From the TBR Pile: Blog Tour: Excerpt and Giveaway for Secrets of the Tulip Sisters by Susan Mallery

We are so excited to be a part of a 2-part tour for Susan Mallery’s latest release, Secrets of the Tulip Sisters!

Follow along the excerpt tour beginning in mid April, and get a sneak peak of this beautiful book, with long excerpts in consecutive order, as well as giveaways of gorgeous bouquets of tulips at each tour stop. Don’t miss it!

A review tour will take place in July to coincide with the release of the book! Come back on July 20 for a review of the book!

Author: Susan Mallery

Publisher: Harlequin

Date of publication: July 11, 2017

Kelly Murphy’s life as a tulip farmer is pretty routine—up at dawn, off to work, lather, rinse, repeat. But everything changes one sun-washed summer with two dramatic homecomings: Griffith Burnett—Tulpen Crossing’s prodigal son, who’s set his sights on Kelly—and Olivia, her beautiful, wayward and, as far as Kelly is concerned, unwelcome sister. Tempted by Griffith, annoyed by Olivia, Kelly is overwhelmed by the secrets that were so easy to keep when she was alone.

But Olivia’s return isn’t as triumphant as she pretends. Her job has no future, and ever since her dad sent her away from the bad boy she loved, she has felt cut off from her past. She’s determined to reclaim her man and her place in the family…whether her sister likes it or not. For ten years, she and Kelly have been strangers. Olivia will get by without her approval now.

While Kelly and Olivia butt heads, their secrets tumble out in a big hot mess, revealing some truths that will change everything they thought they knew. Can they forgive each other—and themselves—and redefine what it means to be sisters?

Told with Mallery’s trademark heart and humor, the Tulip Sisters are in for the most colorful summer of their lives…

Pre-order Purchase Links

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Excerpt #11:

Chapter Four

Jammin’ Madame Lefeber—named for the tulip, not a person—took up about a third of what had once been a long- since-defunct grocery store. The other two-thirds were a bowling alley, with both businesses sharing the ample parking lot. On the upside, neither business cared if the other made noise. On the downside, despite thick layers of insulation and sound-deadening drywall, the crack of bowling balls hitting the pins could still be heard. It was a low and arrhythmic beat and could distract even the most professional of musicians.

Helen walked into the foyer a couple of minutes early. Pictures of former students covered the walls. Some were classic studio poses while others showed bands playing live at a venue. She smiled when she saw Jeff and herself in the background of many of the band shots.

JML was a music school that focused more on guitar and drums than the more classical instruments. As part of the services, students could put together a band. An instructor would help them learn a handful of songs, then arrange for a showcase on stage at Petal Pushers or somewhere else. To help the fledgling bandmates get their sound together, near professional level musicians played along.

The work didn’t pay much. Helen did it for the fun and to get the chance to play keyboard every now and then. The bands were interesting although rarely gifted. Still, it was better than playing piano alone in her living room. Adding to the pleasure was the fact that she and Jeff frequently worked as a team. The man played a mean guitar. More than one fourteen-year-old had been left slack-jawed at Jeff’s rendition of “Stairway to Heaven.”

Thinking about Jeff got her chest to fluttering. She reminded herself of the importance of appearing cool, even if she didn’t feel it, despite the fact that her feelings for the man bordered on a rock star crush.

She knew that he’d played in a rock band in high school, then had quit after he’d gotten married. She wasn’t sure when he’d taken up the guitar again. She’d started working with the students at JML seven years ago—shortly after her divorce. In fact, that was where she’d first noticed Jeff. She’d fallen for him during an off-key Beatles retrospective—specifically “Hard Day’s Night.”

Before she could dig up more swoonworthy memories, Jeff appeared in the foyer. Her throat immediately tightened and speech became impossible. What was it about a man in a plaid shirt? Okay—not any man—just this one. Or maybe it was the worn jeans that hugged his narrow hips and long legs. Or the way he held his guitar case with such confidence.

Jeff smiled as he approached. “Heard anything about our latest bandmates?”

“Isaak said they’re fifteen-year-old twins who got guitars for their birthday.”

Jeff winced. “Why do parents do that?”

“Someone has to be the next generation of rock music.”

Isaak, a tall, curly-haired man of mixed heritage, walked into the foyer. “You’re here,” he said, sounding grateful. “Adults. Thank God.”

“How are the new students?”

“You honestly don’t want to know. They’re arguing about whether to play Atreyu or Pop Evil.”

“Are those bands or songs?” Jeff asked.

“Bands,” Helen told him. “You really have to pay attention to music from this century.”

“I like Coldplay.”

“They started in the nineties.”

“But they have songs out this century.”

“You’re hopeless.”

“Probably.” Jeff turned to Isaak. “Give them the approved music list.”

“That’s less of a problem than them having trouble grasping what a chord is. Can you give me a few minutes?”

Jeff looked at Helen who nodded.

“We’ll wait,” Jeff told him.

The music director retreated to one of the practice rooms. Jeff and Helen walked to the break room in the back. Jeff pulled several dollar bills out of his pocket and walked to the soda machine.

“Diet Coke?” he asked.

“Thanks.”

He got them each a can, then joined her at the round table by the window. One wall thumped from uneven drumming while another vibrated with an overly enthusiastic bass guitar.

“We should have brought earplugs,” he told her.

“You always say that. The students get better.”

“Not today.”

The table was small, forcing them to sit close enough for their knees to bump. With every casual contact, Helen felt a jolt of awareness zip up her leg. Talk about stupid.

“I can’t believe you mocked Coldplay,” he said.

“I didn’t. I simply pointed out you’re not a fan of contemporary music.”

“No one’s better than the Rolling Stones.”

“Billy Joel is better.”

He looked at her over the can. “You have a thing for him so you can’t be impartial.”

“My thing for Billy is nothing when compared to your slavish devotion to that British band.”

“Mine doesn’t have a sexual component. That makes it more honest.”

“Because sex isn’t honest?” she asked with a laugh.

“You know what I mean. I’m not blinded by lust.”

“It’s not lust.” Of that she was sure. Her love for Billy Joel was different than her feelings for Jeff. Now if he really wanted to talk lust, she was all in.

“Next time he’s in Seattle, I should take you to a concert,” he said. “Unless you’re going to throw yourself at the stage. I’m not sure how I’d feel about that.”

There was so much unexpected information in that brief statement, she didn’t know what to say. Was Jeff asking her out? No, it was a friendly invitation, but still. But there was something…or was that just wishful thinking on her part?

She clutched her can of soda for courage and decided to go with it. “Wouldn’t that cramp your style?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Your trips to Seattle. When you go to…” She made air quotes. “A Mariners game.”

He put down his can, then picked it up again. “I do go to games. I like baseball.”

“Uh-huh. No one is fooled. You go in for a long weekend to see a game, but sometimes the Mariners aren’t even in town. There’s a woman. Or women. I’m not sure.”

Nor did she want to be talking about this, only it was going to be hard to change the subject now. Plus, she couldn’t help thinking that if they could get into something slightly more personal he might see her as more than just a buddy.

“What do you mean everybody knows?”

“It’s understood,” she said. “I don’t talk about it with your daughter, if that’s what you’re asking, but she’s a bright girl.” She met his wary gaze. “It’s not a bad thing, Jeff. You’ve been divorced a long time. It’s nice that you have someone.”

No, it wasn’t. It wasn’t nice at all. It ate her up inside. It made her want to scream and beg and wish she had the courage to say “What about me?”

Jeff swore under his breath. “I didn’t think anyone knew.” He swore again. “It’s not like however you’re thinking. It’s just sometimes a man—”

Had needs? Because she could help with that. But before she could figure out how to offer, Isaak joined them.

The GIVEAWAY is for a beautiful bouquet of tulips at each tour stop. The winner can decide if they would like the bouquet for themselves, their mother (Mother’s Day gift!), a sister, daughter, friend, anybody!! **US ONLY** Just enter the Rafflecopter below

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About Susan Mallery

Susan Mallery is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of books about the relationships that define women’s lives—romance, friendship, family. With compassion and humor, Susan keenly observes how people think and feel, in stories that take readers on an emotional journey. Sometimes heartbreaking, often funny, and always uplifting, Susan’s books have spent more than 200 weeks on the USA Today bestsellers list, thanks to her ever growing legions of fans.

Critics, too, have heaped praise on “the new queen of romantic fiction.” (Walmart) Booklist says, “Romance novels don’t get much better than Mallery’s expert blend of emotional nuance, humor, and superb storytelling,” and RT Book Reviews puts her “in a class by herself!”

Although Susan majored in Accounting, she never worked as an accountant because she was published straight out of college with two books the same month, January of 1992. Sixteen prolific years and seventy-four books later, she hit the New York Times bestsellers list for the first time with Accidentally Yours in 2008. She made many appearances in the Top 10 before (finally) hitting #1 in 2015 with Thrill Me, the twentieth book in her most popular series, the Fool’s Gold romances, and the fourth of five books released that year.

Susan lives in Seattle with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a tattletale toy poodle. Her heart for animals has led Susan to become an active supporter of the Seattle Humane Society. Animals play a big role in her books, as well, as she believes they’re an integral component to a happy life.

Connect with Susan

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