Chloe Walker did everything right. She went to college, got a good job, dated the right men—everything. Peering at forty from a bit too close, she realizes she can be miserable that she didn’t end up happily married to the handsome prince…or she can count her lucky stars. She tries to go with stars, but the universe seems to have other plans.
Jack Leonard has loved Chloe since they were kids. He’s stood by her through all life’s little messes, been her shoulder to cry on, and figured one day they’d wind up together. He figures he’s just waiting her out. When her life goes swirly, he’s got to convince her that some men are worth risking it all for.
Can Jack make Chloe rethink her birthday wish or will she get just what she asked for when she blows out Forty Candles?
This is a previously published work. It has been revised and edited for Evernight Publishing.
Excerpt:
The snicker on the other end of the line pulled him firmly into the present and shook loose the last dregs of the past weighing him down. His youngest sister, Ellie, could easily claim she was his favorite sibling. “I heard you got a dog.”
“You mean to say you heard I dropped a dog off over at the vet’s office.”
“No, I heard you got a dog. Ever heard of big black dog syndrome? You’re stuck with him. I have some gift cards left over from my last birthday, so I ordered you some supplies—dog bed, bowls, stuff like that, and—”
“I hate to interrupt you, Sis, but—”
“If you hated to interrupt me, you wouldn’t have just done it.” Ellie went silent and he counted to ten, knowing she’d feel the need to talk again if he didn’t answer. The best part of having sisters was knowing he didn’t have to talk. Women, in his experience, were happy to fill silences with words.
Well, except Chloe. But he wouldn’t let memories drag him back down that slippery slope.
As expected, Ellie broke the silence. “Anyway, so I got things for your dog, and I can’t help but notice that in a town with three vet offices, you chose to visit the one where Chloe is finishing off her internship.”
Jack closed his eyes and leaned back. He couldn’t answer that one without giving too much away. Better not to answer at all.
His sister wasn’t having it. “Jack Reginald Sparks, don’t you dare go all silent on me. You and I both know you’ve had a thing for her since high school. Don’t play dumb.”
Again, Jack decided silence was his best option. Besides, he’d liked Chloe before high school.
Virginia Nelson gifts readers with this fabulous contemporary. Chloe Walker is a woman about to turn forty and watching her remember, rethink and re-evaluate her life was definitely interesting but watching her deal with Jack Leonard was even even better. The bond between Chloe and Jack is undeniable and seeing this intelligent, mature woman freaking over her reactions and the lack of things going her way was definitely delightful. I admit I found a certain glee in the fact that a woman closer to my own age didn't have her life together. That while she wasn't a walking disaster she also didn't have all the answers. Her doubts, her indecision and even her frustrations made me like her even more because I could identify with her and understand where she was coming from. Watching her agonizing over her relationship with Jack was at times heartening and heartbreaking and I loved every minute of it. Jack stole my heart from the minute he divulged his plan. The man is so wonderful, absolutely perfect for Chloe, matching her stubbornness and seeing all her light and darkness. I loved the merry chase they lead one another on and having their friends and family involved made me feel as if I was part of the story. If you want a love story with substance you've got to pick this one up.
The Story: Chloe Walker is nearing her fortieth Birthday and she's wondering if living her life the way she has is what was meant for her. Is it time to change things up? should she do things differently? Jack has always loved Chloe but she's been determined to avoid a serious relationship with him but he's got a plan to make her his? Will they both get the best birthday gift of all?
{"num_reviews":1,"sku":"978-1-77339-192-2","add_this":[{"service":"facebook","annotation":""},{"service":"email","annotation":""},{"service":"print","annotation":""},{"service":"twitter","annotation":""}],"gtin":null,"id":2010,"can_purchase":true,"meta_description":"","category":["Contemporary","Erotic "],"AddThisServiceButtonMeta":"","main_image":{"data":"https:\u002f\u002fcdn11.bigcommerce.com\u002fs-21532\u002fimages\u002fstencil\u002f{:size}\u002fproducts\u002f2010\u002f2238\u002fFortyCandles__30235.1488337149.jpg?c=2","alt":"Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance\n\nHeat Level: 3\n\nWord Count: 28, 435\n\nISBN: 978-1-77339-192-2\n\nEditor: JC Chute"},"add_to_wishlist_url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fwishlist.php?action=add&product_id=2010","backorder_availability_prompt":"","url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fforty-candles-by-virginia-nelson\u002f","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChloe Walker did everything right. She went to college, got a good job, dated the right men—everything. Peering at forty from a bit too close, she realizes she can be miserable that she didn’t end up happily married to the handsome prince…or she can count her lucky stars. She tries to go with stars, but the universe seems to have other plans.\u003c\u002fstrong\u003e\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003cbr id=\"m_-837844605572846518yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1483372177696_23904\" \u002f\u003e\u003cbr id=\"m_-837844605572846518yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1483372177696_23905\" \u002f\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJack Leonard has loved Chloe since they were kids. He’s stood by her through all life’s little messes, been her shoulder to cry on, and figured one day they’d wind up together. He figures he’s just waiting her out. When her life goes swirly, he’s got to convince her that some men are worth risking it all for.\u003c\u002fstrong\u003e\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003cbr id=\"m_-837844605572846518yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1483372177696_23906\" \u002f\u003e\u003cbr id=\"m_-837844605572846518yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1483372177696_23907\" \u002f\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan Jack make Chloe rethink her birthday wish or will she get just what she asked for when she blows out Forty Candles?\u003c\u002fstrong\u003e\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is a previously published work. It has been revised and edited for Evernight Publishing.\u003c\u002fem\u003e\u003c\u002fspan\u003e \u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExcerpt:\u003c\u002fstrong\u003e\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eThe snicker on the other end of the line pulled him firmly into the present and shook loose the last dregs of the past weighing him down. His youngest sister, Ellie, could easily claim she was his favorite sibling. “I heard you got a dog.”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e“You mean to say you heard I dropped a dog off over at the vet’s office.”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e“No, I heard you got a dog. Ever heard of big black dog syndrome? You’re stuck with him. I have some gift cards left over from my last birthday, so I ordered you some supplies—dog bed, bowls, stuff like that, and—”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e“I hate to interrupt you, Sis, but—”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e“If you hated to interrupt me, you wouldn’t have just done it.” Ellie went silent and he counted to ten, knowing she’d feel the need to talk again if he didn’t answer. The best part of having sisters was knowing he didn’t have to talk. Women, in his experience, were happy to fill silences with words.\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eWell, except Chloe. But he wouldn’t let memories drag him back down that slippery slope.\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eAs expected, Ellie broke the silence. “Anyway, so I got things for your dog, and I can’t help but notice that in a town with three vet offices, you chose to visit the one where Chloe is finishing off her internship.”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eJack closed his eyes and leaned back. He couldn’t answer that one without giving too much away. Better not to answer at all.\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eHis sister wasn’t having it. “Jack Reginald Sparks, don’t you dare go all silent on me. You and I both know you’ve had a thing for her since high school. Don’t play dumb.”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003eAgain, Jack decided silence was his best option. Besides, he’d liked Chloe before high school.\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e“Ma! Jack has something he wants to tell you!” \u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: medium; font-family: 'times new roman', times;\"\u003e“That is low, El.”\u003c\u002fspan\u003e\u003c\u002fp\u003e","show_backorder_message":false,"tags":[],"warranty":"","price":{"without_tax":{"formatted":"$3.99","value":3.99,"currency":"USD"},"tax_label":"Tax"},"default_shipping_expectation_prompt":"","detail_messages":"","availability":"","page_title":"","cart_url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fcart.php","show_backorder_availability_prompt":false,"max_purchase_quantity":0,"show_quantity_on_hand":false,"show_default_shipping_expectation_prompt":false,"show_quantity_on_backorder":false,"brand":{"name":"Heat Level 3","url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fbrands\u002fHeat-Level-3.html"},"attributes":[],"mpn":null,"upc":null,"options":[],"related_products":[{"id":814,"sku":"978-1-77130-712-3","name":"Magical Curves by Virginia Nelson","url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fmagical-curves-by-virginia-nelson\u002f","availability":"","rating":4,"brand":{"name":"Heat Level 3"},"category":["Contemporary","Erotic ","Romantasy","BBW\u002fRubenesque"],"summary":"Magical Trilogy, 1\r\nEmily Flowers dreams of something more. Living a humble, if solitary, life as the local librarian, she looks forward to laying her head on her pillow each night to travel to a...","image":{"data":"https:\u002f\u002fcdn11.bigcommerce.com\u002fs-21532\u002fimages\u002fstencil\u002f{:size}\u002fproducts\u002f814\u002f967\u002fmagical_curves__70031.1390947327.jpg?c=2","alt":"Genre: Erotic Rubenesque Romance\n\nHeat Level: 3\n\nWord Count: 32, 670\n\nISBN: 978-1-77130-712-3\n\nEditor: JC Chute\n\nCover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs"},"images":[{"data":"https:\u002f\u002fcdn11.bigcommerce.com\u002fs-21532\u002fimages\u002fstencil\u002f{:size}\u002fproducts\u002f814\u002f967\u002fmagical_curves__70031.1390947327.jpg?c=2","alt":"Genre: Erotic Rubenesque Romance\n\nHeat Level: 3\n\nWord Count: 32, 670\n\nISBN: 978-1-77130-712-3\n\nEditor: JC Chute\n\nCover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs"}],"date_added":"28th Jan 2014","pre_order":false,"show_cart_action":false,"has_options":false,"stock_level":null,"low_stock_level":null,"qty_in_cart":0,"custom_fields":null,"num_reviews":6,"weight":{"formatted":"0.00 LBS","value":0},"demo":false,"add_to_wishlist_url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fwishlist.php?action=add&product_id=814","price":{"without_tax":{"formatted":"$3.99","value":3.99,"currency":"USD"},"tax_label":"Tax"}},{"id":1752,"sku":"978-1-77233-843-0","name":"Forever Devoted by Virginia Nelson","url":"https:\u002f\u002fwww.evernightpublishing.com\u002fforever-devoted-by-virginia-nelson\u002f","availability":"","rating":5,"brand":{"name":"Heat Level 3"},"category":["Contemporary","Erotic "],"summary":"Robbie Jacobs is content being just one of the guys. 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Chloe Walker is a woman about to turn forty and watching her remember, rethink and re-evaluate her life was definitely interesting but watching her deal with Jack Leonard was even even better. The bond between Chloe and Jack is undeniable and seeing this intelligent, mature woman freaking over her reactions and the lack of things going her way was definitely delightful. I admit I found a certain glee in the fact that a woman closer to my own age didn't have her life together. That while she wasn't a walking disaster she also didn't have all the answers. Her doubts, her indecision and even her frustrations made me like her even more because I could identify with her and understand where she was coming from. Watching her agonizing over her relationship with Jack was at times heartening and heartbreaking and I loved every minute of it. Jack stole my heart from the minute he divulged his plan. The man is so wonderful, absolutely perfect for Chloe, matching her stubbornness and seeing all her light and darkness. I loved the merry chase they lead one another on and having their friends and family involved made me feel as if I was part of the story. If you want a love story with substance you've got to pick this one up.\r\n\r\nThe Story: Chloe Walker is nearing her fortieth Birthday and she's wondering if living her life the way she has is what was meant for her. Is it time to change things up? should she do things differently? Jack has always loved Chloe but she's been determined to avoid a serious relationship with him but he's got a plan to make her his? Will they both get the best birthday gift of all?\r\n","date":"17th May 2017"}]},"bulk_discount_rates":[],"meta_keywords":"","show_quantity_input":0,"title":"Forty Candles by Virginia Nelson","gift_wrapping_available":false,"min_purchase_quantity":0,"customizations":[],"images":[{"data":"https:\u002f\u002fcdn11.bigcommerce.com\u002fs-21532\u002fimages\u002fstencil\u002f{:size}\u002fproducts\u002f2010\u002f2238\u002fFortyCandles__30235.1488337149.jpg?c=2","alt":"Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance\n\nHeat Level: 3\n\nWord Count: 28, 435\n\nISBN: 978-1-77339-192-2\n\nEditor: JC Chute"}]}
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