Happy Tuesday! Although I’m mostly offline this month to concentrate on NaNoWriMo, I’ve made several exceptions to host new releases on my blog. First up, is No Such Luck a sweet holiday romance from Staci Troilo.
Staci is a dear friend and one of the founding members of Story Empire. She’s also a super talented author who always delivers a phenomenal story. Her latest is no exception. Look for my five star review at the end of this post, but in the meantime, say hello to Staci!
I appreciate you inviting me here today, Mae. Hi, everyone. Thank you for chatting with me about my new release, No Such Luck. It’s a fast and fun clean romance perfect for the holiday season.
Piper Seidel’s life-long best friend is Jack Rhodes. He’s always been there for her, and even though she moved away right after high school—first for college, then for her career—he never stopped staying in touch with her. When he says, “I’ll always be there for you,” he means it. They have history, even if she can’t remember it. This brief excerpt shows how far back it goes.

“Where’d you park?”
“At the lodge.”
“At the—How do you get the tree down there?”
“We drag it.”
“You and your father drag a tree down the side of a mountain?”
Piper nodded and smiled.
“It’s no wonder it takes you so long.”
She shrugged.
“Grab the top, Pea.”
“Stop calling me that.”
“Never. You earned it.”
“Did not.”
“Did, too.”
“How?”
“Third grade.
“How?”
“Guess you don’t remember that one.” Jack shook his head and sighed. “Grab your end.” When she complied, he hefted the trunk, then started down the hill. He called over his shoulder, “Come on, Frank.”
She worried about her Dad. He was still on the phone with Pam and didn’t look happy.
The three of them made their way back to the lodge.
While her father paid for the tree and got it loaded in the bed of his truck, she thanked Jack again. “I’m really sorry about Pam. You didn’t need to come here.”
Jack got a bottle of water and bandana from his center console, then turned to her. He dabbed at the cut on her head, cleaning the blood off her face. “I’ll always come for you if you need me, Pea. Always.”
“Stop calling me that.”
He smiled. “No.”
She shook her head, but he kept wiping at it.
“There. That’s better.”
“What are you doing?”
“Taking care of you. The way you should be cared for.”
“I don’t know what to make of that.”
“Think about it. Think about third grade, too. You need a better good luck charm.”
I have to admit, I’ve sustained an injury or two Christmas tree shopping. But I never walked away with my forehead bleeding. Good thing Piper had help.
I hope you enjoyed that quick sneak peek. No Such Luck, the first installment of the Keystone Couples series, is available now on Amazon.
Blurb:
Seeds of luck usually wither. The rare one grows and blooms.
Piper Seidel has one thing going for her—a red carnation given to her by Tommy Burnett in the tenth grade. It might have dried over the years, but it’s still her good luck charm. Losing it sets her life in a downward spiral, forcing her to return to her hometown where she comes face to face with her high school crush.
The years have been kind to Tommy, who looks better than ever. Unfortunately, Piper is at her worst, continually embarrassing herself whenever he’s around. The only plus? Her long-time friend, Jack Rhodes, still lives in town. Since she last saw him, his legs have grown longer, his biceps thicker, and his shoulders broader. He was always the brother she never had, but now she can’t help noticing him in an unsisterly way. Jack is every bit as caring as he’s ever been—until her bad luck drives him away, maybe forever.
Piper needs a new good luck charm, and fast, before she loses her final chance at happiness.
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MY REVIEW
This is a sweet, breezy romance that instills a feel-good glow. Piper Seidel has lost her job as a journalist and ends up returning to her hometown for an extended winter vacation, uncertain of her future. Reconnecting with her past includes crossing paths with her old high school crush, Tommy Burnett, and her childhood best friend, Jack Rhodes. Both bring complications into her life and have her re-examining what matters most to her.
This is a short read, but one that is tightly written with a fully fleshed out plot. I loved the near-to-Christmas time frame (especially when Piper and her dad go searching for a Christmas tree) and the small-town feel. Piper grows over this story, learning truths that she was too blind to see previously, but I like to think the other characters (one in particular) experienced personal growth, too. Definitely a charmer!
Thanks for joining Staci and me today as we celebrate the release of No Suck Luck, Pop the virtual bubbly, and drop a comment to cheer on Staci with her newest book, the first in the Keystone Couple Series. I for one am definitely looking forward to more!
Jack was a good character and that was a good excerpt showing it, Staci!
Thanks, for hosting, Mae 🙂
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Jack’s one of my favorite character’s I’ve ever written. I’m glad you liked him, too. And thanks for the kind words, Denise.
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I loved Jack’s character. He really stole my heart.
Thanks for joining in the celebration, Denise!
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I know you’re a Nico fan, so that means a lot to me.
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Nico is still my favorite 😉
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Vinnie’s still mine.
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Good thing we don’t have to fight over the same guy, LOL!
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Wonderful excerpt! Thanks for sharing, Mae!
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Thank you, Jill. So nice to see you at yet another tour stop!
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Hi, Jill. I’m so glad you enjoyed the excerpt. Thanks for visiting to help Staci celebrate her new release!
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Great excerpt for a great read. Lovely post and wonderful review! Very best of luck to Staci with her latest release. Thanks for sharing, Mae 💕🙂
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Many thanks for all the kind words, Harmony. I really appreciate it. 💕
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I’m excited to be part of Staci’s tour, Harmony. I know you enjoyed this sweet Christmas read too. Many thanks for visiting today to cheer on Staci!
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That’s such a sweet excerpt. I can’t wait to read the whole story, Staci. ❤️ Great post, Mae! Hope your writing is going well.
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Christmas tree shopping was always one of my favorite traditions when I was younger. Never quite like that, though. It was a fun scene to write. Glad you enjoyed the excerpt. Thanks, Tessa.
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Hi, Tessa. Isn’t that a lovely excerpt? It’s one of my favorite scenes in the book. Staci’s latest is a wonderful read for this time of year.
Writing could be going better, but I’m making progress on a few things. Thanks! 🙂
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Congratulations, Staci! And, thank you, Mae, for showcasing No Such Luck. I thoroughly enjoyed the read. 💗
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Aww. Thank you, Gwen. I’m really glad you enjoyed it.
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It is such a sweet story, isn’t it, Gwen? And so perfect for this time of year.
I’m so glad you dropped by to add your thoughts about this lovely new read from Staci!
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Jack is such a sweetie. Good excerpt from a wonderful story!
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That warms my heart, Priscilla. I adore him, too. Thanks so much.
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I’ll second those thoughts, Priscilla! It looks like Jack has a lot of reader fans out there! 🙂
Thanks for visiting to cheer on Staci today!
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This was one of my favorite excerpts of the story. But then again, it’s hard to pick just one. Congrats, Staci. Thank you for hosting today, Mae!
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Oh, Joan. That’s about the nicest thing you could say. Thank you so much!
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I agree with you abut the scenes and excerpts, Joan. So many good ones in book that delivers a wonderful story and HEA.
Thanks for adding your thoughts and congrats for Staci!
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I’m enjoying the tour, Staci. Hope NaNo is treating you well, Mae.
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I really appreciate that, Craig. Particularly given this isn’t your go-to genre. Many thanks.
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Glad you’re enjoying Staci’s tour, Craig. No Such Luck is getting a really nice spotlight in the blogosphere.
NaNo and I are wrangling at present. I’m waffling between “I can do this” and “What was I thinking?!”
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Sorry, but that made me chuckle a little.
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Ha ha! We all get that.
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I’m glad it’s worth a laugh. And the jury is still out on the winner, LOL!
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Congratulations, Staci, on the new release. Sounds like a good read for the holidays.
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I really hope people think so. Many thanks, Sharon.
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Hi, Sharon. It’s a lovely holiday read. I just love Christmas stories this time of year, and this is an excellent one!
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Many, many thanks for the lovely introduction, Mae. I always feel so welcome here. Also, thanks SO MUCH for your review. It absolutely made my day. 💕
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You know I always love hosting you on my blog, Staci. I’m delighted to roll out the read carpet, especially for such a sweet, feel good release. I’m happy to provide the review, too. Piper, Jack, Tommy, and the whole crew kept me entertained!
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Aw, you’re a romantic at heart, MC. This sounds like such a light and lovely read.
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I truly hope so. Thanks for stopping by!
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It’s true—I’m a romantic sap, Noelle.
And No Such Luck is a great Christmasy, feel-good read! 🙂
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I grabbed this one. Can’t wait to read it!
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Thanks so much, Jacqui! I hope you enjoy it.
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If it’s the caliber of your others (which I suspect it is), I will love it.
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I’m humbled. Thank you.
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Enjoy, Jacqui! No Such Luck is perfect for a sweet winter escape!
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I loved Jack, and eventually, I hope Tommy gets his act together, too. But no one can top Jack!
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I like to think Tommy’s on the right path now. But Jack has my heart. I’m glad to see you liked him, too. Thanks, Judi.
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Judi, I was hoping Tommy experienced growth, too. He was one interesting character, but Jack stole the show 🙂
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Great excerpt, Staci. Thanks, Mae for hosting Staci today.
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Thank you, John.
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😊
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My pleasure, John. Many thanks for visiting to cheer Staci on!
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Hi Mae, thank you for sharing your review of Staci’s book. I hope your NaNoWriMo is going well.
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Her review has me Snoopy dancing. Well, as much as I ever dance. Thanks, Robbie.
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My pleasure on sharing the review, Robbie. I’m glad you dropped by to check it out.
Right now, I am in a love/hate relationship with NaNo and getting beat up, LOL!
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Well, there is always tomorrow to make it better.
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Thank you, Mae, for showcasing Staci’s new book today! I love your review. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire story. It’s a quick and entertaining read! Congrats, Staci!
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I’m glad you enjoyed Staci’s latest too, Jan. It really left me with a warm fuzzy glow at the end. As a Noelle noted about, I really am a romantic at heart!
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I’m thrilled to hear that, Jan. Thank you so much!
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I love the background story of ‘Pea’. This is a heartwarming tale, perfect for the holiday season (though I’m not a fan of stepmother, dear!)
Wonderful review, Mae. Congrats to Staci!
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Because it’s a Christmas tale, I want to believe Pam comes off worse than she actually is. But I never warmed to her, either.
Thanks. I liked the “Pea” story, too. If you know anything about the April flower, (which is my birth month), you’ll understand why it had a special meaning to me.
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It’s my dad’s as well 🙂
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Stepmom was definitely hard to warm up to, but she had moments. I really liked the “Pea” thread too, Jacquie. So much charm in a short powerhouse and heartwarming tale!
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Sounds lovely! We all need a feel good glow. Thanks, Mae. Best of luck to Staci!
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This story is perfect for a feel good glow, Flossie. Just thinking about it has me smiling. It’s like sinking into a cup of hot chocolate on a blustery day!
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Thank you, Flossie. I hope the story does provide a few feel-good glows this season.
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Sounds like Jack’s a good guy to have around. With this being Christmasy, I’m ready to curl up with it now!
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You’re in for a treat, Teri. I wish you happy reading. This story is the perfect gift-wrapped tale for the holiday season!
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I wish I could conjure him out of the paragraphs of the book and plunk him down in my living room. He really is a great guy. I hope you like him as much as I do. Thanks, Teri.
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As I follow along on your tour, I wonder if there’s some hidden truths behind Piper. So I gotta ask. Did any of these things happen to you, Staci?
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There’s a little bit of me and my history in most of my books. As for what’s truth and what’s fiction? I’ll leave that to your imagination. 😀
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It’s been a fun tour, Sue. Glad you’re enjoying it and that you dropped by to help Staci celebrate her release!
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Congratulations, Staci! I wish you continued success. Thanks for sharing, Mae.
Cheers to you both! 🙂
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So nice to hear from you, Natalie. And many thanks.
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Hi, Natalie. Thanks so much for visiting. Wishing you an awesome day!
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Reblogged this on Kim's Musings.
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Thanks for sharing, Kim.
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You’re welcome 😊
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Thanks so much for helping spread the word, Kim! 🙂
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You’re welcome 😊
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Congrats to Staci on a successful tour and another wonderful review. You’re the second review to mention the Christmas tree scene, Mae. I’m looking forward to reading it for myself. I hope you’re through the NaNo bog. 🙂 Happy Writing.
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Thanks, Diana. It was one of my two favorite scenes in the book. I’m glad people are enjoying it so much.
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I look forward to enjoying it too.
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The tree scene is a wonderful scene from a wonderful book, Diana. I know you’re going to enjoy the whole story!
I think NaNo and I have parted ways but I am making good strides in other writing areas I’ve been neglecting, so I’m happy! 🙂
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I never really pay attention to Nano rules. Writing is writing and its all good.
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