Melinda Curtis - A Man Of Influence

She isn’t giving up—on her town or herself

An accident cost Tracy Jackson not only her high-profile job but also her ability to easily communicate. Back in her California hometown, she’s working at the bakery and painstakingly relearning how to speak. Now she has a new mission: to protect her community from Chad Healy.

The travel writer is in Harmony Valley to cover the Harvest Festival. And—big surprise—he’s helping Tracy make her dreams happen. But his lampooning style could hurt her town’s longtime traditions. Filled with conflicting emotions, can Tracy find the words to let Chad know how she feels before he’s gone for good?

“Take a deep breath, relax and say something else.”

Before Tracy could shrug him off, he added, “Pause after the first word.”

“I can’t.” How she hated to admit she had a weakness.

He massaged her shoulders, thumbs delving deep into her tense muscles. “Think Olympic athlete. Nothing comes easy to them. And yet they triumph. Take a—”

“Will...you stop with the coaching already?”

“That was awesome.” Chad moved to her side, draped an arm over her shoulder and gave her an air-stealing squeeze.

She shoved his arm off. “Seriously? Now you’re being nice to me?”

“Hey, I’ve always been nice.” Chad grinned. Grinned!

She wanted to slug him. She wanted to shout at him. She wanted to kiss him.

Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication PROLOGUE 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 Extract Copyright ,

Welcome to Harmony Valley!

Just a few short years ago, Harmony Valley was on the brink of extinction with only those over the age of sixty in residence. A younger generation is moving back to town, but if the only industry around—a winery—doesn’t succeed, that could end.

Before a car accident, Tracy Jackson was a rising star in the advertising world. Now she’s working in slow-paced Harmony Valley as a coffee barista and waiting for her chance to get her life back on track. Travel writer Chad Bostwick has got a lead on a story in Harmony Valley, only it’s not going to be a kind, fluff piece. Satire is how he’s built his following. Tracy’s the only person in town who realizes Chad might derail revitalization efforts. She’s determined to make him see that the charm in Harmony Valley is the real thing.

I hope you enjoy Chad and Tracy’s journey to a happily-ever-after, as well as the other romances in the Harmony Valley series. I love to hear from readers. Check my website to learn more about upcoming books, sign up for email book announcements (and I’ll send you a free sweet romantic comedy read), or chat with me on Facebook ( MelindaCurtisAuthor) or Twitter ( @melcurtisauthor) to hear about my latest giveaways.

Melinda Curtis

www.MelindaCurtis.com

A Man of Influence

USA TODAY Bestselling Author

Melinda Curtis

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Award-winning and USA TODAY bestselling author MELINDA CURTIS lives in drought-stricken California with her husband, small dog and bossy cat. Her three children are all in college in another state, which means she’s constantly wondering if they’re eating right, studying hard and making good decisions. Despite knowing they don’t eat right, they do make her proud.

Melinda enjoys putting humor into her stories, because that’s how she approaches life. She writes sweet contemporary romances as Melinda Curtis (Brenda Novak says of Season of Change, “found a place on my keeper shelf”), and fun, steamy reads as Mel Curtis (Jayne Ann Krentz says of Cora Rules, “wonderfully entertaining”).

Thanks to all the readers who enjoy the Harmony Valley series. Your kind words and love of the characters make Harmony Valley a joy to write.

And thanks to my parents, who are old, quirky and stubbornly independent, traits shared by many of the older characters in the series.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text She isn’t giving up—on her town or herself An accident cost Tracy Jackson not only her high-profile job but also her ability to easily communicate. Back in her California hometown, she’s working at the bakery and painstakingly relearning how to speak. Now she has a new mission: to protect her community from Chad Healy. The travel writer is in Harmony Valley to cover the Harvest Festival. And—big surprise—he’s helping Tracy make her dreams happen. But his lampooning style could hurt her town’s longtime traditions. Filled with conflicting emotions, can Tracy find the words to let Chad know how she feels before he’s gone for good?

Introduction “Take a deep breath, relax and say something else.” Before Tracy could shrug him off, he added, “Pause after the first word.” “I can’t.” How she hated to admit she had a weakness. He massaged her shoulders, thumbs delving deep into her tense muscles. “Think Olympic athlete. Nothing comes easy to them. And yet they triumph. Take a—” “Will...you stop with the coaching already?” “That was awesome.” Chad moved to her side, draped an arm over her shoulder and gave her an air-stealing squeeze. She shoved his arm off. “Seriously? Now you’re being nice to me?” “Hey, I’ve always been nice.” Chad grinned. Grinned! She wanted to slug him. She wanted to shout at him. She wanted to kiss him.

Dear Reader Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication PROLOGUE 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 Extract Copyright , Welcome to Harmony Valley! Just a few short years ago, Harmony Valley was on the brink of extinction with only those over the age of sixty in residence. A younger generation is moving back to town, but if the only industry around—a winery—doesn’t succeed, that could end. Before a car accident, Tracy Jackson was a rising star in the advertising world. Now she’s working in slow-paced Harmony Valley as a coffee barista and waiting for her chance to get her life back on track. Travel writer Chad Bostwick has got a lead on a story in Harmony Valley, only it’s not going to be a kind, fluff piece. Satire is how he’s built his following. Tracy’s the only person in town who realizes Chad might derail revitalization efforts. She’s determined to make him see that the charm in Harmony Valley is the real thing. I hope you enjoy Chad and Tracy’s journey to a happily-ever-after, as well as the other romances in the Harmony Valley series. I love to hear from readers. Check my website to learn more about upcoming books, sign up for email book announcements (and I’ll send you a free sweet romantic comedy read), or chat with me on Facebook ( MelindaCurtisAuthor ) or Twitter ( @melcurtisauthor ) to hear about my latest giveaways. Melinda Curtis www.MelindaCurtis.com

Title Page A Man of Influence USA TODAY Bestselling Author Melinda Curtis www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author Award-winning and USA TODAY bestselling author MELINDA CURTIS lives in drought-stricken California with her husband, small dog and bossy cat. Her three children are all in college in another state, which means she’s constantly wondering if they’re eating right, studying hard and making good decisions. Despite knowing they don’t eat right, they do make her proud. Melinda enjoys putting humor into her stories, because that’s how she approaches life. She writes sweet contemporary romances as Melinda Curtis (Brenda Novak says of Season of Change, “found a place on my keeper shelf”), and fun, steamy reads as Mel Curtis (Jayne Ann Krentz says of Cora Rules, “wonderfully entertaining”).