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NEW RELEASE FROM STACI TROILO

11/7/2021

55 Comments

 
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Hello blog friends! I have a special guest today. Friend and colleague, author Staci Troilo is visiting and sharing her new release, No Such Luck. I read the novella in one evening and thoroughly enjoyed it. Well-written and attention-absorbing, it warmed my heart and left me thinking about years long past. If you're looking for a short read, I highly recommend it. Now let's see what Staci has to say... 

​Thanks for inviting me here today, Gwen. Hi, everyone. I appreciate you spending a few minutes with me while I tell you about my new release, No Such Luck. It’s a quick and clean romance perfect for the Christmas season.
​
Piper Seidel could always rely on Jack Rhodes. He’d been her best friend as long as she could remember and knew more about her than anyone. Which was kind of the problem. He knew everything. And he saw everything. She couldn’t keep a secret from him if she tried. Which she did. Pointlessly. In this brief excerpt, we see how well Jack can read her, and how easily he can break down her walls.
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EXCERPT
​

​Piper sat at their usual booth by the window. She sent her dad a quick text, then looked outside. “Man, the snow just keeps on coming. We were getting flurries in Arkansas when I left, but it seldom snows there. And almost never heavy like this.”

“Don’t you miss it here?”

“Around the holidays, sure.”

“Are you ever moving back?”

She toyed with the oregano shaker beside the napkin dispenser. When Mr. Amato brought a pitcher and two glasses of soda to the table, she took a sip. “I don’t think he brought us diet.”

“You don’t need to watch your calories.”

Piper was grateful the table hid most of her curves. She wasn’t the scrawny teenager he remembered, having filled out in oh-so-many places. But he was looking at her like he had X-ray vision.

She gazed out the window. “The snow is beautiful at night.”

“Yeah. Beautiful.”

Piper turned toward him again. He was staring at her face.

“What?” She touched her cheeks, her lips.

He shook his head. “You remember back in third grade—”

Mr. Amato brought their pizza and two plates. “Buon appetito!”

“Oh, man. This smells so good.” She beamed up at him.

He gestured to the pie. “Mangia!”

They dug into their pizza. It was so good, Piper almost didn’t mind scalding the roof of her mouth on the cheese. Almost.

“Perfection, Mr. Amato.”

“Ah!” He waved off the compliment, then returned to the kitchen.

She took another bite and moaned as she chewed. “You just can’t get pizza like this where I live.”

“See. That’s just another reason for you to move home.”

Piper sighed.

“Come on, Pea. I know you aren’t happy. Happy people don’t break into tears in the middle of a grocery store. Talk to me.”

She wanted to. Needed to. “It’s hard to put into words.”

“Just start at the beginning.”
​

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When I wrote this story, I was fondly remembering (and desperately missing) my hometown. Everyone needs a pizza chef like Mr. Amato. And every girl needs a friend like Jack.

I hope you enjoyed that quick sneak peek. No Such Luck, the first installment of the Keystone Couples series, is available now on Amazon.

BLURB
​Seeds of luck usually wither. The rare one grows and blooms.

Piper Seidel has one thing going for her—a red carnation given to her by Tommy Burnett in the tenth grade. It might have dried over the years, but it’s still her good luck charm. Losing it sets her life in a downward spiral, forcing her to return to her hometown where she comes face to face with her high school crush.

The years have been kind to Tommy, who looks better than ever. Unfortunately, Piper is at her worst, continually embarrassing herself whenever he’s around. The only plus? Her long-time friend, Jack Rhodes, still lives in town. Since she last saw him, his legs have grown longer, his biceps thicker, and his shoulders broader. He was always the brother she never had, but now she can’t help noticing him in an unsisterly way. Jack is every bit as caring as he’s ever been—until her bad luck drives him away, maybe forever.

Piper needs a new good luck charm, and fast, before she loses her final chance at happiness.


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55 Comments
D.L. Finn
11/7/2021 23:34:10

This story does make ine want to go home and have pizza with a old friend. Great writing. Thanks for hosting, Gwen.

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Gwen Plano
11/8/2021 03:54:14

So true, Denise. Thank you for visiting. 😊

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Staci Troilo link
11/8/2021 05:11:41

Thanks, Denise. That's just what I was going for!

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Jaye Marie link
11/8/2021 01:06:13

A wonderful, heartwarming story of hope and romance, reading it took me right back to my early days, searching for Mr, Right.

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Gwen Plano
11/8/2021 03:55:46

My early days as well...thank you, Jaye. 😊

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Staci Troilo link
11/8/2021 05:17:09

I'm thrilled to hear that. It's exactly the feeling I was shooting for.

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Harmony Kent link
11/8/2021 02:46:23

Great excerpt, Staci. Loved this book. Best wishes with everything!
Gwen, thanks for sharing 💕🙂

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Gwen Plano
11/8/2021 03:57:16

Thank you, Harmony. Like you, I'm very happy for Staci. 😊

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Staci Troilo link
11/8/2021 05:18:23

Thanks so much, Harmony. I appreciate it!

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Yvette M Calleiro link
11/8/2021 03:58:34

I've already scooped up this gem. I can't wait to read it. Thanks for sharing it, Gwen. :-)

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Gwen Plano
11/8/2021 04:27:18

I know you'll enjoy it, Yvette. Thank you for visiting. 😊

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Staci Troilo link
11/8/2021 05:19:12

I'm delighted to hear that, Yvette. Thanks. I hope you enjoy it.

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Priscilla Bettis link
11/8/2021 04:04:07

Good excerpt. I've read No Such Luck, Staci. It's so sweet and enjoyable.:-) Congrats on all the great reviews you're getting.

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Gwen Plano
11/8/2021 04:28:23

Thank you for visiting and adding your endorcement, Priscilla. 😊

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Staci Troilo link
11/8/2021 05:19:55

Aww. Thank you so much, Priscilla. I really appreciate that.

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Joan Hall link
11/8/2021 04:43:05

I haven't even had breakfast, but now I'm hungry for pizza. (And no, I'm not one to eat it in the mornings.) :)

I read Staci's novella in one sitting and enjoyed it immensely.Thanks for hosting today, Gwen.

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Gwen Plano
11/8/2021 05:09:19

I love cold pizza for breakfast, to my husband's dismay. 😂 Thank you for stopping by, Joan, to cheer for Staci as she tours the globe.

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Staci Troilo link
11/8/2021 05:22:06

I'm definitely a morning-pizza person. Cold leftovers out of the fridge. I just don't happen to have any at the moment. But a few weeks ago, my sister and I went to my favorite pizza place, and I happened to take home a few slices. I had the best breakfast the next day!

Thanks for the kind words, Joan. I appreciate it.

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CS Boyack
11/8/2021 05:05:12

Hope the sales are going well. Hometowns are kind of special.

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Gwen Plano
11/8/2021 05:10:11

They sure are, Craig. We all have memories of those years, don't we. 😊

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Staci Troilo link
11/8/2021 06:13:14

Nothing like them. Thanks, Craig.

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Jim Borden link
11/8/2021 05:10:06

another wonderful review, Staci. what a nice circle of friends and authors you have...

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Gwen Plano
11/8/2021 05:37:22

Thank you for visiting, Jim. For sure, Staci attracts friends. 😊

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Staci Troilo link
11/8/2021 06:13:49

The absolute best. I'm truly blessed. Thanks!

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Staci Troilo link
11/8/2021 05:23:30

Gwen, thank you so much for opening your site to me today, and for the lovely post. I really appreciate it. The book slideshow is a stunning surprise! 💕

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Gwen Plano
11/8/2021 05:38:08

You are most welcome, Staci. I'm so pleased to host today! 😊

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John Howell link
11/8/2021 06:38:41

Congratulations to Staci. A great endorsement of her book, Gwen. I could sure use some pizza right now. Well done. (not the pizza, the work)

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Gwen Plano
11/8/2021 06:54:39

Thank you, John. It's a pleasure hosting Staci. 😊

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Staci Troilo link
11/8/2021 08:27:52

The pizza is getting a lot of love today. It's making me hungry, too.

Gwen did a fabulous job with this post. I'm truly grateful. Thanks, John.

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Jan Sikes
11/8/2021 06:46:25

I thoroughly enjoyed this little short story from Staci! My review is going up today. Congrats to Staci! And thank you, Gwen for hosting!

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Gwen Plano
11/8/2021 06:55:11

My pleasure, Jan. Thank you! 😊

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Staci Troilo link
11/8/2021 08:28:27

Already? I'm delighted to hear that. Thanks so much, Jan. i look forward to your thoughts.

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Teri Polen link
11/8/2021 07:00:54

What a coincidence. We ordered pizza at a friend's house this weekend and it reminded me of my favorite pizza place in high school - hard to find one that good. Another charming excerpt, Staci - thanks for hosting, Gwen!

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Gwen Plano
11/8/2021 07:22:17

My pleasure, Teri. Have a great day!

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Staci Troilo link
11/8/2021 08:29:31

Chains can't touch a good mom-and-pop pizzaria. Thanks for stopping by, Teri. (I hope your weekend pizza was good!)

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Marcia Meara link
11/8/2021 07:28:57

Great post, Gwen and Staci! This one's coming up next on my Kindle, Staci, and I'm very much looking forward to reading it. Wishing you huge success, too! 😊

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Gwen Plano
11/8/2021 08:03:48

Thank you for stopping by, Marcia. Enjoy the read! 😊

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Staci Troilo link
11/8/2021 08:29:57

Many thanks, Marcia. I hope you enjoy it when you get to it!

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Diana Peach link
11/8/2021 07:37:10

It's great seeing Staci have such a successful tour. Another wonderful stop, Gwen. Happy Reading.

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Gwen Plano
11/8/2021 08:04:35

Thank you, Diana. Have a wonderful day! 😊

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Staci Troilo link
11/8/2021 08:30:31

Much appreciated, Diana. And I have to give credit to all the hosts. They've been amazing.

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Elizabeth Gauffreau link
11/8/2021 07:43:55

All the best to Staci for the success of No Such Luck!

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Gwen Plano
11/8/2021 08:05:14

Thank you for adding your good wishes, Liz. 😊

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Staci Troilo link
11/8/2021 08:30:53

Many thanks, Liz!

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Jill Weatherholt link
11/8/2021 07:51:31

I enjoyed the excerpt.Thanks for sharing, Gwen. Congratulations to Staci!

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Gwen Plano
11/8/2021 08:05:52

My pleasure, Jill. 😊

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Staci Troilo link
11/8/2021 08:31:28

Much appreciated, Jill.

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Judith L Post (Judi Lynn)
11/8/2021 07:52:45

My hubs and I started out as friends, then best friends, then more:) Glad Piper finally saw the light!

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Gwen Plano
11/8/2021 08:06:49

How wonderful, Judi. Thank you for sharing. 💗

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Staci Troilo link
11/8/2021 08:32:33

I hear that makes for a wonderful relationship, if you're lucky enough to start that way. Very happy for you.

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Jacqui Murray link
11/8/2021 09:32:56

Love the sound of this. Just grabbed it.

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Gwen Plano
11/8/2021 10:38:50

I think you'll enjoy it, Jacqui. Thank you for visiting today. 😊

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Staci Troilo link
11/8/2021 10:41:33

Thanks so much, Jacqui. I hope you enjoy it!

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Jacquie Biggar
11/10/2021 11:17:42

I love Jack! This is a beautiful story, Staci, congrats!

Reply
Gwen Plano
11/11/2021 08:50:48

Thank you, Jacquie, for visiting and commenting. I'm with you -- I love Jack! 😊

Reply



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