The Sweetheart Bargain

July 22, 2013
In this heartwarming contemporary series opener, Jump (The Matchmaker’s Happy Ending) sends Boston animal therapist Olivia Linscott to Rescue Bay, Fla., in search of her past. The biological mother who abandoned her at birth has left her a lovely house—but it turns out to be entirely run-down. An injured dog provides the initial meet-grumpy with next-door neighbor Luke Winslow, a Coast Guard helicopter pilot whose career was cut short by an accident that killed his best friend; he’s none too friendly at first, but as Olivia and Luke work through their personal troubles, they feel—and fight—a growing attraction. Fortunately the Sweetheart Sisters, a group of bourbon-swilling, big-hearted seniors led by Luke’s grandmother Greta, are happy to encourage the couple toward a satisfying ending that neatly sets up the next book. Agent: Pamela Harty, Knight Agency.

October 1, 2013
Olivia Linscott, an animal therapist, escapes snowy Boston for Rescue Bay, Fla., in an attempt to start fresh and heal from a broken marriage; she then meets her match in an injured helicopter pilot, a wounded dog and three meddling residents of the retirement community she works in. After a difficult divorce, Olivia is ready for a new life and is startled when her birth mother, who gave her up for adoption the day she was born, bequeaths her a dog shelter and a house. Olivia jumps at the chance to start over in a new community and packs her life into her car only to find a broken-down property and a barely livable home. Worse, her next-door neighbor Luke is a grumpy, injured military vet, and there's a stray dog wandering their properties who's in even worse shape than he is. Determined to make a go of her new lease on life, Olivia settles in to a new job at a nearby retirement community and meets The Sweetheart Sisters--Greta, Pauline and Esther--a trio of old friends who try to set her up with Luke, who is Greta's grandson. Olivia and Luke have met and clashed and would like nothing to do with each other. But a golden retriever who has a few scars of his own keeps forcing them together, as they both agree that without a little care, the dog will die. Meanwhile, Olivia discovers some deeply seated abandonment issues she must work through, exacerbated by the dilapidated property her mother left her and a couple of other family secrets she uncovers in Rescue Bay. Obviously, Luke and Olivia must overcome many of their own issues, but despite their questionable start, they each come to realize that what they are truly meant to do is rescue each other. Jump's introduction to a new series featuring The Sweetheart Sisters is a smoothly written and emotionally satisfying novel that includes both sexy tension and tender romance, with humor and emotionalism in abundance. A fun, sexy, heart-warming read.

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