Aaron Under Construction, by Romance Author, Marin Thomas

Harlequin American #1124
ISBN 0373751281
August 2006
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Aaron Under Construction

2006 CataRomance Reviewers' Choice Award

Finalist Wisconsin Romance Writers 2007
Write Touch Reader's Award

2006 Romantic Times Magazine
Reviewer's Choice Finalist

"Talented author, Marin Thomas has created a wonderful new McKade Brothers Series and the first book, Aaron Under Construction, will steal your heart. Thomas delves beyond the stereotypical lives of Anglos and Hispanics to show that love crosses all cultural lines. The supporting characters have sound personalities that add significantly to the story line and allow the main characters to develop. I was enthralled with this book. Aaron Under Construction is a must read!"
         -- Donna, www.cataromance.com

4 Stars: "Aaron Under Construction is a sweet and endearing romance revolving around family and the magic of finding love."
         -- www.romantictimes.com

4 1/2 Roses: "Aaron Under Construction proves again why Marin Thomas is an expert at what she does! Knowledgeably crafted characters that scream reality, and situations that any person could find themselves in, give this story a feel for authenticity. A high-quality blend of romance, humor, and action give Aaron Under Construction my thumbs-up!"
         -- Bonnie, www.aromancereview

4 1/2 Stars: "Marin Thomas has written another thought -provoking, satisfying romance with AARON UNDER CONSTRUCTION. Tackling the issues of poverty, cultural separation, betrayal and romance all in one, this book will tug at reader's heartstrings. Aaron and Jennifer face off in a battle of wills that emit fireworks and tension, making AARON UNDER CONSTRUCTION a fun read even during the most serious moments. Ms. Thomas once again has nailed just the right balance of humor and poignancy to make this book a delightful, emotional read. Put this one on your must read list!"
         -- Cindy, www.loveromances.com

 

Chapter One

What the hell am I doing here?

If his grandfather hadn’t lost his mind, Aaron McKade wouldn’t be stuck in Monday-morning bumper-to-bumper Los Angeles traffic. Instead, he'd be managing the West Coast branch of the family business--McKade Import-Export. His office served as an agent for companies seeking Latin American markets for their products.

Perturbed with the recent turn of events in his life, he clenched his jaw and studied his surroundings-- his new place of work. Santa Angelita, the South Central Los Angeles barrio, was worlds away from the affluent Bunker Hill District, where he lived in the famous Bradshaw Building.

Rows of Spanish-style stucco houses painted in vivid blues, greens and purples lined the side streets, giving the residential area energy…hope. A few homes showed off neatly trimmed lawns and masses of fuchsia bougainvillea, but most of the dwellings needed major renovations--and some even a wrecking ball. Sensible compacts or junkers sat parked in one-car-garage driveways. The BMWs and Lincoln Navigators of the drug dealers were nonexistent, and the small bikes and toys cluttering the yards suggested more and more young families were moving into the barrio.

The commercial boulevards, on the other hand, struggled to survive. Boarded-up buildings, covered in colorful murals depicting religious scenes and festive celebrations along with vacant lots broke the line of nail-care salons, auto-parts shops and storefront churches comprising the core of the business district. He hadn't seen one chain supermarket or drugstore in the past eight blocks, only liquor depots and a mom-and-pop market.

The light switched to green, but traffic remained at a standstill while commuters boarded a city bus a block ahead.

What had Pop been thinking? Aaron loved his grandfather more than anything, but now wondered if dementia had finally gotten the best of the old man. Patrick McKade had dropped a bomb during last week's phone chat. The conversation had switched from the Yankee spring-training schedule, to, a more alarming topic: "Aaron, I neglected to teach you a very important lesson--responsibility," his grandfather had declared.

Responsibility. The word made Aaron shudder.

"Son, it's my fault that you're immature. I should have demanded more from you."

Aaron's gut had tightened with humiliation, hurt and resentment. Immature? He was thirty-three-years-old!

The bus pulled away from the curb, belching black exhaust. Traffic inched forward as Aaron studied the map spread across his lap. Riker Avenue had to be somewhere in the vicinity. Frustrated, he shoved the directions aside and glanced up just as a little old lady stepped in front of the truck. He slammed his foot on the brake, wincing when the seat belt bit into his shoulder. The front bumper stopped a foot from the woman's wire pull cart.

Pursing her lips, the granny glared at him through the windshield. Aaron unrolled the window and stuck his head out to apologize, but the words froze in his throat when the old biddy flashed her middle finger. Stunned, he watched her baby-step across the street, forcing cars in all lanes to stop for her and the dirty lump of fur curled up at the bottom of the basket.

"You must stand on your own two feet, Aaron, and assume responsibility for yourself and your future."

First, the crazy cart lady, now the voice of his grandfather refusing to get out of his head. What was this--revenge-of-the-geriatric-set day?






   


Excerpt from: Aaron Under Construction by Marin Thomas
    Copyright (c) 2006 by Brenda Smith-Beagley
ISBN: 0373750838
By: Marin Thomas
Imprint and Series: Harlequin American
Copyright ©: 2006
By: Marin Thomas
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The edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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