When a late arrival delays their wedding ceremony, the bride and groom each have time to contemplate the path that led them to the altar. Are the complications from Daniel and Justine’s past too much to overcome? Or is their love for each other and hope for a future together enough to bring them all they need?
All I Need is a standalone novella featuring characters from award-winning writer Karen Stivali’s Meant To Be series, which was featured in Literati Literature Lovers’ Best of 2012 list.
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PRAISE FOR KAREN STIVALI
“If you haven’t read a book by Karen Stivali then you are missing out on a wonderful writer of contemporary romance.” — Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
“Karen Stivali's books are sweet and decadent and leave you hungering for more and more. Everything she writes is like chocolate on paper.” — Tiffany Reisz, author of the Original Sinners series from Mira Books
“If you're looking for engaging, soulful characters, enough drama to take you through a myriad of emotions that entail everything from laughter to anger to crying, and enough passion to make you sizzle in all the right places, then Meant To Be is the book to read…. A Recommended Read.” — BlackRaven’s Reviews
“I don't know if there is a ‘talented writers gene’ that sets some apart from others; but if there is, then Karen Stivali has it.” — Literati Literature Lovers
“A true gem.” — Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews on Holding On
“Sigh. That's what I always feel like doing after reading one of Miz Stivali's novels. I just want to sit here, with my hand over my heart, and sigh. And smile. Because there is something so innately sweet and heartfelt about her characters and their love.” — Romantic Book Affairs
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ALL I NEED
by Karen Stivali
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Daniel tugged at his shirt collar, trying to adjust it so the bow tie felt less like it was choking him.
“You’d better stop doing that. If your tie’s crooked in the wedding photos, Justine will kill you before you get to the honeymoon.” Brent chuckled. He, of course, appeared perfectly at home in a tux, as if he’d been born wearing one. Daniel felt more like a store mannequin, stiff and dressed by someone else.
“Never mind the honeymoon, she’d do him in before the reception,” Travis said, making Brent laugh harder. Justine’s older brothers were already married and well aware of how important it was to their sister to have a flawless wedding.
“Thanks, guys.” Daniel tried to keep from fidgeting. He just wanted the ceremony to start.
Streams of people dressed to the nines filled the ornately carved pews on the bride’s side of the church. The air hummed with chatter as they exchanged handshakes and pleasantries. Daniel knew almost none of them.
His side had no more than twenty guests. Some friends and fellow grad students, and several members of NYU’s English department. A few of his childhood mates had hoped to fly in from England, but various obstacles had kept that from happening, and he’d wound up with his future brothers-in-law as his best man and groomsmen. It was just as well. He hadn’t seen most of his old friends since he’d moved to the States eight years earlier. He couldn’t imagine his boyhood chums blending in with the high society crowd that was gathering. Even Daniel didn’t fit in, and he’d been trying since he’d first started dating Justine. Not even tea with his Mum’s stuffy co-workers at Oxford had prepared Daniel for the extravagant affairs Justine’s family considered to be every day events.
When he’d met Justine he’d been instantly taken with her. From her pale blonde hair and crystalline blue eyes, to her perfect curvaceous body, to her tireless energy, she was endlessly appealing. She glowed. Her enthusiasm about everything -- school, career, sex -- was intoxicating. It drew people to her. And Daniel was no exception.
She was a welcome