29 | June | 2016 | Nesie's Place

As best friends to Duncan Averest and his late wife, Irene, Courtney and Marissa Bellamy knew they would stand by Duncan. Whatever it took to help him through the loss of his wife and the serious injuries sustained by him and daughter, Rena, the Bellamys would do. And, as Rena’s godparents, of course she would live with them until her father was well enough to take care of her. They took their vows as godparents very seriously. But someone is trying to stop them. Someone is trying to keep them away from Duncan and make sure Rena gets sent into the foster care system.

Court-appointed child advocate attorney Olivia Chandler is the answer to their prayers. They’re moved by her genuineness and promise to “do right by Rena.” There seems to be an immediate bond between the attorney and her young client, and Marissa cannot help but wonder if it has more to do with the flashes of sadness she sees in Olivia’s eyes than with simple job commitment.

The instant interest in Olivia by his cousin, Bruce, hasn’t been lost on Courtney. Abandoned by his ex-wife when their children were mere toddlers, Bruce hasn’t shown little more than a passing, casual interest in any woman since. Olivia will be spending quite a bit of time with the Bellamy family in the near future, and Courtney thinks it’s just enough time to do a bit of matchmaking. And, where you find Courtney…you find Marissa.

Let the games begin!

Courtney Ardan and Marissa Anne (Prescott) Bellamy

Met in Botany 101 during their freshman year of college

Married November 30, 1994

Two sons – Bishop, 18 and Brian, 16

Courtney works in IT/Computer Systems for the local school district, Marissa is head of Library Sciences for Hennepin County Public Libraries

Courtney (Caucasian) and Marissa (African-American) are an Interracial couple who haven’t suffered much of the disdain shown to interracial couples by society due to their steadfast commitment to each other and the love and total support of their families.

Both LOVE Halloween and always dress up as a couple/pair, i.e. Raggedy Ann/Raggedy Andy, Rocky/Bullwinkle, Soup/Salad (they won first place at the school district employee Halloween party), and Tweedle Dee/Tweedle Dum (The argument is ongoing on over who was Tweedle Dum)

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release day blitz

Book Title: Distracting Ace (International Heroes BK1)
Author: Caroline Bell Foster
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 29th 2016
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

book blurb

A kiss. A promise. A mistake.

Hollywood stuntman Ace had life changing decisions to make and time was running out. Bleakly, he saw a future of always being different, that was, until he met British beauty Nina Mae. Her enthusiasm for life was addictive.

Rich, party girl, Nina Mae was in love. But a demand to come home early and a simple mistake, changed the course of both their lives.

Would she ever get back to America? Or were they destined to be two people who met and enjoyed one unbelievable weekend, tied by the repercussions of those hours. Or was she simply his distraction?

excerpt

“Tell me about your life Nina Mae.” Ace invited.

“I’m a golden child. Very much a daddy’s girl and a mummy’s darling.” She began conversationally, not the least bit embarrassed by her admission. “Spoilt. An only child of only children. There’s just my mum and my dad and little ole me, but I’m not a brat.” She told him. “I’m an Essex girl. Do you know what that is?”

“No,”

She smiled at him. “You’ll have to visit me in England to find out.” She went on. “Are you going to dance with me?”

He scowled. “No.”

“Why not?” She pressed.

He crossed his arms over his chest and frowned at her again, Nina realised it was his way of telling her to shut the hell up.

“Let’s play a game,” she said instead, determined to get her own way. “If I win we dance and if you win you get to ask whatever you want.”

Ace pulled in a deep breath and let it out in a noisy whoosh. Why was he still here, he thought, but already knowing the answer. She wanted him, had made it damn obvious with all the nervous chatter and hair flicking. She was desperate enough to keep him guessing and he was curious enough, egotistical enough, to want to know how this would play out. “What’s the game?”

“Things that go together,” she explained. “But as pairs.”

“Pairs?”

“Yeah. For example I have to say something that is always referred to in a pair, like Kings and Queens and bricks and mortar, things like that.”

Ace shook his head, he’d never come across anyone so complex and playful in his life. But he was game. The pub was emptying and if he lost, it would be no hardship to wheel around by the table pretending to dance. Jesus Christ, this is what his life had become, playing fucking party games to get his ego stroked.

“You start,” he ordered. “Wait,” he held up his hand. “How many pairs to win?”

“How about until one of us stops?”

“Cool.”

“Left and right. Your turn.

This was going to be so easy he thought. “Brush and comb.”

They played for almost fifteen minutes, Ace was really getting into it, but knew he was going to lose. She was just too good and too fast. He eventually faltered and she clapped her hands, declaring herself the winner, of course. His lips twitched into a smile.

“Come on.” She stood quickly, eagerly heading over to the dance floor, but turned back when she saw that he hadn’t moved.

“Not out there,” he said. “Here.”

“Okay.” Nina agreed.

Winner of the prestigious Diva Author of the Year, Caroline Bell Foster was born in Derby, England and with her family went on a six week holiday to Jamaica. She stayed for 18 years!

Ever the adventurer, Caroline bought her first pair of high heels in Toronto and traded her pink sunglasses for a bus ride in the Rift Valley at 18.

The multi-award winning author has come full circle and lives just twelve miles from where she was born in Nottingham England, with her college sweetheart David, their two children and head of the household Naomi the cat.

For Caroline, writing isn’t just about ensuring her readers enjoy a story, it’s about sharing a culture, even if it isn’t her own. With themes of substance, Caroline’s latest novels’ defy convention and celebrate modern day Britain with several titles set primarily in The East Midlands, where she shares her love for the three main cities and the surrounding ‘shires’ with her readers.

Caroline is also the author of the Amazon Bestselling Call Centre Series, Call Me Royal and Call Me Lucky, where she pays tribute to all those who work the night shift in call centres as she has done.
If you would like to keep up to date with Caroline’s new releases, please sign up to her twice yearly Newsletter.