Sarah Cass's Blog: Sarah's StoryLines, page 21

Tuesday Tales – Savage – Stalled Independence

Welcome back to Tuesday Tales!  This weeks prompt is Savage. This is quite sometime later in the (almost complete) Stalled Independence story.  Clay and Regan have been dating for a couple of weeks, known each other about a month.  Turns out that despite their very disparate backgrounds they have quite a bit in common.   This scene involves the hero, Clay and his unscheduled (but always welcome) visitor. Calliope (aka Calli) is Clay’s sister, and she’s going to make an appearance in the Thanksgiving story and if I continue my holiday stories in 2015 (i.e. if the publisher takes them on) – she’ll have her own story then.  In the meantime, she’s a sister who’s made an unscheduled, hurried run to New York to see her brother: A honking horn pulled Clay from his work. He wiped the grease from his hands as he withdrew his head out from under the car hood. After he’d waved off his mechanics, he headed toward the doors. Before he got there he spotted a bright white cowboy hat and blonde hair through the glass and grinned. He threw open the door. “Calliope!” “Hey big brother!” His sister spun around and wrapped him in a savage hug. “Damn, I missed you something fierce.” “Missed you too, baby sis.” Clay stepped back and resumed wiping off his hands. Calliope was only ten months younger than he was, and the most fiercely independent of the bunch. Even so, a random visit near the end of May wasn’t typical for her. “So are you going to tell my why you’re really here? Or do I have to call Mama?” “Mama doesn’t know, so it doesn’t matter if you call.” Calli patted his cheek. “And my reasons are mine.” “Fat chance I’m letting you leave it at that.” Clay shoved his rag into his back pocket. “Let me get cleaned up while you throw your things upstairs. We’ll go have lunch.” “I’ll take you up on the food, but not the conversation.” Calli hauled her suitcase out of the trunk. “I’d much rather hear about the girl making you all flustered.” “You’ll get better than that. You’ll get to meet her. She’s working today.” “Oh goody. Then be quick about it.” Calli didn’t give him another look as she traipsed up the side stairs to his apartment. Clay shook his head and went inside to let the guys know he was heading for lunch. One of them decided to take off for lunch too, while his shop manager, Chris said he’d stay behind to finish the Ellsworth’s car. Clay made fast work of scrubbing his arms and face. On his way out, he dropped his hat on his head. Calli was already waiting outside with a shit-eating grin already in place. “So she’s cute, what else do you know about her?” “Why couldn’t you stay down south?” He shook his head and ignored her question, choosing instead to head to the crosswalk. “Don’t you have anything better to do than harass me? Like, oh, I don’t know—working or having a life of your own?” She blew a large raspberry and turned her thumb down. “Both in the toilet, and no I don’t have anything better to do. I have to keep an eye on you. After all, you haven’t had a girl since that uptight girl, what was her name?” “Casey.” Clay grumbled and rubbed the back of his neck. When he’d first come to Rochester he’d met Casey at school. They’d dated for almost four years before he’d realized she’d been sleeping around behind his back from the second he’d decided to leave RIT to buy the shop. “Why on earth bring her up?” “To point out that your head isn’t always screwed on right when it comes to women.” “Well that taught me a lot, and Regan is different.” He hoped. “Well, I’ll see about that.” “Myrtle loves her,” Clay protested. “What else can you do?” “Myrtle’s a good gauge, but I’m your sister.” Calli dragged him across the street wen the light turned. He was beginning to regret suggesting they go to lunch. “Be nice.” “I always am. That’s part of my southern charm, you know. Mama didn’t raise no fools.” “She raised you.” He laughed when she shoved him aside. “What?” “Jerk!” She hopped up the three steps to the diner door and let herself in. Clay followed, still chuckling as he stepped inside the diner. His amusement faded when he noticed for the first time just how crowded the diner was. So much for Calli getting to know Regan at all right then. Maybe it was just as well, it wasn’t fair to corner her at work with his sister. No one deserved that. Calli waved him to the counter where she’d managed to snag two stools for them to sit at. She grinned and scanned the restaurant. “Well?” “Be a little more obvious, why don’t you?” When she stood, he gripped her shoulder and pulled her back into her seat. “I was kidding.” “I wasn’t.” “I don’t see her.” Right as he spoke, Regan burst out from the kitchen with a large tray full of food. The way she held it blocked him from her view, but he recognized her instantly. Against his better judgment, he tracked her path all the way to the large corner booth. “Oooh, she’s adorably scrumptious. Are you sure she plays for your team?” “Back off, sis.” Clay was surprised at how harsh he snarled the words. “I mean, I’m sure.” “You are smitten. So tell me about her.” *~* Hope you enjoyed it!  Click on the Tuesday Tales badge to see more excellent entries!! *~*

Sunday Snippets 30 – Deep Fried Sweethearts

Welcome back to the Weekend Writing Warriors! Skipping forward. Tag just caught Michaela napping at her desk. Unbeknownst to him, she was having naughty dreams of him.  However, he still has something to laugh about: He covered his mouth with a hand while leaning against the file cabinets lining the wall. “I’m awake,” she defended before he could even speak. “It was just a cat nap.” “Of course you are.” His snort burst from behind his hand and he let out a good loud bark of a laugh. “You have a really cute snore.” “I wasn’t—I…” Unfortunately, his laughter was contagious and she found herself joining him before she could form a good argument. *No creative editing used this week.  *~* | Amazon | SCP | BN | ARe |  Michaela O’Keefe is in over her head with her restaurant, The Midway.  Her ad for an assistant manager brings Owen “Tag” Montague to her doorstep. With an impeccable resume and dozens of letters of recommendation, she has little choice but to give him a chance. Ten years her junior, Tag sets her long-dead libido humming, but she gave up on love and her instincts on men years ago. Tag has had a crush on his new boss since his youth, but he’s determined to prove he can do the job. Still, he can’t resist the urge to make her blush down to her toes as often as possible. He knows her rough past in life and love makes it hard to trust, and he’s wary of crossing the line he so desperately wants to. Just when they manage to figure out how to work and play together, Michaela’s ex does all he can to destroy their budding love. When push comes to shove Michaela’s inability to give Tag the benefit of the doubt might destroy everything. Learning to trust herself again is the hardest lesson Michaela will ever have to learn – and by the time she does, it may be too late for love. *~* Head back on over to the Weekend Writing Warriors to read many more wonderful offerings!

Thursday Tell All – Amy Evans of Strange Bedfellows

Hi. This is Jane Austeen, and welcome to Proud but Not Prejudiced. Today I’m here with Amy Evans, an animated redhead in her early thirties. Amy is dressed rather unusually for our show in a full-length classic black gown. But I must say, Amy, that off-the-shoulder style and deep plunging back really show off your gorgeous tan. I take it you’ve spent a lot of time out in the sun lately? AMY: Thanks for inviting me today, Jane. Yes, we moved from Cincinnati down to Providenciales this summer. No more snow for this gal. And you-all know what they say: when you’re in the islands, live like the islanders. JANE: So Amy, tell our audience what you were doing in Cincinnati. AMY: To tell the truth, Jane, I was a stripper. Oh, should I have said adult entertainer or one of those other fancy terms? Well, whatever you call it, I showed men my titties for tips. JANE: Um, wow. I don’t think I’ve ever interviewed a stripper before. I’m not sure what to ask. AMY: Oh, I don’t do that anymore. Walt hit a big lottery and his wife agreed to a divorce for half which wasn’t so unexpected ‘cause they hadn’t been in love for a long time. And then we met and he invited me to go on a trip with him, and the rest, as they say, is history. JANE: So a romantic road trip led to your happy relationship? AMY: Well, I’m not sure how romantic it was, especially at first. Walter was a perfect gentleman, damnit. He seemed to like my son JG better than me. But Aunt Morgan said be patient, he liked me fine. And it turned out she was right. She usually is. JANE: So you called your Aunt Morgan for advice in matters of the heart? AMY: Oh, no. She was there too. In fact, to tell the truth, Walt loves her almost as much as he loves me. JANE (with an uneasy laugh): You mean loves her in a platonic sort of way, of course. AMY: No, not really. Aunt Morgan is smokin’ hot, and she’s fascinating to talk to. And Walt is real smart, loves history and all that stuff. JANE: My goodness. Your aunt must be quite a woman. MORGAN: Thank you. JANE: Wait, who said that? AMY: Oh, that was Aunt Morgan. JANE: You mean like she’s a multiple personality or something? AMY: Naw, nothing fancy like that, although it is a bit complicated. She’s a real person except that she lives in here with me. Ask her something. JANE: Hello, Aunt Morgan. How long have you lived there with Amy? MORGAN: I came to live with Amy when she was six. I’d been living with her grandmother, but she was in the hospital dying when Amy came to visit. Seemed like a good choice, and she’s turned out to be my favorite special niece ever. AMY: Why thanks, Aunt Morgan. That’s a real nice thing to say. JANE: So I take it you’ve been doing this for a long time, Aunt Morgan. So how old are you anyway? MORGAN: You know a woman doesn’t like to talk about her age, particularly a woman like me. JANE: Our audience is the soul of discretion. You can tell us. MORGAN: They probably won’t believe it anyway. But the truth is, Jane, I’m more than 1500 years old. JANE: 1500 years? I’m not too good with math, but that was long before Columbus. Were you a Native American? MORGAN: Of course not. I’m British. A queen in my first life. In fact, you’ve heard of me. And my half brother Arthur was a king. I’m sure you’ve heard of him. JANE: Um, King . . . Arthur? Morgan? You mean, you’re that Morgan? Morgan le Fay? AMY: And Aunt Morgan told me that this gown was way better than anything Guinevere ever owned. That’s why I wore it. (at this point the network interrupted the broadcast, so we’re not sure what happens next) *~*~*~*~* Strange Bedfellows has 4 first-person narrators. In this excerpt, Amy’s 11-year-old son JG is speaking.   Sava pats my hand. “Now tell me what’s so epic about Aunt Morgan, JG.” “One day, Walt asked her a question directly, and she answered him just like an ordinary person would. So although I’ve been around her eleven years more than him, he’d already figured out that she was like a different person. So I got my nerve up and asked her like who she really was, and she answered me too. Said, ‘Hold that thought.’ “Then while we were driving down here she started telling us her life story. How she was born back in the fifth century in Cornwall which I looked up and it’s a part of Great Britain. And how her father was a duke who was killed fighting against the king who then married her mother and then guess what! She’s Morgan le Fay! The evil witch from the King Arthur story only she’s not really evil although she really is a witch. And somehow she learned how to jump from person to person so she wouldn’t die but we haven’t gotten to that part of the story yet and now she’s living inside my mom!” I got a little loud as I told that last part and Sava holds a finger to my lips. “Shhh. Don’t tell everybody, doofus.” She’d picked that up from Marcus, but coming from her it seemed, well, friendlier. “Let me see if I got this straight. Your mom’s cool enough to sunbathe in the nude and she’s a stripper who trusts you enough to leave you at home at night all by yourself and she’s traveling with a really nice guy who isn’t sleeping with her because you haven’t said it’s okay, AND she has the real Morgan le Fay living in her head, and you somehow think I might not want to be your girlfriend anymore because of that?” She does this real exaggerated show like she’s scratching her head. “Let me see. Um, gee, I don’t know.” She crosses her arms and shakes her head sadly. “Marcus is right. You are a doofus.” At least I think that’s what she said. I sort of lost track of everything after the word ‘girlfriend.’ *~*~*~*~* |  | BLURB Commentators claim that Politics makes Strange Bedfellows. Politics? Hah. I heap scorn on such an ill-considered opinion. For you and I both know: it is love that makes the strangest bedfellows. Here. Let me give you just one example. A strange tale that begins with . . . Walter—a loveable middle-aged accounting nerd. Crappy job, boss from hell, loveless marriage—who gets a do-over when he wins a big lottery. He hits the road only to find . . . Amy—Sweet, Southern gal stuck in Cincinnati, stripping for a living because it pays better than Wal-Mart. Seems an unlikely candidate to do-over with, but stranger things have happened. It might work out, except she’s got this crazy . . . Aunt Morgan—everybody has a crazy aunt, but this one is special. Engaging, seductive even . . . how old is she, anyway? And how can she always be around? *~*~*~*~* Rusty Rhoad grew up on the South Carolina coast, practiced chemical engineering near Houston, Texas for 32 years, and now writes humorous Arthurian fiction “full time.” “I love characters who see the world with their tongues firmly in their cheeks,” Rhoad writes. “Life is too often serious; fiction should always have a place for the offbeat, the quirky, and the sardonic.” Rhoad’s first novel, Return from Avalon (and Points West), was released by Soul Mate Publishing in July 2013; his second novel, Strange Bedfellows, was published in March 2014. A third book, Avalon, South Carolina, is due out this summer. *~*~*~*~* Blog: http://allthingswordsblog.wordpress.com/  

Tuesday Tales – Lemon – Stalled Independence

Welcome back to Tuesday Tales!  This weeks prompt is to be inspired by Lemon. I’d like to re-introduce you to Regan from my Independence Day story set in the wonderful little town of Lake Point (where Tag & Michaela live). I first introduced her months ago when her car stalled out and died…and she was rescued by a cowboy. At this point in the story Regan has managed to get herself a job and a place to stay. She’s crushing on her rescuer, Clay, a little bit…but her past experiences hold her back. Myrtle (Tag’s aunt) is her boss…and meddling in her life as much as she does anyones: Regan rushed into The Diner so fast she forgot to let go of the door and got yanked backwards. Her finger smarted and she cursed under her breath. “Crap, damn, ow.” “Well there you are, sunshine.” Myrtle set two full plates down on the bar for the waiting customers. “I was getting worried about you.” “Sorry. Sorry.” Regan shook out her hand and shed her coat. “The alarm in the apartment didn’t go off.” “How did your first night in the new place go?” Thanks to Myrtle, Regan had found a nice, small, and furnished apartment to rent that wasn’t too expensive. Although it was someone’s finished basement, she had a front and back door, a kitchen and bathroom. Her bedroom and living room were the same room, but there was a large walk-in closet that would have been great if she still had all her clothes. “It was okay.” “Just okay?” Myrtle handed Regan her apron as she passed. “You were all excited to not be sleeping in the motel. Is the apartment not comfortable?” “No. It’s great. The bed is stupid-comfortable.” Regan tied off the apron and scanned the room. Lucky for her there weren’t a lot of customers yet. Her guilt was mildly alleviated that she hadn’t left Myrtle in the lurch. “So?” “Oh, right. It’s just—I’ve never stayed anywhere alone.” From living with her parents as a child, onto her roommate in the dorms her one semester in college, and then right in with Tony, she’d always lived with someone else. “I thought it was just the hotel, but I’m just not used to being alone.” “Everything is much louder and quieter all at once that first time.” Myrtle squeezed her shoulder. “I know how it feels.” “I’m sure I’ll get used to it eventually. It’s just weird.” Weird, creepy, scary, whatever one would call it. Either way, Regan had tossed and turned all night. Without any sleep the night before, she feared she’d end up dragging her feet all shift. “Be a dear and cut those lemons for me, would you?” Myrtle hacked away at a head of lettuce behind the counter. “And how is Clay?” “What?” Regan stopped with the knife barely through the rind. “Why would you ask me that? I mean, what?” Myrtle chuckled. “Sorry. Just you two seem awful chummy.” “He’s been nice.” Regan focused on cutting the lemon. Sure, she found Clay attractive, I mean what girl wouldn’t drool over a tall, dark, and handsome cowboy straight out of a movie. One with brains, and gorgeous forest-green eyes, and…what the hell are you doing? Regan’s shoulders sagged and she focused all her attention on the lemon in front of her. That lemon was far safer than thoughts of Clay. Last thing she needed was a man. After Tony, she’d be find never even being friends with another guy. “Regan?” Myrtle’s hand rested on her shoulder. “What is it, child?” Myrtle’s attentions made Regan aware of the tear on her cheek.  Regan hooked her finger and wiped it away with her knuckle to avoid lemon juice anywhere near her eye. She cleared her throat and tried to come up with a good explanation. After everything, it seemed silly to miss Tony, he was the reason she’d left. “You miss your family?” “No.” Regan closed her eyes, cursing her frank admission. Years ago she’d given up hope of her family caring anymore. They’d disowned her when she’d left college, or rather flunked out. She sighed. “I don’t know. My head is a mess.” “Your head? Or your heart?” “Yes.” “Must have been tough leaving everything.” She hadn’t had much to leave, but it still kept her up at night. The effort it had taken to leave had been herculean. “I just don’t know if I did the right thing.” “Sometimes the right thing to do is the hardest thing to do.” Myrtle tossed the lettuce into a bin, and started in on the carrots. “I’ve been there a few times in my life.” Regan had little doubt Myrtle meant what she said. “I guess.” “You happy here?” “Here?” Regan glanced around the small, neat café. Only a few tables were full, but she already knew all their names. Despite being in New York, which she’d heard was full of rude cities and people, this place had a small town feel like where she’d lived in Illinois. “I think so. I don’t really know it that well, yet.” Why she’d made it conditional, she didn’t know. Instinct, maybe. Instinct to keep guarded. “You know their names?” Myrtle shook her peeler toward the occupied booths. “Yes.” “Then you know it well enough. Lake Point is a good little town. Once you know the lie-abouts like them, you’re in.” Myrtle paused to wink before she resumed her attention to the carrots. “I think sometimes you just know in your heart when you’re home, and you can relax.” “What if you don’t trust your heart?” Though she’d kept her words quiet, Regan could still feel Myrtle’s strong gaze on her. Heat flamed her cheeks and she gathered the cut lemons into the bucket. “I should go put these in the cooler.” *~* Hope you enjoyed it!  Click on the Tuesday Tales badge to see more excellent entries!!

Sunday Snippets 29 – Deep Fried Sweethearts

Welcome back to the Weekend Writing Warriors! Continuing the conversation between Michaela and her friend, Eve. Still talking about Tag, of course…this is just a few lines later in the conversation. Once again, Eve speaks first: “He’ll work out-the boy’s good. He’s going to knock your socks clean off. Maybe the rest of your clothes too.” Michaela laughed until she snorted. She clapped her hand over her nose and tried to settle down. “You’re terrible.” “I know, but a girl’s gotta dream, you know. Without my imagination and my box of toys I’d have very little in the way of a sex life.” *Tiniest bit of creative editing in place, just a wee bit to fit it into the 8 *~* | Amazon | SCP | BN | ARe |  Michaela O’Keefe is in over her head with her restaurant, The Midway.  Her ad for an assistant manager brings Owen “Tag” Montague to her doorstep. With an impeccable resume and dozens of letters of recommendation, she has little choice but to give him a chance. Ten years her junior, Tag sets her long-dead libido humming, but she gave up on love and her instincts on men years ago. Tag has had a crush on his new boss since his youth, but he’s determined to prove he can do the job. Still, he can’t resist the urge to make her blush down to her toes as often as possible. He knows her rough past in life and love makes it hard to trust, and he’s wary of crossing the line he so desperately wants to. Just when they manage to figure out how to work and play together, Michaela’s ex does all he can to destroy their budding love. When push comes to shove Michaela’s inability to give Tag the benefit of the doubt might destroy everything. Learning to trust herself again is the hardest lesson Michaela will ever have to learn – and by the time she does, it may be too late for love. *~* Head back on over to the Weekend Writing Warriors to read many more wonderful offerings!

Tuesday Tales – Hug – Kat’s Story

Welcome back to Tuesday Tales!  This weeks prompt is to be inspired by Hug.

I’ve gone back to Kat’s story (Still w/ the temporary title of Independent Brake).  In this scene we’ve skipped ahead quite a ways from the last scene in which she first meets Patrick Warner and suggests a liaison.  This is six months later and while they have been having their fun, they’ve also formed a good friendship and she’s just suggested which of the new tellers he should hook up with. Her other good friend, Delphine, wants to make sure her head is on straight.

But, unfortunately, one cannot live in a proper society the way Kat has for long without some consequences…and they’re about to come forth:

“I’ll never get used to that.” Delphine gathered Kat’s reports together. “You really don’t care that you are setting him on a new conquest?”

“He is my friend. If we stop that aspect of our relationship for a short time or a long one, that won’t change.” Kat shrugged. “Nothing to be jealous of.”

“Just making sure you’re still in your right mind. I don’t want you falling in love with the man out of turn.” Delphie nudged her. “Or worse, setting your sights on something like marriage.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it, Delphie.” Kat winked and returned to her work. She had to admit that she was surprised that even now she felt no spark of jealousy that Patrick flirted with Pearl. Then again, that was probably well-suited to her situation.

Kat tuned out the interaction several windows down and went about her business. When Patrick left a short while later, she offered him a parting wave. The rest of the afternoon passed quick enough, and she was on her way home after a parting hug to Delphine.

As she approached the boarding house, her good mood began to fail. For standing outside was Miss Crumbly, and what Kat was convinced was her own trunk and satchel. Her heart rate picked up, and she jogged the final steps to the door. “Miss Crumbly.”

“I don’t ask much of my boarders, Miss Wells.” Crumbly’s Irish accent grew thick in hier fit of temper. “But I won’t have women such as yourself sullying the good name of my boarding house.”

“Sullying? Miss Crumbly!” Katherine stepped closer. “What have I done?”

“The way you come and go at all hours of the night and day. You’ve taken up with that rake, Patrick Warner. I have heard the gossip and talk of the unseemly ways you’re carrying on.” She lifted her chin. “I won’t have my boarding house associated with such things. I gave you fair warning last week when you returned before church and dared to attend services right after. You should be ashamed.”

“I’m not ashamed.” Despite her terror at not having a place to live, Kat refused to give Crumbly the pleasure of seeing her tears. If nothing else, she was honest about not being ashamed. “I have no designs to marry, but I also have no wish to be a boring old spinster such as yourself. I’m proud of my life.”

“Then be proud of it elsewhere.” Crumbly turned on her heel and slammed the door behind her.

Kat wanted nothing more than to collapse right there, but she knew nosey girls were peeking out of the curtains. So instead she grabbed the handle of her trunk and her satchel, and started down the street.

Once she was far enough away to avoid being seen, she hailed a cab. Without anywhere else to go, she gave them Patrick’s address. The red hot heat of embarrassment flamed her cheeks, but she still didn’t cry.

The whole ride there, she stayed crouched down in the seat. They city passed in a dimming tableau of normality. When the carriage slowed, she sat up straight as possible, and tried to push aside her embarrassment.

She accepted the driver’s help out of the cab and strolled up the walk to the door. Before the driver had caught up to her, she knocked on the door, and forced a smile as the butler opened the door. “Hello, Loren. I know I’m not expected. Might Mr. Warner be home? I’m afraid I have a favor to ask.”

“Mr. Warner is out, but has left express word that the Misses Wells and Finney are to be let in at any time.” Loren smiled and held open the door. When the driver appeared with her trunk, to Loren’s credit, he didn’t’ even raise a brow. “Leave the trunk there, I’ll take care of it.”

Kat paid the driver, but said nothing else until he was gone, or even after.

“Would you care for tea, Miss Wells?” Loren took her elbow to guide her toward the kitchen. “While you drink, I could have Tillie draw you a bath.”

“Oh. That sounds lovely.” Kat was more than relieved Patrick had been kind enough to leave word that she and Delphie were welcome at any time. If nothing else, it eased her nerves some to know she’d been welcomed.

Without another word, Loren had her settled in a chair in the parlor, a steaming cup of tea in her hands. Though he’d disappeared from view, she could hear him giving orders to Tillie and also to Constance, the cook Kat had found for him.

Kat relaxed more, and smiled. While in most proper households the staff were to be unheard, silent, like magical creatures that did their duty with no one in proper society the wiser to their presence; Patrick had a different view. She imagined his loneliness aided in his tendency to treat his staff a mere level below family. He’d once said if he didn’t have to pay them, even that level below would be ignored in favor of treating them as equals.

Loren appeared in the doorway again. After a low bow, he gestured to the stairs. “Your supper will be ready after your bath. I’ve put your things in your usual room.”

“Thank you, Loren. That’s more than you needed to do. I’m afraid I’m just still in shock.” She rose to follow him, and fell into step beside him on the steps. “Miss Crumbly has decided she doesn’t care to have a woman of my ilk in her establishment any longer.”

“Your ilk? Miss Wells, you are of the highest class of people.”

“Ah yes, but I consort with Patrick, and rumors of my deviancy have reached her crotchety old ears.”

“Then it would seem that she does not understand kindness and decency are above all.” Loren held open the door to the washroom. “If Mr. Warner arrives before you’ve completed your bath, I will let him know you’re here.”

“Thank you.” Kat waited until the door closed before letting go of the façade. Her legs wobbled and she sank to the floor, the first tear falling. Where would she go now? Crumbly might be a bitter old woman, but she had a reach quite wide when it came to spreading word. No other boarding house would take her. While she certainly could afford to live in a hotel, it would drain her savings faster than she could replenish it.

What was it Patrick had said?  ‘Regret and loss are different things; but pain is pain’. She had no regrets, but the loss of a stable roof over her head was a heavy blow. While she didn’t fear the ruin of her reputation, she did worry about having to move on if she couldn’t find suitable lodging.

Only a handful of tears had fallen, so Kat wiped them away. Crumbly still didn’t deserve her tears, and Kat would make do. One way or another she’d be fine, just as she had been when she’d left Dominion Falls.

Back then, it had been with the simple help of Cole Mitchell. Now she had true friends. Ones that would help her out of whatever trouble she got herself into. One way or another, she had no doubt of that.

Comforted by her own train of thought, she dragged herself to her feet and stripped down for the tub. The warm water soothed away the last trembling doubts, and she closed her eyes with a deep sigh.

First she’d enjoy the soak, then supper, and then perhaps Patrick’s company. For now, the soak took her full attention. The scrumptious luxury of a midweek bath for no reason other than to relax, was a pleasure she’d been denied for so long. She wasn’t one to turn down such a treat.

The water had begun to cool around her, and she’d started contemplating getting out when the door clicked open. She smiled, not bothering to open her eyes. “Patrick.”

“Kat. What an unexpected pleasure it is to find you here, although Loren informs me, it isn’t a pleasure call.” He tapped her forehead until she opened her eyes. “Crumbly finally got up the nerve to confront you, eh?”

“Just shy of calling me a whore, but said she wouldn’t allow a woman such as myself to be associated with her upstanding establishment.”

“Took her long enough. We’ve been at it, how long now?”

“Six months, I believe.” She turned and rose. When Patrick held up a towel, she stepped out of the tub and into the enveloping warmth easily. “Unfortunately, my biggest concern now is where I will find lodging next. Crumbly might be an old biddy, but her gossipy tongue reaches far.”

“You should stay here.”

Kat’s fingers went so numb, the towel fell from her fingers before she could finish drying off. “What?”

“I have the room, you have the need. It wouldn’t matter what people said, you’d not lose the roof over your head.” He leaned against the wall.

“You can’t be serious.” She scrambled to gather the towel to finish drying off. “It’s bad enough we are friends that still enjoy the pleasure of each other, it’s too close to crossing a line. If I were to live here—well, it just wouldn’t work.”

“I think we’ve established we aren’t crossing that line.”

Kat pursed her lips and tossed her robe over her shoulders before she dared approach him. “I don’t think it’s a smart idea.”

“You should at least think it over.”

She didn’t want to admit how tempting his offer was, so she only shrugged. “I don’t know. However, I would like to stay here for a few days while I look for a new place.”

“I’ll have you convinced by morning.”

“I don’t think so.”

“I do.”

*~*

Hope you enjoyed it!  Click on the Tuesday Tales badge to see more excellent entries!!

Sunday Snippets 28 – Deep-Fried Sweethearts

Welcome back to the Weekend Writing Warriors!

Skipping forward. Michaela went ahead and hired Tag (as we knew she would–his references were impeccable…;) ).  After her first day on the job, she’s talking to her good friend, Eve (who will have her own story later in the year) about her first day working with Tag.

Eve speaks first:

“I just wanted to see how the first day with Tag went, you lucky dog. Side by side with Tag, must have been lovely.”

“It was distracting, not lovely.”

“We are in a mood,” Eve chuckled. “So you still like him?”

“No, I lust after him. Hard to like a child I hardly know.”

“He’s no child.”

*Tiniest bit of creative editing in place, just a wee bit to fit it into the 8

*~*

| Amazon |  SCP  | BN | ARe | 

Michaela O’Keefe is in over her head with her restaurant, The Midway.  Her ad for an assistant manager brings Owen “Tag” Montague to her doorstep. With an impeccable resume and dozens of letters of recommendation, she has little choice but to give him a chance. Ten years her junior, Tag sets her long-dead libido humming, but she gave up on love and her instincts on men years ago.

Tag has had a crush on his new boss since his youth, but he’s determined to prove he can do the job. Still, he can’t resist the urge to make her blush down to her toes as often as possible. He knows her rough past in life and love makes it hard to trust, and he’s wary of crossing the line he so desperately wants to.

Just when they manage to figure out how to work and play together, Michaela’s ex does all he can to destroy their budding love. When push comes to shove Michaela’s inability to give Tag the benefit of the doubt might destroy everything.

Learning to trust herself again is the hardest lesson Michaela will ever have to learn – and by the time she does, it may be too late for love.

*~*

Head back on over to the Weekend Writing Warriors to read many more wonderful offerings!

Spotlight Saturday – Shadows of the Past by Carmen Stefanescu

Shadows of the Past

Publish date: 4th December 2012

Publisher: Wild Child Publishing

Genre: paranormal/light romance/light horror.

| Amazon | Wild Child Publishing |

Blurb

Anne’s relationship with her boyfriend Neil has disintegrated. After a two-year separation, they pack for a week vacation in hopes of reconciling. But fate has other plans for them.

The discovery of a bejeweled cross and ancient human bones opens a door to a new and frightening world–one where the ghost of a medieval nun named Genevieve will not let Anne rest. This new world threatens not only to ruin Anne and Neil’s vacation but to end all hopes of reconciliation as Anne feels compelled to help free Genevieve’s soul from its torment.

Can Anne save her relationship and help Genevieve find her eternal rest?

A touching, compelling story of tragedy, loss and the power of endless love and good magic.

The twists and turns in this paranormal tale keep the reader guessing up to the end and weave themselves together into a quest to rekindle love.

Excerpt  

“Come, we should leave at once,” she said and glanced nervously over her shoulder. “Something terrible happened after you left for town. I think the Abbess found out about us. Our meeting in Uncle Ryan’s cabin is no longer a secret. We have been overheard. For all I know someone spies on us even as we speak. I think the Abbess, or one of her ‘friends,’ is hovering somewhere nearby and listening to every word.”

Andrew pulled Genevieve to his chest. “Do you regret you’ve come with me?”

Passion smothered Genevieve’s doubt and guilt. “Never,” she answered, aware of her body’s response to his touch, and she succumbed to his embrace.

Calming the gnawing unease in her mind and the thought of Sister Dominica guessing she was the dough of a sinner, Genevieve repeated, “Never.”

With her eyes closed and their bodies touching she became, for the very first time, simply a woman. She melted in his embrace in spite of the invisible vicious threat breathing around them. Aware they might never be alone again, she fought hard to silence the voice of conscience berating her.

“Oh, God. Please forgive me,” Andrew muttered under his breath when he bowed his head to kiss her. Their lips met in a passionate first kiss.

Genevieve’s spirits fell and her heart skipped a beat when, a couple of seconds later, she opened her eyes and her gaze fell on a knot strangers.

… . . .

Tears welled in Anne’s eyes, blurring her vision. She couldn’t explain them, or the sudden sadness seeping into her heart. This should’ve been a moment of happiness or, at least, contentment. She was with Neil again, and the outcome of their trip together should, very likely, bring their reconciliation. Why then did she seem detached from where she stood?

Anne shivered. Why the deep feeling of having seen this place, this forest before? And why the eerie sensation of being present here only in the body, while her mind was far away?

Away from the forest.

Away from Neil, the man who’d betrayed her trust and her love.

An onrush of sensations unfamiliar to her followed. Dizziness and a malevolent feeling of unreality suffocated her.

Anne edged cautiously closer to the rim of the bare cliff. Her foot tapped the edge. It seemed solid. She stared into the darkness of the abyss at her feet. It echoed the shadows in her heart.  An unusual curiosity took hold of her. Should she step ahead? What was down there? Other human bones? Another mystery? The presence of evil, creeping up and enveloping her, became almost palpable. The vines of fog folded around her, dragging her to the depth. Her throat turned dry, and she gasped for air.

Megan’s face contorted, the voice no longer pleasant. A hoarse gurgle, spluttering distorted words, “Yes, come… I’m waiting… I’ve been waiting for you for such a long time…”

Carmen’s links:

http://shadowspastmystery.blogspot.ro/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carmen-Stefanescu-Books/499245716760283

Twitter  @Carmen_Books

 

Friday Dialogues – Author Rachel Brimble

Personal

Do you laugh at your own jokes?

Yes, which annoys my teenage daughters SO much! They find me funny but would never admit it, which just adds to my fun

Have you ever found true love?

Yes, and we’re still married 16 years later – my husband and I met when we 18, married at 24 and had our first child at 25. A lot of people thought things were too intense and quick between us but I knew he was the one. We’re still very happy!

Your Novel

How did you choose your title?

Luckily, Harlequin have the final say on titles which I am extremely grateful for – I absolutely hate coming up with titles! I am so unimaginatively boring when it comes to naming my work. What Belongs To Her is my twelfth novel and coming up with titles never gets any easier!

Who is your most unusual/most likeable character?

I adore Marian Cohen who is the matriarch of Templeton Cove – so far I have written four Templeton Cove books for Harlequin Superromance and Marian makes a significant appearance in all of them. She is by far one of my favorite characters I have ever created J

You got the call – your novel is being made into a TV series or movie – who’s in your dream cast?

This is an easy question for me because I start each new book trawling the internet for images of my hero and heroine – for What Belongs To Her, Sasha Todd would be played by Angie Harmon (Rizzoli & Isles) and John Jordon would be played by Cam Gigandet (Easy A)

Writing

How many stories are swirling around in your head? Do you keep a mental list, a computer file, or a spiral notebook filled with the ideas?

I am usually writing one book, editing another and promoting another – I am always busy! As well as juggling three books, I always have new ideas leaping into my head or ideas how to expand a plotline or character. I use a computer file for new story ideas and the notebook on my Blackberry for any expansions on the book I am working on…I also carry a notebook!

What are you working on now?

Right now, I am coming to the end of my first draft of my third Victorian romance for eKensington. Tentatively called, The Passion of Monica, the heroine of this book was a secondary character in book two but every time she appeared onstage, I know she deserved her own time in the spotlight. The Passion of Monica has been my most enjoyable book to write to date––hope my editor loves it as much as I do!

Fun (Crazy, odd questions just for fun)

Are you a neat freak? Or clutter-bound?

Clutter-bound

Someday I want to _

holiday in the Maldives

Weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten.

Snails

Quick Questions

Sing in the rain or dance in the streets?

Dance in the streets

Pen or pencil?

Pen

Summer or Winter?

Summer

Movies or TV?

TV

Theater or DVD?

Theater

Rural or Urban?

Urban

Facial hair or clean shaven?

Clean shaven

Marvel or DC?

Marvel

Cowboy or Bad Boy?

Cowboy

Sunrise or Sunset?

Sunset

Fall leaves or Spring flowers?

Spring flowers

Peanut butter or jelly?

Jelly

Spender or Saver?

Spender

*~*

| Amazon | BN | Amazon UK |

She’s ready to take back what’s hers 

Since the moment a local crime boss claimed ownership of her family’s fairground, Sasha Todd has dreamed of righting the wrong. Now it’s time to act, and backing down from the man’s estranged son is definitely not an option. After all, giving up her legacy to hot-blooded John Jordon means losing the chance to finally heal the wounds in her past.

Stopping John in his tracks—and resisting the sizzle between them—is Sasha’s best defense. But there’s more to him than she thought, which changes everything. With what matters most at stake, she’ll have to risk a brand-new future with John, or walk away from the man whose heart belongs to her.

*~*

Bio:

Rachel lives with her husband and two young daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK.  After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured agent representation in 2011. In 2012, she sold two books to Harlequin Superromance and a further three in 2013. She also writes Victorian romance for Kensington–her debut was released in April 2013 and she has since signed for three more.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family and beloved black Lab, Max. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England.

She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!

Links:

Website

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Also by Rachel Brimble:

A Man Like Him:

Changing her life…again.

After two years in hiding, Angela Taylor knows her independence is worth it. As long as she can escape her past, she has everything under control. Until a flash flood hits the park where she works, and hot Chris Forrester shows up the exact moment she needs a hero.

Chris proves he can save lives—and weaken a girl’s knees. But how can she make him understand that she’s off-limits, that getting close to her will endanger his life? Her happiness or his safety: it shouldn’t even be a choice. Because when you love someone, you protect them, no matter the cost. At least, that’s what Angela keeps telling herself….

Thursday Tell All – Naomi Fisher of Fatal Snag

What is your story?

My story is about me returning to Montana to help Reagan plan her wedding as I finally cut all ties with my first love, Caleb, and realize my love for Chayton.  And some of the crap we went through to get where we are now, including dangerous stuff I’d rather not relive.

Who are you?

I’m an obsessive-compulsive fashion consultant who likes to be in control and needs things organized. I’m working on some of those traits.

Do you feel your author, Angela Smith, portrayed you accurately?

She portrayed me pretty well, even the bad parts.

Do you have any special strengths?

My biggest strength is clothes related, of course, seeing as how I’m a fashion consultant and have been for many high-end clients. I can fix just about any wardrope emergency or problems with hair or makeup. I could be a professional organizer, too, because I have a knack for getting things organized.

Do you have any special weaknesses?

I’m OCD and I expect everyone to abide by my standards. If I want the towel hanging a certain way, why can’t they just do it that way?

What makes you happy?

My friends and family, especially when they do things my way, haha. No really, I’m not that bad.

What are you afraid of?

I used to be afraid of, not necessarily change, but the things that go with change. I need my roots to have stable ground. But I’m learning to let go of some of my roots and plant new ones.

What do you regret?

My past and some of the things that happened, some of the things I couldn’t control and even some of the things that aren’t my fault but will always make me feel guilty. Sometimes I feel guilty for being so happy, for being the one who survived.

What is your biggest disappointment?

There are so many, I don’t want to give anything in the story away. But you’ll learn about them if you read my story.

What in your past had the most profound effect on you?

Being in a wreck with Caleb when I was eighteen years old.

Who is your true love?

Chayton Chambers.

What is the most important thing that ever happened to you? Why?

Being in a wreck with Caleb years ago changed my entire life, my entire perspective on life, and it made me who I am today.

Was there a major turning point in your life?

I think coming to Montana with my cousin and meeting Chayton was the biggest turning point in my life. We really had a connection, even though we were just friends at the time, and I was still trying to hold onto a failing relationship with Caleb.

What is your most closely guarded secret?

I don’t really have secrets anymore.

Do you have any hobbies?

Lots! I love fashion, and I love going out on the slopes with Chayton. We love skiing and snowboarding, and he’s going to teach me to ice climb. And of course the summer we love to be outside to fish, kayak, and dirt bike. Chayton is working at getting the city out of me.

Name five items in your purse, briefcase, or pockets.

A really good mirror, concealer, lipstick, a comb, and antibacterial lotion.

If you had the power to change one thing in the world that didn’t affect you personally, what would it be?

My past. Not that I haven’t learned to appreciate the present, but there’s a lot of things in my past I wish I could change and take back.

How do you envision your future?

I envision Chayton putting a ring on my finger and maybe eventually building a house together like Garret and Reagan did.

What is your most prized mundane possession? Why do you value it so much?

The stuffed bear Reagan gave me, because it is a symbol of my new life, of who I am today and everything we have both gone through. She has her stuffed moose, and I have my stuffed bear.  We laugh about that a lot.

What was your family like?

Crazy. My mom was a little obsessive herself. She always wanted me to be on my best behavior, to grin and fake it. Now that I’m older, I know she only had the best intentions, but it drives me crazy sometimes because I can’t hold off on speaking my mind most of the time even when I know I should.

When’s the last time you saw any member of your family? Where are they now?

I see Reagan, my cousin, every day. I saw most of my family at Reagan’s wedding and we plan to go visit them and they’ll visit us soon.

Did you ever meet any other family members? Who were they? What did you think of them?

I know all of my family and now I am meeting Chayton’s.

What is your worst childhood memory?

The wreck that killed my friends.

What is something you had to learn that you hated?

I always hated math, but it’s important to know measurements and such in fashion.

What do you find most relaxing? (Not as in stress relief, but as something that actually calms you down.)

Being on the slopes with Chayton, and going to his cabin to lounge in the hot springs.

What is the perfect romantic date?

Pretty much what I mentioned above. Having a nice dinner outside in the warmer weather. Cooking together and enjoying a glass of wine or one of  Chayton’s’ cocktails while we watch the sunset on the porch.

What is more important – sex or intimacy? Why?

Both! I believe it’s important to have sex to strengthen intimacy and I believe increased intimacy.

What’s the worst thing you’ve done to someone you loved?

I was pretty mean and insensitive to Chayton, but that was before I admitted my love for him.

What one act in your past are you most ashamed of? What one act in your past are you most proud of?

I am proud of who I have become. I’m sorry that I didn’t’ try to change things when I was younger.

What trait do you find most admirable, and how often do you find it?

Honesty. I find it often among my true friends, but sometimes honesty is in the eye of the beholder.

Is an ounce of prevention really worth a pound of cure? Which is more valuable? Why do you feel this way?

Oh yes. There’s a lot of things I could have prevented if I’d tried hard enough, including hurting others. That’s one of the reasons I’m trying to watch my words. Then again, there are some things you just can’t prevent.

What one word best describes you?

Obsessive.

How do your friends see you?

I think they look up to me. I mean, they know I’m a genuine person and I’d do anything for them. I love a good party and I love to help organize parties, but I’m also a bit rash in my decisions. I tend to overreact sometimes.

How do your enemies see you?

Umm, I don’t think I have any enemies, but if I did they’d probably see me as rash.

What, if anything, haunts you?

My past and some of the things that happened.

How private of a person are you? Why?

Not really at all, depending on the person I’m with. I’m an open book to most people who know me.

If you were to gain an obscenely large sum of money (via an inhertiance, a lawsuit, a lottery, or anything else) what would you do with it?

Give most of it away and invest some for me and my family’s future.

What would you wish for if you found a genie?

I’d wish for the ability to see the future and make decisions based on that. But in reality I wouldn’t because even that would have consequences.

*~*~*~*

| Amazon | BN | Crimson Romance | iTunes |

Blurb:

Hollywood fashion consultant Naomi Fisher is happy to use her obsessive-compulsive planning to assist with her cousin’s wedding, but her history with the sexy and sullen Chayton Chambers, the groom’s brother, terrifies her. When the groom is kidnapped at his own wedding, Chayton and Naomi rush to find an important relic to satisfy the ransom before her cousin becomes a widow before a bride. Naomi trades garters for guns as survival, and love becomes a deadly game impossible to resist.

Information about the book:

Title: Fatal Snag

Author: Angela Smith

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: 17 March 2014

Publisher: Crimson Romance

About the Author:

During her senior year in high school, Angela Smith was dubbed most likely to write a novel, and that has been her dream ever since her mother read Brer Rabbit to her and her sister so often that they were able to recite it back to each other before actually learning to read. She’s always enjoyed stories about the adventure of love, and getting involved in the legal field developed her love of suspense. A certified paralegal, work gives her perfect fodder for her romantic suspense stories. When not caring for her small farm or spending time with her husband of two decades, she enjoys creating, reading, and dreaming of the places she’ll visit one day.

Angela Smith LOVES talking to readers. You can contact her in the following ways:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAngelaSmith

Twitter – https://twitter.com/angelaswriter

Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7173505.Angela_Smith

Website – http://www.loveisamystery.com

Email – angela@loveisamystery.com