Kristen Proby is known for writing heartfelt characters with deep connections and sizzling passion. In her brand new Fusion Series from William Morrow, she seduces readers’ senses with the sexy, contemporary romance in which five best friends open a hot new restaurant together. Today, we are thrilled to bring you CLOSE TO YOU, the second book in the Fusion Series! CLOSE TO YOU brings readers the next story in this amazing cast of characters. Pre-order your copy of CLOSE TO YOU today and check out the special offer below!

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby comes the second novel in her sizzling Fusion series.

Camilla, “Cami,” LaRue was five-years-old when she first fell in love with Landon Palazzo. Everyone told her the puppy love would fade—they clearly never met Landon. When he left after graduation without a backward glance, she was heartbroken. But Cami grew up, moved on, and became part-owner of wildly popular restaurant Seduction. She has everything she could want…or so she thinks.

After spending the last twelve years as a Navy fighter pilot, Landon returns to Portland to take over the family construction business. When he catches a glimpse of little Cami LaRue, he realizes she’s not so little any more. He always had a soft spot for his little sister’s best friend, but nothing is soft now when he’s around the gorgeous restauranteur.

Landon isn’t going to pass up the chance to make the girl-next-door his. She’s never been one for romance, but he’s just the one to change her mind. Will seduction be just the name of her restaurant or will Cami let him get close enough to fulfill all her fantasies?

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Excerpt

~Landon~

“Are you going to write this down?”

“I’m making notes,” I reply, and tap my head, indicating that I’ll remember what she says.

“Well, that’s comforting,” she mumbles, and turns away, making me smile. Cami has always been funny. She’s giving and kind, and we once had a special friendship. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t want her. Had she been a couple of years older, there was a time when I would have pursued her romantically, but then I went into the Navy, and she got married, and life carried on. It’s not right for a man to continue to call and send letters to a married woman, no matter how much it kills him that she belongs to another man. So we drifted apart.

Suddenly she stops pacing, links her fingers nervously together, and sighs. “Landon, I wanted to thank you for coming home when Mom and Daddy died.”

I stare at her for a moment, then shake my head, shove my hands in my pockets, and shuffle my feet. “You don’t have to thank me for that.”

“Yeah, I do.” She nods. “It was a weird time, and having you here was . . . well, comforting.”

“I’m glad. How are you?”

“Better,” she says, and smiles. “A lot has happened in the few years since then.”

It’s been a few years? I had no idea. Time sure goes fast.

“The restaurant keeps all of us busy.” She takes a deep breath and looks around the empty space.

“Speaking of, I think a row of booths, like the existing ones we have, would be beautiful over here,” she says, gesturing to the far wall. She continues to share her vision, her eyes shining with excitement.

She’s professional and animated, and I can’t look away from her. I never could. The dimple in her cheek winks when she grins, talking about the need for a larger storage space in the back. Her hair is up in a simple ponytail, and she’s in jeans, sneakers, and a sweatshirt.

She still looks sixteen.

But when she turns, and her sweatshirt molds against her body, she’s anything but a kid. She’s all woman.

Beautiful, stunning, amazing woman.

“Seriously, you’re not paying attention to me,” she grumbles.

“Oh, I’m paying attention,” I reply. Maybe not the way she wants, but I’m paying attention. “How are you and the cat getting along?”

She frowns. “He’s taken over my house.”

“He likes you. You’re a likable girl.” I shrug and watch as her frown deepens, then she shakes her head.

“We’re talking about work.”

“I think, for the first meeting, we did good,” I reply, and glance about the room. “What used to be in here?”

“A toy store,” she replies. “I guess most people buy stuff online these days.”

“I think I can raise the ceiling in here,” I say, studying the drop ceiling. “I can make it match your existing ceiling, open it up a bit.”

“Good. I don’t know why they made it lower.”

“Probably to save on heating costs.”

“Raising it will be much better.” She’s nodding, hands on hips, slowly sauntering around. “Can we match the floors too?”

“That shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Awesome.” She pauses, smiles, and claps her hands. “I’m so excited!”

“Even if I’m your contractor?” I ask, and reach out to tug on her hair, but she ducks out of my way.

“I guess I can deal with you.”

“You like me.” The crush she’s had on me since we were kids has never been a secret. I managed to keep mine hidden, but Cami never did.

“You’re okay.” She shrugs and chuckles, and for the first time that I can remember, she’s not looking at me with that sparkle in her eyes, and I’m not sure what to do about that. Or if I even should do anything about that.

But I fucking miss it.

Tracey’s Review

“I didn’t think I believed in soul mates…It’s always sounded like a romantic notion for movies and books, but I’ve realized that a soul mate isn’t someone who just slips into your life and one day you realize, Oh, there you are. It’s the person that you measure time against.”

For Cami LaRue, Landon Palazzo has always been more than just her best friend’s older brother. For as long as she can remember, there’s been something between them, something more, but the timing was never right, and time and years separated them. Now that Landon is back home in Portland, though, things are different, and feelings long buried are brought to light.

CLOSE TO YOU is the second book in Kristen’s new Fusion series, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Kristen’s ability to write a group of characters that make you want to join right in with them and hang out is one of the first things that drew me to her books way back in the With Me In Seattle days, and Cami and her circle of friends are another great example of this.

Love, family, and friendship always play a big role in Kristen’s books, with stories interwoven, but not necessarily dependent upon each other. The characters in the Fusion series truly are family, friends that have known each other so long that it’s like they’re one big clan. Although they are each fine on their own, with strong support systems, and their own lives, Cami and Landon are truly just what each other needs. Being able to finally explore the feelings that they have both tamped down for so long feels like the most natural thing in the world for them, and seeing them find their ‘other’ and get to their HEA is so rewarding.

One of my most favorite things about Kristen’s writing is her scenes when everyone is pretty much unguarded and letting their hair down, so to speak, and CLOSE TO YOU has plenty of those moments. The five ladies of Fusion are great foils for each other, and seeing such a strong and enduring friendship between these women is refreshing and uplifting. As well, Kristen’s men are both strong yet tender, and Landon is a definite keeper (I mean, seriously, that quote, though!). His love and eloquence when it comes to Cami are downright swoon-inducing, and I thank Kristen for writing him in such a realistic and human way.

CLOSE TO YOU is, at heart, a book designed to give us the HEA we readers are looking for, and Kristen is absolutely on her mark. 4.5 romantic, steamy, friend-to-lovers stars for this book. I can’t wait to see what the remaining ladies of Fusion are in for, and look forward to each of them in the near future.

***ARC generously provided for an honest review.***

Preorder CLOSE TO YOU, fill out this form, and receive an email with the Exclusive Short Story, GROW WITH ME, featuring Will and Meg from Kristen Proby’s PLAY WITH ME in the With Me in Seattle Series after Release Week!

And Don’t Miss the First Novel in the Fusion Series, LISTEN TO ME!

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About Kristen Proby:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby is the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle and Love Under the Big Sky series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong, humorous characters with a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves.

Kristen lives in Montana, where she enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.

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