He laughed. Hard.
She stopped. “I enjoy hearing you laugh.”
“Why?”
“Because it makes me think you’re going to be okay.”
He looked at her and thought about that for a moment. “I think I will be.”
“Good. And that makes me want to dance some more!”
She started up again and he laughed. He was going to be okay.
Author’s Note
I hope you enjoyed this latest visit to our favorite small town. Many of you have asked for new children and a story arc for Tamar, so we welcome Lucas and Jasmine Herman to the Henry Adams family. Putting them through so much turmoil was heartbreaking for me as writer, but over the years I’ve learned to follow where the words lead. I was so happy to see Bernadine’s jet waiting for them at the airport—a bit teary too. After all they’d endured, they were finally heading home. Previously Gemma Dahl had been a marginal side character, but this book put her front and center. Her dream to carve out a better life showed her strength, tenacity, and huge heart. It was great learning more about her. She’s inspiring.
Tamar July has been a force of nature since Bring on the Blessings, the first book in the series. Chasing Down a Dream added layers to her personality, past, and dealings with her family. I was pleased that she and Eula came to closure before it was too late, and that she’s finally made peace with her brother, Thad. Seeing the legendary First Tamar was a treat, too.
Another new character, Deputy Davida Ransom, played a small but important role in Tamar’s story. We’ll see what the future has in store for her, and if Tamar will really stop driving like she’s qualifying for the pole at Indy.
Rocky and Jack are finally married. Her dream to find love is now fulfilled and she couldn’t be with a better guy than her professor, Jack.
Dreams and family were our theme this time, but Mal’s dream warped into a nightmare. Will he and Bernadine be able to repair their relationship? Are the new coffee shop owners really as nice as they seem? Will Tina Craig open her B&B? Stay tuned.
Until next time,
B
About the Author
BEVERLY JENKINS is the author of more than thirty historical and contemporary novels, as well as an NAACP Image Award nominee. She has been featured in many national publications, including the Wall Street Journal, People, the Dallas Morning News, and Vibe.
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Also by Beverly Jenkins
Breathless
Stepping to a New Day
Forbidden
For Your Love
Heart of Gold
A Wish and a Prayer
Something Old, Something New
A Second Helping
Bring on the Blessings
Deadly Sexy
Sexy/Dangerous
Black Lace
The Edge of Dawn
The Edge of Midnight
Destiny’s Captive
Destiny’s Surrender
Destiny’s Embrace
Night Hawk
Midnight
Captured
Jewel
Wild Sweet Love
Winds of the Storm
Something Like Love
A Chance at Love
Before the Dawn
Always and Forever
The Taming of Jessi Rose
Topaz
Indigo
Vivid
Night Song
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
chasing down a dream. Copyright © 2017 by Beverly Jenkins. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
First William Morrow paperback published July 2017
first edition
Map of Henry Adams by Valerie Miller
Cover design by Richard L. Aquan
Cover illustration by Larry Rostant
Digital Edition JULY 2017 ISBN: 978-0-06-241266-9
Print ISBN: 978-0-06-241265-2
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