Publisher's Synopsis
THE PERFECT BLEND, by Donna Marie Rogers: Carrie Lowell swears off men for good after nearly losing her business in a bitter divorce settlement to her abusive ex-husband. She's on the verge of filing bankruptcy when handsome librarian Matt Jacobs walks into her shop and offers sound-if unwanted-business advice. Sure, financially he's a godsend, but emotionally he's a threat to the barricade she's built around her heart. Heir to a vast fortune, Jacob Spalding flees LA for the tiny Midwest town of Redemption, Wisconsin to escape the scandalous nightmare his life has become. Now known as Matt Jacobs, he buys a little cottage and settles in to small town life. Soon, he finds himself infatuated with the owner of the coffee shop across the street. Too bad the infuriating woman is as contrary as she is beautiful. GROUNDS FOR CHANGE, by Stacey Joy Netzel: Charlie Russell lived with a secret for fourteen years, but now guilt has pushed him to the breaking point. He meets psychologist Dana McClain and feels an instant connection that has nothing to do with his Great Dane, Sugar, spilling coffee down her shirt. Dana switched to counseling animals because she has a history of becoming too emotionally involved with her clients. She figures she's safe helping Charlie with Sugar's issues, until he reveals his secret and asks for her help. She tries to convince herself it's all about the dog, not the guy, but history has a way of repeating itself. GROUNDS FOR CHANGE Excerpt: "So, what is it you do when you're not on vacation, Charlie?" She obviously intended the question as cover, but just like that, his humor evaporated. He kept his tone even with effort. "I'm an emergency medical technician." Dana's attention switched directly to Charlie. "EMT? Really?" "Certified for six years now." "Wow. I'm...impressed," she murmured. Impressed my ass-shocked was more like it. Maybe it was the tattoos; he got that a lot. Too bad she hadn't met him when he was riding his Harley dressed in his leathers, then her snap judgment would've really been justified. So hypocritical, that she'd preach to him about not judging people, yet she did it herself. Irritation over her reaction swelled. Heat climbed his neck and into his face-and then reality hit. Was this how she felt when he'd made that crack about her being a dog shrink? The humbling realization went no further as Carrie's raised voice caught his attention. Charlie happened to glance at Dana and was captivated by a wide smile spreading across her face. His gaze zipped from her, to the unfolding action behind the counter, and back again. "What's so funny?" he asked in a low tone. Dana drew him in with the merriment dancing in her green eyes. "Don't you see it?" "They've practically started World War Three-of course I see it. I hear it, too." "Not that," Dana said. "It's Matt. He's got it bad for her." "What?" Charlie sat up straight and openly listened. After a moment, he gave a snort of disbelief. "Yeah, right." "I studied human behavior," she reminded. "I know what I'm talking about." "And that's why you only work with animals now?" Dana's eyes widened. A fleeting expression of hurt was quickly replaced by anger. The first emotion made him wish he could take the teasing, sarcastic words back. The second resulted in the remainder of her tea being dumped in his lap.
