Author: Kristbethke

Renovating Law is out in the world! You can get it here.

Tia and I had a blast writing this second book in the series. We both love this world and these characters we’ve created and we can’t wait for you to dive back into the small town of Fairville and the Caldwell/Mulligan family. If I remember correctly, we’d once envisioned other LIs for these two, but as we were writing Rebuilding Charlie our thoughts changed as the characters emerged. It was also originally set to be a duology, but the moment we put Felix on the page, it became a trilogy.

And in true us fashion, one line Tia wrote in Renovating Law had me asking them “…does this mean…?” and suddenly it was a four book series. We’re hard at work on the next book, and have some ideas about the fourth. So there’s plenty of time left at the Black Dog Inn. (And if you’re a fan of our co-writing style, we have plenty of plans for the future after this series as well!)

But Law and Oak have their story to tell now. Make sure you pick it up, whether you buy or borrow. To whet your appetite, here’s a sneak peek:

“I do, too.” I kissed the top of her head. “Brynly can think whatever she wants, but you know the truth. You, and Harper and Tris, have a whole bunch of aunts and uncles, and Grams and Gramps, who love you and want you to be happy.”

“Family is made up of the people who love and support you, not just the people you’re related to.”

Marlie and I both jerked our gaze to Oak, who had come upon us without either of us knowing. Oak’s eyes went wide, and he clapped a hand over his mouth as he turned beet red. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to butt in—”

“No. It’s fine. Because you’re right.” I was quick to reassure him. 

Oak seemed frozen for a few seconds, but then he took a couple of steps closer. He was staring at me, but when I nodded encouragingly, he smiled slightly and dropped his gaze to Marlie. “Love is the most important thing about family. And everyone in my family loves everyone in your family. And that makes us one big family. No matter what bratty little kids say.”

My jaw dropped open, but Marlie giggled, clearly feeling more like herself. She sat up, pushing away from me. “Brynly is a brat. She thinks she’s so special, but she’s just mean.”

Oak nodded sagely. “So don’t worry about what Bratly says to you.”

Marlie lost it then, bright peals of laughter echoing through the dining room. Internally, I thought that was a very fitting nickname. Externally, I had to be the better parent. “Marlie, don’t call Brynly that. Even if she is.” Okay, so maybe I was only a good parent. 

“I won’t.” She hopped off the chair. “I’m not mean like her.”

The case was closed, apparently, because she headed into the kitchen to get her snack. I stared after her for a second before I turned to Oak. He was smirking at his own humor, but when he caught sight of me, he blanched.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Making sure my kids were occupied and looked after, I took hold of Oak’s arm. “I need to talk to you.”

Oak kept pace with me as I led him to the back corner of the room, well out of earshot of little ears that heard things I didn’t want them to. Oak’s eyes were wide, like he was a little scared, which I didn’t want him to be. Once we made it to the corner, I pulled him into my arms. He remained stiff in my hold for just a moment, and then he sank in, clutching me back.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered.

I titled my head down so I could speak directly into his ear. “There’s no need for sorry. I wanted to thank you. What you said was absolutely right. Love is the most important thing in a family.”

Oak nodded, and my lips were so close to his ear they brushed against his skin. He shivered, and my entire body reacted. Having him this close, smelling his fresh linen and lemon scent—which was probably from his work—and the way he held on tight, was enough to do me in. 

I pulled back just enough so I could see his face. Make sure I had all his attention. “You are loved here. You are surrounded by family, both blood and not. We are so glad you’re safe and happy here. You know that right?”

We were so close, barely a breath separating us. I’d wanted to make sure he understood that I got where his head was at. But the air charged between us, changing things in an instant. Oak’s pupils dilated, and his lips parted. 

“Law.” My name was hardly more than a breath. 

In that moment, I lost my mind. It was the only explanation for what I did next. But I wanted him to know how very glad I was that he was here. And his mouth was right there, plump and perfect. And he was staring at me with wide, beautiful eyes. My mind took a vacation. 

Which is why I kissed him. 

We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we did writing it. As I said, we really love this world and the people who live in it, and we can’t wait to hear what you think. After you read it, let me know if you spotted whose story comes next!

Sometimes it seemed the only way I’d get that kind of loving forever was if I stepped through one of the fairy doors I’d collected.

Law Caldwell knows his life needs an overhaul. With his ex-wife accepting a job across the country and his brother living far from home, he’s focused on making sure his three children have the best life possible. But when his mother takes things a step too far, it’s the final straw for Law. He realizes the best thing for him and his kids would be to pack up,move to Fairville, take a job at the Black Dog Inn, where there’s a loving support network.

Oakley Young is settling into his new life, finding his place and himself in the process. Including changing his name. Oak Mulligan is who he wants to be, and it’s the first step to healing. He still has a lot of trauma to unpack but he’s working on it. When his bestie Charlie informs him that his brother Law and the kids are moving in, Oak is just as excited as everybody else. The Caldwell family will fit right in. But Oak isn’t prepared for the instant attraction to spark between him and Law. He knew the older man was hot, but their first meeting a few weeks before didn’t equip him for the lust. Or for the way Law would keep him at arm’s length. 

Law has only been attracted to a few men in his life and he misinterprets the affection and protectiveness he feels for Oak as brotherly at first. But as he realizes how deep his feelings run, he knows there’s too much in their way. The age gap and their familial connections are enough to push down his growing feelings. But Oak is too enticing to ignore, and the closer they become, the deeper the attraction goes. One kiss changes everything and sets the two men on a path with bumps they have to navigate. It’ll take work on their communication, and figuring out how to fit their lives together, but there’s no doubt that the love growing between them is the kind to last a lifetime.