Book excerpt: From Jody Kaye, bestselling author and the creator of the Kingsbrier Quintuplets, comes Splinter of Hope: an emotionally gripping romantic short story about a woman who lived through the trauma of giving a secret child up for adoption and a sexy, southern, wounded warrior determined to make her his… —Kimber— What does anyone know about love at eighteen? All I was sure of was how much I loved my daughter… and giving her away destroyed me. Because back then the only labels I wore proved I was unwanted. Since we met, Trig has stood by my side. A protector. A lover. A splinter of hope that my arms won’t always be empty. He says he loves me, and I finally have the desire to lay my secrets bare. Except giving Trig another reason to walk away feels a lot like sacrificing our future… And I’ve already made one decision that shattered my heart. Set in small town North Carolina, Kimber & Trig’s love story is perfect for readers who love angsty, found family, contemporary romance with protective heroes. A steamy prequel to Shred of Decency, this book is the first in the Shattered Hearts of Carolina Series and has a guaranteed happily ever after. Grab a box of tissues for this tear-jerker and experience a roller coaster of emotions in a secret baby romance with a twist! (Please Note: This book contains other sensitive scenarios that may trigger readers.) A complimentary ebook copy of Splinter of Hope is available on this and the author’s website. The Shattered Hearts of Carolina Series Best Binge-read Experience: Book 1: Splinter of Hope Book 2: Shred of Decency Book 3: Sliver of Truth Book 4: Holding onto Hope Book 5: Home Wrecker Book 6: Deep Gap Book 7: Bleeding Heart With strength and determination to overcome the odds, be prepared for the Mill Girls’ thought-provoking love stories to tear at your heartstrings and their friendships to weave their way into your soul! Subjects: steamy southern romance series, emotional reads, new adult romance books, found family romance books, spicy romance books, contemporary romance book series, dark romance novels, contemporary gothic romance books, racy books, angsty romance novels, emotionally charged romance books, secret baby romance books, secret child romance novels, adoption stories in romance books, romance hero with traumatic past, wounded warrior romance book, friends to lovers romance novels, strong heroines in romance books, coming of age romance novel, second chance romance books, organized crime romance books, blue collar romance novels, bad boy romance books, antihero romance books, romance short story, novella, novelette, prequel, romantic short stories, quick romance reads, shattered hearts of carolina, kingsbrier, free romance book, free romance ebook, free romance novels, free steamy romance ebooks, free small town romance books, free first in series, free series starter