I have an excerpt to share with y’all for the second book in the Maplewood series by Daphne Elliot. This will be releasing on the 27th and I cannot wait for y’all to read this. For now give the excerpt a read and pre-order your copy today.
Maple & Moonlight by Daphne Elliot
Series: Maplewood #2
Genres: Contemporary Romance
As a single mom rebuilding my life from scratch, I don’t need help. And I definitely don’t need the attention of a six-foot-three maple farmer with a beard and a hero complex who looks at me like I’m a problem he didn’t sign up for.
My landlord is broad-shouldered, permanently unimpressed, and entirely too comfortable telling me when I’m wrong. I think he’s grumpy, rigid, and overprotective. He thinks I’m chaos in Crocs.
Falling for Josh Lawrence was never part of the plan.
But then he starts showing up.
For my son when he’s overwhelmed.
For my daughters when they need someone steady.
And for me when my hands won’t stop shaking.
I didn’t come to Vermont looking for a protector. I don’t need rescuing. But somewhere between harvest festivals, pumpkin canoe races, and quiet mornings in the sugar shack, the man I swore was just an annoyance becomes my safe place.
And when my dangerous past resurfaces and threatens the new life I’ve built, the grumpy maple farmer next door becomes my fiercest protector, ready to stand by my side while I fight for my family.
Because it turns out maple farmers are a lot like their trees: quiet, stubborn, and surprisingly sweet when the pressure builds.
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read an excerpt
“I’ve got to get Julian’s booster.” I turned toward the van, sticking a hand in my purse and rummaging for my keys. “No need. I got one.” Lips pursed, I turned back to him. “Here.” He opened the back door, and sure enough, there was a booster. I strode to the door and examined it. “That’s the same.” “Yes. The same one you have. I saw it while I was at Costmart and grabbed it, figured it would be easier.” Blinking, I turned to him, my brain not quite understanding. “Got snacks too.” Julian wandered to Josh’s side. “Is Wayne coming?” Ducking, he shook his head. “He’s keeping Jasper and Vincent company while we’re gone. Since we need my truck to haul the pumpkin back, there isn’t enough room. Julian’s whole body sagged with disappointment. “But he’ll help us build our boat, don’t worry.” The truck was equipped with snacks, water, blankets, and a few extra hoodies. Well-worn hoodies that looked so cozy I wished I could slip one on now, then take it home with me. “Why do you have so many snacks?” Maggie asked. “Cause kids eat a lot,” he replied, eyeing her in the mirror. Ellie shrugged. “Accurate.” We hadn’t even driven outside town limits before they were digging in. “Mom,” Julian shouted far louder than necessary. “He has cucumbers. Cut in circles, not sticks.” I turned in my seat, and sure enough, Josh had procured cucumbers, Julian’s favorite, and had cut them with precision. “He got my crackers too.” Heart thudding, I eyed the man beside me. “How did you know which foods were Julian’s safe foods?” His focus was on the road, his fingers tapping the steering wheel. “I noticed and took a photo of the box with my phone. Didn’t want to mess it up for him.”
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