The Candy Bar Series by Patrice Wilton

Lydia O'Reilley, divorce attorney, is on the fast tract to make partner until she meets a hot stranger in a bar, and one thing leads to another. The following morning she's doing a joint deposition, and in walks Jed, the man she'd spent the night with, her new client's soon-to-be-ex husband! As if that's not bad enough, she learns later that the condom broke and she's pregnant. Her perfect plans are seriously derailed, and it may take a little magic to make everything right... moreLydia O'Reilley, divorce attorney, is on the fast tract to make partner until she meets a hot stranger in a bar, and one thing leads to another. The following morning she's doing a joint deposition, and in walks Jed, the man she'd spent the night with, her new client's soon-to-be-ex husband! As if that's not bad enough, she learns later that the condom broke and she's pregnant. Her perfect plans are seriously derailed, and it may take a little magic to make everything right. ' I'd been sleeping with Barnie for more than a year, off and on. He wasn't much for talking, but so what? He was reliable, faithful, and good in bed. I knew exactly where he was most of the time; he didn't look at my girlfriends, didn't have a mother, never argued, didn't expect me to cook and clean, and performed at my command. What more could a girl ask? More importantly, I was sure he'd never hurt me, and perhaps that's why I chose to spend my nights with him. But I learned the hard way: nothing is ever perfect. The damn thing malfunctioned, went into overdrive, and I could barely sit down for a week. Cheap Asian product--I bought it through eBay too. There you have it. It was fun while it lasted, but as in any good relationship that sadly ends it takes awhile to move on. I'm proud to say that I have done so. Yes, I replaced my old toy Barnie, and now I have something warm and wonderful beside me in bed. This required a great deal of courage and lack of negativity on my part. I had to learn to trust, and to open my heart and not to be afraid. And it's still a whole lot scary. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- less

I knew I had to leave before anyone saw me, so I walked past the girls and back into the bar. In the corner I saw Lydia at the piano with her boyfriend, Jed. He was sitting next to her, gazing romantically at each other, and didn’t notice me. Candy poured flutes of champagne, and Fran walked around with a silver platter filled with the delicious mini crab cakes she’d made. Brett sat at the bar chatting up one of the pretty cocktail waitresses... moreI knew I had to leave before anyone saw me, so I walked past the girls and back into the bar. In the corner I saw Lydia at the piano with her boyfriend, Jed. He was sitting next to her, gazing romantically at each other, and didn’t notice me. Candy poured flutes of champagne, and Fran walked around with a silver platter filled with the delicious mini crab cakes she’d made. Brett sat at the bar chatting up one of the pretty cocktail waitresses. And me? I ducked behind some people and bee-lined it toward the exit. The lights began to flicker, and the brick walls were slick with sweat. I heard Candy laugh, and shout to her customers that magic was in the air. As I pushed through the door, I felt a tinkling pass through me. It was so quick and fleeting that it might have been nothing. I would describe the sensation like a champagne fizz, a light airy sparkle, nothing more. I do remember thinking how I’d like to be truly beautiful from the inside out. Any other thought I may have had was whisked away when I stepped outside. Thunder rumbled in the black sky, then a flash of lightning came bolting down toward me. I jumped and shrieked. The sky lit up like the Fourth of July as electricity sparked and flashed and danced, reminding me of rock concerts, magic mushrooms, and light shows. By the time I reached the car I was drenched and shaken. Running to the car, I’d half expected to get zapped, but somehow I managed to get the door open and slide inside. From my place of safety I watched the lightning rip open the sky and thought how incredibly beautiful it looked in all of its menacing, malevolent glory. I’d never seen the night as eerie before, like something out of a Tim Burton movie, and my fingers itched to paint it. With a final flash of lightning came the wish—to view the world as I saw it tonight—vividly, with passion and depth, so I could be the greatest painter ever. less

Fran Sherman is a survivor—she’s also resilient, stubborn, tenacious, feisty, and a whole slew of other words, but you get my point. If a tornado came her way, she’d probably swallow it whole and spit the damn thing out. That’s Fran Sherman, like a tank and just as indestructible. And yet, tonight at the Candy Bar she feels vulnerable as if something beyond her control just might get the better of her. Fire chief John Hanley is also at the bar that night... moreFran Sherman is a survivor—she’s also resilient, stubborn, tenacious, feisty, and a whole slew of other words, but you get my point. If a tornado came her way, she’d probably swallow it whole and spit the damn thing out. That’s Fran Sherman, like a tank and just as indestructible. And yet, tonight at the Candy Bar she feels vulnerable as if something beyond her control just might get the better of her. Fire chief John Hanley is also at the bar that night. He’s looking forward to retirement in a few years, and has dreams of starting a fishing charter business. After being married to a woman who harped at him for 20 years, and then ran off with another woman, the last thing he wants is romance and a dame messing with his plans. And yet, that old Candy Bar magic has a way of playing tricks, and once you’re caught in its path, you’re swept along on a tumultuous, enjoyable ride. This hilarious, touching story is sure to capture your heart. less

FOR THE LOVE OF CANDY is the fourth and final book in the Candy Bar series. For everyone who has read and loved this romantic comedy series, I want to thank you for buying my book, loving my women, laughing late into the night, and sharing this joy with me. The happiness you have given me by reading your wonderful reviews were the greatest gift I could ever receive, and made me believe in myself as a writer... moreFOR THE LOVE OF CANDY is the fourth and final book in the Candy Bar series. For everyone who has read and loved this romantic comedy series, I want to thank you for buying my book, loving my women, laughing late into the night, and sharing this joy with me. The happiness you have given me by reading your wonderful reviews were the greatest gift I could ever receive, and made me believe in myself as a writer. It is because you cared and asked me for Candy’s story that I gave this story life, and I hope that I will have fulfilled your every wish. The magic is here. Please read on and enjoy the final conclusion to Candy’s story. The Candy Bar is in trouble. Crime and corruption has changed the landscape of the street. Candy can stay and fight it, or sell and run. She has called an emergency meeting with her dear friends, the sisters of her heart, to tell them her decision. Enter Harrison Wolfe—Boston lawyer, probably a Mayflower descendent by his arrogance and arresting good looks. He has come to the Candy Bar to tell her that his daughter is engaged to her son Billy. He’s only 21 and graduating from college, and is certainly not ready to take on the responsibilities of marriage. Harrison is also strongly opposed to this engagement and wants to put an end to it before it even begins. Thunder cracks open the sky, lightning strikes, and Harrison and Candy are caught up in the magic and madness. Now they have to fight their attraction—and keep their pants on--to stay focused on keeping their children apart. This hilarious, touching, upbeat story will engage your emotions and hopefully have you laughing one minute, and wiping tears the next. less