Read an excerpt from Winter Flowers by Tani Hanes with Giveaway

Welcome to the blog tour for Winter Flowers by Tani Hanes. It’s the second book in The Flower series, the followup to Pete and Daisy. I have an excerpt for you to check out today, plus there’s a great giveaway at the end. If you want to see more excerpts, reviews, and more, please be sure to follow along the rest of the tour, sponsored by YA Bound Book tours. 

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Winter Flowers (The Flowers Series #2)

by Tani Hanes

Genre: NA Romance

Release Date: July 20th 2018

Summary:

What ever happened to Pete and Daisy? 

When we left them, their daughter had just been born, and some momentous decisions had been made.

It’s now four years later. Their family has grown, as has their love for each other. Clio is a rocky smart, precocious four year old, and she’s been joined by baby sister Francie. Pete’s career as a musician is finally taking off, and things should be rosy; however, fame and fortune bring their own pitfalls, and a voice from the past arrives in their lives, threatening to upset everything they’ve worked for.

Can they survive Pete’s success, and the long shadow cast by Daisy’s past? How will Pete deal with groupies, temptation, and prolonged separation from his family? And how far is Daisy willing to go to protect those she loves? 

Join the Santangelos on this rollicking roller coaster second installment of their journey.

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Read an excerpt from Winter Flowers:

The girls, exhausted from the excitement, fell asleep on the subway, and Daisy carried Francie while Pete grabbed Clio for the two blocks to their apartment.

Pete buried his nose in Clios hair, inhaling the scent of her as she rested her head trustingly on his shoulder. She was his daughter, she just was. She had grown in Daisys womb as his and Daisys love for each other had grown, shed been nurtured by Daisy as Daisy had been nurtured by him. She was Francies sister. She was his child.

She belonged to him.

They laid the girls down in their beds and went to change into comfortable clothes. Pete found Daisy in the living room sipping a cup of Earl Grey tea, the only tea hed ever seen her drink.

Are you sure?he asked, sitting next to her.

She nodded sadly, turning huge eyes to his face. She took a deep breath. But maybe he wont remember me,she said hopefully, setting her tea aside. I mean, its been over five years, you know? Plus Im a mother now. Hes a studio musician, he must screw hundreds of women a year, he mustve had a million one-nighters since then…” She stopped as she heard her own words, biting her lips together.

The unspoken words hung between them. She, Daisy, was one of the hundreds of women, the million one-nightersthat she was talking about.

Pete was shaking his head. Daisy, youre many, many things, but forgettable isnt one of them. With your hair, your lovely body, those eyes—“ He broke off to kiss her. Men notice you wherever you go. It wouldnt matter how many children you had, cara, youre spectacular and memorable. Its only a matter of time before he remembers where hes seen the beautiful redhead with the blue eyes…”

Daisy sighed, a terrible sound. Pete, Im so sorry,she whispered, tearfully, turning away, rubbing at her eyes with her knuckles. I wish so much that youd been the one to put Clio inside me…”

Pete gathered her in, tucking her hot face into his neck. Shh, shh, you mustnt say that, ever,he scolded gently. We love Clio exactly as she is, and she wouldnt be that person if her circumstances werent what they are. You did nothing wrong, cara, nothing.He stroked her body, rocking her gently. Dont blame yourself, please.

But, but,she sobbed softly. It feels like I couldve waited, I shouldve waited. For you, Pete. It feels like if Id waited, Clio couldve been ours.She lifted her head to look into his eyes, and seeing his wife tearful like this ripped Petes heart up. He could count on the fingers of one hand the number of times hed seen Daisy cry. It was unbearable for him.

Listen,he said firmly, pulling her close again. If you had never met that man, if youd never spent the night with him,and he felt Daisy tense up just from hearing the words,Clio would never have been conceived, and we wouldnt have her to love, she wouldnt have us to love her, dont you see? And Francie wouldnt have her wonderful sister.He gave Daisy a little shake. You have nothing to regret, she is nothing to regret, cara, and I dont blame you at all, about anything. She is my heart, Clio is my heart, and I love everything about her, just as it is.
The truth was that Pete wasnt sure how he felt, about any of this. He was still reeling from the knowledge that hed met his precious, beloved daughters biological father not three hours ago, and hed be working with him very closely, probably on a daily basis, for the next three months. He put his own feelings away for now so he could take care of his wife. Daisy needed him now, she needed to hear him say these things to her. Hed deal with his own feelings later, when he had the luxury of time to examine them.

Daisy, youre carrying our baby right now, hm?He kissed her damp forehead. You cant upset yourself over this.

Daisy nodded from the safety of Petes arms. Okay,she whispered. Okay,she said again, with a little more energy. She pushed herself away from Pete so she could look at him. 

Just because he remembers that he slept with me doesnt mean hell figure out anything about Clio, though, right?She looked appealingly at Pete. I mean, why would he? Its not like hes going to remember that we didnt use protection or whatever, and he doesnt know when her birthday is or anything.Guys didnt think about stuff like that, did they? All we have to do is just keep away from the studio while youre recording, which wont be a problem. I mean, why would your wife and child be down there while youre recording, right?Daisy was starting to babble, and Pete pulled her close again, both as a comfort and as a calming measure. 

Her arms went around his neck as she pulled herself in even tighter. Pete, Im scared,she admitted. 

No need,he soothed, stroking her hair. He looked around at their apartment, at their lovely life, the life theyd built together. Daisys thousands of books lined the walls, his guitars and notebooks sat in the corner, and Clio and Francies books and toys took up every available nook and cranny of the lower spaces. He loved what he and Daisy had created.

Never had it felt more fragile.

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Also available, Book 1: Pete and Daisy

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About the Author

My name is Tani Hanes, and I am a 51 year old substitute teacher. I’m from central California and am a recent transplant to New York City. The most important things to know about me are that I’m punctual, I love grammar and sushi, and I’m very intolerant of intolerance. The least important things to know about me are that I like to knit and I couldn’t spell “acoustic” for 40 years. I’ve wanted to write since I was ten, and I finally did it. If you want to write, don’t wait as long as I did, it’s pointless, and very frustrating!

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