I just love a good romance novel and with Valentine’s Day being this month, it makes me even more excited to read a good romance novel. The gold standard of romance novels for me is Harlequin.
Harlequin Publishing has so many facets when it comes to romance novels, historical, suspense, desire, special edition….so many different subsections of the well known publisher. There is basically something for everyone when it comes to a Harlequin romance novel. I have read a number of books from Harlequin and I love when I have the opportunity to share a new release with my readers!
This particular release is a special edition from Harlequin and I am thrilled to be able to bring you guys a special feature and excerpt as well as a Q & A with the author today!
Summary
She’s ready to shed her good-girl ways…
“You’re all about following the rules now?
“Pity.”
Mackenzie Wallace hopes there’s still some bad boy lurking beneath single father Danny Adams’s upright exterior. Being the proverbial good girl left her brokenhearted and alone in the past. Now she’s back in town and wants excitement with her high school crush—not love. Dan knows their connection
runs deep, despite Mackenzie’s protests. But will their new personas work together—especially when Dan’s secret is exposed?
About the Author
Jo McNally: Jo McNally lives in upstate New York with 100 pounds of dog and 
200 pounds of husband – her slice of the bed is very small. When she’s not writing or reading romance novels (or clinging to the edge of the bed…), she can often be found on the back porch sipping wine with friends, listening to an eclectic playlist. If the weather is perfect, she might join her husband on the golf course, where she always feels far more competitive than her actual skill-level would suggest.
EXCERPT
Dan returned, thankfully ending the conversation. He handed her a glass, but it wasn’t beer.
“I thought you might want some water to hydrate yourself from all your…uh…activity.”
“In other words, you agree I’ve had enough beer tonight? You’re right—this is not a typical Friday night for
me.” Remembering she was here to start a more fun-loving life, she lifted her chin. “At least it wasn’t before
tonight.”
Owen leaned forward to make himself heard over the music. “Hey, Dan, you bike, right? A bunch of us are
going to do the loop around the lake Sunday. Wanna join us?”
Mack’s eyes went wide. “Dan, you still have your motorcycle? I used to love the way that thing rumbled…”
Kiara’s eyebrows rose, and Mack realized she sounded gushy. But she hadn’t thought of Dan pulling up
behind the liquor store on that dark red Harley of his in a long time. He’d been every teenage girl’s bad-boy
dream—handsome, reckless and restless. She used to run to the back window when she heard him coming, just
to watch him pull that helmet off and run his fingers through his hair, wearing those tight jeans.
Was it hot in here, or was it her memories that were heating her up right now? She gulped down the cold
water, nearly emptying the glass in one pull. Dan was saying something. Oh, damn. Dan was talking and she
wasn’t even listening…
“…think Owen’s referring to bicycles, not motorcycles.” He nodded toward Owen. “I’ve got Chloe this
weekend, so I’ll have to pass.” His mouth slanted into a half grin as he turned back to Mack. “But yes, I still
have the old Harley. It’s been in mothballs for a few years, but I can’t seem to part with that last vestige of my
misspent youth.”
That bad boy might still be in there…
“You know, I’ve never been on a motorcycle. You should give me a ride sometime…”
Dan coughed and the others laughed. That wasn’t the kind of ride she’d meant, of course. Or was it? Rather than apologize, she just met his gaze and shrugged. There was a spark of something in his eyes. Interest? He closed them and shook his head, as if chasing away whatever thoughts she’d put there.
Q & A
Q: Did you always want to write for Harlequin?
A: Well, I’ve wanted to write romance novels since I was about ten years old (my first “book” had a heroine named Destiny and horses and a tornado…). But I didn’t actually become aware of Harlequin until I was an adult. Many readers talk about sneak-reading their mom’s Harlequin novels as teens, but my mom didn’t read romance! But once I found Harlequin books, I knew that was where I wanted to be.
Q: Share your favorite memory of reading a Harlequin romance
A: I got distracted by life for a while (it happens, right?) and stopped reading much. I rediscovered romance novels when I got my first eReader, and one of the first books I read was Beach House No. 9 by Christie Ridgway. That story made me laugh and cry and sit on the edge of my seat, and I was hooked on romance all over again. I started devouring series by Susan Mallery and Kristan Higgins, and then I started writing in earnest. And it all started with a Harlequin romance!
Q: What is a recent book you have read that you would recommend?
A: I just finished a reread of Lucy Parker’s The Austen Playbook from last year, and I adored it just as much the second time around. Lucy’s books are always full of sparkling wit, and this is one of the best opposites-attract romances (my favorite trope) I’ve ever read. I can’t wait to read her brand-new book, Headliners.
The Lit Bitch 