Wednesday, August 18, 2021

KING'S QUEEN by Marie Johnston


KING’S QUEEN
Oil Kings, Book 5
Publication Date: August 16, 2021

When Aiden King asked me out four years ago, I went from mousy librarian to wife of the most wanted bachelor in Montana in four months flat. No longer the nerdy girl from the wrong side of the tracks, I was a CEO’s wife in a mansion by the river—and my husband was the man of my dreams. I almost couldn’t believe my good fortune.
Turns out, I shouldn’t have believed it. After years of rattling around that mansion alone while Aiden put in long hours at the office, I learned his secret: he’d needed to marry someone, anyone, to fulfill his trust requirements, and the nerdy girl from the wrong side of the tracks had been an easy target.
I never thought I’d be the girl asking a handsome millionaire for a divorce. Now, my pride and I just want to limp back to my family and start over. But to do that, I’ll have to swallow one question. If the trust only required him to be married for a year, why has it been four years since we said I do?
Work has become my identity. I went into the family business and the responsibility is staggering. One mess up and people can die. I know that all too well and I’ve dedicated myself to doing better. I’m exceptional at my job. Meticulous. Dedicated.
But for a guy who’s such a perfectionist, I really messed up my marriage. It took Kate walking out to get me to wake up and realize what an empty existence I’ve built.
So, what does a workaholic do when he realizes his work, and especially the money, means nothing to him? That there’s only one obsession he’s ever had, and she’s staying with her rowdy, overprotective family? Kate’s always been the only one for me. It’s time for this King to loosen his tie and win back his queen.



EXCERPT:
Can I get a room for the next three nights?” Preferably as close to Kate as possible? I glanced up. Seven levels. What were the odds I’d land on the same floor?
“I’m so sorry, sir. We don’t have any vacancies.”
None? It was December. A slow month for conferences and sporting events. Ah. “Construction?”
Her smile was sympathetic. “I’m sorry. I can help you find a room in a hotel nearby.”
I hadn’t expected to spend a lot of time with Kate while she was at her convention, but I’d at least hoped to be under the same roof. The roof might house a few hundred rooms, but I’d remained optimistic.
Kate’s attention was on us. “No opening?”
I tucked my wallet back into my slacks. “No problem. I’ll talk with Luna about the bedroom.” Could I use it when the plane wasn’t in use? I didn’t care to sit in another hotel.
“On the plane?” Kate glanced at the young man helping her, then at the woman assisting me. Her gaze landed on me, full of resolve. “Just stay with me.”
“This is your conference.” I could fist pump right now, but I hadn’t meant to intrude this much on her weekend. She was technically working, after all.
“It’s all right, Aiden.”
I thanked Cynthia for her time, gathered my suitcase and Kate’s, and shouldered my tech bag while she finished up.
On the way to the elevator, she handed me a key, hesitant. “There’s two beds. Two queens.”
Damn. “All right.”
Still. Progress was progress. We were talking. She hadn’t asked when we were going to sign the divorce papers. I was making progress whether I was back in her bed or not.

ABOUT MARIE:
Marie Johnston is a RITA® Finalist, and a best-selling and award-winning writer of paranormal and contemporary romance – and an avid reader of them both. ​
Several years ago, when kids started outnumbering adults in the house, Marie Johnston left her job as a public health microbiologist to stay at home. Settling into working part-time and shuttling kids around gave Marie the opportunity to think about what she wanted to be when she grew up. A die-hard science geek, she explored her previously thought to be non-existent creative side after much time spent making snowman crafts and coloring princesses. Having entertained thoughts of writing a book one day then subsequently deciding it would be too hard, she finally put the figurative pen to paper and began to type – and fell in love with storytelling.
The Sigma Menace is the first series by Marie with Fever Claim being her first book EVER. She is humbled by the fact that people are willing to read to her books and looks forward to keeping readers entertained for many years.
Marie lives with her husband and four kids in the Upper Midwest where the summers are gorgeous, the winters are brutal, and spring and fall are luxuries.
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