Champagne Toast Tuesday

We are proud to show you the very first teaser to one of our most highly anticipated releases this year! 

Kate Armour and Evan Maxwell fell hard and fast for each other while attending college. Their once passionate and loving relationship ended when old scars eventually tore them apart. Two years after their breakup, they're each struggling to piece together what went wrong in an attempt to move forward.

Kate, a no-nonsense bartender, must face her past while attempting to focus on her future.

Evan is stifled by his bitter heart, which threatens each and every relationship he attempts after walking away from Kate.

Will life offer them a second chance at love or are old patterns simply too hard to break?

Prepare to be Swooned!

Enjoy the teaser!

Janna Mashburn & Calia Read

Add to your TBR Goodreads!

“So, I think I’m getting the hang of this place, wouldn’t you agree, Miss Armour?”  I seriously want to jump out of my skin every time he calls me that.  It is the sexiest thing ever and I do my best not to blush every time he does it.  You have a boyfriend, Kate.

“You’re doing all right,” I smirk.  Evan shakes his head as he stares down at the floor. Bree winks at me as she sneaks off to the backroom.

“You’re too much, Armour.  Seriously.” He smiles warmly.

“Oh really?” I persist.  Evan and I are smart-asses, this much is clear. Shawn isn’t a smart-ass.  Shawn is boring as hell.  We’ve been dating for about four months, and in those four months I think he has made me laugh once. Once!  That’s it.  Evan has made me laugh more in ten days than I ever thought I could and I’m starting to crave the laughter he brings into my life.  Hell, I’m starting to crave him, period.

“Yep,” Evan laughs, his dark eyes drawing me in, “you just can’t admit that in the short time I’ve worked here, I’m already getting as many tips as you, if not more.”

“Well, we all know why that is,” I say, making no attempt to hide my sarcasm.  Evan loves when I’m sarcastic.

“And why is that?” he asks, moving closer to me, stopping where the bar begins.  We are separated by just a couple feet of oak wood.  The tension is palpable . . . I can feel it on my skin.  He is daring me to answer.

“Because you flirt with the girls like crazy,” I reply. “Seriously, I’ll bet half of those girls get fall-down drunk because they keep ordering from the ‘swoon-worthy’ new bartender. By the way, I’m not saying that. It’s a direct quote from the blondies who came in here earlier.”

Evan runs his fingers through his hair and whoops with laughter, “Yeah, somehow I don’t see you ever using the word swoon, Kate.”

“You’re right, because it’s not in my vocabulary.”

“And because you don’t do it.” Evan says matter-of-factly.

“Do what?” I ask, pretending to be confused.

“Swoon,” Evan says with a grin.

“That’s not exactly true,” I flirt.

“Oh really?  So, have I just not had the pleasure of watching you in action?”

“What, watch me swoon?”  I ask, leaning my elbows on the bar.  Evan mirrors my actions and leans in, as well.

“Yep,” Evan says, licking his lips. I can hardly stand it as his well-defined lips slowly form a sexy smile.  I feel my face go red and I know he sees it.  Shit.  I don’t want him to know he’s affecting me so much.  He’s breaking down my resistance.  Suddenly, I want to go bounding for the door.

“Well,” I begin, but my voice comes out hoarse. I cough, trying to restore my vocal chords.  Evan chuckles softly to himself and I raise an eyebrow in response, as I stand upright once again.  “Me swooning is something to see, mostly because it hardly ever happens.”

“You mean, except for right now?” Evan presses.

“In your dreams, Maxwell.  Seriously, I am so far from swooning.” But, his eyes see right through my retort, through my denial.  He shakes his head knowingly as he chuckles.  And in this moment, I know he sees everything.

“We’ll see, Kate.  We’ll see,” Evan says as he makes his way behind the bar. With each step he takes, my resolve is breaking down and I know I’ll kiss him if he gets close enough.  Thank God Bree went to the back room.  I can’t stand sharing this moment with anyone.

Evan walks closer so that we are only inches from one another.  He glances at the top of my head, before slowly smoothing my hair down with his hands. My brow knits as I struggle to figure out what he’s doing.  He places the pads of his fingers on my cheek, brushing lightly before pushing my hair behind my ear and placing my long thick hair behind my shoulder.

“What are you doing?” I whisper, my pulse racing so fast I feel like I might faint.

“Swooning,” Evan smiles softly as he looks me in the eyes.  My heart stops. 

“Oh,” I reply, swallowing hard, attempting to hide my emotions and failing miserably.  He knows I want him as much as he wants me.

“I want to kiss you, Kate.  But, I don’t think I should . . . ” his voice trails as he explores my features with his eyes.

“Why?” I ask, completely under his spell.

Evan caresses my face gently with his fingers and then cups my chin with his hand.  “Do you still have a boyfriend?”  I nod with an apologetic glance.

“It’s okay, I want you to,” I say, my words betraying me.

“Not my style,” he says, shaking his head with a deep frown.  He leans in and kisses me gently on the cheek.  “Good night, Kate.” He says softly before walking into the back room.  I hear him saying good-bye to Bree and Vince.  Slowly, I slide down the bar until I’m seated on the floor, in a complete daze.

Every bit of me is on fire, my skin, my hair, my bones.  I didn’t know I was capable of swooning.  But, Evan Maxwell has gotten under my skin in a way I never knew was possible.  So, if Kate Armour swoons, this is how she does it.