Release Blitz: The Dandelion Diary: Devney Perry

by - Tuesday, July 11, 2023


The Dandelion Diary
A Maysen Jar Series and 1001 Dark Nights novella
Devney Perry
Amazon | Amazon Worldwide: | Amazon Paperback
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Release Date July 11, 2023

From Wall Street Journal bestselling author Devney Perry comes a new story in her Maysen Jar series…


Dear Diary,

My dad needs a girlfriend, and I’ve already picked her out.

Miss Adler would be perfect for him, right? She’s super pretty. She has the best smile and she gives the best hugs. And she’s, like, the most amazing teacher in the world.

Dad is my hero, but I can tell he’s lonely. He tries to hide it from me, but sometimes at night, when he thinks I’m asleep, I’ll sneak downstairs and find him sitting on the couch, staring at nothing. He’s never had a girlfriend, not since the divorce. Mom messed him up. She’s good at that.

He’s smart and funny, but he doesn’t laugh enough. I’ve seen other moms at school check him out so I guess he’s handsome. (Eww.) And he makes up the best nicknames. He calls me Dandelion. I bet he’d give Miss Adler an awesome nickname too.

They're perfect for each other. I just know it. Now I only have to show them I’m right.

Wish me luck.

Katy

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

This is an adorable novella about a little girl who just wants her Dad to be happy. So she thinks the way to make that happen is to put him in direct contact with her favorite teacher. Katy is a precocious and smart girl with a plan. 

Jeff and Della are attracted to each other from the first meeting. And it does not wane after the second or third. But neither have been lucky in love or dating. They are both lonely and a bit awkward.  And there is that whole pesky "don't date parents of your students" rule. 

But Jeff is handsome, loving, and has a dry sense of humor. And she can tell he is an excellent dad. And Della is caring, sweet, quirky, and totally adores his kid. Their chemistry is natural and hard to resist. 

Why does something wrong feel so right?

This is a sweet addition to The Maysen Jar series but can be read as a stand-alone. It was fun to be back in this world and this novella just made me smile. 
When I heard the Maysen Jar was getting a new addition in the form of a 1001 Dark Nights novella I was excited!

Jeff is a divorcee who’s entire focus is on making sure his daughter is happy, cared for, and loved. His daughter has always been a good student, and he is navigating the pitfalls of parenting as she reaches middle school and all the social drama that comes with that.

Della Adler loves teaching, and students like Katy make dealing with the less glamor parts of school worth it.

Even though this was a novella, I loved the way the interactions between the characters built. They had immediate chemistry and though they were both interested, Della’s role as Katy’s teacher meant she wasn’t allowed to have a relationship with Jeff. So even though they both felt it, they knew the timing wasn’t right.

This was a quick, sweet read - I loved the story so much I wished it was a full novel with a few pieces fleshed out further. I loved Katy’s dedication to making sure her dad was happy. She was a bright spot in their interactions and made the early part of their relationship all the sweeter with her meddling.

Keep reading for a look inside The Dandelion Diary

Jeff stopped just beyond the patio, turning to face me.
I stopped too, standing just within arm’s reach.
He reached up, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. “I’m stalling.”
“You’re stalling.”
“You gotta tell me what you want. It’s your job. It’s your life. You want to wait until summer, then I’ll walk you to your car right now.”
I inched closer. More of that bravery bubbled to the surface. Was this a stupid idea? Yep. So why couldn’t I leave? “What if I don’t want to go to my car?”
A growl came from his chest as he dragged a hand over his jaw. “You’re sure?”
“Is Katy asleep?”
He nodded once. “Out like a light.”
“Then I want you to kiss me.” 
The words were barely out of my mouth before his lips crushed mine, his strong arms sweeping me off my feet as he hauled me into his chest.
Yes. Whatever doubts I had vanished. I melted against him, sinking into the feel of those lips against mine. Never in my life had I been this bold. Never in my life had I told a man to kiss me.
Worth it. So fucking worth it.
His tongue swept against the seam of my lips, demanding entry. A mewl escaped my throat as he slid inside. Then he plundered, fluttering and tangling and swirling his tongue with mine until I was breathless.
This man could kiss. Thank the stars in the sky, he could kiss. 
He nipped at the corner of my mouth, then sucked my bottom lip between his teeth. He slanted over me, delving deeper, leaving no corner of my mouth untouched.
My entire body went up in flames, my pulse thudding in time with the aching throb in my core. When he broke us apart, my lips were swollen. He latched on to my neck, sucking and kissing as he left a trail down the column of my throat.
“More.” I fisted the material of his shirt, holding him to me.
“Fuck, Della.” His voice held an edge of restraint, like he was trying to press the brakes. He pulled back, setting me on my feet. His eyes searched mine and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. Then he shifted, taking a step away.
No. “Don’t,” I panted.
Maybe it was the years of rejection from Luka. Maybe it was this all-consuming need for Jeff’s touch, his skin against mine. If I had to beg, I’d beg. Tonight, I wanted to be craved. Worshiped. And if that kiss was any indication, together, we could be dynamite.
“Della—”
“Please don’t pull away from me.” There was a vulnerability in my voice that surprised even me.
Jeff’s eyes softened. “I don’t want to, beautiful. But if I don’t put this space between us, I’m not sure I’ll be able to let you go.”
The air rushed from my lungs. He wants me. Deep down, I knew he wanted me. That kiss was a kiss from a man who wanted a woman. But to hear the need in his voice, well…it meant I didn’t care about the rules. Not tonight.
I’d risk it all, just once.
“You said I had to tell you what I want,” I said. “And that’s you. Kiss me again. Take me inside to your bedroom. Or if all you want to do is sit at the table and play cribbage with me, I’ll take whatever I can get. We don’t even know each other but the idea of me leaving right now…” I shook my head. “I don’t want to leave.”


Devney Perry

Devney is the USA Today bestselling author of the Jamison Valley series. She lives in Montana with her husband and two children. After working in the technology industry for nearly a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to enjoy a slower pace at home with her kids. She loves reading and, after consuming hundreds of books, decided to share her own stories. Devney loves hearing from readers! Connect with her on social media. 

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