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Category: Romance/Fantasy
Description: When erotic romance writer Jackie Duarte's kids nominate her to be a television bachelorette on Perfect Mate and help to pick her next husband and their new father, her life becomes crazier than it's already been. Now the whole world will meet her bratty ADHD/ODD twelve-year-old, perhaps learn of the penname she has fought so long to keep under wraps, and see her house on television...and she's no Martha Stewart.

Worse yet, the ghost of her husband has long been talking off her ear but now he's also giving her dating advice, telling her how to flirt and whom to marry. She has to be extra careful not to speak to him aloud while the cameras are rolling or risk being put into a straightjacket.

But worst of all, Doug Applebaum, her best friend and the younger man she had wanted to marry but gave up on, finally decides he loves her, after she's legally committed to wed one of the bachelors on her show. What can Jackie do now? Go back on her committment to the show, ignore the advice of her children and her deceased husband, or follow her heart straight into Doug's waiting arms?

Genres: Romance / Contemporary Romance / Paranormal Romance
eBook Publisher: Amber Quill Press, 2010
eBookwise Release Date: May 2011

Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [447 KB]
Words: 95495
Reading time: 272-381 min.

Pulling Doug to the bow, she lowered her voice. It didn't help her mood when the cameras dogged them. "Why didn't you tell me? You've hardly come around in months. You never call anymore. How was I supposed to have an inkling you love me?"

Doug hung his head. Before he could take his next breath, the sea breeze whipped up, blowing his hair across his face. He reached up and tucked it behind his ears. "I didn't want to push you. I thought you needed more time."

Incredulous, she wanted to throw up her hands. "More time to be lonely? To miss you? To..."

Amazement and hope flashed across his eyes. "You missed me?"

::You missed him?:: Vance echoed. ::I should have known. It's always the best friend.::

Feeling like a scratched CD, she repeated, ::Butt out.::

Remembering how abandoned she'd felt, she nodded and veiled her eyes. She felt as dark and deserted as the sea looked tonight. "Oh yeah. And very unloved, unwanted, and lonely."

She turned her accusing gaze back to him. "I want--no, make that need--a man who will be there for me. A man who will romance me, spend time with me, and cherish me and my kids." She dragged in a ragged sigh. "I don't need another cold relationship and especially not another dead marriage."

"I'll be there for you and the kids. I swear it." Doug took her hands in his, his gaze imploring and hopeful.

Sparks zapped her and she snatched back her hands and hid them behind her. Physical electricity wouldn't be enough this time around. "Words won't do. You'll have to prove yourself." On a choked sob, she ran past him and almost knocked over the cameraman. "If you can."