Falling For The P.I. (Still Harbor #1) by Victoria James blog tour with excerpt, review and #giveaway @VicJames101 @Tastybooktours

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FALLING FOR THE P.I.

Still Harbor #1

Victoria James

Releasing Aug 10th, 2015

Entangled: Bliss

Teacher Kate Abbott's fresh start in Still Harbor was the beginning of the life that she and her two best friends always imagined for themselves. Still, being a working single parent of a special needs daughter hasn't exactly improved Kate's love life. But Kate's preference for nachos over men quickly disappears when she meets the oh-so-sexy Matt Lane.

Until she finds out he's a cop.

Matt is a former cop-turned-private investigator, and he knows fear when he sees it. A cop clearly spooked Kate…or hurt her. Still, something about the gorgeous professor catches his attention, and despite his “no settling down” policy, he can't resist her. But all of the attraction in the world won't be enough to overcome Kate's past…

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Excerpt

Matt’s mind was spinning. What the hell had he gotten himself into? Kate was a mother. Well, one date wasn’t going to hurt him. He could sign up for the donation and then never see her again. He paused before getting into the SUV and pretended to glance down at his phone. He hadn’t made any commitments. It was a working date, nothing more.

He opened the door for her and he could read the surprise on her face when he did. “Uh, thanks,” she said, but then paused, not stepping into his SUV. Instead, she turned to look at him, crossing her arms in front of her.

“I just want to be clear,” she began softly. “I’m not looking for anything other than a donation. I can tell you’re surprised that I have a daughter.” Her head was tilted back so that she could look at him squarely in the eye.

He cleared his throat. “So only one is yours?”

Kate surprised him by smiling, and he found himself smiling in return, then looking at her mouth. She was not what he’d expected, and his attraction to her was only increasing instead of diminishing. That should have sent off some warning bells.

“Yes. The little girl with glasses, Janie, is my daughter. She has Down’s syndrome. I adopted her. There is no father, no husband, no anyone,” she said softly, but in a voice that was filled with conviction, slightly defensive.

He stared at her, speechless, impressed. She made him think of all the good women in his life, the ones who had sacrificed and loved him. She made him think all the naïve thoughts he’d once had about people when he was little, before he learned how horrible they could really be. Her expression reminded him of himself when he’d defiantly look up to his father, hoping for acceptance, but bracing himself for the worst.

He swallowed, hard. “Why didn’t you introduce me to your daughter?”

Her eyes narrowed. “I read the expression on your face. I saw the shock and I have no intention of introducing my daughter to someone who won’t be around tomorrow. Don’t worry, I’ve gotten used to it. I also know that I’ve had to choose my…friends wisely. I don’t put up with crap from people, so if you want to donate, it will be greatly appreciated. If you were after something else and now want out, that’s fine too. Just don’t waste my time and don’t bother acting all charming if you’re after a quick screw. I don’t work that way,” she said, backing up abruptly.

Matt grabbed her hand, finding his voice. “Don’t do that, don’t assume I’m like everyone else.” He didn’t know what the hell he was doing, or what he was promising, but he didn’t want to be that guy she was describing, and he didn’t want to say good-bye to Kate.

Rating: 4 of 5
Cover comment: Romantic. I like it.
Book source: NetGalley

Love can conquer all and sometimes the road to happiness is a bumpy one, but the ride is well worth it. That's how I felt reading Falling for the P.I. by Victoria James, the first book in her new Still Harbor series. This is a sweet love story with a little heat and a whole lot of emotion. Main character Kate is a high school teacher and lives with her two sisters (they met as teens in a group home) and each has adopted a daughter. I liked how strong-willed and independent these ladies were, and Kate was fiercely protective of her special needs daughter. When her sisters take her out one night for some 'fun' Kate sees Matt across the bar and feels the pull of instant attraction for the first time in her life. I enjoyed her awkward encounter while trying to flirt and the banter between these two came across as natural.

What stood out to me while reading were their attitudes: Kate didn't need a man to be happy, she already was content with her life, and Matt, already a successful business man, doesn't want to be tied down to one woman. And then they see each other and feel that spark, that undeniable pull. It's almost as though fate has decided to keep having these two bump into each other some way.

Both Kate and Matt have issues concerning trust from abusive men in their past. Matt is incredibly likable from the beginning and determined to find out more about Kate. She's also smitten but protective of who she lets in, which is completely understandable. Matt does the same thing in his own way. Seeing his incredibly astute teen sister rib him about his feelings and being so incredibly spot-on made me like this novel and its characters even more.

Falling for the P.I. has it all--an engaging love story, two likable characters, a refreshing and different story line, and writing which flows seamlessly--all the necessary ingredients for an enjoyable and engrossing read. The characters had such depth and emotion while their chemistry came across as effortless, sexy, touching and fun. I really liked their story and look forward to reading more of James' Still Harbor series.

Victoria James is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance.

Victoria always knew she wanted to be a writer and in grade five, she penned her first story, bound it (with staples and a cardboard cover) and did all the illustrations herself. Luckily, this book will never see the light of day again.

In high school she fell in love with historical romance and then contemporary romance. After graduating University with an English Literature degree, Victoria pursued a degree in Interior Design and then opened her own business. After her first child, Victoria knew it was time to fulfill her dream of writing romantic fiction.

Victoria is a hopeless romantic who is living her dream, penning happily-ever-after's for her characters in between managing kids and the family business. Writing on a laptop in the middle of the country in a rambling old Victorian house would be ideal, but she's quite content living in suburbia with her husband, their two young children, and very bad cat.

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