom. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You and I are good together.”
Somehow his tone seemed more appropriate for a closing statement to a jury. A siren and a blasting horn conjured images of a fire engine racing up Fifth avenue toward some unknown mayhem.
“When do you leave for Georgia?”
“Tomorrow afternoon.”
“I assume you’re aware of your grandfather’s alleged failing health.”
She didn’t have a clue. “Of course.”
“Rumor is he fired the law firm representing his business empire and is in the market for a new one.”
Was this the real reason behind the invitation and pricey dinner?
“We want you to bring him onboard. In case you’re wondering, landing his business account would come with a sizable bonus.”
Daisy fumbled with her earring while peering around the terrace and mentally comparing his expensive décor to her furnished apartment. “How sizable?”
“Enough to buy a Ferrari and a closet full of designer clothes.”
“Is that what tonight is about?”
“Mixing pleasure with business isn’t a new concept.” He reached for her hand and kissed her fingers. “You’re an amazing woman, Daisy.”
How long would the heir to his father’s law firm find her amazing if she failed to deliver Curtis Butler? Only one way to find out.
In Chapter 16, Daisy returns to Georgia to celebrate Thanksgiving with her family and meets the investigative journalist seeking to solve her grandmother’s thirty-five-year-old disappearance.
Excerpt from Big Secrets, Little Lies by Pat Nichols:
A man dressed in jeans, a button-down shirt, and sport jacket slung a leather satchel over his shoulder and followed Pansy to the front porch. “Good morning, Mrs. Butler.”
“Welcome back. David Lambert, I’d like you to meet my daughter Daisy.”
Daisy offered her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
A smile lit his face and sent a twinkle to his eyes. “The pleasure’s all mine.”
The moment his hand touched hers, a spark cascaded through her limbs. Was it static electricity? Or something else?
His gaze remained fixed on her. “You favor your mother.”
Daisy swallowed past the tightness in her throat and clamored for an appropriate response. “She’s my best friend.”
“My mom and I were close.”
“Were?”
“Fatal heart attack.” His smile faded. “Two years ago, tomorrow. Spending Thanksgiving alone is still painful.”
“You’re welcome to celebrate with our family.”
“We’d best discuss his proposal before inviting him to supper.” Daisy’s mom swept her arm toward the front room. “Come in and take a seat, Mr. Lambert.”
“Please, call me David.” He released Daisy’s hand, then strolled into the front room, settled on the wingback chair, and set his satchel on the floor.
Daisy remained standing beside the front door, her eyes fixed on the alluring stranger. What was it about David that prompted her to extend an invitation without a moment’s hesitation? His gorgeous blue eyes? His warm smile? His touch?
***
While David continued to ask questions, Daisy vacillated between concentrating on her mom and aunt’s responses and marveling at the stranger’s relaxed demeanor, attentiveness, and sense of humor. By noon the desire to understand why her heart skipped each time an endearing look passed between them consumed her. Somehow she had to find the answer before she returned to New York and to Michael.
Question for Readers: What first attracted you to the love of your life? Or to a friend for life?
About Pat: Award-winning author, Pat Nichols is proving it’s never too late to follow your dreams. Nine years after retiring from a twenty-seven-year corporate career with an international beauty company, her love for writing resurfaced and prompted her to launch career number two as a novelist.
Her eight published novels draw on her experience to write stories with tension-laced challenges and heart-warming triumphs. The Secret of Willow Inn is a 2020 Selah Award winner. Starstruck in Willow Falls is a NGCWC Georgia Peach Award winner. Her short story The Vet and Valentine Day also won a NGCWC Georgia Peach Award. Learn more & connect:
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About the book – Big Secrets, Little Lies:
Dramatic, uplifting story about a family discovering the truth about the past while facing life-changing decisions affecting their future.
Daisy Butler, junior attorney in a prestigious New York law firm, is living the dream. But, beneath the surface a troubling question lingers. Was she hired based on merit or her connection to Curtis Butler, the wealthy grandfather she’s never met? When she learns Curtis is the reason for her promotion to senior associate, she is forced to choose. Will she side with her father who is estranged from Curtis for reasons he keeps buried, or will she protect her job and risk breaking her father’s heart.
Poppy Butler, Daisy’s mother, lives a quiet life away from strangers’ stares until investigative journalist, David Lambert, seeks to solve Rose Fowler’s thirty-five-year-old disappearance. To help solve her mother’s cold case, Poppy reveals secrets hidden in the trunk in her private retreat-the same clapboard shack where she and her sister, Pansy, hid when their mother entertained men to earn a living.
While mother and daughter struggle to protect the family’s legacy and unravel secrets haunting the past, Daisy’s infatuation with David complicates her romantic relationship with Michael Warner, the wealthy law firm partner who holds sway over her career.
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Big Secrets, Little Lies Pat’s Books
Come back June 13th for Lori DeJong!
It was my husband’s tender heart and gentle ways that attracted me. On a trip to Reelfoot Lake where ducks were swimming in the marsh, he was able to call a female duck away from her mate with his words. She swam toward him and when she started to leave to return to her mate, he wooed her back again with his gentle persuasive tone.
humor
I have a winner! Laurie won the drawing. I appreciate Pat for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.