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When the Right One Comes Along by Livia Quinn is a Salute Military Bookish Event pick #militaryromance #romance #salutemilitary #giveaway

  • Writer: N. N. Light
    N. N. Light
  • May 20
  • 5 min read


Title: When the Right One Comes Along

 

Author: Livia Quinn

 

Genre: Contemporary Military Romance

 

Book Blurb:

 

He should have known there’d be consequences.

 

Former Army Ranger Ridge Romano doesn’t have time for fun. He’s laser focused on his Consortium's groundbreaking Veterans bill which will change the lives of soldiers and their families. While in D.C., he follows a beautiful woman into an auditorium packed with enthusiastic attendees who mistake him for a professional model. Now, a “harmless” stunt is about to blow his plans sky high.

 

Famous model and photographer, Lana Maisel Calloway, is at the romance convention to find the “face” of her casting agency. With one look she knows this captivating man is ''the one''. A Calloway always knows. Now, with his bill at risk and their relationship on hold, she strategizes with the help of some extraordinary women to convince Ridge their goals don’t have to be at odds and their dreams can all come true.

 

“This was a truly amazing read. You can't help but love this action packed adventure with love, romance and a HEA. If you like a storyline that keeps you going and gives you a great ending then this story is for you." D.Mauritzen

 

“I have to say this is one of the best written stories I’ve read in a while. I loved the way this was written and the story it tells." Naughty Librarian

 

Excerpt:

 

Buffy said, “I met Ridge in DC at the conference where I was looking for cover models. He’s former military, and—”

 

“Oh, that's right,” Luc stuck out his hand. “Ridge Romano.” Ridge shook it and all the older men turned his way, the oldest looking toward Ridge with that penetrating glare.  Luc said, “This is the man who is taking on the VA almost single handedly. I’ve heard about what you’re doing for veterans, Ridge. When I come home, you can count on me to help.”

 

There was a commotion at the other end of the couch as Buffy’s great grandfather shook his wife’s hand away and shakily rose to his feet, gripping the handle of his wheelchair for support. Standing, he eyed Ridge. The porch got quiet. He said, “Young man, I’ve read about you and the work you’re doin’ for our brothers and sisters. I never thought I’d have the honor of meetin’ you before I kicked the mortal bucket over.”

 

Very slowly, his body trembling from the effort to stand, he raised a shaking arm to his forehead in a sharp salute, holding himself at attention through pure grit. Exposed to Ridge’s view for the first time, was his old-fashioned prosthetic hand.

 

Silently, one by one, the other men in the room rose, went to attention and saluted Ridge. He blinked, and Buffy saw a fierce respect and shared pride as Ridge returned their salute. Then they all yelled, “Hoorah.”

 

In the kitchen Buffy’s mother looked at the other three women and ground out, “It is so irritating when you keep me out of the loop. He’s the one, isn’t he?” Her eyes lit with strategic fire. “Isn’t he, Lana Jean Calloway?”

 

Buffy couldn’t help but smile. She hadn’t heard her full name in that tone of voice since she was eight. “No one’s keeping anything from you, Mom. I’m sure if you ask Ridge right now if he’s the one, he’d back out of here quicker than you could say gumbo. Please don’t blow it.”

 

“You knew about this, Mother,” Pamela said, calling Lillie by her affectionate nickname, to make her point of why she shouldn’t have been left out. It didn’t sound very affectionate.

 

“Mom, it’s just not quite time to go shopping for a wedding dress, ‘ya know?” She hugged her mother who relaxed, but Buffy could tell she wasn’t about to give up. She gave Lillie a what now? grimace and Lillie just patted them both on the back.

 

“Come on, girls. They could talk until next month about the wars and your Mr. Romano’s project but I think they could use a distraction. Buffy, grab the potatoes. I’ll call your father to get the ham.”

 

Lunch proceeded without a hitch. Luc said his goodbyes and took off. Ridge made the rounds thanking everyone for their support and promised to come back one day. This concerned Buffy. It sounded too much like the distant future. Shaking Earl’s hand he said, “Sir, my company has a more advanced prosthesis. I can arrange it for you if you’re interested; it’s lighter and more flexible than the version you have.”

 

Earl narrowed his eyes and said, “Son, I’m ninety-three years old. This old arm has become like my real arm over the years and we do just fine. Getting a new one at this stage of my life would be like a woman gettin’ fake boobs when she’s past her prime.” His voice rose as he cut his eyes to Buffy’s grandmother.

 

“Old coot,” Ridge thought he heard Lillie say under her breath.

 

“Watch it, Dad,” said Robert who just put his arm around a steaming Lillie and hugged her. “Ignore him, sugar.”

 

“Now, Earl,” Roberta said, and her look seemed to be the only thing that made him quail.

 

Then Buffy’s great-grandfather shook Ridge’s hand and, looking around him at Buffy, said, “You chose a fine man, youngin’.”

 

Silence.

 

Ridge turned slowly to look at Buffy. She shrugged and shook her head. Don't look at me. 

 

Then she watched with an impending sense of doom as her mother put her hand on Ridge’s forearm and said, “Might as well buy the ring, dear. When a Calloway tells you, you’re the one, it’s like that old saying, “If I tell you the moon is made of green cheese, get your crackers.”

 

A groan escaped as Buffy's father shook his head but then reluctantly mouthed, yep.

 

“I—ohhh.” Buffy’s head sank into her hands. Why had she thought this picnic could take place without a bomb going off? What was Ridge thinking? She could feel him backing away from her emotionally already.

 

She’d been trying to just let it play out, let him come to the same conclusion himself. But no, of all people, Grandpa Earl had thrown the big one out there and now there was no pulling it back.

 

Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):

 

 

 

 

What makes your featured book a must-read?

 

The romance, suspense and connections between the Calloways, a big surprising family of veterans who know what's important: protecting and serving the ones they love and their community. As one of my readers put it, "Alpha hero, kick-ass heroine, what's not to like."

 

Giveaway –

 

Enter to win a $20 Amazon gift card:

 

 

Open Internationally.

 

Runs May 20 – May 28, 2025.


Winner will be drawn on May 29, 2025.

 

Author Biography:

 

DC native, Livia Quinn moved to Louisiana where the weather and culture inspired her books. Her jobs as mail carrier, plant manager and business owner provided fodder for her stories, she finished her first novel the summer of Katrina. Widowed, she moved to Virginia where she now enjoys the ancient beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. As an only child, she longed to be part of a large family so you'll find deeply emotional themes of love, honor and service in the communities she created.

 

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©2015-2025 BY N. N. LIGHT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. (2015-17 on Wordpress) 

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