Hello, friends! I’m thrilled to spotlight Traci Borum’s latest novel today. Meet You Under the Stars is the second book in the Morgan’s Grove series, which is set in Texas. I’ve adored all of the books in Traci’s Chilton Crosse series set in England, so I’m really looking forward to having a chance to start this series. Traci is generously sharing an excerpt from Meet You Under the Stars. Enjoy!
A tapping sound caught Chaynie’s attention before she could swivel to cross the street. She paused to see Mindy’s Boutique, next door, with some commotion going on inside the front window. Mindy, herself, was on a ladder, stretched high to attach something to the glass. Chaynie squinted as the “something” came into view: pink and red paper hearts, flanked by Cupids. Valentine’s decorations.
Already?
Mindy fastened the decoration to the window, then caught Chaynie’s gaze below and waved. Chaynie used her free hand to wave back, then she crossed the street and realized the paradox. Christmas decorations still lingered on one side of the town square, while pink hearts and Cupids were erected on the other side. Seeing them in their vivid glory, Chaynie felt the sting of last year’s Valentine’s, painfully fresh.
Blake, her boyfriend of almost a year, had broken up with her on Valentine’s Day. Even worse, he took the coward’s way out, and did it by text. Chaynie had read the message several times before it sank in: Been doing a lot of thinking this week. Not sure this is working anymore. Us. Please understand. Sorry.
Granted, the final few months of their relationship had been conducted mostly by text or video chats because of the distance between them (Chaynie had moved back, temporarily, to Morgan’s Grove while Blake remained in west Austin, a fifty-minute drive). But she’d had faith in their communication skills, and in the strength of their relationship. And she thought Blake had, too.
That Valentine’s morning, Chaynie had stared hard at the text, at the word “Sorry,” for several seconds afterward, until it became a nonsense word to her brain. Sorry. Such a brief word to end a year-long relationship. She’d thought about texting him back or calling, but she knew it would be pointless. It was over. He later apologized—again, by text—for breaking up with her on that particular day, saying he’d completely forgotten what day it was.
Whether he was lying or not didn’t matter. The damage was already done. So, Chaynie and her mother had finished that lonely Valentine’s together with two spoons, sharing a gallon of Blue Bell vanilla ice cream on the couch.
Valentine’s hadn’t always been Chaynie’s least favorite day of the year. In fact, up until last year’s breakup, she had completely believed in its magical properties—a breathless hope, an enchanted promise that love still existed in this unpredictable world.
But since Blake’s text, the magic had disappeared, and the only thing Chaynie felt this year for Valentine’s was jaded.
Stepping onto the curb of the town square’s main centerpiece—the courthouse and library buildings—Chaynie decided to brush off Valentine’s this year. She couldn’t completely avoid the décor, the ads, the mushy music. But she could divert her eyes, change the channel, focus on other things until the holiday had passed. If she pretended Valentine’s didn’t exist this year, perhaps, somehow, it wouldn’t.
About Meet Me Under the Stars
Chaynie Mayfield is the last person who should be heading up the Morgan’s Grove library Valentine’s event. Ever since her boyfriend dumped her last year—on Valentine’s Day—she’s had a hard time believing in love.
When Greg Peterson, a handsome architect who happens to be her former schoolmate, is commissioned to oversee the library’s renovations, Chaynie’s spirits are instantly lifted. Greg helps her brainstorm the library’s event, and together they create an “Under the Stars” theme that promises to deliver a magical night for the entire town.
The longer Chaynie and Greg work together on the romantic project, the deeper their attraction grows. But when her dream job comes calling, Chaynie must decide whether her future aspirations are worth the price of leaving a town, a family, and a library she adores–as well as a love she’s not sure she can live without.
Buy on Amazon
About the Author
Traci Borum is a writing teacher and native Texan. She’s also an avid reader of women’s fiction, most especially Elin Hilderbrand and Rosamunde Pilcher novels. Since the age of 12, she’s written poetry, short stories, magazine articles, and novels.
Traci also adores all things British. She even owns a British dog (Corgi) and is completely addicted to Masterpiece Theater–must be all those dreamy accents! Aside from having big dreams of getting a book published, it’s the little things that make her the happiest: deep talks with friends, a strong cup of hot chocolate, a hearty game of fetch with her Corgi, and puffy white Texas clouds always reminding her to “look up, slow down, enjoy your life.”
Connect with Traci on her website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Amazon Author Page | Book Bub Author Page
Check out my reviews of Traci’s previous books:
Thank you, Traci, for giving us a peek at your new book, and congratulations on your latest release!
Hello, my friends! I’m thrilled to welcome Traci Borum back to Diary of an Eccentric on the release day for Love Starts Here. I’ve been a fan of Traci’s since the first book in her Chilton Crosse series. I’ve loved every book in that series and can’t wait for the next to be released. But in the meantime, I’m looking forward to reading Love Starts Here, which is a sweet and clean Hallmark-style romance and the first book in her new Morgan’s Grove series. Traci is here today to share an excerpt from the book. Please give her a warm welcome, and let’s wish her a happy release day!
Diary of an Eccentric 