Home to Stay by Kate James #Harlequin #Heartwarming #Romance @PrismBookTours @KateJamesBooks

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Home to Stay
by Kate James
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 312 pages
July 1st 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming

She’s bringing his son home

A missing little boy triggers San Diego K-9 officer Shannon Clemens and her canine search-and-rescue partner into instant action. For the rookie cop haunted by a childhood tragedy, bringing Sawyer Evans’s son safely home is more than a job. It’s a mission she can’t fail… But forging a friendship with the father is a tactical error that could compromise her first solo assignment. Yet the deepening bond between them is almost impossible to resist…

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Excerpt

All Shannon wanted to do now was get Dylan home to his father with as little additional trauma as possible. She had a brief discussion with Bigelow, Leary and Anson. They agreed it was best if she traveled with the boy. They’d take her Explorer, and Robbins would drive so she could stay with the boy. Martin would follow in another cruiser to bring Robbins back.

Once they settled on the logistics, she hurried back to Dylan. He was squatting in front of Darwin, stroking him.

She bent down beside them. “Ready to go home?”

“To Daddy?” he asked in a subdued voice.

“Yes.”

His lower lip quivered and Shannon sensed he was about to start crying. “You’ll get to ride in a police car, and Darwin and I will be right there with you. Is that okay?”

He nodded, and her heart melted when he wrapped his arms around her neck, Joey dangling from one hand. She lifted him up. Unhooking Darwin’s lead from around the lamppost, she signaled for him to “heel” and carried Dylan to her Explorer. When they reached her vehicle, she tried to put Dylan down, but he refused to let go. With the boy still in her arms, she opened the hatch and instructed Darwin to hop in.

That made Dylan smile. “He jumped so high!”

Robbins headed for the driver’s side of the Explorer while she placed Dylan in the backseat. Climbing in after him, she fastened his seat belt.

She tried to do everything she could to distract him and keep him happy during the drive to San Diego.

As they sped along I-405 South, she pointed out landmarks and scenic areas, but she was careful to avoid any discussion of where he’d been and who he’d been with. Victim Services cautioned officers not to get into any of the details with victims of abduction until they’d been professionally assessed. The fear was that it could bring back all the bad memories and trigger post-traumatic stress. “How’s Joey doing?” she asked instead, hoping to get an indication of how Dylan himself was holding up.

“He’s okay, I guess.” Dylan seemed preoccupied with his toy for a few minutes. “See, Joey has a pouch and everything!” he exclaimed suddenly, pointing to the pocket on the toy’s belly. “That’s where the mama kangaroos keep their babies,” he informed her solemnly.

At one point, he touched her face. “You’re hurt,” he said softly, concern clouding his eyes.

“I’m okay,” she assured him, and wished she’d thought to put a bandage on her scratch.

As Dylan fell silent again, Shannon watched him out of the corner of her eye. The only outward sign of his distress was how tightly he clutched his stuffed toy, and—when she wasn’t distracting him—the way he rocked back and forth.

 

 

 

Other Books in the Series

  

 

 

About the Author

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.

Tour Schedule

July 8th: Launch
July 9th:
Heidi Reads…
Becky on Books
Thoughts of a Blonde
deal sharing aunt
With Love for Books
July 10th:
Katie’s Clean Book Collection
Hearts & Scribbles
Slice of Life
It’s All About the Romance
Mel’s Shelves
July 11th:
Rockin’ Book Reviews
underneath the covers
Getting Your Read On
Nicole’s Book Musings
Cafinated Reads
Christian Suspense Author Mary Alford
July 12th:
A Baker’s Perspective
Paulette’s Papers
Christy’s Cozy Corners
The Bookworm Chronicles
Remembrancy
Janice’s Book Reviews
July 13th:
Singing Librarian Books
I Am A Reader
Reading Is My SuperPower
Inside the Mind of an Avid Reader
Book Lover in Florida
Wishful Endings
July 14: Grand Finale

 

 

Tour Giveaway

Prize Pack:
· A gorgeous aqua cross-body bag;
· “Dreamer Extraordinaire” charm bookmark;
· signed copy of When Love Matters Most, the second book in the San Diego K-9 Unit series);
· signed copy of When I Found You, the third book in the San Diego K-9 Unit series;
· an assortment of bookmarks and bookplates; and
· a $20 Amazon gift card.
· (US/CAN – if winner lives elsewhere, will receive ebooks & gift card instead)

Signed Books:
· Six winners who comment on any of the blog posts, will receive a signed book (US/CAN) of their choice from the first three books in the San Diego K-9 Unit series, When the Right One Comes Along, When Love Matters Most, or When I Found You.

Ends July 18th

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