Published by Montlake Romance
On her thirty-first birthday, hopeless romantic Kelsey Callihan has all but given up on happily ever afters, which is why she agrees to a risqué proposition from Sterling Canyon’s notorious playboy, backcountry skier Trip Lexington. After all, every girl needs a little fun, and with Trip, there are no mixed signals or risks of a broken heart. And if his tips can help her land a husband in the process, all the better.
Trip couldn’t be happier with his secret, no-strings fling with sweet and sexy Kelsey until she calls it quits after meeting a man she believes could share her dream of marriage and family. His jealousy turns to outrage when he discovers that the man is his estranged half brother and lifelong rival.
Now Trip must decide whether the fire in his gut is due to sibling rivalry or something much more dangerous…like love.
Jamie Beck is a former attorney with a passion for inventing stories about love and redemption. In addition to writing novels, she also pens articles on behalf of a local nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth and strengthening families. Fortunately, when she isn’t tapping away at the keyboard, she is a grateful wife and mother to a very patient, supportive family.
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PLEASE WELCOME JAMIE TO BOOKHOUNDS
Thanks so much for inviting me to discuss SECRETLY HERS with your readers. I’m excited to share my thoughts about this fun summer romance.
- This is the second book in your Sterling Canyon series. What do readers who are new-to-you need to know to catch up for SECRETLY HERS?
This book can easily be read as a stand-alone. Trip and Kelsey are, respectively, the close friends of the hero and heroine from the first book. They spar with each other a few times in that story, but there isn’t any relevant history that you won’t learn by the end of chapter one of this story.
- Your heroine is reaching a milestone age and looking forward to creating a family. What kinds of prospects does she have in her small town?
Not many! Kelsey’s got a big heart, but she’s been a bit over-zealous in her pursuit of men throughout the years. She’s buxom, blonde, and wears her heart on her sleeve, which has led to her being underestimated and taken for granted. She honestly doesn’t understand how her actions might be pushing them away, and that why she’s willing to bargain for Trip’s advice.
- Trip Lexington (love the name!) is an athlete, a businessman, and a hunk. Seems like he hits all the right notes for a romance hero. What is Kelsey’s favorite thing about her new guy?
For all of his bravado and big talk, Trip is a tenderhearted softie underneath it all (or, at least, he is with her). Sure, she loves his hot body and gorgeous face. She even gets a kick out of picking on his oversized ego. But when he drops the façade and reveals a weakness or is thoughtful of her, she’s unable to keep her heart out of their little game.
- With everyone knowing everyone else’s business in a small town, dating can get tricky—especially when you are trying to keep your relationship a secret. Where do your hero and heroine go on dates?
They don’t! It’s a friends-with-benefits arrangement that each has a reason to keep secret. So they sneak around at her apartment and office—until they get busted. Then everything blows up and takes an unexpected direction.
- Kelsey and Trip are definitely having a good time together :). But then someone else enters your heroine’s life. How does she respond to the two competing men?
Kelsey begins her fling with Trip believing that (a) she can keep her heart out of it, and (b) his heart will never, ever be in it. What she most wants is to find a husband, and she’s desperate enough to trust that Trip can help her snag the right guy if and when that man comes along. When she finally meets a potential candidate who, unlike Trip, is open to a more serious relationship, she decides to pursue it. Of course, by that point, her heart is really tied up with Trip. Because he’s too stubborn to admit his own feelings when she announces her intentions, things quickly get very messy.
- How does Trip take the competition?
Not well! Not only does he hate the idea of Kelsey going out with someone, but when he learns that the guy is his estranged half-brother, he goes ballistic. Kelsey is unaware of the connection (they have different last names, and Trip’s brother is “new” to town). Trip suspects his brother has ulterior motives, but none of them sees the other curve ball heading their way.
- Because of the difficult family situation in this novel, was it harder than most to get to the HEA?
No. The family situation was actually less difficult than in some of my other books. I can’t explain that better without giving spoilers, so you’ll just have to trust me. The main obstacle to this HEA was Trip’s inability to trust in himself or love. But even that’s not so hard to overcome when you finally meet the person who believes in you and gives you a reason to try.
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