Liz Talley - Sweet Southern Nights

One kiss can change everything

Eva Monroe is always cool under pressure. As a firefighter, it’s part of the job. But after kissing Jake Beauchamp in a moment of confusion, she’s struggling to keep it together. Jake’s her best friend and coworker—two very good reasons why crossing this line is a bad idea.

Yet something between them must’ve changed, because one kiss isn’t nearly enough—for either of them. But Jake is haunted by a past tragedy and isn’t the commitment type. With more than just Eva’s heart on the line, she needs to end things now before this fire burns out of control.

Eva sat up.

“It was a dumb kiss,” she said. “I don’t know why I did it. Just drop it.”

Of course she knew why she’d kissed him. She’d dreamed about doing just that for three years, yearning for his body against hers, almost desperate to take one little taste of Jake.

But he didn’t have to know that.

“No,” he said, wiping his hands on a napkin.

“No? What do you mean, no?”

“See, thing is, that was a crappy kiss. How can I let you walk around thinking that subpar kiss was indicative of what I’m capable of? That would be...a travesty.” He reached over and dragged her into his lap, turning her so she tipped à la Scarlett O’Hara into his arms.

“Jake,” she said struggling against him even as something way deep down inside her screamed, “hell, yeah.”

Dear Reader 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 Extract Copyright ,

I’m so happy to be back in Magnolia Bend and giving that rascal Jake Beauchamp a bit of a comeuppance with a woman so suited to him. Of course, ol’ Jake never thought about how perfectly his best friend fits him. Eva’s such a strong woman, fearlessly stepping in to take care of her younger brother and determined to prove to everyone she’s tough enough to be the MBFD’s newest captain. And Jake has to make amends with a past he’s run from for all too long, finding the courage to break out of being the man he created long ago. There is danger, excitement and passion within the pages of this story, and I think you’ll like catching up with the rest of the Beauchamp gang.

So come back with me to the sweet Louisiana town where love, life and the good stuff all meet up.

I love hearing from my readers. You can stay in touch with me through liztalleybooks.comor find me on Facebook at liztalleybooks.

Happy reading!

Liz

Sweet Southern Nights

Liz Talley

www.millsandboon.co.uk

After being a finalist for RWA’s prestigious Golden Heart Award in Regency romance, LIZ TALLEY found a home writing sassy contemporary romance. Her first book, Vegas Two-Step, starred a spinster librarian and debuted in June 2010. Since that time, Liz has published fourteen more Superromances. Her stories are set in the South where the tea is sweet, the summers are hot and the men are hotter. Liz lives in North Louisiana with her childhood sweetheart, two handsome children, three dogs and a mean kitty. You can visit Liz at liztalleybooks.comto learn more about her upcoming books.

The book is dedicated to the men and women who face deadly fires in order to save lives and property. A special thank-you goes to my childhood neighbor, Captain Guy Mandino, and the Minden Fire Department who so graciously gave me a tour, answered questions and modeled what it is to be an everyday hero.

I would also like to thank Bora Sunseri, who helped me in regards to Child Protective Services.

And finally, the person who gave me a chance to blossom into the writer I am today. I will forever be grateful to Wanda Ottewell for guiding me, teaching me and being my friend.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text One kiss can change everything Eva Monroe is always cool under pressure. As a firefighter, it’s part of the job. But after kissing Jake Beauchamp in a moment of confusion, she’s struggling to keep it together. Jake’s her best friend and coworker—two very good reasons why crossing this line is a bad idea. Yet something between them must’ve changed, because one kiss isn’t nearly enough—for either of them. But Jake is haunted by a past tragedy and isn’t the commitment type. With more than just Eva’s heart on the line, she needs to end things now before this fire burns out of control.

Introduction Eva sat up. “It was a dumb kiss,” she said. “I don’t know why I did it. Just drop it.” Of course she knew why she’d kissed him. She’d dreamed about doing just that for three years, yearning for his body against hers, almost desperate to take one little taste of Jake. But he didn’t have to know that. “No,” he said, wiping his hands on a napkin. “No? What do you mean, no?” “See, thing is, that was a crappy kiss. How can I let you walk around thinking that subpar kiss was indicative of what I’m capable of? That would be...a travesty.” He reached over and dragged her into his lap, turning her so she tipped à la Scarlett O’Hara into his arms. “Jake,” she said struggling against him even as something way deep down inside her screamed, “hell, yeah.”

Dear Reader Dear Reader 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 Extract Copyright , I’m so happy to be back in Magnolia Bend and giving that rascal Jake Beauchamp a bit of a comeuppance with a woman so suited to him. Of course, ol’ Jake never thought about how perfectly his best friend fits him. Eva’s such a strong woman, fearlessly stepping in to take care of her younger brother and determined to prove to everyone she’s tough enough to be the MBFD’s newest captain. And Jake has to make amends with a past he’s run from for all too long, finding the courage to break out of being the man he created long ago. There is danger, excitement and passion within the pages of this story, and I think you’ll like catching up with the rest of the Beauchamp gang. So come back with me to the sweet Louisiana town where love, life and the good stuff all meet up. I love hearing from my readers. You can stay in touch with me through liztalleybooks.com or find me on Facebook at liztalleybooks . Happy reading! Liz

Title Page Sweet Southern Nights Liz Talley www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author After being a finalist for RWA’s prestigious Golden Heart Award in Regency romance, LIZ TALLEY found a home writing sassy contemporary romance. Her first book, Vegas Two-Step, starred a spinster librarian and debuted in June 2010. Since that time, Liz has published fourteen more Superromances. Her stories are set in the South where the tea is sweet, the summers are hot and the men are hotter. Liz lives in North Louisiana with her childhood sweetheart, two handsome children, three dogs and a mean kitty. You can visit Liz at liztalleybooks.com to learn more about her upcoming books.

Dedication The book is dedicated to the men and women who face deadly fires in order to save lives and property. A special thank-you goes to my childhood neighbor, Captain Guy Mandino, and the Minden Fire Department who so graciously gave me a tour, answered questions and modeled what it is to be an everyday hero. I would also like to thank Bora Sunseri, who helped me in regards to Child Protective Services. And finally, the person who gave me a chance to blossom into the writer I am today. I will forever be grateful to Wanda Ottewell for guiding me, teaching me and being my friend.