Jean C. Joachim's Blog: Stories of Love and Passion, page 55

TUESDAY TALES - PICTURE PROMPT

Picnic on the Beach
“That’s the surprise?” Caroline turned her gaze toward the four men on the dune.“I won them at the auction, a group date with the Farrell brothers.” Jenny sat back on her haunches, digging her toes in the sand.“When you said you had a ‘surprise’ for our picnic, I’d no idea…” Sue’s voice trailed off as her gaze traveled over the four handsome cowboys.“I think they’re looking for me. Be right back.” Jenny pushed to her feet, brushed sand off her bikini and made her way up the beach.“Let’s draw straws for first pick.” Mia gathered a few small sticks.“Maybe they want to pick us?” Sue raised her eyebrows.“I don’t care which one I get.” Caroline grinned.“Of course, Jenny gets first pick.” Mia said, her gaze drifting to the hunky cowboys.
****  
Jenny flipped her long blonde hair back over her right shoulder, a nervous habit. As she got closer to the men, she felt their stares sliding over her practically naked body like warm hands. She broke out in goose bumps. They’re all gorgeous.When she reached the dunes, the hunk in the ripped jeans tipped his hat to her.“Ma’am, Whit Farrell. You the lady who won us in the auction?”Jenny nodded.“I’m Jenny. I’ve got a picnic and three of my friends over there. Join us.” She pointed to the two colorful blankets laying on the sand and Caroline, Sue and Mia.“Not sure who won, here, Jenny. Those are three mighty fine lookin’ ladies over there.” Whit introduced his brothers to Jenny, then preceded her down the sand. He reached out to her. She gripped his strong, warm hand and glanced over her shoulder to the brothers following.Guess Whit picked me. She smiled.

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Interview with Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist turned Author and Screenwriter, Mark Ethridge

I met Mark Ethridge at my husband's Princeton University reunion. I write a movie review column for Carolina Parent's website, a newspaper Mark co-owns. When he told me about his book, Grievances, being turned into a movie, I got excited. This is the dream of all fiction writers.


This week, Mark rolled into town with the crew of the movie for a premiere. DH and I attended and met the director and some cast members. I wrote a review of the movie, Deadline, which I loved. When I discovered Mark and Curt, the director, met at a high school reunion and put this deal together, I knew there was a story in this you might want to read. Here's a bit from Mark about how it's done and what it feels like, from a writer's perspective.
INTERVIEW WITH MARK ETHRIDGE
1. You have won two Pulitzer Prizes, is the true story your book and movie are based on taken from one of those?
I played a key role in the The Charlotte Observer's  two Pulitzers for public service but they weren't for this story. One was for the PTL scandal involving Jimmy and Tammy Faye Bakker and the other was an investigation of the textile industry's handling of brown lung disease. 2. Since you've always written non-fiction, why did you decide to tell this story as fiction? Frankly, I am not interesting enough to be a protagonist like Matt Harper. Matt Harper incorporates many elements of my life but some are invented like the death of his brother. And the death of my father is accurately portrayed but it happened during a different investigation, not this one.  I wanted to write the best story, not the best history.

3. As a non-fiction writer, what was your biggest challenge writing your story as fiction? Was this your first foray into fiction? 

Remembering that it was okay to depart from the facts. My book editor would ask why I had written things a certain way and, at first, I would respond, "That's how it happened." He would remind me, "We don't care how it happened."

4. How did you feel about the editing process when your book was published? Jeff Kellogg improved Grievances enormously, as he did Fallout. I've learned much from him, as I have from Curt Hahn. They've always made my work better so I think they're terrific. Plus, we laugh a lot and have fun.     

5. Which do you like better, journalism or fiction writing?
Ha! That's like asking which of your children you like better.

  6. Did you have an agent to get the book published?Yes. Jeff Kellogg, who is also a great edftor. 

7. Did you use an agent to craft the movie deal or did you work it out with the director at your Exeter reunion?

Curt Hahn and I worked it out starting in Exeter and then at a meeting in Nashville. Jeff Kellogg was a good advisor in those discussions 

8. Where are you from originally, North or South?

Born in Winston-Salem, NC and have lived the last 40 years in Charlotte except for a post graduate fellowship at Harvard. But I also grew up on Long Island and in Michigan and went to school in New Hampshire and New Jersey. 

9. Why did you settle in Charlotte, was it because you found a job there first or like the region and then sought the job?

The latter. I was working in Boston after college and wanted to return to my roots 

10. It's increasingly unusual for the author of a book to write the screenplay when the book is made into a movie. Did you want to do that or did you do it to save money?

I wanted to and Curt Hahn, the director wanted me to. I was just delighted that they were willing to pay me to do it. 

11. Did you enjoy writing the screenplay? How was that different from writing the book?

I loved it for several reasons. It sharpened my writing skills. Screenplays are only 100 pages so every word counts. It gave my greater insights into character arcs and how to define them. And working with Curt Hahn as my coach was a truly wonderful collaborative experience. Writing a screenplay is very different from a booksbecause the camera does all the describing.

12. As the author of the book, you could choose what made it into the movie from the book, right?

The book author doesn't have much power in that area but the screenwriter does. Fortunately, I was both. Even then, the final decision is the director's

13. Did you cut much from the book when you turned it into a screenplay? Was it hard to pick what to keep and what to drop? Did the director play a part in that with you?

I love parts of the book that never made it into the movie, such as Mary Pell showing the reporters Wallace bedroom. But Curt and I have always been in agreement about what had to go and what needed to stay. 

14. Did you base your characters on anyone you know? Did they resemble the people from the original story?
Ronnie Bullock is based on a wonderful reporter at The Charlotte Observer named John York. He's now deceased. The managing editor, Walker Burns, is also modeled after a former colleague. Characters like Possum are very close to the people in real life.                   

15. Were you the junior reporter in the film? The Managing Editor? Both?
Matt Harper, the junior reporter.

16. In what ways has making this movie changed your life?

72 days on a movie tour bus is life-changing in itself. The best part has been getting to spend time with our audiences and reconnecting with friends night after night in 46 cities. 

17. Is your family supportive of you taking the book to a movie?

They love it. My wife and daughter appear as newsroom extras so they're pretty happy about it. 

18. What advice would you give budding fiction writers who want to turn their books into movies...besides attending Exeter, that is.

Study movies. Remember that stories are not about what happen, they're about what happen to people. 

19. How much real life from your life did you borrow for the book? Did you use that in the movie as well? 

Most first novels are necessarily autobiographical to some degree. You write what you know. 

20. Do you have plans to keep writing thrillers?

I want to tell good compelling stories that make people want to keep turning pages. That's my goal. Make them turn another page. It doesn't have to be a thriller 

21.Was working with the director sort of like working with an editor?

A very good inspiring editor. There are other kinds. 

22. What is the title of your new book? Do you play to make that into a movie as well?
Fallout is the story of a widowed weekly newspaperman and divorced physician in pursuit of an unimaginable danger that threatens their community. It's  journey through an Ohio River town’s myths, heroes and oddities, from Indian curses, to rat fishing to an alternative view of George Washington. Above all, Fallout is a story of corporate irresponsibility, of political self-interest and of a potential catastrophe that looms in most American cities.

DEADLINE   OPENS IN THE QUAD THEATER IN NYC ON APRIL 12, 2012. GO SEE IT 
COMING SOON TO BOSTON, PROVIDENCE, HARTFORD, RALEIGH, RICHMOND, NORFOLK, GREENSBORO, KNOXVILLE
OR WATCH FOR THE DVD, COMING SOON.                   

YOU MIGHT BE A WRITER IF...

 People ask me what it's like to be a writer. Here are 20 answers to that question:


1. YOU MIGHT BE A WRITER IF...people ask you, "when are you going to get a real job?"


2. YOU MIGHT BE A WRITER IF...the word "royalty" does not bring to mind either a king or queen 

3. YOU MIGHT BE A WRITER IF..."sub" refers to neither a big underwater boat  nor a sandwich.


 4. YOU MIGHT BE A WRITER IF...you have a dictionary in every room...including the bathroom.

5. YOU MIGHT BE A WRITER IF...you claim people speak to you in your head and no one has carted you off to the asylum yet.







6. YOU MIGHT BE A WRITER IF...stranded on a deserted island, you'll still have pen and paper on you.


7. YOU MIGHT BE A WRITER IF...you know four or more synonyms for the word "pulled".


8. YOU MIGHT BE A WRITER IF...you own three or more thesauruses.

9. YOU MIGHT BE A WRITER IF...sometimes you love your characters more than your family.

10. YOU MIGHT BE A WRITER IF...you obsess more about where to put a comma than where you put your keys.








11. YOU MIGHT BE A WRITER IF...you're the only one you know who owns a rhyming dictionary.


12. YOU MIGHT BE A WRITER IF... the word "edits" makes you nauseous.


13. YOU MIGHT BE A WRITER IF...a "new release" isn't a sex act on a first date.


14. YOU MIGHT BE A WRITER IF..."review" is a dirty word.


15. YOU MIGHT BE A WRITER IF...you're happy spending most of your day alone.
  

16. YOU MIGHT BE A WRITER IF...You have a dozen red pens in your desk but none in blue or black.


 





17. YOU MIGHT BE A
WRITER IF...you talk about your writing to your dog...and he answers!



18. YOU MIGHT BE A WRITER IF...sometimes you love words more than people.



 19. YOU MIGHT BE A WRITER IF..."pub" doesn't mean the local watering hole.

20. YOU MIGHT BE A WRITER IF..."freelance' isn't a euphemism for unemployed.


PLEASE ADD TO THIS LIST, I'D LOVE TO SEE YOUR COMMENTS.

Sweet Samples from "The Marriage List" & Recipe!

These snippets from my bestselling book, The Marriage List (only $.99) all involve the dinner Carrie was making for Grey. She was cooking Boeuf Bourguignon. Though she refused to give us her family's recipe, I managed to get one from The Food Network. The recipe for Beef Bourguinon follows the snippets. 

from The Marriage List
"Dinner here. Okay?" She chewed her lip.
"Your place?"
"I found an old recipe of my mom's and decided to make it. It's in the oven cooking now…smells great."
"Hmmm. What is it?"
"Boeuf Bourguinon."
"I'm impressed and salivating already."
"Keep your pants on, handsome…" Carrie smiled and sat back on the sofa, putting her feet up on the coffee table.
"What made you think…"
"Tuesday night?"
"I'm salivating in that department, too."
She laughed. "Are you assuming we'll…"
"Not assuming anything here…but a guy can hope, can't he?"
"Tomorrow will be our third date." Carrie picked up her wine glass and took a sip.
"Our fourth."
"The first one was business," she corrected him.
"That's what you think."
"It was a date? You didn't even kiss me goodnight!" She put her feet down and sat up.
"Checking you out before puckering up."
She laughed.
************************************
The Boeuf Bourguignon was in the oven, warming up. The aroma filled the apartment and seeped out from under the door, wafting down the stairs to fill the narrow hallways and tiny vestibule. The table was set with her best dishes, white with tiny butterflies and flowers in shades of lavender and light green. The small round table was covered with a lavender cloth to the floor, topped by a shorter one in darker purple layering the setting. The crystal wine and water glasses were shining and there was one silver candlestick with a light green candle perched in the middle of the table. Pretty romantic, he might get ideas. He's already got ideas, I have to make up my mind what I want to happen.
***********************************
As soon as he opened the wrought iron front door to the brownstone, Grey smelled the French stew cooking. I hope that's coming from Carrie's place. As he climbed the two flights of stairs, the aroma grew stronger and he felt his stomach rumble in response. He held an expensive bottle of red wine in one hand and a dozen red roses in the other.
***********************************
She arranged the roses he brought in a vase and put them on the coffee table, then stopped to give him a quick "thank you" kiss and returned to the kitchen. He stood in the living room looking around at the pieces of original artwork on her walls, each perfectly framed and artfully arranged, until he heard a scream, then a clatter. He ran into the kitchen to find Carrie clutching her hand, tears in her eyes.
"What happened?"
"Sometimes I forget…I picked up the pan without the mitt," she said.
Grey quickly and calmly reached into the freezer and grabbed a few pieces of ice. He took her hand, gently placed the ice on the burned skin and held it there with one hand. With the other, he took a small bowl out of the cabinet and filled it with cold water. Then he plunked the ice in the water and led her to the dinner table. She sat down and he put her hand in the ice water.
"Keep it there. I'll get the food," he said, kissing the damaged area before putting it in the bowl, wiping away a tear on her cheek with his thumb.
Carrie sat back, keeping her hand in the icy water. She watched Grey handle the casserole adeptly and get the noodles and salad to the table.
***********************************
"This is amazing," he said, closing his eyes, rolling the food around in his mouth for a few seconds.
"It's good, isn't it?" She cut the tender meat with the side of her fork, avoiding using her injured hand.
"God, it's more than good, it's incredible. You made this?"
"From mom's secret recipe." Her smile grew wide.
******************************************************** With a giant "thank you" to Ina Gartin on the Barefoot Contessa program on the Food Network
Beef Bourguignon
Rated 5 stars out of 5 
Total Time: 1 hr 45 minPrep30 minCook1 hr 15 min
Yield:6 servings Level:Intermediate Ingredients1 tablespoon good olive oil8 ounces dry cured center cut applewood smoked bacon, diced2 1/2 pounds chuck beef cut into 1-inch cubesKosher saltFreshly ground black pepper1 pound carrots, sliced diagonally into 1-inch chunks2 yellow onions, sliced2 teaspoons chopped garlic (2 cloves)1/2 cup Cognac1 (750 ml.) bottle good dry red wine such as Cote du Rhone or Pinot Noir1 can (2 cups) beef broth1 tablespoon tomato paste1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (1/2 teaspoon dried)4 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature, divided3 tablespoons all-purpose flour1 pound frozen whole onions1 pound fresh mushrooms stems discarded, caps thickly slicedFor serving:Country bread or Sour Dough, toasted or grilled and rubbed with garlic clove1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, optionalDirections Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven. Add the bacon and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is lightly browned. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a large plate.
Dry the beef cubes with paper towels and then sprinkle them with salt and pepper. In batches in single layers, sear the beef in the hot oil for 3 to 5 minutes, turning to brown on all sides. Remove the seared cubes to the plate with the bacon and continue searing until all the beef is browned. Set aside.
Toss the carrots, and onions, 1 tablespoon of salt and 2 teaspoons of pepper in the fat in the pan and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are lightly browned. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the Cognac, stand back, and ignite with a match to burn off the alcohol. Put the meat and bacon back into the pot with the juices. Add the bottle of wine plus enough beef broth to almost cover the meat. Add the tomato paste and thyme. Bring to a simmer, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and place it in the oven for about 1 1/4 hours or until the meat and vegetables are very tender when pierced with a fork.
Combine 2 tablespoons of butter and the flour with a fork and stir into the stew. Add the frozen onions. Saute the mushrooms in 2 tablespoons of butter for 10 minutes until lightly browned and then add to the stew. Bring the stew to a boil on top of the stove, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Season to taste.
To serve, toast the bread in the toaster or oven. Rub each slice on 1 side with a cut clove of garlic. For each serving, spoon the stew over a slice of bread and sprinkle with parsley.

You might want to add a salad.


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THE MARRIAGE LIST - ONLY $.99!

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TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "CHEST"

A snippet from our WIP, "Love, Lost & Found" written with Ben Tanner.This is the Tara and  Mick's first date on vacation in St. Thomas.
Tara closed the door to her room. Her palms were a little sweaty. She looked at the beads of moisture there and laughed at her own nervousness. Her room was two flights up. She walked down the stairs slowly as she was wearing high heels, apprehension mixed with anticipation sent a tingle up her spine. As she neared the lobby, she stopped to peer in cautiously, wondering if Mick was actually going to show up. It wouldn't be the first time a man got cold feet. 
Tara spied him before he saw her. Dressed in all his Marine finery, he looked devastatingly handsome. For a moment, she studied him from the hallway. There were so many medals on his chest and he stood so straight, wearing a slight frown on his face as his eyes searched the lobby. I'd never judge a man on his physical appearance alone, but a man in uniform…irresistible, sexy.  Mick seems to be…more he's sweet and the Marines make him strong and tough, in a good way, right?  She couldn't deny his sensuality, the sexual heat she absorbed from him made her want to melt in his arms. She cleared her throat, letting him know she was there.Mick heard a noise behind him and turned. His eyes grew wide and a grin spread from ear to ear as his gaze traveled from her head to her painted toes peeking out from her white sandals. 

Sweet Saturday Sample of "April's Kiss in the Moonlight"

First time this excerpt from April's Kiss in the Moonlight has ever been shared. Gavin and April are at a farm fair. April visited the rabbits in cages. She saw her future as living in a cage, too, an invisible cage built by her father. She broke down. Here is a snippet of what happens next.

Gavin took her hand and guided her out of the exhibit and into the midway area. She found a ladies room and splashed cold water on her face. Standing by herself at the sink, she felt alone, totally alone. But she knew no matter what else happened, there was no way she could go back to San Francisco. Although she didn't know where she was headed, her resolve not to return to San Francisco tightened in her gut and the decision made her sadness disappear. She decided she'd have a different life and not be a rabbit in a cage. Not ever. Not for anyone. And it made her feel more secure. Relieved, she returned to Gavin. "I hate to see any animals in cages. I can't stand it," she said. Gavin laced his fingers with hers and led her over to a quiet spot on the edge of the midway, behind the rifle shoot.   "Once my father brought home a parakeet. He used to visit it and coo to it for five minutes when he got home from work. But when he was at work, the poor bird jumped around the cage, trying to figure out how to escape and chattered as if he was looking for a mate. One day, I couldn't take it anymore and took the cage outside and opened the door. The bird flew away. My father was furious and I was punished severely. But I was happy the bird was free." Gavin squeezed her hand. "You should be free, like a beautiful bird, free to fly wherever you want." She smiled at him. "I will be. Forever . . . free. You understand, don't you?" He nodded. "I think I do. Ready?"

                                   ****************************************
A little bit about the book
How could anything bad happen to a young woman, fresh from graduate school, who strikes out on a new path rather than return to take a job with her father's firm? April McKenna sets off for an escapade that ends in tragedy. Injured and alone she is taken in by a friend of her mother's who lives in a small town in the Catskill Mountains in New York. 
 During her recovery, April resolves to carve out an exotic life of travel and adventure. But she didn't count on a sexy fireman upsetting her plans. Gavin Dailey has dated practically every woman in the county, but when he meets April, he knows he's finally found the one he wants.  Only a stubborn man like Gavin wouldn't let April's resistance to his charm and his small town change his plans. Determined to win her, he pulls out all the stops until he encounters one stumbling block he didn't count on. Only a near-tragedy resurrected from the past gives April the tenacity she needs to make the right decision for her life in April's Kiss in the Moonlight.                                 ********************** BUY LINKS  AMAZONBARNES & NOBLESMASHWORDS PAPERBACK 
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ANNOUCING RELEASE OF "CALLIE'S HEART" NEW WESTERN ROMANCE

MEET THE AUTHOR OF UPCOMING NEW WESTERN ROMANCE, CALLIE'S HEART, KATHLEEN TIGHE BALL!


1.     How old were you when you knew you wanted to become a writer?I was in my forties when I started to write. I've only been writing a little over two years.2.     What did you do for a living in your "previous" life? I've worked at banks mostly.Do you have a family? Yes, I have wonderful family. I've been married almost 23 years to my wonderful husband, Bruce. I have one son, Steven, who is at marine boot camp. We recently added my daughter--in--law, Brittany and her three year old son Colt to our family. I'm one of five children and I have been blessed to have been supported from the beginning by my siblings, my Father and my numerous cousins3.     What genre do you write?  I write Contemporary Western Romance4.     Are you a plotter or a pantser? I'm more of a pantser. I have some idea where I'm going. It's the getting there that is fun.5.     Do your characters ever take over when you're writing? My characters always take over. Especially the ones that were to be really really minor-- they fight for their fair share of the story.6.     Do you get inspiration from real people or places? I've always read Western Romances. We were transferred to Texas six years ago. I have been soaking up s much Texas culture as I can. I actually go horseback riding.7.     Would you like to be any of your heroines? I would like to be Callie from Callie's Heart-- after the happily ever after.
8.     Would you marry any of your heroes?  They are all tall and handsome with chiseled body and brawny arms. I could live with that.            9.Do you do a lot of editing before you submit a manuscript?  Yes I do. I learn more and more about writing and I'm constantly honing my novels. 

 Now, some personal questions:
1) Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate
2   Do you listen to music when you write? What do you listen to? Not often . I like Classic rock.
3) Favorite color?green
4) Black, white or gray? Gray-- I have an accounting degree and real world accounting is gray.
5) Favorite ice cream flavor? Ben and Jerry's-- the one with brownies and cheesecake
6) Favorite line of description from one of your books. His arm muscles bulged as he pulled. His back muscles tightened and she could remember the feel of him under her hands. He glistened with sweat and his abs made her insides coil.

    7) Favorite dialogue from one of your books. ''You are my heart, my soul, my best friend. I've been lost without you.'' He kissed her forehead and pulled her tight against him. ''I'm never letting you go again.'' 2    8) Favorite minor character from your book. Noreen-- the older sassy waitress that knows the 411 on everyone.      9) Dog or cat? Cat I have two Tiger and Callie    10)  Country or city? Country    11)  Beach or mountains? mountains--I burn to easily at the beach     12) Skirts or pants? Pants     13) Early morning or late night? Early morning.    14) Cruise in the Caribbean or camping in Yellowstone National Park? Cruise-- a balcony room please.    A bit about the book
Callie Daniels' mother has one dying wish. She wants neighboring rancher, Garrett O'Neill, to marry her seventeen-year-old daughter. It's not supposed to be a conventional marriage. Garrett O'Neill would keep Callie's ranch safe and Callie would go away to college.                                                           Four years later, Callie comes home with stars in her eyes and happily ever after in her heart. She plans to make their marriage real until finds the new housekeeper, Sylvie in Garrett's arms.Heartbroken, Callie takes off to her own house, which they closed up four years ago. She stays there with Old Henry, a longtime friend and ranch hand, until her new horse injures her. Garrett forces Callie to move back in to his house.Callie finally gets her heart's desire. Alone in a line shack, they make sweet love for the first time. Unfortunately, the love light is gone from Garret's eyes the next morning.
ON SALE APRIL 1 AT THE DESERT BREEZE WEBSITE!
WATCH FOR AN EXCERPT AND BUY LINKS NEXT WEDNESDAY!

TUESDAY TALES - TO THE PROMPT "NIGHT"

This is from my WIP with Ben Tanner called "Love, Lost & Found"...

She took the last bite of her food and smiled. It was delicious...as delicious as the soft evening air...as delicious as the dark blue night sky and as delicious as the handsome man smiling across the table at her.
    "A walk sounds wonderful." She wiped her mouth with her napkin. They walked back to the resort in silence, not touching, moving closer then stepping away. Uncertainty was in the air. When they got near the beach, Tara slipped her high-heeled sandals off and stuck her finger through the loops, dangling them from one hand.  She extended her hand hesitantly in his direction. He slowly joined his fingers with hers.
"I…uhhh," he started, but didn't finish.I can't believe I'm acting this way around a woman I just met."What?" Tara stopped to face him, dropping his hand."It's…just…I've had so much pain…I…""You're worried about me?"He nodded. The moon bathed her in soft, shimmery light adding to her beauty.  They stared at each other at a safe distance for a minute. Tara took his hand and laced her fingers with his again, pulling him closer. They walked on in silence for a little bit. She broke from him to lean against a palm tree and gaze at the moon. He joined her, looking up as well."What do you see?" He asked her."I see a new beginning...for me...and for you." He put his arm around her shoulders. Tears clouded her eyes. She turned her face away from him but he pulled her to him. She hid her face in his chest as her tears fell. "No need for tears around me. I'd never hurt you."She looked up into his eyes."I'd never hurt you either," she murmured.At those words, he pulled her close to hug her. Feeling her warm body against his, under the moonlight, on the crystal beaches, his heart raced while his mind was at ease. It was a long time since he held a woman in his arms or kissed one, either.  If you're looking for romance in paperback. click HERE and you'll go right to my other blog showcasing my paperback books.Or visit my website

Sweet Saturday Sample of "Now and Forever 2, the Book of Danny"

This scene takes place at Callie & Mac's house. Danny and Eliza are having dinner there. Now and Forever 2, the Book of Danny is a free-standing book. You don't have to have read book 1 to understand book 2.
                  ____________________________
Dinner was a fairly chaotic affair as Kitty spilled her milk, Jason got catsup all over his light blue shirt and Callie accidentally knocked the salad bowl on the floor. Fortunately, it didn't break.
Is it always like this when you have kids? He shot a questioning glance at Eliza who was scooping salad off the floor.

She laughed and shrugged her shoulders.
After dinner, everyone helped clean up.
"I've got my first square dance tomorrow night," Danny announced, returning the salad bowl to the kitchen.
"What fun! I wish I could go with you," Callie said.
"Eliza is coming."
Callie looked at her girlfriend and raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
"Do you play baseball in the Army," Jason asked.
'No, but I can play here. Do you play?"
Jason nodded and ran into the other room, returning moments later with his baseball and glove. While the men took Jason outside for a game of catch, Callie and Eliza finished cleaning up in the kitchen and put Kitty to bed.
 "Are you dating Danny?" Callie asked.
"Hmmm?" Eliza muttered, her eyes trained on the dishes, turned away from Callie's stare.
"You're here with him, you're going out with him tomorrow. You two are spending a lot of time together."
"Just helping him make social connections here. He doesn't know anyone else and..."
"Baloney. Can't fool me. I know a couple when I see one."
Eliza kept washing dishes, refusing to meet Callie's gaze.
"Simon is a stiff. He went off to Europe without you. I don't think he's good enough for you."
"And you think a man ten years younger than I am is?" Eliza inquired raising one eyebrow.
"Danny's special…not like other guys. He's not a phony or a liar."
"Sort of like Kyle?"
"And Mac, too. So are you seeing each other?"
"Sort of…a few dates and—"Eliza shrugged.
"I told Mac you were and he said you weren't. Hah! Men never know these things. You are good for Danny," Callie said, with a smile.
"What does he need an old lady like me for?"
"You're not an old lady. You're kind and caring, giving him stability…good sense. Plus you're very pretty. Danny likes pretty women."
_______________________________________________________
 A bit about the book:

Can the newest professor at Kensington State escape his previous life as a killer? Leaving the Army didn't mean the war left him so Capt. Danny Maine, now teaching English, must find a way to lead a normal life. Finding love and rekindling an old friendship are not enough to defeat old demons. Danny Maine fights to free himself from war memories and dangerous men, hoping that a new love and a new Glock will bring him peace. Now and Forever 2, the Book of Danny is a heartfelt story of love, loss and ultimate triumph that will touch your heart. Available in ebook and paperback 
AMAZON BARNES & NOBLESECRET CRAVINGSALL ROMANCE eBOOKSPAPERBACK

SPECIAL INTERVIEW! THE HEROINES OF REBOUND AND THE PERFECT SCORE COME CLEAN!

Today's interview features Claire LeMay from Rebound and Shelley Longstaff from The Perfect Score (Books 1 and 2 in the Love and Balance series). Former colleagues and best friends, they talk about what it was like to share their story.    1. Are you upset your name is not in the title? Claire: No, not really. How could I be? My picture is on the front cover! That's so exciting!Shelley: Yeah, that is cool. How they managed to capture our images like that is beyond me. Is that considered stalking when they snap your picture like that without you knowing?Claire: Ha! You posed for that, remember?Shelley: *snickers* Yeah, I'm just messing with Jean and Kellie. But you have to admit they captured your moment with Justin perfectly.Claire: *sighs dreamily* I know… How did they do that? They caught the background perfectly of the gym, and I'll never forget that moment with Justin.Shelley: Jack and I had to recreate those shrewd looks on our faces. We still laugh about how he threatened to sue me my first day on the job!2.     Do you have any annoying habits your author did not share with us in your book? Claire: I don't have any annoying habits.Shelley: *snorts in laughter* Uh, former roommate here! Claire: *crosses arms over chest* What annoying habits do I have?
Shelley: You can be so serious for one.Claire: *rolls eyes* Is that really an annoying habit? That's more of a personality trait.Shelley: Semantics…Claire: Hey! I've loosened up a lot. I mean, I did realize I was in charge of my life and moved to be with Justin. Now he and I use the gym for more than coaching purposes AND on a regular basis I might add…Shelley: Woo-hoo! Live on the edge woman! *laughs*Claire: Oh shut up. I could never be like you with a different lover every other week, but now who is serious? You've got Jack and you two are having – Shelley: Ssssshhhh!! Don't spoil my story for Kellie's readers! 
3.     Are you happy with the profession your author chose for you or would you rather be working at something totally different and why? Claire: I've always loved gymnastics and dancing, so to be able to teach both now as a profession is a dream come true.Shelley: Always loved gymnastics with a passion, so I can't imagine doing anything else. I can't imagine why Kellie gave up coaching it so she could write books. But at least it gives her a chance to tell our stories!Claire: *grabs Shelley by the arm* And have you read her other ones? *fans face* Steamy!4.     Now for a personal question. Is there enough  sex in the book for you? Would you have liked more? *Claire and Shelley share a look, then speak simultaneously* Never enough sex!! *they laugh*  5.     Did you author handle your "love" scenes the way you like or was she too explicit or not explicit enough? Claire: *blushes* Well, I lived it but reading the way she wrote it…*blush deepens* It's a little strange that the public will know just how good it was.Shelley: *smacks Claire in the shoulder* Oh get over yourself. I loved reading about my exploits with Jack. The only thing I'd wish she'd gotten around to writing was a shower scene for us. We never did get to that…6.     Is you're hero/heroine a good kisser? *both women answer with a resounding YES!*Claire: *sighs happily* I've always loved Justin's kisses, the way his lips feel on mine…the rest of the world just melts away.Shelley: Jack wins hands down. It was our first kiss that made me want so much more from a man than I'd ever wanted before.7.     Did your author listen to you when you tried to redirect her? Shelley: Kellie is always very good at listening. Sometimes we go off on a tangent and then she takes a look at the story and suggests we change a few things to make sure everything makes sense.Claire: We had to re-write a couple of times to get everything just right. It took Justin and I a while to be able to tell her our story. But once we all worked together, it came out great.
8.     Did your story end too soon? Claire: Well, the story never really is over, is it? A reader can always use their imagination to take us to the next place in our lives. Shelley: *giggles* Or a reader can always go back and read the juicy parts *wink*Claire: *laughs* They can do that too. But we all make brief appearances throughout the series, so you know what we're up to.9.     Who was your favorite supporting character? Both answer together: Each other!Claire: Aww…Shelley: Oh… I love you.Claire: I love you too. *they share a hug*

 A little bit about Rebound
Claire LeMay is at the top of her game – she's head of a prominent gymnastics facility with her gymnasts winning awards for her outstanding choreography. Now her biggest challenge is to coach alongside the man she's avoided for three years after he demanded she live in his shadow instead of forging her own path.

After sinking every penny of his inheritance into his state-of-the-art gymnastics facility, Justin Black has achieved his dream. But even with hundreds of members and well-trained coaches, when Claire's presence invades his space, he reluctantly admits she's the one thing missing in his life. Oblivious as to why she walked out on him three years ago, he attempts to call a truce.
As their old passion tumbles out faster than a gymnast sprinting down the vault runway, they realize they are in the same impossible position as they were three years ago. Are they destined to repeat the same old routine or will they be able to choreograph a new one?
Buy it from Secret Cravings Publishing or AMAZON

A little bit about The Perfect Score
 Shelley Longstaff finally has her chance to be in charge only to rue the day when she is asked to train the dreaded Anna Fortier, a gymnast who has no sense of sportsmanship and makes everyone in her vicinity miserable. When Shelley refuses, she's threatened with a lawsuit by her father. To make things worse, Shelley has an inexplicable attraction to the arrogant rich lawyer!
        Since his wife's death five years ago, Jacques (Jack) Fortier does whatever it takes to protect what is his. Shelley's club is his last resort to keep his daughter in the sport, but threatening to sue her isn't exactly his smartest move. When she grudgingly agrees to give Anna a chance, he finds himself attracted to the spritely gymnastics coach – the first woman he's had any feelings for since his wife passed away.
As Shelley and Jack leap over the line in their parent-coach relationship, Shelley worries over falling in love with a man who admittedly still loves his late wife. But when a crisis of teenage proportions threatens their relationship, will they risk everything for the chance to achieve The Perfect Score?Buy it from Secret Cravings Publishing or AMAZON