were the first person in my whole life to ever make me feel the way I do when I’m with you. It would be impossible for me to describe that feeling in words. All I can say is it’s the best feeling I’ve ever had.
* * *
I love you so much. More than you’ll ever know. Can’t wait to see you and say, “I do.”
* * *
Daisy (soon-to-be) Lawrence
David wiped away the tears that’d filled his eyes as he read her sweet words. He was the lucky one, and he knew it. Making her happy every day for the rest of their lives was the least he could do after all she’d given him.
An hour later, he stood on the patio with Alex, Paul and Shannon as the sun headed toward the horizon. In the front row were his parents and sisters, who’d stood by him during his battle with lymphoma and the terrible darkness that’d followed his breakup with Janey. His father was doing great and had lost thirty pounds since his near-fatal heart attack.
His close friend and colleague, Victoria Stevens, was the first one down the aisle, wearing a gorgeous pale orange silk gown and grinning like a lunatic at David as she came toward him. She gave her fiancé, Shannon, a sultry look that had Shannon clearing his throat.
Vic was a nut, but David loved her. She’d been the first to encourage him to pursue a relationship with Daisy, and he was so glad he’d let her push him toward his true love.
Jenny and Hope Martinez were next, followed by Maddie McCarthy, who was Daisy’s matron of honor. A month after delivering premature twins, Maddie was doing great. The babies were home, and Mac and Maddie were settling into life as the parents of five small children.
David had written a referral earlier that week for Mac’s vasectomy on the mainland and had been entertained by Mac’s many thoughts on the matter. The procedure was scheduled for the following week.
The ladies looked beautiful in the orange gowns that Daisy had agonized over until he’d told her she should have the color she liked best and not worry about what anyone else thought.
Daisy came into view, on the arm of Mac McCarthy, whom she’d asked to walk her down the aisle because she was afraid that she’d trip from being so nervous.
She’d never been more beautiful, and David had to remind himself to breathe as she came toward him wearing a sexy yet classy dress that was absolutely perfect on her. There were beads and pearls and other adornments, but he saw only her—her brilliant smile, the tears in her eyes and the glow of happiness that surrounded her.
She was an angel come to life, and she was all his.
As she took his hand and looked up at him with eyes full of love, David decided she’d been well worth the wait. The third time was indeed the charm.
Thank you so much for reading what I’m calling the “Frankenbook,” because it included more than forty points of view and forty-five chapters. Phew! My early readers tell me it worked wonderfully, so I hope everyone who reads this one agrees. It was SUPER FUN to write this full-cast story that gave me a chance to catch up with all the characters and couples we’ve come to love over the first twenty-two books, and to introduce some new characters who’ll be populating the next few books.
A very special thanks to my beta readers, Anne Woodall and Tracey Suppo, as well as Sarah Hewitt, family nurse practitioner, who checks the medical info for me. My longtime editors, Linda Ingmanson and Joyce Lamb, are always so great about making time for me when I need them, and I so appreciate their dedication. Thanks to my Gansett Island beta team: Betty, Lyn, Katy, Gwen, Michelle, Kelly, Andi, Jaime, Juliane, Doreen, Mona, Jen, Tammy and Laurie. You guys are awesome!
Thank you my team—Julie Cupp, Lisa Cafferty, Tia Kelly, Jean Mello, Nikki Haley, Melissa Saneholtz, Janet Margot and Ashley Lopez—for all you do to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.
Finally, a special thanks to my amazing READERS, who’ve propelled Gansett Island to book TWENTY-FOUR with NO END IN SIGHT! Coming up next is Cooper and Gigi’s story, Temptation After Dark. Turn the page to see the cover and watch for more info about Temptation After Dark coming soon! Thanks again for your support of Gansett Island!
xoxo
Marie
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Watch for Cooper and Gigi’s story, coming soon!
Other Books By Marie Force
* * *
Contemporary Romances Available from Marie Force
* * *
The Gansett Island Series
Book 1: Maid for Love
(Maddie & Mac)
Book 2: Fool for Love
(Joe & Janey)
Book 3: Ready for Love
(Luke & Sydney)
Book 4: Falling for Love
(Grant & Stephanie)
Book 5: Hoping for Love
(Evan & Grace)
Book 6: Season for Love
(Owen & Laura)
Book 7: Longing for Love
(Blaine & Tiffany)
Book 8: Waiting for Love
(Adam & Abby)
Book 9: Time for Love
(David & Daisy)
Book 10: Meant for Love
(Jenny & Alex)
Book 10.5: Chance for Love, A Gansett Island Novella (Jared & Lizzie)
Book 11: Gansett After Dark
(Owen & Laura)
Book 12: Kisses After Dark
(Shane & Katie)
Book 13: Love After Dark
(Paul & Hope)
Book 14: Celebration After Dark
(Big Mac & Linda)
Book 15: Desire After Dark
(Slim & Erin)
Book 16: Light After Dark
(Mallory & Quinn)
Book 17: Victoria & Shannon (Episode 1)
Book 18: Kevin & Chelsea (Episode 2)
A Gansett Island Christmas Novella
Book 19: Mine After Dark
(Riley & Nikki)
Book 20: Yours After Dark
(Finn & Chloe)
Book 21: Trouble After Dark
(Deacon & Julia)
Book 22: Rescue After Dark
(Mason & Jordan)
Book 23: Blackout After Dark
(Full Cast)
Book 24: Temptation After Dark
(Gigi & Cooper)
* * *
Gansett Island Boxed Set, Books 1-3
Gansett Island Boxed Set, Books 4-6
Gansett Island Boxed Set, Books 7-9
Gansett Island Boxed Set, Books 10-12
Gansett Island Boxed Set, Books 13-16
Gansett Island Series Boxed Set, Books 17-20
* * *
The Green Mountain Series
Book 1: All You Need Is Love
(Will & Cameron)
Book 2: I Want to Hold Your Hand
(Nolan & Hannah)
Book 3: I Saw Her Standing There
(Colton & Lucy)
Book 4: And I Love Her
(Hunter & Megan)
Novella: You'll Be Mine
(Will & Cam’s Wedding)
Book 5: It's Only Love
(Gavin & Ella)
Book 6: Ain’t She Sweet
(Tyler & Charlotte)
* * *
The Butler, Vermont Series
(Continuation of Green Mountain)
Book 1: Every Little Thing
(Grayson & Emma)
Book 2: Can’t Buy Me Love
(Mary & Patrick)
Book 3: Here Comes the Sun
(Wade & Mia)
Book 4: Till There Was You
(Lucas & Dani)
Book 5: All My Loving
(Landon & Amanda)
Book 6: Let It Be
(Lincoln & Molly)
Book 7: Come Together
(Noah & Brianna)
* * *
The Butler, Vermont Series Boxed Set: Books 1-4
* * *
The Miami Nights Series
Book 1: How Much I Feel
Book 2: How Much I Care
Book 3: How Much I Love
* * *
The Treading Water Series
Book 1: Treading Water
Book 2: Marking Time
Book 3: Starting Over
Book 4: Coming Home
Book 5: Finding Forever
* * *
Treading Water Boxed Set: The Complete Series
* * *
The Quantum Series
Book 1: Virtuous
(Flynn & Natalie)
Book 2: Valorous
(Flynn & Natalie)
Book 3: Victorious
(Flynn & Natalie)
Book 4: Rapturous
(Addie & Hayden)
Book 5: Ravenous
(Jasper & Ellie)
Book 6: Delirious
(Kristian & Aileen)
Book 7: Outrageous
(Emmett & Leah)
Book 8: Famous
(Marlowe & Sebastian)
* * *
Quantum Boxed Set: The Complete Series
* * *
Single Titles
* * *
Five Years Gone
One Year Home
Sex Machine
Sex God
Georgia on My Mind
True North
The Fall
The Wreck
Love at First Flight
Everyone Loves a Hero
Line of Scrimmage
* * *
Beach Reads Boxed Set
* * *
Love Always Boxed Set, First Books in Four of Marie’s Bestselling Series
* * *
Romantic Suspense Novels Available from Marie Force
* * *
The Fatal Series
One Night With You, A Fatal Series Prequel Novella
Book 1: Fatal Affair
Book 2: Fatal Justice
Book 3: Fatal Consequences
Book 3.5: Fatal Destiny The Wedding Novella
Book 4: Fatal Flaw
Book 5: Fatal Deception
Book 6: Fatal Mistake
Book 7: Fatal Jeopardy
Book 8: Fatal Scandal
Book 9: Fatal Frenzy
Book 10: Fatal Identity
Book 11: Fatal Threat
Book 12: Fatal Chaos
Book 13: Fatal Invasion
Book 14: Fatal Reckoning
Book 15: Fatal Accusation
Book 16: Fatal Fraud
* * *
Fatal Series Volume 1
Fatal Series Volume 2
Fatal Series Volume 3
* * *
The First Family Series
Book 1: State of Affairs
* * *
Historical Romance Available from Marie Force
* * *
The Gilded Series
Book 1: Duchess by Deception
Book 2: Deceived by Desire
About the Author
Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense and erotic romance. Her series include Gansett Island, Fatal, Treading Water, Butler Vermont, Quantum and Miami Nights.
Her books have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide, have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have appeared on the New York Times bestseller more than 30 times. She is also a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller, as well as a Speigel bestseller in Germany.
Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news.
Join Marie's mailing list for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Follow her on Facebook and on Instagram. Join one of Marie's many reader groups. Contact Marie at marie@marieforce.com.