Monday, September 22, 2014

The Better Man by Amy Vastine Giveaway & Excerpt

A Themed Tour through Prism Book Tours.

The Better Man (Chicago Sisters)The Better Man
by Amy Vastine
Adult Romance 
Harlequin Heartwarming
January 1st 2014

Kendall Montgomery's six-year-old son has barely spoken in the past year, locked in his world of silent grief. Then one day, he spots his dead father across a crowded street.

Max Jordan moved to Chicago to be closer to his own son and prove he can be a better father than his deadbeat dad. His striking resemblance to Kendall's husband and his track record with fatherhood make her determined to keep her distance…until Max helps her little boy come out of his shell. But can she trust him with their future? How can she be sure he won't take off just when they need him most?



Excerpt:
The three of them got busy painting and embellishing the costume. Their collective laughter created a lightness Kendall hadnt felt in a long time. Seeing Simon act like a normal six-year-old freed her from the years worth of guilt and worry shed been carrying around. This wasnt like having Trevor around. It was better.       
Max came up with the idea of using a Frisbee as the steering wheel. He cut a hole in it and attached it to a paper towel tube that Simon had way too much fun unrolling. Max painted Simons nose red and Simon returned the favor by painting a white smiley face on Maxs knee.
With the help of a lot of duct tape and some imagination, they created the coolest red sports car, complete with white flames on the sides. Kendall took pictures with her phone until Simon couldnt stand still another minute.
We rocked that thing. My mother would be proud,Max said, grinning from ear to ear.                                                      
Its pretty awesome,Kendall agreed as they watched Simon run up and down the sidewalk, pretending he was in the Daytona 500.
Max looked at his paint-covered hands. Can I use your bathroom to wash up?       
Although shed been prepared for him to ask, the request still racked her nerves. Her shoulders stiffened. Sure, we can all go in for a minute.She called Simon over and they left the car on the porch to finish drying.
Kendall let Simon show Max where he could clean up so she could scan the main floor for any other pictures of Trevor. Her heart raced. This was more stressful than presenting a design to a room full of her toughest clients. She climbed up on the couch and took down the photo collage that hung above it, hiding it behind the cushions. She sat down and held her head in her hands. Hiding all evidence of Trevors existence was ridiculous and she knew it.
Mom, can Max stay for dinner?Simon skipped around the room, too excited for his own good.
No, honey. Max probably needs to go home.
He doesnt. His son lives with his mommy and Max doesnt have a wife. Hes all alone. We should let him stay here for dinner. No one likes to eat dinner by themselves. I hate being by myself.
He was so sweet, and she appreciated his empathy, but there was no way she could ask Max to stay. Shed have a heart attack before the night was over from the stress of it all. Plus, Simon didnt need to get too attached. Once the job at Satos was finished, it was unlikely theyd have anything to do with Max again. She had to protect her son from being disappointed later.
Not tonight, Simon.
But—”
No buts. No. Its my final answer.
Simon glared at her. Her tenderhearted boy disappeared. Youre mean, Mommy.

Hey, be nice to your mom. She helped make you the best costume in town.Max strolled down the hallway toward the family room. It felt strange to have him in this house. Trevor had never lived here, even though the ghost of his memory haunted it daily.



Amy Vastine has been plotting stories in her head for as long as she can remember. An eternal optimist, she studied social work, hoping to teach others how to find their silver lining. Now, she enjoys creating happily ever afters for all to read.

Amy lives outside Chicago with her high school sweetheart-turned-husband, three fun-loving children, and their sweet but mischievous puppy dog.

Website * Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter

Tour-Wide Giveaway


- Gift Card Grand Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card and a signed paperback (US) or ebook (INT) of The Better Man
- US Grand Prize: Signed paperback of The Better Man plus swag (shown above)
- 5 copies of The Better Man (paperback for US and ebooks for INT)
- Ends October 5th

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10 comments:

  1. No I have never been to Chicago but would love to go one day

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  2. I have never been to Chicago but it seems like there is a lot to do there.

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  3. Yes Ive been to Chicago.. I live only an hour away.

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  4. I live about 5 miles from Chicago now and have lived in the area for 30 years now, so yes in deed, I have been to Chicago. I forgot, I graduated twice from U of I in Chicago.

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  5. no,I have never been to Chicago,would love to though!
    (Karla Sceviour)

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  6. I never been to Chicago

    rounder9834 @yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete