The Firefighter’s Promise by Kate James

 On tour with Prism Book Tours.

We'll be highlighting 13 FREE short stories by beloved Harlequin Heartwarming authors that will be available from Harlequin during November. All Heartwarming titles are 30% OFF during November from Harlequin as well! Use code HEART1115.

TODAY'S FREE SHORT STORY:

The Firefighter's Promise by Kate James

An accidental love . . .

When Jacqueline (Jax) Warren is in a serious motorcycle accident, firefighter Ryan Hudson is the first to arrive at the scene. Ryan takes a special interest in Jax particularly when he discovers that her stepmother—Jax’s only known contact—shows little interest in her wellbeing. But Jax learned early in life that she can’t rely on other people and it’s her six-year-old half-brother, Kyle, who’s the only person she cares about.

In the face of Ryan’s persistence and devotion, Jax begins to open up to him. Convincing her to spend Thanksgiving with him and his family—to prove to her that not all families are like the one she’d known—he presents her with a gift she never imagined, and she finally lets him into her life . . . and into her heart.

Read it HERE!

Here is a excerpt:

“She’s breathing. She’s alive.” Jax heard the distressed whisper from a great distance.

“Keep her still. Don’t let her move,” another insistent voice floated to her through the gloom. Then all sound and thought faded out.

Time passed but she had no idea how she knew it. The next thing she heard was an anguished scream. It soared around her and ebbed. When it came again, it amazed her that it tore out of her since she could barely breathe. Her right side—head, shoulder, ribs and ankle—felt as if a vise was clamped to her and was ruthlessly tightening, crushing her bones . . .

The pain was excruciating.

She had to roll over. She had to, or she’d die.

She attempted to move despite the crescendo of pain, but couldn’t. Something was preventing her. She tried again.

Hands. Someone was holding her down.

“She’s trying to turn over.” The whispers were back. “What should I do?”

“Hold her still. We don’t know the extent of her injuries.”

Breathing was nearly impossible. Every inhalation was like a knife stabbing into her chest. She was hovering in a world filled with pain. She had to get off her right side or she’d be lost in it. She dug the heel of her boot into the soft ground. With another scream, she forced herself over.

“Oh, my God! I couldn’t keep . . .” was the last thing Jax heard before she was enveloped by a soothing blanket of darkness.

A harsh cry woke her. No. Not a cry. A siren.

“Oh, finally. The fire department . . .” a disembodied voice said, followed by a scrabbling sound.

“Can you hear me?” A different voice. Nearer than the others. Deeper. It was luring her back into the world of pain. She wanted to block out the voice and retreat to her cocoon of darkness. The voice was persistent. Every word seemed to be closer, more pronounced. There was something compelling about this voice, and she fought free of the darkness that beckoned her.

“The . . . pain . . .” she managed before she gasped for air.

“We’re giving you something for the pain,” he said. A hand took hold of her arm, rotated it gently. The contact was reassuring and gentle. “This’ll help,” he added.

Jax forced her eyelids open. She needed to put a face to the voice.

Amidst the scorching bursts of light, she saw him. Dark hair. Strong features. Blue eyes. There was a prick on her forearm and an odd taste in her mouth.

She trusted those eyes and believed the voice that assured her he’d take care of her before everything went black.

Kate spent much of her childhood abroad before attending university in Canada. She built a successful business career, but her passion has always been literature. As a result Kate turned her energy to her love of the written word. Kate's goal is to entertain her readers with engaging stories featuring strong, likable characters. Kate has been honored with numerous awards for her writing. She and her husband, Ken, enjoy traveling and the outdoors with their beloved Labrador Retrievers.

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Other Heartwarming Titles by this Author

 
 

TOUR SCHEDULE

Don't miss any of these FREE novellas or the extra tour content! Stop by each of the tour stops each day:

11/2: Snow Day Baby by Amy Vastine
Singing Librarian Books, The Power of Words, & Katie's Clean Book Collection

11/4: Wedding at Turkey Run by Liz Flaherty
My Love for Reading Keeps Growing, Babs Book Bistro, & Heidi Reads...

11/6: Her Thanksgiving Soldier by Leigh Riker
Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima, Mel's Shelves, & Brooke Blogs

11/9: Mr. Right All Along by Jen Snow
Katie's Clean Book Collection, Min Reads and Reviews, & Love thy Shelf

11/11: Falling for the Cowboy by Sophia Sasson
Kindle and Me, The Power of Words, & Colorimetry

11/13: The Marriage Gift by Tara Taylor Quinn
deal sharing aunt, Babs Book Bistro, & Brooke Blogs

11/16: Heart of a Hero by Pamela Tracy
Writing Pearls, Wishful Endings, & Waiting For Wentworth

11/18: Thankful for You by Karen Rock
Christian Chick's Thoughts, Getting Your Read On, & Love, Laughter, Friendship

11/20: Autumn at Jasper Lake by Carol Ross
Reading Is My SuperPower, I Am A Reader, & Colorimetry

11/23: The Firefighter’s Promise by Kate James
Canadian Book Addict, Mel's Shelves, & Beck Valley Books

11/24: Wedding of His Dreams by Cari Lynn Webb
Bookworm Lisa, Kindle and Me, & Zerina Blossom's Books

11/25: The Sweetheart Tree by Rula Sinara
The Written Adventure, Reading Is My SuperPower, & Writing Pearl

11/26: Married by Thanksgiving by Melinda Curtis
Heidi Reads..., Love, Laughter, Friendship, & Singing Librarian Books 

11/29: Grand Finale
11/30: Facebook Party

GIVEAWAYS

Goodreads Giveaway

13 Harlequin Heartwarming Books
Enter on Goodreads HERE.

Pinterest Giveaway

 

Pin one or both of these images to spread the word and enter to win this adorably festive Thanksgiving Table Set:

Pinterest Prize includes: four reversible, quilted placemats, four matching napkins, hand-painted matching napkin rings, matching table runner, matching quilted hot pad/trivet, floral centerpiece in pot, and hand-crafted pilgrim pair.

- Enter via the Rafflecopter below

- Open to US/CAN only

- Ends December 4th

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Tour Giveaway

Grand Prize: Harlequin Heartwarming Year Subscription (Provided by Harlequin and to US/CAN only)
$40 VISA card (US only)
13-Book Heartwarming Prize Pack: The Best Laid Plans, Back to McGuffy's, If I Loved You, Love, Lies & Mistletoe, First Comes Marriage, Once Upon A Marriage, Small Town Secrets, Winter Wedding Bells, If Not For A Bee, When The Right One Comes Along, Wedding of His Dreams, After The Silence, and A Memory Away (print copies if US, ebooks if international)
9-Book Prize Pack: The Best Laid Plans, If I Loved You, Love, Lies & Mistletoe, First Comes Marriage, Once Upon A Marriage, When The Right One Comes Along, Winter Wedding Bells, If Not For A Bee, and After The Silence (print copies if US, ebooks if international)

Ends December 4th

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