Before the Storm (Cochran/Deveraux Series Book 9), by Melanie Schuster
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Before the Storm (Cochran/Deveraux Series Book 9), by Melanie Schuster
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Before the Storm is the story of a father and son who each find the love of lifetime in very different ways. Julian ‘Mac’ Deveraux is a widower who has contented himself with raising his five children and with his law career. His son, Julian, is also a lawyer in a prosperous practice with his brothers, and he never dates, but it’s because his heart still bears the scars of his divorce. He knew that there was no way he could ever entrust his heart to another woman because what he’d felt for Maya could never be duplicated and the pain of ending the marriage was too dire for him to contemplate again. Mac met Ruth at the Atlanta home of his daughter, Paris and the evening couldn’t have gone better. He was taken with Ruth at once. Her sparkling personality and sense of humor were the perfect complement to her beauty and he knew immediately that he wanted to get to know her better on every level. After the weekend in Atlanta, he launched a romantic campaign that no woman could resist. Even Ruth, who was worldly and sophisticated, succumbed to his tender passion and found herself in love before she knew what had happened to her. Now was the time for serious contemplation for Ruth. As her best friend told her, Mac wasn’t playing around. If she didn’t intend to become Mrs. Julian MacArthur Deveraux, she’d better run because Mac wanted all of her for all time and Ruth isn’t sure that she has what it takes to be a wife. She’d never married and she was so used to her independent lifestyle that she couldn’t imagine being a married woman. But the love that Mac inspired in her couldn’t be denied. On a romantic trip to the Kentucky Derby she accepted his proposal and they began planning their life together. A chance meeting in Chicago between Paris and her former sister-in-law changed the course of everyone’s life when it was revealed that Maya had a four year old child of whom Julian was unaware. Maya insisted that she had never intended to keep the little girl away from her father, but she had tried to communicate with him to no good end. It fell to Ruth and Paris to arrange a meeting for the reunion, which was going to be difficult given the circumstances of their parting. Maya was a shy med student from Connecticut when Paris introduced her to Julian. He was totally taken with her and began to pursue her in the gentlest manner possible until she knew that he loved her and that she wanted him to be her first lover. Julian reacted badly to that statement and told her he was going to be her first, last and only lover. They eloped the next day and their marriage was blissful, full of passion and romance. That is, until an old family friend tricked Maya into believing that Julian was cheating on her. Weeks of arguments escalated into marital warfare. Maya’s insecurity and pain drove her to leave Julian without a word. She went home to Connecticut and found out that she was pregnant. But now things had changed. With Paris and Ruth to help her, she was going to introduce Corey to her father and maybe some of the pain she’d suffered would be worth it. Julian was stunned to see Maya and surprised everyone when he went to her and took her in his arms. His elation turned to fury when Corey ran into the room and announced that she was ready to meet her daddy. After Maya and Julian talked, it became obvious that the culprit who’d tried to destroy their love was in New Orleans so they went there to No time was wasted in getting everything straightened out. Maya was relieved that the ordeal was over, but she wanted more—she wanted her husband back. At Paris’s wedding, Julian let her know that he wanted the same thing. He gave her a stupendous engagement ring and asked her to be his wife again. Everything was going perfectly until Hurricane Katrina showed up and threatened to destroy everything/
Before the Storm (Cochran/Deveraux Series Book 9), by Melanie Schuster- Amazon Sales Rank: #175295 in eBooks
- Published on: 2015-06-21
- Released on: 2015-06-21
- Format: Kindle eBook
Review "These characters are so vivid they jump off the page, and the dialogue is top-notch. Excellent read!" -- Romantic Times BOOKclub (4 stars) on My One and Only Love
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. On what seemed to be the hottest day Chicago had ever experienced, Paris Deveraux, soon to be Paris Argonne, made a discovery that would forever change the lives of her entire family. The discovery certainly wasn't the perfect fabric for her wedding dress, although that's why she and her friend Ruth Bennett were shopping like there was no tomorrow. The dress was being made by another friend of Paris's, but time was of the essence since the wedding had been moved up from December to August. Ruth lived in Chicago and knew where all the wholesalers were, so she suggested Paris come up from Atlanta to look for material. Paris agreed at once since she adored Ruth and loved to spend time with her. But the heat was starting to get to both women and something cold to drink seemed like a great idea. "Ruth, that place looks cute, let's try it," Paris said, gesturing to a small café with an awning and window boxes full of flowers. Ruth looked where Paris was pointing and agreed. "They have good food, I've been there before. Let's go before we melt right here in the street." Soon they were seated in the cool dining room sipping iced tea while they looked at the menu. "What looks good, Paris?" Paris didn't answer, as she was staring across the dining room with a dazed expression on her face. Ruth looked at her and waved her hand in her direction. "Hello, hello, are you in there? What are you looking at? You look like you've seen a ghost." She still didn't answer; she just picked up her glass of tea and tried to drink it all at once. She put the glass down and blushed as a tiny hiccup escaped. "That's what I get for guzzling that tea, but I couldn't help it. There's someone here I haven't seen in a long time. I didn't even know she was in Chicago," she said distractedly. Ruth turned in her chair as she tried to see what Paris was seeing. "Well, who is it? Is she visiting royalty or something? You look like Beyoncé or Fantasia just walked in. If it's somebody really important get me an autograph. Ooh, look, they have crab salad," she said. "It's not anyone like that," Paris said softly. "Her name is Maya and she was married to my brother Julian. She was like a sister to me." Ruth raised her eyebrows. "I always think of your brothers as bachelors, I forget that one of them was actually married once." "Yes, Julian is the only one who married. It ended so abruptly we were all shocked because they seemed so happy together," Paris said sadly. "We all loved Maya and it was hard to accept that she wasn't a part of our family anymore. But now..." Her voice trailed off. "Now what, sweetie?" Ruth's voice was full of concern. "Now everything is about to change," Paris said with determination in her eyes. "How are things going to change, sweetie? Just because you saw your brother's ex-wife, something's going to change?" "No, it's not because I saw her, Ruth, but because I saw the person with her." Paris put her napkin on the table and pushed back her chair. "Order the chicken salad sandwich on black bread for me and a cup of fruit salad. I'll be back in a few minutes." Ruth watched her walk across the restaurant and suddenly it became clear where Paris was headed. She dropped her menu as she watched Paris reach her destination. Ruth saw everything and she knew at once that Paris was right. Everything was about to change all right; the Deveraux family was in for a big upheaval. There's never a dull moment with this family, Ruth thought. And from what she was seeing across the small restaurant, there would be a lot of not-dull moments for some time to come. I just hope they can handle this one. Five months ago... "Aunt Ruth, you look fabulous. Are you sure this is just for Paris's benefit?" Ruth Bennett looked at the smiling face of her niece, Benita Cochran Deveraux, and gave her a crooked grin in return. Ruth traveled frequently since her early retirement from her nursing career and one of her favorite stops was her niece's spacious and beautiful Atlanta home. She had just entered the great room of the house where Benita was relaxing with her husband Clay and playing with their five children. "I admit that I agreed to this meeting with Paris's father just so that I could get her to invite Titus. Yes, it was interfering of me, but everyone knows those two belong together and I thought a little push in the right direction wouldn't hurt anything," she said. "But I have to confess that the prospect of meeting her father is intriguing me for some reason. Me, the original I-hate-blind-dates woman," she laughed. "Mark my words, this could be the worst mistake of my life and I have no one to blame but myself. I should have just said no when Paris invited me to dinner to meet her father, but I had to try and get cute by telling her I'd come if she invited Titus Argonne. And she was woman enough to take me on, too! So now I'm stuck," she said ruefully. "But I'm still, oddly enough, intrigued. What could that possibly mean, do you suppose?" "It means you're going to enjoy yourself tonight," Clay drawled in the deep voice that often startled people hearing it for the first time. "The judge is a great guy. You'll like him, I guarantee it." Ruth looked at her beloved niece curled up on the oversized sofa with her handsome husband while their children played a noisy board game on the coffee table. Benita was radiant, as always, and it was obvious that her husband was a major part of that joy. Every Deveraux man Ruth had ever met was handsome to a startling degree, possessed of a keen intelligence and completely devoted to his mate. A sudden tremor went down her spine as it hit her that she was about to meet yet another Deveraux man and she wondered if he could possibly be as potent as his nephews. Benita accurately read her aunt's thoughts and gave her a look of contrived innocence. "It's just dinner, Aunt Ruth. Paris is a good cook and you love her company. And you really will like her daddy, that is, if you like handsome men who also happen to be brilliant and charming," she said teasingly. If Trey, the oldest son of Benita and Clay, hadn't brought her coat at that very moment, Ruth might have bailed on the whole evening. Instead, she slipped her arms into the cream-colored cashmere coat that Trey held out to her. She patted him on the cheek, thinking that he represented the next generation of gorgeous, engaging men of the Deveraux clan. "Thank you, darling. You all have a wonderful evening, because that's what I plan to have," she said with her usual aplomb. Trey walked her out to the car she was using that night. He'd been schooled in proper behavior by his parents, but he didn't have to be told to do things like that—it was just part of his nature now. His manners were excellent, even at his young age. He also had a word of advice for his great-aunt. "You're going to have fun tonight. The judge is the coolest guy I know, outside of my dad and my uncles. And he's really going to like you, Aunt Ruth, you're just his type." Making sure she was comfortably seated in the car, Trey kissed her on the cheek and said good-night, then watched as Ruth drove down the long driveway. Now what does that youngster know about some-body's type? Trey is too wise for his years, she mused as she maneuvered the Jaguar down the long drive. Ruth shivered a little as she drove, and it wasn't just because of the cold winter night. As much as she hated to admit it, she was uncharacteristically anxious about the dinner party. Paris was a wonderful young woman and Ruth was very fond of her even though she knew Paris to be an enthusiastic and unrepentant matchmaker. Ruth had told herself that the only reason she'd agreed to the dinner was so she could make Paris invite the young man she was in love with. They'd had a spat and it seemed that the only way they were going to get back together was if the issue were forced. In truth, however, Ruth was rather looking forward to meeting a single, age-appropriate man, and Paris's widower father certainly fell into that category. Why she was as giddy as a teenager she couldn't fathom. Ruth was fifty-four years old and looked ten years younger. She had resigned her commission as an army officer to care for the children of her late sister. After the last one was safely in college, she had resumed her nursing career. She had interesting hobbies, friends all over the globe, a condo in Chicago—which was her home base—and a beachfront home in Hawaii. She was absolutely in her prime and there was no reason whatsoever for her to be having butterflies at the thought of meeting a new man. She laughed out loud at the very notion. "I'm too old for this mess. That's what I get for trying to be cute and getting in Paris's business. And now I'm talking to myself. Whoever said no good deed goes unpunished was right," she murmured as she turned the volume up on the car stereo to hear her Bonnie Raitt CD better. Paris was busy preparing the salad greens for the meal when her father entered the kitchen. He turned around so she could view him from all sides, smiling as he did so. "Well, do I look to suit you?" he asked dryly. "I can go change if I don't." He struck a pose like Ben Stiller in Zoolander and got the expected laughter from his only daughter. "You look wonderful. Nice pleated trousers, nice Italian loafers, very nice sweater. Is that the cashmere one I gave you for Christmas?" Mac Deveraux looked down at the dark green pullover with the polo-styled collar and nodded. "Right on all counts, except the shoes came from Payless." "They did not," Paris contradicted him. "Can you lend me a hand so I can run and get changed?" "You're right about the shoes. Kmart was having a sale," he replied, ducking as Paris shook a fist at his silliness. Mac obligingly took over setting the table, although he pointed out that Paris looked perfectly lovely in what she was wearing, which was a pair of flannel drawstring pants and a Tulane sweatshirt. "Ha-ha. I look like a train wreck and you know it. Give me twenty minutes and you won't know me. I want this dinner to be really nice, and that means I have to look good, too." She looked at her father with contrition in her eyes. "You're sure you don't mind that I invited some people over?" Mac leaned against the doorway that separated the kitchen from the dining room. "Not at all, cupcake, although I sense that your matchmaking proclivities are coming to the fore again. You're trying to hook your old man up, aren't you? When are you going to give it a rest? You're a terrible matchmaker, baby." Paris blushed pink as she protested. "That's not true, Daddy. I'm an excellent matchmaker. Look at Marcus and Vera, see how happy they are? That was all due to me, thank you very much. And Maya and Julian, they were a perfect match," she said with a sad look in her eyes.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Okay... By Amazon Customer This book was okay, not as great as the others... but okay. I think that mainly has to do with the summary; as I was expecting to get to know Julian Jr and Maya better and not Mac/Julian Sr and Ruth. There's more on Mac and Ruth, so if you enjoy the relationship (which I wasn't fond of), then you'll love the book... I also think there could have been more of Julian and Maya's story, as it didn't seem to be as developed as Mac and Ruth's which makde the book fall a little flat at the end.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Super Story By skeedust You have done it again, you made me cry buckets it is so good.You gave the reader the insight of a lie..........with Maya and Julianand Ruth and Julian Sr..........to hot to handleyou wrote about real love and truth. Mz. Schuster you have the abilityto bring your readers in to each and every story we are not just out-siders but family..........LOVE IT, LOVE IT,.........I loved the different moods you set, and the pace is today......thank youI loved Maya and the way she taught the baby about her daddy,she made sure that the child knew her father and grandpa, and her unclesand that she loved them and knew them on sightthat is love, and when she found out the complete truth ........oo whee!!!that woman got her man backMac and Ruth you made ruth human we could feel her fears and howshe dealt with them...........her friends are the best(kimmi, Betty)they kept her grounded and she found her way.........told you, you mademe cry buckets.........................loved it...could go on and onbut you know how I feel............love youDebe
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Fresh and Exciting By free4lyfe What can I say but Melanie Schuster has created another Deveraux/Cochran Saga that I couldn't put down. This time the sizzling romance features two(yes TWO)of the Deveraux clan in Paris' daddy, aka-Mac-aka-The Judge and brother Julian, Jr. We get a glimpse of the sparks igniting between Mac and Ruth in THE CLOSER I GET TO YOU and we are held captive as a full fledged fire rages between them in BEFORE THE STORM. I think for me one of the things I enjoyed most about Mac and Ruth is they are a sexy mature couple who know how to celebrate their golden years in style. Mac can definitely teach his sons and nephews a few things about romance as he is determined to get the relationship shy Ruth to make a serious committment to have him in her life. Ruth has to exorcise a few demons before she's willing to accept the dapper Julian, Sr as a man whose love she can feel secure in, the heat between them is definitely on the rise and their journey to reach their perfect place is a sensual and romantic experience.Julian, Jr. and Maya were married after Julian pursued her all the way to the altar and anyone knowing the Deveraux/Cochran's know that there is no way out after the I Do's. However, there is always an exception and it seems Paris' older brother and his wife Maya's wedded bliss is doomed by rumor, innuendo and lack of trust and fueled by elements meant to ensure their happy-ever-after is short lived. But the power of love and Deveraux determination can never be overlooked not to mention when it's wrapped in a cute little surprise.Although both couples in BEFORE THE STORM could have been stand alone I never felt I missed any details surrounding both relationships. Thank you Melanie, as always you are one of the best.
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