Earlier this week, my new book released! Not just a new book. It’s a whole new series. In Big Apple Blessings, I move away from my trademark South Carolina Lowcountry locale to adventure in the most exciting city in the world — New York City! Three compelling stories, each featuring characters harboring dreams to make it big in The Big Apple.
First up is His Secret Daughter.
A compelling tale of ambition, love, faith and changing priorities in the Big Apple.
She had the perfect life all on her own …
Alyssa Stark works hard to make her life’s dreams come true … all on her own. She built her reputation as New York City’s top advertising executive, client by client. And when her ill-advised marriage didn’t work out, she knew she had to make her dream of becoming a mother happen by untraditional means. Now, she and her eight-year-old daughter Caroline are living the dream life in the Big Apple.
He’d lost everything that meant anything until he made a discovery …
Grant Fontaine is the widowed president of his father-in-law’s electronics company. Since the tragic death of his pregnant wife a decade ago, he’s become a high achieving businessman, but a social hermit. Several years ago, his lonely life took on new meaning when he discovered that the donation he’d made to a reproductive clinic long ago had sired a child. Through the services of a discreet private eye unafraid to push legal limits, he identifies his “daughter,” Caroline, and her mother, Alyssa.
Could it be time to reveal his secret?
He satisfies himself with maintaining a watchful eye from a distance, keeping his identity secret until Caroline reaches adulthood. That is, until Alyssa’s career path transports her into his professional realm. Now, his careful plans are thrown out the window. His dream of being a part of Caroline’s childhood is so close … the last thing he counts on is falling in love with the girl’s gorgeous mother.
Take a peek at the opening scene:
Subway doors whooshed open, an underground dragon expelling a roar and a blast of smoke. Pointedly ignoring the smell and the surging crowd of strangers, Alyssa Stark climbed the cement stairs onto the street. She claimed a tiny square of pavement to pause a moment, her breath catching in her throat as frenzied pedestrians swarmed around her.
Her first day in New York City. All her hard work and sacrifices had paid off. She had arrived.
Alyssa braced herself against the horde of busy people, determined to blend in. Nonchalant, going about their business without a thought. On the other hand, how many of her fellow New Yorkers had such exhilaration racing through their veins? They had no idea that she was standing here, struggling to calm her racing heart, thrilled to be standing right here in this very spot. She held back a grin.
A warm breeze blew her hair as she made her way to the corner and waited for the light to change. Honking horns, both distant and near-by, became the playlist of her morning. She studied the office building across the street where she would make her mark – where she’d prove to everyone just what she was capable of. A modern steel-and-glass masterpiece, McDunn and Early’s impressive midtown Manhattan offices rose far above its neighboring Madison Avenue high-rises. How many junior advertising execs plotted their rise up the ladder of hard work and accomplishment while gazing down at this very street corner?
The light turned green and Alyssa stepped off the curb, swept along with the crowd of walkers, while vehicles around them honked and inched threateningly forward. Reaching the opposite sidewalk, she broke free and strode to the front door.
“May I help you?” A stern-faced security guard in a blue uniform stood behind a counter to her right.
“Yes, please. I’m Alyssa Stark. It’s my first day of work at McDunn and Early.”
The guard peered at her over bifocals perched at the end of his nose. The gruff look morphed into a smile. “Congratulations, young lady.” He nodded approvingly before lifting the phone to summon an escort for her.
Do you love the big city? Which is your favorite city to visit? Can you feel Alyssa’s sizzle of excitement in this opening? Does this book sound appealing to you?
Please leave me a comment and I’ll pick a random commenter to receive a free copy of His Secret Daughter, in whatever format you choose (ebook or paperback). I will select a winner on Tuesday June 21.
**Heartwarming, life-changing Christian fiction.** An award-winning author, Laurie is living her dream life at the beach, writing novels. Laurie writes beachy inspirational romance that takes place in the South Carolina Low Country. She retired from the big day job and now focuses on writing full time. Strolls on the sand, soaking up the sun and riding the waves can be considered the best kind of research.
Hi Laurie! As a Midwesterner The Windy City (Chicago, Illinois) is my favorite big city. I enjoyed living there in the 1980s and enjoy reading stories with a Chicago setting. As a retiree I am happy to live in a rural resort and agricultural community on the other side of Lake Michigan (SW Michigan). Thankful for rain this morning. Our fields and lawns were parched. We have everything we need with less traffic. Congrats on your new series.
It makes me so happy to discover new books and authors!📚🥰 Having the opportunity to enter a contest is the icing on the cake!🍰
I was able to spend a few days visiting NYC several years ago and would love to go back someday. I would really like to see a Broadway musical, which I wasn’t able to do before. This sounds like a really interesting premise for a story.
Hi Renate, my fellow Illinoisan! I have a trip to Chicago planned for this fall! I have lots of experiences and memories built there. My first inspy romance, Preacher Man was set there!
Thanks for the comment Jeanna! You’re right, discovering authors new-to-you is wonderful!
Jessica I hope you get your chance to go back! I have a friend who I visit NY with. We see 4 or 5 Broadway shows in a long weekend! It’s a tiring pace but we absolutely love it!
I would love to read this one! I don’t like big cities, I’m definitely a small town girl! Even my city, which isn’t really big, is sometimes too big for me!
I would like to visit Portland, OR
This sounds like a great series that I would love to read. This is a great giveaway good luck everyone.
Hi Trudy! Then you can stay home in the comfort and beauty of your small town and live vicariously in New York through the story. :)
Oh yes! I’ve been to Oregon but never to Portland. What is it about Portland that makes it top your list of cities to visit?
Oh thank you Brenda! I loved jumping into the big city and setting my stories there, and dreaming up ways for my characters to make their dreams come true in a truly New York-esque kind of way! Book 1 features the business tycoons, Book 2 features a Radio City Musical Hall Rockettes dancer and Book 3 features a Broadway theater manager dreaming of becoming an actress.
I consider myself a small town girl but I love traveling and visiting big cities (as long as I live in a small town lol). I enjoyed Paris and London! San Francisco is close by so we visit often. The story sounds wonderful – intriguing plot!!!
I’ve been to NYC twice and enjoyed the visit, but it’s too big to see everything in a short amount of time.
This story sounds interesting. I’m looking forward to reading it.
Hi Natalya! I absolutely loved London when I went as a teenager, and it’s definitely on my list to return. I might as well add Paris on the list too since I’ll be close by. Ha ha. I’m very familiar with San Fran since my grandparents lived there while I was growing up. Love Fisherman’s Wharf and the view to Alcatraz across the harbor.
Thanks for your take on the plot! I hope you are right!
Hi Tina! You are right. You could be there for a week straight, with sightseeing plans all day every day and not see everything. Always worth a return trip!
Thank you for the thoughts on the story. I hope you love it!
While I am most comfortable in suburban and small town settings, I have visited New York. I was in college. My claim to fame? I parallel parked a van in Manhattan on the first try. :)
The story premise is clever. Sounds like an interesting read.
Lincoln, I am impressed! I couldn’t even parallel park a van in a non-busy traffic area! Let alone Manhattan. Thanks for your comment about the premise!
Hi, I love big cities but just to visit, I am used to living in small towns. I loved it when I went to Puerto Rico and went to San Juan, I loved it. I also loved it when we went to Hawaii. I love the big cities, but not much care for all the traffic at all, even though I do not drive. Your book sounds like a great read and I love your book cover. I have never been to NY, but I sure wouldn’t mind visiting there, especially if it is in a book in the comforts of my house. :) Thank you for sharing about your book and Congratulations to you on your new series. Thank you for the chance. Have a Great weekend and stay safe.
I do enjoy a big city romance. I think there’s a undercurrent of excitement present in a bigger city that you can’t find in smaller towns, maybe because there’s always something going on in the city. Thanks for sharing, and for the chance to win!
This looks really interesting! Thank you for the giveaway!
Hi Alicia! I love how your favorite cities are located in tropical locations! Thanks for your kind words about the book.
Hi Megan! I agree. Many of the sensory details I included in that opening scene, I felt, heard, saw, smelled during my visits to NY!
Hi Angeline! I’m so glad it sounds intriguing to you!
I don’t like big cities but fun to read about them.
You really captured the rush of the city! It’s a wold unto itself, isn’t it! Can’t wait to read this.
*world lol!
The beauty of fiction!
Thank you Laurie! I’m glad you liked it!
I live in a medium size town. It can seem overwhelming visiting larger cities. You can feel very invisible. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
We live in the country & love it but we like to visit Ottawa in Canada due to all our family living there. I can’t wait to read this book & it looks very interesting.
Hi Debra. You’re absolutely right about feeling invisible in a big city. Would you think I’m crazy when I admit that’s one thing I love about being in NYC? You’re completely anonymous. No one will remember you seconds after passing you by. That feels somewhat freeing to me!
Best of both worlds! Thanks for your kind words!
I live in a small town and don’t care for big cities at all! It’s too overwhelming with people & traffic. When I go to visit my sister-in-law, I hate driving in all the crazy traffic. There’s only one advantage to a big city though, and that’s all the restaurant and grocery story choices! That’s one thing I kind of miss is having those choices :-)
I definitely don’t want to go to NYC, ever…lol! Visiting in the pages of a book would be good enough for me :-)
Ooops, that’s supposed to read “grocery STORE not story”!
I don’t get to often, but I love Philly and NYC.
I don’t like cities. They are too crowded. I do like NYC but I haven’t been there in 40 years.
I’m definitely with you on driving in the city! No way. When I’m in a big city I park the car and take public transit! It’s part of the fun, figuring out how to get around. Or walking! I’ll put miles under my feet just walking and seeing the sights. It’s so exciting to me.
I will be visiting Chicago this year but probably won’t be back to NY till next year.