Title: Quintessentially:
An ABCs of Love Novel
Author: Aleatha
Romig
Genre: Contemporary
Romance
Cover Designer:
Indie Sage
Editor: Lisa
Aurello
Publication
Date: July 28th, 2022
Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR
Blurb:
A secret-baby, second-chance contemporary stand-alone romance
Quintessential~ “Representing the most perfect example of quality or class”
Imagine my greater surprise when I learn about the secret that’s been roaming Riverbend for the last five years. Here are a couple of hints:
She’s five years old.
She has her mother’s silky auburn hair and my golden eyes.
The answer should be simple—I take responsibility for the girl and go back to Chicago where my life awaits.
It turns out, Grandma had other plans because life’s never that simple.
Have you been Aleatha’d?
Enjoy this sweet, funny, and sexy secret-baby, second-chance contemporary stand-alone romance that brings back the feelings of what it’s like to be young and in love. A stand-alone in Aleatha Romig’s ‘Lighter Ones,’ QUINTESSENTIALLY – the ONE.
Aleatha Romig
is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who
lives in Indiana, USA. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana
University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis as well as part of
the year in Bradenton, Florida, USA. Before she became a full-time author, she
worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she's
not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time with
her friends and family, including her beloved grandchildren.
Aleatha
released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES became
a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011
through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has
graced more than a million e-readers. Her next series, INFIDELITY (not about
cheating) hit New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best-seller
lists. Aleatha has since released over forty-five novels in multiple genres:
dark romance, romantic suspense, thriller, and romantic comedy. She went back
to her dark roots with the Sparrow Web trilogies: WEB OF SIN, TANGLED WEB, WEB
OF DESIRE, and DANGEROUS WEB and the Devil’s Series Duet: DEVIL’S DEAL and
ANGEL’S PROMISE. Her recent releases include the romantic suspense standalone,
KINGDOM COME and her new Sin Series, are taking the reading world by storm.
The titles keep
coming. Be sure to check out her website to stay up to date.
Aleatha is a
"Published Author's Network" member of the Romance Writers of
America, NINC, and PEN America. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon
Literary Agency and Wildfire Marketing.
Author Links:
Facebook | Amazon | BookBub | Website | Goodreads
Instagram | Twitter | TikTok | Pintrest | Audible | Newsletter
Before I can
get out of the SUV, there’s a knock on my side window.
Turning, I see
my old friend.
“Look, Mommy,
it’s Dax.”
My cheeks rise
as my smile broadens. “It is.”
I unlock the
doors, and Dax opens my door. “Hi.”
It’s not fair
what he does to me. My heart is racing, and my skin feels clammy. Standing
here, Daxton Richards is sex on a stick. His cheeks are red from the sun, and
his blond hair is damp and combed back. His smile glistens and letting my gaze
sweep lower, I notice how the Dri-FIT shirt stretches over his shoulders and
wide chest. He’s wearing khaki shorts and cloth loafers.
“Hi,” I say
back.
“I was afraid
you would change your mind.”
“I did about a
hundred times.”
His smile grows
as his golden orbs stay focused on me. “Then I’m glad you didn’t do it one more
time.”
He offers me
his hand, and I get out of the SUV. He steps back as I open Molly’s door.
As I unbuckle
her, I say, “Molly, this is Dax, Mommy’s old friend.”
“Hi, Dax,” she
says excitedly. “You don’t look old. Not like Grandmom did.”
Dax and I both
laugh.
Once she’s out
of the car, Dax bends his long legs and gets down on his haunches. “Hello,
Molly. I’m very glad to formally meet you.”
I bite my lip
to keep my tears at bay as I watch the two of them looking at each other with
the same color eyes. My heart leaps; my chest feels tight. I’d never dared to
dream that this would happen and now here it is, more than I ever imagined.
Molly offers
Dax her hand.
He glances up
at me.
All I can do is
nod.
Taking her
hand, he shakes it.
“Hi, Dax,” she
says.
“How about some
ice cream?” I say as I take Molly’s hand.
The whole
evening feels surreal as if I’m in a dream.
The Tastee
Freeze is located next to a small stream. The ground in between is covered in
white pebbles with several picnic tables and benches. There are lights strung
over our heads for after dark.
I reach for my
purse after I order for myself and Molly, but Dax won’t have it. He adds a
blueberry shake to the order and insists on paying.
The three of us
sit on a bench facing the stream as Dax asks Molly questions and she tells him
everything and more. At some point, he lifts his arm over the back of the
bench, and it stretches from him over Molly to me.
My thoughts are
filled with Hallmark stories despite telling myself to not have hope. It’s exactly
what I do have.
Next door is a
small playground near our library.
After our ice
cream is done, Dax and I walk Molly to the playground and find another bench
where we can watch her. She runs off with a smile as she sees Amber, a friend
from school.
“You’ve done an
amazing job,” Dax says. “She’s perfect.”
I shake my
head. “I think she is, but she isn’t perfect.” I smile at him. “She’s amazing.
Each day I feel like she’s growing and comprehending so much more.”
He scoots
closer and lifts my hand. “I’m sorry you had to take care of her alone.”
I contemplate
retrieving my hand, but I don’t. “I haven’t done it alone. My parents are
wonderful. Ruth was fantastic. Chloe and Mick are great.” I grin. “And so is
Justin.”
Dax releases my
hand and rubs his jaw. “Yeah, so your brother punched me this morning.”
My eyes grow
wide, and my fingertips go to my lips. “He didn’t.”
Dax nods with a
grin. “I deserve it. If the roles were reversed, I’m not sure Mick and Ricky
could have kept it to one punch.”
I reach for his
chin and turn his face toward me. “Are you hurt? I’m sorry.”
His smile
grows. “I’m fine. I’m glad you care.”
My gaze goes
out to the playground where Molly and her friend are climbing a slide. “I’ve
always cared.”
This time, it’s
Dax who reaches for my chin, bringing my gaze back to his. “You’re more
beautiful than I remember.”
“Yeah, well,
you’re not as handsome.” I laugh. “You’re more, too.”
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