His First Choice

His First Choice
Tara Taylor Quinn

The best decision they’ll ever makeLacey Hamilton is used to living in the background. Overshadowed her entire life, she stepped out of the Hollywood limelight and into the role she’s meant to play: a counselor, part of the High Risk Team started by The Lemonade Stand women's shelter in Santa Raquel.Her caseload leads her to the doorstep of Jeremiah “Jem” Bridges to rescue a little boy. She's not supposed to fall in love with the rugged construction worker and his adorable son. Love and duty, though, don't always agree. Especially when a truth is uncovered that neither she nor Jem is prepared to face.

The best decision they’ll ever make

Lacey Hamilton is used to living in the background. Overshadowed her entire life, she stepped out of the Hollywood limelight and into the role she’s meant to play: a counselor, part of the High Risk Team started by The Lemonade Stand women’s shelter in Santa Raquel.

Her caseload leads her to the doorstep of Jeremiah “Jem” Bridges to rescue a little boy. She’s not supposed to fall in love with the rugged construction worker and his adorable son. Love and duty, though, don’t always agree. Especially when a truth is uncovered that neither she nor Jem is prepared to face.

“I want to see you in a bad mood.”

That didn’t come out the way Jem meant it to...

“What? Why?”

The look Lacey was giving him could have made him feel awkward. Except that it seemed warm. Maybe he needed to slow down on the wine.

“They say you don’t truly know someone until you’ve seen them at their worst. I want to really know you.” Now, that had come out right.

“So...you show me your worst and I’ll show you mine.”

He grinned. “I don’t think I can find it right now.”

“Me, either.”

Leaning forward, he reached for her. Pulled her toward him. She stood. And so did he. And they were just standing there, looking at each other.

“You are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” he said.

She shook her head. “You’ve seen...”

With a finger to her lips he tried to silence her.

“But it’s true, Jem,” she continued softly, her gaze imploring him to understand. “Life’s hard enough without hiding from the truth.”

Dear Reader (#ulink_d968d59c-3c55-5273-8f45-ff73f9207bc2),

This book is...not ordinary. I think it’s powerful. And emotionally compelling. And I hope so much you give it a chance. I can tell you why I think this, and hope this. I can describe Jem to you. He’s the hero of my heart. But I’m afraid if I say too much, you’ll move on without giving him a chance.

Jem’s a construction worker. Okay, yeah, he owns the business, and wears a shirt and tie to work every day. But he wears them with jeans. And he learned the business with his hands before he ever considered being the brains behind it all.

He’s alpha all the way. And he’s a single dad to a four-year-old I wish I could hug. He’s a good dad. Involved. Aware. And firm, too, when he needs to be.

And...Jem is...well... I hope you’ll give him a chance. I can’t imagine a romance reader not being glad they did.

Then there’s Lacey. Sometimes I wanted to just do her hair and makeup, force her into an attention-getting outfit and push her out the door. But she has Kacey for that. My job was to be patient. To listen. And tell her story. Her story touched me deeply. So here it is...

I love to hear from readers! You can find me on Facebook at Facebook.com/tarataylorquinn (https://www.Facebook.com/tarataylorquinn) and on Twitter, @tarataylorquinn (https://www.twitter.com/tarataylorquinn). Or join my Friendship board, Pinterest.com/tarataylorquinn/friendship (https://www.Pinterest.com/tarataylorquinn/friendship).

All the best,

Tara

www.TaraTaylorQuinn.com (http://www.TaraTaylorQuinn.com)

His First Choice

Tara Taylor Quinn

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

An author of more than seventy novels, TARA TAYLOR QUINN is a USA TODAY bestselling author with more than seven million copies sold. She is known for delivering emotional and psychologically astute novels of suspense and romance. Tara is a past president of Romance Writers of America. She has won a Readers’ Choice Award and is a five-time finalist for an RWA RITA® Award, a finalist for a Reviewer’s Choice Award and a Booksellers’ Best Award. She has also appeared on TV across the country, including CBS Sunday Morning. She supports the National Domestic Violence Hotline. If you or someone you know might be a victim of domestic violence in the United States, please contact 1-800-799-7233.

This book is dedicated to Tim Barney, who is Jem to me in so many ways...

Contents

Cover (#u310933b9-787f-544f-bffa-ab9450e0a062)

Back Cover Text (#uf3860288-0cd7-5163-b0f2-4b30866046fb)

Introduction (#u46d9d4d8-8df1-54d8-b724-ca5f90daa8ff)

Dear Reader (#u3d6b81ad-5b58-5182-ac52-281460a9381c)

Title Page (#u61bfc5f4-d170-5d34-9822-1a1953f0ad42)

About the Author (#u7eecb650-2fe3-564e-ba87-8646f8c4b202)

Dedication (#uc5ac88eb-8c23-5071-86c9-c49336980131)

CHAPTER ONE (#u62d24e47-a66e-5a91-a254-2a080ca62477)

CHAPTER TWO (#u5dcee3e8-f11f-5868-af15-b3f83f1ae117)

CHAPTER THREE (#u11eb9612-0b9c-5a5f-8a78-a12847b8d0c4)

CHAPTER FOUR (#udfa06bab-c415-568b-8ebe-3f703abcd46d)

CHAPTER FIVE (#uf0374e2b-2ee5-5eaa-9678-f99bc8c551ca)

CHAPTER SIX (#u056a14da-a003-5c12-95f0-75024940290d)

CHAPTER SEVEN (#u2c2f10bc-0ea2-5c6f-b395-e73e5e4a055c)

CHAPTER EIGHT (#u230b3ea1-b2ed-51ae-b189-8a448c482805)

CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)