Amy Vastine - Catch A Fallen Star

He’s got to save his career—and himself

Hitting rock bottom has landed country star Boone Williams in the middle of his worst nightmare: a recording studio on a horse therapy farm hours away from Nashville. He has no interest in dealing with his problems or writing a new album. And he’s definitely not interested in the gorgeous, feisty mom of one of Helping Hooves’s young clients. She doesn’t even know who he is! But his record label is one tabloid story from cutting him loose, and Boone can’t seem to turn around without bumping into Ruby and her daughter, Violet. Clearly, Boone’s not going to get what he wants. Could Ruby be just what he needs?

Her hand landed solidly on Boone’s chest.

That was the moment he realized she knew exactly who he was. Clearly, she was a fan. His female admirers always wanted to touch.

“Aren’t you cute,” Boone said. “If you think it would help, I’ll sign something for you and your daughter. Maybe this little encounter will turn the whole day around.”

People used to tell him that all the time. They would profess their love for him and swear that meeting him was life altering. Boone Williams had that effect on people.

This little redhead cocked her head and seemed confused, however. Boone figured she was still trying to play like she didn’t recognize him. It was a common ploy.

He gave her his trademark grin and lowered his voice, which had literally made women swoon. “You want me to sign something for you, pretty lady?”

The line between her eyebrows deepened. “Unless you’re signing your name on a check, I’m not sure your signature is going to do me and my daughter much good, mister.”

“Are you famous or something?” the daughter asked.

Dear Reader,

I am thrilled to be bringing you the second book in the Grace Note Records series. Boone Williams was a character introduced in the first book, who I was a little worried I wasn’t going to be able to make very likable. As I began to write Catch a Fallen Star, he started to grow on me until he became one of my favorite heroes yet!

Everyone has good and bad moments in their lives, and we meet Boone when he’s decided to try pulling himself out of the hole he’s dug. It’s never easy to accept when we’re wrong, and for someone like Boone, who has had his head blown up thanks to his fame, it’s even harder. Enter Ruby and her daughter, Violet. Sometimes people come into our lives whom we never expect to have much of an impact, but they surprise us. Ruby and Violet do that for Boone.

I hope you enjoy this story and open your heart to Boone, who isn’t perfect by any means. But he’s working on it!

Visit me on Facebook and Twitter ( @vastine7) or on my website, www.amyvastine.com.

xoxo,

Amy Vastine

Catch a Fallen Star

Amy Vastine

www.millsandboon.co.uk

AMY VASTINEhas been plotting stories in her head for as long as she can remember. An eternal optimist, she studied social work, hoping to teach others how to find their silver lining. Now she enjoys creating happily-ever-afters for all to read. Amy lives outside Chicago with her high school sweetheart turned husband, three fun-loving children and their sweet but mischievous puppy dog. Visit her at www.amyvastine.com.

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To my darling teenage daughter, Alyssa. I hope you read this someday and can laugh at the bits of you I may have written into Violet. I hope you know I love you dearly even though your eye-rolling is now documented for all to see.

Acknowledgments

To my book-club friends who helped me name many of the characters of this book.

You guys are the best!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

CHAPTER THIRTY

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Extract

Copyright

CHAPTER ONE

“WHAT IN THE name of all that is holy is this?” Boone Williams stood in front of the shiny silver Airstream trailer with his hands on his hips. He’d slept in a lot of strange places while touring the country, but this had to be a joke.

“This is your new home away from home,” Dean said, flashing the used-car-salesman grin he thought worked on everyone.

Dean Presley was the head of Boone’s record label, Grace Note Records, and the one who had convinced Boone to come down here to small-town Grass Lake. He had promised the perfect Tennessee retreat. A place with all the comforts of home and none of the stress. It was supposed to be top-notch, somewhere the rich and famous like Boone could reconnect with the music.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Boone grumbled. This was a trailer in the middle of a horse farm. The pungent smell of manure did battle with the overwhelming scent of hay that made his nose itch. This was no vacation home. This was a nightmare.

“Don’t judge until you see the inside. It’s not the Four Seasons, but you’d be amazed at what we fit into this little space.”

“I knew there wasn’t a Four Seasons in this Podunk town, but I’m sure there have to be accommodations a little more fitting for someone like me.”

“Boone—”

“I have twenty-five number-one singles, I’ve won three Grammys and ten Country Artist Awards, and I was named America’s favorite male country music artist at the People’s Choice Awards...four times. I’m pretty sure I deserve better than this.”

Dean sighed, mimicking Boone’s stance. He closed his eyes for a moment and his smile faded. “I hate to remind you that you also haven’t had a record out in five years. Instead, you’ve had two DUIs and a few other run-ins with the law that you were fortunate to get out of because of who you are. The last time you attended the CAAs, you were asked not to return because you shoved an assistant producer backstage. And right now, the only thing you’d win if people voted would be favorite tabloid star. I’m pretty sure this place is exactly what you need.”

Every dose of reality was like a hot poker in the gut. Dean was right, but that didn’t mean Boone wanted to hear it. Dean opened the door to the Airstream, and Boone stomped up the stairs and inside.