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THE BEST I NEVER HAD
DeVine Winery #1
Loni Flowers
Releasing May 5th, 2015
That’s what Olivia Langston needed. At twenty eight, she was given a rare opportunity at an internship in the rolling valleys of Crystal Falls in California wine country, far away from her small town roots in North Carolina. It was an unexpected journey she desperately needed after her ex-husband crushed her.
At DeVine Winery, she expected a fresh start in a new environment to help let go of her past. Instead, she found Daniel Black and a hell of a lot of sexual tension she wasn’t prepared for. He was gorgeous, modestly wealthy, irresistible, and just happened to be part owner of DeVine, one of the largest vineyards in the country.
If only she knew that before she kissed him her first night in town.
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We stood at the base of a Ferris
wheel, third in line as we waited for our turn. I was about to have
heart attack. At least
I’ll look good when
I die. A couple got off
the wheel as another got on, putting us second in line. My heart
raced remembering the last time I rode one while in college. I had a
panic attack once the wheel had finally made it to the top.
“Why did we get all dressed up to
come to a carnival? Are you sure we have to do this?” I questioned
in panic.
“This is just a pit stop. I want
you to see the view from the top.” He kissed the skin at the bend
in my neck, sending the two teenage girls behind us in to a swooning
fit.
“I can see the view from here just
fine.” I huffed.
He chuckled as the couple in front
of us boarded the next bucket on the wheel. “Trust
me, Olivia. You’ll be fine,” he assured me.
I did
trust him, but it didn’t
stop my hands from shaking. And I felt dumb getting so worked up over
a children’s ride. The next bucket came down, the ride operator
lifted the metal bar across the riders’ laps, and they hopped out,
exiting to the left. The operator motioned us forward, but I could
hardly move. Daniel put his arm around my back, encouraging me
forward. Once I was seated, he slipped my shoes from my feet and
placed them next to me on the seat before whispering something to the
ride operator. After he took his seat, the operator lowered the lap
bar and walked towards the control panel. My anxiety kicked into
gear. The bucket jolted forward and I gripped the bar, squeezing it
as if my life depended on it. I gasped and squeezed my eyes shut.
“I don’t even know why there’s
a bar here. Anyone could slip out underneath it. This can’t be safe
at all.”
“Olivia, open your eyes.”
I shook my head lightly, scared that
any movement would make us fall out and drop to our death. “Just
tell me when it’s over,” I whispered.
His palm brushed over my bare
shoulders in an attempt to soothe me when the bottom of our bucket
shifted forward, causing the back to tip backwards. “Oh
my God, stop moving. We’re going to fall. Please don’t move
anymore.” I was on the verge of tears and frozen like stone. His
palm pressed against my cheek and pulled my face in his direction.
“Open your eyes, baby. Just focus
on me.”
I did as he asked, cracking my lids
open and searching for the blue of his eyes. “I’m
sorry. I want to enjoy this, I really do. But…”
“Have you always been afraid of
heights?”
“Yes. It’s one of the reasons I
drove to California.”
“I see.” He gazed out at our
surroundings. “We are about to go around again until the operators
get everyone off except us. He’s going to let us stay at the top
for a while unless you want to get off now.”
“He’s going to let you do that?”
“Money talks just about anywhere.
Can you handle thirty more minutes with me up there?”
“I’ll do my best. Talk to me.
Keep me occupied. Just don’t move too much. Please.” I squeezed
my eyes tight and leaned into his shoulder as we made another full
rotation. It wasn’t so bad if we were steadily moving, but the
stopping and starting and the swaying of the bucket was ripping my
nerves apart. Despite the romantic situation Daniel had created, I
was too scared to accept the moment for what it was.
“We’ve stopped, and we’ll be
here for a while. Can you open your eyes now?”
I cracked them open, lifting my head
slightly to peek out in front of me. There was nothing except the
ocean and the great open sky coated in an array of bright oranges and
pinks as the sun prepared to slip into the ocean for the night. I
took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves and relax my tense body.
“It really is beautiful up here.”
I marveled at the scenery. I peered in the opposite direction and
could see the entire amusement park and the wooden boardwalk that
stretched along the beach.
“Normally, I would agree.”
Daniel slipped his fingers up the side of my neck, encouraging me to
face him. “But I swear, nothing is more beautiful than you.”
“You’ll have to forgive me if I
disagree.”
“You can disagree all you like; it
won’t sway my opinion.”
A
man with his crystal blue eyes caught the attention of Olivia
Langston when she visited The Blue Room, a bar recommended to her in
Crystal Falls. The town she would call home for the next six month.
At the ripe old age of twenty-eight, she is ready to re-build her
life after her marriage broke down. The internship she's beginning
imminently is a stepping stone to a new life. Olivia isn't looking
for a new relationship, but fate steps in help change all that!
Daniel
Black meets the woman of his dreams in the bar he part-owns, only to
watch her drive off after they've exchanged a passionate kiss. All
he knows is her name “Olivia” and that he's never likely to see
her again. So Daniel is completely taken aback when his mother
introduces Olivia as the new intern at DeVine Winery of which he also
part-owns. With a new sense of purpose, all he has to do is pursued
and charm Olivia into his life and heart.
The
relationship between the protagonists is palpable. Both are
attracted to each other but only Daniel is willing to act upon those
feelings, whilst Olivia tries to shun his advances. There are
secrets and past hurts that need to be aired and interference from
someone from the past... it is possible for them to find a happy ever
after? As time progresses sensitive topics come to the fore and they
handled compassionately by the author. Added to the mix are some
interesting supporting characters, including a handsome fraternal
twin called Garrett (I'm looking forward to learning more about him)
and you have an entertaining, fun and sexy read set in the beautiful
wine growing region of California.
The
Best I Never Had is a cosy story that
leaves you with a contented feeling when you've finished reading.
The plot is predictable at times and foresaw some of the events as
they unfolded, although I was completely taken by surprise by an
unexpected twist! Not that I see this as a negative – far from it.
I believe there are books to suits moods and occasions and this one
is perfect for reading on the beach, curled up warm on a cold winters
night or simply relaxing in your favourite place.
4
Stars
***arc
generously received in exchange for an honest review***
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Residing in Eastern North Carolina with her husband, 2 girls, and couch-potato dogs, Loni works a full-time professional job during the day and writes in her free time. She never thought it was possible to have a satisfying writing career, but with the love and support of her family, she's made it part of her life.
Loni searches for the tiniest speck of romance in any story and is a firm believer in the happily-ever-after’s. She thrives off the sexual tension, and gets a kick out of taking her characters on a roller-coaster ride of drama-filled emotions. A romance that can soothe the soul is her number one priority.
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