Sanctuary Cove
by Kate James
Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
March 1st 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming
Can his safe haven be enough for her?
Emma Meadows never imagined that sticking to her principles against an act of corruption by a New York senator would cost her her job as VP of communications. Heartbroken, she retreats to her cottage in the Adirondacks to lick her wounds and, in the process, rescues an injured dog that only Josh Whitmore can save.
The veterinarian works diligently to bring dog and woman back to full fighting form, until allegations against the senator become more serious. Seeing Emma's reaction to the increasing pressure, Josh realizes that inevitably she'll find a way back to the top…and he'll likely lose her for good.
Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Harlequin│iBooks│!ndigo
Emma Meadows never imagined that sticking to her principles against an act of corruption by a New York senator would cost her her job as VP of communications. Heartbroken, she retreats to her cottage in the Adirondacks to lick her wounds and, in the process, rescues an injured dog that only Josh Whitmore can save.
The veterinarian works diligently to bring dog and woman back to full fighting form, until allegations against the senator become more serious. Seeing Emma's reaction to the increasing pressure, Josh realizes that inevitably she'll find a way back to the top…and he'll likely lose her for good.
Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Harlequin│iBooks│!ndigo
Josh was appalled. If it was true, that things had escalated to this level, Emma was in danger, too. He thought he understood what she’d been trying to do. He wanted to protect her, to reassure her, but knew he had to tread carefully to prevent her from continuing to try to push him away. He kept his voice calm, matter-of-fact. “I’m glad to hear she’ll be okay. How’s Daniel taking it?”
“Not well, as you can imagine. He feels responsible.”
There it was, he thought, the root of it. He skimmed a hand along the length of her hair. “Emma, he isn’t responsible for Jenna being injured and you know it. The person who is responsible is the guy driving the van. Even more so, the person who paid him to do it, if that’s what’s happened.”
Emma’s eyes were a turbulent, stormy gray. She blew out a long, uneven breath. “Yes. I know,” she said, but without true conviction. “I tried to tell Daniel the same thing. It didn’t help. His view is that if not for him, it would never have happened to her.”
“And you couldn’t convince him because you don’t entirely believe it yourself.” His words were soft but the force of their meaning drew her gaze back to his.
He framed her face with his hands. “It’s not going to work, Emma. You can’t push me away. I’m sticking.”
She lifted her arms. “You didn’t see Jenna in the hospital, the dark bruises on her face, around her eye, the scrapes along her arms and the large cast. You didn’t see Daniel, ravaged by guilt. I don’t want to be responsible for—couldn’t live with—anything happening to you.”
He took her chilled hands into his. “Nothing will happen to me, Emma. Even if it did, you wouldn’t be the one responsible. Hear me out,” he said when she was about to object. “I make my own choices and I choose to be with you—not just when it’s convenient. What we need to do is ensure nothing happens to either of us. I know your instinct still is to keep me distant and safe, but look at me.” He gave her a moment to do just that. “It would be futile to try.”
Emma pressed a hand over her stomach. “Josh, you’ve become so vital to me in so many ways,” she said softly. “Without even realizing it, I’ve come to trust you and rely on you, when, after Richard, I couldn't see myself trusting again.”
Those words meant more to him than she’d ever know. He sensed the change in her and was glad for it. He felt the release of tension much like a balloon deflating, and he drew her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. “Nothing will happen to us, and it will all be over soon. Trust me, Emma.”
“Not well, as you can imagine. He feels responsible.”
There it was, he thought, the root of it. He skimmed a hand along the length of her hair. “Emma, he isn’t responsible for Jenna being injured and you know it. The person who is responsible is the guy driving the van. Even more so, the person who paid him to do it, if that’s what’s happened.”
Emma’s eyes were a turbulent, stormy gray. She blew out a long, uneven breath. “Yes. I know,” she said, but without true conviction. “I tried to tell Daniel the same thing. It didn’t help. His view is that if not for him, it would never have happened to her.”
“And you couldn’t convince him because you don’t entirely believe it yourself.” His words were soft but the force of their meaning drew her gaze back to his.
He framed her face with his hands. “It’s not going to work, Emma. You can’t push me away. I’m sticking.”
She lifted her arms. “You didn’t see Jenna in the hospital, the dark bruises on her face, around her eye, the scrapes along her arms and the large cast. You didn’t see Daniel, ravaged by guilt. I don’t want to be responsible for—couldn’t live with—anything happening to you.”
He took her chilled hands into his. “Nothing will happen to me, Emma. Even if it did, you wouldn’t be the one responsible. Hear me out,” he said when she was about to object. “I make my own choices and I choose to be with you—not just when it’s convenient. What we need to do is ensure nothing happens to either of us. I know your instinct still is to keep me distant and safe, but look at me.” He gave her a moment to do just that. “It would be futile to try.”
Emma pressed a hand over her stomach. “Josh, you’ve become so vital to me in so many ways,” she said softly. “Without even realizing it, I’ve come to trust you and rely on you, when, after Richard, I couldn't see myself trusting again.”
Those words meant more to him than she’d ever know. He sensed the change in her and was glad for it. He felt the release of tension much like a balloon deflating, and he drew her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. “Nothing will happen to us, and it will all be over soon. Trust me, Emma.”
Kate spent much of her childhood abroad before attending university in Canada. She built a successful business career, but her passion has always been literature. As a result, Kate turned her energy to her love of the written word. Kate's goal is to entertain her readers with engaging stories featuring strong, likable characters. Kate has been honored with numerous awards for her writing. She and her husband, Ken, enjoy traveling and the outdoors, with their beloved Labrador Retrievers, Harley and Logan.
Kate would love to hear from you! You can connect with her by email, through her website, her Facebook page, Twitter, or mail at PO Box 446, Schomberg, ON, L0G 1T0, Canada.
Kate would love to hear from you! You can connect with her by email, through her website, her Facebook page, Twitter, or mail at PO Box 446, Schomberg, ON, L0G 1T0, Canada.
US/CAN PRIZE PACK, which consists of:
- San Diego K-9 Series T-shirt (winner’s choice of size S, M or L)
- San Diego K-9 Series tote bag
- San Diego K-9 Series mug and a small pack of gourmet coffee
- Signed copy of When Love Matters Most (second book in the San Diego K-9 Series)
- Signed copy of The Truth About Hope
- When I Found You (third book in the San Diego K-9 Series) key chain
- An assortment of bookmarks and bookplates
Open to US/CAN only
Ends March 21st
- San Diego K-9 Series T-shirt (winner’s choice of size S, M or L)
- San Diego K-9 Series tote bag
- San Diego K-9 Series mug and a small pack of gourmet coffee
- Signed copy of When Love Matters Most (second book in the San Diego K-9 Series)
- Signed copy of The Truth About Hope
- When I Found You (third book in the San Diego K-9 Series) key chain
- An assortment of bookmarks and bookplates
Open to US/CAN only
Ends March 21st
