If Not for a Bee: an Alaskan Romance with a Giveaway!

On tour with Prism Book Tours.

If Not for a Bee

(Seasons of Alaska #3)
by Carol Ross
Adult Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 206 Pages

October 1st 2015 by Harlequin Heartwarming

You can't always play it safe

With four sons dependent on her, Janie Everett needs to keep her life uncomplicated. Now famous scientist Aidan Hollings is disrupting her orderly world, starting with the rescue of a...bumblebee.

Aidan is only passing through her Alaska wilderness town, and wasn't planning to bond with her two older boys. Or become so attracted to the widowed journalist. His globe-trotting days may be be over if he's able to show Janie that they can share the adventure of a lifetime--together.

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Harlequin - Kobo - Google Play

Also in the Series

Mountains Apart

(Seasons of Alaska #1)

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Harlequin - Kobo - Google Play

A Case for Forgiveness

(Seasons of Alaska #2)

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Harlequin - Kobo - Google Play

Carol Ross lives with her husband and one loveable miscreant of a dachshund in a small town in Washington close to both the ocean and the mountains. She adores the Pacific Northwest because it provides her with endless opportunities for the activities she lovesóhiking, running, skiing, and spending time outdoors. Although she enjoys reading in many genres, she writes what she loves the mostóromance, especially light-hearted stories about the fun, flirty, and often-tumultuous path toward a happily ever after. For a complete list of her books, social media links, giveaways, and other fun stuff stop by and visit her new website: carolrossauthor.com.

Website - Goodreads - Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest

What’s Your Bee Story?

Yellow jacket/party crasher/watermelon stealer

There are certain critters that in spite of their diminutive stature, never fail to strike fear in the hearts of even the bravest among us - snakes, spiders, rats, bats. I’ve even seen people get the

heebie-jeebies over cockroaches and ants. But I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything that induces sheer terror quite the way a bee does.

Around here we whisper the word “barbecue” because the dreaded yellow jackets know this word,

assume they’re invited, and will immediately go and tell their friends. They are among the smallest and yet most vicious of party crashers—darting around unafraid, brazenly stealing watermelon and lurking around soda cans. They will sting at the slightest provocation.

Yet any bee, any flying creature that even resembles a bee will generate this kind of reaction. Think about it. You’re at a summer cook out and a bee flies by. What happens? People lose their freaking minds, and quite often their dignity and composure as well. The bee doesn’t even have to be seen. Just hearing that tiny word “bee” infused with the right tinge of panic will elicit chaos.

The grumpy bald-faced hornet, otherwise known as “my nemesis.”

I’ve seen big, strong, completely rational men run screaming like babies. I’ve seen graceful, composed women gyrate around like the worst So You Think You Can Dance audition imaginable. Brave Aunt Betty uses her corn on the cob to whack at the bee with one hand while wielding her paper plate like a shield. Uncle Stan abandons both Aunt Betty and his potato salad and sprints toward the house. Chairs are overturned, drinks are spilled, plates of cherished dessert are sacrificed.  My stepdaughter will literally drop whatever is in her hands—phone, food, purse, expensive glassware, whatever, it doesn’t matter, and disappear like Speedy Gonzales. The

only person unaffected is Grandma Vera who snores softly throughout the pandemonium in her deluxe patio recliner.

The lovely and graceful, ever-busy, honeybee

Now I know what you’re all thinking. Bee stings hurt. They do. I know this. I’ve had too many to count. As a child I was blackberry picking with my best friend’s family and fell over a fallen log right into a nest of bald-faced hornets. In case any of you aren’t familiar with this type of wasp, it’s particularly aggressive and lightning fast. I’ll never forget my terror—or the pain. Luckily, my friend’s dad was picking nearby and knew immediately (by my screams no doubt) what had happened. He scooped me up and sprinted down the hill like an Olympic hurdler, scaling downed logs and pulling

bees off of me the whole way. I still consider it a miracle that I was only stung thirteen times. He suffered several stings as well. Bless his heart.

Sweet, determined, diligent bumblebee

I have a newfound respect for these industrious creatures after writing If Not for a Bee, especially the hardworking honey and the noble bumble.  In this book, scientist Aidan Hollings is in

Alaska to study the native bee populations. My research led me to so many fascinating places. Even though most of what I learned didn’t make it into the book, I feel like I know these insects so much better. The crucial role these insects play in pollination can’t be overstated. I am determined to do my part to advocate for them, to protect them, to educate to the best of my ability. Where yellow jackets are concerned, however, I will continue to whisper.

Many times when I’ve mentioned the title, If Not for a Bee, I’ve been treated to a bee story - some funny, some fraught with dramatic close calls, and still others rather traumatic (especially for those allergy sufferers like my husband.) I know many of you reading this have a similar story (or two) to share. I’d love to hear your bee story.

(I feel compelled to point out that I’ve used the word “bee” here to encompass all manner of flying, stinging, bee-looking insects. There are notable differences between bees and wasps, but that’s material for another post.)

Tour Schedule

10/11: Launch

10/12: Katie's Clean Book Collection & Zerina Blossom's Books

10/13: Thoughts of a Blonde & The Power of Words

10/14:  Christy's Cozy Corners, underneath the covers, & Teatime and Books

10/15: Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima & deal sharing aunt

10/16: Singing Librarian Books & Chill Reviews

10/18: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

- Grand Prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card & copy of If Not for a Bee (open internationally, print book to US winner, ebook to international winner)

- US Prize Pack: bee coffee mug, bee charm necklace, 17.6 ounce jar of honey, honey dipper, box of organic tea, and signed copy of If Not for a Bee (US only)

- Ends October 23rd

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