Spotlight: One Kind Home by Christine DePetrillo

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Series: One Kind Deed Series

Release Date: April 25, 2024

Genre: Steamy Contemporary Romance

Tropes: small-town romance, second chance, forced proximity, bodyguard hero

How could Dolan’s stupid wink and a barely-there smile send such a scorching blaze through her?

It’s Claire Rayhill’s turn. All her siblings have found true love in Maplehaven. Clearly, she’s next. She’s been on a ton of dates since moving to small-town Vermont, but those guys haven’t given her that forever vibe. None of them have made her feel like she did six years ago on her one and only night with Dolan Fairmont. Her brother’s sexy bodyguard shifted her world right off its axis. Then he left. Claire has been spinning ever since, but she’s determined to find a nice guy who wants to make a home with her.

Until Dolan returns with the brick walls around his heart higher than ever. The mere sight of him has insults flying out of Claire’s mouth every time they are in each other’s company. Which is far too often. His singular focus on his job pisses her off, but the way he tracks her with those serious gray-blue eyes does something else entirely.

Dolan isn’t sure his brick walls will hold now that he’s back in Claire’s orbit. The sass that comes out of her mouth doesn’t affect him half as much as what that same mouth did to him six years ago. He’s never forgotten the power of her kiss or the fire of her touch, but his line of work is risky. He knows all too well that putting people he loves in danger is always a mistake. Better to not have Claire at all than to lose her.

When Dolan gets hurt, however, Claire surprises them both by volunteering to help. Will she regret that good deed? Will he?

Is one kind home enough to tear down all the walls around their fragile hearts?

One Kind Home is a second-chance, forced-proximity, small-town, contemporary romance with a bodyguard hero and a boudoir photography stylist who might just be picture perfect together.

First Chapter Peek here: https://christinedepetrillo.weebly.com/first-chapter-peeks.html

Excerpt:

Of all the ways she’d pictured spending her thirtieth birthday night, alone hadn’t been one of them.

Well, she hadn’t been completely alone actually. At around 2:00 a.m., a noise outside had made her crawl out of bed. She’d shuffled to the sliding doors that opened to a small deck off the back of the cottage. After turning on the floodlight back there, she’d been greeted by a fox. One with the tip of its left ear missing. It had apparently knocked over a pot of mums she had on a low garden table. Oddly, it hadn’t run off when it noticed her watching. Instead, the fox hopped up onto an Adirondack chair and settled into a tight circle, cat-like, on the flowered seat cushion.

Quietly, Claire had opened the door and slipped outside to sit in the other chair. She sat with the fox for about twenty minutes, the September night air cool, but cleansing somehow. When she’d bought the pair of Adirondack chairs, she’d pictured one for the soul mate she was sure to find soon. Sitting there with a wild fox instead seemed silly, but the critter wasn’t half-bad company.

Rubbing her eyes now and focusing back on the ceiling, Claire wondered if that fox was free tonight. Maybe if she kissed him, he’d turn into a prince or something.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Paperback

About the Author

Christine DePetrillo can often be found hugging trees, conversing with dragonflies, and walking barefoot through sun-warmed soil. She finds joy in listening to the wind, bathing in moonlight, and breathing in the fragrances of things that bloom. If she had her way, the sky would be the only roof over her head.

Her love of nature seeps into every story she tells. As does her obsession with bearded mountain men who build, often smell like sawdust, and know how to cherish the women they love. Today she writes tales meant to make you laugh, maybe make you sweat, and definitely make you believe in the power of love.

She lives in Vermont with her husband and many woodland creatures who defend her fiercely from all evils.

Connect:

Newsletter Sign-up: https://christinedepetrillo.weebly.com/social.html

Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/christinedepetrilloauthor

Instagram: @christinedepetrillo https://www.instagram.com/christinedepetrillo/

Small Town Hearts FB reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/141435039780507

Website: https://christinedepetrillo.weebly.com/

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3K21zaW 

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/christine-depetrillo

TikTok: @christine depetrillo https://www.tiktok.com/@christinedepetrillo

Spotlight: One Kind Home by Christine DePetrillo

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Release Date: April 25, 2024

Genre: Steamy Contemporary Romance

Tropes: small-town romance, second chance, forced proximity, bodyguard hero 

How could Dolan’s stupid wink and a barely-there smile send such a scorching blaze through her?

It’s Claire Rayhill’s turn. All her siblings have found true love in Maplehaven. Clearly, she’s next. She’s been on a ton of dates since moving to small-town Vermont, but those guys haven’t given her that forever vibe. None of them have made her feel like she did six years ago on her one and only night with Dolan Fairmont. Her brother’s sexy bodyguard shifted her world right off its axis. Then he left. Claire has been spinning ever since, but she’s determined to find a nice guy who wants to make a home with her.

Until Dolan returns with the brick walls around his heart higher than ever. The mere sight of him has insults flying out of Claire’s mouth every time they are in each other’s company. Which is far too often. His singular focus on his job pisses her off, but the way he tracks her with those serious gray-blue eyes does something else entirely.

Dolan isn’t sure his brick walls will hold now that he’s back in Claire’s orbit. The sass that comes out of her mouth doesn’t affect him half as much as what that same mouth did to him six years ago. He’s never forgotten the power of her kiss or the fire of her touch, but his line of work is risky. He knows all too well that putting people he loves in danger is always a mistake. Better to not have Claire at all than to lose her.

When Dolan gets hurt, however, Claire surprises them both by volunteering to help. Will she regret that good deed? Will he?

Is one kind home enough to tear down all the walls around their fragile hearts?

One Kind Home is a second-chance, forced-proximity, small-town, contemporary romance with a bodyguard hero and a boudoir photography stylist who might just be picture perfect together.

First Chapter Peek here: https://christinedepetrillo.weebly.com/first-chapter-peeks.html

Excerpt

Of all the ways she’d pictured spending her thirtieth birthday night, alone hadn’t been one of them.

Well, she hadn’t been completely alone actually. At around 2:00 a.m., a noise outside had made her crawl out of bed. She’d shuffled to the sliding doors that opened to a small deck off the back of the cottage. After turning on the floodlight back there, she’d been greeted by a fox. One with the tip of its left ear missing. It had apparently knocked over a pot of mums she had on a low garden table. Oddly, it hadn’t run off when it noticed her watching. Instead, the fox hopped up onto an Adirondack chair and settled into a tight circle, cat-like, on the flowered seat cushion.

Quietly, Claire had opened the door and slipped outside to sit in the other chair. She sat with the fox for about twenty minutes, the September night air cool, but cleansing somehow. When she’d bought the pair of Adirondack chairs, she’d pictured one for the soul mate she was sure to find soon. Sitting there with a wild fox instead seemed silly, but the critter wasn’t half-bad company.

Rubbing her eyes now and focusing back on the ceiling, Claire wondered if that fox was free tonight. Maybe if she kissed him, he’d turn into a prince or something.

About the Author

Christine DePetrillo can often be found hugging trees, conversing with dragonflies, and walking barefoot through sun-warmed soil. She finds joy in listening to the wind, bathing in moonlight, and breathing in the fragrances of things that bloom. If she had her way, the sky would be the only roof over her head.

Her love of nature seeps into every story she tells. As does her obsession with bearded mountain men who build, often smell like sawdust, and know how to cherish the women they love. Today she writes tales meant to make you laugh, maybe make you sweat, and definitely make you believe in the power of love.

She lives in Vermont with her husband and many woodland creatures who defend her fiercely from all evils.

Connect:

Newsletter Sign-up: https://christinedepetrillo.weebly.com/social.html

Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/christinedepetrilloauthor

Instagram: @christinedepetrillo https://www.instagram.com/christinedepetrillo/

Small Town Hearts FB reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/141435039780507

Website: https://christinedepetrillo.weebly.com/

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3K21zaW 

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/christine-depetrillo

TikTok: @christine depetrillo https://www.tiktok.com/@christinedepetrillo

Cover Reveal: One Kind Hand by Christine DePetrillo

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Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: April 27th

About One Kind Hand: 

What would someone accustomed to the glamour of Hollywood and the bustle of New York think about tiny, simple Maplehaven?

Charlene Moyen isn’t looking for a nice guy. With her teasing barbs and badass chopper pilot skills, she needs someone who won’t flinch every time she unleashes her quick wit and daredevil instincts. Unfortunately, Charlie’s small hometown doesn’t have any guys like that. It’s probably for the best. Her parents’ relationship hasn’t provided a rock-solid example of what love is. She wouldn’t even know how to be someone’s true other half.

Charlie is an expert at maneuvering her helicopter though. When an opportunity to feature her chopper in a movie being shot locally arises, she enters her name. She never expects to be filming with her favorite action-adventure actor, Austin Rayhill. Austin is surprised as well. He thought having a female pilot in the movie would be a good marketing move, but Charlie proves to be so much more than that. She pulls him out of his Hollywood world and gives him the dose of reality he needs.

After Charlie lends a hand to Austin during an accident on set, the off-screen chemistry between them soars. Until Charlie’s extreme flying pokes at the one thing Austin fears most.

Is one kind hand enough to bridge two worlds?

One Kind Hand is a meeting-your-movie-star-crush, small-town, contemporary romance that features a tomboy heroine and a famous, big-screen hero who have more in common than they realize.

The One Kind Deed Series, contemporary romance

"The town, the people, the love story... a perfect romance."

Buy on Amazon

About the Author: 

Christine DePetrillo can often be found hugging trees, conversing with dragonflies, and walking barefoot through sun-warmed soil. She finds joy in listening to the wind, bathing in moonlight, and breathing in the fragrances of things that bloom. If she had her way, the sky would be the only roof over her head.

Her love of nature seeps into every story she tells. As does her obsession with bearded mountain men who build, often smell like sawdust, and know how to cherish the women they love. Today she writes tales meant to make you laugh, maybe make you sweat, and definitely make you believe in the power of love.

She lives in Vermont with her husband and many woodland creatures who defend her fiercely from all evils.

Connect with the Author: 

Website | Newsletter | Bookbub | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tiktok

Spotlight: One Kind Hero by Christine DePetrillo

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(Heart of a Wounded Hero)
Publication date: July 14th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

What do you do when your life plan goes up in flames?

Army sniper Reid Colborn has nothing left. His last mission was technically a success. Enemy hit. Boy rescued. Day saved. Getting trapped in a burning building, however, wasn’t part of the plan. Now Reid doesn’t have a steady shooting arm, and his military career is over. Heading back to his hometown of Maplehaven, Vermont is not the next target he’d hoped for, but he’s out of choices.

Until architect Valerie Bellerose gives him another option.

When Valerie sees Reid, every detail of their one night together as teens nearly ten years ago comes flooding back. Not that the memory had ever died. Reid had given her something that had made it impossible to forget him. Now that he’s back, can they have a second chance to hit their mark?

Is one kind hero high enough caliber to build the family they’ve always wanted?

One Kind Hero is a second-chance, small-town, steamy contemporary romance novella with a wounded military hero searching for what comes next after losing everything. For more romances set in Maplehaven, check out the One Kind Deed Series also by Christine DePetrillo.

The Heart of the Wounded Hero series was created to pay tribute to and raise awareness of our wounded heroes. Each of the over eighty authors involved have contributed time, money, and stories to the cause. These love stories are inspiring and uplifting, showing the sacrifice of our veterans but also giving them the happily ever after they deserve.

By increasing awareness through our books, we believe we can in a small part help the wounded heroes that have sacrificed so much. Thank you for reading.

Excerpt

Valerie

The shed is only a few yards away as we exit my parents’ house. Twilight has fallen, crickets putting on their concert from the tall grass that needs mowing. The garden of night-blooming flowers I’ve planted around the perimeter of the shed is taking on that ethereal glow as the white petals open. The silvery leaves of some of the plants catch the fading light just right. An owl hoots from the woods and normally that would pull me in that direction. I love owls and a chance to see one always interests me.

Except tonight. 

Tonight, I’ve got something—someone—far more interesting walking beside me toward the shed. 

“Your parents are great,” Reid says. “And your mom really knows how to charm a dog with leftover chicken. Akira couldn’t have cared less that I left the house.”

We’re standing close enough that our arms brush against each other’s once in a while as we near the shed. Each touch threatens to light me on fire. I’ve dated here and there after Ryan was born, but none of those guys ignited me the way Reid did on our only night together. 

The way he is right now. 

“I’m glad you like my parents,” I say. “Pretty much everyone does.”

“Your brother seems nice too, but he doesn’t approve of me.” Reid turns to face me after we reach the shed. 

“He just doesn’t know you,” I say. “He’ll come around.” I hope that’s true. Den has his troubles, but they’re troubles I caused him to have. “When Ryan was nearly ready to make his grand entrance into the world, there was a complication. There was bleeding. I passed out.” I gather my hair onto my right shoulder and study my shoes for a moment. “I almost died. Almost lost Ryan too. Den found me.” I look up at Reid. “It was traumatic for my brother. That led him to develop unhealthy coping strategies.”

“Like drinking?”

“Bingo.” I draw in a breath. “He’s doing better now though, and as far as you go, he’s just looking out for Ryan and me.”

“I’m glad you and Ryan were okay, and I understand why your brother is protective. I’d be the same.”

“Do you have any siblings?”

“No. It’s just me. My parents passed when I was twelve. I went to live with Uncle Karl after that.”

“There’s so much I don’t know about you,” I start, “but . . .”

“You feel as if you do know me,” Reid finishes. 

“Yeah. How is that possible?”

He shrugs. “Not sure, but I feel the same way.” He closes his hand around my wrist like he’d done earlier today. I like his touch even more after spending time with him this evening. “As soon as I saw you this morning, I was transported back to our night together. I wanted more back then, but we had our different paths to travel.”

My entire body buzzes with desire as I stand, linked with him, in the fading light of the day. “And now?”

He uses his other hand, his scarred one, to hook my hair behind my ear. His hand slides down to hook on my neck, his rough thumb caressing my cheek. 

“Now,” he whispers, taking a step closer, “I still want more.”

Buy on Amazon

About the Author

Christine DePetrillo can often be found hugging trees, conversing with dragonflies, and walking barefoot through sun-warmed soil. She finds joy in listening to the wind, bathing in moonlight, and breathing in the fragrances of things that bloom. If she had her way, the sky would be the only roof over her head.

Her love of nature seeps into every story she tells. As does her obsession with bearded mountain men who build, often smell like sawdust, and know how to cherish the women they love. Today she writes tales meant to make you laugh, maybe make you sweat, and definitely make you believe in the power of love.

She lives in Vermont with her husband and cat who defend her fiercely from all evils.

Visit her and sign up for her newsletter at www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com anytime.

Connect:

https://christinedepetrillo.weebly.com/

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https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3125279.Christine_DePetrillo