Blog Tour: Waiting on Forever: Claudia Connor
Dallas Walker is haunted. He won’t ever forget the horrors he witnessed while working undercover to bust a human trafficking ring, but he has a plan to start a new life. Coming home to his family is step one. Getting to know his alluring new neighbor could be step two. If only she’d give him a chance…
Maggie Ellis just wants to be left alone. She’d rather spend her days spinning clay into art and feel nothing than open herself up to another devastating loss. But her sexy new neighbor with a lonely look in his eyes isn’t giving up. And he makes her question everything…
Together, Dallas and Maggie might have a shot at happily ever after. But only if they can let go of the past and hold on to each other when it matters most.
It is finally Dallas Walker's turn. He has been an enigma in the other books but now the former undercover cop is home and starting over a new life in his hometown. He still has his demons and is haunted by his past and is getting used to being around family and people again.
Maggie Ellis is his new neighbor. She is a loner, quirky, quiet, and antisocial. But that tough facade is self-protection hides her pain and loss.
He takes it as a challenge to get a rise out of her and cannot seem to stop pushing her to talk and become friends. And she begrudgingly begins to enjoy his company. And an attraction is brewing.
But Maggie is terrified of being close to anyone and facing more loss. And Dallas is not really sure how to have a healthy relationship either. This is about two lonely people learning to live in the now, move forward from painful pasts, open their hearts, and deal with challenges along the way.
Dallas is just dreamy, patient, kind, witty, honest, and trying to take things on as they come. Maggie might be guarded but under that hard shell is a soft, loving heart, a tenacious spirit, and so much love to give if she can get past her fears. It is truly a heartfelt story of past pain, loss, healing, and figuring out how to live in the moment until the future becomes clearer.
This brings back all the Walker siblings and their significant others. It was easy to sink right back into this world even though it has been a while since the last book. I love this series and these families and I enjoyed spending time with them again.
Dallas has returned home after years on special missions, living undercover and unable to participate in family events. As he tries to settle into life with his siblings nearby, he still feels like there is a distance between them, partly because they have all moved on with spouses and children in the years he was away. He knows he needs to find his own place and space if he is going to settle in.
Maggie moved to get away from the pressures she felt from her family after tragedy struck. She is self-sufficient, but also stuck by the memories of her past. Even though she owns her home and has business contacts in town, she has kept herself distanced from anyone, avoiding friendships or attachments.
When Dallas moves in next door to Maggie (and behind Hannah’s property), he takes her mysteriousness as a challenge to get to know her however she’ll let him. They build a fantastic friendship as she begins to open up and put her walls down. Though Dallas wants more with her, he is patient and understanding as they move slowly.
I absolutely loved Dallas. He was always a bit of a mystery in previous books, as he was incommunicado, but I loved watching as he settled back into life with his siblings nearby. He is protective, steady, patient, but a little intense. He is hit with a bit of a surprise part way through this book, and I loved the way he faced the challenge and asked for help when he was out of his comfort zone.
Maggie took me a little more to fall in love with, though I was sympathetic to her reasons for keeping everyone at arms length. She is a caretaker at heart, and even when she lives alone she is always on the lookout for those she feels need it.
I loved returning to the McKinney/Walker world. This extended family is such a warm set of characters. Even though some time has passed since the last book came out, I never felt like I couldn’t remember important details. In fact, it was almost the opposite -- I quickly recalled the pieces of characters I needed most but also didn’t need extensive background on any to enjoy this book.
Her motion activated lights cast faint shadows near the house, but the light didn’t nearly reach the back of the yard. She searched the dense brush along the back, saw movement and fired a warning shot into the air, then another.
She heard the rustling of an animal scurrying away then the sound of leaves crunching and twigs breaking behind her and to her left. She swung around, gun raised.
“Jesus!”
“Nope, just me.”
Dallas stood just a few yards away, stock still, chest bare, in a dark shade of boxer briefs and his hands up in surrender.
“That’s a good way to get shot.” She lowered the weapon. “Sorry.”
He took a step forward toward the faint light she stood in. “I thought you were getting shot. What the hell are you doing?”
“Scaring away whatever was snooping around the chicken coop. Raccoon maybe, or a fox.”
“I guess you know how to use that?”
“I do.” Her lips twitched. “I have a permit and everything, officer.” She lifted the butt a few inches off the ground.
Still looking distressed, he rubbed the heel of his hand up his forehead and into his hair.
“I’m sorry if I scared you. And woke you up.” Obviously, because again, he was standing there in his boxers and…yeah. Just boxers.
“You didn’t wake me. I was outside. With my popcorn.”
“Do you always come outside in your underwear to eat popcorn?”
“I burned it.”
“Ahh.” She grimaced. “That’s a bad smell. Guess you weren’t kidding when you said you couldn’t cook.”
“Mmm. Is this a usual thing?” he asked with a nod to the gun, closing the distance between them even more. “Scaring away predators?”
“Oh. Every now and then. I lost one last year.” She kept talking, kept looking at the man. Her gaze skimmed over a muscled chest, sculpted arms, over a tattoo on his upper right bicep that she couldn’t make out.
“Holly’s not much of a guard dog,” she went on. “But her hearing’s still good, so when her ears perk up I know something’s amiss. Were you coming to save me?”
“I didn’t know what I was coming to do, but I heard gunshots and—”
“And you came bounding over. I hope you didn’t um…scratch anything.”
Dallas glanced down, winced, then looked back up. “Nah. I’m good.”
Uh, huh. Well. She forced her attention up to his face and not on the dark boxers that hugged his thighs…annnnd… she was staring. How could she not?
But when her eyes finally met his she saw he was staring too. And it dawned on her that she was also barefooted and in her underwear. She tugged the tank top she slept in, stretching it until it covered the juncture between her thighs.
“Well, I…uh…”
A cool breeze rippled over her and she shivered. Or maybe that was the man now just a couple of feet away giving her chills. What had she been about to say?
And when had he gotten so close? Or had she? Just an arm’s length apart now and she found herself imagining all kinds of things. Like what would she do if he moved closer? If he touched her?
The feeling changed like a coin flipping from heads to tails and even with the cool wind she felt hot. It was uncomfortable and also layered with a ripple of nervous excitement. Standing in her backyard at night with a man—this man. And both of them barely dressed.
When Holly barked from inside the back door, she glanced toward the house. When she looked back, the moment was gone. “Guess I should go back in. Holly’s probably worried.” She shifted the gun hanging at her side.
“Probably so,” he said. “I’ll get myself back. Finish airing out the house.”
“Yeah. Maybe try another bag. Listen for the popping. More than a second between pops and it’s done.”
“Yeah. Okay.”
He still wasn’t moving and she swallowed hard. Had a ludicrous thought of asking him in. To make popcorn. To watch Downton Abbey?
He nodded toward her house. “I’ll wait until you’re inside.”
“Oh. Right. Thank you.” She turned, went inside, locking the door behind her. It’d been a long time since she’d been in the position for someone to care about her getting safely inside. She had to admit it didn’t totally suck.
The Walker Brothers series is a spin off of the McKinney Brothers series and characters do cross over.
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Our 4.5 star reviews
He doesn't know how he's lived without her, but he knows he doesn't want to anymore.
Nick Walker found his one and only when he was just nineteen.
Found her.
Loved her.
Lost her.
Now this FBI Special Agent will do anything to win her back.
Nick Walker thought nothing could destroy what he had with Mia. He certainly never thought he would be the one to destroy it. But when his sister was taken, even getting her back couldn't save him. She was his responsibility. He was supposed to protect her. And he'd failed.
Now ten years later, Mia James is in Special Agent Nick Walker’s path once again and this time he’s determined to shed the weight of guilt and finally claim the future that was always meant to be theirs.
But it won’t be easy. Mia’s heart was shattered by Nick and now, just when she’d pieced it back together, it’s been broken again, bringing their past to the surface, including her own secret about that day everything went wrong.
Waiting For You
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Our 4 star reviews
When ER nurse Nora Sellers is hurt in a hospital scuffle, firefighter Zach Walker blames himself. Blaming himself is nothing new. He’s been blaming himself for years for the trauma his baby sister endured as a teenager. Though with his happy–go–lucky attitude no one would know it. He’s good at his job, he’s a good brother, and a good friend, but Zach decided long ago he wasn’t husband and father material.
Even so, when Zach learns Nora is a single mother with a house that needs his help, he can’t walk away. After a few days with Nora and her ten month old son, he knows he doesn’t want to.
But Nora’s wary. She learned at a young age that the only person she can count on is herself. Now with a baby, a job, and a fixer–upper house, the last thing Nora wants is a sexy firefighter, making her heart flutter. But Zach is more than what he seems, and the more she gets to know him the harder he is to resist.
She’s been brave all her life. Can she be brave one more time and take a chance of a lifetime with her heart?
They meet on a beach. . . . Abby Davis isn’t wearing a skimpy bikini or sipping umbrella drinks, not when she’s busy chasing around four little ones. And Matt McKinney isn’t looking for fun—he’s a Navy SEAL, a grown man with a long list of missions . . . and fallen brothers.
They only have a week. . . . Abby has brought her children to this beach to start over, to give them the enjoyable memories they deserve. Matt’s been sidelined by a combat injury, and haunted by the best friend he lost and the promise he made: to remain a SEAL—focused and dedicated. This leaves no time for what he’s always wanted: a family.
Being blind doesn’t hold Ava Bennet back in the least. With her work, her shopping, and public transportation within walking distance, she’s totally at home in the big city. But she’s not in the city now. Temporarily back in her small home town to help her father has her struggling in a big way.
Luke Walker is done running from his troubled past. Finally home after years in the military, he’s ready to make amends with his family and set down some roots. But adapting to civilian life is much harder than he ever expected.
She has no intention of sticking around. He has no plans to run again. All they have is one month together. Will it be enough for Luke to prove he’s everything Ava needs—in light, in darkness, and most importantly, even in the rain?
*********************
They meet on a beach. . . . Abby Davis isn’t wearing a skimpy bikini or sipping umbrella drinks, not when she’s busy chasing around four little ones. And Matt McKinney isn’t looking for fun—he’s a Navy SEAL, a grown man with a long list of missions . . . and fallen brothers.
They only have a week. . . . Abby has brought her children to this beach to start over, to give them the enjoyable memories they deserve. Matt’s been sidelined by a combat injury, and haunted by the best friend he lost and the promise he made: to remain a SEAL—focused and dedicated. This leaves no time for what he’s always wanted: a family.
But a week is all it takes. . . . Matt opens her heart while Abby soothes his soul. And though they plan to say good-bye when the week is over, something magical happens on that beach, something neither can forget. Something utterly, completely worth falling for.
After The Fall
Millionaire playboy Stephen McKinney could use a little coaching himself. Five years ago he encountered his most horrible nightmare—and the nightmare won. No matter what he achieves, nothing can make up for that awful night . . . or so he believes.
Both desperate for a second chance . . . Stephen is used to getting what he wants. And he wants Hannah. So when she turns him down, he’s intrigued. What he doesn’t know is that her secrets will lead him to a place he never wanted to go again . . . to a side of himself he’s tried to forget . . . a side that would scare Hannah away from ever loving him. Now his only chance to win her trust is to bare his soul, risking everything he tried so hard to protect.
After The Fall
(A Collection of Matt and Abby short stories)
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Do you need more Matt McKinney and family in your life??? Here's your chance! I have compiled a collection of SHORT STORIES featuring Matt, Abby, and all the kids. Think of it as WORTH THE FALL Part 2! There is NO full plot to the entire collection. These are meant to be read individually, as very short, quick and fun reads. Enjoy!
When a McKinney brother falls in love, powerful emotion and overwhelming desire are never far behind.
Two hearts locked away . . . Hannah Walker spends her days coaching children through injury and trauma, one therapeutic horseback ride at a time. She knows all too well how violence can change a child and leave scars that never heal. It’s easy for her to relate to the kids; what isn’t easy is the thought of facing her own harrowing past.
Millionaire playboy Stephen McKinney could use a little coaching himself. Five years ago he encountered his most horrible nightmare—and the nightmare won. No matter what he achieves, nothing can make up for that awful night . . . or so he believes.
Both desperate for a second chance . . . Stephen is used to getting what he wants. And he wants Hannah. So when she turns him down, he’s intrigued. What he doesn’t know is that her secrets will lead him to a place he never wanted to go again . . . to a side of himself he’s tried to forget . . . a side that would scare Hannah away from ever loving him. Now his only chance to win her trust is to bare his soul, risking everything he tried so hard to protect.
Worth it All
Our 4.5 star reviews
She’s fighting for control. . . . Paige Roberts learned to fend for herself growing up. Now she’s doing everything possible to give her daughter, Casey, the stability she never had. But when the vivacious five-year-old decides she’s done wearing her prosthesis, Paige faces her toughest challenge yet: trusting a handsome, brooding stranger who simply wants to help.
He’s struggling to connect. . . . JT McKinney lost more than his leg in a car accident that stole his dreams of pro football. Eight years later, he's made a new life for himself far away from his old one. His business is developing cutting-edge prosthetics and he’s more than happy to turn his attention to machines instead of people. Still, he can’t shake the feeling that something’s missing.
Will they take a chance on love? . . . When JT gets the chance to help Paige’s daughter, he takes it. He never planned on the two of them tearing down his walls or teaching him to believe in himself again. Paige might not believe in happily ever afters, but JT wants more than anything to be her prince. They’ll both have to let go of the past if they want a future.
Claudia Connor
Claudia attended Auburn University, where she received her undergraduate and masters degrees in early childhood education, and completed her studies in Sawbridgeworth, England. When she's not writing, she enjoys movies, reading, and travel, with a heavy dose of daydreaming during all three. Claudia lives near Memphis, Tennessee, with her husband and three daughters.
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