Jamie DeBree's Blog, page 19
September 11, 2013
Talkin' Books: A Really Short List
Books Finished: The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis
Books In Progress: Two Graves by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
Run the Risk by Lori Foster
Short Fiction: None
Comics Read:None
As you can see, I've been very busy not reading this week. I finished Tara's story ( The Sweetest Thing ) and started Run the Risk , and that's when things got totally crazy.
Incidentally, The Sweetest Thing was every bit as good as the other Lucky Harbor novels, I enjoyed it very much.
Run the Risk
is very intriguing - a romantic suspense that I bought on sale awhile
back, and then when I was listening to audiobook samples, I saw it and
tried it. I thought that the sample was pretty rough, though I liked the
voice. But when I opened the ebook and started reading, I realized it
was the writing that was rough - the audio just amplified it,
unfortunately.
In any case, it
smooths out towards the middle, though I'm still a bit confused about
some jumpy plot points (and curious about others that seem...random). So
I'm interested to see how it finally ends up.
Most
of my time lately has been spent getting audiobooks produced, which I
talked about on Monday's blog (scroll down), and getting a book ready to
release on Friday for another BSB author. And that's the book I'll be
reading next, because it's awesome, and I still haven't read the final
version again yet! Coming Friday to an online retailer near you - Magical Misfire , by Carol R. Ward. Seriously, check it out. It's fantastic (and fantasy!).
I haven't had a chance to get back to Two Graves
- it's print, and my "bedtime reading", and I haven't gotten to bed at a
decent hour in nearly a week. Hopefully that will change soon as things
slow back down to normal speed. I am kind of dying to see how
Pendergast deals with this new and rather disturbing development. There
are enough emotional issues involved in the first chapter alone to make a
conference full of psychiatrists happy for years, and then there's the
actual mystery to solve and lives to save. I really sort of wish I could
read this sort of book more critically like so many writers complain
about doing, but I have no idea how that works, since even when I try, I
just get sucked into the story and forget all about any kind of
de-structuring. Which is exactly what *should* happen...but it doesn't
help me figure out how they do it so I can copy that.
I suppose
that's where going back and re-reading would be handy, but who has time
for that? So many books to read, so few hours in the day...
No
short stories (unless you consider listening to my own several times in
various states of audiobook production, which I don't), no comic
books...sigh. I've got a better plan in place for subsequent BSB
releases, so it won't cut into my reading time quite so much.
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Books In Progress: Two Graves by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
Run the Risk by Lori Foster
Short Fiction: None
Comics Read:None
As you can see, I've been very busy not reading this week. I finished Tara's story ( The Sweetest Thing ) and started Run the Risk , and that's when things got totally crazy.
Incidentally, The Sweetest Thing was every bit as good as the other Lucky Harbor novels, I enjoyed it very much.
Run the Risk
is very intriguing - a romantic suspense that I bought on sale awhile
back, and then when I was listening to audiobook samples, I saw it and
tried it. I thought that the sample was pretty rough, though I liked the
voice. But when I opened the ebook and started reading, I realized it
was the writing that was rough - the audio just amplified it,
unfortunately.
In any case, it
smooths out towards the middle, though I'm still a bit confused about
some jumpy plot points (and curious about others that seem...random). So
I'm interested to see how it finally ends up.
Most
of my time lately has been spent getting audiobooks produced, which I
talked about on Monday's blog (scroll down), and getting a book ready to
release on Friday for another BSB author. And that's the book I'll be
reading next, because it's awesome, and I still haven't read the final
version again yet! Coming Friday to an online retailer near you - Magical Misfire , by Carol R. Ward. Seriously, check it out. It's fantastic (and fantasy!).
I haven't had a chance to get back to Two Graves
- it's print, and my "bedtime reading", and I haven't gotten to bed at a
decent hour in nearly a week. Hopefully that will change soon as things
slow back down to normal speed. I am kind of dying to see how
Pendergast deals with this new and rather disturbing development. There
are enough emotional issues involved in the first chapter alone to make a
conference full of psychiatrists happy for years, and then there's the
actual mystery to solve and lives to save. I really sort of wish I could
read this sort of book more critically like so many writers complain
about doing, but I have no idea how that works, since even when I try, I
just get sucked into the story and forget all about any kind of
de-structuring. Which is exactly what *should* happen...but it doesn't
help me figure out how they do it so I can copy that.
I suppose that's where going back and re-reading would be handy, but who has time
for that? So many books to read, so few hours in the day...
No
short stories (unless you consider listening to my own several times in
various states of audiobook production, which I don't), no comic
books...sigh. I've got a better plan in place for subsequent BSB
releases, so it won't cut into my reading time quite so much.
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Romantic Suspense
| Erotic Romance | Contemporary Romance |
Horror | Flash Fiction | Non-Fiction
**Please
note - If this is your first time posting, your comment
will be moderated. Once you have been approved, future comments will post automatically.
September 9, 2013
Impulse Control, Audiobooks & A Working Weekend...
Dude. It's 1am (so actually Monday), and this has been one of the
most insanely busy weekends I've had in a long time. Why, you might ask?
Because sometimes, I have impulse control problems (we'll call them
ICP). Last week was one of those weeks
Normally,
my little ICP end up costing me money. I hate shopping in actual
stores, but I love to shop online. Amazon to Ebay and beyond. But this
time, it didn't cost me money, but rather cost me time. The nice thing
is (aside from the no-cost thing) is that it's also a good thing for my
publishing business.
Yes, I'm talking about Audiobooks.
I'll
go into greater detail over on the business blog later for those
interested, but what it basically boils down to is that I decided to
post some stories on the ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) last week
just to see if anyone there might be interested in narrating. I posted a
Halloween-themed horror short to start, thinking it would be a fun
thing for readers/listeners this fall if I could find a narrator. I knew
*nothing* about audiobooks at this point other than people listened to
them, and I normally don't. And from what I'd heard about ACX, it was
highly likely I'd have to listen to a lot of narrators and then invite
the ones I liked to audition. So when I stuck the books up there, I
didn't really expect anyone to come to *me*.
But
that's exactly what happened. And within the space of 24 hours, I'd
made a deal with a narrator to produce that first book, and he wanted to
get it done quickly due to other projects he has going on. Color me
surprised, happy, and suddenly with double the work I'd planned to do
this weekend. I'd already blocked out most of the weekend for formatting
the fantasy novel that BSB is releasing this Friday ( Magical Misfire by Carol R. Ward - you are *so* going to want it, it's really, really good!) and doing general release prep for that.
Needless
to say, it was an extraordinarily busy weekend, all because I had an
impulse to release an audiobook for Halloween this year. Funny how that
happens, isn't it?
Incidentally,
aside from listening to the developing audiobook numerous times (talk
about a crash course in audiobooks) and formatting the ebook for Carol's
novel, I also managed to:
- listen to an audition for a second audiobook and made an offer (which was accepted - that book is now in production too)- mock-up our yard layout for the Halloween display on Saturday-
check out our local Spirit Halloween Store which is finally open (and
yes, we did manage *not* to spend a ton of money there, which is a minor
miracle).- do all the normal housework and laundry- create audiobook covers for both books in production- List out the rest of the major writing/publishing projects I need to have done before Christmas (Wow. Seriously.)
Like
I said. Insanely busy weekend. But also very productive, and hopefully
it will all pay off monetarily in the end. Although I'll admit, the
audiobook experience is more fun than I thought it would be (and also a
lot of work, even for short stories).
So what's on tap for the rest of the week? Well, let's see:
- The two normal serial chapters- Try to finish the erotic romance serial draft so it can go to the editor (due for release on Sept. 27th)- Start another holiday story (finish it too, if possible)- Finish up that first audiobook (exciting!)- Release of Carol's book on Friday (exciting!!)- Listen to the first 15 minutes of the next audiobook (due from the narrator by Friday)- See if I can't find a narrator for the third horror short- List my horror novella on ACX (might as well, though there won't be time to finish a book that long by Halloween).- Formatting for THHG (due for release on Sept. 20th)- Update web sites
Busy
busy, but I knew fall was going to speed up quite a bit, due to all the
normal projects winding to a close, and then of course I'm adding to it
with the audiobook thing. But that will be good, I think. I hope. We'll
see. I'll list the tea stories as well - they're shorter, and maybe I
can get those done by Christmas...
Now
I'd better get to bed - I have a feeling I'm going to need good rest
this week to tackle that list! Here's to productivity and staying sane
in the process...
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
most insanely busy weekends I've had in a long time. Why, you might ask?
Because sometimes, I have impulse control problems (we'll call them
ICP). Last week was one of those weeks
Normally,
my little ICP end up costing me money. I hate shopping in actual
stores, but I love to shop online. Amazon to Ebay and beyond. But this
time, it didn't cost me money, but rather cost me time. The nice thing
is (aside from the no-cost thing) is that it's also a good thing for my
publishing business.
Yes, I'm talking about Audiobooks.
I'll
go into greater detail over on the business blog later for those
interested, but what it basically boils down to is that I decided to
post some stories on the ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) last week
just to see if anyone there might be interested in narrating. I posted a
Halloween-themed horror short to start, thinking it would be a fun
thing for readers/listeners this fall if I could find a narrator. I knew
*nothing* about audiobooks at this point other than people listened to
them, and I normally don't. And from what I'd heard about ACX, it was
highly likely I'd have to listen to a lot of narrators and then invite
the ones I liked to audition. So when I stuck the books up there, I
didn't really expect anyone to come to *me*.
But
that's exactly what happened. And within the space of 24 hours, I'd
made a deal with a narrator to produce that first book, and he wanted to
get it done quickly due to other projects he has going on. Color me
surprised, happy, and suddenly with double the work I'd planned to do
this weekend. I'd already blocked out most of the weekend for formatting
the fantasy novel that BSB is releasing this Friday ( Magical Misfire by Carol R. Ward - you are *so* going to want it, it's really, really good!) and doing general release prep for that.
Needless
to say, it was an extraordinarily busy weekend, all because I had an
impulse to release an audiobook for Halloween this year. Funny how that
happens, isn't it?
Incidentally,
aside from listening to the developing audiobook numerous times (talk
about a crash course in audiobooks) and formatting the ebook for Carol's
novel, I also managed to:
- listen to an audition for a second audiobook and made an offer (which was accepted - that book is now in production too)- mock-up our yard layout for the Halloween display on Saturday-
check out our local Spirit Halloween Store which is finally open (and
yes, we did manage *not* to spend a ton of money there, which is a minor
miracle).- do all the normal housework and laundry- create audiobook covers for both books in production- List out the rest of the major writing/publishing projects I need to have done before Christmas (Wow. Seriously.)
Like
I said. Insanely busy weekend. But also very productive, and hopefully
it will all pay off monetarily in the end. Although I'll admit, the
audiobook experience is more fun than I thought it would be (and also a
lot of work, even for short stories).
So what's on tap for the rest of the week? Well, let's see:
- The two normal serial chapters- Try to finish the erotic romance serial draft so it can go to the editor (due for release on Sept. 27th)- Start another holiday story (finish it too, if possible)- Finish up that first audiobook (exciting!)- Release of Carol's book on Friday (exciting!!)- Listen to the first 15 minutes of the next audiobook (due from the narrator by Friday)- See if I can't find a narrator for the third horror short- List my horror novella on ACX (might as well, though there won't be time to finish a book that long by Halloween).- Formatting for THHG (due for release on Sept. 20th)- Update web sites
Busy
busy, but I knew fall was going to speed up quite a bit, due to all the
normal projects winding to a close, and then of course I'm adding to it
with the audiobook thing. But that will be good, I think. I hope. We'll
see. I'll list the tea stories as well - they're shorter, and maybe I
can get those done by Christmas...
Now
I'd better get to bed - I have a feeling I'm going to need good rest
this week to tackle that list! Here's to productivity and staying sane
in the process...
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Romantic Suspense
| Erotic Romance | Contemporary Romance |
Horror | Flash Fiction | Non-Fiction
**Please
note - If this is your first time posting, your comment
will be moderated. Once you have been approved, future comments will post automatically.
September 6, 2013
Serial Story: Jasmine Betrayal, Part 5
This story is presented weekly in draft (that means unedited)
format every Friday right here on the blog for free. When the story is
done, it will be edited, polished and available for sale at all your
favorite online retailers.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 |
Jasmine Betrayal
Part 5
Genevieve lost track of the backroads her would-be protector used to lose the people following them, but eventually they were all alone on a two-lane highway and heading west. The sky was lightening as dawn began to break behind them. Max pulled into a tiny no-name town and parked behind a cheap-looking hotel.
“I’m trying to help you,” he said, weariness permeating both his voice and the lines of his face. “I need you to cooperate with me, or they will kill you. Can you do that, just for a little while?”
She shrugged. “It doesn’t even matter now. They have the diner, so what’s the point? If the cops are on their side like you said, there’s nothing I can do anyway.”
He sighed, rubbing a hand down one side of his face. “We can call a lawyer, to start. I know someone who can help. And then as long as we have the deed, or can get a copy of it, we can fight this. But first we both need some sleep. Come on. I’ll get us a room.”
“Two rooms,” she said, sliding out of the truck and closing the door. She walked around the bed and met him on the other side, surprised when he grabbed her hand in a rather firm grip.
“One room, two beds.” He pulled her toward the office. “There’s no guarantee they won’t track us down here, and I can’t protect you if I’m not with you.”
She tugged against him, wincing at the pain in her fingers as he merely gripped tighter. “You’re basically kidnapping me. I could scream right now, and you’d have to let me go.”
He stopped short, and she almost ran into him as he turned and looked down at her. He was tall - too tall, and between his height and those strong broad shoulders, she had to admit she was intimidated.
And a little turned on too, damn it.
“Then do it.”
She seriously considered stamping her foot in frustration, and the slight lift at the corners of his mouth wasn’t helping. For a moment, there was something in his eyes that held her captive, a spark of interest that intrigued and scared her at the same time. Maybe it was her imagination, but she could swear he was leaning closer, perhaps even bending for a kiss…
Rather abruptly, he turned away and pulled her behind him again, his grip loosened only slightly. She rolled her eyes and tried to keep up, trying to decide which was worse - his unyielding attitude or her lack of self-control.
Holding the door open for her, he finally released her wrist inside the small, seventies-style hotel office. The rust-carpet crept half-way up the walls and there were all of two uncomfortable looking plastic chairs shaped like eggs, and a short wooden-panel desk with a metal bell sitting on top. The sign in front of the bell said “Do not ring” in bold, block letters.
Max tapped the bell. Twice.
A few cuss words drifted through the dark doorway beyond, followed by shuffling sounds and a crash that made Genevieve twitch. A couple seconds later, an elderly lady in a long flowered mu-mu of some sort emerged, her salt and pepper hair sticking out in all directions and the wrinkles on her face pulled together in an annoyed squint.
“Whadda ya want! Can’t you read?” She pointed to the sign in front of the bell, then leaned on the back of the counter. “Just ‘cause you ain’t sleepin’ doesn’t mean you have to wake the whole place up. What happened to good Southern manners anyway?”
Genevieve struggled not to laugh as Max explained calmly that they needed a room for the...day. The hotel owner was clearly not southern, but she couldn’t place the odd accent. The old woman gave Max more grief and more than once Genevieve caught a disapproving look of her own, but finally they had a room key and an admonition to keep quiet and not disturb the other guests.
Resigned for the moment, Genevieve followed Max back out and past most of the doors at ground level until they reached the last, closest to where he’d parked the truck. They went inside and he locked the double-keyed deadbolt, pocketing the room key. Genevieve looked around.
“There are probably bed bugs in that mattress,” she remarked, headed toward a door she assumed led to a bathroom. Poking her head in, she moved back just as quickly, wrinkling her nose. “I’m pretty sure the maid quit a long time ago too. Are you sure we can’t just get our money back and go somewhere the inanimate objects won’t try to kill us?”
Max sat down on the edge of the bed and swung his legs up, laying his head on a pillow and closing his eyes. “You really want to get our hostess out of bed again? Be my guest. And we won’t be here long. I’m pretty sure you’ll survive, which is the whole point. Come lay down and get some rest.” He patted the space beside him, and it finally dawned on her.
“There’s only one bed.”
He cracked one eye open, regarding her with a look that said he thought she might have a screw loose.
“You’re smart. This room was closest to the truck, and cheap. Get over it.” He closed his eyes again, letting a breath out long and slow as he relaxed into the comforter.
Just the sight of it made her itch.
The only other furniture in the room was a small square television stand with an equally square TV, and a pair of square wooden chairs with tan leather-look backs and seats that looked only slightly more comfortable than those in the office had. She glanced at the bed, and then at the chairs again, finally pulling one chair to face the other, and stretching out as well as she could between them.
“You’re gonna have a kinked neck,” Max warned. “Not to mention serious back pain.”
She shot him a dirty look, but he hadn’t even opened his eyes. Bastard.
“We’re not going to be here that long - your words.” She crossed her arms over her chest and scooted around to find a semi-comfortable spot as his breathing slowed, evening out.
She wasn’t sure how long she’d dozed, but at some point she twitched, jerking her head up and barely suppressing a cry of pain when the predicted kink in her neck materialized. Rubbing it with one hand, she looked over at Max, who had shifted onto his side.
The keys to the room and the truck - her truck - were lying in the bed beside him, apparently having worked their way out of his pocket.
She chewed her lower lip. Contrary to what both Max and the goons chasing her probably thought, she hadn’t been staying in her father’s old trailer. She couldn’t, not while she was sorting through his things, trying to make sense of his life. Instead, she’d subletted an apartment in Little Rock, and that’s where she’d been working on all the accounting and legal paperwork.
The deed was there too. It would be hard for anyone to track her down there, since the lease wasn’t actually in her name. If she could just get there, she could lay low, talk to a lawyer and figure out some way to get Jenkins off her back.
It would depend a lot on how sound Max was sleeping, and whether the stabbing pain in the center of her lower back was going to be a big issue or not.
Deciding a test was in order, she carefully pushed the chair her feet were resting on away a few inches, making a slight scraping sound on the low, industrial carpet. Standing up, she winced at the pain as her body protested. Hands on her hips, she leaned back, then forward, trying to stretch out the knot, but even though it loosened slightly, she knew it was going to be a long drive back to town.
If she could figure out which was that was.
Max still appeared to be sleeping and she studied his face for a moment. The hard, square jaw, thick black eyebrows and small, slightly crooked nose reminded her of a quintessential mobster. A pinstripe suit and fedora, and he could easily step back into the New York twenties without even attracting attention. His lips were full and oh-so-kissable, and for the second or third time since they’d met, she wondered what they would feel like against hers.
Doing her best to move naturally, she leaned over and grabbed the keys, one at a time so they didn’t jingle together. Two steps got her from the bed to the door, and she spent way too much time trying to quietly fit the key into the sticky deadbolt, and yet more precious seconds trying to coax the key to turn. Whoever had installed these locks sure wasn’t worried about safety, but since she wouldn’t be back, she saw no point in complaining.
Finally getting the door open, she left the room key hanging in the lock and carefully pulled it shut. Then she jogged around the corner to the truck, got behind the wheel and fired up the engine. Moved the seat forward. Shifted into drive.
Just as she put her foot on the gas, the passenger door opened and Max hopped in, his door closing forcefully as she stepped on the accelerator.
“So,” he said, as if she hadn’t just tried to ditch him cold. “Where are we going?”
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
format every Friday right here on the blog for free. When the story is
done, it will be edited, polished and available for sale at all your
favorite online retailers.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 |
Jasmine Betrayal
Part 5
Genevieve lost track of the backroads her would-be protector used to lose the people following them, but eventually they were all alone on a two-lane highway and heading west. The sky was lightening as dawn began to break behind them. Max pulled into a tiny no-name town and parked behind a cheap-looking hotel.
“I’m trying to help you,” he said, weariness permeating both his voice and the lines of his face. “I need you to cooperate with me, or they will kill you. Can you do that, just for a little while?”
She shrugged. “It doesn’t even matter now. They have the diner, so what’s the point? If the cops are on their side like you said, there’s nothing I can do anyway.”
He sighed, rubbing a hand down one side of his face. “We can call a lawyer, to start. I know someone who can help. And then as long as we have the deed, or can get a copy of it, we can fight this. But first we both need some sleep. Come on. I’ll get us a room.”
“Two rooms,” she said, sliding out of the truck and closing the door. She walked around the bed and met him on the other side, surprised when he grabbed her hand in a rather firm grip.
“One room, two beds.” He pulled her toward the office. “There’s no guarantee they won’t track us down here, and I can’t protect you if I’m not with you.”
She tugged against him, wincing at the pain in her fingers as he merely gripped tighter. “You’re basically kidnapping me. I could scream right now, and you’d have to let me go.”
He stopped short, and she almost ran into him as he turned and looked down at her. He was tall - too tall, and between his height and those strong broad shoulders, she had to admit she was intimidated.
And a little turned on too, damn it.
“Then do it.”
She seriously considered stamping her foot in frustration, and the slight lift at the corners of his mouth wasn’t helping. For a moment, there was something in his eyes that held her captive, a spark of interest that intrigued and scared her at the same time. Maybe it was her imagination, but she could swear he was leaning closer, perhaps even bending for a kiss…
Rather abruptly, he turned away and pulled her behind him again, his grip loosened only slightly. She rolled her eyes and tried to keep up, trying to decide which was worse - his unyielding attitude or her lack of self-control.
Holding the door open for her, he finally released her wrist inside the small, seventies-style hotel office. The rust-carpet crept half-way up the walls and there were all of two uncomfortable looking plastic chairs shaped like eggs, and a short wooden-panel desk with a metal bell sitting on top. The sign in front of the bell said “Do not ring” in bold, block letters.
Max tapped the bell. Twice.
A few cuss words drifted through the dark doorway beyond, followed by shuffling sounds and a crash that made Genevieve twitch. A couple seconds later, an elderly lady in a long flowered mu-mu of some sort emerged, her salt and pepper hair sticking out in all directions and the wrinkles on her face pulled together in an annoyed squint.
“Whadda ya want! Can’t you read?” She pointed to the sign in front of the bell, then leaned on the back of the counter. “Just ‘cause you ain’t sleepin’ doesn’t mean you have to wake the whole place up. What happened to good Southern manners anyway?”
Genevieve struggled not to laugh as Max explained calmly that they needed a room for the...day. The hotel owner was clearly not southern, but she couldn’t place the odd accent. The old woman gave Max more grief and more than once Genevieve caught a disapproving look of her own, but finally they had a room key and an admonition to keep quiet and not disturb the other guests.
Resigned for the moment, Genevieve followed Max back out and past most of the doors at ground level until they reached the last, closest to where he’d parked the truck. They went inside and he locked the double-keyed deadbolt, pocketing the room key. Genevieve looked around.
“There are probably bed bugs in that mattress,” she remarked, headed toward a door she assumed led to a bathroom. Poking her head in, she moved back just as quickly, wrinkling her nose. “I’m pretty sure the maid quit a long time ago too. Are you sure we can’t just get our money back and go somewhere the inanimate objects won’t try to kill us?”
Max sat down on the edge of the bed and swung his legs up, laying his head on a pillow and closing his eyes. “You really want to get our hostess out of bed again? Be my guest. And we won’t be here long. I’m pretty sure you’ll survive, which is the whole point. Come lay down and get some rest.” He patted the space beside him, and it finally dawned on her.
“There’s only one bed.”
He cracked one eye open, regarding her with a look that said he thought she might have a screw loose.
“You’re smart. This room was closest to the truck, and cheap. Get over it.” He closed his eyes again, letting a breath out long and slow as he relaxed into the comforter.
Just the sight of it made her itch.
The only other furniture in the room was a small square television stand with an equally square TV, and a pair of square wooden chairs with tan leather-look backs and seats that looked only slightly more comfortable than those in the office had. She glanced at the bed, and then at the chairs again, finally pulling one chair to face the other, and stretching out as well as she could between them.
“You’re gonna have a kinked neck,” Max warned. “Not to mention serious back pain.”
She shot him a dirty look, but he hadn’t even opened his eyes. Bastard.
“We’re not going to be here that long - your words.” She crossed her arms over her chest and scooted around to find a semi-comfortable spot as his breathing slowed, evening out.
She wasn’t sure how long she’d dozed, but at some point she twitched, jerking her head up and barely suppressing a cry of pain when the predicted kink in her neck materialized. Rubbing it with one hand, she looked over at Max, who had shifted onto his side.
The keys to the room and the truck - her truck - were lying in the bed beside him, apparently having worked their way out of his pocket.
She chewed her lower lip. Contrary to what both Max and the goons chasing her probably thought, she hadn’t been staying in her father’s old trailer. She couldn’t, not while she was sorting through his things, trying to make sense of his life. Instead, she’d subletted an apartment in Little Rock, and that’s where she’d been working on all the accounting and legal paperwork.
The deed was there too. It would be hard for anyone to track her down there, since the lease wasn’t actually in her name. If she could just get there, she could lay low, talk to a lawyer and figure out some way to get Jenkins off her back.
It would depend a lot on how sound Max was sleeping, and whether the stabbing pain in the center of her lower back was going to be a big issue or not.
Deciding a test was in order, she carefully pushed the chair her feet were resting on away a few inches, making a slight scraping sound on the low, industrial carpet. Standing up, she winced at the pain as her body protested. Hands on her hips, she leaned back, then forward, trying to stretch out the knot, but even though it loosened slightly, she knew it was going to be a long drive back to town.
If she could figure out which was that was.
Max still appeared to be sleeping and she studied his face for a moment. The hard, square jaw, thick black eyebrows and small, slightly crooked nose reminded her of a quintessential mobster. A pinstripe suit and fedora, and he could easily step back into the New York twenties without even attracting attention. His lips were full and oh-so-kissable, and for the second or third time since they’d met, she wondered what they would feel like against hers.
Doing her best to move naturally, she leaned over and grabbed the keys, one at a time so they didn’t jingle together. Two steps got her from the bed to the door, and she spent way too much time trying to quietly fit the key into the sticky deadbolt, and yet more precious seconds trying to coax the key to turn. Whoever had installed these locks sure wasn’t worried about safety, but since she wouldn’t be back, she saw no point in complaining.
Finally getting the door open, she left the room key hanging in the lock and carefully pulled it shut. Then she jogged around the corner to the truck, got behind the wheel and fired up the engine. Moved the seat forward. Shifted into drive.
Just as she put her foot on the gas, the passenger door opened and Max hopped in, his door closing forcefully as she stepped on the accelerator.
“So,” he said, as if she hadn’t just tried to ditch him cold. “Where are we going?”
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Romantic Suspense
| Erotic Romance | Contemporary Romance |
Horror | Flash Fiction | Non-Fiction
**Please
note - If this is your first time posting, your comment
will be moderated. Once you have been approved, future comments will post automatically.
September 4, 2013
Talkin' Books: More Shalvis, Less Comics & Back to Pendergast...
Books Finished: Moonlight & Margaritas by Cindy Stark
Forever and a Day by Jill Shalvis
Books In Progress: The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis
Two Graves by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
Short Fiction: Eat Play Lust by Tawna Fenske
Comics Read:None
You
know, it's just mean when a publisher discounts a whole series you've
recently gotten hooked on. Or the first five books, anyways. Those Jill Shalvis novels?
All on sale for $1.99 at the moment, which is awesome, because Lucky
Harbor is a great series that I'm enjoying the heck out of. I keep
trying to note *why* I'm enjoying it, so I can perhaps use that to
further my own writing, but reading critically is difficult for me
because...well, I don't read to work, I read to be entertained and
escape reality for awhile.
In any
case, I'm still trying to figure out why they're so frickin' addictive,
and when I do, I'll let you know. Or you can just go grab a couple, and
let *me* know what you think instead...
Moonlight & Margaritas
was really a great relationship read...intense in spots, and what I
liked most was the vulnerability of the characters even though they were
pretty strong about it. It almost, but not quite crosses the line into
chick lit,...but in a good genre-blending way. Good stuff - I'd
certainly recommend it.
And of course Eat Play Lust
was awesome and hilarious, as all Tawna's books are. It's a quick,
flirty read with stand up paddle board yoga (!?) involved, but that's
not the best part. Tater tots. And I'm not saying any more - you'll just
have to pick up a copy and read it yourself (.99 cents, people).
As you can see, I've started the latest (to us, we wait for paperback on thrillers) Preston & Child novel, Two Graves ,
which starts out with an insane give and take exchange that nearly
broke my heart, and now has me wondering what the *heck* is going to
happen next. It's in print, which means slower reading for me, but I
really am going to have to make more time for this particular one.
Amazon's new Matchbook program is really going to help if these books
are included in the program, because I can get the print for my husband,
and a digital copy for myself without breaking the bank. *happy sigh*
And of course The Sweetest Thing is Tara's story in Lucky Harbor...and what a story it is. Whew!
No
comic reading this week, but I need to catch up on those soon - they're
piling up! Luckily most of the comics I read now are monthlies, which
helps.
That's it for this week...what are you reading?Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Forever and a Day by Jill Shalvis
Books In Progress: The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis
Two Graves by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
Short Fiction: Eat Play Lust by Tawna Fenske
Comics Read:None
You
know, it's just mean when a publisher discounts a whole series you've
recently gotten hooked on. Or the first five books, anyways. Those Jill Shalvis novels?
All on sale for $1.99 at the moment, which is awesome, because Lucky
Harbor is a great series that I'm enjoying the heck out of. I keep
trying to note *why* I'm enjoying it, so I can perhaps use that to
further my own writing, but reading critically is difficult for me
because...well, I don't read to work, I read to be entertained and
escape reality for awhile.
In any
case, I'm still trying to figure out why they're so frickin' addictive,
and when I do, I'll let you know. Or you can just go grab a couple, and
let *me* know what you think instead...
Moonlight & Margaritas
was really a great relationship read...intense in spots, and what I
liked most was the vulnerability of the characters even though they were
pretty strong about it. It almost, but not quite crosses the line into
chick lit,...but in a good genre-blending way. Good stuff - I'd
certainly recommend it.
And of course Eat Play Lust
was awesome and hilarious, as all Tawna's books are. It's a quick,
flirty read with stand up paddle board yoga (!?) involved, but that's
not the best part. Tater tots. And I'm not saying any more - you'll just
have to pick up a copy and read it yourself (.99 cents, people).
As you can see, I've started the latest (to us, we wait for paperback on thrillers) Preston & Child novel, Two Graves ,
which starts out with an insane give and take exchange that nearly
broke my heart, and now has me wondering what the *heck* is going to
happen next. It's in print, which means slower reading for me, but I
really am going to have to make more time for this particular one.
Amazon's new Matchbook program is really going to help if these books
are included in the program, because I can get the print for my husband,
and a digital copy for myself without breaking the bank. *happy sigh*
And of course The Sweetest Thing is Tara's story in Lucky Harbor...and what a story it is. Whew!
No
comic reading this week, but I need to catch up on those soon - they're
piling up! Luckily most of the comics I read now are monthlies, which
helps.
That's it for this week...what are you reading?Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Romantic Suspense
| Erotic Romance | Suspense/Thriller
| Flash Fiction | Non-Fiction
**Please
note - If this is your first time posting, your comment
will be moderated. Once you have been approved, future comments will post automatically.
September 2, 2013
On Working, Fall & Flowers...
Looking for the latest Holiday Serial installment? Go here...
Happy Labor Day to those here in the US lucky enough to have the
day off! Personally, I'm somewhere in between, as I have the day off
from my web dev. job, but I'll be working most of today for my
writing/publishing biz (more publishing prep and marketing stuff than
writing, but that's why it's called "work"). Nice thing about working at
home is, I can take a break whenever I want, go play with the dogs,
weed in the garden (hypothetically speaking), and get laundry done. All
makes for a very good day, IMO.
This morning
there's a definite chill in the air, almost but not quite fall-like. I
love fall. It's my favorite season of the year. Temperate days, cool
nights, and that crisp chill that is invigorating and at the same time
makes one think of baked apples and spiced chai. *sigh*
My African violet
bloomed this weekend - the only one I currently have. I used to grow
shelves and shelves of them under light bars, even was part of
an African violet club for awhile (youngest member, of course). I think
they are some of the most beautiful flowers, dainty as they are, and
this one was an impulse purchase that I'm very glad to have made. It
will bloom on and off all winter long, bringing a spot of color to my
living room even in the cold winter months along with the orchids on my
dining room table.
Interestingly, I'm not all
that fond of cut flower bouquets. Normally there's at least one flower
in them that makes my allergies flare up, and I never remember to keep
the vase full, so they die pretty quickly in my house. But flowering
houseplants normally don't bother my allergies, and they live for a very
long time as long as I remember to water them every once in awhile
(plants don't die from too much water here - they die of neglect when
I'm busy with other things).
Now if I could
just get the gardens outside in good shape...but that's a whole 'nuther
story (and a whole lotta work). Maybe next year...
So what's on my list for this week? Well, let's see:
- THD is due to be released on Friday (so soon?!), so edits, formatting, etc for that. - Newsletter for BSB and a release note for my own subscribers- Two more serial scenes for JB & LC- More progress on my gargoyle story- Cover art for LC- Formatting & publishing prep for another BSB book coming out in two weeks- More crochet & knitting work- Weeding! Must get some weeding done, dang it. - Contemplating starting another short draft, but we'll see.
For
today, I'll be happy if I get the edits done for THD, and a few normal
writing sessions in. Think I'll do some weeding too. Not just because it
needs to be done, but because it's good exercise, and I can always use
more of that.
Whatever you're doing today, I hope it's a good Monday!Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Happy Labor Day to those here in the US lucky enough to have the
day off! Personally, I'm somewhere in between, as I have the day off
from my web dev. job, but I'll be working most of today for my
writing/publishing biz (more publishing prep and marketing stuff than
writing, but that's why it's called "work"). Nice thing about working at
home is, I can take a break whenever I want, go play with the dogs,
weed in the garden (hypothetically speaking), and get laundry done. All
makes for a very good day, IMO.
This morning
there's a definite chill in the air, almost but not quite fall-like. I
love fall. It's my favorite season of the year. Temperate days, cool
nights, and that crisp chill that is invigorating and at the same time
makes one think of baked apples and spiced chai. *sigh*
My African violet
bloomed this weekend - the only one I currently have. I used to grow
shelves and shelves of them under light bars, even was part of
an African violet club for awhile (youngest member, of course). I think
they are some of the most beautiful flowers, dainty as they are, and
this one was an impulse purchase that I'm very glad to have made. It
will bloom on and off all winter long, bringing a spot of color to my
living room even in the cold winter months along with the orchids on my
dining room table.
Interestingly, I'm not all
that fond of cut flower bouquets. Normally there's at least one flower
in them that makes my allergies flare up, and I never remember to keep
the vase full, so they die pretty quickly in my house. But flowering
houseplants normally don't bother my allergies, and they live for a very
long time as long as I remember to water them every once in awhile
(plants don't die from too much water here - they die of neglect when
I'm busy with other things).
Now if I could
just get the gardens outside in good shape...but that's a whole 'nuther
story (and a whole lotta work). Maybe next year...
So what's on my list for this week? Well, let's see:
- THD is due to be released on Friday (so soon?!), so edits, formatting, etc for that. - Newsletter for BSB and a release note for my own subscribers- Two more serial scenes for JB & LC- More progress on my gargoyle story- Cover art for LC- Formatting & publishing prep for another BSB book coming out in two weeks- More crochet & knitting work- Weeding! Must get some weeding done, dang it. - Contemplating starting another short draft, but we'll see.
For
today, I'll be happy if I get the edits done for THD, and a few normal
writing sessions in. Think I'll do some weeding too. Not just because it
needs to be done, but because it's good exercise, and I can always use
more of that.
Whatever you're doing today, I hope it's a good Monday!Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Romantic Suspense
| Erotic Romance | Suspense/Thriller
| Flash Fiction | Non-Fiction
**Please
note - If this is your first time posting, your comment
will be moderated. Once you have been approved, future comments will post automatically.
Serial Holiday Shorts: Mr. Mysterious - Labor Day
Mr.
Mysterious is one branch of a three-pronged holiday short series by
myself and two of my alter-egos. We follow three women through the year,
each with a different goal that may be achieved in ways they can't even
fathom just yet. This is Laura's story. You can read the first part here. All stories are posted in draft form. The combined, edited version will be released in December 2013.
***Warning - if you are under 18 yrs old, or easily offended by graphic material,
do not read further.***
Valentine's Day | St. Patrick's Day | Easter | Memorial Day | Independence Day |
The Decision
“I have something important to tell you both,” Laura said as she took a seat at the tall pub table across from her two best friends. The last eight weeks had been a blur of activity, and she hadn’t seen either of them since the Fourth of July. So much had happened, she wasn’t even sure where to start, but there was no more hiding it.
“So you decided to pick the cheesiest bar in town to do it in?” Jodi asked, wrinkling her nose as she looked pointedly at the leopard-print carpet and mirrored walls. “How on earth did you find this place anyway? It looks less Dingo’s, more cheetah...as in Chester, that is.”
“I chose the bar,” Melanie said with a grin. “A friend of a friend told me it’s the hottest cougar bar around. Rawrr!” She laughed, making a claw with her fingers and play-scratching at Jodi, who looked less than amused.
“Ahem,” Laura cleared her throat. “Can we focus please, before the guys show up?” They both nodded, Melanie folding her hands on the table with a look of mock seriousness that Laura decided to ignore.
Taking a deep breath, she decided to just spit out quickly.
“I’ve decided to become an FBI agent.”
Melanie and Jodi looked at each other, then burst out laughing. Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, Laura waited patiently while they cackled, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. She’d known they would be less than supportive, but she hadn’t expected this.
“Good one!” Jodi said finally, shaking her head as she took deep breaths. “Oh man, I needed that.” She took a sip of her drink. swiping at moisture from her eyes with a napkin.
Melanie looked Laura in the eye, still giggling. “Oh come on - don’t be like that. You didn’t expect us to believe that, did you? It’s crazy! You can’t just ‘decide’ to join the FBI...”
Laura slid off the barstool, slinging her purse over her shoulder. The smiles and remaining laughter faded as she crossed her arms over her chest.
“As a matter of fact, you can, if you have the right qualifications. And I happen to qualify for a couple of their entry programs, so I’ve already started the process. I just thought you two might want to know why I’ll be away for awhile, but apparently I misjudged you. Thanks for your support, both of you.”
She started to walk away when a hand grabbed her shoulder.
“Laura wait,” Jodi said from behind her. “You’re not doing this because of him, are you? Even if he’s not a fraud, you don’t just pick up and change your whole life for some guy you barely know. You’d be the first one to tell us the same thing, if it was one of us.”
Turning slightly, Laura shrugged. “Initially it was for him, but the more I learn, the more I want to do this for me. I feel like this is what I’m supposed to do, after years of working a job I hate. It’s just a bonus that he’s an agent too. It means we have a chance.”
Or they might, if he’d bother to return any of her calls. When she’d told him what she wanted to do, he’d refused to help and walked away.
Melanie shook her head. “You’re kidding yourself, Laura. Just because you both work for them, doesn’t mean you’ll get assigned together. You’re not thinking straight here. This guy’s got you all turned around.”
Blinking fast, Laura shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve finally found something I really want to do, and I was hoping you’d at least be interested enough to talk about it. But I guess I know where we stand. I’ll...see you around. Or not.”
Shrugging off Jodi’s hand, she weaved through the thickening crowd, relieved when she finally pushed through the front door. Hold it together, she told herself silently. She was scheduled to leave in a week, and tonight after a glass of wine and a long journal entry, she’d start the process of packing and sorting. On of the job requirements was that she’d be available to go where ever they needed her to, so the next few years would probably involve a lot of moving, which was fine by her.
It was clear her life needed a good shake-up. And David or no David, friends or no friends, she was ready for something new.
The drive home was quick, and as she pulled into the driveway her heart quickened at the sight of a male figure gracing her front steps in the late dusky light. She couldn’t see his face, but she’d know that body anywhere.
She stopped a couple feet from him, watching him for a couple of seconds. His eyes never left hers, never wavered from the stare.
“David.”
“Laura.” His voice was raspy, like it hadn’t been used in days, and she wondered if he’d been on assignment.
“What are you doing here?”
She waited for what seemed like hours, though it couldn’t have been more than five minutes. Finally giving up, she moved to go up the stairs past him, stopping only when a hand closed around one of her ankles. Closer now, she could look deeper into his eyes, and the anguish and need there nearly made her recoil.
“I couldn’t...I can’t stay away. I need you.”
She looked up at the door, tucking a strand of hair behind one ear.
“I’m joining the FBI. You can’t stop that - it’s done.”
His fingers massaged her skin lightly. “I know.”
She nodded, still not looking at him. Did she dare hope that he’d changed his mind? That he’d still want to be with her after all of his strident protests? Was she strong enough to send him away?
“Would you like to come in?”
He stood, releasing her ankle and reaching for her hand.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Her heart raced as she fitted the key in the lock, his touch making every thought in her brain float away. They needed to talk, to clarify things, sure, but the only thing she could focus on was getting him behind closed doors. And out of his clothes.
He grunted behind her, his hand tugging hard on hers before sliding away. Frowning, she looked over her shoulder as something stung the back of her leg. As she registered David’s prone form lying on the ground behind her, the world started spinning and everything went black.
###
Join us for the next installment of Laura's story right here on Halloween - October 31, 2013.
Curious about what Melanie and Jodi were up to while Laura was reconciling with
Mysterious? Check in on Melanie at AlexWesthaven.com (horror), and Jodi at TrinityMarlow.com (erotic romance) - both installments will be posted later today. Thanks for reading! Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Mysterious is one branch of a three-pronged holiday short series by
myself and two of my alter-egos. We follow three women through the year,
each with a different goal that may be achieved in ways they can't even
fathom just yet. This is Laura's story. You can read the first part here. All stories are posted in draft form. The combined, edited version will be released in December 2013.
***Warning - if you are under 18 yrs old, or easily offended by graphic material,
do not read further.***
Valentine's Day | St. Patrick's Day | Easter | Memorial Day | Independence Day |
The Decision
“I have something important to tell you both,” Laura said as she took a seat at the tall pub table across from her two best friends. The last eight weeks had been a blur of activity, and she hadn’t seen either of them since the Fourth of July. So much had happened, she wasn’t even sure where to start, but there was no more hiding it.
“So you decided to pick the cheesiest bar in town to do it in?” Jodi asked, wrinkling her nose as she looked pointedly at the leopard-print carpet and mirrored walls. “How on earth did you find this place anyway? It looks less Dingo’s, more cheetah...as in Chester, that is.”
“I chose the bar,” Melanie said with a grin. “A friend of a friend told me it’s the hottest cougar bar around. Rawrr!” She laughed, making a claw with her fingers and play-scratching at Jodi, who looked less than amused.
“Ahem,” Laura cleared her throat. “Can we focus please, before the guys show up?” They both nodded, Melanie folding her hands on the table with a look of mock seriousness that Laura decided to ignore.
Taking a deep breath, she decided to just spit out quickly.
“I’ve decided to become an FBI agent.”
Melanie and Jodi looked at each other, then burst out laughing. Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, Laura waited patiently while they cackled, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. She’d known they would be less than supportive, but she hadn’t expected this.
“Good one!” Jodi said finally, shaking her head as she took deep breaths. “Oh man, I needed that.” She took a sip of her drink. swiping at moisture from her eyes with a napkin.
Melanie looked Laura in the eye, still giggling. “Oh come on - don’t be like that. You didn’t expect us to believe that, did you? It’s crazy! You can’t just ‘decide’ to join the FBI...”
Laura slid off the barstool, slinging her purse over her shoulder. The smiles and remaining laughter faded as she crossed her arms over her chest.
“As a matter of fact, you can, if you have the right qualifications. And I happen to qualify for a couple of their entry programs, so I’ve already started the process. I just thought you two might want to know why I’ll be away for awhile, but apparently I misjudged you. Thanks for your support, both of you.”
She started to walk away when a hand grabbed her shoulder.
“Laura wait,” Jodi said from behind her. “You’re not doing this because of him, are you? Even if he’s not a fraud, you don’t just pick up and change your whole life for some guy you barely know. You’d be the first one to tell us the same thing, if it was one of us.”
Turning slightly, Laura shrugged. “Initially it was for him, but the more I learn, the more I want to do this for me. I feel like this is what I’m supposed to do, after years of working a job I hate. It’s just a bonus that he’s an agent too. It means we have a chance.”
Or they might, if he’d bother to return any of her calls. When she’d told him what she wanted to do, he’d refused to help and walked away.
Melanie shook her head. “You’re kidding yourself, Laura. Just because you both work for them, doesn’t mean you’ll get assigned together. You’re not thinking straight here. This guy’s got you all turned around.”
Blinking fast, Laura shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve finally found something I really want to do, and I was hoping you’d at least be interested enough to talk about it. But I guess I know where we stand. I’ll...see you around. Or not.”
Shrugging off Jodi’s hand, she weaved through the thickening crowd, relieved when she finally pushed through the front door. Hold it together, she told herself silently. She was scheduled to leave in a week, and tonight after a glass of wine and a long journal entry, she’d start the process of packing and sorting. On of the job requirements was that she’d be available to go where ever they needed her to, so the next few years would probably involve a lot of moving, which was fine by her.
It was clear her life needed a good shake-up. And David or no David, friends or no friends, she was ready for something new.
The drive home was quick, and as she pulled into the driveway her heart quickened at the sight of a male figure gracing her front steps in the late dusky light. She couldn’t see his face, but she’d know that body anywhere.
She stopped a couple feet from him, watching him for a couple of seconds. His eyes never left hers, never wavered from the stare.
“David.”
“Laura.” His voice was raspy, like it hadn’t been used in days, and she wondered if he’d been on assignment.
“What are you doing here?”
She waited for what seemed like hours, though it couldn’t have been more than five minutes. Finally giving up, she moved to go up the stairs past him, stopping only when a hand closed around one of her ankles. Closer now, she could look deeper into his eyes, and the anguish and need there nearly made her recoil.
“I couldn’t...I can’t stay away. I need you.”
She looked up at the door, tucking a strand of hair behind one ear.
“I’m joining the FBI. You can’t stop that - it’s done.”
His fingers massaged her skin lightly. “I know.”
She nodded, still not looking at him. Did she dare hope that he’d changed his mind? That he’d still want to be with her after all of his strident protests? Was she strong enough to send him away?
“Would you like to come in?”
He stood, releasing her ankle and reaching for her hand.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Her heart raced as she fitted the key in the lock, his touch making every thought in her brain float away. They needed to talk, to clarify things, sure, but the only thing she could focus on was getting him behind closed doors. And out of his clothes.
He grunted behind her, his hand tugging hard on hers before sliding away. Frowning, she looked over her shoulder as something stung the back of her leg. As she registered David’s prone form lying on the ground behind her, the world started spinning and everything went black.
###
Join us for the next installment of Laura's story right here on Halloween - October 31, 2013.
Curious about what Melanie and Jodi were up to while Laura was reconciling with
Mysterious? Check in on Melanie at AlexWesthaven.com (horror), and Jodi at TrinityMarlow.com (erotic romance) - both installments will be posted later today. Thanks for reading! Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Romantic Suspense
| Erotic Romance | Suspense/Thriller
| Flash Fiction | Non-Fiction
**Please
note - If this is your first time posting, your comment
will be moderated. Once you have been approved, future comments will post automatically.
August 30, 2013
Serial Story: Jasmine Betrayal, Part 4
This story is presented weekly in draft (that means unedited)
format every Friday right here on the blog for free. When the story is
done, it will be edited, polished and available for sale at all your
favorite online retailers.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 |
Jasmine Betrayal
Part 4
Max watched as his new charge processed the information he’d just given her. It was a lot to take in, for anyone. Her expression was half scowl, half cringe - understandable considering how hard she must have hit her head. He could see the moment she fully understood though, as her eyes grew hard and her nose wrinkled in disgust.
“He wants to use my land to build a damn resort,” she murmured, shifting the bag of frozen veggies on her head. “Damn developer sharks. I need to call the cops. And my lawyer. I am not putting up with this crap, excuse my language.”
She reached for the phone on the desk and started to dial before Max’s brain got over her adorable drawl and realized what she’d just said. He pulled the cord from the back of the phone and held it up.
“The cops are probably already on the way - but they’re not on your side. Jenkins has his fingers in more places than you’d imagine, and the police department is probably one of them. He probably had them on standby to clean up the mess.”
Sirens in the distance punctuated his point and she looked past him, toward the front of the diner.
“Someone driving by could have called,” she said, though there was a thread of doubt in her voice.
Max put his hand on hers, holding her stare when her eyes whipped to his.
“Let’s not find out. Come on - we’ve got to get out of here before anyone else comes. You don’t want to tangle with these guys. You can’t win.”
As soon as it left his mouth, her eyes narrowed and he knew it was a mistake. Just barely refraining from cussing, he dropped his hand and stood up, pacing in front of her. Getting her out of here, and as far away from the diner as possible was paramount. If she wouldn’t go willingly, he’d have to use force, but that would draw more attention than he wanted.
Stopping, he looked down at her, holding up a hand when she opened her mouth to speak.
“Is the deed here? On the property, I mean?”
She merely clamped her lips shut, crossing her arms over her chest. Max sighed as the sirens stopped in the parking lot out front. They were out of time.
Making a decision, he bent over to look her in th eye. “If you scream, you die. Do you understand that?”
Her eyes widened and her muscles tensed. Voices filtered through the swinging door to the dining room, and her gaze flicked back to the door.
In one smooth movement, Max grabbed her arm and pulled her forward onto his shoulder, pushing up to carry her caveman-style through the kitchen and to the back door. She kicked and pounded on his back as he hurried down the back steps toward the trailer several yards back and deposited her in the front seat of the truck parked just in front of it, pushing her across as he climbed in beside her.
She reached for the passenger door and he grabbed her wrist, thankful that the keys were hanging from the ignition. Bad habit they’d need to discuss later on, but for now, it was a godsend. Holding on to her with an iron grip, he gunned the engine and sped off across the packed barren earth, praying they could make the highway before their pursuers.
Genevieve Morano pulled, yanked and kicked, doing everything in her power to break his hold as he drove them away from her inheritance. Tears ran down her cheeks when she finally quieted, looking back over her shoulder at the flashing lights Max watched in the rearview mirror.
The whole time, she never screamed.
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
format every Friday right here on the blog for free. When the story is
done, it will be edited, polished and available for sale at all your
favorite online retailers.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 |
Jasmine Betrayal
Part 4
Max watched as his new charge processed the information he’d just given her. It was a lot to take in, for anyone. Her expression was half scowl, half cringe - understandable considering how hard she must have hit her head. He could see the moment she fully understood though, as her eyes grew hard and her nose wrinkled in disgust.
“He wants to use my land to build a damn resort,” she murmured, shifting the bag of frozen veggies on her head. “Damn developer sharks. I need to call the cops. And my lawyer. I am not putting up with this crap, excuse my language.”
She reached for the phone on the desk and started to dial before Max’s brain got over her adorable drawl and realized what she’d just said. He pulled the cord from the back of the phone and held it up.
“The cops are probably already on the way - but they’re not on your side. Jenkins has his fingers in more places than you’d imagine, and the police department is probably one of them. He probably had them on standby to clean up the mess.”
Sirens in the distance punctuated his point and she looked past him, toward the front of the diner.
“Someone driving by could have called,” she said, though there was a thread of doubt in her voice.
Max put his hand on hers, holding her stare when her eyes whipped to his.
“Let’s not find out. Come on - we’ve got to get out of here before anyone else comes. You don’t want to tangle with these guys. You can’t win.”
As soon as it left his mouth, her eyes narrowed and he knew it was a mistake. Just barely refraining from cussing, he dropped his hand and stood up, pacing in front of her. Getting her out of here, and as far away from the diner as possible was paramount. If she wouldn’t go willingly, he’d have to use force, but that would draw more attention than he wanted.
Stopping, he looked down at her, holding up a hand when she opened her mouth to speak.
“Is the deed here? On the property, I mean?”
She merely clamped her lips shut, crossing her arms over her chest. Max sighed as the sirens stopped in the parking lot out front. They were out of time.
Making a decision, he bent over to look her in th eye. “If you scream, you die. Do you understand that?”
Her eyes widened and her muscles tensed. Voices filtered through the swinging door to the dining room, and her gaze flicked back to the door.
In one smooth movement, Max grabbed her arm and pulled her forward onto his shoulder, pushing up to carry her caveman-style through the kitchen and to the back door. She kicked and pounded on his back as he hurried down the back steps toward the trailer several yards back and deposited her in the front seat of the truck parked just in front of it, pushing her across as he climbed in beside her.
She reached for the passenger door and he grabbed her wrist, thankful that the keys were hanging from the ignition. Bad habit they’d need to discuss later on, but for now, it was a godsend. Holding on to her with an iron grip, he gunned the engine and sped off across the packed barren earth, praying they could make the highway before their pursuers.
Genevieve Morano pulled, yanked and kicked, doing everything in her power to break his hold as he drove them away from her inheritance. Tears ran down her cheeks when she finally quieted, looking back over her shoulder at the flashing lights Max watched in the rearview mirror.
The whole time, she never screamed.
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August 28, 2013
Talkin' Books: Romance, Frustration & Hero/Villain Angst
Books Finished:
Rough Country by John Sanford
High Risk by Vivian Arend
Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis
Diamond Dust by Vivian Arend
Books In Progress:
Moonlight & Margaritas by Cindy Stark
Short Fiction:
None
Comics Read:
Superior Spiderman #15
Morbius #8
Superman Unchained #3
My reading level (along with my stress levels)
have...uh..."leveled" out a bit over the past week, but not before I
finished off the two print novels I had going and two more full-sized
ebooks. Never let it be said that I don't know how to binge on books.
It's a sport I've had down since the summer reading contests at the
library in grade school.
Even if I hadn't already known the ending of Rough Country
(my husband spilled, along with every other person online whining about
it), I'd have seen it coming. And rightly so, really...I'd have been
disappointed had it ended differently, just due to the morality issues
involved. I did feel bad for Virgil, but really, there was only one way
it could logically go. Even fictional characters (or especially them)
aren't immune to Murphy's Law.
High Risk got better again towards the
end, as I suspected it would. I know a lot of readers like those long,
drawn out love scenes, but honestly, they just bore me. And I like sex
in novels...I just don't want pages and pages of it, because while sex
is a significant step, it's also boring to read about in long, drawn out
detail. I'll need the next book in this series, of course, because I
need to know what happens between Alisha and Devon, but I'm going to
wait awhile to buy it, hoping it goes on sale, since I know I'll
probably have to skim quite a bit. I don't know why I don't have that
issue with her paranormals. Maybe they're shorter, not that I'd know,
since I normally read those in ebook format.
Speaking of which, Diamond Dust was
awesome, and I was happy to finally read Caroline's story. She's a human
living among shifters, and her relationship with them is incredibly
intriguing. No, I didn't skim. I loved every second of it, and as usual
with these books, at the end I so badly wanted to read Evan's story and
of course it's not out yet. I'm not sure whether it's written or not,
but I suspect I know where it's going, and if that's the case, it's
going to be some seriously awesome conflict. I'd tell Viv to write
faster, but the woman is already a freak of nature writer - she's got
way more books on the go than I do, and I've got faith I won't have to
wait long, thank goodness...
I found Simply Irresistible , the first
book in Jill Shalvis's Lucky Harbor series on sale for $2.99 last week
(well, nearly two weeks ago now), so I snapped it up (they're normally
more expensive, dang trad pubs). It's Maddie's story, and the story of
how the B&B got renovated and running, and I loved every second of
*that* too. Whew! Hot chemistry, I tell you what. So good. I hope Tara's
story goes on sale soon...I *need* it, you know. But I found another LH
book for $1.99 last week, so I have a Shalvis fix queued up.
Moonlight & Margaritas was free when I
read the sample and downloaded it, and it's not disappointing at all.
So much angst...a lot of it caused by an overbearing male, who is,
thankfully, *not* the hero. Now I'm just holding my breath hoping our
heroine will give in and make the right decision in the end...
As for comics, Superior Spiderman was
fascinating...the Green Goblin and Hob goblin intrigue me, the later
more so than the former because he doesn't seem to really *want* to be a
villain. Which fits perfectly with the entire series theme, actually,
so I'm interested to see what happens next. And Ock is neglecting
Peter's life - it's going to be decision time soon, and I'm curious as
to which he'll choose - an interesting juxtaposition of the hob goblin's
problem.
Superman Unchained confused me, but that
may be because I don't remember the last issue too well, so the context
was out of phase. I sort of caught on mid-issue, and now Wraith is
involved (another character I don't know anything about, not having been
steeped in the comic world), and he's an interesting cat too. So we'll
see. I just adore the artwork in these, which isn't perhaps the best
reason to keep buying them, but if I have the money...
Morbius seemed to finally step up to the
plate this issue, and decided to do something about the threat to his
"home". Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to have any idea what that is,
poor guy. He'll figure it out though, I'm sure. I'm worried about Becky
though...his self-proclaimed human sidekick. She's going to either get
hurt, distract him so he gets hurt, or both (probably). I can see it
coming like a freight train. *sigh*
So lots of varied reading last week, though still a lot of romance.
I have Preston & Child's latest Pendergast novel waiting for me (in
print), and hubby says it's a convoluted mess, so that should
be...interesting. We shall see...
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Rough Country by John Sanford
High Risk by Vivian Arend
Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis
Diamond Dust by Vivian Arend
Books In Progress:
Moonlight & Margaritas by Cindy Stark
Short Fiction:
None
Comics Read:
Superior Spiderman #15
Morbius #8
Superman Unchained #3
My reading level (along with my stress levels)
have...uh..."leveled" out a bit over the past week, but not before I
finished off the two print novels I had going and two more full-sized
ebooks. Never let it be said that I don't know how to binge on books.
It's a sport I've had down since the summer reading contests at the
library in grade school.
Even if I hadn't already known the ending of Rough Country
(my husband spilled, along with every other person online whining about
it), I'd have seen it coming. And rightly so, really...I'd have been
disappointed had it ended differently, just due to the morality issues
involved. I did feel bad for Virgil, but really, there was only one way
it could logically go. Even fictional characters (or especially them)
aren't immune to Murphy's Law.
High Risk got better again towards the
end, as I suspected it would. I know a lot of readers like those long,
drawn out love scenes, but honestly, they just bore me. And I like sex
in novels...I just don't want pages and pages of it, because while sex
is a significant step, it's also boring to read about in long, drawn out
detail. I'll need the next book in this series, of course, because I
need to know what happens between Alisha and Devon, but I'm going to
wait awhile to buy it, hoping it goes on sale, since I know I'll
probably have to skim quite a bit. I don't know why I don't have that
issue with her paranormals. Maybe they're shorter, not that I'd know,
since I normally read those in ebook format.
Speaking of which, Diamond Dust was
awesome, and I was happy to finally read Caroline's story. She's a human
living among shifters, and her relationship with them is incredibly
intriguing. No, I didn't skim. I loved every second of it, and as usual
with these books, at the end I so badly wanted to read Evan's story and
of course it's not out yet. I'm not sure whether it's written or not,
but I suspect I know where it's going, and if that's the case, it's
going to be some seriously awesome conflict. I'd tell Viv to write
faster, but the woman is already a freak of nature writer - she's got
way more books on the go than I do, and I've got faith I won't have to
wait long, thank goodness...
I found Simply Irresistible , the first
book in Jill Shalvis's Lucky Harbor series on sale for $2.99 last week
(well, nearly two weeks ago now), so I snapped it up (they're normally
more expensive, dang trad pubs). It's Maddie's story, and the story of
how the B&B got renovated and running, and I loved every second of
*that* too. Whew! Hot chemistry, I tell you what. So good. I hope Tara's
story goes on sale soon...I *need* it, you know. But I found another LH
book for $1.99 last week, so I have a Shalvis fix queued up.
Moonlight & Margaritas was free when I
read the sample and downloaded it, and it's not disappointing at all.
So much angst...a lot of it caused by an overbearing male, who is,
thankfully, *not* the hero. Now I'm just holding my breath hoping our
heroine will give in and make the right decision in the end...
As for comics, Superior Spiderman was
fascinating...the Green Goblin and Hob goblin intrigue me, the later
more so than the former because he doesn't seem to really *want* to be a
villain. Which fits perfectly with the entire series theme, actually,
so I'm interested to see what happens next. And Ock is neglecting
Peter's life - it's going to be decision time soon, and I'm curious as
to which he'll choose - an interesting juxtaposition of the hob goblin's
problem.
Superman Unchained confused me, but that
may be because I don't remember the last issue too well, so the context
was out of phase. I sort of caught on mid-issue, and now Wraith is
involved (another character I don't know anything about, not having been
steeped in the comic world), and he's an interesting cat too. So we'll
see. I just adore the artwork in these, which isn't perhaps the best
reason to keep buying them, but if I have the money...
Morbius seemed to finally step up to the
plate this issue, and decided to do something about the threat to his
"home". Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to have any idea what that is,
poor guy. He'll figure it out though, I'm sure. I'm worried about Becky
though...his self-proclaimed human sidekick. She's going to either get
hurt, distract him so he gets hurt, or both (probably). I can see it
coming like a freight train. *sigh*
So lots of varied reading last week, though still a lot of romance.
I have Preston & Child's latest Pendergast novel waiting for me (in
print), and hubby says it's a convoluted mess, so that should
be...interesting. We shall see...
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Romantic Suspense
| Erotic Romance | Contemporary Romance |
Horror | Flash Fiction | Non-Fiction
**Please
note - If this is your first time posting, your comment
will be moderated. Once you have been approved, future comments will post automatically.
August 26, 2013
On Stress, Physical Activity & Laziness...
I've been thinking lately about stress and physical activity. More
to the point, how I deal with stress, and how physical activity is
integral to that. Last week was a high-stress week for me, and a low
physical activity week, resulting in...well, a really bad week,
overall.
This summer hasn't been
all that great in terms of working out. Which is a vague way of saying
I've been lazy. My plan was to spend half an hour to an hour every
evening either weeding or walking the dogs, and I've done neither (a
good part of that has been the weather, but still). At the moment, my
workouts consist of morning yoga sessions combined with push-ups and/or
sit-ups, weekend house/yard cleaning, and adult nocturnal activities
(yes, sex is a workout, people...if not, you're doing it wrong). And no,
I haven't put any of the weight I lost back on. I even lost a couple
more pounds this summer.
Here's
the thing. Physical activity releases endorphins...those lovely little
feel-good hormones that keep us happy and focused. Some activities more
than others (*ahem* - here, go read this).
Last week, my husband was sick and I was running late every single
morning, which means I was getting far less activity than my normal
minimums, and that made every little thing that went wrong during the
day magnified a hundred percent in my brain.
Can
you say stress overload? I tend to just completely shut down under
those conditions, especially when much of the stress is caused by too
much human interaction. The only thing I really feel like doing at that
point is reading, which is rather detrimental to productivity.
Needless
to say, I finished several romance novels last week, and started
another one. Yes, the genre choice is significant, sadly enough. By the
end of the week, I was ready to kill everyone who even looked at me,
aside from hot guys, and it's a good thing my husband was feeling better
this weekend.
The interesting
thing is, I could have cut my stress levels in half last week if I'd
just gotten up off the couch and either worked outside for 20 minutes
every evening, or gone downstairs for a quick treadmill or total gym
workout. I mean sure, some activities are better than others for mental
acuity and overall well-being (*ahem*), but a good workout releases
endorphins, serotonin & dopamine too, so when you get down to it I
was just being lazy. Or pouting. Or both (most likely).
Wouldn't
it be cool (and really, really annoying) if we could wear a band on an
arm or leg that measured our "happy hormone" levels, and zapped us
lightly when they were falling below certain levels? That would be our
reminder to go get some exercise and take care of our brains. I bet it
would be effective for a lot of people - or at least make us more aware
of just how much activity we really need to stay healthy, mentally as
well as physically.
Deep thoughts for a Monday, I know, but I write these on Sunday, so...
Anyways. Last week = unproductive and snarly. This week, I'm determined to do better on all fronts. Here's the list:
- 2 serial scenes- Finish up the last holiday serial for Labor Day- Get all my morning yoga workouts in- Grab some sort of workout every single night, even if it's just 20 min. in the yard- Another couple squares for the current afghan project- Start a knitted gift project- Keep up with the day job stuff
And that's it. Just gonna focus on what needs to be done this week, and after that, anything extra is gravy.
Mmm...gravy.
Here's to good health and not being lazy!
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
to the point, how I deal with stress, and how physical activity is
integral to that. Last week was a high-stress week for me, and a low
physical activity week, resulting in...well, a really bad week,
overall.
This summer hasn't been
all that great in terms of working out. Which is a vague way of saying
I've been lazy. My plan was to spend half an hour to an hour every
evening either weeding or walking the dogs, and I've done neither (a
good part of that has been the weather, but still). At the moment, my
workouts consist of morning yoga sessions combined with push-ups and/or
sit-ups, weekend house/yard cleaning, and adult nocturnal activities
(yes, sex is a workout, people...if not, you're doing it wrong). And no,
I haven't put any of the weight I lost back on. I even lost a couple
more pounds this summer.
Here's
the thing. Physical activity releases endorphins...those lovely little
feel-good hormones that keep us happy and focused. Some activities more
than others (*ahem* - here, go read this).
Last week, my husband was sick and I was running late every single
morning, which means I was getting far less activity than my normal
minimums, and that made every little thing that went wrong during the
day magnified a hundred percent in my brain.
Can
you say stress overload? I tend to just completely shut down under
those conditions, especially when much of the stress is caused by too
much human interaction. The only thing I really feel like doing at that
point is reading, which is rather detrimental to productivity.
Needless
to say, I finished several romance novels last week, and started
another one. Yes, the genre choice is significant, sadly enough. By the
end of the week, I was ready to kill everyone who even looked at me,
aside from hot guys, and it's a good thing my husband was feeling better
this weekend.
The interesting
thing is, I could have cut my stress levels in half last week if I'd
just gotten up off the couch and either worked outside for 20 minutes
every evening, or gone downstairs for a quick treadmill or total gym
workout. I mean sure, some activities are better than others for mental
acuity and overall well-being (*ahem*), but a good workout releases
endorphins, serotonin & dopamine too, so when you get down to it I
was just being lazy. Or pouting. Or both (most likely).
Wouldn't
it be cool (and really, really annoying) if we could wear a band on an
arm or leg that measured our "happy hormone" levels, and zapped us
lightly when they were falling below certain levels? That would be our
reminder to go get some exercise and take care of our brains. I bet it
would be effective for a lot of people - or at least make us more aware
of just how much activity we really need to stay healthy, mentally as
well as physically.
Deep thoughts for a Monday, I know, but I write these on Sunday, so...
Anyways. Last week = unproductive and snarly. This week, I'm determined to do better on all fronts. Here's the list:
- 2 serial scenes- Finish up the last holiday serial for Labor Day- Get all my morning yoga workouts in- Grab some sort of workout every single night, even if it's just 20 min. in the yard- Another couple squares for the current afghan project- Start a knitted gift project- Keep up with the day job stuff
And that's it. Just gonna focus on what needs to be done this week, and after that, anything extra is gravy.
Mmm...gravy.
Here's to good health and not being lazy!
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Romantic Suspense
| Erotic Romance | Contemporary Romance |
Horror | Flash Fiction | Non-Fiction
**Please
note - If this is your first time posting, your comment
will be moderated. Once you have been approved, future comments will post automatically.
August 23, 2013
Serial Story: Jasmine Betrayal, Part 3
This story is presented weekly in draft (that means unedited)
format every Friday right here on the blog for free. When the story is
done, it will be edited, polished and available for sale at all your
favorite online retailers.
Part 1 | Part 2 |
Jasmine Betrayal
Part 3
Genevieve crouched just to the side of the open door of the dark office, watching her dubious rescuer run into the kitchen and glance at the freezer entrance on the opposite wall. Was he coming to let her out? The risk of being locked there indefinitely had been too much, and she’d chosen the office instead, arming herself with her father’s old shotgun. He’d always kept it loaded, and while it probably hadn’t been fired in many years, she figured it would still cause a decent amount of pain if she bludgeoned someone with it.
The back door creaked, a loud pop made her cringe and then the man was on the floor, arms outstretched with his gun trained on another man with a gun.
She didn’t think. Just leveled the rifle with the butt against her shoulder like she’d seen her dad do, aimed high, and pulled the trigger.
The next few seconds were a chaotic melange of sound, pain, motion and more pain before everything around her went black.
***
“Ms. Morano? Can you hear me? You need to wake up now...”
Genevieve opened her eyes, then groaned, squeezing them shut again as light lanced through her head like a lightening bolt.
“God that hurts. What happened?” Rolling to the side, she cautiously opened her eyes again, shielding the light with one hand as she met the mystery-man’s concerned gaze. “And who the heck are you? Why are you here?”
“I’m here to help you,” he said, reaching out a hand to help her sit up. “My name is Max Westlake, and you just shot one of the bad guys and saved my life.” The corners of his full lips turned up slightly, and she reminded herself not to stare. He was probably a great kisser.
“The recoil from that old rifle sent you flying into the side of a desk. You’re lucky the gun didn’t blow up in your face...and somehow you’re not bleeding, though I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a crack in your thick skull. You really should go to a hospital.”
She felt the back of her head, trying not to panic at what felt like a gigantic goose egg under her fingers. Lumps always felt bigger than they were, right?
“I should get some ice.” Moving carefully, Genevieve reached up and grasped the edge of the desk with one hand, and propped the other on a nearby chair. She managed to get a couple inches off the floor before everything started spinning and her stomach turned.
“Whoa...easy there.” Max caught her under the arms and lifted her into the chair as if she weighed nothing - which would be a blatant lie. He squatted down in front of her and she focused on his face, staring into those emerald eyes of his until everything around her stopped moving.
“I’m sure you saw the freezer,” she said, leaning back against the wall, careful not to let her head make contact. “Make yourself useful and grab a smaller bag of something frozen for me, would you?”
He didn’t say a word, just stood up and walked out. The man had a fine ass, she thought, smiling slightly as she watched him walk away. Broad shoulders too. Not that she had any business noticing. Trusting anyone at this point would be a foolish endeavor.
He came back and handed her a small bag of frozen french fries, and she held it gingerly to the back of her head. Staring past him, she saw the man on the floor laying in a thick, red lake.
Her stomach churned. “I killed him. Lord help me, I killed a man. That’s bad. That’s very bad.” She shook her head, each movement sending another painful throb through her skull as Max moved to block her vision.
“If you hadn’t, I would have,” he said, his tone hard. Confident. “And he would have killed me. You made the right choice, Ms. Morano. Your dad would agree.”
Genevieve blinked, frowning at him as the words sunk in. “How would you know that? Did you know my father? Is that why you’re here?”
Max nodded. “Your dad helped me once. Saved my life. I’m here to pay back that debt.”
“And him?” She pointed over Max’s shoulder. “The others I heard out front? Why are they here?”
“To kill you and take the diner. Charlie Jenkins doesn’t want your money. He wants this diner. More specifically, he wants the deed to this land.”
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
format every Friday right here on the blog for free. When the story is
done, it will be edited, polished and available for sale at all your
favorite online retailers.
Part 1 | Part 2 |
Jasmine Betrayal
Part 3
Genevieve crouched just to the side of the open door of the dark office, watching her dubious rescuer run into the kitchen and glance at the freezer entrance on the opposite wall. Was he coming to let her out? The risk of being locked there indefinitely had been too much, and she’d chosen the office instead, arming herself with her father’s old shotgun. He’d always kept it loaded, and while it probably hadn’t been fired in many years, she figured it would still cause a decent amount of pain if she bludgeoned someone with it.
The back door creaked, a loud pop made her cringe and then the man was on the floor, arms outstretched with his gun trained on another man with a gun.
She didn’t think. Just leveled the rifle with the butt against her shoulder like she’d seen her dad do, aimed high, and pulled the trigger.
The next few seconds were a chaotic melange of sound, pain, motion and more pain before everything around her went black.
***
“Ms. Morano? Can you hear me? You need to wake up now...”
Genevieve opened her eyes, then groaned, squeezing them shut again as light lanced through her head like a lightening bolt.
“God that hurts. What happened?” Rolling to the side, she cautiously opened her eyes again, shielding the light with one hand as she met the mystery-man’s concerned gaze. “And who the heck are you? Why are you here?”
“I’m here to help you,” he said, reaching out a hand to help her sit up. “My name is Max Westlake, and you just shot one of the bad guys and saved my life.” The corners of his full lips turned up slightly, and she reminded herself not to stare. He was probably a great kisser.
“The recoil from that old rifle sent you flying into the side of a desk. You’re lucky the gun didn’t blow up in your face...and somehow you’re not bleeding, though I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a crack in your thick skull. You really should go to a hospital.”
She felt the back of her head, trying not to panic at what felt like a gigantic goose egg under her fingers. Lumps always felt bigger than they were, right?
“I should get some ice.” Moving carefully, Genevieve reached up and grasped the edge of the desk with one hand, and propped the other on a nearby chair. She managed to get a couple inches off the floor before everything started spinning and her stomach turned.
“Whoa...easy there.” Max caught her under the arms and lifted her into the chair as if she weighed nothing - which would be a blatant lie. He squatted down in front of her and she focused on his face, staring into those emerald eyes of his until everything around her stopped moving.
“I’m sure you saw the freezer,” she said, leaning back against the wall, careful not to let her head make contact. “Make yourself useful and grab a smaller bag of something frozen for me, would you?”
He didn’t say a word, just stood up and walked out. The man had a fine ass, she thought, smiling slightly as she watched him walk away. Broad shoulders too. Not that she had any business noticing. Trusting anyone at this point would be a foolish endeavor.
He came back and handed her a small bag of frozen french fries, and she held it gingerly to the back of her head. Staring past him, she saw the man on the floor laying in a thick, red lake.
Her stomach churned. “I killed him. Lord help me, I killed a man. That’s bad. That’s very bad.” She shook her head, each movement sending another painful throb through her skull as Max moved to block her vision.
“If you hadn’t, I would have,” he said, his tone hard. Confident. “And he would have killed me. You made the right choice, Ms. Morano. Your dad would agree.”
Genevieve blinked, frowning at him as the words sunk in. “How would you know that? Did you know my father? Is that why you’re here?”
Max nodded. “Your dad helped me once. Saved my life. I’m here to pay back that debt.”
“And him?” She pointed over Max’s shoulder. “The others I heard out front? Why are they here?”
“To kill you and take the diner. Charlie Jenkins doesn’t want your money. He wants this diner. More specifically, he wants the deed to this land.”
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Romantic Suspense
| Erotic Romance | Contemporary Romance |
Horror | Flash Fiction | Non-Fiction
**Please
note - If this is your first time posting, your comment
will be moderated. Once you have been approved, future comments will post automatically.
