Valeri Nelan
a.k.a. Valerie Pepper
Valerie Nelan writes under the pseudonym Valerie Pepper. During the day, Valerie Nelan is Chief of Staff at Baker Donelson law firm, working with and on behalf of the Firm’s CEO and COO. In this role, she operates at a tactical, strategic, and operational level to execute on a variety of Firm priorities and initiatives. She regularly collaborates with multiple departments across the Firm, launching and overseeing special projects, monitoring them as needed, ensuring follow-through, and sustaining the necessary momentum for completion. Throughout her workday, she is a listener, advisor, proxy, doer, goalkeeper, implementer, integrator, and air traffic controller. Baker Donelson is a large, 600-lawyer firm located primarily in the southern United States.
By early morning and in the evenings, Valerie dons her “professional smut dealer” hat and writes steamy romantic comedies as Valerie Pepper. She independently published her debut novel in April 2023 and is working on the next two books in the series. The recipient of the Contemporary Romance Writers’ 2021 Stiletto Award, Valerie holds a Masters in Fiction and has been writing for nearly twenty-five years. She is an incurable optimist and a firm believer in happily ever afters, even if they take more than one try. Learn more at www.authorvaleriepepper.com or find her on social media – Instagram and TikTok are her favorites – @AuthorValeriePepper.
He’s always wanted her. She doesn’t do long term. Can he convince her to take a second chance on true love?
Devon Rayne has spent five years running from memories of the firefighter husband she lost. But when her grandmother’s will demands she return to take possession of her childhood home, she has no choice but to stay the required six months. She just needs everyone to leave her alone. And the scraggly dog that’s shown up is a definite no.
Paramedic Aaron Joseph wanted Devon the minute he saw her all those years ago. So when she falls at his feet–literally–her first day back, he figures his time has come. Lucky for him, he’s got the whole town on his side, from his meddling fire chief to some cantankerous old ladies. And the dog can definitely stay.
Aaron is ready to push past all his doubts for the woman he loves. Can Devon face her fears and open her heart to love a second time?
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the first book in the Guided to Love small town romantic comedy series. If you enjoy sizzling sex scenes, small town shenanigans with nosy busybodies and a guaranteed happy ending, then this is the book for you! Perfect for fans of Tessa Bailey, Lucy Score, and Melanie Harlow.
Valerie Nelan
