ABOUT THE BOOK: As a firefighter, Captain Ken Cavanaugh knows his way around dangerous situations—but he'd rather run into a burning building than help plan his 25th high school reunion in Barefoot Bay. Unfortunately, it's his best chance of finally putting things right with Beth Endicott two and a half decades after they ended so badly. But the instant they see each other again, the years blow away like ashes in the heat of their combustible chemistry. For one single night, they let their incendiary passion consume them...but in the morning, they're still left with the smoldering wreckage of a relationship that ended in tragedy.
Raised under the thumb of a rich and controlling man, Beth has spent her adult years craving freedom. Now that she's finally managed to carve out an independent life, is she ready to risk her heart on the first man she ever loved—a man who blames her family for his father's death? With so much painful history between them, Beth can't see a way to have a future with Ken. But one stunning surprise will turn everything they ever believed upside down and send them straight into each other's arms.
Ken is willing to put everything on the line for the family he’s always wanted, but Beth knows the past that ruined them could flare into heartache again. It will take all her newfound courage to prove she would walk through fire for this second chance with the love of her life. ENJOY AN EXCERPT:
Ken Cavanaugh charged into burning buildings on a routine basis. He faced life-threatening emergencies, unforeseen crises, and potential disasters almost every day with titanium nerves and steady hands. He led a crew of fearless, tough, muscle-bound mavericks who turned to him for wisdom, guidance, life-or-death decisions, and changes in their shift schedule. And, icing on his résumé cake, Captain Cav was the fan favorite to lead the fire station tours because women and children loved him.
So why the hell did his feet feel like he was wearing iron boots? Why did his pulse thump as though he was seconds from stroking out? All he had to do was walk across a banquet hall in the middle of a high school reunion and talk to a woman, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
Because Bethany Endicott had frozen him out this week no matter how hard he’d tried to thaw her. Of course, he might have had that coming, considering their past.
But twenty-five years had passed since he’d been a grieving, angry eighteen-year-old who wanted to hurt anyone named Endicott…including his girlfriend.
All he really wanted to do was put that dark day—all those dark days, in fact—in the past and clear the air.
He had to talk to her before this week went up in smoke and he could do nothing but watch his chance burn to the ground.
For the past week, during the interminable “planning” of this reunion, they had yet to have a substantive conversation. There was plenty of eye contact, all kinds of accidental brushes, and a low-grade simmer that stretched his nerves—and libido—to the limits. He’d caught her gazing at him on more than one occasion, but any time he’d initiated a conversation, she managed to be suddenly pulled away or busy.
Who could blame her? He could rationalize what happened between them all those years ago for the rest of his life, but the fact was he’d said hurtful things, and now he just wanted to apologize.
Wasn’t that what high school reunions were for?
Time was running out, though, leaving tonight, the night of the all-class Mimosa High reunion at Barefoot Bay’s swanky resort, for Ken to make his move. After this, they’d go back to their regular lives, and another twenty-five years might pass before they saw each other again.
This was his last chance.
“Come on, Cav. Tap that powder keg.”
Ken didn’t even turn to give Lawson Monroe a dirty look when the man sidled up next to him. Law was a few years older, and they hadn’t known each other in high school—though Ken knew of Law’s reputation for trouble—but this week the two men had had no choice but to hang out together at the various reunion-planning sessions. In the process, Ken grew to appreciate Law’s irreverent sense of humor and signature sarcasm.
He’d let Law and Mark Solomon, who’d rounded out the trio of Y chromosomes on the planning committee, think his interest in Beth Endicott was physical—which wasn’t a lie. She still got him fired up with one look. But there was more to his need to get Beth alone. Much more.
“Seriously, Captain Cav, what are you waiting for?” Law needled. “A kick in the ass? A glass of courage? I’m so pleased to provide both.” Law offered a glass of beer. “For you, since I don’t drink.”
Ken took the beer and sipped, letting the man think all Ken wanted to do was hit on a pretty woman. He couldn’t tell Law the truth. He could never tell anyone the truth, but that was something he’d accepted years ago.
Looking around, he considered his next opportunity to get Beth alone. There would be desserts and after-dinner drinks back on the beach following this. Could he talk to her there?
“When is this dance contest thing over?” Ken asked, checking out the last couple participating in the Dance of the Decades on a stage at the far end of the banquet room. This pair was decked out in a poodle skirt and rolled-up jeans, celebrating the decade when they graduated from Mimosa High.
“It’s over when the thousand-year-old couple keels over,” Law said.
Ken smiled, taking in the married seventy-seven-year-olds surrounded by several generations of their family cheering them on. “They met at Mimosa High, class of 1956,” he mused. “Married forever.”
Law grunted like the very thought pained him. “Damn, that’s a long time to ride the same love boat every night.”
“How does a guy get so lucky?” Ken asked, his genuine question getting a cynical look from Law. Across the hall, the crowd broke enough for Ken to get a glimpse of the short, flared white skirt that showed off Beth’s heart-stopping legs and killer red and white high heels. She loved her high heels and short skirts and wore them just as well now as she had in 1991.
She was watching the show, checking her phone, and occasionally glancing at the exit to the deck behind her.
He had to move.
“Are you nuts? Boredom sets in fast,” Law said. “I need variety.”
“Variety gets boring, too,” Ken replied. “I’d rather have something steady.”
“Shoot me now,” Law moaned. “Two-point-five and a minivan in the driveway is my idea of hell on earth. Anyway, I hate to burst your bubble, but I heard your Beth is the poster girl for I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar.”
His Beth. If only. Ken’s gaze drifted across the room, catching her checking her cell phone for the sixtieth time that hour. Who the hell was she waiting to hear from?
“Weren’t you a freaking Navy first responder before you became a firefighter?” Law demanded. “Failure isn’t an option for you life-saving types.”
No, failure wasn’t an option. Not in his line of work, not in his life. But where Beth was involved? Fail all around, even tonight.
“Pretend the place is on fire and you have to evacuate her to the nearest…bedroom.” Law took the beer back. “Don’t make me show you how it’s done, son.”
Ken checked out the couple on the stage, twirling—slowly—for their big ending. Everything in his gut told him Beth would never stay for dessert on the beach. She’d been half checked out all week long, barely showing up for any of the committee crap he’d agreed to do when he saw her name on the list.
Maybe it wasn’t a man who had her glued to the phone. Maybe it was work. Maybe it was…him. Ray Endicott. He knew only that she was in some kind of housing and real estate business, so it was more than likely she worked for her father.
An old, familiar metallic taste filled his mouth when he thought of the coldhearted bastard responsible for shattering Ken’s world. No conversation with Beth would ever change the truth of that, but she wasn’t responsible, and he wanted her to know he didn’t blame her.
“All right,” he said. “I’m going in.”
“Get ’er done, Captain.”
Ken gave a quick nod and made his way across the room. Being six-two made it easy to see over most heads, but the crowd was thick with huggers and dancers and drinkers. To avoid them, and the possibility that someone would stop him to talk, he swerved toward the perimeter of the room. Staying locked on that golden hair spilling over bare shoulders and a sleek red halter top, he was steady and sure now.
Beth’s gaze drifted over the crowd and settled on the spot where Ken had been standing with Law. Blue eyes narrowed, and a slight frown creased her forehead. She angled her head a bit, and her shoulders dropped as if she’d sighed.
As if…she was disappointed that he’d left.
Buoyed by that, he powered forward, slipping between two people with a quick, “’Scuze me.”
“Oh no, you don’t!” A woman’s fingers snagged his elbow and squeezed, jerking him to a stop. “Ken Cavanaugh, if you don’t remember me, my heart’s going to break into a thousand pieces.”
He turned quickly toward a petite woman with frosted-blond curls and glasses, with zero recognition of her face. “I…uh…sorry…I’m—”
“Chrissie Bartlett!” she exclaimed, her voice rising along with her wine glass. “Spanish 1? Freshman year? Señora Norton’s class?”
Oh yeah. He remembered the name. Remembered that she hadn’t given him the time of day in Spanish class back then. “Hi, Chrissie.”
She came a little closer. “You’ve changed, Kenny.”
Kenny. The only person who’d ever gotten away with calling him that was…inching closer to the exit. “It’s been a long time,” he said, trying to move away. “We’ve all changed.”
“Well, you’ve improved with age,” she added.
Another woman joined them, a three- or four-drink gleam in her eyes. “I don’t think we ever talked in high school,” she said. “I’m Marta Burns.”
Marta Burns? No, they’d never talked, because Ken worked construction jobs after school to help support a struggling family while these two were busy with clubs and crap to pad their college applications.
“I hear you’re a firefighter. And the captain, no less.” Chrissie added a squeeze to his bicep, blocking Marta from getting any closer. “Impressive.”
“Yeah.” He glanced back to Beth, catching her making a quick scan of the room as she moved toward the door. Was she looking for him?
“Excuse me, Chrissie, but I—”
“Hey, ladies, why’d you slip away?” Another man approached, much shorter than Ken and with way less hair. He threw a look at Ken, who gladly stepped away to let him flirt with the women. The whole thing took two seconds, long enough for him to lose sight of Beth.
Damn it. He made a few comments, shook a hand, threw out one more excuse, and finally got away, muscling through the rest of the crowd to reach the side exit that led out to a large wooden deck.
But it was empty, with no sign of Beth.
Swallowing a dark curse, he took a few steps toward the railing, and then spotted a pair of red and white high heels tucked by the stairs that led to the sand.
He couldn’t help smiling, because, hell, this was better than Cinderella.
All he had to do was follow the footprints in the sand. MY REVIEW:
Barefoot at Moonrise by Roxanne St. ClaireMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Barefoot at Moonrise by Roxanne St. Claire is a 2016 South Street Publishing release. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
First of all, I must applaud the author for creating a romantic series featuring mature adults, who is given a second chance at love at a stage in their lives I can relate to. Yay! This series proves romance is ageless and timeless!
When Ken’s father died in a work related accident, he blamed Beth’s father. He said some truly horrible things to Beth and broke up with her.
Over the years, Ken married and divorced, as did Beth. Ken is now a firefighter, and Beth flips houses. With Ken’s upcoming high school reunion on tap, he decides to attend hoping to touch base with Beth in order to apologize for the things he said to her all those years ago.
The apology goes much better than he ever could have hoped, as the old chemistry between he and Beth still sizzles and burns, hotter than ever before. But, Beth escaped a controlling father and husband, and has managed to forge her own way, meaning she is not ready to jump back into a relationship, and is fiercely protective of her hard earned independence. But, the main issue between the couple is Ken’s continued resentment and hatred toward Beth’s father. His grudge has festered for twenty-five years, and would most assuredly resurface time and again, if he and Beth got back together.
But, a shocking turn of events will tie the couple together with inescapable bonds, forcing them to deal with the past once and for all. Was Beth’s father responsible or is there more to the story? Can Ken ever find a way to forgive in order to have a future with Beth?
This is a terrific second chance at love story that pits two people together who are at emotional odds with each other. While there is no doubt Ken is ready to take the plunge with Beth, he has many issues to work through before the relationship can ever solidify.
I admired Beth’s ability to step back and view the whole picture, to keep an open mind, and to think through all her options as selflessly as possible. She shows grit and determination, and stood up to the men in her life, while trying to keep the peace between them.
The underlying theme here is the danger of harboring hatred in your heart, because it will only poison every relationship you try to foster. Forgiveness, as difficult as it is at times, is the only way to know inner peace, for yourself and those you love.
I loved the way things worked out for Ken and Beth, and the very special circumstances that brought them back to one another. This couple deserves all the success, hope, and happiness they received, and can now share their lives with true joy and peace between them!
GET YOUR COPY HERE:
https://www.amazon.com/Barefoot-Moonrise-Bay-Timeless/dp/0997062738/
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/barefoot-at-moonrise-roxanne-st-claire/1124152208
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, the youngest of five (overachievers, every one), and fell in love with words and stories the summer I read Gone With The Wind. That year, for my twelfth birthday, my parents gave me a typewriter (with italic font – it was the coolest thing) and from that day on, I’ve had my fingers on a keyboard, pounding out love stories for fun. My AP English teacher taught me the two most important lessons an aspiring author ever needs: 1) verbs are the key to life and 2) a writer should get a real job. After attending UCLA and graduating with a degree in communications, I tried acting and television broadcasting. Oh, they aren’t real jobs? I learned that the hard way. I changed my last name from Zink to St. Claire because a news producer told me Roxanne Zink had too many harsh consonants for a TV personality – apparently Katie Couric didn’t get the memo. I got some fun gigs, and even met Tom Hanks when I did a guest appearance on Bosom Buddies. I liked on camera work, but wasn’t too crazy about starvation, so I moved to Boston and got that “real” job. In fact, I placed my foot on the bottom rung of the corporate ladder and didn’t look down until I’d climbed all the way up to the level of Senior Vice President at the world’s largest public relations firm. On the way up, I met the man of my dreams in an elevator. Two years later – in the same elevator! – he asked me to marry him and I wisely said yes. I stayed in PR, moved to Miami, had a few babies, lost my home in a hurricane, built another one a few hours north and all along, I kept writing my “stories” for fun. One night, I read a particularly fabulous romance novel that changed my life for good. That night, I decided I wanted to make someone else feel as whole and happy as that author made me feel. (Everyone asks! It was Nobody’s Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.) With two small children and one big “real” job, writing my first novel wasn’t easy, but I did finish a manuscript that managed to get the attention of a literary agent. She told me to do one thing and one thing fast: write another book. (The first one is usually a “learner” book, honestly.) That second manuscript sold to Simon & Schuster’s Pocket Books and was released in 2003 as Tropical Getaway. Since then, I’ve written over forty more, in multiple genres, and long ago replaced the corporate ladder with the rollercoaster of publishing as a full-time novelist. Finally, writing is my real job. Today, I live in a small Florida beach community on the “space coast” with my husband and our two amazing dogs, and have recently sent our son to law school and daughter to college. (Empty nest!) When I have spare time, I spend it with my family, but also write Bible-based plays for the kids in my church, practice yoga several times a week, travel for business and fun, and hang out with my many writer friends. Oh, I still love to read. I’m crazy about words and stories and hope to write at least a hundred books in my lifetime. And, yes, verbs are the key to life. My favorites are...breathe, believe, and love.
