PECAN BLOSSOMS and PHOTOGRAPHS by Author Linda Carroll-Bradd **The Orchard Brides** **Book Birthday**

Welcome back to Romance Sweet Reads. Today we’re featuring the third book in The Orchard Brides series of sweet/inspirational romances. Pecan Blossoms and Photographs, by Author Linda Carroll-Bradd is celebrating today's Book Birthday.

A decade ago, Romeo Fabrizio and Darcie Montague were the high school “it” couple. He played as the star quarterback for junior and senior years, and she was the team’s unofficial photographer. They had their futures planned until an injury ended his football career, and they went their separate ways

After six years of international travel to photograph sporting events, Darcie is bone-weary and ready for a change. An ankle injury from a rock-climbing job temporarily puts her out of action, and she returns to her hometown to heal. When they are thrown together in planning the town’s pecan festival, sparks fly but can they overcome the hurt from the fractured relationship?

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For years, airports ranked among Darcie Montague’s favorite places. Each one—no matter how big or small—signaled the first step of a new adventure. The jumping-off spot always funneled her toward a championship football game, basketball tournament, or major league baseball playoff. As long as the photos she snapped were something she could sell to an athletic magazine, she followed any sport.

The jet jolted onto the runway at Austin-Bergstrom Airport, then braked with a rumble that shuddered through the plane’s body.

Darcie braced her right foot on the floor against the deceleration. As soon as the jet started the slow ride to the gate, she lifted the window shade, letting in bright, central Texas sunlight.

Right now, the aisle leading from her airplane seat to the exit looked as impossible as scaling Kentucky’s Red River Gorge had proved. The eight feet from her second row, premium class seat to the open door stretched forever. She glanced between the plaster cast encasing her left leg propped on the adjoining seat and her aluminum crutches the flight attendant brought from a front storage closet. Darcie had to pay for the second seat, but the freedom to keep her leg elevated and safe from random bumps was worth the extra money.

“Miss, premium class is exiting. Are you ready?” The blonde with a smile that crinkled the edges of her eyes extended a hand. Her position in the aisle prevented coach passengers from proceeding forward.

Darcie shook her head. “Let the others go first. I need to psych up myself for the trek.” Sighing, she leaned forward to snag her backpack from under the forward seat and dig out her phone. Tapping the screen, she took the device off airplane mode and then scrolled through her contact list until she found Home. After pressing the house number, she flopped against the leather seat and listened to several rings. Having to call for help grated against her need for independence. If she was healthy and whole, she would have flown into Dallas to collect her SUV and driven the three-and-a-half hours to Pecan Valley. Instead, she had to book a flight to an airport closer to home, cutting the car trip in half.

“Oliver Montague here.”

So businesslike. Or maybe he hadn’t checked the caller ID. “Hi, Daddy.”

As a young girl, I spent lots of my free time lying on my bed reading about fascinating characters having exciting adventures in places far away and in other time periods. In later years, I discovered and devoured family saga stories and romance novels. At a certain point, I grew cocky enough to think I could write one of these stories. Then I learned what a balancing act writing a novel is, but I wasn’t deterred. Twelve years later, my first fiction sale was achieved--a confession story.

After reading Debra Holland’s “Montana Sky” series and Caroline Fyffe’s “Prairie Hearts” series, I wanted to try my hand at historicals. I was thrilled to be invited to contribute to Sweetwater Springs Christmas and continued writing in the Montana Sky world by developing my Entertainers of the West series.

Married with 4 adult children and 2 granddaughters, I now write heartwarming contemporary and historical stories with a touch of humor and a bit of sass from my home in the southern California mountains. Lots of my stories are set in Texas where I lived for a dozen years.

Linda's Website ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Amazon Author Page ~ Goodreads

You can find all ten books in The Orchard Brides Series on Kindle Unlimited

 

While you’re there, be sure to grab a copy of the companion cookbook, Treats From the Orchard. Only 99¢ with all proceeds going to the National SPCA.

Also available on Kindle Unlimited

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Please come back again on Monday, when we’ll feature the fourth book in this wonderful series.

 

Nancy