Lisa Worrall's Blog, page 3

CRAPPING MYSELF - OR TO PUT IT POLITELY - A TAD NERVOUS!

I was a member of the workforce for a very long time, then I decided to jack it all in and concentrate on the wonderful word journey I have been on for the last seven years. Now I'm returning to the workforce, only part time, and I have to admit, it's a bit scary.

Tomorrow is my induction day. Not entirely sure what an induction day is, or involves, because I've never had one before. All the jobs I've had, you go to an interview, get the job and then start work. Apparently, working for the NHS isn't like that! There are several hoops (a few made of flaming fire) you have to jump through before you can even think of starting. And now there is the induction day.

I know I talk a good game, but I'm actually incredibly shy and I don't do well in big crowds, especially when I don't know anyone. So I'm not afraid to admit I'm shaking a bit in me flip-flops.

But I'm going to pull on my Bridget Jones pants and pack a paper bag in case I need to breathe into it. If I just keep telling myself what my dad always said, "Be on time and do as you're told." I should be fine.

Wish me luck!

RE-RELEASE DAY! RUNNING FROM THE PAST (PREVIOUSLY ONLY AVAILABLE AT DREAMSPINNER)

2nd edition - re-written and re-edited

Blurb:

Ford Mitchell, deputy sheriff, has to transport a prisoner from his tiny hometown in Alaska to Miami, where the man is wanted on outstanding drug charges, and the murder of a prostitute. A simple enough task, except the prisoner in question is his lover. Was everything about Noah a lie? Everything he said? Everything he felt?

When Noah Beckett arrived in Eagle River, he thought he'd run far enough. That he could build a life here, and he had. A wonderful life with Ford Mitchell. A life he thought he'd never have. But then his past finds him, even in the far-reaching snows of Alaska and his perfect world comes tumbling down. Now he's headed back to Miami to answer for crimes he didn't commit. But how can he convince Ford he's innocent, when Ford doesn't believe a word he says?


BUY LINK: Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk Smashwords



FREE COPY TO THE FIRST THREE COMMENTS (MAKE SURE TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL)

COVER REVEAL! RUNNING FROM THE PAST (2ND EDITION) - RELEASE DATE 11 NOVEMBER

Running from the Past is a short story that was previously only available on Dreamspinner's website. Now the rights have returned to me, I have given it a face lift and it will be re-released on the
11 November, my Glamorous Assistant's birthday!

The cover is glorious and by the wonderful Emmy Ellis!

Blurb:

Ford Mitchell, deputy sheriff, has to transport a prisoner from his tiny hometown in Alaska to Miami, where the man is wanted on outstanding drug charges, and the murder of a prostitute. A simple enough task, except the prisoner in question is his lover. Was everything about Noah a lie? Everything he said? Everything he felt?

When Noah Beckett arrived in Eagle River, he thought he'd run far enough. That he could build a life here, and he had. A wonderful life with Ford Mitchell. A life he thought he'd never have. But then his past finds him, even in the far-reaching snows of Alaska and his perfect world comes tumbling down. Now he's headed back to Miami to answer for crimes he didn't commit. But how can he convince Ford he's innocent, when Ford doesn't believe a word he says?

GUILTY PLEASURE..... TV!

Afternoon my lovelies. It's 5.15pm, it's dark, the heating is on, dinner is cooking and the kids' uniforms are ready for the week ahead.  This means I can now to decide on the evening's viewing and I don't mind telling you, this is the time of the year when Sunday nights involve one of my televisual (I know I think I made that up) guilty pleasures.....

Yes, it's the Antiques Roadshow.

I'm addicted. Never miss an episode.

Love the expressions on the owner's faces when they're told their Auntie Ida's funny paperweight is a Faberge egg and worth thousands.

Love it, even more, when they're told Uncle Bert's Toby Jug is a knock-off and worth 50p.

I just bloody love it!

I have a few other guilty pleasures, I'm not ashamed... Come Dine with Me, Four in a Bed and every single vet programme on the box. (Including Bondi Vet and his fantastical Desperate Dan chin).


So, my gawgeous pals, what's your guilty pleasure.... c'mon, 'fess up!

SPOOKY RE-RELEASE! HALFWAY HOUSE!

Blurb:

New cover, new story - totally rewritten and updated!

A shared car ride home goes awry for Tyler the jock and Supernerd Eliot when they get lost in the dark on a country road and their vehicle stalls. Luckily, they find the Halfway House Hotel, where a series of odd events seem to conspire to bring them together.

Excerpt:

“Good evening, gentlemen,” the rather statuesque woman said softly. She had a dark brown wavy hair that scraped her chin as she moved and a warm, welcoming smile. “My name is Alicia and I’d like to welcome you to the Halfway House Hotel. How may I help you this evening?”“We’d like two single rooms, please,” Eliot said politely, noting their hostess wore a similar garb to the woman he’d seen a few moments earlier. Except her blouse was plain and she wore a gaily patterned scarf around her neck. Alicia scanned the open register on the desk in front of her, running her finger down the page, and shook her head. “I’m sorry, sirs, but there are no single rooms left. In fact, we’re completely book—oh, wait. I do have one room left, we had a cancellation about half an hour ago and it’s not been crossed out yet. But it’s a double, would that suit?”“Are there any other hotels around here?” Eliot asked, worrying at his lower lip with his teeth. A double? With Tyler? Not if he could help it. Before Alicia could respond, Tyler interjected.“We’ll take it, thanks.”“What?” Eliot smiled at the receptionist then said to Tyler. “Can I speak to you for a minute?” Tyler rolled his eyes and followed Eliot a few steps away from the desk, where Eliot lowered his voice, so they wouldn’t be heard. “It’s a double!” “So?” Tyler sighed, seemingly unconcerned about the implications of a shared room. “I don’t know about you, but I’m tired, hungry, and I am not dragging my ass and your suitcase back down that damn driveway. It’s one night and, as long as you don’t snore, it’ll be fine.” He grabbed Eliot’s forearm and urged him back to the desk. “Is the restaurant still open?” he asked, blatantly ignoring Eliot’s discomfort.Alicia nodded then turned the register to face Eliot. “Yes, the restaurant is open until ten, and may I recommend the steak? It’s delicious.” Eliot filled in their names and the address of the university. It was an antiquated way of registering, in fact he couldn’t remember ever having checked-in like this before, and he questioned it. “This is rather quaint,” he said, gesturing to the register. “No offence, but most hotels are computerized nowadays, aren’t they?”“None taken,” Alicia replied with a dismissive wave of her hand. “I believe they are, yes. Unfortunately, technology is taking a little longer to catch up to us here.” When Eliot had finished filling in their details, she turned the register back to herself and noted the time of check-in. “There, all done. We do ask for payment up front, for both the room and dinner. If you don’t mind.”“No, of course, not. That’s fine by us, right Eliot?” Tyler covered a yawn, clearly wanting to get to the room as soon as possible. “That’ll be $50 in total.” “You mean $50 each.” Eliot was confused.“No, $50 in total.”“But—”“That’s fine,” Tyler said, cutting Eliot off. He took out his wallet and pulled out a fifty, which he handed over to Alicia with an apologetic smile. “You’ll have to forgive my friend, it’s been a long day.” Alicia laughed politely, gave them a receipt for their payment, then picked up the old-fashioned hand bell on the desk and shook it. The sound echoed around them. One of the other doors off the reception area opened and a tall, thin, pale-skinned young man in a crisp red uniform approached the desk. “This is our porter, Michael,” Alicia said as she handed the porter a key. “These gentlemen will be staying in room twenty-one. Michael will show you to your room, but please don’t hesitate to ask should you need anything.”“Thank you.” Tyler again answered for them both, much to Eliot’s consternation. “By the way,” Alicia called as they followed the porter, who had picked up both their suitcases, toward the stairs. “Enjoy your stay.”“I’m sure we will,” Eliot replied.
“Oh, I guarantee it.”

COMING 29TH OCTOBER - RE-RELEASE OF HALFWAY HOUSE!

Completely re-written and with a fantastic new cover, join Tyler and Eliot at Halfway House Hotel for a night they'll never forget!


Cover: Book Cover by Design

AVAILABLE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED!

Blurb:

Life is full of decisions and it’s the split-second ones that change your world forever.

Nick Shepherd made such a decision on the day his son, Jesse, was taken from a Christmas market in Naperville. The woman looked normal and had a son of her own, and he was only going to be a minute. But that minute was all she needed. His son was gone. 

A year later, the task force is being downsized and they are no closer to finding Jesse than they were the day he disappeared. At his wits end, Nick is given a number and a name by the lead on the case.

Ex-detective Frank Ford has issues, several of them. Two steps shy of a full-blown alcoholic, all he wants is to bury himself in the bottle. He’s doing a pretty good job of it, too, when Nick Shepherd asks for his help. Does Ford want to help? No. Is Ford going to help? Hell no. Until four words resonate deep within him.

“She took my son!” 

BUY LINK:  Amazon


Blurb:

Little Mowbury is a sleepy English village deep in the Cotswolds. The kind of village where you’re only a local if your lineage can be traced back to the dinosaurs. Where you can find everything in the single shop from morning newspapers to dry-cleaning, and getting your shoes mended. And, of course, where everybody knows everybody else’s business. It’s easy to find… you can’t miss it… just ask anyone and they’ll tell you… “It’s left at the crossroads.”

After being dumped on graduation day by the love of his life, Harry Boyd, Micah Lewis returned to the sleepy village he grew up in. Living next door to his mother wasn’t his best idea, granted, but when your heart was broken, there really was no place like home. 

Six years later, secure and content in his job as midwife for a local birthing centre, the last person he expected to move into Lilac Cottage across the street from him was Harry Boyd. Seeing Harry again sends Micah into a tailspin and opens wounds he thought had long since healed. Although, Harry himself isn’t the only issue Micah has to face. That would be Harry’s very beautiful and very pregnant partner, Selena. But is everything as it seems?

BUY LINK:  Amazon


Blurb:

Little Mowbury is a sleepy English village deep in the Cotswolds. The kind of village where you’re only a local if your lineage can be traced back to the dinosaurs. Where you can find everything in the single village shop from morning newspapers to dry-cleaning, and getting your shoes mended. And, of course, where everybody knows everybody else’s business. It’s easy to find… you can’t miss it… just ask anyone and they’ll tell you… “It’s left at the crossroads.”
Oliver Bradford has had enough of the hustle and bustle of the A&E department in a big city hospital. Not to mention the tension caused by the break-up of his three year relationship with one of the hospital’s top surgeons. When his sister urges him to apply for the position of GP in the quiet village of Little Mowbury, he wonders if this might be just the fresh start he needs. Unfortunately, hitting the post-mistresses’ dog with his car isn’t the best introduction to his patients.

A solitary soul, Deano Wells grew up in Little Mowbury and has been having lunch at the Thatcher’s Arms on a Thursday for the last thirty-five years. First with his father, who brought him to the pub at the tender age of ten after a hard morning in the fields, and then by himself after his father passed on. He runs the farm with a practised hand and minds his business mostly, but that doesn’t stop Oliver from being drawn to the big, quiet man and he knows the feeling is mutual, so why does Deano keep pushing him away?

BUY LINK:  Amazon

Blurb:

2nd Edition - re-edited with additional and expanded scenes.

The Downe's Valentine's Day Masquerade Ball has been an annual event for over a hundred 
years and where, four years ago, Gabe met Mike. It's been over six months since Mike's death and Mike thinks that Gabe is ready to move on. How does Gabe know this? He receives a letter and a ticket to the ball, from Mike. Gabe isn't sure he'll ever be ready to move on, but in deference to Mike's memory, he attends the ball. 

What Gabe doesn't know, is that his best friend, Tom, the one constant in his life since college, has also received a letter from Mike. Will Gabe be able to move forward and remember a long forgotten love, or will his world come crumbling down around his ears, again?

BUY LINK:  Amazon

FIRST WEEK IS OVER!

I know, in the grand scheme of things, my week has certainly not been as eventful as other people's, but I've been dealing with a few emotional and stressful changes in my home life.

As most of you know, the glamorous assistant I refer to on my blog, the picker of competition winners, is my 11-year-old daughter, my baby. For said baby, and her nervous mother, this has been a big week.

She started senior school (high school).

Here she is, all dressed and ready for her first day in her brand new grown-up uniform with her big brother who is going into 9th grade.

Was she worried? No. Was she upset? No. Was she a gibbering wreck of a child who wanted to climb back into her mummy's arms and tell her everything was going to be okay? No. That was me!

She was meeting one of her friends at the end of the road Monday morning, then they were picking up three more on the way, so I knew she was going to be alright. Of course, I asked her if she was okay to walk down the road on her own, or did she want me to walk with her and wait for Kira? Did she look at me with tear filled blue eyes and a wobbling lip, giving me the only answer I needed? Good God no. Her response, as she looked at me as if I'd dribbled on myself, was....

"You can if you want."

Not quite the Kodak moment I was hoping for but, of course, I was going to go anyway, whether she wanted me to or not. So we walked sedately along. Me, unwashed and hair unbrushed (I didn't have time for all that. There was too much panicking and checking to be done) her with perfectly coiffed barnet, pressed uniform, backpack slung over her shoulder and a crease in her pants so sharp I'm surprised she didn't cut herself putting them on. The hubby trailed behind us with a rueful smile on his face, knowing he was there to make sure I didn't make a complete tit of myself by bursting into tears in front of anyone. My ability to hold back the emotion was sorely tested when, for the first time in her entire life, she refused to hold my hand as we walked along, but I held it together.

We waited for her friend. I checked her backpack three times and asked her if she had her lunch twice, even though I'd just seen it in the backpack I'd checked a nano-second earlier. She rolled her eyes at me. Hubby reigned me in. Not a moment too soon, as I brushed her fringe from her eyes for the eighteenth time and tried not to punch her when she pushed it back for the eighteenth time, Kira arrived and off they went. Hubby, very wisely, herded me back the two hundred yards to our house and pushed me inside. Which I was eternally grateful for, because if he hadn't, I wouldn't have been able to jump into my car the moment his was out of sight as he headed to work, and drive after them to make sure they were alright. (But don't tell anyone - it's just between us!)

The first day was torture as I thought of my tiny tot weaving her way through the crowds of big kids, getting pushed this way and that. I tried to work but didn't get very far, so ended up scraping wallpaper off the hall wall to keep myself occupied.

Of course, you all know the ending to this story - she came home full of everything, her new form, her new classes, her new friends. She even said she'd seen her brother in the dinner hall and they'd nodded at each other - they didn't speak, obviously, cause that wouldn't have been cool.

She's been absolutely fabulous the rest of the week, too. And I was surprised to note that, at half nine on a Friday night, she was snoring away in her bed. I'm liking that bit! And four days into her first week she got her first class merit - she's so chuffed.

I know we have to let them go, find their own way and we can't wrap them up in cotton wool and, to be honest, I never have been a clingy mother. And I know I joke about them a lot on facebook, but I do like them really. They're the best thing I've ever done. And when I tucked her in tonight and said, "I'm so proud of you for doing so well in your first week at big school. You're not my baby anymore." Her response was a bit better than the one I got Monday morning. She said, "Doesn't matter how old I get, you silly. I'll always be your baby." I should have grabbed that Kodak moment and ran from the room with it clenched in my sweaty little palms, but I paused for too long and she added, "Until you're dead." *Shakes head* That's my girl!

CHRISTMAS PLANS

Sue Brown and I have plans for Christmas.

No, we're not spending it together - although that would have been lovely - but our families won't let us bugger off to somewhere hot while their left to cook Christmas dinner and listen to the Queen's speech.

In lieu of this, we decided that we'd do something even more fun..... writing the fourth instalment of the Left at the Crossroads series!

Due for release the first week of December, here is the cover for In-tuition, by the lovely as always Meredith Russell. I can't wait!

REVIEW: DISH OF THE DAY BY CLARE LONDON

Blurb:

Three men together. Diverse tastes ... one common love.
Richie Morton’s sunk all his hopes and savings into a new restaurant in South London promoting British ingredients and recipes. Yet on opening night, it all seems to be heading for disaster. Lost ingredients, manic chefs, no sign of the customers ... he’s in despair. And where are his best friends Craig and Ben, who’ve been helping him set up the new venture? The least they could offer is moral support.

When they do eventually step in, though, they offer support of a very different kind. They tell Richie some home truths -- that he pushes himself too much, and must learn to share and trust his life with others. With them, specifically. And then, when Richie’s still unconvinced, they decide to let actions speak for their love instead. They’ll help him relax and dish up a caring, sexy, and far more intimate menu.

EXCERPT:
Note: may contain sexually explicit scenes of a homoerotic nature.
“We like things that are comfortable, don’t we, Ben?” Craig grinned and hugged Richie even more warmly. Richie wondered guiltily about personal space issues. But as his friends had made plenty of comments tonight about his reserve, he didn’t want to be the one to cause a fuss if they were now too close. And who was to say it was too close?

“Yes.” Ben agreed with Craig. “Those are the things that we like, indeed.” His eyes sparkled. “And we’d like to share them with you, Richie.”

“Share what?” Richie asked, rather rudely. He’d only just swallowed another mouthful of wine and was still enjoying the aftertaste on his tongue. But so was Ben, it seemed. He was sipping deeply from the same glass that he’d offered to Richie. His eyes shone at Richie over the rim as if they were sharing a secret, rather than a wine.

Richie sighed, leaning back in his chair. Craig’s arms tightened gently around him. It also felt as if Ben rested a hand at the back of his neck -- an unusual place to comfort a friend, perhaps, even one facing bankruptcy and ruin.

“Got an investment to protect, eh, Ben?” Craig laughed softly. Richie could smell his warm, spicy cologne. Craig always smelled good -- he exuded hot, sexy strength. Richie blinked, wondering where the hell that thought had come from. Or, even if he admitted he knew the answer to that, he didn’t know what had let it loose to frolic in the forefront of his mind. It must be the wine. Must be. His senses were in overload. Could he get drunk, just from a glass or so of quality wine? He’d never suspected his tolerance was that low. His shock must be much more severe than he imagined.

“I don’t need protection,” he said. His voice sounded rather weak.

Ben just smiled. “Sure, Richie. Craig still thinks you’re too skinny, though. Let’s eat first, then discuss anything else later, right?”

Richie was about to protest that there were no staff -- that the soup was ruined -- that the whole evening had collapsed into disaster and amazement around him -- that Craig had already eaten most of the bread --

But his friends ignored him.

“So what do we have to tempt us?” Ben ran his eyes over the plate on the table beside him, full of the food Craig had brought out from the kitchen. Craig laughed softly, a lazy, sexy smile lighting up his face. He leant across Richie, and his long, slim fingers picked up a spear of asparagus, poached gently in butter. A drop of the warm, pale yellow coating dropped back into the dish with a plop.

Richie wriggled on his seat. He felt awkward, suddenly, squashed between them. Their bodies were both pressed against him and he could feel the two heartbeats, beating in different rhythms to his.

Craig pointed the asparagus across Richie and up towards Ben’s face, as if beckoning him. Their eyes met. Craig smiled and reached further forwards, the tip of the spear teasing at Ben’s mouth.

“Mmm.” Ben’s voice was like a purr. “My favourite.”

Richie watched the slim, green finger of food slide into Ben’s mouth. In fact, he couldn’t tear his eyes away. Ben was the only thing he could focus on. The generous lips were round and moist around the asparagus. Ben sucked, and the tip slipped in smoothly. It was a very messy food. Of course it was. Richie stared as a generous dribble of melted butter ran down on to Ben’s chin. He reached out instinctively, and wiped it off with his fingertips.

“Thanks.” Ben’s voice was very soft, the tone amused.

Richie flushed and clumsily snatched his hand back. Ben’s skin had been soft and very warm, with barely the hint of evening stubble. The small, still sane part of Richie’s mind was appalled at how intimate his gesture had been.

But Ben’s sigh was one of pleasure. He caught at Richie’s retreating hand, the fingers damp and glistening with the greasy traces of butter. “It’s very good,” he said. “You’re a brilliant chef. You produce the most perfect tastes. Is it surprising I want more?” He gently twisted Richie’s unresisting wrist, and brought Richie’s fingers back to his lips. Then he started to lick between the digits, slowly and lasciviously, lapping up the remains of the melted butter.

Oh good God. Richie’s mouth opened wide to protest, but no words came out. The caressing tongue was rough like a cat’s, yet smooth like the pure, slick muscle it was. He couldn’t believe how exciting this was. “English,” he said, the word popping out without any forethought. “It’s the best English asparagus I could afford.”

Ben nodded and smiled, and moved closer to him. His breath was now a seductive breeze against Richie’s cheek. “You should taste it yourself,” he murmured.

Richie watched Ben’s nimble fingers wipe the residue from the corners of his perfect mouth, and then those dampened fingertips were reaching for Richie’s mouth, and they were pressing firmly in, and Richie’s lips were closing around them, instinctively -- hungrily.

“Suck them,” Ben whispered softly. “I want to see you lick them all.”REVIEW:

Dish of the Day is certainly what I'd pick off the menu! Short, sweet and hot, hot, hot!

Loved it, what more can I say? No one rights hot threesomes like Ms London and Dish of the Day will leave you full up and contented... but it's a bit like having a Chinese... a couple of hours later you want to read it again!

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW AT:  JMS Books, Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk