Storiebook Charm (A Spellbound Novel 1) Read online

  Storiebook Charm

  A Spellbound Novel, book 1

  Melissa Bourbon

  Lake House Press

  Silent Echoes Copyright © 2020 by Melissa Bourbon Ramirez. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for use in articles and reviews.

  Cover design by Dar Albert, Wicked Smart Designs

  Published by Lake House Press

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product fate author’s imagination or are used fictionally, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  ISBN: 978-0-9978661-4-8

  ASIN: B0855TVYY1

  The author acknowledges the copyrighted or trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction: Ropers, Texas Rangers, iPod, “Tomorrow,” by Chris Young, “Pretty Good at Drinkin’ Beer” by Billy Currington, Ariel and Belle (Disney), Jeep, Technicolor, The Secret Garden, Red Vines, “Country Girl” by Luke Bryan, Glinda/Dorothy, Prince Charming, Harry Potter, Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo

  Lake House Press

  North Carolina

  www.melissabourbon.com

  *Formerly published as Deceiving the Witch Next Door

  Also by Melissa Bourbon

  Legends Romantic Suspense

  Silent Obsession

  Silent Echoes

  Deadly Legends-the Boxed Set of Silent Echoes and Silent Obsession

  Paranormal Romance

  Storiebook Charm, Spellbound book one

  Bread Shop Mysteries, written as Winnie Archer

  Kneaded to Death

  Crust No One

  The Walking Bread

  Flour in the Attic

  Dough or Die

  Lola Cruz Mysteries

  Living the Vida Lola

  Hasta la Vista, Lola!

  Bare Naked Lola

  What Lola Wants

  Drop Dead Lola

  Magical Dressmaking Mysteries

  Pleating for Mercy

  A Fitting End

  Deadly Patterns

  A Custom-Fit Crime

  A Killing Notion

  A Seamless Murder

  Praise for Storiebook Charm

  Praise for Legends Novels

  “An interesting premise and characters that are sympathetic and genuine are at the crux of this romance.” ~RT Book Reviews

  “I felt myself instantly drawn in and I sped through this book in record pace. I couldn't stop reading, as I constantly had to know what happened next; to say that the suspense in this book hit the right notes is an understatement! The La Llorona legend was woven into this story seamlessly and made for a thrilling backstory. And the romance between Ray and Johanna progressed nicely…an excellent read…” ~Fresh Fiction

  “This book just totally blew me away and I already want to re-read it. [Melissa] is now one of my favourite authors. I must read all of her other books. If you love books with action, romance and a hot heart-stopping hero this is definitely the book for you. It was completely phenomenal…” ~K Books

  “A nice amount of tension in both the suspense and romance plots and this kept me turning the pages. I particularly enjoyed seeing Vic try to interact with his teenage son.” ~Scorching Book Reviews

  “…lots of action, some romance (but not too much) and characters that you might even feel a connection with on some level. If you like romantic suspense then I think you will enjoy this book… We give it 4 1/2 paws up.” ~Storeybook Reviews

  *Previously published as Sacrifice of Passion and Curse of Passion

  Praise for Storiebook Charm

  TOP PICK “Love, laughter, magic, romance, and treachery, this novel has it all.” ~ Night Owl Reviews

  “…a fast-paced, clever, witty, romantic story with excellent character development and a great plot. I fell in love with Storie, Harper, Reid, and Harper's daughters almost from the first word. The descriptions of Texas were spot on; I could feel the humidity beading on my skin. Ms. Ramirez has an excellent turn of word. I highly recommend this book and anything else she writes!” ~Fresh Fiction

  “…a nice plot, full of romance and spiced with mystery, magic and fun. I recommend this book to those who enjoy a light, sweet summer read.” ~Bibliophile Mysteries 4 1/2 Stars

  *Previously published as Deceiving the Witch Next Door

  Praise for Bread Shop Mysteries

  “Wheels within wheels power a dark-inflected cozy.” ~Kirkus Reviews

  “This book has the charm, the characters and the mystery that cozy fans want to read. I am very excited to see where the next book will takes us, and the growth in these characters. This is a must read cozy book for 2017.” ~Bibliophile’s Mysteries

  “With the help of her friends, Ivy cleverly cracks open a complex case involving a criminal conspiracy. I loved the emotional nuances of Flour in the Attic, right up to the complicated culpability levels of our villains. The cliffhanger at the end also leaves you wanting more, even as the astounding food descriptions sharpen the appetite for all the delicious dishes described within.” ~Criminal Element

  “The complicated relationships between Marisol’s adult children, their father, and their step-father ensure that the plot is compelling while the mystery increasingly complex. Few will see the horrific twist that motivates an all-too-possible crime, but they can rest assured that Ivy and her friends will see justice through and continue deliver comfort through their extraordinary bread and ethnic cuisine.” ~Kings River Life

  “Mouthwatering food, a quaint setting, vivid characters, and a stunning mystery. The first person voice is engaging and perfectly styled, and there is a nice blend of humor and heart.” ~Reading is My Superpower

  Praise for Magical Dressmaking Mysteries

  “This series debut by Bourbon…has a clever premise, lots of interesting trade secrets, snappy dialog, and the requisite quirky and lovable family…A fun read…” ~ Library Journal

  “A charming, whimsical tale that’s also chock full of sex, lies, intrigue, and murder…one heckuva series debut. Harlow is a marvelous heroine. Smart, funny, and full of fire. Bourbon’s supporting cast is remarkable, as well – a perfect blend of quirk, menace, and heart…the image-conscious, richer-than-God Kincaid family could have been plucked straight from an episode of Dallas; and hunky architect-slash-handyman Will Flores and his young daughter Gracie add heat and warmth (respectively) to the story.” ~Night Owl Reviews TOP PICK

  “This is a fun read, perfect for vacation or, if you’re like me, holed up on your bed turning the pages at 2 AM to find out what happens. I’m looking forward to the next installment in this new series.” ~ Stitches and Seams

  “How can you not like a character that can drink a hot cup of Joe as easily on a sweltering day as she can on a chilly 40-degree one and calls herself a “Project Runway,” “Dancing with the Stars” and “Iron Chef” kinda gal.” ~ AnnArbor.com

  “Pleating for mercy is an engaging novel! It kept me up late, wanting to know how all the details worked out in the end, and making sure my favorite characters were as friendly as I had imagined. I loved how fabric was woven into each part of the story, as the characters weave their own tale.” ~ Amy’s Creative Side

  “This is the first book in a blissfully enchanting and entertaining series that I hope is here to stay.” ~ Notes from Me

  “Harlow is a clever, down-to-earth main character who you can’t help but like. Most of the action takes place
right in her dress shop, and Harlow asks all the right questions as she tries to figure out the murder mystery….Fans of cozy mysteries will want to be sure to put this one at the top of their “to be read” list.” ~ Two Lips Reviews

  “What can I say about this debut series? “Charm”(ing), intriguing, and satisfying; a page-turner with the right touch of potential romance and paranormal just about covers it.” ~ Once Upon a Romance

  Praise for the Lola Cruz Mysteries

  “Fans looking for the next Stephanie Plum might just find her in Sacramento in the form of Lola Cruz, the muy caliente heroine of Misa Ramirez’ Living the Vida Lola…Ramirez puts together a snappy blend of mystery, romance and humor…” ~ Mystery Lovers Book Store

  “Ramirez keeps the action tight, the plot smart and humor light in this spicy blend of crime solving and romance. Lola’s Latina perspective adds extra sizzle.” ~ Publishers Weekly

  “This highly entertaining first-person novel launches a new series with a bang. Well written with laugh-out-loud humor and a complex mystery, this wonderful debut will have you looking forward to more books in the series. Lola is no lightweight detective, despite the chick lit feel to the book, and the balance between her personal and professional life is ideal. The tension in both romance and danger deepens expertly.” ~ Romantic Times Magazine, 4 Star Review

  “A true chick mystery: Hot, seductive, flirtatious, sexy with some true PI work on the side.” ~Book Lovers Bookstore

  “I love the characters in this book from Lola, Jack, Antonio, Reilly and her relatives and how they interact with Lola’s occupation. This was a fun and sexy read and I can’t wait for the next book in this series.” ~ Notes From Me, 4 star review

  For the real Storie and the Storiebook Café,

  both of which inspired this magical tale.

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Living the Vida Lola, book one in the Lola Cruz Mystery Series

  Untitled

  Find Melissa Online

  About the Author

  Prologue

  Eight years ago…

  Whiskey Creek, Texas, wasn’t far from Austin, but to Reid Malone, it might as well have been light years away. Thank God for the lake. No matter how much he hungered for city life, this place—especially on a day like today—was his solace.

  He parked on the bluff in between the trees near the old haunted fishing cabin, popped open a beer, and readied his fishing pole. Maybe it was college life and worrying only about himself that he missed when he was stuck in his hometown. Back here he had his dad and the bar to worry about. He needed to earn a little cash over the summer, but he was already counting the days till he could get back to the city and put his newly minted diploma to use.

  Dark clouds pooled in the distance. A storm was coming in, and it made him breathe easier. There was nothing like the vast Texas sky. In the distance, loud rolling thunder cracked and flashes of lightning streaked through it. Before long, the sky would open, the rain would fall, and the temperature would drop twenty degrees in a matter of minutes. Being here helped put things in perspective for him. The big sky and the power of the storm helped him to not take things so seriously and made the long summer months ahead seem manageable.

  The thunder cracked again, and that’s when he saw her.

  Storie Bell.

  She tore over the dirt road in her daddy’s beat-up old truck, the tires kicking dirt until she skidded to a stop not a hundred yards from him. But she never looked his way. He cast out his line, just watching her. She had to be twenty years old now. What was she was doing here by herself?

  It took her a good while to get out of the cab, but when she did, he nearly dropped his pole. He’d seen Storie around town a few times and he knew she was pretty in an offbeat way, but now? In her cutoff jeans and white T-shirt knotted below her breasts—luscious, beautiful breasts, from what he could see—she was all curves and flesh and bronzed skin. Her hair, like no color he’d ever seen, shimmered in the fading afternoon sunlight. The coppery tint was almost otherworldly, he thought, leaning forward in his lawn chair.

  He’d heard tales about her strange behavior and quirky habits, but all he could think was that she was a damn siren. A girl next door who could bring a man to his knees with one crook of her finger.

  She released the tailgate and climbed into the back of her daddy’s truck, standing on the edge, raising her arms like she was trying to harness the thunder that was slowly rolling in. At first he thought she was just trying to capture a breeze and stay cool in the humid July heat, but then the clouds moved faster and turned in the sky in time with her rotating hands. He couldn’t tell what she was up to, but a silent alarm sounded in his head. “What the hell?”

  He was so enthralled that he finally gave up trying to fish. He tossed what was left of his beer into the garbage and moved into the shadows of the trees. She might need help, he reasoned. What woman came out to the lake in this kind of weather unless something was wrong?

  His attention never wavered as he got closer. God, she was beautiful. And now he had the best view he could get out here in the open. He didn’t know her, and certainly wouldn’t act on his attraction for her, but hell if he didn’t want to memorize every last detail of her face and body now that he was seeing it spotlighted as she stood on the tailgate.

  She moved like a blade of grass, softly swaying in the fading sunlight. Her arms stretched upward, her head tilted back. She stiffened, just for a split second, and a shudder passed through her. Thunder cracked overhead, a flash of lightning sparked through the dark clouds…was it seconds later?

  He stared at the sky. That wasn’t right. The order was wrong. Lightning came first. Thunder came from the shock wave from the heat, then cooled off the lightning bolt.

  Before he could wonder about it any more, Storie jumped down from the tailgate and plowed headlong into the lake. Somewhere in the distance, a cat wailed, as if sounding the alarm. Shit. Reid jumped up, starting toward the water’s edge. “Christ, woman, what are you doing? You don’t swim during a lightning storm!”

  She kept going, striding forward against the force of the water. He froze, waiting. Watching. She stalked through the muck, finally bringing her arms overhead and diving under the water.

  A network of light broke through the clouds, a crash of thunder following. The right order this time. Maybe he’d imagined the reversal.

  His breath clogged his throat as he counted to ten in his head, waiting for her to break the surface. Ten came and went. And then fifteen. He searched the dark water. Where the hell was she?

  Something had to have really upset her for her to come up to the lake alone with a storm brewing, and what in the damnation had she been trying to do up there on the tailgate? Had she been drinking? Was she trying to get electrocuted? Could she even swim? Oh, Christ, if she were drowning…

  Without another thought, he ripped off his shirt as he raced to the water’s edge.

  He just hoped they both didn’t get electrocuted.

  He dove under the water, but it was brown and murky and he couldn’t see. He swam, breaking the surface to get some air, then ducking down again to keep searching. Above him, the sky flashed with light. The boom of the thunder traveled through the water like a muffled drum.

  For a brief moment, the lightning allowed him to see under the water, but there was no sign of her. Panic swarmed his cells until he could hardly think. He was too
late.

  But then his arm brushed something that recoiled from his touch. Storie!

  He kicked off the soft, smooth bottom, pushing himself in the direction he thought she’d gone. He peered in front of him, frantically searching until he made contact again. This time, he shot upward, dragging in a ragged breath and getting his bearings.

  The clouds had grown darker, but it was still light enough to see. Bubbles popped where he thought she was. So she’d come up for air. He lunged, but then stopped as her head appeared, breaking through the surface of the water. And then, just as he’d imagined it, she rose like a mermaid, water cascading off her dark hair, off her skin, off the T-shirt clinging to her body.