Sparked by Love: A Holiday for Romance

Holiday for Romance #1

by Peggy Bird

Some fussy artist is making Shannon Morgan’s job with the city of Vancouver, Washington, harder than it should be. She’s organizing the huge annual Independence Day celebration, and he’s being impossible. But then, he’s like a couple other men she’s known - her mostly absent father and her disappearing ex-boyfriend, for example.

All Leo Wilson wants is an okay for his plans to install glass fireworks at Fort Vancouver on the Fourth of July. With thousands of people there to see his work, it could be his big career break. If the crabby bureaucrat will get him the permits he needs.

When Leo confronts the cause of his trouble in person, he’s surprised to find a beautiful young woman. Shannon is equally surprised at meeting a sweet, sexy man. Dinner, a movie, and a few torrid kisses take it from spark to flame.

But then the father she’s always wanted as part of her life reappears, accompanied by her ex-boyfriend. Shannon has to decide how far she’s willing to go to have her father around. And find out why he’s with her ex.

If she makes the right decisions, she and Leo will privately create fireworks that rival the pyrotechnics that light up the sky on July Fourth.

Sensuality Level: Sensual

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance

184 pages, Paperback

First published June 16, 2014

About the author

Born in Philly, raised in the suburbs, I moved to the Northwest as an adult and, other than a year in England and a couple years in Montana, have happily lived here ever since.

My work life has been more complicated. I was a nurse, political staffer, lobbyist, association executive and community affairs consultant before I followed my passions to writing and art glass. Not as much money but a whole lot more fun.

In 2012 my life changed dramatically when several of the books I'd started out writing as mysteries were contracted for publication by Crimson Romance. Since June of that year I've had six books in the Second Chances series released as ebooks and trade paperbacks and a second series, A Holiday for Romance, begun.

Some of the characters in my books share my love of glass art--there's a gallery owner and a kiln-formed glass artist, a glass jewelry artist who has better luck making perfect beads than I do and, in the first Holiday for Romance book, a glass blower. It's an enjoyable way to share my love for glass art through my other love, writing.

All of the books take place primarily in the Pacific Northwest where I live but sometimes Philly, where I grew up. slips in. It's easy writing romances in such a beautiful setting!

I love to hear from readers so feel free to contact me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peggybirdauthor
or Twitter: https://twitter.com/peggybirdwrites

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars for this delightfully romantic story with just enough angst to keep you on your toes. Peggy is so great at creating that falling in love feeling.

Leo Wilson can’t be happier. His proposal for an art project to celebrate the Fourth of July in nearby Vancouver has been accepted, and he knows it’s going to be his best shot at being noticed. However, he’d be happier if one particular city worker wouldn’t be such a pain in the behind about questioning his every move. Deciding it was time to confront the enigmatic Shannon Morgan face to face, he goes to her office. The woman he finds there is anything but what he expected and now he can’t seem to take his eyes or his mind off her, and wants only to impress and win her over – completely.

Shannon Morgan is nearly at the end of her rope, between her boss who is determined to get her fired and the artist who was awarded a commission by the city to do a glass art display for the Fourth of July celebration, she’s ready to go crazy. Then to make matters worse, her occasional father and her ex-boyfriend have decided to, now of all times, show up and make her life even more complicated. The bright spot in a day gone bad is the gorgeous man standing in her doorway who turns out to be the pain in the butt artist she’s done her best to avoid. When his art turns out to be as exciting as his kisses, Shannon begins to believe that maybe having a man in her life might not be such a bad idea after all.

SPARKED BY LOVE: A Holiday Romance by Peggy Bird is an extension of the Second Chance series, which featured such wonderful characters as Amanda St. Claire from book two, LOVING AGAIN, who actually shows up in this wonderful story as Leo’s friend and glass art supporter. It’s such a delight to meet old friends while meeting new ones. Leo Wilson is a hottie artist who knows what he wants and has no problem going after it. Whether it’s his determination to present his art the way he sees it at its most creative, or his determination to win over the beautiful Shannon who he fears thinks of him only as a friend even though when they’re together, they make sparks that rival his vision for his glass fireworks display. As usual, Peggy does a fabulous job of conjuring the most wonderful hero to make us fall in love right along with the heroine.

When Shannon’s on again, off again father makes a play for winning over his daughter and pushes Shannon’s ex-boyfriend on her, Leo and his art get tangled up in a situation which might do more than cause a split between he and Shannon. As usual, Peggy handles the emotions and interference of others in a realistic, logical fashion, which keeps the reader turning the pages eager to find out what the not-so-nice guys are really up to, while cheering on Leo in the hopes he gets his girl. SPARKED BY LOVE: A Holiday Romance by Peggy Bird is a wonderful story about a woman who doesn’t trust falling in love, and a man who teaches her falling in love is wonderful, and can end in truly spectacular fireworks of the best kind.

I highly recommend SPARKED BY LOVE: A Holiday Romance by Peggy Bird because it’s the most smile-worthy story you can read over any weekend - holiday or not.

***eARC provided by author in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 +++ Stars!!!


This book had the Triple “S” factor for me; Short, Sweet and Sexy.

Leo, Leo, Leo Wilson (I loved Leo) the sexy and super sweet glass artist wins a commission to display his artwork in the park for the 4th of July. Shannon Morgan is the gal making Leo’s job difficult. That is until they meet face to face. With the chemistry between them the fireworks spark all around this relationship.

Shannon is our damaged soul. She has had several bad experiences with men and has a difficult time trusting and letting herself fall in love. That is until Leo. He try’s very hard to break down Shannon’s walls. A pesky ex-boyfriend and a loser of a dad make Leo’s job even that more difficult. But Leo is firm in the way he feels for Shannon and will not back down. Thank you, Leo. Shannon made me want to slap her a few times because she could not see what was right in front of her. This caused the angst we all love in a romance book. It does not last too long but will a few giant misunderstandings be the ultimate demise of this budding relationship? READ IT to see.

I love Peggy’s writing style. It flows beautifully and her characters (especially the male characters) are strong and steady making for a wonderful book. Amanda St. Claire from “Loving Again” book #2 in the Second Chance Series makes a few appearances in this book.

I have read quite a few of Peggy Bird’s books and love them all. I would recommend this book for a wonderful summer read and to celebrate the 4th of July with some steamy sex and one hot man named Leo.

My Favorite Quotes:

She wasn’t shivering from the cool spring air. She was as affected by the chemistry between them as he was.

“Are you making fun of me?” “Baby, I would never jeopardize my chances of seeing your new underwear by laughing at you.” He squinted back at her.

“Upside down, right side up, up to your neck in bubbles, or naked in my bed, you’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in al my life. I don’t know how I lucked out, having you here.” – Leo

“I see fireworks when we make love,” she said. “You make me see fireworks.” He wiped away a tear leaking from her eye. “We make them together, baby.”

[Alexia Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leo Wilson is a glass artist who has just been awarded a $75,000 grant to display his art at the Fourth of July festival in Vancouver, Washington. All he needs is to secure a few permits from the City of Vancouver. Holding up the permits is Shannon Morgan. Her boss, who wants her out because she's spurned his advances, has withheld vital information from her.

When Leo comes to speak with her personally to sort out the situation, they immediately hit it off. As Leo explains his vision, Shannon comes on board and helps him secure the necessary permits. With their initial bad impression of the other set aside, they begin a romance.

As they get closer to each other, Shannon's loser of father and idiot of an ex-boyfriend both show up. They are obviously up to something and create havoc in Shannon's life. I loved the way Leo supported and cared for Shannon when she was upset, putting her needs before his. Something neither her father or ex ever did.

Then there's a misunderstanding which causes Shannon and Leo to break up. And someone is out to destroy Leo's glass art before the big July 4th reveal. However it all works out to a satisfying happy ever after.

I enjoyed this book, especially the glimpses into the art of glass blowing, something I've always wanted to try. A solid book by Peggy Bird, I look forward to reading the others she has planned for this series.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Copy received from Tasty Book Tours for an honest review

This was my first time reading Peggy Bird so I was not sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by not only her writing style, which was very engaging and flowed, but also her characters.

Leo and Shannon were fantastic characters. I really enjoyed them as individuals and as a couple. Their love story worked and was very believable. Leo was such a great guy. He was almost too good to be true. I loved Shannon and all her insecurities and her sense of survival. I really enjoyed this beautiful love story and highly recommend it!

[Emjay Barkley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a big fan of Peggy's romance novels and this one did not disappoint! In addition, being an admirer of blown glass but knowing nothing about how it is made, I am really enjoying the details that Peggy shares in her books -- an added bonus to her well constructed love stories! And with each new book of Peggy's that I read, visiting the Pacific Northwest is climbing higher and higher on my list of places to visit.

I am now going back to read the sixth novel in the Second Chances series. I'm not sure how I missed that one, but I look forward to another entertaining read.

Keep up the great work, Peggy!

[Casey Dawes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it took me a little while to get connected to Leo and Shannon, by the end of the book I was rooting for their love (and Leo's dog) to triumph.

This romance centered around a glass installation for a 4th of July event. Trouble with permits, a boss who wants more than the job requires, a creepy ex-boyfriend, and a less-than-perfect father kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next.

The information about glass blowing and details about Vancouver, Washington added to the texture of the book.

[WiLoveBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A warm, fuzzy romance read. Leo and Shannon are just so sweet together. There is plenty of steam, as well. Shannon's past threatens to rain on their parade, but overall I wasn't too worried. Very enjoyable read for romance lovers.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leo needs permits to have his glass fireworks displayed for Vancouver, Washington’s, Fourth of July celebration. Shannon can’t give him said permits because of one thing or another. He thinks he’s dealing with a stuffy bureaucrat. She thinks he’s an arrogant, demanding yuppie. A face-to-face meeting sets aside all assumptions and paves the way for something more than a working relationship.

I was pleasantly surprised by this story. I thought it’d be a political tug-of-war between an egotistical artist and a man-hating paper pushing city worker. Instead, I got a delightful story about a man, a woman, a dog, and a lot of glass.

Leo’s talent as a glass blower just bleeds through my tablet screen. His passion for the piece he’s designing is so well-described that I could see it in my head. The glass tubes. Their shapes. Their colors. The way they would look when lit up. Beautiful.

Shannon’s hang-up with her mostly absent father was so sad to read about. Because I could see the effort she’d put in all those years to try to get to know him only to have so little to show for it. Her ex needing to find himself only reinforced her doubts in the male species, and did little to help her see Leo as one of the good guys.

Time together and apart helped Shannon see in Leo what I saw: a man who truly cared and loved her, who didn’t demand favors in exchange for time together, who wasn’t using her for sex or for monetary gain, who didn’t need to go “find himself.” He showed her that everything she wanted and needed from him was hers for the taking. All she had to do was trust that he would be there for her, would want her, would care for her, and would love her.

She did, eventually, and it was such a sigh-provoking moment that I laughed out of relief. The happy ending Leo and Shannon deserved had finally come. The trouble they’d experienced to get there was worth going through. Glass tubes, lights, and permits. Who would’ve guessed such a combination would create such a heartwarming story?

***Received from Tasty Book Tours for an honest review***

[Deborah Cordes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a simple romance, or an easy-peasy category read. The depth that Ms. Bird brings to this novel is impressive. I immediately fell in love with the witty and charming Leo and Shannon. And who can resist Walter? There was no insta-love, to use that tired catch phrase, but a smoldering attraction that sparked and exploded, and fit well with the overarching fireworks' theme. The settings and secondary characters were wonderful, too. Ms. Bird knows how to weave a great tale, working in excellent details from her extensive experiences in the Portland/Vancouver art scene. I enjoyed every page of this novel, and I look forward to the other stories in this series.

[Becky Lower · Rating 5 out of 5]

As my dog and I settled in to our chair on a soggy Sunday to read about Shannon, Leo and Walter, I thought I knew what I'd be getting--a love story about a sweet, artistic man and a messed up yet lovable woman. I got that, and a dog thrown in for good measure. But what I didn't expect was the love story between the author and her home town of Vancouver, or her love for the creative process of making beautiful works of art out of pieces of glass. Ms. Bird has done a wonderful job with this book, which culminates on the 4th of July, which is my favorite of all the holidays.

[Renee Entress · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS!

Love Peggy's stories! They are super sweet. This book was a short read but a great story anyway. Character's are strong and one is broken. With a budding relationship will her ex and father ruin it before it can get started. I truly wanted to smack Shannon at points but refrained in the hopes that she would see the light with Leo.

Will his chemistry and fireworks turn her head and her heart to him or will she pass him off as another bad choice?

[K.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read for warm summer day. Leo and Shannon are a sweet couple with strong sexy heat. I enjoyed their tale and the way Ms. Bird seamlessly weaved in wonderful historic setting details as well as the details about glass blowing. It really brought the artistic side of story to life. All in all a lovely romantic read.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although their "love at first sight" initially seems implausible, both characters actually slow down and take the time to get to know each other, and are a good example of crafting a relationship from scratch, even after heartbreak.

Read full review in the 2014 October issue of InD’tale Magazine.

[Judith Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read written by Peggy Bird. It won't be my last. Her knowledge of the setting and glass blowing add an authenticity I loved. A creative and well-written book with a central love story with twists and turns. Highly recommend!

[Danielle-Claude Mba]

REVIEW TO COME