Spotlight: Paper Love by Aubrey Wynne
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Growing up in a Papua New Guinea mission, Joss Palmateer is a gentle soul with a unique view of life. Still adjusting to a new home in the U.S and the sudden loss of her mother, love is the last thing on her mind.
Sexy physical therapist, Ben Montgomery, meets his sister’s friend and the sparks fly. He takes it as a challenge when she ignores his advances, but it’s her extraordinary inner beauty that captures his heart. With the help of a stray homing pigeon and an old origami legend, Ben sets an unwavering course of romance to win her love
Excerpt
“I categorize, I don’t judge. We’re all different. We all have a role in life.” He mirrored her pose. “So you’re argumentative.”
“Not usually, but you bring out the best in me.”
His laugh was so loud that it drew the attention of the others in the room. Joss’ face turned red. “And intelligent and beautiful.” His bright green eyes pinned hers and turned a smoky jade. “Go out with me. You won’t regret it.”
“Said the lion to the mouse.” But she couldn’t keep the smile from her face. He was arrogant but witty. Her mind craved the challenge he would provide if her body didn’t betray her first. Step away from the charming, to-die-for handsomeness of this man.
A brunette came up behind the couch, put her head between them and said in a breathy tone, “Don’t forget about the rest of your guests. You promised us a dance.”
“Indeed I did.” He stood up and held out a hand to Joss. “Would you care to dance?”
Joss shook her head. “No, I don’t dance.”“Never?”“Never.”“The gauntlet has been thrown. I’ll ask again,” he said and turned to the
blonde. “C’mon Jackie. Let’s swing.”Ben grabbed the girl’s hand and moved through the crowd. A whistle
pierced the air. “Swing time,” someone yelled and bodies started moving toward the large porch.
“Easy Breezy,” Becky called out as she swept past Joss. Interest piqued, she stood and moved toward the back of the house. An old tune, sounding like something from the thirties or forties filled the house. Four couples were on the dance floor, including Becky. She recognized two more of the Montgomery siblings, and then it was a blur of movement.
The crowd started to clap and sing along as if this was an expected part of the evening’s entertainment. Joss watched the couples twist, turn, shoot out in spins, and come back together. They bent and stretched, flapped their hands yet never stopped smiling. The pure delight on Becky’s face was contagious, and Joss began clapping along with the rest of the audience.
And then her eyes landed on Ben. His tall, muscular frame moved as gracefully as a cat but with the power of a bull. She couldn’t take her eyes from him. He spun the girl out and pulled her into his side, bent and moved forward, their feet pivoting back and forth in unison as they moved across the room. After another twirl, he pulled her into his chest, her face looking up at him with a huge expectant smile. His shirtsleeves strained against his muscled arms as he swung her up like a rag doll and tossed her against his hip, down against him for a brief moment as their eyes met, and back up on his other side.
When the song ended, she was as breathless as the dancers. He turned and searched the guests. His gaze latched onto her, traveling from her face to her heaving chest and back up to her eyes. That smile, those full lips, sent heat through her and dared her to come closer. The girl tugged at his arm, caught his attention for just a moment, and the spell was broken.
About the Author
Bestselling and award-winning author Aubrey Wynne resides in the Midwest with her husband, dogs, horses, mule and barn cats. She is an elementary teacher by trade, champion of children and animals by conscience, and author by night. Obsessions include history, travel, trailriding and all things Christmas.
Her short stories, Merry Christmas, Henry and Pete's Mighty Purty Privies have won Readers Choice Awards and Dante's Gift received the 2016 Golden Quill and Heart of Excellence award, as well as being a Maggie and Aspen Gold finalist.
Besides her Chicago Christmas novellas, Aubrey will release "A Vintage Romance" series inspired by tales of her stepfather, who served for the British Air Force in WWII. The stories will be set in the 40s & 50s. Her medieval fantasy series will launch in 2017 with Rolf's Quest.
