Sewing in SoCal Series by Sarah Monzon, Stevi Incremona

If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I absolutely refuse to tell a lie no matter the consequences. So don’t ask me a direct question unless you’re prepared for a direct answer—that’s something my SoCal sewing girlfriends have learned the hard way... moreIf there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I absolutely refuse to tell a lie no matter the consequences. So don’t ask me a direct question unless you’re prepared for a direct answer—that’s something my SoCal sewing girlfriends have learned the hard way.But who would have thought my honesty policy would get me fired from my job at the preschool? Or that a desperate—and not to mention devastatingly handsome—single father of one of my (now-former) students would hire me that same day as a nanny for his daughter?I’m an education professional. How hard can taking care of a four-year-old and her over-stressed, over-worked father be? less

WWSOD—What would Scarlett O’Hara do?Anything to survive, that’s what. But instead of a man-eating Southern belle in hoop skirts and big hats, my version of existence looks an awful lot like a financial conglomerate employee staring blankly at budget analysis spreadsheets. Either way, the motto has served me well most my life. Until now, that is. The corporate retreat location has just been announced, and this city girl is headed to a dude ranch in the country... moreWWSOD—What would Scarlett O’Hara do?Anything to survive, that’s what. But instead of a man-eating Southern belle in hoop skirts and big hats, my version of existence looks an awful lot like a financial conglomerate employee staring blankly at budget analysis spreadsheets. Either way, the motto has served me well most my life. Until now, that is. The corporate retreat location has just been announced, and this city girl is headed to a dude ranch in the country. How will Scarlett help me survive that? No, this time I’ll turn to the sage advice of preteen YouTubers and their ponies to keep me from making a fool of myself.But who’s going to help me navigate the kind yet reticent cowboy in the black Stetson—the cattle ranch owner who’s slowly claiming corners of my heart? less

Who has time to date when she’s trying to raise a miniature human by herself AND save the planet from its irresponsible inhabitants? Not to mention my winning personality (snort) and my curves-have-curves figure (eyeroll) don’t exactly attract the opposite sex. Unfortunately, none of these reasons have stopped my best friends and SoCal sewing sisters from taking on the archaic role of matchmakers, and they’re not beneath a little bribery if that’s what it takes to get my cooperation... moreWho has time to date when she’s trying to raise a miniature human by herself AND save the planet from its irresponsible inhabitants? Not to mention my winning personality (snort) and my curves-have-curves figure (eyeroll) don’t exactly attract the opposite sex. Unfortunately, none of these reasons have stopped my best friends and SoCal sewing sisters from taking on the archaic role of matchmakers, and they’re not beneath a little bribery if that’s what it takes to get my cooperation. Let’s just say everyone has their weak spot, and donations to my favourite charities is mine.If I were to consider a romantic relationship, my dream guy certainly wouldn’t be immature, everything-is-a-game Dr. Drew Bauer. The man raises my body temperature faster than global warming does the Earth’s! But life seems determined to keep throwing us together, especially now that one of my SoCal sewing sisters is engaged to his best friend, in which case there can only be one of two outcomes:1. I kill him in a fit of annoyance.2. My common sense escapes me, and I fall in love with him.Honestly, I'm not sure which would be worse. less

“The devil made me do it” is a phrase that will never pass my lips. Why would it when I have Delores, my undiagnosed autoimmune disorder, to make all my decisions for me? (Yes, I named her myself since the doctors couldn’t do it for me.) A get together with friends? Delores says no. I’ll have my prescheduled daily afternoon fever and fatigue at that time.My two biggest regrets with having Delores direct my fate? One, my family thinks my illness is all in my head... more“The devil made me do it” is a phrase that will never pass my lips. Why would it when I have Delores, my undiagnosed autoimmune disorder, to make all my decisions for me? (Yes, I named her myself since the doctors couldn’t do it for me.) A get together with friends? Delores says no. I’ll have my prescheduled daily afternoon fever and fatigue at that time.My two biggest regrets with having Delores direct my fate? One, my family thinks my illness is all in my head. And two, I set the love of my life, Peter Reynolds, free from my anchoring tether so he could fly. I never thought I’d see him again, but five years later he’s soaring in the limelight as one of the most talked-about defensive players in professional football. Oh, and did I mention he also happens to play for the team my boss just assigned me to as a social media manager? Meanwhile, nothing much has changed for me. Delores still bosses me around, and I’m still hopelessly in love with Peter. What’s a girl to do? less

She only has one rule she lives by. Do not, under any circumstances, fall in love with a musician.There are a few things everyone should know about Betsy Vargas.1. She is trilingual, fluent in Spanish, English, and sarcasm.2. She has the voice of an angel but she would rather cut off her right hand than sing in front of other people. the reason has nothing to do with stage fright.3. She was tricked into coming to a sewing group once upon a time... moreShe only has one rule she lives by. Do not, under any circumstances, fall in love with a musician.There are a few things everyone should know about Betsy Vargas.1. She is trilingual, fluent in Spanish, English, and sarcasm.2. She has the voice of an angel but she would rather cut off her right hand than sing in front of other people. the reason has nothing to do with stage fright.3. She was tricked into coming to a sewing group once upon a time. Even though she doesn't sew, she keeps going for the friendship and the mocktails.Being a professional sound engineer, Betsy Vargas knows what she's talking about when she says musicians aren't boyfriend material. They only care about themselves and their rise on the radio charts. Even though she worked with them every day, she knows to keep her distance. Something that is harder to accomplish when she's hired to go on tour with the band, True North. Now, no matter which direction she turns, Asher North is there. The lead singer and guitarist seems to be impervious to her glares and sarcasm. Worse, he threatens to make her forget all about her number one rule. No falling for musicians.Asher North has never heard a voice like Betsy's before. She should be sharing her gift with the world, not hiding her light under a bushel. He finds her quips and barbs adorable and sees them for what they are--her attempt to protect herself. Little does she know, he's a very patient guy, willing to wait for what he wants. And Asher has no doubts that what he wants is Betsy. less