New York Spark Series by Kathy Strobos

Tall, dark and handsome. That’s what I think the first time I see Rupert Evans in the library. But then I find out he is the developer who just sent my community garden a cease-and-desist letter because he plans to raze the garden and construct some towering monstrosity there. The only one who is going to cease and desist is him. That community garden is my found family. But then he asks me out at book club night... moreTall, dark and handsome. That’s what I think the first time I see Rupert Evans in the library. But then I find out he is the developer who just sent my community garden a cease-and-desist letter because he plans to raze the garden and construct some towering monstrosity there. The only one who is going to cease and desist is him. That community garden is my found family. But then he asks me out at book club night. Suspicious, right? I’m attractive, but I’m not the type hot bachelors are lining up around the block to ask out. Let’s be real. I’m still in the brunch date spot with my next-door neighbor after a year of my pursuing him. Rupert is trying to butter me up and lead me down the garden path so I concede. Never.  He has no idea what we’re planning to do to stop him. Our little community group may look like a bunch of frail roses, but we’ve got thorns. As long as I weed out these pesky feelings for him, I know we can win. less

He hates lawyers. So I’m a lawyer pretending to be an artist. Forgetting one tiny detail: I can’t paint.Tessa: There’s something about the way the blond guy laughs and leans in to listen. My gaze keeps returning to him. The only problem is, we’re at an art gallery after work, and I’ve swapped my lawyer suit for a paint-splattered shirt. I’m pretending to be a struggling artist, acting as bait to entice a scammer who conned my friend out of thousands of dollars. I look pathetic... moreHe hates lawyers. So I’m a lawyer pretending to be an artist. Forgetting one tiny detail: I can’t paint.Tessa: There’s something about the way the blond guy laughs and leans in to listen. My gaze keeps returning to him. The only problem is, we’re at an art gallery after work, and I’ve swapped my lawyer suit for a paint-splattered shirt. I’m pretending to be a struggling artist, acting as bait to entice a scammer who conned my friend out of thousands of dollars. I look pathetic. But still, I approach Hot Guy. Our glances meet, and an awareness shimmers across. He offers to buy me a drink--we’re definitely flirting--and then he asks me what I do. Just when Scammer Guy is in earshot. I have no choice but to say that I’m an artist. I can tell Hot Guy later I’m not. But then he says he hates lawyers. Now what? Zeke: She’s the worst artist I’ve ever seen. And I hate that that makes me suspect that she’s lying to me. After my ex-girlfriend cheated on me, trust is in short supply. She makes me laugh, and it’s one adventure after another with her. Definitely different from my workaholic lawyer ex. Maybe it’s time to give love a second chance. All is fair in love and litigation, but when truth and deception clash, can you trust your heart? less

Burned by love, Sebastian has sworn to remain single, but he may have just met his match.Sebastian: Being single is under-rated. No inexplicable mystery of love for me. I admit I’m attracted to my co-worker Iris—and not just because she was wearing glowing cat paw underwear. But even though she’s breached my first line of defense, I’m set in my Grinch ways.Iris is the Secret Snowflake for her perfect man—who is definitely not Sebastian.Iris: No more naughty heartthrobs for me... moreBurned by love, Sebastian has sworn to remain single, but he may have just met his match.Sebastian: Being single is under-rated. No inexplicable mystery of love for me. I admit I’m attracted to my co-worker Iris—and not just because she was wearing glowing cat paw underwear. But even though she’s breached my first line of defense, I’m set in my Grinch ways.Iris is the Secret Snowflake for her perfect man—who is definitely not Sebastian.Iris: No more naughty heartthrobs for me. Catching my rock star ex cheating cured me. All I’m asking Santa for is my work bonus and a nice—dare I say boring?—guy. And that’s my Secret Snowflake recipient: Ernest. But now our company has been hacked, and secrets abound. I’m working around the clock to figure out who and why—with our aloof, but oh-so-attractive company counsel, Sebastian—before I get a stocking filled with coal for the holidays.The last thing I should also be trying to decipher is him. I know I can trust Sebastian to help me. It’s trusting my heart that’s the problem.When things are definitely not what they seem, sometimes it takes the light of the holidays to reveal the clues to love. less