Looking for that perfect beach read to cozy up with on a hot summer day? I have a suggestion, Liam’s Perfect Woman from Harlequin Special Edition–sizzling romance set in a charming beachside community, a shy, but determined heroine intent on finding the answers to her past, and a sexy, bold cop who finds himself trapped between old family secrets and a plea for help from a stunning, enigmatic woman.
Even better? How about a fifty dollar gift certificate to buy more of those books you crave? That’s what I’ll be giving away to one commenter here at my HQ blog. Just leave a comment on the excerpt from Liam’s Perfect Woman, and you’ll be in the draw to win. Winner chosen randomly. Winner announced here on Friday, July 22).
It happened one summer…
The moment Liam Kavanaugh first glimpsed the exotic beauty dancing across a moonlit beach, he was smitten. But he was in for the surprise of his life when she turned out to be Natalie Reyes! The big-city cop had returned to Harbor Town to be the chief of police. Instead, he was battling an intense attraction to the woman who was forcing him to confront his past…
The lone survivor of the crash that had destroyed their families, Natalie needed Liam’s help to finally move past the tragedy that shattered her life. Yet the innocent beauty wasn’t prepared for the passion that flared between them. And now her very future was in the hands of a man who just might be able to heal her heart with his loving touch…
Excerpt: Liam’s Perfect Woman by Beth Kery
Book 2: Home to Harbor Town series
“Please sit down. Thank you again for agreeing to see me.” She was pleased to hear that her voice didn’t tremble.
“I still can’t imagine why you wanted to,” he said before he shut the door. Natalie jumped slightly at the brisk bang. She held herself unnaturally still as he sauntered toward a chair in front of her desk, all careless ease, a male animal in his prime who was supremely comfortable in his own skin. As he started to sit he leaned forward several inches, peering into the light cast by the single dim lamp on her desk.
Natalie moved subtly back into the cloaking shadows.
“I’m not accustomed to meeting strangers in dark rooms, Ms. Reyes. How do I know you’re not planning to jump me?”
For a few seconds, she was too knocked off balance to reply. His eyebrows went up in wry amusement and he leaned back in the chair. He, too, became shrouded in shadows with the exception of an angle of light that fell across his lower face, allowing her to see his mouth. It was a compelling mouth…decisive. Made for giving orders and laughing and…
Other things.
His lips tilted ever so slightly, as if he’d read her mind.
Cocky bastard.
“I can assure you I have no plans to ‘jump’ you, Mr. Kavanaugh,” she replied with what she hoped was cold austerity.
“Too bad. A little action might have spiced up my evening.”
“I’m sorry to have disappointed you.”
He gave a slight shrug, ignoring her sarcasm. “No need to apologize. I’ll get used to the slug’s pace of Harbor Town before long.”
“Do you already miss it, then?”
She sensed his muscles tensing despite his seemingly negligent posture. “What? My old job?”
“Yes.”
“What do you know about my old job?”
She set down the pen she’d been nervously twisting in her lap on the desk. She could feel his gaze on her hand, which shown clearly in the pool of light cast by the shaded lamp.
“I’m friends with your sister-in-law, Mari. She’s the one who told me you’d retired from your position at the Chicago P.D. and were returning to Harbor Town to become our police chief. Congratulations on your new position. We’re very lucky to have a detective who has been decorated so many times and has so much experience.”
He remained unmoving and silent. She found herself leaning forward slightly into thelight, trying to assess his expression.
“You don’t believe me? Why?” she asked quietly when she saw his lips were tilted slightly in skepticism…or was it derision?
“I’m sorry, I’m just finding it hard to believe you invited me into your office to welcome me to Harbor Town and extol my virtues. I’m a Kavanaugh, after all. You’re a Reyes.”
For a few taut seconds she heard nothing but her heart pounding in her ears.
“I’m an individual, Mr. Kavanaugh. Not a history.”
He laughed, the low, rough quality of it taking her by surprise.
“Stop with the Mr. Kavanaugh. I’m Liam.”
“Fine. I’m Natalie,” she replied breathlessly.’
“And nothing against your individuality or anything, but I doubt even if you’d been marooned on a desert island for the past sixteen years you’d be unaffected by our history. So why don’t you just tell me why you asked me here tonight?”
In case you’re interested, I’m also giving away a fifty dollar gift card at my Harlequin blog. Comment there to double your chances of winning!
July 13th, 2011 at 8:45 am · Link
This sounds awesome! I’m adding it to my list.
Oooh. I love other things. 😀
July 13th, 2011 at 9:01 am · Link
Very intriguing selection for the excerpt. Not blantantly sexy but compelling and makes me want to know more about both these individuals.
July 13th, 2011 at 9:01 am · Link
Well, if I could spell, you’d know I meant “blatantly”…sigh
July 13th, 2011 at 10:32 am · Link
can not wait to read what “other things” are on her mind as well!!
July 13th, 2011 at 11:03 am · Link
Congrats on the release. Are the books related? Would I need to read THE HOMETOWN HERO RETURNS before reading this book?
Thank you for sharing the excerpt and for the giveaway.
July 13th, 2011 at 11:53 am · Link
I loved the first book. I’m so glad the second book in the series is already here. Congratulations on the new release Beth. I think Liam and Natalie’s story sounds full of heartbreak and healing. I can’t wait to read it.
July 17th, 2011 at 10:02 am · Link
I’m so happy to hear you liked it, Stacie. 🙂 I hope you’re doing well.
July 13th, 2011 at 12:03 pm · Link
I honestly don’t read a lot of Harlequin books but this one sounds pretty promising, thanks for the intriguing excerpt and the giveaway!
July 13th, 2011 at 12:17 pm · Link
Ooh can’t wait! I read the first book and it was soo good! Excited that you are writing for Harlequin right now. Congrats!
July 17th, 2011 at 10:05 am · Link
I’m glad you liked The Hometown Hero Returns, Nikki!
July 13th, 2011 at 12:18 pm · Link
Liam’s Perfect Woman sounds great! I loved the line “Too bad. A little action might have spiced up my evening.”…lol…I’m adding both this and The Hometown Hero Returns to my list – Harbor Town sounds like an interesting place to visit:)
Thanks for the giveaway!
July 13th, 2011 at 12:38 pm · Link
Ohhh what is the deal with the families? 😀 I want to know
And I am in of course
July 13th, 2011 at 1:27 pm · Link
I absolutely love the excerpt. I love the snappy comments and cannot wait to see how their interaction will develop.
July 13th, 2011 at 1:58 pm · Link
I do enjoy series or connected books. I’ve always felt like it enabled us to see what happened to the characters later on and to find out the stories of secondary characters. I can’t wait to read this series, I really enjoyed the excerpt.
July 13th, 2011 at 2:00 pm · Link
excerpt was fab . Putting this on my tbb list
meandi09@yahoo.com
July 13th, 2011 at 2:14 pm · Link
Okay, I officially can’t wait to read this book! Is it the 19th yet? 😀
July 13th, 2011 at 2:35 pm · Link
I loved the excerpt. I will have to get this book to finish reading the story.
July 13th, 2011 at 2:50 pm · Link
That definitely whetted my appetite. Looking forward to reading your upcoming release.
July 13th, 2011 at 3:07 pm · Link
Great excerpt! I really feel for Natalie.
July 13th, 2011 at 3:56 pm · Link
Running out to purchase 🙂
July 13th, 2011 at 4:20 pm · Link
Can’t wait to read it!
July 13th, 2011 at 4:32 pm · Link
Congratulations Beth on another new book. I will have to go and see if I can find the first one, When my laptop got broke I lost my TBB list that was on my desktop so thanks for the heads up. Great excerpt, he is sassy but I like them that way.
Zina 🙂
July 13th, 2011 at 6:08 pm · Link
Congratulations on the new release coming! 😮
July 13th, 2011 at 7:25 pm · Link
Great excerpt.Thanks for sharing.Can’t wait to read it.
July 14th, 2011 at 12:00 am · Link
Thanks for the excerpt! I can’t wait to read this book!
July 14th, 2011 at 6:51 am · Link
Loved the excerpt. Sounds great. Can’t wait to read Liam and Natalie’s story. Thank you for the contest.
July 14th, 2011 at 7:17 am · Link
Sounds interesting 😉 – perfect summer read. I can’t wait to start reading…
July 14th, 2011 at 2:05 pm · Link
Love the excerpt! Can’t wait to read both books!
July 14th, 2011 at 9:00 pm · Link
I love reading HQ’s, Liam & Natalie have tons of chemistry based on this excerpt!!
July 15th, 2011 at 8:03 pm · Link
Thanks for the giveaway. I am looking forward to reading this series.
jepebATverizonDOTnet
July 16th, 2011 at 7:48 pm · Link
Man i soo wanan read this now ur books make me melt as i said on the other blog your agifted lady !
July 18th, 2011 at 1:56 pm · Link
Great excerpt. I really enjoyed the banter between Natalie & Liam. Looking forward to reading the book when it releases.
July 19th, 2011 at 2:19 pm · Link
Enjoyed the excerpt and I look forward to reading the series.
July 19th, 2011 at 7:47 pm · Link
Thanks for the excerpt. Your book looks very good. Liam and Natalie are great characters together. Look forward to the series.
Judy
magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com
July 19th, 2011 at 8:15 pm · Link
I can’t wait to find out more about their history. Liam sounds like my kind of hero 🙂
July 19th, 2011 at 9:04 pm · Link
Gotta know what happens next – you left us hanging there! I love these stories in small towns, there’s so much opportunity for connections.
July 19th, 2011 at 10:43 pm · Link
Hi Beth, gorgeous cover which is sure to draw the new-to-you reader, and they’ll be glad they picked up your read. As for me, I am looking forward to another great read written by you. Thanks for a chance at this generous giveaway and happy reading to all of us!
July 20th, 2011 at 8:57 am · Link
Congrats on the release, loved the excerpt, can’t wait to read all of it.
July 20th, 2011 at 11:37 am · Link
What a great tease, Beth. I can already feel the chemistry between these two.
July 20th, 2011 at 11:46 am · Link
Wow! That really makes me want to read the book now. I can’t wait! 😉
July 20th, 2011 at 12:58 pm · Link
Congrats on the release!
July 20th, 2011 at 1:57 pm · Link
Congratulations on the 4 1/2 book review at Booklover’s!