Reader's Edyn: Blitz: The Deception Incident (The Incident Series #2) by Marla Holt + GIVEAWAY

**The Deception Incident by Marla Holt**

Good Morning, Everyone! So thrilled to see you all today! Not too long ago, I featured the first book in their series, THE VAN BIRCH INCIDENT. Well, today I am welcoming this author back to share the second book with us! Yay! Please allow me to once again feature on the blog Marla Holt and her latest release, THE DECEPTION INCIDENT … Plus, a GIVEAWAY!

**MARLA HOLT**

**BIO**

Marla Holt believes in second chances, romance, and the radical notion that everyone deserves a happily every after. She's living her own fairy tale, writing contemporary romance novels in her Kansas farmhouse with her husband, three boys, three cats, and flock of imaginary sheep.

To find out more about Ms. Holt, please visit:

**THE DECEPTION INCIDENT**

Publication date: July 21, 2020

Series: The Incident Series #2

Genres: Adult, Romance, Contemporary

**BLURB**

Her life is stabilizing and his is spiraling while they both keep secrets.

Minnie Halvarson moved to Kansas to start over. She wanted to be anonymous, live a simple life, and heal from her past. When Bryant Wilder walks into her bookstore, she thinks she’s hit the boyfriend jackpot. What more could she want than a tall, bookish man who worships her?

Until Minnie finds out he’s dating mega pop star, Van Birch and cuts all ties with him.

Bryant Wilder is a humble Kansas contractor by day and Van Birch’s fake boyfriend whenever she needs him to bel. At first Bryant is happy to do it, but after five years, he is tired of dodging paparazzi and keeping his hookups on the down low.

Bryant wants more.

Who he wants is Minnie. But she won’t even look at him.

Now Van is back in Wellville, and has adopted Minnie into their friend group, Bryant is just as smitten with her as ever. Maybe if she hadn’t just had a baby, he’d actually have a chance.

The Deception Incident is the second book in the Incident Series. Dig into this steamy, instalove, secret baby romance with a guaranteed happily ever after by Marla Holt.

**EXCERPT**

Clay and Bryant had shown up to the opening, just as Bryant had promised. When they arrived near the end of the day, they looked dusty and cold, like they came straight from the jobsite. Rocco was already talking to them by the time Minnie spotted them, but it took her another few minutes to make her way over. When she did arrive, Rocco slung his arm around Minnie’s shoulder, tugging his arm tight like he was about to pull her into a headlock.

“The place looks fantastic,” Clay said. “Congratulations, Minnie.”

Minnie had attempted to thank him, but Rocco had spoken over her, “My girl has put in a lot of work, but we can’t thank you two enough for the bookshelves.”

Clay broke into a genuine smile. “I’ve been meaning to ask. Do you mind if I come in sometime and take photographs for our business portfolio?”

“Whenever you like,” Minnie said. “It would be an honor.”

Clay flashed her a sideways grin, and Bryant elbowed him in the ribs, and Minnie thought it was a cute exchange. Bryant had told her about Clay’s sideways grin and how he used it to slay women. She appreciated being a part of their teasing.

It made her feel included. Like maybe someday she could be one of them.

An alert went off on Clay’s phone. He puffed out his cheeks and let out a long-suffering sigh as he flipped it off. “We have to get going, or we’re going to miss our plane,” he said by way of apology.

Bryant only grinned at her, still not saying anything, and Minnie was beginning to understand that he didn’t do well in groups. She understood. She’d been much worse when she was younger, and she still hid sometimes when she needed a moment to herself. But she wanted him to be as effusive as he was with her in private. She wanted him to wrap his arms around her and kiss her and tell her how amazing her party was, because she’d worked so hard on it.

But he didn’t, and Minnie didn’t understand why. There were no paparazzi around. And the reporters who had been there had left hours before.

Clay shook her hand, and when Bryant stepped forward to do the same thing, he bent as if he meant to kiss her cheek, but Rocco pulled her into his chest and out of Bryant’s reach.

“Have fun in California,” Rocco said.

Bryant frowned before his face turned to stone.

“Yes, good luck,” Minnie said. “Stop by when you get back.”

When they were gone, Minnie wrenched herself out of her cousin’s arms and whispered, “What the fuck was that about?” low enough that none of the customers heard her.

Rocco still watched the door where Bryant and Clay had just exited. “How much do you know about that guy?” he asked.

“Who, Bryant?”

Rocco gave her a look that told her not to play stupid. “We’re getting to know each other.”

“And how much do you know about Van Birch?”

Minnie shrugged. “She’s from here. She and Bryant went to high school together. She’s Clay’s sister, and I know a few of her songs.”

“You’ve never watched the show?” Rocco asked.

“No, have you?”

Rocco shrugged, and though his face remained somber, color rose to his dusky cheeks. “Everyone around here watches the show, Mins.”

“Okay. What are you trying to say?”

“I’m saying that those two look like home-grown Kansas, and maybe they really have construction business in California, but they’re probably also going to film the next episode of Pop Star.”

“Sure,” Minnie said, not sure what she was missing.

“I don’t trust the Hollywood types,” Rocky said. “And I don’t think you should either.”

“Bryant’s not going to hurt me,” Minnie said.

Rocco’s eyebrows disappeared beneath his hairline. “How well have you gotten to know him?” he asked. Then his eyes narrowed as his expression tightened into a scowl. “Have you slept with him?”

Minnie felt herself go scarlet. She and Rocco had never really talked about their sex lives. She’d introduced him to one or two of her boyfriends over the years, and she’d met some of the women he’d dated, but that was about as far as it had ever gone.

Rocco sighed and pulled her into a hug, finishing with a kiss on her cheek. “Watch the show, Mins.”

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