Piece of Cake: Without A Hitch Book Three: clean romance novels

By Kent Hamilton

Kari and John are in the midst of planning a second public wedding so that their families and friends can join their happiness, when things take a turn for the worse and John's mother, Evangeline, falls gravely ill. She has always been a stubborn, sturdy woman, capable of anything, but her sudden sickness seems to be more than even she can handle. All Evangeline ever wanted was to witness her son's marriage, and now it seems as if this might not be possible.

John and Kari realize that the only way Evangeline will die happy is if she is able to see the wedding. They try to postpone it, but she urges them to carry on with their matrimonial plans, telling them she does not believe she will be able to make it. Stressed and worried, John and Kari work day and night to find a way for John's mother to witness their marriage, while Evangeline grows more ill.

Meanwhile, Kari experiences some troubles with her pregnancy, and begins to worry about whether or not John will be able to love another man's child. Kari also begins to fear that having Mark's baby will only make her miss him so much that she will not be able to give John the love and joy that he deserves. Will everything work itself out into a happily ever after? Or are these two love birds doomed to a life of hardship and unhappiness?

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Heirs Publishing Company
• Release date: Nov 9, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386036371

Kent Hamilton

Author Kent Hamilton has always had a natural flair for writing, right from his school years. A student of Columbia University, he has over 15 years of writing experience and is an avid reader of clean romance, dramatic fiction and the classics. Kent passion for evoking raw emotion and his honest representation of the human experience makes his work relatable to his readers. He enjoys drawing on the experiences of his surroundings, observing the behaviors of others and combining this with a healthy dose of imagination. He is a keen communicator with an eye for detail and this is reflected in his writing. Having written short stories since he was a teenager, Kent also contributes to online blogs and enjoys reviewing novels from new and established authors. He is constantly open to learning new things and thrives on reading fiction that evokes emotion and stimulated the senses. Prior to writing his clean romance novel Without a Hitch, Kent spent several years traveling around Australia where he met his current partner. He lives with her and their one year old daughter and his other passions include cooking, photography and film. Without a Hitch is a novel that questions the notion of true, lasting love and draws the reader into the hearts of its protagonists. Kent has recently started another romance story which he hopes to publish next year.

Book preview

Chapter One

I’m not going to make it.

His mother’s words rang in his ears and echoed through his mind over and over again. John stared straight ahead at his mother’s weak form, crumpled against the hospital wall. Her fingers seemed thin and veiny, clutching at a wad of used kleenex. She pressed a hand to her heart and offered her son a smile, but her eyes were not in it. They seemed distant, far off, as if she was looking at something years and years away from the bleak hospital with its white walls and linoleum floors.

I’m not going to make it.

The words seemed to fill the empty, silent halls with darkness. Kari stared at John’s mother as she stood, small and shaking, before them. She saw a woman she had come to love, had come to trust. She knew that John and his mother did not always get along, but in the last few months, their relationship had flourished. She had watched John’s mother beam with pride at her son’s strength, loyalty, and passion for life. Kari had shared secrets and tears with this woman, and she could not bare to think of going on without her warm and quirky presence. She glanced at John, and she could see in his eyes that he felt the same way.

But... Kari heard herself speaking, but the voice did not feel like it was her own. She swallowed and blinked, forcing herself to gain composure. You will make it, she said, struggling to keep her voice from wavering. She tilted her chin upwards and stared John’s  mother firmly in the eye. We’re getting married, and you’re going to be there, she said solidly, and that is that.

John’s mother chuckled softly, which set her off into a coughing fit. John stared in horror as his mother’s body shook and shivered, wracked with the force of the coughs. Kari reached out a hand to steady the woman, but she brushed it away, proud as ever.

I’m fine, I’m fine, she said, brushing tears from her eyes.

If you’re fine then I don’t see any reason why you can’t be at the wedding, John said fiercely. Kari looked at him sharply, shocked by the sharpness in his voice. She noted that his eyes were angry, but they shone with tears. She felt her hearty cry out in sympathy: her husband was angry at his mother’s sickness, angry at the unfairness of life. He was hurting, and she felt his pain and wanted nothing more than to take him in her arms and hold him.

Instead, she chose to stand strong. Kari planted her feet and put a hand on John’s mother’s shoulder.

It’s going to be alright, she said, looking into the woman’s distant eyes. You are strong, and radiant, and the most stubborn person I know. A smile flashed across John’s mother’s lips. If anyone can get through this, you can.

Kari felt John slide a hand around her waist, joining her at his mother’s side.

Kari’s right, mom, John said, blinking the tears from his eyes. "You’re stubborn as anything.