NO MORE SECRETS
The Carter Island Trilogy, Book 3
RELEASE DATE: June 22, 2021
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Three Siblings. One Year. Everything Changes.
Aussie billionaire businessman and pilot Cade Paxton has struggled to put his life back together after suffering a tragic loss. With his purchase of Carter Island Air and recent move to the small Massachusetts island, he sees his chance for a fresh start. Cade’s sole focus is on growing his investment and avoiding romantic entanglements at all costs. But then he hires Rebecca Carter Interiors’ new assistant designer to help him update the aging airport. Cade quickly finds himself fascinated by the sassy beauty who often speaks her mind, talking to him in a way most people wouldn’t dare.
Single mother Gwenyth Carter has recently been through hell. She’s starting over after several months of nasty surprises. Newly divorced and nearly broke, she’s rebuilding her life one step at a time. Gwen’s certain she has everything she needs: her sweet baby girl, a supportive family, and her dream career. She’s endlessly grateful when the lucrative airport project falls into her lap. But Gwen soon realizes that her new job comes with unforeseen complications, mainly the amount of time she’s forced to spend with her gorgeous client and his sexy accent.
Their mutual attraction is undeniable, yet Gwen tries her best to keep a professional distance, even when she recognizes how wonderful Cade is with her daughter. But it isn’t long before Gwen is dealt another unexpected blow that she struggles to handle on her own. Gwen will have no choice but to turn to the one man she’s determined not to want or risk losing what she loves most.
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INSPIRATION, PULL QUOTES, & EXCERPTS
Inspiration (Short Version: 217 words)
Fresh starts and second chances…
It’s hard to believe that The Carter Island Trilogy is coming to an end with the addition of No More Secrets. Originally, I intended to write Secrets Hidden in the Glass, book one in the series, as a standalone title. As I told the story of Sheriff Nathan Carter and famous stained glass artist Callie Davis, I fell in love with Carter Island and the many secondary characters, particularly Nate’s sisters, Molly and Gwen. They’re so sassy and irresistible. I knew I had to tell their stories, too.
By trade, I’m a romantic suspense author. There are definitely a few mystery/suspense elements in Secrets Hidden in the Glass, but Molly and Gwen’s stories take us into the contemporary romance genre. Nate and Callie’s adventure evolved into the Carter siblings’ journeys as they move through one year. From autumn to summer, so much changes for Nate, Molly, and Gwen, especially when it comes to matters of the heart.
In No More Secrets single mother Gwenyth Carter finds herself betrayed, divorced, and nearly broke. She’s determined to pick up the pieces of her life on her own, but sexy Aussie billionaire businessman Cade Paxton keeps getting in her way.
Gwen and Cade were so much fun to write. I hope you’ll enjoy their story.
Inspiration (Long Version: 289 words)
Fresh starts and second chances…
It’s hard to believe that the Carter Island Trilogy is coming to an end with the addition of No More Secrets. Originally, I intended to write Secrets Hidden in the Glass, book one in the series, as a standalone title. Famous stained glass artist Callie Davis’ life is a mess as she heads to tiny Carter Island for a much-needed vacation. She soon meets gorgeous Sheriff Nathan Carter, and the sparks fly quickly thereafter. Despite her hot new romance, things go from bad to worse for poor Callie when her past comes back to haunt her.
As I told Nate and Callie’s story, I fell in love with Carter Island and the many secondary characters, particularly Nate’s sisters, Molly and Gwen. They’re so sassy and irresistible. I knew I had to tell their stories, too.
By trade, I’m a romantic-suspense author. There are definitely a few mystery/suspense elements in Secrets Hidden in the Glass, but Molly and Gwen’s stories take us into the contemporary romance genre. Nate and Callie’s adventure evolved into the Carter siblings’ journeys as they move through one year. From autumn to summer, so much changes for Nate, Molly, and Gwen, especially when it comes to matters of the heart.
In Aftermath of Secrets, Molly fights her feelings for her long-time best friend Bradley Sanderson when a shocking scandal forces him to return to Carter Island.
In No More Secrets single mother Gwenyth Carter finds herself betrayed, divorced, and nearly broke. She’s determined to pick up the pieces of her life on her own, but sexy Aussie billionaire businessman Cade Paxton keeps getting in her way.
Gwen and Cade were so much fun to write. I hope you’ll enjoy their story.
Pull Quote #1:
“Men and women can’t be friends,” she heard herself say, regretting it instantly. Why hadn’t she
simply agreed to the idea and been on her way?
He rocked back on his heels, his bold green eyes dancing with amusement. “And why’s that?”
She jerked her shoulders, not exactly sure of the reasoning behind the whole thing, but as she stared at the way the lighting played with the angles of his spectacular face, she knew for a fact that it would be wise to spend as little time with Cade Paxton as possible. “Because it’s just a thing.”
~Gwen & Cade~
Pull Quote #2:
“This is Gwen Carter.”
Very professional. He grinned, well aware that his number was programmed into her phone, too—that his name had popped up on her screen when it rang, and she knew exactly who would be on the other end when she answered. Most women threw themselves at him, but Gwen was doing everything possible to keep him at arm’s length. “Gwen, it’s Cade.”
~Gwen & Cade~
Pull Quote #3:
He’d found Gwen attractive from the first second he saw her. She’d fascinated him since the beginning, but her ability to bring him to his knees was entirely unexpected. Gwenyth Carter was as dangerous as any drug. One touch, one taste, and he’d been thoroughly addicted. He’d been craving his next hit since the moment he’d walked away. He yearned to wrap her back up in his arms.
~Cade Paxton~
Pull Quote #4:
She lifted her hand in a wave when Cade spotted her. There was nothing overly dignified or stuffy about the man she smiled at now. His long, hard body disguised a playful and kind heart. And if she remembered a little too clearly how it felt to stare into his bold green eyes while his solid arm wrapped around her, trapping her against the dips and planes of his powerful chest, she pushed the memory away.
~Gwen Carter~
Excerpt #1 (362 words)
“The ultimate goal is expansion—expanding the airport in phases and contracting with a major airline to maximize the island’s summer reach. I’d like to bring in flights from D.C., Atlanta, and Miami.”
Gwen blinked her surprise. “Wow, I didn’t realize that was happening.”
He nodded again. “That’s the long-term plan. Infrastructure needs to catch up before we start bringing more people in for a visit, though. I’d say we’re three years away from the full implementation.”
“I see.” She made notes, not sure how much she liked the idea of Carter Island becoming a massive tourist attraction. They had numerous visitors every summer, but this seemed extreme.
“You don’t have much of a poker face, Gwen.”
Her gaze snapped to his. “I’m sorry?”
“You’re frowning.”
“Oh.” She immediately smoothed her features with a polite smile. “I apologize.”
“You’re not much on the idea, then?”
She shrugged. “We’re not looking to turn Carter Island into a summertime circus. It’s unfortunate if Buzz and the council have given you that impression.”
“There’s plenty of room for growth.”
“As a developer, I’m sure that’s your bottom line, but there’s also a need for conservation. I recognize that Thomas was too stuck in his ways when he was mayor. I also understand that Buzz is moving Sanderson in a new direction, but bigger isn’t always better.”
“I agree.”
She nodded decisively. “Good. Because both of the founding families are on board with careful, well-considered growth, but neither the Sandersons nor Carters will tolerate developing to capacity. As a Carter myself, I can assure you that won’t be happening.”
A grin split Cade’s face.
She felt her frown return. “Why are you smiling? What have I said that’s funny?”
“You’ve certainly told me.”
Her temper began heating. “This is my home—my daughter’s home. I have a duty to speak up and protect my birthright.” Never again would she be complacent when something didn’t sit right.
“It’s been quite some time since anyone’s put me in my place. Most people wouldn’t dare.”
She jerked her shoulders. “You don’t frighten me much.”
He roared out a laugh, his head tipping back with the deep sound. “Duly noted.”
Excerpt # 2 (546 words):
“Hopefully, we can do this again.”
Her gaze locked on his as she settled her laptop bag on her shoulder. “You want to have dinner again?”
He shrugged. “Sure. Why not?”
“My evenings typically belong to my daughter. It’s important that I keep her in her routine.”
He shoved his hands in his pockets, still looking at her. “Your frown is back.”
She immediately smoothed her features, trying to decide how she wanted to navigate these dicey waters. Cade was nice enough, but dinners would not be happening on a regular basis, especially when it was impossible to deny that Molly was right—he was incredibly hot and charming. “This was a dinner meeting.”
“One hundred percent. Let me be clear that I’m not hitting on you, Gwen. We’ll be working together for the foreseeable future, and we’re neighbors here on this tiny island. Plus, I consider your family members new friends, which means there’s a fairly good chance we might become friends, too.”
“Men and women can’t be friends,” she heard herself say, regretting it instantly. Why hadn’t she simply agreed to the idea and been on her way?
He rocked back on his heels, his bold green eyes dancing with amusement. “And why’s that?”
She jerked her shoulders, not exactly sure of the reasoning behind the whole thing, but as she stared at the way the lighting played with the angles of his spectacular face, she knew for a fact that it would be wise to spend as little time with Cade Paxton as possible. “Because it’s just a thing.”
“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard.”
She narrowed her eyes, her embarrassment growing by the second. “I don’t think it is.”
“I imagine men and women can be friends if that’s all either party is looking for. And that’s all I’m looking for, Gwen.”
She hardly knew him, yet she believed him. But still. She raised her chin. “I’m most comfortable with colleagues for now—keeping things professional. We’ll see about the rest.”
He grinned. “Fair enough.”
She adjusted her laptop case strap, trying not to fiddle. “Thank you again for a delicious meal.”
“You’re welcome.” He moved to open the door for her, stepping out after she did. “Let’s get you back.”
She stopped abruptly. “What are you doing?”
“Walking you home.”
Hadn’t they just discussed keeping things professional? People out on dates did the whole walk-your-partner-home thing. And she and Cade weren’t partners. “I appreciate it, but you don’t have to do that.”
“It’s dark, and there are still people about on the beach. Nate mentioned an assault when I saw him the other day.”
She stood her ground. “That may be, but I can take care of myself. I’ve been walking home from the Sandersons’ without any trouble for most of my life.”
“I’ll walk you home, Gwen.”
“Thank you, but I’m all set. Good night, Cade.” And with that, she walked off, then stopped halfway up the driveway, turning. “I hope you’ll eat the cheesecake.”
“I’m planning on it as soon as I go inside.”
“Good.” She grinned, then turned again, heading home, well aware that he was still watching her in the security lights scattered around the massive property. But as she’d said, she took care of herself.
Excerpt #3 (878 words):
Kaitlyn dropped the rattle and started fussing.
Gwen reached for it at the same time as Cade did, but his long arm allowed him to grab the toy first. “Here you go, sweetheart.” He tried handing it to her, but she wanted nothing to do with it.
Gwen took the toy instead, setting it on the table. “Thanks, but she’s hungry.”
“Do you want to cut this short? I’m here on your time.”
She shrugged. “I guess that depends on how comfortable you are with me feeding her while we work.” Her chin jutted out ever so slightly as her eyes held his.
What was this quiet fierceness—a dare of sorts for him to say that feeding Kaitlyn wasn’t okay? He casually shrugged, even when he’d never been in the presence of anyone nursing their baby. His sisters had bottle-fed their little ones. “Go for it. Everyone’s got to eat.”
“All right.” She turned away, lifting her shirt, settling Kaitlyn at her breast. Seconds later, she turned back, glancing at him before she looked at the boards again. “Is there anything you see here that you don’t like?”
He listened to Kaitlyn’s greedy swallows as he breathed in the scent of Gwen’s shampoo, finding the moment appealingly cozy while all three of them sat close together. Right now, he liked everything he saw just fine, but that wasn’t what she spoke of. “I’m not a fan of this lighter shade of blue. I like this darker one here. It seems more on-brand.”
She nodded, taking the marker, crossing out the lighter shade, then put a check mark next to the darker blue. “I want to hear everything that doesn’t work just as much as I need to know what does. Tell me what you don’t like. I’m also interested in why.”
He nodded, pointing to one of the pictures with a forest-like feel. “I want to be sure we’re not going too rustic. I don’t want the space to feel like a cabin.”
She nodded again, making an X through the image. “Does anything else come to mind—anything I’ve missed?”
“I want the fireplace. Gas, and more upscale than what’s in the picture with the couple—something you’d see in a city apartment.”
She winced.
He frowned. “You don’t like it?”
“No, it’s not that I don’t like the idea. But gas makes things complicated. We’re doing a face-lift—making things pretty. Structurally, everything we’re tackling is already in place and up to code, which keeps this easy and allows us to get started right away. As soon as gas enters the picture, we’re talking gas lines, venting pipes, getting the town involved, dealing with code and inspectors—maybe even calling in my mom and Jeremy, depending on where you want the install. You’re adding serious dollar signs to your bottom line.”
He shook his head. “I’m not worried about the money. I want it.”
She set down the marker. “All right. I’ll make some calls.”
He held her gaze. “But you still think this is a mistake.”
She nodded. “Frankly, yes, I do. Money may be no object to you, but this is going to cost you in time.”
He clenched his jaw, not liking what he heard—that Gwen had made several perfectly practical points. Gas sounded like a pain in the ass, and he wanted to get the ball rolling. “So, what are my other options?”
“We can explore electric—flat-screen wall-mounts.”
He scrubbed at his chin. “I don’t want it looking cheap.”
Her left eyebrow winged up. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear you say that.”
He couldn’t help but grin.
She smiled. “For your price point, we can order in gorgeous units for each seating area. I can also make you mantles for displaying seasonal décor. Every gate will look like a living room, which will only add to the home-away-from-home vibe. Plus, electric will be safer than real flames, which will keep kids safe and your insurance company happy.”
And this was why he liked Gwen Carter. She’d held her ground as few would have. He’d demanded, and she’d countered with something better. “Okay. But I want to see what we’re talking about before you place the order.”
She nodded, jotting down notes on the side of the board. “Now that we’re on the same page, I’ll pull what samples I can from Mini’s design center—a couple of colors for the flooring options. But I’m already planning several trips to the mainland, which means endless variety.”
“I want in on those trips.”
She stopped writing as her gaze flew to his. “You do?”
He nodded, biting his cheek, fighting not to smile, because she was so damn easy to read. Gwen wasn’t loving the idea. “I intend to be hands-on during this entire process.”
“But you’re so busy. I’m more than happy to collect what I think you’ll like—several options—so accompanying me to Boston really isn’t necessary.”
The hell it wasn’t. He’d spent a handful of hours in Gwen’s company and knew without a doubt that he wanted to spend several more. There was something about her that intrigued him in a way he’d never been before. Life was still screaming at him, and he hadn’t stopped listening. “The airport’s my top priority. I can fly us over whenever you want.”
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ABOUT CATE BEAUMAN
Cate Beauman is the multi-award-winning, international bestselling author of The Bodyguards of L.A. County series and the Carter Island Novels. She is known for her full-length, action-packed romantic suspense and contemporary stories.
Cate's novels have been named Readers' Favorite Five Star books and have won the Booksellers' Best Award, Maggie Award for Excellence, the Holt Medallion Award, two-time Aspen Gold Medal, two-time Readers' Favorite International Gold Medal, three-time Readers' Favorite International Silver Medal, and the Readers' Crown Award.
Cate makes her home in New Hampshire with her family and their St. Bernards, Bear and Jack.
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ALSO PART OF THE CARTER ISLAND TRILOGY
SECRETS HIDDEN IN THE GLASS
The Carter Island Trilogy, Book 1
Release Date: October 8, 2017 (*new cover)
Three Siblings. One Year. Everything Changes.
Stained glass artist Callie Davis is in desperate need of a vacation. Burnt out and on the edge of a nervous breakdown, she’s taking refuge on Massachusetts’ tiny Carter Island. Callie yearns for long, lazy days and pretty walks on the beach—blessed solitude and an escape from the pressures of her career and complications of her life. Then she bumps into gorgeous Nate Carter, and everything changes.
Sheriff Nathan Carter couldn’t be happier now that the height of the summer season has finally come and gone. After four endless months, tourists have packed their bags and headed for the mainland. The quiet days of autumn are about to befall the town—the way Nate and his fellow Sandersonians like it best.
But nothing ends up quite the way Nate expects when he meets the beautiful blond with the big blue eyes. Callie’s pretty smiles hide secrets—deep, dark mysteries that have the potential to rip apart their lives.
Buy Links
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Readers’ Favorite Five Star Book Designation
“Great character’s, fantastic plot, it is a book to sink into. You feel the magic of the island…” Amazon Verified Review
“Even throughout the nail-biting scenes, and moments of terrible sadness, you feel the rise and love sneaking back into the picture.” Amazon Verified Review
Amazon Rating: 4.5/5
Goodreads Rating: 4.4/5
The Carter Island Trilogy, Book 2
RELEASE DATE: June 4, 2020 (*new cover)
Three Siblings. One Year. Everything Changes.
Boston’s Most Eligible Bachelor has it all: good looks, a great career, and plenty of wealth and prestige. But Bradley Sanderson’s charmed life quickly falls apart when scandal rocks his famous family. Arrests have been made; the media circus has begun, and Brad has been tasked with the daunting chore of restoring the Sandersons’ good name. Moving back to Carter Island and picking up the pieces hasn’t been easy, especially when the one person he needs the most won’t give him the time of day.
Bakery owner and island resident Molly Carter is loyal to her core, but that doesn’t mean Brad’s homecoming hasn’t left her torn. Brad’s darkest days aren’t lost on Molly, but reaching out to her lifelong friend isn’t so simple when she’s forced to guard her heart. Everything changed when she woke up alone after their sexy summer night.
The complications keep coming when Brad’s long-lost brother shows up in town, bringing the remnants of his checkered past with him. Forgiveness and redemption are possible for all, until new secrets come to light that may have shocking consequences.
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Reviews and Endorsements
Readers’ Favorite Five Star Book Designation
“I'm a big sucker for a good love story, especially one that has drama. Aftermath Of Secrets by Cate Beauman provided both in a beautiful way. I was swept in by the characters, their wants, and desires.” -Shannon Winings, Readers’ Favorite Book Awards
“Molly gets her story and it is powerful! I love the Carter's and the Sanderson drama. I just wish the story had been longer.” Amazon Verified Review
Amazon Rating: 4.4/5
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