“Heartwarming, swoony moments, sizzling chemistry, and just
enough intrigue to keep me completely invested--this book had me hooked from
page one!”-- Willow Aster, USA Today bestselling author
Wrecked Palace, an all-new emotional slow-burn standalone
romance in the Wrecked Series by author Catherine Cowles is available now!
One night was all it took for everything to change.
From college student to guardian in a single breath.
My siblings became my world.
No time for date nights or romantic dreams.
I traded quiet weekends for sleepless nights.
Giving my all to make sure they were cared for.
But Griffin had a brokenness that called to me—one that
mirrored my own.
Gruff and just a little bit reckless.
He was the last thing I needed. But everything I wanted.
Only someone isn’t happy about this new life I’m building.
Deciding to set fire to everything I hold close.
And when the smoke clears, there might be only ashes left
behind…
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Johnaka's Review
“Finally, 5 stars"
Okay, I’ve been waiting for Caelyn’s story for what feels like forever! Ever since I found out she was raising her siblings, I’ve wanted her happily ever after. Well, here it is! And I loved it! Caelyn and Griffin were perfect together.
Caelyn has been raising her siblings after her less than awesome parents lost them. For years she’s been on her own grinding. Something about Griffin has always intrigued her since she met him. She knew there was much more to the mystery man. When he opens up, she’s pulled in. The question is, do they want the same things?
Griffin has just been surviving ever since the death of his family and the media frenzy surrounding it. Now he’s back on the island, slowly restoring the family home. Caelyn brings him to life. Between her and his siblings, he wants to start living once again. When someone threatens Caelyn, he can’t help but grasp what little control he can. Will he be able to keep her and the kids safe, or will he lose his family all over again?
Plot-5/5 Characters-5/5 Writing style-5/5 Heat-5/5 Overall-5/5
Louise's Review
Wrecked Palace is book 3 in the Wrecked series, a story that has all feels leaving me wanting so much more.
Caelyn has given up on her own dreams to raise her siblings, she has given up so much and its finally time to have something for herself. When Griffin starts to take interest, she knows that they have chemistry but they push it into the friend zone until it isn’t. Griffin has had the worst hand dealt to him, he has had to keep his life private to protect himself and his families legacy, when a gorgeous woman comes around he can’t help but bring down those walls and open up to the possibility to a future. Can they both overcome their past’s to move forward?
I personally loved this story, I have wanted to read Caelyn’s story from the beginning; Cowles had me hook line and sinker from the beginning . I Cannot wait to read more from this series.
Star Ratings; Plot: 5/5 Characters: 5/5 Heat: 5/5 Writing Style: 5/5 Overall: 5/5
Excerpt
I climbed out of my truck in the parking lot of The General
Store. Why was it that I always ended up here? There was just something about
the brown-haired beauty who worked at the kitchen inside. Normally, people who
shined with that life-is-beautiful kind of positivity made me want to punch
something. But with Caelyn, I was fascinated.
I started towards the store when a man called my name. I
stiffened and turned, expecting to see a stranger, maybe one of the reporters
still holding out hope that I’d share my story with the world. The set of my
shoulders eased a bit when I saw that it was Ford Hardy, owner of The Catch Bar
& Grill. I said nothing but waited for the man to make his approach. He
wasn’t a stranger exactly, but I had no desire for idle chitchat.
“I’ve been hoping to run into you,” he greeted.
I stayed silent.
Ford chuckled. “Not too talkative, are you?”
“Not much to say, I guess.”
Ford’s expression grew serious. “I just wanted to thank you
for your help a few months back.”
“I didn’t do anything anyone else wouldn’t do.” Ford had
been attacked by someone sick in the head. He’d been jumped from behind and
knocked unconscious. I’d just come along at the right time.
“Either way, thank you.” He held out a hand, and I took it
for a shake. “Come into the bar sometime. I’ll treat you to a beer and a meal.
It’s the least I can do.”
I fought the wince that wanted to surface. The last thing I
wanted was to sit around at the island watering hole. People whispered,
thinking they were being discreet when they were anything but. Even worse, they
sometimes thought it was completely acceptable to approach and ask me a million
intrusive questions. “I’ll try and come by.”
Ford grinned. “I’m taking that as a fat chance in hell. "
My lips twitched. “You’re not a stupid man.”
“Thank God for that. Well, if I can ever do anything to
repay you, just let me know. My brother’s a contractor. We could give you a
couple of days on that house of yours if you’d like.”
My jaw tightened. “I’m good. But thanks for the offer.”
Ford nodded and gave me a wave before heading back towards
The Catch. “There’s no expiration date on that.”
I wouldn’t take Ford up on his offer of help unless I got
desperate. I needed to do this on my own. I started towards the store. Pulling
the creaking screen door open, I walked inside. It was still a bit early, but
when 4:00 a.m. was your usual wakeup call, 4:30 p.m. was just about perfect for
dinner. Plus, I could avoid the after-work crowd.
I made my way towards the kitchen at the far end of the
grocery but stopped in my tracks when I heard Caelyn’s voice.
“Is there any way you could give me more hours? Or more of
the bookkeeping to do?”
Mr. Walters, the owner of the store, chuckled. “You’re doing
it all already, deary. I barely show up here anymore.”
“Well, do you know of anyone else who might be looking for
some help for things I could do from home?” she pressed.
“Are the two jobs you have not enough? You’re gonna work
yourself to the bone. And you need to be home for those kids.”
“I know.” Caelyn’s voice seemed to deflate on the words.
“But Mia got accepted into this gymnastics program, and it costs an arm and a
leg.”
Walters’ voice gentled. “I’d be happy to loan you the fees—”
“No,” Caelyn cut Mr. Walters off. “You’ve done more than
enough for us.”
A foreign feeling invaded my chest. A twisting sensation
that burned. I’d heard the talk around the island that Caelyn had taken in her
three younger siblings after their parents had been involved in some sort of
drug bust. I couldn’t imagine taking all that on when she must’ve been barely
more than a child herself.
I cleared my throat, stepping around the end of the aisle.
Caelyn looked up, the frown marring her gorgeous face quickly turning into a
bright smile. “Griffin. It’s good to see you. Have you finally given in to
trying one of my salads?”
I gave my head a shake. “I think I’ll stick with the
sandwich.”
Walters grinned. “I don’t know, Caelyn can make kale pretty
tasty.”
I didn’t try to fight the twisting of my face. “No, thank
you.”
Walters chuckled. “Maybe another day. All right, I’m off.”
He turned to Caelyn. “You let me know if you change your mind.”
Caelyn reached up on her tiptoes, pressing her lips to the
old man’s cheek. “Thank you.”
Walters headed out of the store, and just Caelyn and I were
left. I slid onto a stool at the counter. It was rare that I waited here for my
food, but I couldn’t seem to resist the temptation today. I had this undeniable
urge to make sure she was okay.
“So, what’ll it be? Some version of meat and cheese?”
I almost chuckled. Almost. “Sounds good to me. But I know
you’ll sneak some vegetables on there somehow.”
“Gotta keep you from getting scurvy.”
I almost choked. “I thought that was from not enough vitamin
C. I drink my orange juice.”
Caelyn shook her head and started pulling things out of a
fridge below the counter. “There’s vitamin C in vegetables, too. And lots of
other nutritious things you need.”
“Good thing I come in here a few times a week then.”
“Good thing.”
An idea was forming in the back of my mind. One that just
might be the answer to helping Caelyn out of her predicament and giving me some
nice benefits, as well.
The screen door banged open. “Cae Cae!” a young girl’s voice
called out. Soon, there was a flash of movement past me.
Caelyn stepped around the counter and lifted the little girl
into her arms as she hurled herself at Caelyn. “How was your day?”
“So good. I taught cartwheels at recess, and you left me my
favorite cookie in my lunch.”
Caelyn laughed. “Sounds like a good day to me. Where are the
rest of the tiny terrors?”
The little girl beamed up at Caelyn. “They’re coming, but
they were being too slow, so I ran when I got to the parking lot.” Her gaze
caught on me. “Whoa. Are you a giant?”
I wanted to laugh but seeing the easy affection between the
girl and Caelyn stole my ability to speak.
“Mia, this is Mr. Griffin. Griffin, this is my little
sister, Mia.”
The girl looked so much like Beth had at that age, I
struggled to find words. “It’s nice to meet you, Mia.” My voice came out
rougher than before, and I tried to force my lips into a smile, but the action
felt foreign.
“Hey, sis,” a male voice called.
I turned to see a boy who looked to be about sixteen or
seventeen. As soon as he caught sight of me, wariness filled his features. He
quickly crossed to his sisters, tugging another girl behind him. “Who’s this?”
Caelyn pressed her lips together as if holding back a laugh.
“This is Mr. Griffin. Griffin, this is Will and Ava, my other two siblings. I
hope you don’t mind, but they usually hang with me for thirty minutes before
Molly takes over. Kids, you can go hang out in the office while I get Mr. Griffin’s
sandwich ready.”
“I wanna stay with you and help,” Mia whined.
“I’ll go into the office,” Ava offered. She had taken a step
behind her brother as if hiding from me.
“They can stay.” The words were out before I could stop
them. Awkward and a little gruff, but Mia beamed.
“See, Mr. Griffin wants me to help make his sandwich.”
Caelyn shook her head. “Well, if that’s the case, we better
wash our hands.”
Ava headed for the back office while Will took a seat next
to me at the counter, eyeing me carefully. Caelyn helped Mia up onto a little
stool by the sink, and they washed their hands, Mia singing some sort of song
that counted off the seconds.
“All clean,” she called. “No germies can last to thirty.”
I couldn’t hold in my chuckle this time. “I guess they
can’t.”
“I never thought I’d see the day,” Caelyn started, putting a
hand over her heart. “I do believe you laughed, Griffin Lockwood. Who knew all it
took was a seven-year-old singing about germs?”
About Catherine
Writer of words. Drinker of Diet Cokes. Lover of all things
cute and furry, especially her dog. Catherine has had her nose in a book since
the time she could read and finally decided to write down some of her own
stories. When she's not writing she can be found exploring her home state of
Oregon, listening to true crime podcasts, or searching for her next book
boyfriend.
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