Three's a Crowd by Melissa Keir (Home Town Heroes blog tour)

Three's a Crowd                       
by Melissa Keir

Guest post from the author:

Second Marriages Take Work

Thank you for having me visit with your readers today. I’m excited to share my thoughts on the challenges of second marriages with you. With 55% of first marriages ending in divorce, the number much climbs higher for second marriages. Most estimates say that 85% -90% of second marriages won’t make it. However, people still want to find their one perfect love and their happily ever after. So second and even third marriages are going strong!

The reason so many second marriages end is that there are more than just two people involved in second marriages. These relationships involve children from previous marriages, ex-spouses and double the number of grandparents. Now you and your spouse have many more things to consider as well as it feels like you are always in a relationship with so many people. It takes a coordinated effort to schedule an event with that many people to satisfy.

Since there was a reason your first marriage ended, it makes it a challenge to keep things pleasant when you have to deal with ex’s. I know what I’m talking about. I was married for twenty years then divorced and remarried. My husband had his own ex-wife. Now, not only do we have to deal with my ex, but his ex! There are days that it takes a huge amount of patience and tact.

I used those feelings and experiences in my new release, “Three’s A Crowd.” Lissa and Alex found love when Alex’s ex-wife and Lissa’s best friend, Chloe got them together. Now as they navigate their second marriage, they are facing the judgmental feelings of Lissa’s ex-husband, Steve. He makes things tough each time Steve and Alex are in the same room. Alex is understanding enough to accept it and not push things, but the stress alone can make things difficult for a marriage. However, it is what Chloe does that really induces problems for the honeymooning couple.

What are tough situations that you face as a married person? Or what do you think might be the hardest part of a second marriage? (Note from ELF:  please leave your answer AND your e-mail address in the comment form below, there is a contest for a $40.00 gift card to the winner's choice of Amazon or Barnes & Noble)

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Three's a Crowd by Melissa Keir

Blurb:

For Lissa, the second time at love was a charm but in marriage, three’s a crowd.

Single mother Lissa Vincent found her soul mate in her best friend’s ex-husband. Alex Hunter couldn’t believe his fortune when his ex-wife told him her best friend was available. After divorce, finding love again could be a challenge but it appeared Alex and Lissa had gotten lucky. Yet as they start their lives as newlyweds, Alex and Lissa don’t realize just how difficult it might be to blend a family.

When Alex’s ex new marriage begins to unravel, she sets her sights again on Alex. Does Alex still have feelings for the mother of his child? Will Lissa keep her best friend or lose her husband?

Fairytales promise a happily-ever-after. But what really happens after the after.

Excerpt:

When my cell phone rings. I look down.

It’s Steve and I don’t want to answer. I’m on a date with my husband. The children are safe with Steve. I—we—deserve this time together. Pushing the off button, I ignore the call.

“Was that Steve?”

Alex understands my dilemma. Steve has anger issues and isn’t happy that I’ve remarried. The phone rings again.

“I’ll call him back later.”

I cut a small piece of beef burgundy from my plate and lift it gently to Alex’s lips. Feeding each other is a very sensual experience. My legs tingle watching his tongue dart out to catch a drop of sauce lingering on his mouth. I reach across the table to run my thumb over his lips then pull his face close to mine in search of a passionate kiss.

When my phone rings for the third time, I know it must be important.

“Hello?”

“Scotty and Mac were playing around when Scotty tripped and fell, hitting his head on the corner of the door frame to his room. We’re on our way to the urgent care. He probably needs stitches.”

“Which urgent care are you going to? I can meet you there.” My stomach clenches in anxiety.

I obtained all the details while Alex paid the bill and had our food wrapped to go. We rushed out into the night, our romantic evening ruined, fright replacing passion.

Guilt began to eat at me. Why didn’t I answer the phone sooner? How was Scotty handling things? What kind of parent was I to put myself over my child? Alex seemed to understand what I was feeling and reached over to hold my hand. Without saying a word, his touch made me feel better.
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The urgent care was quiet, almost deathly silent. Very few people were sitting in the waiting room area. Scanning the group, I didn’t see Scotty, Mac or Steve. I approached the receptionist with fear.

“I’m Mrs. Hunter. My son Scotty was brought in with a head wound. Can I see him?” My voice quivered with emotion.

Alex agreed to wait in the waiting area because of Steve’s issues.
Squaring my shoulders, I entered the room holding my son, my gaze focused on Scotty. My heart dropped to see him lying on the exam table, pale and crying.

Running to Scotty’s side, I ran my hand over the top of his head, careful to avoid his wound, and kissed his nose. “Aww sweetie, that silly door just jumped out and got you, huh? Maybe we should go beat it up.” Rubbing the tears from his face, I sat on the bed and held on tightly to his hand.


Three’s a Crowd is the sequel to Second Time’s the Charm, which tells the story of how Alex and Lissa meet and fall in love. Chloe and the boys play a big part in both stories.

                                          


Blurb:
How does a middle aged, divorcee with two children find her way back to love after a devastating divorce leaves her with no self confidence and no faith in love? Lissa's ex-husband has shredded her self-esteem so she's thrown herself into her children and her work, leaving time for nothing else.

When an life threatening illness in her best friend's family puts Lissa on the path to romance, Lissa finds new love in a most unexpected way--an introduced by her new guy's ex-wife. 

Who knew that first time loves could lead to second chances?


Thank you again for having me visit. I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Buy Links Three’s a Crowd:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
All Romance Ebooks



Bio:



As a writer, Melissa likes to keep current on topics of interest in the world of writing.  She’s a member of the Romance Writers of America and EPIC.  Melissa is always interested in improving her writing through classes and seminars.  She also believes in helping other authors and features authors and their books on her blog.

Melissa doesn’t believe in down time.  She’s always keeping busy.  Melissa is a wife and mother, an elementary school teacher, a book reviewer, an editor for a publishing company as well as an author. Her home blends two families and is a lot like the Brady Bunch, without Alice- a large grocery bill, tons of dirty dishes and a mound of laundry. She loves to write stories that feature “happy endings” and is often found plotting her next story.


This is what readers are saying about Melissa’s books:

Amazon 5 star review for Second Time’s the Charm- “Such a sweet and heart warming story. As I read it, and the details unfolded, I was engrossed to see if that I thought was going to happen, would really happen.” – Lacey Wolfe, Romance Author.

Barnes and Noble 5 star review for Protecting His Wolfe- “Great read. I couldn't put it down. I really liked the characters, especially Betsie and the Pigg brothers. A love story with suspense and surprise.” – Anonymous

Melissa loves hearing from readers!
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Don't forget to answer Melissa's question:
 
What are tough situations that you face as a married person? Or what do you think might be the hardest part of a second marriage? (Note from ELF:  please leave your answer AND your e-mail address in the comment form below, there is a contest for a $40.00 gift card to the winner's choice of Amazon or Barnes & Noble)