To Nicole Resciniti for being an agent when I need her to be, and a dear friend always.

To my husband, Jamie, who seems to like everything I write—no matter how crazy. Including, and not limited to: psycho machete-wielding fathers, tsunamis that appear from nowhere, useless fight scenes that don’t advance the plot, vampires who dress like naughty Catholic schoolgirls, and venomous snakes—because some books just need venomous snakes.

To my babies for their patience when Mommy needs to write…and their patience when Mommy is the loudest screamer on the roller coaster those rare times she isn’t writing.

To my girls and my writing pals, Amanda Flower, Kate SeRine, and Ann Marie Walker. I’m so proud to know you, and more proud to call you my friends.

To my fans who have stood by me from the start, and to those who are just discovering me. It’s an honor to share my characters and their journeys with you. The good news is, I’ve only just begun.

Lastly, to my Tío Marce, for all the smiles and laughs he gave me throughout my life. How do you thank someone who’s been so good to you, when “thank you” doesn’t seem to be enough? I’m not sure. What I know is that I’ll cherish my memories with him forever, and that I’ll mourn greatly because he loved me so greatly in return. Love you, Tío.

BY CECY ROBSON O’Brien Family

Once Kissed

Once Crossed (coming soon)

Shattered Past

Once Perfect

Once Loved

Once Pure

Weird Girls

A Curse Awakened (novella)

The Weird Girls (novella)

Sealed with a Curse

A Cursed Embrace

A Cursed Moon (novella)

Cursed by Destiny

A Cursed Bloodline

A Curse Unbroken

Of Flame and Promise (coming soon)

PHOTO: KATE GLEDHILL PHOTOGRAPHY

CECY ROBSON is the New Adult and Contemporary author of the Shattered Past series and the O’Brien Family novels, as well as the award-winning author of the Weird Girls urban fantasy romance series. A self-proclaimed professional napper, Cecy counts among her talents a jaw-dropping knowledge of useless trivia, the ability to make her hair big, and a knack for breaking into song despite her family’s vehement protests. A full-time writer, registered nurse, wife, and mother living in the South, Cecy enjoys spending time with her family and silencing the yappy characters in her head by telling their stories.

www.cecyrobson.com

Facebook.com/Cecy.Robson.Author

@cecyrobson

www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomCecyRobsonAuthor

The Editor’s Corner

Thirty days hath September, April, June, and November…wait, it is November, and Loveswept is releasing some of our best books of the year! Check out these fabulous romances:

New York Times bestselling author Marquita Valentine releases her second new novel in her Boys of the South spin-off series Take the Fall series with When We Fall, in which a small-town sweetheart takes a chance on the bad boy who’s always been her hottest fantasy. Another Loveswept New York Times bestselling author, Tracy Wolff introduces her new Hotwired series with Accelerate, where an unassuming passenger is taken for the ride of her life. New York Times bestselling author *crane A. Meredith Walters releases a powerful romance akin to The Fault in Our Stars with Butterfly Dreams. Then, welcome to Thistle Bend! A charming series debut from Tracy March, Should’ve Said No introduces a small town where old secrets are revealed—and wounded hearts are opened to new love. And in a short novel, Rebecca Rogers Maher’s Rolling in the Deep, two kindred spirits share a winning lottery ticket—and discover what it really means to get lucky.

Sports fans were introduced last month to the Aces Hockey series by Kelly Jamieson with Major Misconduct, and this month Kelly releases a holiday romance, Off Limits. Book two in the Recovered Innocence series by Beth Yarnall features a San Diego investigative team with a soft spot for lost causes and a passion for redemption in Vindicate. And Taking It Off, by USA Today bestselling author Claire Kent introduces you to Matt Stokes, the sexy-as-sin male stripper and club owner who knows what it really means to bare everything. Jessica Lemmon’s irresistible Lost Boys series kicks off with Fighting for Devlin the story of a good girl who plays by the rules—and the bad boy who brings out her wild side. And in Cecy Robson’s O’Brien Family series debut, two total opposites find that the flames of desire are still smoldering in Once Kissed.

For historical romance fans, Sharon Cullen’s The Reluctant Duchess ignites as a shy country girl and a hotheaded duke surrender to dangerous temptations. Then it’s on to Scotland for USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Haymore’s Highland Knights and the first book in this new series, Highland Heat, an electrifying tale of class warfare, fierce loyalties, and forbidden love.

I don’t want this month to end! But the good news is December is upon us with more fabulous Loveswept titles. Until then…

Happy Romance!

Gina Wachtel

Associate Publisher

Read on for an excerpt from Once Crossed An O’Brien Family Novel

by Cecy Robson

Available from Loveswept

Chapter 1

Melissa

I stare at the nameplate perched on my father’s desk: DISTRICT ATTORNEY MILES FENSKE. It proclaims his position and allows those who read it a glimpse of what he’s accomplished. Yet it’s only a glimpse. It’s not a true representation of all he is, and all he means to me. Nor does it adequately paint the portrait of a man who’s been so kind, who saved me from tragedy, and who gave up his happiness in exchange for mine.

The nameplate is cheap, unlike the generous soul who looks back at me with the same gentle gaze he’s carried since the first moment I saw him. What are you thinking, Melissa? he signs to me, moving his hands in beautifully fluid motions.