Mona Ingram's Blog, page 6

New Release

Never Look Back:  Book Three in The Women of Independence series.Maya Kincaid lacks for nothing. At least that’s what she tells herself. Sometimes an entire day will go by when she doesn’t think about the man who still owns her heart; the man she met for a few dazzling, sun-filled days all those years ago. The man she’s never forgotten.US Link:   http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HG2X5D4UK Link:   http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00HG2X5D4

Sex or Story?

As a romance author, I read a lot. In between reading romance, I delve into other genres and over the past couple of years I’ve found many great new authors. New to me, that is. Among them:
Russell Blake:  Russell has exploded onto the scene in the past couple of years, garnering a legion of fans with his Jet series, his Assassin series, and his newest, featuring Artemus Black, a series he describes as ‘hard-boiled, noir detective’. I’ve read and enjoyed most of Russell’s books.
George Wier:  George’s book, Long Fall From Heaven, co-authored with Milton T. Burton, has recently been named as one of MysteryPeople’s Top 5 Texas Mysteries of 2013.
Nick Russell:  Nick’s newest, Dog’s Run is receiving rave reviews. More than a finely crafted mystery, it picks you up and sets you down in a small Ohio town in the 1950s. The language, the descriptions, the undercurrents are so powerful you feel you’re there!
   But I digress... as usual. For those of you who read romance, you can’t help but notice the trends these days. All the ‘grey’ covers, for example. Now where did that idea come from? All of the bared chests with sharply defined abs. Shirts hanging open. And billionaires. According to the current wave of romance books, in most big cities, women must be wading through waist-deep piles of billionaires!   Am I knocking these things? Absolutely not. That’s what romance is, after all... it’s fantasy. I have plenty of fantasy in my own books, and it’s fun.   So what’s my point? My point is that in most of the romances I’ve read lately, the story takes a back seat to the sex. Romances are becoming little more than a series of sex scenes, linked by the thinnest story line you can possibly imagine. And that bothers me.   Give me some story with my sex. Please. Make me care about the characters. Tell me why they do what they do. I don’t care if they have sex the day they meet, or a month later, or ten years later. I personally feel that a romance needs some sex – be it implied, or explicit. But please! Give me a story as well to hold my interest. Without that, frankly, too many of the current romances out there are boring.   And nobody likes boring.

Link to my Amazon page:  http://www.amazon.com/Mona-Ingram/e/B001JSDJVO/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1387075112&sr=8-2-ent#/ref=la_B001JSDJVO_pg_2?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_82%3AB001JSDJVO&page=2&ie=UTF8&qid=1387075166

Happy Endings

Friends often ask me which of my books is my favourite. I invariably fall back on the overused comment about choosing between our children. You’d think I could come up with something more original, but there you go...I’ve been putting together a couple of ‘bargain bundles’ the past few days, which entails scanning through the formatting.  While doing so, I found myself pausing here and there to admire a well constructed sentence, or an evocative turn of phrase. What’s that you say? I’m not supposed to admire my own writing? Too bad; every writer does it.Where was I? Oh, yes. I love endings. Maybe because I write romance, and to my way of thinking, romance endings should be positive, if not an outright happily-ever-after love fest.Let’s face it, you know within the first chapter or so, who’s going to get together. Rarely are we fooled about that. I prefer to weave the romance in and around an interesting storyline, but that’s just me, trying to give the reader her/his money’s worth.I have a few movies I’ll watch just for the endings. I love the ending of the first part of the Bourne Trilogy, where Jason Bourne walks into the scooter rental shop. And I really love the ending of The Shawshank Redemption, where Red walks down the beach at Zihuatanejo.This ending is one of the sweetest I’ve written. It’s from Fallen Angel, and I tear up every time I read it. There’s a lot going on in this book, so I won’t spoil that for you. But here’s the ending:
EpilogueTen months later.“Do I have to wear this?” Mark tugged impatiently at his bow tie.“Yes.” Bradley straightened it for the third time.“But why?”“Because your mother wants you to.” He checked his own reflection. “See...we match.”Mark gave him a look that made it clear what he thought of that.“Come on, we’re supposed to be out there first.”They walked out into the sunlight. All of their friends and family were there, plus Candy and Matt, Faith and Jason, Fran Shaw and her husband, everyone from the law office; even Will and his new lady friend. Her father and his new wife were in the front pew, next to Laura’s grandmother, who had tears in her eyes when Bradley walked down the aisle with his best man, Mark.As they approached the white tent a jet flew overhead and Bradley shielded his eyes to look up.“What is it?” asked Mark. It was a game they played all the time.“It’s a private job. A Citation. Nice ride.”“Yeah, nice ride. Can you fly it?”“Oh, I think so.” Bradley grinned.“Would you teach me how to fly some day?” His hand crept into Bradley’s.“Yes, I will.”“Promise?”“Promise.”Laura and Hayley appeared on the steps. Laura in a simple white sheath that touched the grass and Hayley in a pale pink chiffon dress that she had picked out herself. They both wore baby’s breath in their hair. They walked together up the aisle and Bradley bent over to pick up his daughter.“Hey, Mom.” Mark tugged at her dress, and she looked at her son. “Dad says he’s going to teach me to fly! Can you believe it?”“Sure can,” she said, looking at Bradley with love in her eyes. “He teaches me to fly every day.”
* * *
Fallen Angel is available as a stand-alone book, and is also included in my new Canadian Romance Collection #2. A real bargain, by the way!
Link to Fallen Angel on Amazon: 
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006GEQ1AC  Canadian Romance Collections will take a couple of days to become active on Amazon. 

Hot New Cover - Same Great Story

My cover designer, Suzie O'Connell of Wellman Creek Books has done it again. I asked her to update the cover for Deception, and here's what she came up with:


...and in case you haven't read Deception, here's the first chapter. Do I want you to buy it? You bet I do!  By the way, I'm offering this book at the greatly reduced rate of $0.99 during the week of December 9th, so mark your calendar.
Here are the Amazon Links:
US Link:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NWIBF6UK Link:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005NWIBF6


 And here's that first chapter:

And the Last Two Covers Are...

Brush With Destiny.
This story is close to my heart, as I love the Gulf Islands off the coast of British Columbia. They're wild, beautiful and sophisticated all at once, and are positioned in an area where Orca pods J, K and L can be seen. The romance is sad in some parts, but it's also uplifting, and ultimately satisfying. I hope you agree.


Here's the Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Brush-with-Destiny-ebook/dp/B00A9SCZO2








The Reluctant Rockstar


The Badlands of Alberta make a wonderful setting for a romance about a journalist and a palaeontologist who shuns interviews. The story is peopled with interesting characters, as well as being set in Canada's dinosaur country. Just enough technical stuff to make it interesting, without interfering with the romance. I hope you'll give it a try.


Here's the Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Reluctant-Rockstar-ebook/dp/B00A2NHMDS

Sometimes I Surprise Myself

No kidding. I can still do that!As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I’d thought that my five books with my former publisher would languish and eventually fade away. I was ready to accept that, albeit reluctantly.  As a goodbye gesture, I re-read them, just before Amazon’s Montlake Press took them over. And surprise, surprise, these are great story lines! Yes, there are the traditional romantic entanglements, but the stories are fresh and unique. I’m proud of them, and now even moreso, with Montlake’s new covers.  Here are two more:
But Not For MeMany of us can relate to this story. Erin is a chef, and frankly, a little heavier than she’d like to be. She accepts a new position at a floating fishing lodge on the West Coast of British Columbia. On the way there, the boat she’s traveling in sinks, and she’s stuck with three other people on the beach. I like this one, and am so happy to see it revived.Here’s the link:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A9T5W50








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The Shell GameI was inspired to write this one when I visited cottage country in Ontario. The Muskokas are famous as boating and cottage country, and my husband grew up in the area. Rebecca inherits a bed and breakfast lodge when her grandmother dies, but her wily grandmother has left a surprise:  She must share it with the man who broke her heart on the night of her school graduation. Fun, light, and ultimately romantic, it’s a great story.Here’s the link:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A2FTIQK

Thank You, Montlake Press

It's been about a year and a half since Amazon acquired my former publisher. To be honest, I hadn't expected that those five books would see the light of day again. Boy! Was I wrong about that.
  As you can imagine, it's been a huge undertaking for Amazon's Montlake division (romance) to get a handle on all those books. As one of their many authors, I requested that they consider creating new covers for my books. Let's be honest, the old covers were some of the worst ever designed.
  Just today, Montlake has completed the new designs and uploaded them to the Amazon sales pages. They've done a great job in branding my books so they're recognizable as being from the same author. Great job, Montlake.
   My worse cover - hands down - was for my last book for that publisher: The Gift. Here's the new cover they gave it. So attractive... and it's actually a scene from the book. I've always liked this story; it takes place just north of where I live now, on a large lake known all over North America for houseboating.
  If you'd like to check it out, here's the link on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Gift-ebook/dp/B00A9TOWJC/

The Last Goodbye is Live

    I'm delighted to announce that Book Two of The Women of Independence series is now live at Amazon.com
Here are the links, and I hope you'll check it out:

US Link:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G4QWWMIUK Link:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00G4QWWMI
Thanks! 

Coming Soon:

COMING SOON. Book Two of The Women of IndependenceHere’s a sample: Chapter OneThe jet carrying the movie people was due to land any moment. Danielle draped her arms over the top rail of the fence and listened for the sound.She still didn’t understand why her Uncle Jake had allowed the production company to shoot on his ranch. He certainly didn’t need the money, or the upheaval that would inevitably take place. But she did understand friendship, and Jake Flynn’s long-time friend Sean Elliott was the producer on this film.She glanced at her uncle as they waited for the Gulfstream. Not for the first time, she wondered how he’d managed to stay single all these years. “Big Jake” Flynn had a reputation as a confirmed bachelor, but who exactly had ‘confirmed’ his bachelor status?How did other people see him? The silver streaks in his hair and moustache were offset by a darkly tanned face. Still strikingly handsome in his late forties, she knew several women in town who would be more than delighted to put an end to his single days. A respected rancher, he not only owned the largest spread in the southern part of British Columbia, he was a savvy investor as well. Very few people knew that Jake Flynn was wealthy in his own right.She turned away so it wasn’t so obvious that she was studying him. Sometimes he was an enigma, even to her. Educated at Wharton, of all places, he’d chosen to come back and run the family ranch when her parents and her grandfather had died within a few months of each other. He didn’t seem to resent the responsibility thrust upon him; as a matter of fact he was probably the most content man she knew.She leaned over the fence. The runway was a prime example of Jake’s quiet determination. He’d wanted it to be long enough to accommodate his friend’s Gulfstream, so he’d had the existing landing strip extended and improved. It was as simple as that.The high pitched whine of a jet broke into her thoughts and she backed away from the fence, shading her eyes to scan the sky. There was very little wind today, and judging by the windsock fluttering listlessly on the pole by the hangar, the pilot would be making his approach from the south. She turned and caught the flash of a reflection, and for a moment, the Gulfstream seemed to hang suspended in the air.She glanced over at Big Jake, just in time to notice a change in his body language. Alert now, his eyes narrowed as he judged the competence of the pilot. A pilot himself, with thousands of hours in his logbook, Jake flew his own Cessna all over North America, but he’d confided in her once that his dream was to get checked out on small jets. Finding the time was something else.The dark blue aircraft touched down at the end of the runway, and the sound of the engines reversing reached them moments later. Sunlight glinted off the silver star on the tail. Apart from the call sign, no other markings identified the aircraft, and Danielle admired the restraint of the owner.“Starfire Productions”, said Jake, as though he’d read her mind. He looked more alive than she’d seen him in ages. “What a sweet ride.”Danielle nodded and tried to look impressed. She loved her uncle, and understood his fascination with aircraft, but in her limited experience, private jets were the toys of the wealthy... people who thought the rules didn’t apply to them. She thought about that for a moment and admitted to herself that she probably shouldn’t make judgments based on what she saw on television.“What’s your friend like?” she asked, injecting enthusiasm into her voice. The pilot taxied in close, cutting the engines as the nose gear came to rest in the circle on the tarmac.Jake’s reply was loud in the ensuing silence. “He’s great.” He coughed self-consciously and lowered his voice. “You’ll like him.” Jake and Sean had studied finance together at Wharton, and the friendship was as strong today as it had been all those years ago.The door opened and the steps unfolded slowly. Jake continued to lean against the fence, an eager smile on his face.The bottom half of a man appeared in the door, wearing a pair of faded jeans and well-worn cowboy boots. He came down the steps and looked around, his gaze resting lightly on Jake and Danielle before taking in the rest of the valley. He was too young to be the producer. This man was in his early thirties; he looked tired, and he needed a shave. Or was that the look affected by so many models and actors these days?She watched him carefully as he took in his surroundings. No, he was tired. She may not know the man, but she could tell that he needed the peace and quiet of Green Lake Ranch in the worst way.Too bad he was part of the movie crew; it was unlikely he’d get much rest once filming started. “Who’s that?” she asked, eager to get an early start on learning the key players. She’d met Scott Bailey, “The First”, and Marty Milner, the Second AD a couple of months back, when they’d been scouting the location. Only a few key people were expected today, but she might as well get a head start on their names.Jake shot her a quick look. “That’s the Director, Grayson Crawford. He’s...” His voice trailed off. Danielle frowned and turned back to the aircraft to see what had distracted him.The man in jeans had extended his hand to a woman who stood tentatively in the open door. Somewhere in her forties, she could only be described as lushly beautiful.Jake’s boot scraped on the tarmac as he straightened. His gaze was riveted on the woman as she walked down the stairs. He sucked in his gut and pulled his hat slightly lower over his eyes. Danielle smiled to herself as she watched her uncle’s response. It struck her that even though she’d spent every summer on the ranch since she turned eight, she didn’t really know him. They rarely discussed personal issues; those she talked over with her grandmother, or with Jake’s housekeeper Esperanza.Another figure appeared in the doorway of the jet, breaking Jake out of his trance. He swallowed, and rubbed his hands down the side of his jeans. “There’s Sean,” he said, regaining his voice. “I guess I’d better go and welcome them.”Danielle nodded silently. She’d never met Sean Elliott, in spite of the fact that he’d visited often over the years. Growing up, she’d been a busy young woman, and they’d always missed one another. She looked forward to finally meeting the producer, but she’d give the old friends time to catch up; she would see him tonight at dinner. Besides, she wanted to check the progress of the set she’d been working on.The movie – as yet unnamed – was basically a love triangle involving two brothers, one of whom has been recently paralyzed in a fall from a horse. In the story, the second brother arrives for a visit, and falls in love with the paralyzed man’s wife. Danielle thought of it as The Bridges of Madison County meets An Affair To Remember.Thanks to the friendship between her uncle and Sean Elliott, the choice of Green Lake Ranch for most of the exterior shots had been a foregone conclusion. When the producer had learned that she owned a construction company specializing in renovations, he’d quietly steered some of the construction work her way... as much as he could and still keep the unions happy. She had also agreed to serve as standby carpenter to the film while they were immersed in principal photography.As part of his duties as Second AD, Marty Milner had chosen one of the two large barns on the property as the perfect place to build the set for one of the important scenes in the movie. Danielle’s company had contracted to create a tack room according to the plans provided. She’d done most of the work herself, and was proud of what she’d accomplished. All that was left to do before the set dressers went to work was to apply an ‘aging’ compound to the wood.Green Lake Ranch had been a dude ranch before Jake purchased it. As a result, it had two large barns, a long, low stable building, a well equipped bunkhouse, and several cabins near the main house. Over the years, Jake had added a large barbeque area, located strategically near the cabins and the bunkhouse. Located some distance away, a hangar for Jake’s Cessna and a drive-in shed for the growing collection of farm equipment added to the outbuildings. From the air, the area around the big house resembled a small town.Almost at the barn, Danielle slowed for a moment, taking in the familiar scene. Over the next couple of days, the crews would arrive and everything would change. Already several portable buildings lined the road leading into the ranch, and more were arriving tomorrow. This production was comparatively uncomplicated, but even so, the meticulous planning was mind-boggling.She walked into the barn and waited a moment for her eyes to adjust. The tack room set was nearing completion and she stood back to admire it. “Hey, Nick.” She greeted her foreman. “How’s it going?” Thank goodness for Nick’s loyalty; he’d chosen to stay when Bryce had poached some of her best employees last month. She gave herself a mental shake. Best not to think of that now.Nick stood up, brush in hand. “This stuff is great.” He’d almost finished applying the compound, completing the effect of an old, well-used tack room. The literature accompanying the product had called it “instant aging”.“Do you mind if I give it a go?” Danielle took the proffered brush, held it to her nose and made a face. “Smells terrible.”Nick laughed. “Why do you think I passed it over so quickly?” He pointed to a spot down low on the tack room wall. “That will probably be covered by straw bales, but I want to do it right. You can try it out there.”

Chapter TwoGrayson released Carmen’s hand and looked up to see the tall man approaching. He’d spotted him earlier, leaning against the fence with a young woman... probably his daughter. He looked for her but she’d disappeared.“Sean!” The man extended his hand. “Good to see you again.”Grayson worked to hide his surprise. So this was the owner of the ranch. Sean had pointed out the extent of the man’s holdings as they flew over the property, and he’d imagined Sean’s friend as more of a businessman. The man before him moved with the loose-limbed gait of a cowboy, and the sweat band on his hat was stained with real sweat. Grayson had seen enough movie prop hats to spot the difference. He liked the man already.The ranch owner stumbled over his words as Sean introduced him to Carmen. Grayson had to look away to hide his amusement. Carmen affected men like this on a regular basis; if she was younger, he’d fall for her himself. Well, maybe not this week; he was still too raw from his recent breakup, not that his relationship with Melanie had been serious, but still...He turned back to the small group. What was the man’s name? He’d read it in his notes. Oh yes, Jake. Jake was shaking hands with Carmen, and smiling like a schoolboy.Carmen Santangelo. In her way, she was a Hollywood legend. Maybe she wasn’t a mega-star, but in Grayson’s mind, she was more than that: she was a real woman. In addition to her beauty, she was one of the most professional actors he’d worked with. She always knew her lines and never kept the crew members waiting. As to her physical attributes, she’d never been stick-thin, and now that other actresses of her era were aging badly, Carmen shone like the movie star she was, and men of all ages lusted after her. Dark eyes snapped with amusement as she shook hands with Jake. She laughed as a breath of wind toyed with her hair, tangling it in her long eyelashes.Grayson had been happily surprised when he learned that she’d be playing the part of the mother, but according to Sean, she’d lobbied hard for the part, even though she only had a few lines. She wasn’t on the shooting schedule for several days, but she must have used her friendship with Sean, as well as her star power, to wrangle an invitation to come early. It was obvious that the ranch owner wouldn’t mind at all.“I’m delighted to be here,” she said, retrieving her hand from Jake’s grasp. “Sean has told me what good friends you are.” She smiled up at the Producer, who grinned down at her as if he’d just discovered her. “And thank you for allowing us to stay in your home.”Jake seemed to regain control of his senses. “My pleasure.” He gestured to an old army-surplus Jeep. “I’ll drive you over to the house now if you like. Enrique can come and get the bags later.”Grayson cast an appreciative glance at the old Jeep. The vehicle was in top notch condition. The man could afford to buy any transportation he desired, but he chose this old classic instead, and kept it maintained. Grayson liked him even more.“If you don’t mind, I’d like to check out the set the local fellow is building.” Grayson directed his remarks to Sean, but stuck out his hand to Jake. “Grayson Crawford.”Jake’s grip was firm. “Welcome to Green Lake Ranch.”“Gray’s our Director.” Carmen directed her remarks to Jake, but looked at Grayson fondly. “This is my second picture with him, and I’m looking forward to it, even if I do have just a small part.”Two men had been standing back, watching the exchange with interest. Sean drew them forward. “You remember Scott and Marty from their visit earlier.”Jake greeted the First and Second ADs. “Of course. Welcome back.” He guided the group toward the Jeep. “Hop in, and I’ll show everyone around.”* * *Grayson hadn’t realized that he was holding his breath until the Jeep pulled away. He exhaled slowly and turned in a circle, pleased by what he didn’t see. There were no jet contrails to mar the achingly blue sky, nor were there any power lines in sight. It was a rare farm that wasn’t criss-crossed with wire.The ranch was situated in a broad, shallow valley. Hills rose in the distance, almost completely covered by stands of trees. Aspens appeared here and there among the Ponderosa Pines, their shiny leaves fluttering in the rising breeze. A stream ran lazily through the bottom of the valley, widening in front of the ranch house to create a good-sized lake. As he watched, several ducks landed at the far end, but they were too far away for him to make out what kind. It didn’t matter; just the sight of them gave him pleasure.Two barns stood a quarter of a mile away, glowing red in the late afternoon sun. He headed toward them, eager to check on the progress of the set.He focused his thoughts on the movie as he strode toward the barns. The scene that would be shot in the tack room was pivotal. Played to perfection, it could be the type of scene that would have the critics shouting “Oscar” for the actors in question. He’d gone over it in his head so many times, he knew every word of dialogue the characters would speak. Obsessive, perhaps, but he wasn’t about to let this one get away from him.He glanced inside the first barn. Empty, except for a few large hay bales left over from last year. He nodded to himself and walked to the second barn, eyeing it critically. The AD had chosen well; this tall structure would easily accommodate the overhead shot he had planned. He stood in the open doorway and squinted, allowing his eyes to adjust. Music played softly in the background; he thought he recognized Alan Jackson. He followed the sound and stood in the doorway of the set, not believing his eyes.“Hold it right there!” he commanded.The slender figure in the corner stood up, brush in hand. He was surprised to see that it was the young woman who’d been with Jake earlier. What in the world was she doing here on his set?“No, no, no,” he cried. “This is all wrong. Where’s the contractor?” he turned to Nick. “Are you Danny?”The young woman took a step forward, her eyes flashing angrily. “If you’re going to yell at anyone, yell at me.”He stopped and stared at her. A thin shaft of late afternoon sun slanted across her face, illuminating the wispy strands of blonde hair that had escaped from the loose braid that hung down her back.“There!” he said, pointing at Danielle. “That’s exactly the effect I’m going for.” He took her by the shoulders and moved her to the end of the room. “But I need it here, by the door.”Danielle looked at the wall, then back at him. “What door?”“Exactly!” He dropped his hands. “I need that natural sunshine.” He walked around to the open barn doors. “See those doors? The sun shines in there between ten thirty in the morning and noon. The door in the set was specifically placed to take advantage of that.”Danielle frowned. “Not according to the plans. Nick and I built this set, and I can assure you there was no door there.”“You built it?” he looked from Nick to Danielle, then back to Nick.Nick grinned and pointed. “It was mostly her.”Danielle had to admit she was enjoying herself.Grayson shoved his hat back on his head. “Why am I even discussing this with you? Just put me in touch with Danny.”Danielle considered his words for a moment. “I suppose apologies are in order.”Grayson looked at her like she was crazy. “His apology is the last thing I want. I’m going to tear him a new one.”“That’s not what I meant.”He took a deep breath. “All right. What exactly did you mean?”She walked across the make-believe tack room to where three bales of hay had been stacked to make a makeshift table, grabbed a rolled-up set of plans and slapped them into his hand.“I thought maybe you wanted to apologize. And by the way, I’m Dani.”“You’re Danny?” He said it as he unrolled the plans, held them open with both hands, and studied them. “Danielle Flynn, Okanagan Restorations. I wish I could say I’m delighted to meet you, but that wouldn’t be true now, would it?” She glared at him.Grayson released the plans as though they’d burned his hand. They curled up, bouncing softly on the makeshift table. “Grayson Crawford. I’m the director.” He gestured to the plans. “Wrong set of plans.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Looks like I do owe you an apology.”“Think nothing of it.” Dani’s words were laced with sarcasm. “A little shouting match is a great way to begin a working relationship.” She tapped the wall with her knuckles. “You know, the tricky part about building this set was making it free-standing. Putting a door here shouldn’t be too difficult.”A small smile flitted across his lips. “Now you’re really making me feel like a jerk.”She let him stew for a moment before she replied. “Listen, you’ve had a long day. Jake is probably serving drinks up at the big house right now, and Nick and I have been working since early this morning. Why don’t we get together early tomorrow and figure this out.” It wasn’t a question.His shoulders came down a full inch and he gave her what he hoped was a charming smile. “Good idea.” He looked around the set and nodded. “I can see you’ve done a nice job.”Dani nodded.“Will I see you at dinner, then?”“I don’t think so, Grayson.”“Call me Gray.”“I don’t think so, Grayson. It takes me a while to calm down when I get riled; I wouldn’t be very good company tonight.” She turned and walked out.Grayson watched her go, and tallied up the score. Dani 1, Gray 0. He waited for her to look back to see if he was watching, but she disappeared around the corner without a backward glance, her braid bouncing against her back. He had to smile in spite of himself.* * *“Way to go, Boss.” Nick caught up with her. “I put your brush away.”Damn, he was going to make her smile! And she’d been trying so hard to hold on to her anger. Anything to distract from the jolt of awareness that had shot through her when Grayson had grasped her by the shoulders. “You can thank me tomorrow.”“Okay, Nick. I get it. I didn’t follow my own rules about cleaning up.” She broke down and smiled at him. “Thanks.”“I’ll see you in the morning, okay?” He looked past her to the big house. “Are you going to go and make nice now?”She followed his gaze to the sprawling ranch house. Built on a knoll, it had a commanding view. She knew every inch of the old place; had been spending her summers there for the past twenty years. Green Lake Ranch had also been her sanctuary in times of grief. Her uncle, his housekeeper Esperanza and her husband Enrique were three of the four most important people in Danielle’s life. Her grandmother, Orla Flynn, made up the fourth. She was blessed to know each and every one of them.“Not tonight, Nicky.” A horse nickered in the stable and she turned toward the sound. “I think I’ll take Fleet for a ride. We both need it.”“Good plan. I’ll see you in the morning.”* * *Grayson’s steps slowed as he approached the big house. He could hear soft laughter and the clink of ice cubes from the direction of the front verandah, but he wasn’t in the mood to join the others, and took a few tentative steps toward the back of the house. As he stood there contemplating his next move, a screen door opened, and a short, round, dark-skinned woman came out carrying an old enamel pitcher. White, with cobalt blue trim, it reminded him of the old enamel drinking cup his mother had kept out by the well when he was young.The woman hummed softly to herself as she watered the flower bed by the back door. A riot of colour, it was well tended. He cleared his throat and she looked up.“Senor Crawford?” Bright, dark eyes assessed him with interest.He closed the distance between them. “That’s right. I apologize for not going around to the front.”She brushed away his concern with a flick of her hand. “Not a problem. You can come in through the kitchen any time.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Just don’t let in any flies.”He laughed out loud; it felt good. “You sound just like my mother.”She walked up the low set of stairs and opened the screen door. “Your mother is Mexican?”He chuckled. “No, I mean about the flies.”She watched him close the door and seemed satisfied. “No woman likes flies in her kitchen.” She motioned toward the selection of salads, meats, pickles, spreads and a variety of breads that were set out on the kitchen table, covered by plastic wrap. “Dinner is informal tonight. A cold buffet. You have time for a drink with the others, if you wish.”“Thanks, but I wouldn’t be very good company tonight. I think I’ll go to my room for a while.” He frowned. “What’s your name?”“Esperanza.”He smiled. “I went to school with a girl named Esperanza.” He stuck out his hand. “I’d feel more comfortable if you call me Grayson, or Gray.”“Well, Grayson,” she picked up a couple of the platters. “Your room is on the second floor. Last room on the right at the end of the hall, and if you want to go outside without coming back through the house, there’s a set of stairs off the end of the hall.” She pointed to the meat platters. “Bring one of those, would you?” She walked into the dining room. “Since it’s a cold dinner, you can help yourself later if you like.”“Thanks.” He picked up a couple of the platters. “I’ll help you move all this stuff, then go to my room.”Chapter ThreeGrayson splashed cold water on his face, then dried off with a towel, studying his reflection in the mirror. He was tired and it showed, but even so, he shouldn’t have snapped at that young woman.He looked longingly at the bed, but if he lay down, he’d sleep for hours, and it was too early to turn in for the evening. Maybe Esperanza had sensed his need to be alone when she told him about the outside stairs.He tossed the extra shirts and underwear he’d brought into a drawer and hung up two spare pair of jeans. The rest could wait; he needed to get outside and breathe some more of that clean air.He paused just outside his door and listened to the voices. Perfect timing; the others had moved from the verandah into the house. He opened the door and stood on the landing for a moment to get his bearings. His inner compass told him he was looking south. Ever since he’d been old enough to understand the workings of the solar system, he’d been interested in the sun’s movement in relation to earth. That knowledge had informed his understanding of the importance of lighting when he’d started shooting video all those years ago.The sun had disappeared behind the hills to the southwest, and he knew without looking that the verandah would be deep in shadow. He made his way down the stairs and around to the front.Grayson sank into a large, comfortable chair and a sigh escaped his lips. He’d looked forward to this decompression time more than he cared to admit. He let his head fall back, closed his eyes and thought about the weeks ahead.He needed this film. How many times had he heard the old expression “You’re only as good as your last film?” Dozens? Hundreds? Whatever... he’d always brushed it aside, considering the expression overly dramatic in a town accustomed to drama.He still didn’t believe it had happened to him... but it had.Since his first real job in Hollywood, his career had been built on a steady progression of good, profitable films. He’d checked every box on the list of clichés: paid his dues, learned his craft, brought his productions in on time and on budget, kept the talent happy, and he’d never, ever, had a flop. Until he’d made the mistake of agreeing to direct the picture he now thought of as the picture from hell.He’d sensed it when he took the first meeting with the producer, but he was riding high, and he’d allowed himself to get cocky. He’d directed two hugely successful movies in a row, surprising even the money men. And he’d allowed his success to go to his head. He’d thought he detected flashes of brilliance in an otherwise lacklustre script, but he’d been mistaken. He’d also been mistaken to think he could draw a decent performance from the actor chosen to play the leading man. Grayson wasn’t the only one who hadn’t known about the actor’s cocaine habit, surprising in a town that thrives on gossip. He still wondered how the production had managed to get insurance on the actor.Long before the film was released, Grayson knew it was going to bomb. The trouble was, so did everyone else in Hollywood, and the powers that be had refused to invest any more money in what they had decided was a losing proposition – thus ensuring that it would, indeed, become just that. Those in the know whispered among themselves that Grayson’s hands had been tied from the beginning, but that didn’t excuse the fact that he’d associated himself with the production in the first place; he should have known better. It was a mistake he was unlikely to make again.Grayson had worked with Sean Elliott before and was grateful when Sean drew him aside one evening at a party and told him about the current film. He trusted Sean as much as he trusted anyone in Hollywood, but he’d still checked on every facet of the production before climbing on board. One of the deciding factors had been Sean’s desire to come up here to British Columbia for the exterior shoots. Grayson suspected that Sean had invested his own money in this production, a definite no-no in the film industry. But financing the film gave the producer the freedom to do things his own way, a fact that Grayson appreciated. They could have found acceptable locations in California, but Sean had confessed that he wanted to shoot on his old friend’s ranch, and after seeing the preliminary footage, Grayson had welcomed the chance to get away from Hollywood.The only fly in the ointment so far was the slip-up on the set they’d had built here. The girl was right... it was a small thing, and could readily be fixed. He made a mental note to apologize again for good measure.He had a talented gaffer on this production who could create virtually the same effect, but he’d become almost obsessed with this scene. He wanted that warm, golden sunlight to fall on Andrea in much the same way as the stray shaft of light had turned Danielle’s hair the colour of ripe wheat. For a moment, he allowed himself to imagine her hair loosened and swirling around her face.He frowned at the direction of his thoughts. The last thing he needed now was a distraction. Especially one as appealing as Danielle Flynn.* * *Danielle saddled Fleet and headed north along the bottom of the valley. An old bridge spanned the creek in a narrow spot, and she crossed slowly, checking to see if she could spot any trout lurking in the shadows beneath the bridge. When she was young, she’d come out here and lure the trout out by tossing chunks of bread into the water. After a while, she learned to recognize the dark shapes under the bridge, facing into the current. She hadn’t checked on them in years.She looked into the sky, judging that she had a little more than two more hours of daylight. Enough time for a leisurely ride up the far side of the creek, toward the old mining town of Silverton. She wasn’t angry any more, but Fleet needed the exercise, and Danielle wasn’t hungry yet. By the time she got back, the others would have eaten, and she’d be able to grab a quick sandwich in the kitchen.* * *“There you are, Mija.” Esperanza greeted Danielle as she entered the kitchen a couple of hours later. “Your uncle was looking for you at dinner time.”“I’m sorry, Esperanza.” Dani gave the housekeeper a quick kiss on the cheek on her way to examine the leftovers in the refrigerator. “I just didn’t feel like being with people tonight. I took Fleet for a ride.”The housekeeper muttered under her breath.Danielle had spied a platter of roast beef and placed it on the counter with some pickles and a loaf of crusty bread. “What did you say?”“I said you’re not the only one.” Esperanza wiped her hands on her apron and turned to face the young woman who had become like her own daughter. “Senor Crawford felt the same way.”“And how was that?”Both women turned to see Grayson standing in the doorway.Danielle studied him for a long moment. He appeared more relaxed, and she offered him a tentative smile. “I was saying that I hadn’t wanted to eat with the others and Esperanza said you felt the same.”Grayson eyed the food. “She’s right, but I’m sure hungry now.” He addressed the housekeeper. “Is it okay if I make myself a sandwich?” He made a show of licking his lips.Esperanza looked from Grayson to Danielle. “Go ahead. There are salads left over as well, if you’re interested.” She dug out a chopping board and laid it in front of Grayson, along with everything he’d need to assemble a sandwich.Danielle’s eyes widened at the easy camaraderie between Grayson and the housekeeper.“Do you two know each other?” She speared a pickle and popped it into her mouth.“We met earlier.” Grayson grinned at Esperanza and it was all Danielle could do not to groan aloud. She couldn’t help but wonder how often he used that smile to get what he wanted.He picked up the bread knife, cut two thick slices and then waved the knife, a question in his eyes.“Sure, I’ll take a couple as well.” She grabbed two plates, handed him one, and set about assembling her sandwich.He watched her for a moment, and then did the same. Bread, butter, mustard, and a pile of thinly sliced rare roast beef. She put a few slices of pickle on his plate and sat at the table in the kitchen, where Esperanza had placed some large napkins.“Beer, Senor Grayson?”“Normally I’d love one, but tonight I’d really like a glass of milk, if you have any.”“Si.” Esperanza looked questioningly at Danielle, who nodded. She wasn’t sure why Esperanza was peppering her conversation so liberally with Spanish words. Maybe there was something about Grayson that reminded her of home.A couple of glasses of milk appeared and Danielle realized that Grayson was waiting for her to sit down.He raised one eyebrow. “Do you mind if I join you?”Danielle hesitated, torn between her previous anger with him and the desire to get to know him.  “Not at all.” She made a motion to the seat across the table. He sat and looked eagerly at the sandwich.“Before I dig into this, I have something I’d like to say.” There was something in his voice that made Danielle look up. “I’m genuinely sorry for going off half cocked this afternoon. I hope you’ll forgive me.” Esperanza listened openly.Danielle considered making him beg for forgiveness, but thought better of it. “Apology accepted.” She closed her eyes, said a few quick words of thanks, then picked up her sandwich. “Can we eat now?”There was that grin again. “Absolutely.”Grayson moaned with pleasure. “This is fantastic. Jake’s beef, I take it?”Danielle considered his words. “You know, except for restaurant food, I don’t know if I’ve ever eaten beef that wasn’t raised here on the ranch.” She paused for a moment. “Since I was eight, at least.”They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes. Grayson drained his glass and sat back, leaving the pickles on his plate.“You want those?” Danielle pointed to the dills.“No, thanks. I don’t care for dills.”“More for me.” She slid them over to her plate. “What was that all about this afternoon?” she asked between bites. “Out there in the barn?”
The Last Goodbye is scheduled for release on 25 October

Clever Words

You don't have to be a writer to appreciate wordplay.

The Washington Post's Mensa Invitational once again invited readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.

 Here are the winners:

 1.Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.

 2.Ignoranus: A person who's both stupid and an asshole.

 3.Intaxicaton: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.

 4.Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a democrat.

 5.Bozone
( n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future. Typically found around democrats as a yellowish, gray bluish deformed elongated halo. 

 6.Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.

 7.Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high

 8.Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.

 9.Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

 10.Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)

 11.Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer.

 12.Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.

 13.Glibido: All talk and no action.

 14.Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

 15.Arachnoleptic Fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.

 16.Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.

 17.Caterpallor ( n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.


 The Washington Post has also published the winning submissions to its yearly contest in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words.

 Here are the winners:

 1.Coffee, n. The person upon whom one coughs.

 2.Flabbergasted, adj. Appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained.

 3.Abdicate, v. To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.

 4.esplanade, v. To attempt an explanation while drunk.

 5.Willy-nilly, adj. Impotent.

 6.Negligent, adj. Absentmindedly answering the door when wearing only a nightgown.

 7.Lymph, v. To walk with a lisp.

 8.Gargoyle, n. Olive-flavored mouthwash.

 9.Flatulence, n. Emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been run over by a steamroller.

 10.Balderdash, n. A rapidly receding hairline.

 11.Testicle, n. A humorous question on an exam.

 12.Rectitude, n. The formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.

 13.Pokemon, n. A Rastafarian proctologist.

 14.Oyster, n. A person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.

 15.Frisbeetarianism, n. The belief that, after death, the soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.

 16.Circumvent, n. An opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men.