When Doves Lament - Book Tour and Giveaway

​Sometimes the love of your life comes later.

When Doves Lament
The Love Birds Book 3
by Katie Eagan Schenck
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Romance

Neither expected to fall in love again. But together they might just discover that the love of their lives came later.

Max McAllister swore off love before the ink was even dry on his divorce papers. Between his attempts to salvage the strained relationship with his daughter and rekindling his passion for woodworking, he doesn’t have time for the drama that romance brings.

Carissa Owens has finally found her footing again after losing her husband five years ago. Her wedding business is thriving and she has her sights set on expanding to corporate events—if she can secure a meeting with a lucrative new client.

But when Max’s daughter hires Carissa to plan her wedding, he insists on being involved in every aspect of the process, ruffling Carissa’s feathers. As they spend more time together, an unexpected attraction sprouts wings. That is, until Max reveals a surprise for his daughter that puts Carissa’s professional reputation at risk. Can they find a way to dovetail their plans or will their budding romance have a crash landing?


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​“You look like you’re trying to work out a tough math problem,” a voice said from the open garage door.
He jumped and banged his knee on a nightstand. As he rubbed the sore spot, he frowned when he met a familiar pair of blue eyes. “What are you doing here?”
Unperturbed by his demanding question, Carissa sauntered into the garage, running a finger over the nightstand. “I came to speak to Lanie.” Her forehead creased as she examined the rest of the items surrounding him. “Is this a furniture graveyard?”
He bristled. “No, they’re not decrepit. Just unfinished.”
“Why did you buy a bunch of unfinished furniture?” Her half smirk gave her a more youthful look. If she hadn’t been making fun of him, he might have found the expression attractive.
“I didn’t buy this stuff,” he retorted. “I made it.” A rush of satisfaction went through his veins on seeing her obvious surprise.
“You made these?”
The admiration in her voice made his chest swell. “A long time ago.”
“Why didn’t you finish them?”
That question deflated his ego—and his mood. “They were a gift for my ex-wife. When she served me with divorce papers, it became a moot point.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh, I see.” Her teeth chewed on her lower lip, and he found the action disturbingly distracting. “Well, they’re quite beautiful.” She met his gaze head-on. “You should finish them. They’d be a lovely wedding present for Lanie and Nate.”
Now, why hadn’t he thought of that? Probably because he was so focused on their original intended recipient that he hadn’t even considered his daughter might like them. But it made sense. She’d been the one to suggest he return to his former passion, so why shouldn’t she be the beneficiary of him doing just that?
“That’s a great idea,” he said.
His sincerity seemed to catch Carissa off guard. They stared at each other, and his heartbeat quickened. But she broke eye contact first, clearing her throat. The sound brought him back to reality.
“What’d you want with Lanie?” he asked, trying to refocus the conversation.
“To talk to her about the idea you called me with last night.” She wore a hint of a smile.
He avoided looking at her directly, fearing a repeat performance of whatever had happened between them minutes before. No way was he attracted to that woman. She was his polar opposite in every way and a real thorn in his side about his children’s weddings. Still, he could acknowledge she was pretty. Her ocean-blue eyes were framed with dark lashes, and her silver hair gave her a sophisticated air. He wasn’t blind, after all, but that was as far as his attraction went.
“You mean to convince her not to go along with it,” he replied, unable to keep the frustration out of his tone.
“Not necessarily.” She stepped forward as if she wanted to reassure him. “I want to make sure she understands what an undertaking that would be before she makes a decision.” When he didn’t respond, she sighed. “I’m not your enemy, Max.”
The way she said his name did strange things to his insides. “Oh, really? Is that why you’ve shot down every idea I’ve had?”
Her face fell. “I understand why you feel that way, but I assure you, it’s not on purpose. I’ve been doing this a long time, and I know what works and what doesn’t.”
“That’s what Lanie said.”
“But I thought about what you said last night, and the fact that Steven and Rose are willing to help with the baking…” She shrugged. “Lanie and Nate are on a budget. If they’re on board, then so am I.”
A home run! With a nonchalant shrug, he tried to temper his joy at winning. “Glad you’re finally seeing the light.”
She scoffed. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
“I’ll tell Lanie you stopped by and that we finally agreed on something.”
“I bet if you weren’t so pigheaded, you’d see there is a lot we agree on.”
The way she said it almost sounded like a challenge, and Max straightened his spine, pulling himself up to his full height. “Is that how you always talk to your clients?”
“I thought I made it clear last night you aren’t my client,” she said, completely undeterred by his attempt at intimidation.
They’d moved subtly closer to each other until they stood a hair’s breadth apart. Her flowery perfume filled his senses, intoxicating and infuriating all at once. She lifted her chin. Whether that was a further challenge or an invitation, he couldn’t tell. And he wasn’t brave enough to find out.
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When Swans Dance
The Love Birds Book 2

A new business. The wedding of the year. But when a health scare jeopardizes their plans, can Steven and Rose learn to dance or will this be their swan song?

Fresh off the closing of his late mother's estate, Steven is ready to start the next chapter of his life—marrying Rose. Though he struggles to find that ever elusive work/life balance, he's optimistic about the future of his new law practice.

One double shift too many makes Rose an unhappy nurse, but all that overtime will not only help fund her upcoming nuptials, it might earn her the coveted head nurse position as well.

But when Steven suffers a health emergency, suddenly all of their plans—and finances—are thrown into a tailspin. Postponing the wedding makes the most sense, but Steven won't hear of it. Rose fears if he doesn't slow down, he'll make her a widow before she ever becomes a wife. As questions arise over whether they'll ever take that walk down the aisle, can a pair of swans help them find their way back to each other?

When Swans Dance continues the emotional saga of The Love Birds women’s romantic fiction series. If you like spunky heroines, tenacious heroes, and stories of rekindled love then you’ll adore Katie Eagan Schenck’s bittersweet tale.

Buy When Swans Dance to learn the steps today!


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​“There’s something I want to show you,” she said.
“Are we going swimming?” Steven joked as they neared the water’s edge.
Once they reached the fence, Rose locked the wheelchair’s brakes before stepping around to kneel beside Steven. She searched the pond for her favorite birds.
“Look,” she said when she spotted them. “Those are our resident swans.”
Steven followed her finger and smiled. “They’re quite beautiful.”
“Aren’t they, though?”
The swans glided through the water, seemingly without a care in the world. Rose couldn’t help envying them. How simple their lives must be in comparison to hers. Find a mate, raise a brood of cygnets, and live in such a peaceful place.
“Did you know there’s an ancient belief that swans sing before they die?” Steven asked.
Rose frowned. “Really? Why?”
He shrugged. “No idea, but that’s where the term ‘swan’s song’ comes from. The idea is they’re mute most of their lives, but right before they die, they sing a sweet, mournful song.”
That didn’t sound right to her. “They aren’t mute. I can hear them grunting from here.”
“I’m sure it’s just some old folklore,” Steven said with a laugh.
Like Lanie’s cardinal. A smile tugged at her lips. She liked having her own legend, especially since she could share it with Steven.
“Did you know swans have their own mating dance?” Rose asked, remembering the man she had seen fishing the last time she was at the pond.
“Most animals do.” Steven winked at her. “But I’d rather not sit around waiting to see if they start going at it.”
A laugh bubbled up in her throat. “Too true. We should get back anyway. I need to start dinner if we want to eat before midnight.”
He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. “I wouldn’t mind if it meant I got to spend more time with you.”
Her heart melted. She missed moments like that. Sometimes she worried they got too caught up in the day-to-day of life and didn’t take time to really enjoy each other’s company. With the accident, there had been even less opportunity.
Impulsively, she leaned forward and cupped his cheek before pressing her lips softly against his. He wrapped his arms around her waist and tugged her into his lap, almost tipping over his chair in the process.
Her laughter echoed off the buildings, and she kissed him once more before standing and brushing off her clothes. “Come on. Let’s go home.”
 

When Cardinals Appear
The Love Birds Book 1
 

She has a promise to keep. But when her plans are thrown into a tailspin, will a persistent red bird show her how to let her dreams take flight?

Lanie McAllister is ready to move on. Wrestling with her mom’s death, the young woman just wants to settle the estate and soar off for good to her boyfriend in California—far away from painful memories. But she suspects the lucky cardinal she keeps seeing is trying to send a message when a flat tire puts her back in the path of the man who broke her heart.

With fate constantly throwing the man her mother always hated in her way, Lanie can’t seem to shake the wounds of the past. And when her current love makes a serious misstep and she discovers her ex harbors a secret, she starts to rethink what will make her truly happy.

Questioning her vow to her mother to never look back, is the cardinal a clue Lanie’s true happiness is hiding in plain sight?

When Cardinals Appear is the emotional first book in The Love Birds women’s romantic fiction series. If you like heroines who grow, overcoming loss, and second chances, then you’ll adore Katie Eagan Schenck’s bittersweet tale.

Buy When Cardinals Appear to read the signs today!
 

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​“I can’t believe you still have this car,” I finally said as I strolled over to him.
“She’s in mint condition,” Nate confirmed, a hint of pride in his voice.
I grinned as I climbed in and set my bags on the floor, feeling like I was stepping back in time. I recalled many evenings with Nate, cruising down back roads and stopping to take in the sunset over the water. It made me wish for a simpler time, before a broken heart and Mom’s death completely altered my life.
He slid in, a warm smile pulling on his lips. He had always loved that car, and the change in his mood was palpable. We pulled out onto the road, and I relished the vibration of the rumbling engine as he switched gears. Something about that moment felt more like coming home than anything I’d experienced since my plane landed.
Within a few minutes, we pulled up in front of an unfamiliar building with a sign outside that said McAllister and Associates. What? We’d already arrived? I bit my lip and tried to get control of myself. Get a grip, Lanie. The man was giving me a ride, not taking me on a date. I pulled the bag into my lap.
“Well, thanks for the ride.” I turned toward Nate with a forced smile. “And the rescue.”
“No problem.” He nodded toward the bag. “What’s all that?”
“My mother’s life, essentially.” I opened the bag and gestured to one pile. “This is to put her house on the market. The rest is her will and other related documents.”
“How long will you be in town?”
“Not long, I hope!” I met his gaze and realized a moment too late I’d suffered from foot-in-mouth syndrome for the second time that morning. The warmth he’d had moments ago disappeared in an instant.
“I hope it all works out for you,” he said, his voice hard and cold.
“Nate, I didn’t mean—”
“I’ll call you when the car is ready.” He stared at the road, and I took that as my dismissal.
“Thanks.” I snuck one last glance at him, but he refused to look at me. As soon as I climbed out and closed the door, he merged onto the highway, leaving me alone on the sidewalk.
“Welcome home, Lanie,” I whispered to myself.

Katie Eagan Schenck writes sweet romance and women’s fiction that warms the heart and gives all the feels. She has an MFA in creative writing from Queens University of Charlotte and her debut novel, A Home for Christmas, was released in October of 2022. When she's not writing she's either drafting regulations for the federal government, baking delicious treats, or binging Hallmark movies. She lives in Maryland with her husband, daughter, and their three cats.
 
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