Meet the Author: Nicole Barton

-Now in Forever

Ten years ago, Hattie Stevens had the perfect day. She spent a little over twenty-four hours with the attractive, creative, always moving, slightly chaotic writer, Ed DeArmas. The timing was wrong, but their connection was undeniable.

Three years ago, Hattie tried to reconnect with Ed at a signing for his book. Nothing went right. She was late for the event and when she finally handed Ed the book to sign, he didn't recognize her.

Now, on the cusp of turning thirty, she's about as far from her dream life list as she's ever been. Divorced, unexpectedly out of a job, still unpublished and doesn't own the small town bookstore that has been an aspiration since she was a child. Ready for a break from life, she agrees to spend the summer in Fortune Falls on the Oregon Coast with her two best friends and their partners. She's stunned to find that one of them has brought a guest-Ed.

Thrown together for the summer, both working on drafts of new novels, both single, both attracted to each other, but Ed still doesn't remember her from their day together. Or does he?

As they get closer, Hattie also grows attached to Fortune Falls, while Ed makes it very clear he would never want to live in a place so small. To complicate matters, a bookstore in an old Victorian house off Main Street is for sale. Hattie must choose between the dream of owning her own bookstore or risk her heart a third time with Ed.

-The Road Not Taken

One ring, three exes, and two secretly pining friends on an epic winter road trip-what could go wrong?

Ruby doesn't do relationships. After her grandmother's first cancer diagnosis it was clear how much love could cost. Keep it light, keep it fun, then move on. No muss. No fuss and no one gets hurt. But when she finds a ring in her box of break-up mementos with a note that says marry me, she starts to question if maybe one her exes had deeper feelings for her than she thought. Not wanting to ambush them at the holidays with a text out of the blue, she decides to go see them in person and pretend to "run" into them. Then ask about the ring. Only problem, she doesn't drive.

Kyle, her close friend, co-worker, and all around good guy, offers to drive his truck, as long as they swing by his sister's and are back in Fortune Falls by Christmas Eve.

As they navigate one roadblock after another-a winter solstice festival blocking the roads, snow closing the pass, and hotels with only one bed-the two get closer both physically and emotionally. Kyle is upfront that he wants to be more than friends: he has for years. While Ruby has strong feelings for Kyle, and their chemistry is undeniable, she's not sure she can overcome her fear of losing someone close to her again.

-The Art of the Meet Cute

What if you fell in love with Banksy?

Zara never thought she'd return to her hometown. For years she's strived to make a place for herself in the art world, finally working her way up at Gallery Six to the owner's assistant. Her next big goal is to use her newly formed connections to have a solo show. But when her boss suggests they have their artist retreat in a small town, Zara's people-pleasing tendencies take over and she offers up Fortune Falls.

While traveling on the train to scout the location, Zara meets Oli. They bond over art, sharing intimate confidences and a passionate kiss. Before Oli gets off at his stop, they exchange numbers.

At the start of the retreat a few weeks later, Zara's boss insists all members of their staff remain professional (no dating the artists). She then tasks Zara with picking up the mystery artist set to lead all the lessons at the retreat. She's shocked to find it's Oli and that he's a graffiti artist almost at Banksy level of fame and secrecy.

After everyone signs the NDAs, the retreat is in full swing, and Zara's feelings for Oli deepen. She must decide between risking her years of hard work and connections or following her heart with Oli.

About the Author

Many years ago, NC received a BFA in mixed media studio art. With a degree in the arts and no solid plan, she's held many different jobs; barista, photographer’s assistant, toy store clerk, and yoga instructor at a retreat in Puerto Rico to name a few. All of which serve as hands on research and inspiration for her books.

When she's not writing, you can find her working at the library, painting with her little girl, or working on her podcast, So I Wrote a Book…Now What, where she interviews fellow authors about their revision process.

Socials

https://www.instagram.com/ncbartonwrites/