Willow’s Way (The Sweet Life, #2)
by Sharon Struth
Published by: Kensington
Publication date: April 17th 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
The breathtaking promise of the English countryside can lift even the heaviest spirits...
Willow Armstrong, the once-famous “Queen of Weight Loss” and president of Pound Busters, succumbed to stress eating after her divorce. Now the scandal of getting caught on camera binging on pizza, and the internet-wide mocking of her new curves, may destroy her career. Add in a business advisor who drained her finances, and Willow is out of options — until she learns she’s inherited a house in England’s most picturesque locale, The Cotswolds.
Willow’s trip across the pond to sell the property and salvage her company soon becomes its own adventure: the house, once owned by grandparents she never met, needs major work. Plus, single dad Owen Hughes, the estate’s resident groundskeeper and owner of a local tour outfit, isn’t thrilled about the idea of leaving...
Yet as Willow proceeds with her plans, she’s sidetracked by surprising discoveries about her family’s history — and with Owen’s help, the area’s distinctive attractions. Soon, she’s even retracing her roots — and testing her endurance — amid the region’s natural beauty. And the more she delves into the past, the more clearly she sees herself, her future, and the way home...
Excerpt:
Owen cracked open the house door,
having knocked twice and gotten no answer. “Willow?”
“You said she was here, Daddy.”
Owen stuck his head inside and
glanced around. “She was when I left.”
Henry squeezed into a spot near
Owen’s legs, poking his long snout into the door opening. Owen leaned over to
grab his collar, but as his finger grazed the band, the dog scooted inside.
Before Owen could blink, the canine bolted halfway up the staircase, howling
loud enough to wake the dead.
Jilly pushed past Owen. “I’ll get
him.”
“Hold on, Jilly—” She took off as fast
as her furry friend and hollered his name as she stomped up each step.
Owen debated following them. It was
still Willow’s house and barging in would be considered rude. But he had to
retrieve his belongings. At least they’d made so much noise, Willow wouldn’t be
taken by surprise.
“Daddy, she’s up here.”
He walked up the stairs, following
the sound of Jilly’s animated discussion about her school day. When he reached
the room, he stood at the doorway.
Willow sat at the head of the bed
with her legs crossed, her blond hair mussed on one side. A sheer scarf draped
her neck. His gaze traveled the scarf’s length to the lopsided opening of her
oxford shirt, which offered a glimpse of her cleavage. He shamefully enjoyed a
peek a little longer than seemed right.
“Do you like my hat, Daddy?”
Jilly sat on the bed facing Willow,
her legs crossed the same way. She wore a floppy brown hat too large for her
head. Henry lay on his side between them, chewing on something.
“It’s gorgeous, baby. Where’d you
get it?”
“It’s Willow’s mommy’s.”
He glanced at Willow. She offered a
short smile and nodded, but a sadness resonated in her rich blue eyes. Owen
wished he could read her mind.
Jilly continued to babble like a
gentle brook about her school day while Willow listened intently. The way
adults should listen to kids, but rarely did.
When Jilly finished, Willow smiled.
“Gosh, that sounds like a fun game. Maybe you can teach me how to play.” She
glanced at Owen. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you knock. I was out cold. Maybe I’m
still jet-lagged.”
“It can take a little time.” A
force tugged at his chest. Sympathy for her. Something he didn’t want to feel.
Not if he were to keep a distance while trying to convince her to keep this
place and him as caretaker.
Author Bio:Bestselling author Sharon Struth believes you're never too old to pursue a dream. THE HOURGLASS, her debut novel, is a finalist in the National Readers' Choice Awards for Best first Book and winner of the Chatelaine Award in Romantic Fiction. Her Blue Moon Lake Romances (Kensington Publishing) includes the national bestseller SHARE THE MOON, HARVEST MOON, BELLA LUNA and a christmas novella, TWELVE NIGHTS.
Congratulations on your new release Sharon, the book sounds really good and I've added it to my wish list.
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