Kat Henry Doran/Veronica Lynch: Runaway Love Story by Sadira Stone

Wrong time, wrong place, perfect guy.

Wild Women Authors focus is on Runaway Love Story from the Book Nirvana Series, written by Sadira Stone. Come to Book Nirvana for a spicy, funny, heart-wrenching tale of true love and second chances.

About the Book:

Laurel: Fired again, and now my darling aunt needs my help. That San Francisco art gallery job will have to wait. I’m stuck in Eugene, Oregon, rescuing the auntie who rescued me. Running into Dalton ignites a sweet flirtation that quickly turns spicy. He’s almost perfect: a beloved teacher and coach, wise and funny, and so compassionate with Maxie. But he wants lasting love, and I’m only passing through. No matter how much I crave him, I can’t let him derail my dreams.

Dalton: Between my scheming ex and my Mom’s dementia, this is the worst summer break ever—until Laurel Jepsen comes into my life when I least expect it. Though she stubbornly denies her artistic gift, she’s brilliant, stunning, forthright, and the spark between us grows hotter each time we meet. But she’s clinging to big-city dreams, and I can’t leave my hometown. When a social media post about our budding love goes viral, Laurel’s insecurities flare. To keep her from running away, I’ll have to convince her how brightly she can shine right here.

Excerpt: showing Laurel and Dalton as they share the heartache of watching a family member succumb to dementia.

I prop my forearms on the railing. “It’s hard. Wish I could say you’ll get used to it, but I haven’t yet.”

She grips my arm, her eyes glittering with threatening tears. “How do you do it, Dalton? How do you watch someone you love just—disappear?”

I search my brain for a comforting answer, but nothing comes. My gut nudges me to enfold her in my arms, but it’s too soon for such an intimate gesture. Besides, our run in the late-summer heat has left me sticky and no doubt pungent.

I lay my hand over hers. “I guess you just show up. Remember, she loves you, even if she forgets.”

“Yeah.” She blows out a long, windy sigh, and her gaze slides away, toward the glassy green below. “Could I call you sometime? You know, to talk about this stuff?”

I close my eyes. Yessss. My inner victory dance complete, I answer, “Of course. Let’s have a coffee after running club on Saturday.”

“That’d be great.” Her bright smile lights up something deep in my chest.

Ten minutes later, we trot to a stop outside my place. As I wipe my sopping head with a bandana, another opening springs to mind. “Hey, there’s a 10K race in Springfield a week from Sunday. Wanna join us?”

“I’ll think about it.” She flashes a grin. “I haven’t been training regularly.”

“Could’ve fooled me. You’re in great shape.”

She bats her long, pale lashes. “I’ll bet you say that to all the girls.”

Buoyed by her flirtation, I finally work up the nerve to ask her the question that’s been nagging me since we met. “Can I ask a personal question, Laurel?”

She waits, eyebrows raised.

“How old are you?”

Something about her narrowed gaze suggests she’s been wondering too. “Thirty-one.” She digs the toe of her running shoe into the dust. “Where does the time go, right? And you?”

“Thirty-nine.”

“For the first time?” She winks.

I raise three fingers. “Scout’s honor.”

Her gaze slides down my body and back up, leaving a sudden tingly chill, as if she somehow peeled away my damp running clothes to peer beneath.

She nods. “You’ve held up well, Gramps.”

I can’t decide whether to wince or laugh. Before I can formulate a snappy comeback, she steps in close—alarmingly, deliciously close—and kisses my cheek, her lips a sweet whisper of pleasure on my skin. She smells like sweaty sunshine.

“I’d better book it. Maxie’s waiting. Thank you, Dalton. For the run, and the advice, and the job, and—just, thanks.” She lopes away, calling over her shoulder, “See you Saturday.”

I stroke the lingering warmth on my skin. When she disappears around the corner, I turn toward home, grinning like a happy idiot.

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Runaway-Love-Story-Sadira-Stone-ebook/dp/B0DTJCZKHP

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/runaway-love-story-sadira-stone/1131145865?ean=2940184725000

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/runaway-love-story/id6740822711

Google Play Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sadira_Stone_Runaway_Love_Story?id=skxAEQAAQBAJ

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/runaway-love-story-1

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1693740

Universal Book Link: https://books2read.com/RunawayLoveStory

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223816608-runaway-love-story

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/runaway-love-story-book-nirvana-by-sadira-stone

Bookfunnel link to deleted scenes: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/bn0awaetvk