All Julia Sullivan wanted was a fresh start in a new place, but starting over can be a difficult thing to do. In addition to her new house being a shambles, her charming soon-to-be ex-husband Patrick comes to win her back. To complicate matters further, there's just something about her house that everyone seems to have an interest in…
All Julia Sullivan wanted was a fresh start in a new place. But cutting ties with the past and starting over can be a difficult thing to do.
After leaving her husband and quitting her job, Julia was emotionally spent. She needed a quiet place to recharge and to think about what she wanted from life. She thought she had found just that when she inherited her aunt's oceanfront Victorian house in Haven, New Jersey.
It wasn't going to be that simple, however. In addition to her new house being a complete shambles, her charming soon-to-be ex-husband Patrick, whom she discovers she still loves, arrives with the intention of winning her back. To complicate matters further, it seems as if her aunt's death wasn't an accident after all. And there's just something about her new house that seems to interest all sorts of people.
Excerpt
He stood near the kitchen table with a paper in his hand. She walked closer. “What’s that?”
He pushed it across the table to her. “Is this what has you so upset?”
“It’s nothing for you to worry about.”
He grabbed her hands in his. “Let me help you. Please.”
She looked up at him. His touch felt so good. She hadn’t realized how much she needed human contact, to be held and reassured, but she couldn’t seek solace from Patrick. She had to maintain her distance. She squeezed his hands and pulled away.
“I don’t need your money, Patrick. I’ll be fine.”
“I wasn’t talking about money.”
She shook her head. “Then I don’t understand. How can you help me?”
“Let me do the roof for you.”
She gaped at him in surprise. “What? You?”
“Why do you look so skeptical?” he asked. “Dad is a contractor, you know and I worked with him every summer during college. I’ve done lots of roofing.”
“It’s not that,” she stammered, “what about your job? You have to go back to Chicago.”
“I took a leave of absence,” he answered. “So, you see, I’m at your disposal.”
She looked away, trying to regain her equilibrium. This was all happening too fast. She needed to have the roof fixed but to have Patrick do it?
“Come on, Blue, let me help you this one last time. You’ve made your feelings clear. I’ve signed the divorce papers. I promise that I won’t pressure you for anything more.”
That was true enough. He had signed the papers. She looked him in the eye. He looked sincere. And she really did need that roof done.
“I don’t know. I’m sure you’ll be sorry—it’s a big job,” she said, trying to give him an out.
“I like a challenge,” he responded with a confident smile.
She wished she felt as confident as he looked. Still, it might be the perfect solution to her problem.
“Okay,” she answered slowly, “if you’re sure. Thank you for offering.”
He grinned at her. “I’ll go take a look at it right now.”
She shook her head as she followed him. She could see he was pleased and against her better judgment she felt a spark of excitement too.
It’s just the roof, she reminded herself. Nothing more. He’ll be gone before you know it.
Professional Reviews
The Romance Studio
Here to Stay
Jenyfer Matthews
Romantic suspense
Available from Cerridwen Press
ISBN: 9781419908842
January 2007
There are many twists and turns and the kind suspense that keep the reader on edge and very much involved. The many truths are revealed slowly, in completely logical, well-plotted fashion. The sense of danger is palpable.
And the romance is not one of puppy love, but rather new grownup maturity, It is complicated by Julia’s uncertainty about what she should do when she grows up, Patrick’s high-powered career, and a coworker from hell.
This kept me turning pages until the very satisfying ending. Jenyfer Matthews is a skillful writer. She has crafted a tale of romantic affection within a superbsuspense story. Recommended.
Overall rating:*****
Sensuality rating: Sweet
Reviewer: Lynn Bushey
March 6, 2007
http://theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/heretostaymatthews.htm
Romance Designs
A rollercoaster ride of suspense makes HERE TO STAY a gripping story from
beginning to end. A well developed cast of characters enhance the tale, with Julia and Paul’s slow rebuilding of their fractured marriage realistically presented. Emotional; Julia’s journey to a woman of purpose, Patrick’s devotion and unswerving determination to prove his love, and the love between the pair that was so readily apparent to this reader. Gripping intrigue and likable characters make HERE TO STAY
a fine debut from author, Jenyfer Matthews.
Romantic Times
The chemistry between the book's two main characters draws the reader into this
story. It's almost unbelievable that they're divorced when they are so compatible. But
the mysteries pale in comparison to the interaction between the hero and heroine, who
are sensational whether they are cooking in the kitchen -- or the bedroom.
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