Bringing a series to a close is always bittersweet for an author, and today is no exception for me. Bitter because I’ve “lived in” Arcadia Valley for over two years while my co-authors and I developed the multi-author series concept and then wrote it, and I’m SO going to miss the town and all these fun characters! Sweet because I have no shortage of new ideas and will be launching a new series this fall… while continuing to write the Urban Farm Fresh Romance series.
Harvest of Love is my final contribution to Arcadia Valley. I’d like to share half of the first chapter with you today — there’s a link to the entire first chapter at the end of the excerpt. A longer preview is available at Amazon, or, you know, you could buy the novel and read the whole story TODAY!
Kenia Akers shifted from one foot to the other at the back of the huge Bigby barn. She shouldn’t have come to the benefit concert, but it had seemed even more lame to stay home on Valentine’s Day when she’d been planning to attend for weeks. She’d dumped Jonah yesterday, but that was no reason to let her ticket go to waste. Maybe he’d use his for a bookmark… if he even had time to read since he was obviously pursuing Gloria Sinclair again. Jerk.
Wasn’t it just Kenia’s luck? Meet an adorable guy like Jonah Baxter on Christmas Eve, be wooed with whirlwind dates, only to discover he was still in love with someone else on February thirteenth?
She should’ve waited until after the concert to send him packing. At least she would have had one perfect Valentine’s Day to remember. She’d have been here on the arm of one of the cutest, sweetest men she’d ever met instead of solo with half the town wondering about the demise of her short romance.
Kenia choked back a snort and tipped her chin up. Right. A perfect Valentine’s Day, knowing he loved someone else?
On stage, Cole Anderson stood alone in the spotlight with his guitar as the elderly granny who’d sung the last song with him made her way down the steps and into the hushed audience. The spotlight divided, part of it coming to rest on Allie Bigby, the beneficiary of tonight’s concert and silent auction. It sure stunk that Allie’s lavender barn had burned down early Christmas morning. Then there’d been some glitch with her insurance. Arcadia Valley had pulled together to help raise the funds for rebuilding.
The mood shifted in the barn in that one long moment as Cole gazed down at Allie and Allie gazed back, her lips slightly parted and her eyes shining.
No way. There was only one thing that could be coming next, and it wasn’t something Kenia wanted to witness. She pivoted for the door, only to discover she was blocked in by a wall of bodies. “Excuse me, please,” she whispered once, twice, ten times as she edged toward the cold wintry night.
Cole’s voice pushed into Kenia’s consciousness. “Allie told me she loved me today, and I think you all know I love her, too.”
Freedom beckoned from two people away. Kenia ducked between them, but one shifted and she connected with a hard elbow to her shoulder, spinning her sideways.
A warm hand caught her arm, steadying her, as startled eyes swung to meet hers. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there.”
Kenia stared into the gorgeous eyes of the man a few inches from her and tried to remember her words. His brown hair in need of a cut and his scruffy chin in need of a shave gave him a bad-boy image, unlike Jonah, Mr. Perfect.
On stage, Cole began singing a love song.
Immeasurably better than a proposal, but no doubt one was coming. This song was only a reprieve but, knowing Cole and Allie’s history, he’d had years — decades — of unrequited love to pen at least twenty-five stanzas.
That didn’t mean she should stand here like she’d been struck by lightning staring at a total stranger until Cole’s final strum.
“Excuse me, please.” Too bad she couldn’t muster anything other than a breathless whisper.
A grin crinkled his face and warmed those eyes just as the heat of his hand left her arm.
Kenia yanked her gaze away and pushed open the barn door. Outside, icy air chilled her heated cheeks as she dashed across the crowded parking area to her car. A motion sensor blinked a light into action, cutting the view of the smattering of stars that bravely attempted illumination of the dark night.
With shaking hands, Kenia stuffed the key in her ignition, started her Ford Fiesta, and drove away from Bigby Farm. Whew. At least she’d missed the proposal. Sure, she was happy for Allie. She’d known the woman since high school. If anyone deserved to find true love and happiness, it was Allie.
Only… why not Kenia? Why had she wasted six weeks dating a man who couldn’t stop dreaming about another woman? There’d been niggles of doubt, but she’d ignored them. She’d known Jonah’d had a thing for Gloria Sinclair for several years, but it had never gone anywhere. Kenia hadn’t thrown herself at him. He’d been the one to invite her to his brother’s wedding. He’d been the one to hold her close while they danced, who’d kissed her, albeit briefly, at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s. He’d been the one who’d invited her to his family dinners, cooked her amazing meals, and snuggled her while they watched movies.
She hadn’t dreamed all that. He’d been the one pursuing her. Hadn’t he?
Okay, maybe his kisses had lacked passion, but that had been welcome after Damian who’d groped her on their first and only date. Passion would build as their relationship developed and, one day, he’d ask her to marry him. She’d become Kenia Baxter. There’d be total fireworks by then.
Or not. She should’ve seen it coming. Should have, but hadn’t. Not until yesterday when Gloria entered A Slice of Heaven, the bakery run by the Baxter family, and caught Kenia kissing Jonah. He’d been distracted. He’d made donuts for Gloria — expected her — and Kenia could tell he hoped she hadn’t figured that out. He’d called Gloria when his sister had been rushed to the hospital to save the life of her unborn baby. Not Kenia. No, she found out accidentally, after the fact.
Having those blinders ripped off had been painful, but she had to hold her head up high in the community. Arcadia Valley was small, and everyone knew everyone else’s business. Kenia managed Page Turners, her aunt’s bookstore, so escaping town wasn’t an option. The only salve she’d been able to muster had been breaking up with Jonah before he broke up with her.
She’d brought the basket of books and the Page Turners gift certificate out to the benefit concert as promised, ready to tell anyone who noticed she was alone that she’d called it off with Jonah. She hadn’t expected to be required to witness Cole Anderson proposing to Allie Bigby.
That guy in the back of the barn. Who was he? Not a reader, or she’d have seen him in the book-store… unless he was one of those who preferred e-books or bought his paperbacks online. She shuddered. Maybe he was a friend of Cole’s from out of town, just visiting for the concert. Probably that was it. A better thought than him not being a reader or not supporting the local bookstore.
Kenia pulled into the parking spot in front of her small cottage. She’d never see him again. That was fine. She needed time for her broken heart to mend.
To read Zane’s reaction to their first meeting (and it’s a doozy!) click here: Chapter One of Harvest of Love
Have you read Danica Favorite’s Arcadia Valley Romance novel, The Sound of Romance? If so, you’ve enjoyed Allie and Cole’s romance, and probably recognized the setting of my opening scene!
Have you read Elizabeth Maddrey’s Arcadia Valley Romance novel, Donuts & Daydreams? If so, you watched the trainwreck of Kenia’s illfated romance with Jonah Baxter. Whew, they both get a happily-ever-after… just not with each other.
I’m offering one winner, anywhere in the world, an e-book of Harvest of Love. If you’d like to put your name in the hat, please comment before Saturday, May 19. Winner will be announced in the Sunday Edition.
“Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.”
Harvest of Love releases TODAY at these fine retailers!
Kindle | Kobo | Nook | Google Play | iBooks
Kindle | Kobo | Nook | Google Play | iBooks
Valerie Comer is a USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner who writes where food meets faith and fiction. She injects experience laced with humor into her green clean romances. Her life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary inspirational romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie and her family grow much of their own food and are active in the local foods movement as well as their church. She only hopes her creations enjoy their happily-ever-afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.
Hi Valerie! Congratulations on your new release Harvest of Love, which released on my Kindle at midnight. Looking forward to reading your delightful story just as I have the entire series. I feel right at home in Arcadia Valley. Enjoy the small town feel and all the interesting characters. I will be sad when the series ends. Look forward to see what your new series will be about. Best wishes.
Hi Valerie, happy release day. I have not read every single Arcadia Valley book- still working my way through, but the ones I have, I have enjoyed. There is a lot to be said for the connections between the characters, and getting ‘know’ a setting so well. It makes for a rich read. What a lot of work to coordinate the details too!!
Blessings:)
Yay, Valerie! I am like you, so excited to have read Harvest, but so sad to see the series come to an end!
I too opened my kindle this morning to find it there, no need to enter for me to win it, lol!
Yay! I loved this book :) y’all are in for a treat! And it’s good to see Kenia again.
I loved the beginning!
Congrats on the new release.
Great beginning! Looking forward to reading this book. Have a wonderful day!
It’s very bittersweet, Valerie. But the good thing is you can go back and visit those characters. When I’m on deadline or two busy to really get into a book, I read one of my old books. Because I miss those people :)
Thank you so much for pre-ordering Harvest of Love! I hope you love Kenia and Zane’s story.
I hope you’ll enjoy Harvest of Love! I agree that sharing the world has made the setting much richer!
Can’t wait to start reading these and congrats! I only have one more book to wait til I can read the whole series. :)
No need to put me in the drawing for the book as I have it already.
Thanks, Paula! :)
I think linking Harvest of Love to Jonah’s story in Donuts & Daydreams was about the most fun two authors can have!
I hope you enjoy the rest of it, too :)
Thanks, Kim!!
Thank you, Beth! Glad you enjoyed the first scene :)
Great idea, Shannon! I think the only time I’ve revisited an older story is when I’m hunting for a detail for a later book… or proof-listening to the audiobook a year or so later.
I so admire your self discipline in collecting the books but not reading them until they’re all out! There are two more after today: Danica Favorite’s The Taste of Romance (June), and Annalisa Daughety’s A Reservation for Romance (July).
What a labor of love this series must be for all the authors. Congratulations on the release of your last book in the series!
Thanks for writing! I’ve really enjoyed this series. I hadn’t realized it had released. I checked my kindle and there it was:-). I’m glad Kenia is getting a story. Lord bless abundantly!
Oooh, thank you! I had thought only 1 more. That gives me time to finish the ones I have to have done between now and the end of June. :)
Oooh, thank you! I had thought only 1 more. That gives me time to finish the ones I have to have done between now and the end of June. :)
sorry for the duplicate post. :(
I am already hooked from reading the first chapter. ? it is bittersweet to come to the end of a journey but it’s the beginning of a new one. Congrats
sounds like another great book! Love to be entered to win it!
I got my copy last night when the pre-orders were sent out! Can’t wait to read it!
LOL. I’m curious how long it will take you to read our 18 novels!
Thank you! All novels are first a labor of love… but it was a lot of fun, too!
Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy Kenia’s story.
No worries. WordPress has its uncooperative moments…
I hope you enjoy Harvest of Love!
You’re entered!
Thanks for the pre-order! I hope you enjoy the story.
Just to let everyone know, the readers discussion group just started the AVR books of Valerie’s if anyone is interested in joining!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ValerieComerReadersGroup/
Happy release day!! Congrats!! I can’t wait to read this whole series, I am so very behind on my TBR list, but then the suspense is part of the excitement! :)
LOL, thanks for the shout-out, Paula!
I hope you enjoy them all when you get to them. Soon, you hear? LOL
Bittersweet for me also. I have loved every book in the series.
This book sounds good! I’d love to win! One question though…how do you pronounce Kenia’s name?
For sure!
Thank you! I hope you’ve moved on to other series by the same authors :)
I waffled back and forth on that and decided on the country, so it’s the same as Kenya. KEN-ya.
Would love to read Harvest of Love. Sounds like a great book!
You’re entered!
That’s how I was saying it in my head, but wasn’t sure if I was right. I like it!
Would love to win
You’re entered! Thank you.
Hi Valerie. I am a new reader to your books. I am looking forward to having you on my Author’s list. I will let you know how i feel about your books after my first one. Thank you.
I’d been going between that pronunciation and KEENya. KENya won, but readers might prefer the other, which is fine. :)
Thanks so much, Chris!
Congratulations on your new release.Yor book sounds delightful. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy!
Hi, Rose! You’re entered. :)
A lovely read through.
Thanks, Mary!
Congratulations Valerie! Winning this book would be fantabulous!