Author: Katy AMes
Publication Date: APril 2020
ANNIKA
Cheating husband. On-air meltdown. Public humiliation.
Lucky me, I’ve experienced them all.
Oh, and the implosion of my career as an up-and-coming
designer and renovation television darling.
That was then.
Now, I’m in the TV studio, more determined than ever to
prove to myself (and the few fans I have left), that I’m back for good. Nothing
from my past—no man, no mistake—is going to knock me down again.
If only fate—and Grayson Hesse—had gotten the memo.
GRAYSON
Woodworker. Stone house restoration guru. And the new host
of Hesse and a Hard Place.
This is what I know:
If this show’s a success, I’ll finally be able to give my
family the financial stability they need. My chances of success go way up if I
have the best designer in the business working by my side. And the best in the
business (despite the lingering rumors) is Annika Hale.
But that was then.
Now… Well, what is it they say? After all, 425 Madison is
the perfect place to fall in love.
Excerpt
Copyright @ Katy Ames 2020
I watch my best friend chew a hole in her lower lip.
“Explain, Abby. Before you make yourself bleed.”
Abby opens her mouth. I brace myself for whatever she’s
going to say and don’t hear a single word. I don’t hear anything at all, except
the deep, rumbling laugh that rolls through the soundstage.
My stomach does cartwheels and every single hair on the back
of my neck stands pin-straight. My anxiety before? It’s got nothing on the
nerves that are about to knock my knees right out from under me.
That laugh—his
laugh… It’s as potent today as it was the first time I heard it.
My eyelids flutter shut. All worries about first-day nerves
and my shitty ex-husband and career recovery vanish. Into that mental void
rushes a series of images, ones I’d mistakenly sworn, hoped, prayed, I’d forgotten.
A sweltering summer night. Low whispers and lurid words.
Large calloused hands finding the secret, most sensitive
parts of my skin.
Lips made for sinning and promises whispered in a voice that
sounded like salvation. A voice that belongs to a man who vanished without a
word.
A man who, if I’m reading my friend’s—no, strike that, former friend’s expression correctly,
has just claimed a starring role in the horrifically-timed comedy that is my life.
Abby’s eyes dart between my face and the person behind me.
Plastering on a smile, she swivels her finger in what I’m assuming she thinks
is the “turn around now” sign. “Annika, this is Mr. Hesse.”
I pivot, thrust out my hand, but can’t unglue my eyes from
the ground.
M. G. Hesse.
G. As in Grayson, the quiet, kind, insanely hot
carpenter I met on my first network design job.
As in the only man I’ve ever fallen for so hard, so fast, I
didn’t stop to ask his last name before tumbling into his bed. Hell, I didn’t
even care.
As in the guy I thought, against all the odds, would
disprove my mother’s lessons about how untrustworthy men are—only to become the
poster child by morning.
A broad palm slides against mine, fingers curling into a
warm grasp. A jolt of awareness lights up my nerves, and my eyes finally lift
to a face I haven’t seen in six years. Since the day I woke up in his bed,
naked, in love, and alone.
About Katy
Katy writes contemporary romances about heroines who aren’t
afraid to kick ass, heroes brave enough to love them, and stories that get a
little messy before ending happily ever after.
She’s mom to two boys whom she loves to bits but wishes
would sleep a lot more than they do, and wife to a man whose reading habits are
far too serious. Katy and her family reside in Washington, D.C., a city in
which she never planned to live and loves so much she’d be happy to talk about
it for hours. Just ask.
Katy is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the
Washington Romance Writers.
Welcome
to 425 Madison Ave the perfect place to fall in love. Nine delicious romances
set in fast-paced & sexy NYC just waiting for you to read.
This
season will feature some new authors as well as some of season one's favs. Back
for season two is Allie York, Leigh Lennon, MK Moore, Aubree Valentine, Lauren
Helms, and Katy Ames. Plus a warm welcome to KC Enders, and Marcie Shumway!
Not
only do we have a sexy mix of new and returning authors, prepare for pages
packed with new romances, characters, and tropes all from the same well-loved
high-rise apartment building in NYC.
Make
sure to follow the 425 Madison Avenue Facebook page for more on release dates,
cover reveals and author spotlights. For exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and
news subscribe to our 425 Madison newsletter!
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series and all promotional events are brought to you by Forever Write PR - Forever your source
for all your writing needs. https://www.facebook.com/ForeverWritePR/
