Title: Free to Wish Author: Tracey Jerald
Series: Amaryllis #8
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: October 4, 2021
Genre: Contemporary Romance
More Info: Goodreads
Wish upon the right star.
Known as the face for Amaryllis Events, Jenna Madison is a familiar sight on social media platforms around the globe. Even before she met her soon-to-be stepmother—renowned fashion designer, Emily Freeman—Jenna made a pact with herself to make a difference in the world of fashion. She didn’t realize how much she’d have to endure along the way to achieve success.
In the five years since Jenna graduated college, she still can’t forget the last day of her international marketing class. After all, despite the spark that arced between them, Professor Finn O’Roarke pushed her away after he finished ravishing her body.
And her heart.
Finn has spent the last five years mourning the loss of Jenna from his life. When granted his wish to speak with Jenna, he doesn’t know how to convince her of his intentions. He has one chance to repair the damage he’s wrought.
As for Jenna, can she relinquish the past? Or will she be left forever wishing for love based on respect, trust, and faith?
Title: Free to Wish
Series: Amaryllis #8
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Design: QDesigns
Author: Tracey Jerald
Release Date: October 4, 2021
Excerpt
“It’s just a few days until the O’Roarke wedding,” I remind Em over a FaceTime call.
“What do you have left to do?” Em’s head is ducked as she takes notes on a pad.
“I was at the salon with Maura yesterday. The dress is perfect, of course.” Em hums her pleasure. I go on. “Day-of assistance, including makeup. She has this ridiculously beautiful red hair that reminds me of Holly’s.”
“We should tie her down and shave it,” Em mutters.
“The bride?” I gasp.
“Holly. I’ve always envied her hair. I wake up and your father has to look at a rat’s nest. Holly wakes up and she’s ready for a photo shoot.” Em’s head snaps up, and there’s an evil gleam in them as she contemplates shaving her younger sister’s hair—likely just for fun.
“Em, I can’t stop a family war from thousands of miles away,” I warn her.
“I wonder if Phil would…” she starts.
“No!” I shout just as the door to my suite opens. Finn pops his head around the corner, holding up two cups of to-go coffee. I nod desperately and hold out my hand. “Nothing that starts ‘I wonder if Phil…’ anything ends well, Em! What the hell is wrong with you?”
Em gives it two seconds before she bursts into gales of laughter. “Oh, Jenna. I’d be more inclined to have Phil’s head than Holly’s. You should know better than that.”
“Then why…”
“Consider that retribution from me and Dani hearing about the not really new man in your life when we had dinner with your mother yesterday. And as a result of having to sit on your cousin to prevent her from screaming in the middle of a restaurant, we ended up with an adorable mention in StellaNova. Not.”
I groan. “I’m so sorry, Em. Things are happening so fast.”
“I don’t need all the details, sweetheart. I just want to know if you’re happy so when the time comes, I can reassure your father.”
My eyes drift upward from the little green dot and meet Finn’s silver ones. “That’s all you want to know? Am I happy?”
“For all of my children—and you know I consider you one of them, Jenna—that’s all I’ve ever wanted for any of you.”
My eyes still haven’t left Finn’s. “I’ve never been closer to the true happiness I’ve been taught to reach for than right now.”
Finn’s face intensifies with all the emotions he’s feeling: passion, determination, and love. And even as each one is tattooed on my heart, I feel myself drawn upward. His lips brush lightly over mine. “Mo chroí,” he whispers before letting me down back into my chair and moving away.
My eyes track his every movement, taking note of the way his tailored pants lovingly cup his rear when I hear Em ask, “Are you still planning on coming home after the wedding?”
My attention returns to her. “Right now, that’s the plan.”
Her perfectly groomed brows raise, asking me without words a million questions—none of which I have an answer for just yet. So, I just shrug helplessly. Her amused laughter rings out. “Michelle believes differently.”
My lips curve. “And so do you, I take it.”
“I’ve always believed in a lot of things when it comes to family, Jenna. What are you and your professor’s plans for today?” Finn whirls around, slack-jawed over Em’s astuteness.
“We’re heading to Waterford. I’ve never had the opportunity to go,” I remind her.
“I should send you money to go shopping for me. The holidays are coming.”
“And take away my ability to shop for the whole family at once? You’re crazy, Em.”
“One of the many reasons I’ve survived in this family. I’ll pass along your love to everyone.”
“Please do. Especially Dad, Jonas, and Talia.”
“Always. Professor O’Roarke,” Em calls out.
Finn jerks. “Yes, ma’am?”
Em’s grinning like a lunatic, even as she uses the voice she typically scolds her brother with. “I’m not in the mood to clean up another broken heart anytime soon.”
Before Finn can utter a single word, she winks at me and disconnects the line, leaving me grateful that the remarkable woman my father fell in love with healed not only my body but my mind when I needed it.
“Did your stepmother just call me out?” Finn’s flabbergasted.
I close my iPad and place it to the side. “The Freemans are terribly protective of family, and none of them are discreet about hiding it. That includes the immediate family, spouses, cousins, and those of us they’ve adopted over the years.”
Finn steps in front of me. “She knows about us?”
“Each of the members of my family has had a difficult path to love, Finn. They were worried about me. One night in Paris, Dani and Em supported me by being there when I finally let my emotions out. I wasn’t fully living. They supported me and wanted to let me know they were there for me as they always have been.”
“I owe them an enormous debt of gratitude, then. All I’ve ever wanted was for you to be happy, Jenna.”
I rest my hands on his chest. “They’ll make you pay it.”
His arms slip around my waist. “How’s that?”
“That family dinner they’re talking about? They’re a regular thing. If this goes the distance and you attend one, you’ll be on the hot seat, Professor.” I stress Finn’s honorific much like Em just did.
His smile is slow and seductive. His head bends until his lips are a whisper away from mine. “Not if, Jenna. When. And I will take anything so long as I have you next to me.”
My heart begins thumping wildly in my chest. Judging by the look on Finn’s face, he knows how his words have affected me. But his words have always had a way of sneaking past my defenses. Now, I have to weigh them against his actions.
And right now that means shopping for things that will sparkle when they arrive back home.
Giveaway
Free to Dream (Amaryllis #1)
Amazon US
Cassidy Freeman doesn’t believe dreams come true because every night her dreams trap her in a nightmare she barely escaped as a child. She maintains rigid control over all aspects of her life, giving the illusion she’s strong and confident. Allowing very few close enough to see the brave heart buried beneath, she’s convinced she’ll carry her burdens alone.
From the minute they met, Caleb Lockwood disrupted everything by destroying her sense of order. His patience, compassion and sensuality obliterated her defenses. It’s as if he knew her from the inside out.
Helping his younger brother hire a wedding planner shouldn’t have led to this. In just a few short days, Caleb’s learned untold secrets about his family – and about the Freemans. When he demands to meet them, he doesn’t expect the pull he feels towards the petite dynamo in front of him whom life has dealt an unspeakable hand
With Caleb, Cassidy’s lost her semblance of control. Now, she’s not sure she wants it back. Not if giving it up means having a chance at something she never imagined.
Love.
Free to Run (Amaryllis #2)
Amazon US
Alison Freeman met Keene Marshall because of a dare she wholeheartedly regrets accepting.
As her family’s corporate lawyer, Alison discards the idea of love as quickly as she negotiates contracts. Brutally. She realizes she’s been a fool over Keene—who is now intimately embedded in her family. It only adds to the enormity of emotions churning inside about her life.
Keene Marshall is arrogant enough to know his time with Alison left a lasting impression. He has yet to determine what place she’s going to hold in his life, but he knows there will be one. They burn too hot for there not to be.
Having closed himself off from his humanity for so long, finding Alison again presents its own set of challenges. Keene struggles with everything from his family to the walls Alison persistently builds between them. And he can’t handle the emotions that come with being denied what he wants.
Alison’s wary of Keene. Something is holding her back, except every time his lips touch hers, she’s flung into the race of her life for the one thing she claims she never wanted to win.
Free to Breathe (Amaryllis #3)
Amazon US
Baker Corinna Freeman cut all ties with Colby Hunt when she learned what the handsome military officer really thought about her and her cooking skills. She walked away; heartbroken, pride in tatters, keeping secrets she was far too young to shoulder.
Now, a decade later, Corinna’s reputation is legendary — both in and out of the kitchen. This bold woman is determined to live life to its fullest while she can.
There’s just one major problem…
Colby’s suddenly turning up everywhere acting as if nothing has changed between them in the last ten years. It infuriates her because he can still stir her up.
Colby Hunt never understood why Corinna walked out of his life without a word. He’s not letting this chance pass to figure out what happened with the voluptuous beauty who captured his heart. Despite his anger, he’s never really let her go.
But there’s something she’s hiding…
Unlike Corinna’s perfect cakes, secrets fall apart. When they do, they will test the strength and courage of not only Corinna and Colby but the entire Freeman family.
Free to Believe (Amaryllis #4)
Amazon US
In the wake of a broken engagement, Emily Freeman is left to sew together the pieces of her life. A single phone call changes her future from bleak acceptance to overwhelming opportunity.
Her family can’t help her find her artistic spirit — something she needs now more than ever. Desperate for rejuvenation, Em goes on a journey to find herself.
Only she finds so much more…
Jacob Madison has never regretted walking away from pursuing music professionally since the moment his daughter was put in his arms. Jake needs time to get back on an even beat with her now that she’s a teenager. But soon he finds himself face-to-face with a woman who stirs fires deep inside despite her icy demeanor.
Nothing is what it seems…
For Em to achieve her wildest dreams, she’ll have to conquer her two biggest fears — love and death. And she’ll have to do both while protecting those she loves from the hardest thing imaginable.
Herself.
Free to Rejoice (Amaryllis #5)
Amazon US
Dr. Jason Ross has an unprecedented week off during the holiday season to spend with his husband and family. Anticipating his greatest challenge will be keeping his husband’s gift buying under control, he’s excited for the week ahead.
But life doesn’t take a vacation even when doctors want to.
Reality destroys Jason’s yuletide cheer leaving him as twisted as some of his family’s holiday traditions. Will it take a miracle for Jason to find joy in the holidays?
Or does Jason just need love?
Free to Live (Amaryllis #6)
Amazon US
Wedding photographer Holly Freeman holds her camera up to act as a mask; blocking the world from seeing the vulnerability she never quite let go of. She still feels she owes a debt for the second chance at life she’s more than repaid.
One perfect shot…
Firefighter Joseph Bianco lost love in a way that left deep emotional wounds. There’s no place for a personal life between the fires he fights every day and the bitterness he holds back at night.
Scars heal…
As their worlds collide, they want nothing more than friendship. But it’s not long before Holly and Joe both realize they are not truly living despite the lies they tell themselves.
Will these friends-to-lovers be able to battle their pasts to find the love they deserve?
Free to Dance (Amaryllis #7)
Amazon US
Just dance
Marco Houde’s world revolves around the impossibly alluring nightclub built on the outskirts of Manhattan. Even as the wealthy and elite line up night after night for entry, there’s a part of him few manage to touch.
Then he watched her saunter into Redemption. Fireworks went off inside him.
Brilliant financier Lynne Bradbury is determined to give her best friend the bachelorette party of her dreams. Along with the rambunctious Freeman clan, she ends up moving and shaking in the VIP section. But it isn’t long before she accuses him of being a bad liar for treating her differently than he does the others.
She just doesn’t understand why.
As the music plays, Lynne can’t quite shake off the feeling there’s more to Marco than meets the eye, especially after he whirls her around the dance floor.
Because that one dance between them changes everything.
About Tracey Jerald
Tracey Jerald knew she was meant to be a writer when she would re-write the ending of books in her head on her bike when she was a young girl growing up in southern Connecticut. It wasn’t long before she was typing alternate endings and extended epilogues “just for fun”.
After college in Florida, where she obtained a degree in Criminal Justice swearing she saw things she’ll never quite believe and never quite forget, Tracey traded the world of law and order for IT. Her work for a world-wide internet startup transferred her to Northern Virginia where she met her husband in what many call their own happily ever after. They have one son. When she’s not busy with her family or writing, Tracey can be found in her home in north Florida drinking coffee, reading, training for a run Disney event, or feeding her addiction to HGTV.
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