C.D. Hersh's Blog, page 167
April 9, 2015
Friday Feature Iris Wynne The Missing Mah Jongg Player
This week is
Iris Wynne
Author of
The Missing Mah Jongg Player
We are happy to have Iris Wynne with us sharing with us the cover, Blurb, and an excerpt from her new book The Missing Mah Jongg Player due out soon from Soul Mate Publishing. Watch this space for when the book come out.
Blurb
Steve Wade is an ex cop with an ex-wife and girlfriends he could never commit to. Now he’s a private investigator known for his knack in solving crimes.
This handsome private eye never has a problem finding clients. His newest case involves five frantic Mah Jongg players who are in search of one of their players who disappeared after meeting a man on an online dating site.
Steve Wade is reluctant to take the case. He believes she is just another woman not wanting to be found. But the women are insistent that their missing Mah Jongg player did not vanish on her own. In the meantime, they organize a Valentine’s speed dating gig inviting all the suspects who dated Marilou Dickson, the missing Mah Jongg player, in an attempt to find out what happened to her.
As he watches the dinner play out he begins to realize she may not have gone willingly when all the suspects are presented before him. He even hires his sometime drop dead gorgeous girlfriend for the event to lure the culprit out into the open. Steve just hopes no one goes home with a potential killer.
He has to work fast when the case begins to unravel as lies and betrayal become evident and the truth of what happened to the missing player becomes clear. Will he be able to find the suspect before they choose another victim? This may be his biggest challenge yet.
Excerpt
Marilou Dickson was sitting at the bar, sixty miles away from Toronto on a Saturday night waiting for her date. The only problem was she didn’t know who he was. She got in touch with him on an online dating site and his picture looked great, even though he was much younger than her. A full head of dark hair, straight nose, large hazel eyes and great abs from a previous picture he sent her. She imagined his strong arms wrapped around her as he made love to her. She was tired of being alone as age and beauty were slowly taking its toll while drinking and smoking was becoming an obsession that a good man could help her control.
The noise in the bar was unbearable and she was dying for a cigarette. At least in the old days before cell phones and Internet, you could smoke. The place was packed with pretty girls in floozy outfits, some displaying unwanted flesh. Youth could get away with many things and the sleazier you got, the more attention from the men.
It was like that years ago before marriage and grown kids.
Her phone buzzed which made her spill her drink on her new gold cashmere sweater.
“Damn!” she said.
“May I buy you another drink?”
She looked up and there was her man, looking better in person.
“Hi!” she said tying not to slur her words.
“Let’s get out of here,” he whispered to her.
“What about my drink?”
“Let’s go to my place.” He smiled as his white teeth flashed at her.
She wanted to stay here and enjoy the bar and perhaps dance. She wasn’t ready to go to his place yet. She sighed and smiled up at him.
“Why don’t we just stay here?”
“You’ll get too drunk.”
She grinned at him, thrilled that he should be so concerned about her. Her phone buzzed again. She gave him a shrug.
“Sorry–I may as well answer this or I’ll never hear the end of it.”
She was going to tell him her friends were worried about her, warned her about going out with strangers–blah-blah. She decided not to say anything. She noticed that his hair was an unnatural black hue, almost like a wig. She wouldn’t care less if he was bald–didn’t men understand that? His glasses were tinted unable to really see the color of his eyes. Something in the pit of her stomach was telling her something was off. She answered her phone walking a distance away from him and the bar. He was watching her though, his look almost a leer. Perhaps it was because she was drunk that she thought this. Nevertheless she would not leave alone and go back into an empty house especially on a Saturday night.
“Marilou is that you?” Harriet said, her voice full of concern.
“What’s up, I’m in the middle of a date.”
“Just checking to see if you’re okay.”
“I’m fine really, you don’t have to worry.”
“Where are you?”
“Outside of Toronto.”
“What!”
“Harriet, I’m a big girl.”
She glanced over at him. He bought a drink and was sipping it rather quickly. He was watching her so she waved to him.
“What does he look like?”
“I don’t know, he’s wearing a dark wig and glasses.”
“Marilou, that is not a good sign.”
Harriet could hear a deep voice asking her friend something.”
“Gotta go Harriet, see you Monday night.”
There was a click and the line went dead.
BIO
Iris Wynne is a book lover, a day dreamer and a hopeless romantic. She is a writer of cozy mysteries with an element of romance. She is a mother of two girls and in her spare time she dog walks, plays golf in the summer and of course grabs a game of Mah Jongg whenever she can. ‘The Missing Mah Jongg Player’ is her book debut.
Where to find Iris:
Website: http://www.iriswynne.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Iris-Wynne/1516053195310578
Twitter: @iriswynne https://twitter.com/iriswynne
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/iriswynne
Thursday Thread The Highlander’s Outlaw Bride
Welcomes
The Highlander’s Outlaw Bride
By
Cathy MacRae
Genre: Scottish historical romanceHeat level: Sensual
Blurb:
Thrust into the role of laird upon his father’s unexpected death, Connor MacLaurey returns home to find his cousin has usurped his lands and title. Furthermore, his betrothed–a lass he barely knows and certainly did not agree to marry–is hunted by the sheriff, accused of stealing cattle. His plan is to petition the king for clemency for the foolish chit, break the betrothal, and take his castle back from his treacherous cousin. Marriage is not in his plans.
Brianna Douglas has no use for men. Widowed young, berated daily for failing to give her husband a child, and sent home in subsequent disgrace, she devotes her life to holding her family’s land for her young brother as their sotted father drowns his sorrow in whisky over her mother’s death. Raiders have hit her clan hard, and to save them, she finds herself betrothed to Laird MacLaurey’s absent son to seal a pact of protection with the MacLaurey clan.
Forced into a marriage neither wants, it will take a king’s edict and sacrifice from both to discover what love means. But can they accept their losses and learn from their mistakes before Brianna marries another?
* * *
Excerpt:
“Explain why ye hate me so.” Conn’s voice sounded soft and low, both gentling and demanding at the same time.
Brianna glanced past him, her gaze darting from side to side, judging the possibility of escape. There was none, and after a moment she lifted her chin a notch, refusing to answer him. He hid a grin at her courage and pride. And stubbornness.
“Have ye always disliked the idea of marriage, then?”
A disdainful breath escaped her. “I was married once before. It dinnae interest me much then, either.”
“Yer previous husband was only a lad. Heir to a sizeable bit of land, but still just a lad.”
“And ye can do better,” she tossed at him, repeating his earlier boast to the king.
“Ye know I can.” He touched the backs of his fingers to her cheek and she gasped, her skin darkening beneath his touch. “I cannae get our love-making out of my mind.”
Brianna shrugged. “Och, there was nothing to recommend it to me. I have already put it from my mind.”
“I apologize for that, dearling. Ye willnae feel so bereft the next time, I promise ye.”
“Dinnae bother. All I want from ye is Morven’s protection for Wyndham.”
He met her steely stare. “Ye dinnae want me?”
“Nae,” she ground between clenched teeth, her nostrils flaring.
“Ye werenae married long enough to appreciate a man in yer bed. I bet ye still have yer dowry chest.” He teased her lightly, wanting to see a smile on her lips.
“I burned the wood to warm my cold bedroom,” she snarled in reply.
“Yer wedding dress?”
“Rags for the stable!”
He leaned closer, his voice a raw whisper in her ear. “I would settle for marrying ye the way I found ye.” Brianna eyed him in puzzlement, and he knew the instant she remembered he had pulled her from the burn as naked as the day she was born.
With a snarl of either rage or despair, she flung herself away from the wall. Before he could stop her, she darted beneath his arm and fled down the darkened hallway, her billowing silver hair the last thing to fade into the darkness.
* * *
Buy Link: http://www.amzn.com/B00UD9JMBQ
Author Bio:
Cathy enjoys weaving tales of romance in the Highland mists. Her stories feature strong heroes and feisty heroines in pursuit of their happy-ever-afters in medieval Scotland.
When not writing, Cathy can be found curled up in a chair with a book or enjoying the outdoors with her corgis and newest member of the family, Freki. A member of RWA and Celtic Hearts Romance Writers, she is currently working on another Highland romance novel and planning her next trip to Scotland.
Check out her website at http://www.cathymacraeauthor.com/ for book updates, writing and author posts, as well as her thoughts on gardening and dogs. She would love to hear from you!
Amazon author page Twitter Facebook
April 7, 2015
Wednesday Special Spotlight Restoration Kim Loraine
Shines on
Kim Loraine’s
Book Release
Restoration
Restoration’s release day is today.
Blurb:
After the tragic death of her fiancé, Grace McConnell turns to the only remaining constant in her life, her work. So when she’s offered the lead position for an international restoration project, she jumps at the chance to get away from her small town, full of John’s memories.
Drew Tensley has always been a hard worker. Dedicated to his family and community, he put aside his own London career to take over the family business after his mother’s terminal diagnosis. Five years later, he’s ready to start living for himself when he literally runs into his hometown’s newest architect.
Grace quickly discovers that traveling half-way across the world was the best decision she’s ever made. Until she meets Drew, a man whose personality and lifestyle are the exact opposite of John’s, but whose face is the spitting image. Struggling with her own motivations and feelings, research uncovers secrets she isn’t ready for; secrets that could ruin her second chance for true love.
Excerpt:
Grace’s phone, practically an extra appendage by now, buzzed as she walked in to the grocery store. She perused the aisles—her focus drifting from her phone to the items in her small basket. She was so engrossed in her email, she didn’t see the tall man in the aisle she was turning down. That is, until she collided with him. With a crash, his groceries fell to the floor, creating a disastrous mess of broken eggs, spilled milk, and loose tea.
“Oh, my God!” She bent down to try and salvage the dry groceries he’d had. “I am so sorry. I’m such an idiot. Are you all right?”
“It’s my fault, really. I should’ve been watching where you were going,” he said, a smile in his voice.
“No, no. Let me pay for these,” she insisted, still not looking at him. Her eyes were focused on the mess she’d made.
Long, thin fingers reached out to still her hands. “Please stop. It’s quite all right. No harm done.”
She looked up to protest and found herself staring into eyes a familiar shade of melted chocolate, framed by dark eyebrows raised in a quizzical expression. Her heart thumped in her chest and she almost forgot to breathe.
John?
“Are you well? Miss?” the man asked.
“I … I … have to go,” she stuttered the words, barely able to form a sentence. Heart racing, she turned and ran out of the store, leaving the man with no explanation and a mess on his hands.
Valerie was waiting for her on the porch when she arrived home.
“Did you see him?” Was all she asked.
“I saw him. I saw him at the airport and now the grocery store. I think I’ve lost my mind. ”
“Who did you see?”
“J-John.”
Valerie sat in shocked silence.
“Not only did I see him, I ran into him, literally. Broke his eggs and ran away.” She felt herself spinning out of control.
“Grace.” Valerie touched her arm.
Grace stood and shook her head. “I know it’s not him, but he looks … Their eyes are exactly the same.”
Buy link for Restoration: http://amzn.com/B00VS8X28U
Where to find Kim Loraine:
Web site: http://www.kimlorainewriter.com/
Follow me on Twitter: @kimloraine2
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/kimlorainewriter
Contact Kim at: kimlorainewriter@gmail.com
April 6, 2015
Tell Again Tuesday 7 Elements of Historical Fiction
A blog series where we shamelessly share posts from others that we have enjoyed.
7 Elements of Historical Fiction
Posted by awriterofhistory in Historical Fiction, Inside Historical Fiction, Writing Historical Fiction
All writers of fiction have to consider seven critical elements: character, dialogue, setting, theme, plot, conflict, and world building. While every story succeeds or disappoints on the basis of these elements, historical fiction has the added challenge of bringing the past to life.
Since I work best by example, I’m developing an explanation of the seven elements in the context of historical fiction.
For the rest of the blog go to:
http://awriterofhistory.com/2015/03/24/7-elements-of-historical-fiction/
April 2, 2015
Friday Feature Restoration Kim Loraine
Welcomes
Restoration
By
Kim Loraine
Kim has stopped by to share an interesting fact about her new book Restoration, which is scheduled to be released April 8th.
Interesting fact about my book:
I wrote it during the year my family moved from Washington State to Japan. All while working 50 hours a week and finishing my bachelor’s degree. The characters wouldn’t leave me alone so I wrote during any spare moment I had. The original draft had so much back story that I forget my readers don’t know Grace’s history as well as I do. I am currently working on a novella featuring Drew and Grace.
Here’s the blurb for the release announcement.
Restoration: A Golden Beach Novel
After the tragic death of her fiancé, Grace McConnell turns to the only remaining constant in her life, her work. So when she’s offered the lead position for an international restoration project, she jumps at the chance to get away from her small town, full of John’s memories.
Drew Tensley has always been a hard worker. Dedicated to his family and community, he put aside his own London career to take over the family business after his mother’s terminal diagnosis. Five years later, he’s ready to start living for himself when he literally runs into his hometown’s newest architect.
Grace quickly discovers that traveling half-way across the world was the best decision she’s ever made. Until she meets Drew, a man whose personality and lifestyle are the exact opposite of John’s, but whose face is the spitting image. Struggling with her own motivations and feelings, research uncovers secrets she isn’t ready for; secrets that could ruin her second chance for true love.
Where to find Kim Loraine:
Web site: http://www.kimlorainewriter.com/
Follow me on Twitter: @kimloraine2
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/kimlorainewriter
Contact Kim at: kimlorainewriter@gmail.com
Thursday Threads Unknown Protector Maggie Mundy
Thursday ThreadsWelcomes
Unknown Protector
By
Maggie Mundy
Blurb:
Two things have helped Nicole cope since the murder of her husband. One is running her detective agency, and the other is her guardian angel Mira. When Mira is killed by a demon, Nicole accepts the help of a Ridge, a long haired, cigar smoking diamond in the rough with wings. Things go from bad to worse when a replacement guardian cannot be found. She has to trust Ridge, which is tricky when she realizes there are no demons or angels, just parasitic aliens that humans have built the myths of these celestial beings around. Ridge isn’t an angel or a devil, but an alien half breed known as a Midworlder. He is also way too sexy for his own good, or is it her own good.
Excerpt:
“Please don’t drop me, please don’t drop me,” Nicole repeated as she closed her eyes. She didn’t like flying in planes, let alone being dragged through the night sky by an oversexed scruffy angel who was too hot for his own good. Or was it her own good.
“I won’t let you fall. Look around before we go over. I reckon you’ve guessed the events of tonight aren’t the way we normally do things. Humans aren’t meant to be aware of our flying through the night sky which means I can’t let you remember any of this.”
She took a deep breath and opened her eyes. His face was close to hers as he gripped her tight around her waist. It was too dark to read what he might be thinking from his expression. His lips were so close and her own were parting at the thought he might kiss her. She trembled, but not from fear anymore and hoped he couldn’t read her mind. They were being hunted and she wanted a kiss, no she longed for it. He had to be putting the thoughts in her head.
She needed to get her mind off him so she gazed down at San Francisco. Her adopted city stretched out below with steep streets reaching down to the harbor, while the lights on the Golden Gate Bridge shone in the distance, reflecting on the water below. She smiled as a tear flowed down her cheek. She had never seen it this way before. For a moment she forgot others were after them or after her in particular. She peeked over Ridge’s shoulder and glanced back over his wings as they glided through the sky. Three dark, winged shapes were following and could be seen against the light of the full moon. Maybe the full moon could explain why strange things were happening, because this was like staring at a scene from a horror movie, except it was real.
The shapes of their pursuer’s bodies blurred. She turned back to the city but the lights of San Francisco were disappearing. In the moonlight she focused on the face next to her. Ridge smiled and touched her cheek with his.
“It’s okay. I’m gonna get you a new guardian and all of this will go away. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
She didn’t want a new guardian, she wanted Mira back. It went dark and reminded her of when she went adventure-caving in Australia. The absolute darkness of underground where not even a trickle of light breaks through, no matter how hard you look. She couldn’t see Ridge anymore, but the closeness of him and the darkness amplified the sound of his wings. For a moment they were all that existed in the universe. His lips touched hers and her mouth opened to him only to have him pull away. Did he mean to do that?
“I suggest you close your eyes and give your mind over to me,” he whispered.
Nicole shook her head and tried to get herself back to reality, whatever that was. “I’m not going anywhere with my eyes shut after tonight, and from what I’m picking up at times your mind seems a bit murky to let you in again.”
“Suit yourself darling, but don’t blame me if you pass out.”
Pain sliced through her temple. She squeezed her eyes shut and instinctively hugged Ridge tighter. His thoughts were in her head again telling her to relax, but this time it wasn’t working. She tried to hold down the rising alarm of what would happen next. Somehow she had an inkling it wasn’t going to be good.
Buy link for Unknown Protector http://tinyurl.com/kvph4dc
Where to find Maggie:
http://www.pinterest.com/maggiemundy/
https://twitter.com/MundyMaggie
https://www.facebook.com/MaggieMundyAuthor
http://maggiemundy.blogspot.com.au
March 31, 2015
Wednesday Special Spotlight Safe at Home Christina Kirby
Welcomes
Safe at Home
By
Christina Kirby
Driven by fear and desperate to protect her family, Samantha is forced to leave Chicago and everything she’s worked to achieve, only to start over by tossing a dart-at-the-map. The Georgia townsfolk’s true Southern charm is the unexpected prescription needed to heal her soul, and the sexy carpenter who touches her heart are distractions she didn’t plan on, but they might offer her a chance at a new life, if she can let go of her past.
Town heartbreaker, Spencer Malloy, isn’t looking for anything serious. His days are perfect working as a contractor, attending his nephew’s baseball games or taking him fishing. He never expects to fall for the big city girl, Samantha. She’s not his type, timid and closed off, but in her unguarded moments, he’s intrigued by the woman he can’t get out of his mind. The urge to get closer to her grows stronger each day, and when the shadow of evil resurfaces, he vows to protect Samantha, even if it means abandoning his home and joining her on the run.
When confronted by the man who’s bent on revenge, Samantha must choose between running again to save the people she loves, or if she has the strength, to stay and fight for her new life.
Excerpt:
“Here it is.” Jenny announced. She stopped the car in front of an old white house with peeling paint and looked over at Sam whose eyes began to fill with tears.
“Like I said, it needs some work. When Pete got sick, no one really paid much attention to the house. It’s been sitting here idle for a while. His boys just couldn’t bring themselves to sell it at first, and then…”
“No, it’s perfect,” Sam’s voice sounded watery. “It’s the first house I’ve ever owned.”
After fighting off the foolish tears, Sam climbed out of the car, strolled through the freshly cut grass, and up to what could be a beautiful porch. Jenny unlocked the door as she chattered away about the house, but Sam wasn’t listening. This was it, her new home.
Entering through the wood and glass front door, Sam stepped into a little hallway and felt her heart swell. The inside was small and cozy. The perfect place to sit and feel safe from the outside world.
“Excuse me, earth to Sam. Do you want to see the rest of the house?”
Sam turned, face warm. “Yes, sorry. Lead the way.”
Jenny led her down the hall to show her the kitchen, which had a wonderful view of the backyard, they moved through the dining room and then the upstairs before returning to the den. It was a wonderful little house, so much more than what she imagined for herself.
A car backfired out on the main road and Sam jumped.
“Are you okay?” Jenny’s blue eyes widened, her voice threaded with concern.
“Fine.” Sam let out a shaky breath and waited for her heart rate to return to normal. “I must’ve been so lost in all my plans for the house that I was in another world.”
Jenny gave her a warm smile, but continued to watch her with a crease between her perfect eyebrows.
“Should we be off to your office now?” Sam tried to sound relaxed.
Jenny beamed. “The papers are ready for you.”
Relief washed through Sam as the thrill of the sale seemed to distract Jenny from Sam’s nervous behavior. She led the way out the door and took a deep breath of country air. It was going to be okay here. No one knew where she was. Not her family. Not her best friend. No one. She glanced over her shoulder at the little white house, which for her, symbolized so much more than a new house. She was home.
Buy Links:
Amazon – http://amzn.com/B00TKWTKEG
Soul Mate Publishing – http://www.soulmatepublishing.com/
BIO:
Christina Kirby holds a degree in Public Relations from Auburn University. She worked in banking for four and a half years before deciding to become a stay at home mom to her two sons. Moving every couple of years because of her husband’s job, Christina has had the opportunity to meet all kinds of people and live in many different states. Fortunately, writing is something she can take with her no matter where she lives. Christina is an avid reader of romance, young adult and anything having to do with pop culture. She also knows a copy of Entertainment Weekly and a chocolate chip cookie can cure anything.
Find her on:
Twitter: @CKirbyWriter
FB: https://www.facebook.com/christina.kirby.395?fref=ts
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9791223.Christina_Kirby
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorchris0192/
Sign up for her newsletter on her website: http://www.christinakirbybooks.com/
March 30, 2015
Tell Again Tuesday Top Ten Marketing Tips for Your Ebook
A blog series where we shamelessly share posts from others that we have enjoyed.
Top Ten Marketing Tips for Your Ebook
Posted on October 1, 2014 by Jacqui Murray
This post is for Alex Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writers Support Group. Click the link for details on what #IWSG means and how to join. You will also find a list of bloggers signed up to the challenge that are worth checking out. The first Wednesday of every month, we all post our thoughts, fears or words of encouragement for fellow writers.
This month is the one year anniversary of this group. Instead of an insecurity, we’re sharing tips on writing, publishing, and marketing. Here are my top ten tips on marketing:
For the rest of the blog go to:
http://worddreams.wordpress.com/2014/10/01/iwsg-top-ten-ideas-on-marketing-and-publishing/
March 26, 2015
Friday Feature Seeking Sorrow Zen DiPietro
Welcomes
Zen DiPietro
Author of
Seeking Sorrow
Zen is sharing with us the five inspirations behind her book
Seeking Sorrow.
Inspiration can come from so many places. A book is a tapestry of imaginings and inspirations, tossed together and stirred around. For every book ever written, I’d bet there is a completely different set of inspirations. Here’s a look at what inspired Seeking Sorrow.
Music. The big, important scenes of this book each were written with a specific song in mind. Actually, the songs often played on a loop while I was writing.
Movies. Beautiful imagery like the forest in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and the Shire in Lord of the Rings served well for imagining Terath, which is lush and verdant. Also, the dark imagery of The Battle at Helm’s Deep in LOTR reminded me of the grimness I wanted to portray.
Other books. Not in a copycat way, but imagination begets more imagination. When you let a story in, it can change you. You find some little bit of something that resonates and turn it around in your mind until it evolves into something unique. There’s a reason that writers are also avid readers.
Photos. I found pictures that represented my characters and saved them as a background on my computer so I could look at them and really imagine them talking, laughing, and existing as real people.
Life. The old adage is “write what you know.” Every single day is an opportunity to find some moment, some idea that is the seed that can grow into something wonderful. There are pieces of things I love in this book, from a favorite childhood doll to a love of dance.
Inspirations can be inside a single moment, such as a gesture or a facial expression. What’s inspired you lately?
BLURB:An earth-like world of high-tech humans faces the reality that their world is not as safe as they thought it was. Five people are thrown together to quietly get to the bottom of an unfathomable mana event that must stay quiet. If the population of Terath becomes aware of the truth, it will spark a civil war. That war would pit the majority of the population against the powerful minority with the ability to harness and manipulate mana. The resulting cataclysm would decimate the population and tear apart the foundation of society.
The five people chosen for this must reconsider everything they thought they knew about mana, even as they learn to trust one another’s abilities. They must embrace everything they never wanted in order to prevent the devastation of their world. One of them will be forever changed. Love will be denied, badassery will be unleashed, and Terath will never be the same.
Even success comes at a price.
Buy Link for Seeking Sorrow: http://amzn.com/B00UMA9X5Q
Zen’s BIO:
Zen DiPietro is a lifelong bookworm, a fantasy/sci-fi writer, a dancer, and a mom of two.
Also red-haired, left-handed, and a vegetarian geek. Absolutely terrible at conforming. Particular loves include badass heroines, Star Trek, British accents, baba ganoush, and the smell of Band-Aids. Writing reviews, author interviews, and fun stuff at http://www.womenofbadassery.com/. Very active on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Zen’s links:
Website: http://www.womenofbadassery.com/
Twitter: @ZenDiPietro
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/zendipietro/
https://www.facebook.com/ZenDiPietroauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24973127-guardians-of-terath?from_search=true
Thursday Threads Pretty Penny Neva Brown
Welcomes
Pretty Penny
By
Neva Brown
A sweet (touch of sensual) contemporary romance.
BLURB:
Clayton Brandt knows the cost of a woman but he never knew the value of a woman until Penny, quiet, efficient, and determined, invades his workplace then his life.
Penny, inadvertently, sets off a chain of events that threatens her life and the happy-ever-after that she hoped for with Clayton.
How they navigate through government agents’ plans, vindictive women’s plans, and their vastly different upbringing to find common ground to nurture a love that clings through all the troubles and trials takes the reader on a compelling vicarious journey.
EXCERPT:
Awestruck and wondering how a rodeo producer managed to have such a grandiose personal jet, Penny jumped in surprise at the clipped, commanding voice behind her. She turned and focused on the imposing man who extended a lean, hard hand for her to shake as he towered over her.
“I presume you’re Wilma’s little friend.”
His emphasis on “little” implied so much more than the fact that she was only five foot two, one hundred five pounds. She stiffened.
“I’m Penelope Ann Jones. And, yes, Wilma and I are friends.”
“I’m Clayton Brandt, your boss.” His icy stare chilled her from head to toe.
“Are you another of her projects, or can you do a day’s work for a day’s pay?”
Her haughtiness probably added to his irritation, but she wasn’t about to cower before this arrogant tyrant.
Stretching her neatly clad body and raising her eyes from his chest to his cold, gray eyes, she answered with an indifferent tone.
“I can do the work Wilma said would be expected of me, sir.”
She bit her tongue to keep from adding that she had a master’s degree in finance, held a CPA license, and had worked as a secretary all the way through college. Just because she had been following the rodeo did not make her incapable, just besotted with love.
He curtly dismissed her. “Get buckled up. The pilot is ready to take off.”
***
His woodsy scent and the feel of his hand still lingered in her memory. From her luxurious lounger, she continued to watch. He frowned at Wilma. His words became clear enough for Penny to hear.
“I thought we got through your ‘mother hen’ phase a few years back. Where did you find this one?”
Wilma’s longsuffering look made Penny strain to hear the reply.
“The ‘mother hen’ periods as you call them passed a long time ago. Penny is different. She was Jason’s wife, but none of our family even knew they were married. They’d been married almost a year when that bull killed him.”
“Then she’s a rich young widow. Why does she need to work?”
“Things aren’t quite what they seem. Jason never got around to changing his will and never had her sign a signature card to draw on his account at the bank. Being his usual distracted self, he just gave her cash. She had money but no permanent financial security.”
“So I guess you’re paying her bills. No wonder you want to put her to work.”
“Clayton, she was my baby brother’s wife and was ‘holed up’ in that fifth wheel at a trailer park with nothing but crackers and peanut butter. She’s smart and willing to work. You know I wouldn’t ask you to hire her if I didn’t believe she could do the job.”
He scowled at Wilma as she added, “I’d bet six month’s wages she’ll do a good job.”
“You may not have six month’s wages if she messes up. I don’t suffer fools and lazy people, as you well know. Right now, she looks like both to me,” he growled.
Penny let her eyelids shut completely at the hostile sound of his voice. A surge of adrenaline made her ears ring and her muscles twitch. Her anger churned, and her thoughts raced. Just who does this aging Adonis with a Neanderthal attitude think he is? Wilma thinks he hung the moon, and he acts like she is just some inconsequential employee when, in reality, she shields him from all kinds of thorny situations every day. She’s always telling me about the mountain of work she does to smooth the way for him. What an insufferable man!
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BIO:
Neva Brown, a retired secondary teacher/administrator, now enjoys the challenge of writing romance novels and doing editing for other romance writers. She has even ventured into the social media world of Facebook, Twitter and Google+ as well as having a website. Her family accepts her eccentricities with equanimity. Neva spent most of her life on West Texas ranches and uses that culture and environment in many of her stories. She and her husband now live at Rio Concho West in San Angelo, Texas. They enjoy visits from their two sons and their families, are always delighted to hear from old friends, and are amazed at how well they have adjusted to ‘city’ living. Neva loves to hear from her readers. She can be reached at joneva@suddenlink.net .
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