"She's his enemy, his downfall—and his one last chance at love. After Adam Danvers lost his wife in a tragic accident, he stopped believing in love. Instead, Adam has focused solely on running his family’s struggling vineyard in the small town of Heron’s Landing. When Joy McGuire, a beautiful and clever journalist, moves to the sleepy town, suddenly Adam can’t control his intense attraction to her. She’s witty; she pushes his buttons. He wants to shake her as much as he wants to kiss her. But Joy is a journalist, and Adam hates them all on principle. He saw firsthand how a journalist’s lies destroyed his late wife. Yet as Joy proves that she’s nothing like the writers he’s known, Adam can’t help but give in to exquisite temptation. Soon a conflagration ignites between Adam and Joy. Yet as secrets unfold, Adam must trust in love or lose the woman who’s awakened his slumbering heart. This title was previously published as Seduce Me Sweetly. It’s been rereleased with a brand-new look and with lightly edited content."
View MoreCarissa POV
Napabalikwas ako ng bangon ng marinig ko na may kumalampag sa labas ng pinto ng kwarto ko. Hindi ko alam kung anong oras na basta naramdaman ko nlng na masakit ang aking ulo. . Naramdaman ko din na wala akong saplot sa katawan ng unti-unti akong bumaba sa higaan. Pero pagtingin ko sa kama nakita ko na may katabi ako.. Nataranta akong hinila ang kumot at ibinabalabal sa hubad kong katawan.'Anong nangyari? Napabulalas ako sa sarili dahil hindi ko talaga matandaan kung ano ang nangyari sa nagdaang gabi. Bahagya ko pang kinusot-kusot ang aking mga mata at tumingin sa katabi ko. Lalong dumagundong sa kaba ang aking dibdib ng makita kong lalaki ang aking katabi. N*******d ito base sa hitsura nitong nakadapa at tanging bewang hanggang paa ang natakpan ng kumot. Tulog na tulog ito.'" Carissa, buksan mo ang pinto, ano ba?"Narinig ko na kinakalampag ni Mommy ang pinto ng aking room. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin ko. Wala talaga akong matandaan. Hangang sa narinig ko na lang na nagclick ang door knob ng kwarto ko. Napabalik ako sa aking kama at kinuha ang isang unan at inilagay sa harapan ko. Sunod-sunod na pumasok sila Daddy, Mommy at Ate Ara. Gulat silang napatingin sa akin pati na din sa lalaking tulog pa rin na nasa aking kama."Malandi kang haliparot ka! Anong ginawa mo sino yang nasa tabi mo?" sigaw ni Mommy sa akin. Hindi kasi makita amg mukha ng katabi ko kasi nakadapa ito pero maya-maya lang ay gumalaw ito at bumangon. Ng makita ko ang mukha ng katabi ko ay nagulat ako. Si Kuya Gabriel, boyfriend ni Ate Ara. Nakita ko din ang pagrehistro sa pagkagulat sa mukha ni Kuya Gabriel. Napabaling pa ito sa akin at bakas sa mukha nitong naguguluhan din ito sa mga nangyayari. Binalingan nito si Ate Ara na noon ay umiiyak na.Si Gabriel ay matagal ng kasintahan ni Ate Ara. Mayaman ito...... Ay hindi pala sobrang yaman... Galing ito sa kilala at pinakamayamang pamilya ng bansa."Ano ang ibig sabihin nito?" sigaw ni Ate Ara. May luha na din na lumalabas sa kanyang mga mata ng napagsino ang katabi kung lalaki. . "Gabriel, Carissa ano ang ibig sabihin nito?" "Bakit nagawa niyo sa akin ito?" humahagohol niyang sabi. Walang patid ang pagtulo ng kanyang luha. Hindi ko alam kong ano ang isasagot ko kasi wala talaga akong matandaan. Basta naalala ko lang na 21st birthday party kagabi ni Ate Ara maraming bisita at lahat nagkakasayahan. Nang tingnan ko si Daddy at nakatiim-bagang lang itong nakatingin sa amin. Matalim naman ang tingin sa akin ni Mommy na parang nakagawa ako ng malaking kasalanan. Samantalang su Ate Ara ay halos maghistirikal na sa sobrang sama ng loob."Disi-otso anyos ka pa lang pero lumandi ka na Carissa at sa boyfriend pa talaga ng kapatid mo." Sabay pakawala ng mag asawang sampal sa akin ni Mommy. Pakiramdam ko namanhid ang aking mukha sa sakit na aking naramdaman. "Mommy, sorry po hindi ko alam" umiiyak kong sabi. "Wala akong matandaan kung bakit nangyari ito". Sabay lingon sa katabi ko na kita din ang pagkalito sa kanyang mukha. Bumalatay ang pagkalito sa mukha nito. Waring inaalala ang mga nangyari nung nagdaang gabi. " Kuya Gabriel paano nangyari ito ba---- hindi ko nantuloy ang sasabihin ko ng sabunutan ako ni Ate Ara." Walang hiya kaaaaa... Ahas ka..!!! ."sigaw ni ate Ara sa akin habang hila-hila ang aking buhok. Halos matangal ang anit sa aking bungo sa sobrang lakas ng pagkahila niya sa akin. Hindi ako makapalag kasi hawak-hawak ko ang kumot na tumatakip sa aking kahubdan." Ahas ka, bakit ikaw pa na kapatid ko ang umagaw sa lalaking pinakamamahal ko". Sigaw ni Ate Ara sa akin. "Kakalbuhin kita" at lalo nya pang nilakasan ang paghila sa buhok ko na pakiramdam ko ay matatangal na sa anit ko."Ara tama na yan". Sigaw ni Daddy. "" Wala ka ng magagawa dahil nangyari na ito. " Binalingan niya si Gabriel." Mag usap tayo Gabriel. "Ipaliwanag mo kung bakit nandito ka sa kama ni Carissa". Baling ni Daddy kay Gabriel na halata sa boses at kilos nito na nagpipigil sa matinding galit. Halata din sa mukha nito ang malaking disappointment ng sulyapan ako nito."Tito, I I dont know what happened. Why I am here..... Wala akong matandaan... Nalilito na sambit ni Gabriel." Ara Babe hindi ko alam.. Im sorry......" Babe bakit mo nagawang lukuhin ako" humahagolhol na sabi ni Ate Ara. "Bakit ang kapatid ko pa" huhuhuhu" hindi ko matangap.." Sigaw ni ate Ara. HINDI KO MAINTINDIHAN BAKIT SA DINAMI-DAMI NG TAO BAKIT KAPATID KO PA". "Mommy, Daddy hindi ko matangap ito". Ang sakit-sakit"."Ate, Im sorry.." sambit ko habang umiiyak. " Hindi ko alam.. Wala akong alam, wala akong matandaan" huhuhuhu. Dad, Mom sorry po. Sambit ko sa kanila habang nag-uunahan sa pagtulo ang aking luha. Litong lito ako sa mga nangyari. Hangang ngayon hindi pa rin kayang iproseso ng aking utak bakit nangyari ang bagay na ito. Ikakasal na sa susunod na buwan ang aking ate Ara at Kuya Gabriel. Nagmamahalan sila at saksi ako dun. Pero bakit nangyari ito." Bweno dahil nangyari na ito wala na tayong magagawa pa para baguhin ang nangyari na."Sambit ni Daddy." Helena, Ara lumabas muna tayo sa kwarto na ito." Kayong dalawa" ani ni Daddy sa akin at kay Gabriel "Ayusin niyo ang mga sarili niyo mag - uusap tayo. Kapag tapos na kayo mag-bihis sumunod kayo sa akin sa liberary may mahalaga tayong pag-uusapan. Tatawagan ko na din ang mga magulang mo Gabriel para pumunta dito sa bahay.". Wika ni DaddyHumakbang si Daddy papunta ng pinto. Si Ate Ara naman ay masama ang tingin sa akin. Nag uunahan pa rin sa pagpatak ang luha sa kanyang mga mata. Si Mommy naman ay matalim akong tinitigan. Nilapitan nito si Ate Ara at inakay papuntang pinto kung saan naghihintay si Daddy para sabay na silang lumabas. Narinig ko pa ang paghikbi ni Ate bago tuluyan silang nakalabas sa pinto at pabalibag itong isinara." Kuya" Sambit ko. "Paanong------bakit?" hindi ko alam kung paano umpisahan ang sasabihin pagkaalis nila Mommy Daddy at Ate Ara. Nabalot ng katahimikan ang buong kwarto at wala yatang balak magsalit si Gabriel. Nakakuyom ang mga kamao nito habang nakakunot ang noo. Kaya naman nagdesisyon na akong basagin ang katahimikan na iyon." Pinikot mo ba ako? "nagulat ako sa sinabi ni Kuya Gabriel. Bakas sa boses nito ang galit." Kuya No".... Wala sa vocabulary ko ang pikotin ka.. Lalo na at boyfriend ka ng Ate ko. ". Nahihintakutan kong sagot dito. Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa kumot."Then paanong napunta ako dito sa kwarto mo?" tiim bagang niyang sabi. Tinitigan ako nito at bakas sa mukha nito ang poot at pagkasuklam sa akin."Hindi ko alam, wala akong matandaan". Sagot ko sa nanginiginig na boses. Yumuko ako dahil hindi kayang salubungin ang masakit na titig sa akin ni Gabriel.. Nakakatakot ang hitsura nito."Tandaan mo Carissa oras na makipaghiwalay sa akin ang Ate mo dahil sa nangyari na ito magbabayad ka sa akin. Hinding hindi kita mapapatawad." galit niyang sabi. Tumayo ito at isa isang isinoot ang kanyang mga damit. Wala itong pakialam kahit hubot-hubad ito. Hindi ko naman alam kung anong gagawin ko ng mga pagkakataon na iyon. Unang beses kong makakita ng hubad na lalaki sa harap ko at hindi ko alam kung ano ang magiging reaksiyon ko. Pumikit na lang ako habang hinihintay na matapos magbihis si Kuya Gabriel."Kuya hindi ko naman ginusto ito eh" iyak ko. "Sorry kung nangyari ito.. Huhuhuhu ". Umiiyak na wika ko dito ng masiguro kong tapos na itong magbihis. Hilam ang luha sa aking mga mata na tumingin dito."Pwes ayusin mo ang paliwanag mo sa ate mo" padabog nyang sabi. "Sigaruduhin mo lang na hindi maapektuhan ang relasyon namin kundi mananagot ka sa akin tandaan mo yan". Wika nito at padabog na lumabas sa aking kwarto.Naiwan akong naguguluhan. Hindi pa rin maproseso ng aking utak ang mga nangyari. Wala akong matandaan. Kagabi masaya pa kami habang sinicelebrate ang birthday ni Ate. Naguguluhan ako. Paanong napunta kaming dalawa ni Kuya Gabriel sa kama. Paanong katabi ko siyang nakatulog dito sa kama. Hindi naman ako nalasing kagabi kasi never akong tumikim ng kahit anong alak. Marahan kong hinawi ang kumot na tumatakip sa hubad kong katawan. Marahan kong pinakiramdaman ang aking katawan. Wala naman akong naramdaman na kakaiba sa aking katawan.Tuluyan na akong bumangon at inayos ang aking higaan. Walang bakas na kahit ano sa aking kama. Naguguluhan man ay dali-dali akong pumunta sa closet at kumuha ng damit na maisusuot.Pumunta ako sa banyo upang maghilamos. Pagtingin ko sa salamin para akong bruha dahil sabog-sabog ang aking buhok dulot ng pagsabunot ni Ate Ara. Putok ang aking labi at pasa sa mukha dahil sa pagsampal ni Mommy sa akin kanina. Mapait akong napangiti. Hindi na bago sa akin na saktan ni Mommy pero mas matindi ngaun kasi talagang bumakat sa mukha ko ang palad ni Mommy. Mabilis akong naligo para maginahawaan at naglagay ng kunting powder sa aking mukha upang matakpan ng kunti ang pasa.A coffee addict and cat lover, Iris Morland writes sexy and funny contemporary romances. If she's not reading or writing, she enjoys binging on Netflix shows and cooking something delicious.Stay in touch!irismorland.comIris Morland’s MermaidsNewsletter Facebook Twitter BookBub Goodreads Instagram
Say You’re MineAll I Ask of YouMake Me YoursHold Me CloseOopsie DaisyHe Loves Me, He Loves Me NotPetal PluckerWar of the RosesincludingThen Came YouTaking a Chance on LoveAll I Want Is YouMy One and OnlyThe Nearness of YouThe Very Thought of YouIf I Can’t Have YouDream a Little Dream of MeSomeone to Watch Over MeTill There Was YouI’ll Be Home for Christmas
Grace peeled the potatoes with such force that more than one poor spud was a mere nub of its former self. Quickly tossing the offending potatoes in the trash so her mother wouldn’t see, she forced herself to peel only the brown peels.I’m not freaking out. I’m not freaking out. I’m. Not. Freaking. Out.“Grace, do you know where the potholder is?” her mother Julia asked.Grace jumped, the peeler clattering into the sink.“Goodness, you’re so on edge today!” Julia plucked the potholder from around her daughter, giving Grace a concerned look. “Are you okay?”“I’m fine. Just have a lot on my mind.” Grace turned and began peeling, slowly and without destroying the potato in hand.Julia didn’t say anything, but Grace could feel her mother’s gaze on the back of her neck.“Well, let me know if you need any help.”Grace had been like this since Adam had so helpfully told her that they’d be having a guest for Thanksgiving: none other than Jaime himself. Of course he was coming for Thanks
Joy couldn’t help but smile as she sat outside at Sadie and Robert’s wedding reception a week before Thanksgiving. After the ceremony, which had been held overlooking the river at the vineyard, the wedding party had walked a few yards to the reception. A large tent had been set up across the green, and the fall leaves provided a fairy-tale like backdrop. Luckily, it wasn’t too cold despite it being November.Initially, Joy hadn’t been sure she even wanted to attend Sadie’s wedding, given what had happened at Trudy’s. But Sadie herself had come to Joy’s place to apologize and invite her personally. That had been the general tenor of Joy’s return to Heron’s Landing: lots of apologies, even more meals sent as apologies, and a true attempt by the locals to get back on her good side.It felt good, she had to admit, to have people realize they were wrong about her after all. Especially Adam. She smiled wider. He’d worked especially hard to show how sorry he was.“What are you smiling abou
A few weeks earlier…“These are your options: either you write a retraction and I don’t rat you out to the entire industry, or I rat you out to the entire industry and you lose face with pretty much any writer under the sun.”Joy watched as Jeremy scowled, his handsome face turning into something ugly and, she had to admit, a little comical. After she’d met with Regina, Joy had gathered as much information as she could regarding Regina’s allegation against Jeremy, including proof of plagiarism and various conversations with other writers who had it out for him for scalping their stories. But the plagiarism was the biggest card she had. He hadn’t full-on copied anyone, just a few sentences here and there. It had been subtle, and she wasn’t surprised he’d gotten away with it for so long. She just hoped Jeremy took it seriously enough that he’d do what she wanted.“And what’s your proof?” he finally asked, raising an eyebrow.Joy shoved a file toward him. He opened it with a scoff, bu
With October’s arrival came the most important part of the year for River’s Bend: harvest time. Adam had watched the grapes ripen into juicy, purple berries these two months. With the leaves changing to umber and scarlet, the grapes were ready to be picked.He walked among the rows of the vines, watching workers pluck the grapes by hand and tossing them into baskets and bins. Adam had a feeling they’d finish within a week, when normally it took twice as long, if not three times. He knew the harvest would be meager this year, with the excessive rain that had destroyed so many fragile buds in the spring. Bending down, he rifled through a basket, and he sighed when he saw how many of the grapes were unsuitable for wine-making.Adam already knew the projections, already knew how many grapes it took to make a bottle of wine, already knew that he’d be lucky to make it another year. He knew all of that, but he kept hoping against hope that they’d pull through.They had to. Because now the
“So, what, are you just going to hide for the next six months?”Joy sighed. “Do you have a better idea?”“I’m thinking you should get coffee with me and act like you did nothing wrong—which you did. Do nothing wrong, that is.”Grace’s matter-of-fact voice bolstered Joy’s depressed spirits a little, but that didn’t stop the proverbial storm clouds from gathering over her still. In a town as small as Heron’s Landing, news traveled fast, and everyone and their dog had read the exposé about Carolyn. Since Adam had accused Joy of writing it, now everyone else in the town believed she’d written it, as well. The only person who thought she was innocent was Grace.A week later, and things had only gotten worse. Joy barely left her apartment, afraid of the looks and whispers that accompanied her everywhere she went. She couldn’t even go into Mike’s downstairs without someone looking at her like she killed their firstborn.“I don’t really want coffee,” she said to Grace. “I just want to sle
Joy realized quickly that Jeremy had no intention of leaving soon and that if it weren’t illegal, she would’ve strangled him by the end of the first day of his coming to Heron’s Landing.She’d cajoled, she’d asked, she’d ordered, she’d done everything she could to get him to leave. But if Jeremy were talented at anything at all, it was being stubborn. And he’d gotten it into his brain that if he just stuck things out, Joy would finally surrender and they could be together again.Not a very romantic thought, but there it was. He wanted her so exhausted that she’d capitulate and then they could somehow be happy again.The first day, when Jeremy had shown up at Trudy’s and Adam had stalked off, Joy had almost abandoned Jeremy in the middle of Main Street to go after Adam. But she knew Jeremy: he’d find her, and if he couldn’t find her, he’d make life hell for everyone else in Heron’s Landing.As she sat with him at Trudy’s and he ordered a hamburger in a snide voice, she wondered how
As Adam watched the blood drain from Joy’s face, he knew instantly who this man was. And at her softly murmured, “Jeremy,” his assumption was confirmed. Her ex—this was the guy who’d cheated on her? Adam had to restrain himself from grabbing the guy by the collar and punching him in the face. Instead, he curled his hand into a fist underneath the table.Jeremy looked like a guy who’d cheat on his fiancée. Tall, lean, his slacks and shirt perfectly ironed and his hair coiffed just so, he looked like he’d cry if you told him he shoes were ugly. Adam hated him on sight.“Jeremy, what are you…? What are you doing here?” The blood was coming back into Joy’s face, but now slashes of red bloomed on her cheeks. Adam could feel her tapping her foot underneath the table.“I was just in the neighborhood…” Jeremy laughed, fiddling with his collar a little. “I came to see you, Jo-Jo. Why else would I be here in—what is this place called? Heron’s Nesting?”“Heron’s Landing,” Adam said gruffly.
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