It’s here! Book two in my new Faith & Fortune series is finally here. And even though I say finally, it’s only been six weeks since book one, The Trouble With Love, released.
I thought I’d share an excerpt with you and offer a giveaway. I hope you enjoy!
Excerpt:
From Chapter 6
I sighed. “What am I going to do, Fox?”
“No plan yet?”
I shook my head.
“I may have one. Want to hear it?”
Shrugging, I met his steady gaze. As much as Fox’s constant presence chafed, I couldn’t ignore the strength I drew
from him. He’d unknowingly kept me from falling apart. Whenever I wanted to cave into the stress of the situation,
knowing he was there, seeing the control in his eyes, bolstered me. No one had a clue how close I was to giving in to hysteria.
“Go for it.” I folded my legs and tucked my feet to the right, sinking deeper into the recliner cushions.
He leaned forward, his fingers steepled. “You keep your work engagements. You even ramp up the events you attend. But when the day is over, you come back here, safe and out of sight.” He paused as if searching for words. “And I step out of the shadows as a mere bodyguard and stand by your side as your fiancé.”
What the what!
My breath came in spurts at the absurdity of his plan.
“That will never work!”
“Why not?” His dark eyes pierced me.
Because… “I’ve never been linked to anyone romantically.”
Yeah, let’s go with that option and not the one making my pulse skitter. I needed to ignore exactly how much I was
aware of him.
“Which will make this even more believable. You’ve never been accused of a publicity stunt or had your name attached to a long list of leading men. And people will totally buy the bodyguard romance.”
Ugh. I hated how rabid bats erupted in my stomach at his use of the word romance. I didn’t want a relationship, and
despite the heckling my roomies gave me, certainly didn’t want one with Fox. Even if I couldn’t completely ignore the
attraction simmering under the surface, I sure planned on denying it.
I needed to fall back on logic. “How is having a fiancé supposed to save me anyway?”
“I’ve reread every note, card, and letter your stalker sent. Looked through the ‘gifts.’” He grimaced. “This guy, whoever he is, thinks you belong to him. If you show him you’re with someone else, it’ll draw him out, and we’ll be able to catch him.”
Fox wanted to use me as bait? I gulped. “You’ll catch him before he gets me?” Because no way did I want my nightmares from last night to become reality.
“I promise you I will protect you with my last breath.”
About the Book
My life has always been in the spotlight. Born to two famous parents and then quickly rising to “super” status in the modeling world ensured that I, Astoria “Tori” Bell, would always have my image plastered across newsstands. Unfortunately, adoring fans weren’t always magnanimous and now I have a stalker on my hands.
Oddly enough, the tall, dark, and all-too handsome bodyguard hired to protect me seems more harmful than the threatening notes from the stalker. As well as his plan to flush out the danger by proposing a fake engagement.
The lines between pretend and reality blur and I have to shore up my resolves. Baggage from my past means I can’t let myself be vulnerable. But the way Marcel Fox treats me has me thinking otherwise.
With a new rock on my finger and the man who put it there by my side, happily ever after seems like a possibility or is that as fake as my public persona?
The Truth About Fame is the second book in the Christian Chick Lit series: Faith & Fortune.
Purchase here and add to Goodreads shelf.
Giveaway:
I’m giving away one paperback copy of The Truth About Fame to one random (U.S. only) commentator. For a chance to win, leave a blog post comment telling me your favorite fashion accessory. Comment by July 10, 3pm EST, and I’ll pick a random winner.
Oh, man! I’ve GOT to read this one, too!!! I just added it to my Goodreads want to read shelf. I saw in one of the groups I’m in on FB that someone said they dreamed about Fox in this book, and from the little you put here, I can understand why!!! My fashion accessories used to consist of a ring on every finger and both thumbs, and two bracelets and a watch. Now, I wear no jewelry (thanks to breaking my wrist 18 years ago & having arthritis in my fingers) except a necklace sometimes. I wear jeans just about every day, so I guess they’re my fashion statement!!
Sounds like a wonderful story!
The arthritis sounds painful. Hope you have more better days than not.
And jeans can so be a fashion statement! :)
Thank you!
I loved hearing about your book! My favorite would be my hoop earrings that I love to wear.
Toni, you write great stories! This is another great one! :-)
Oh earrings are the best! They’re definitely my go-to accessory.
Thank you so much!
Made myself stop everything and went to Amazon for both books. I LOVE the cover. Congrats!
Thank you so much, Julie!
I love the cover! I think my favorite fashion accessory right now would be shoes. I love the look of jewelry, but I hate to wear it lol. I also LOVE purses, but I haven’t been carrying one since the pandemic hit, hence my shoes answer.
Shoes are a great accessory. I haven’t been carrying a purse either since the pandemic.
Congratulations Toni. I already have this on my Goodreads want to read list. Have a blessed day.
Thank you. You too!
one ring and sometimes a necklace. I’m a very down to earth dresser. thanks for the chance. the book sounds good.
I always have my wedding ring. I like necklaces but don’t have ones I wear over and over. Can’t find a favorite.
What a great tease! I think I need to read that now :)
My favorite fashion accessory? It would have to be large earrings. Turquoise and silver are especially nice.
Oh that sounds pretty!
I love that cover and excerpt!! Thank you for the chance to win. One of my favorite fashion accessories is a good purse. It can be pretty and practical.
I’m excited to read this book! I live to pile on the bracelets.
I can’t wait to read this book. I enjoyed the first in the series! My go to accessory is my silver hoop earrings. They go with everything. During this pandemic it has been head wraps in different prints and colors.
My hair tie… Really, that’s all!
In winter, and parts of spring and fall, my go to accessories are scarves. I loved the excerpt! Thanks for sharing.
Congratulations on the new release! As a man, I have never really enjoyed much in the way of rings or chains even though my wife is a jewelry designer, lol. My favorite accessories were when I needed to get dressed up in a suit and tie. I have always loved creative ties. Solids have their place but prints are the real fun. I have a dark navy with what appear to be pastel yellow dots. On closer inspection, the dots are little pictures of Winnie the Pooh. Such fun! I also like classy or creative tie tacks.
Hi, your book sounds intriguing and like a very good page turner! Thank you for sharing about it. I’m always wearing earrings, my necklace that has a cross with the birthstones of my 2 children and my 3 grandchildren and I also wear my bracelet that has a heart on it and says Granny. Thank you for the chance of your very good sounding book. Have a Great week and stay safe. God bless you and your family.
I love bracelets.
Hmmm … my favorite fashion accessory is a book and my Star Trek quilt which I snuggle up in to read that all important book!
So agree!
Bracelets are so fun! I don’t wear them usually because I’m always typing.
Oh! Where do you get your head wraps?!
A good hair tie is essential!
Yes! I’m a scarf fan myself.
I used to love buying ties for my husband. I confess I’m a solid fan but there are some fun creative ones.
Blessings to you and yours!
They’re so fun!
A blanket is a must!
This book excerpt intrigued me! Secret crush is kind of a fun troupe to have in a book :-) I’ve had secret crushes in the past (before I got married), but was never friends with any of them. I bet that would add an extra layer to the story, trying to keep your feelings close to your heart without giving anything away. How awkward would that be? LOL…like I said, fun in a story, not sure in real life though!
As far as fashion accessory, the only piece of jewelry I ever wear all the time are earrings. If I go out, I’ll put my wedding ring set on & maybe my cross necklace. But I love earrings of all kinds! Always have since I was a teen in the 80’s, you know the bigger & gaudier the better, lol! Now my tastes are a little more refined, but I still love the unusual ones :-) I look for them at yard sales or arts & craft sales, love the handmade ones. I’ve thought about taking up making my own (to keep or sell), but I wouldn’t know where to start. I’m sure it can get spendy with all the stuff you need to make jewelry. It would be a fun hobby though I bet!
I’m checking out your first book “The Trouble With Love”, I’ve had many trusted reader friends rave about it so I need to see for myself how awesome it is :-)
Thanks for the giveaway chance!
Earrings are my favorite accessory too!
Hope you enjoy book 1!
I had a co-worker who brought in some material. I even use scarfs as head wraps. Amazon also has a good selection.
Good to know
I always wear my wedding band. But I make beaded jewelry, earrings and bracelets mostly. I have shoeboxes full! I try to match them with my outfit. Just wish I could sell them as I did before I moved from St. louis, I tried online… not good.
Wow that’s a low of jewelry!