Mary E. Thompson's Blog, page 34

All For Mom (May 25)

Nicole was amazed how seamlessly she and Roger worked to get everything done. Makayla loved her chicken soup and even felt well enough to have a small bowl of ice cream after. When they were done with dinner, Roger cleaned up the kitchen while Nicole gave Makayla a bath and got her settled for bed. She sat with her for a little while until her daughter fell asleep, then went back downstairs to find Roger.

He was sitting on the couch, watching Makayla’s show.

“You don’t have to watch this, you know,” Nicole teased.

Roger turned to her with a grin. “I watch a lot of show like this, actually. It’s good research and they’re entertaining. Kids have a shorter attention span than adults so there’s more activity in a children’s show. Plus, the shows aren’t full of innuendo or anything salacious.”

“Salacious? I happen to like salacious,” Nicole teased, sitting next to him on the couch.

“Oh, I love salacious, but I prefer it in real life, not on my television.” His voice dropped lowered, sending delicious tingles up and down her spine. She wanted to climb inside him and have him talk, that shiver filling her.

“I think we could arrange for a little of that right now, unless you need to get home.”

“Nope,” he said with a pop.

Roger let her go to him again. He rested one hand on her hip and the other held her cheek, but he didn’t rush her or force her. Nicole wanted to destroy his control as much as she wanted him to hold on to it. She had to admit to herself though, she enjoyed being in control.

Without any hesitation on her part, Nicole pressed her lips to his. He angled his head down so he could kiss her thoroughly and she nearly hummed with approval. His tongue teased every corner of her mouth, making her groan. She wanted him to touch her, and thought she might come apart if he didn’t.

Knowing he wouldn’t make the first move, Nicole sat up and crawled onto his lap. She straddled him, his thighs nestled between hers, exposing her core to his erection. His hands went to her ass and dragged her tight against him, drawing out a moan.

“Jesus, Nicole, you’re making me crazy,” he growled as he tore his lips from hers. He pressed them to her neck and trailed his tongue down to the edge of her t-shirt. She wished she’d made more of an effort to dress up for him, but was thrilled to find he didn’t seem to care what she was wearing.

“The feeling is mutual,” she answered, dragging his mouth back to hers. She kissed him hard, the bite of his teeth against her lips turning her on even more. She needed more from him though.

Nicole grabbed one of his hands from her ass and pressed it to her breast. He growled and brushed his thumb over her erect nipple. His other hand joined in the fun when Nicole heard, “Mommy!”

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Change On The Fly, release day

It’s hard falling in love and thinking you’re the only one doing so. Lucy and Chris both started to fall for each other, but since their relationship was supposed to be fake, neither wanted to say how they were feeling.

Lucy used her brothers watching her as an excuse to kiss Chris, but when he did the same, she thought it was only because he had to.

Excerpt from Change On The Fly

Chris drove to the back of Davoli’s and put the car in park. Lucy saw Mark look through the kitchen door when the car drove around. Shock registered on his face when he noticed it was Lucy and Chris. She knew he would watch them, and didn’t mind a chance to kiss Chris.

“Are you sure you don’t need my help? I can follow you back to your place?”

Chris shook his head. “It’ll be fine. I’ve got a week and if I need to I’ll take a day or two off next week.”

“I’m sorry I’m doing this to you.” She laughed mirthlessly. “I guess this is why my brothers watch me like a hawk, like Mark is doing right now.”

“Really?” Lucy nodded to the kitchen door behind him. “Oh, uh, I should kiss you then, huh?”

Lucy bit her lip and nodded. Chris’s eyes darkened just before he leaned in and brushed his lips across hers. She barely felt anything before he started to pull back, only to return quickly, pressing his lips tight against hers. One hand cupped her cheek tenderly and the other danced over her hip, barely noticeable through the fabric of her jeans, but scorching because it was Chris.

His tongue tickled the seam of her lips and she opened eagerly for him. He kissed her hard, pulling her hip closer to him as though he intended for her to straddle his hips right there in his car.

Slowly, he pulled back from the kiss. He gentled his hold on her, releasing her one step at a time as though it was an effort to let her go.

Lucy took whatever she could get from him, her heart getting mixed in the middle as she tried to decipher exactly what it was she really wanted. When he rested his forehead against hers and looked into her eyes, Lucy was even more confused.

“Hopefully that fooled him,” Chris breathed.

Lucy’s heart sunk to her toes as his words hit her. He wasn’t kissing her because he wanted her. He was kissing her to put on a show for her brother. It didn’t affect him nearly as much as it did her.

She was a fool for thinking it could have.

“Yeah, I’m sure he bought it. Thanks. I’ll, um, I’ll see you in a couple days. I’ll text you the details about the wedding.”

“Thanks. Bye Lucy.”

“Bye Chris.”

Lucy made it upstairs with the door closed before the tears slipped onto her cheeks.

Change On The Fly is available now! Get your copy today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, or Smashwords.

In four weeks the next story from Paradise Park, In The Dirt, will be available. To tempt you, I’m sharing the cover today! What do you think?

Jo Marcinko always wanted to coach women’s lacrosse. When her former coach retired a few months after she completed her master’s degree, Jo applied for the job, and got it.

Eric Brown owed everything to his sister. After she gave up her future to make sure he had one, he always felt like he had to repay her. His chance came when the head coach job opened up. Eric, as the assistant coach, didn’t apply so his sister would get the job and he could be there for her to take some of the weight off her shoulders.

Except she didn’t get the job.

Jo dislikes Eric as much as she wants him. He’s drawn to her even more than he wants to see her fail. Only one of them can get what they want, but which one will it be?

Preorders for In The Dirt are up now at Amazon and Smashwords, more coming soon!

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All For Mom (May 23)

Roger’s head spun. She kissed him. She actually fucking kissed him.

The second their lips touched he couldn’t stop himself from pulling her body flush against his. Little Roge sprung to life between them and he nearly burst when she rubbed herself against him.

She just might kill him.

Her lips were soft and eager against his. She kissed him tentatively at first, but it didn’t take long for her tongue to reach out to him. He was more than happy to let her in to taste and tease and tempt him. And herself, he hoped.

It was unusual for Roger to let a woman lead a kiss. With Nicole, he knew it needed to happen at her pace. He wanted to kiss her as much as he wanted to breathe, but he meant it when he said he needed her to want it too. That didn’t change just because she pressed her lips or her body to his. She was in control. They were in her house. It was her sick daughter on the couch in the other room.

Shit! Makayla!

Roger gently pulled back from Nicole, hating that he had to. She gazed up at him with heavy eyes full of lust and desire. Oh, how he wanted to dive right back into her and finish what she’d started. But he didn’t go there for that. He went to help her, not kiss her senseless.

“Makayla,” he ground out, unable to form any additional coherent thoughts, let alone words.

He watched as Nicole’s eyes cleared. She shook her head and slowly stepped back from him. Then dropped her head into her hands. “I’m the worst mother ever.”

Roger stepped forward and pulled her back into his arms. She resisted again, but he didn’t release her. He waited until she looked up at him. “Taking a minute for yourself does not make you a bad mother.”

“Forgetting about my child does,” she said angrily.

Roger shook his head. “Not even close. You didn’t forget about her. You know she’s safe. You know exactly where she is. I’m guessing you’ve been thinking of nothing but her since she was born, and even more since she got sick last night. You need to give yourself a break. You’re not doing anything wrong here.”

Nicole took a deep breath and held it for a few seconds before letting it out. Roger could see her features relax with that simple gesture. “You’re right. It doesn’t feel natural to not have her in the front of my mind, but my friends have been telling me for years that having a life is going to make me a better mother, not a worse one.”

“I think your friends are right. I also think we need to ask one of them to watch her one of these days so we can continue what we just started without having to worry about Makayla walking in.”

“I think that’s a great idea. But for now, we should probably feed her. And put away the ice cream.”

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Billionaires Vol 1 by Daryl Devoré

Please welcome Daryl Devoré! She’s here to tell us about her latest release – hot billionaires anyone?

Hi, I’m Daryl Devoré, an erotic romance writer who pens hot sexy romances with captivating characters.

I booked a spot on this blog to promo what I hoped to be my latest release – but…that sort of did and didn’t work. I submitted my latest WIP to my publisher and after several friendly discussions, I pulled it and am now looking for a home.

But, while that happened, my publisher released a new book for me. Confused? Don’t be. We did not separate on unfriendly terms. It was mutually decided it was time for me to move on. Spread my wings. Leap of faith and whatever other clichés you can think of.

So what is this mysterious new book released from a publisher I don’t work with anymore – lol. I wrote 2 billionaire romances. Pretty hot stuff. He joined them into one. Brilliant.

So without further ado – here’s my latest.

Of all the books I’ve written to date, I am the most proud of FL.E.S.H. I found my voice in that book. I adore my characters and am thrilled with the twists and turns I threw at them.

FLame’s Electrifying Sexy Heat

When secrets conflict with dreams, love explodes.

After a mistake by a surgeon’s scalpel shattered Fuchsia Quinn’s dance career, she picked up the pieces of her life and moved forward. As the owner of a small, struggling dance school in a depressed neighborhood she supplements her income with a late night job at a dive bar. Haunted by the fear of humiliation, if her secret is revealed, her life was under control until the night he walked into the bar.

Peyton Lang, having run from a bad neighborhood, lives the lifestyle of a successful billionaire. Frustrated that his current multi-million dollar project is stalled, Peyton drops in to LEATHER-ICIOUS for a simple drink and late night entertainment. What he saw was a beautiful redhead. What he found was he wanted her.

After a lusty night with a hot pole dancer, Peyton and Fuchsia’s worlds are about to collide.

Excerpt from FL.E.S.H.

He lifted her hand and intertwined his fingers with hers. “If you want to back out, just say the word. I have no way to prove I’m not some crazy psycho pervert. I could call one of my buds, but he’d be so drunk by now he’d agree to whatever I asked.” He placed a finger under her chin and lifted her face. “Promise me one thing. If at any second you want to back out, say so. I won’t be angry. I will be disappointed, but not angry. I’ll call a cab and send you home. Promise?”

She nodded, fighting back tears. She wasn’t sure why she wanted to cry: happiness, nerves, or sadness that this great guy was going to be a one night stand.

A Kept Woman is the first book I wrote and what shifted me from a romance author to an erotic romance author. Derek Davenport was my first billionaire and I had such fun developing his character. He starts off cold and impersonal, but Arianne soon melts his heart.

A Kept Woman

Desperately unemployed, Arianne, answers an ad that reads Woman Wanted. With miniscule hours and excellent pay, she accepts the position of courtesan to Derek, a handsomely dashing man, whom she finds out is a billionaire. Engaging in a game of cat and mouse, will they drive each other crazy…or will they fall in love first?

These are some single line reviews for A Kept Woman.

5 Star Her style of writing is multi-layered, making this book plot and character-driven.

5 Star Arianne and Derek aren’t predictable protagonists. They always have a surprise up their sleeves until the end.

5 Star As Good as Fifty Shades!

5 Star Need to get hot and steamy. Read this book. Another one my husband didn’t mind me buying.

So – go and grab Billionaires vol 1 – it’s a two for one super hot read.

http://www.amazon.com/Billionaires-Volume-1-Daryl-Devore-ebook/dp/B01E9K0GBY

About Daryl

Daryl Devore lives in a 180 year in old farmhouse in Ontario, Canada, with her husband, a large salt water aquarium full of fish, a black cat named Licorice, and some house ghosts. Her daughter is grown and has flown the nest. Daryl loves to take long walks up her quiet country road, or snow shoe across the back acres and in the summer, kayak along the St. Lawrence River. She has touched a moon rock, a mammoth and a meteorite. She’s been deep in the ocean in a submarine, flew high over Niagara Falls in a helicopter and used the ladies room in a royal palace. Life’s an adventure and Daryl’s having fun living it.

Connect with Daryl on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Wattpad, Goodreads, Amazon, LinkedIn, and Pinterest!

 

 

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All For Mom (May 19)

Nicole didn’t know what to say or what to think. He kept her on her toes, but she wasn’t sure if she loved that or hated it. He brought her groceries and dinner for her and her sick kid. What sort of man did that?

And what did she do to thank him? She cried all over him! What was wrong with her.

“Makayla was sick last night and we were up all night. I don’t sleep well when she’s sick. Today hasn’t been much better.”

“Why didn’t you call me earlier? I would have come whenever you called.”

Nicole laughed mirthlessly. “I didn’t even want you to come when you did call. I couldn’t have called earlier.”

Roger cupped her chin in his big hand. Nicole didn’t know if it was her exhaustion, her lack of attention from men, or if it was just Roger, but all of a sudden she wanted to sink into him. Let him kiss her and take care of them. She’d never felt that way about a man before.

“I’m trying really hard not to kiss you right now, but the way you’re looking at me is making that incredibly difficult, Nicole.”

“Why don’t you want to kiss me?” she asked, suddenly feeling as though she read their whole situation wrong. She tried to pull from his grasp, but he stepped closer and slid his hand across her chin to rest along her jaw.

“I do want to kiss you, Nicole. Badly. But I want you to want me to kiss you. I would never force myself on you, and you just admitted you didn’t want me here.”

“I’m glad you’re here,” she confessed, watching his eyes widen and his eyebrows shoot into his hair with her words. “And I want you to kiss me.”

Roger didn’t say anything, just stepped closer. He tipped her face up to his. His other hand slipped around her waist, holding her to him loosely enough that she could move away easily. He was giving her a chance to change her mind. He wasn’t taking what he wanted from her. A part of her wished he would so she didn’t have to think, but she wanted him that much more for making sure it was her choice.

He lowered down toward her, his lips getting closer with every breath she breathed. She wanted him to kiss her so badly she was throbbing everywhere, but he still waited. Watching her. His thumb teased her skin, gently caressing her cheek. She heard his breathing change to shallow, quick breaths. Yet he still held back.

Nicole thought she was going to explode if he didn’t kiss her soon. Her hands traveled from where they hung limply at her sides up his chest and around his neck. ‘Screw it,’ she thought to herself, and she pulled his lips down to hers.

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All For Mom (May 18)

Roger picked up chicken soup for Makayla and sandwiches for him and Nicole. He also bought some ice cream for when Makayla was feeling better and a few staples that he was sure they would need since he assumed they hadn’t been to the store that day.

When he pulled into her driveway, Roger breathed a sigh of relief. He was there. At her house. She’d given him her address and he was going to spend the evening there.

Assuming she let him in the door.

Loaded with bags, Roger walked to her door and rang the bell. He heard footsteps and voices inside and waited.

When Nicole opened the door he was struck again with how beautiful she was. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun with some strands falling over her shoulders. Her eyes had dark circles under them, telling him Makayla had been sick the night before. She wasn’t wearing any make-up, but she was stunning.

Damn, he wanted to kiss her.

“Wow, what did you bring?” she asked with a grin when she glanced at the bags in his hands.

Roger smiled back. “I figured you ladies could use some extra supplies so you didn’t have to run out with her sick. How is Makayla feeling?”

Nicole looked away again. Roger saw a couch from where he stood at the front door. The TV was on with a bunch of kids on the screen. He didn’t know the show well since it was a little older than his usual readers watched, but it was one he’d seen before. Roger was adamant about keeping up with the trends and what his fans would like to read about.

“She’s doing okay,” Nicole finally said. “Come in so you can put all that stuff down. Can I help you with anything?”

Roger breathed a sigh of relief that she was actually letting him into the house. He smiled to himself as he stepped inside. With his sneakers toed off, Roger shook his head. “If I hand anything over I’m afraid I’ll drop it all. Just point me to the kitchen.”

Nicole laughed and pointed down the hallway in front of them. “Straight back.”

Roger headed into her domain, hoping she wouldn’t throw him right back out once he’d delivered his loot. Or even once they’d eaten. He took in the pictures lining the hall as he walked to the kitchen. Makayla grew up before his eyes, from a pudgy, adorable baby, to the little girl who’d run into him in the store. There were a few other decorations on the wall, but the only pictures were of Makayla, not Nicole and not a father.

Roger lifted the bags onto the counter in the kitchen. Nicole was right behind him, helping him untangle his hands from the handles of the bags. When he was finally free they started unloading everything. “You really didn’t have to do this.”

“I wanted to help. Besides, it’s no big deal. Having a sick kid can’t possibly be any fun for anyone.”

Nicole shook her head and tears filled her eyes. Something deep inside cracked and Roger didn’t hesitate to pull her into his arms. She tensed for a minute, then slowly relaxed into his embrace. He held her as she trembled against him, stroking her hair and keeping her close. She smelled amazing, a light floral scent mixed with what he was sure was all Nicole. He forced his body not to react.

Nicole finally pulled back and wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t get much sleep. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“Yes, you should have. Don’t apologize, Nicole, please.”

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Change On The Fly – first fight

Chris and Lucy are just pretending to be in a relationship, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have tiffs from time to time. Chris opened his mouth and stuck his foot in it, and Lucy was hurt. But he did a pretty damn good job apologizing!

Excerpt from Change On The Fly

Lucy set her rag down and finally faced him, anger sparking in her fiery green eyes. “Fine. You want to know what you said? You think I’m shallow. That I’m just going through life having fun. That I don’t actually do anything of value.”

“Whoa! When did I say any of that?”

“When you said I should be out having fun instead of here helping you. I’m giving up my night to help you and instead of being grateful-“

“What a minute! I said I appreciated your help. I said thank you and you flipped out on me. All I meant was you probably had better things to do with your night than stain furniture. I don’t think you’re shallow.”

She sniffed and ran her hands through her hair, her fingers catching in the knot. “Everyone thinks I’m shallow. My brothers tell me all the time that I’m not reliable and I don’t ever do anything with my life. You don’t even know me, but what you do know about me is that I’m trying to make my ex jealous, I’m trying to show my brothers I’m someone I’m clearly not, and I kiss strangers in a bar when I’ve had too much to drink. How could you not think I’m shallow?” She said the last sentence so quietly he almost missed it. Her chin trembled with her words and she sucked in a quiet breath as if waiting for his sentencing.

Chris stepped in front of her and waited until she lifted her tear-filled eyes to him. He brushed his thumbs under her lashes to catch the tears there. He wanted to kiss her. She looked so beautiful with her face flushed from her outburst, her chest heaving beneath his too big t-shirt. But he knew kissing her wouldn’t prove anything except that he was a selfish asshole.

“First of all, kissing me in the bar was bold, not shallow. Secondly, having too much to drink says you know how to have fun. Third, making your ex jealous so he’ll want you back tells me you’re determined and go after what you want. But pretending to be someone you’re not for your brothers though, that’s the one that I can’t explain away. Because I don’t think you’re pretending. I believe you’re trying to show them who you really are. To make them see that you’re not the person they think you are. I don’t think you’re shallow, or irresponsible, or any of the other things you said. I think you’re beautiful and kind and exciting and passionate and intelligent and amazing.”

Preorder now!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords

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All For Mom (May 16)

“102. We’re not going anywhere, Makayla. Sorry.”

Nicole picked up her phone to call Roger. She was almost sorry to do it, but she couldn’t take Makayla out when she was so sick.

“Mom, you can’t. I’ll stay home. You go.”

Nicole smiled at her daughter. “You’re too young. I can’t leave you home alone. Even if you weren’t too young, I wouldn’t leave you alone to go out on a date when you’re sick.”

“But I really like him, Mom. He’s the only one I ran into that you talked to.”

“That you ran into? What are you talking about?” Nicole asked, suddenly suspicious.

“Oh, um, I just meant I’m really clumsy and kept running into people at the grocery store. You know?”

Something was fishy with her story. Nicole could tell. “Did you run into all those men on purpose?” Makayla shook her head, but her cheeks turned pink, and not from the fever. “Hmm, so it’s just a coincidence you never ran into an old woman or a man who wasn’t attractive?”

“But you like men who look like them. I saw them on your computer.”

“Excuse me?” Nicole asked, wondering what her daughter had seen. Time to update the parental controls.

“When I turned on your computer and went to the games website another page came up. It said ‘Vision Board – Husband’ at the top. I know husband is what Megan’s mommy has so I figured it meant you wanted one too. I was trying to help.”

Nicole sighed and shook her head. She pulled Makayla in for a hug to stop her lip from trembling. Her poor girl had been trying to find her a husband by plowing down unsuspecting men in the grocery store. And she’d snagged the most popular children’s author around.

“You didn’t have to do that, M. I would have found a husband all on my own.”

“But you didn’t, Mommy. You always said you had something going on with me. You never talked to any of them.”

Nicole took a deep breath. How did you explain dating and attraction to someone who thought Barbie and Ken were supposed to be because they both had blonde hair and were the same size? “I’m cautious-”

“But you like Roger. Don’t call him. I’m fine. See?” She pushed out of bed then wobbled when she stood and sat right back down. “That was just because I got up too fast. That’s what you always say.”

Nicole smiled at her and brushed her hand over Makayla’s face. “We’ll go out another time. But I can’t leave you tonight.”

Makayla protested again but Nicole picked up the phone and called Roger anyway. “Hello?”

“Hi Roger, this is Nicole.”

“Hey. Don’t worry, I’m planning to meet you. I won’t come to your house.”

She grinned. “Thanks, but um, that’s not why I’m calling. I’m sorry to do this at the last minute, but Makayla is sick and we just can’t come tonight.”

Roger was silent for a beat then said, “Why don’t I bring dinner to you. I’ll pick up whatever you guys want and grab a few movies and we can have a night in. That is, if you’re willing to tell me exactly where you live instead of just the neighborhood.”

Nicole laughed and glanced down at Makayla. Her eyes were closed and she was curled up on her side. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I don’t want you to get sick.”

“Are you sure that’s all it is?”

He hit the nail on the head. Nicole knew it. She was sure he knew it, too. “Okay fine. I don’t ever invite men to my house. I’m a single woman with a young daughter living alone. I’m anxious to have someone over.”

“I understand. How about I call and order food to be delivered and you can call them back and give them your address?”

Nicole shook her head. “I’m being ridiculous. You’re being nice. Just come here. I’ll work on getting over my anxieties before you get here.”

“Okay. And Nicole?”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you for trusting me.”

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Been Searching For You by Nicole Evelina

Nicole Evelina is back today to tell us about a new book, Been Searching For You. Please say hi!
Been Searching For You

Nicole Evelina

Annabeth is a hopeless romantic who believes in soul mates. In fact, she’s been writing to hers each year on her birthday since she was 16. 

Now, at 34, she’s still holding out hope of finding Mr. Right even though he’d be fighting an uphill battle to gain her trust, thanks to a traumatic experience years before that’s left her unable to commit.

When Annabeth meets a handsome literature professor named Alex on her 34th birthday, she thinks her quest may finally be at an end. Things don’t quite go as planned, so Annabeth resolves to do everything she can over the next year to find the unknown recipient of her letters.  But blind dates, Meetup events and online singles sites have nothing on what fate has in store for her when a co-worker unexpectedly quits and Annabeth finds herself working in close quarters with both Alex and her long ago ex, Nick. Fighting her attraction to one and loathing for the other, Annabeth is forced to face all of her old insecurities while keeping an eye on a scheming frienemy who may derail her hopes and dreams.

Written in the tradition of Bridget Jones’ Diary, Kim Gruenfelder’s A Total Waste of Makeup, and Melissa Pimental’s Love By The Book, this romantic comedy shows that love on the sweet side can exist for the modern girl, if only she’s willing to trust herself and search hard enough.

Been Searching for You was the winner of the 2015 Romance Writers of America Great Expectations and Golden Rose contests.

Excerpt from Been Searching For You

When the doorbell rang the following afternoon, I was still in my pajamas. It was Miles and Mia. Again.

“What do you two want?” I said with more than a little annoyance. I loved them, but at some point, one would think they’d learn weekends were sacred alone time for an introvert like me. “I’m all out of chocolate chip pancakes.”

Mia was huddled behind Miles as if she was using his body as a shield. It was very strange. “No, silly, we’re not here for food.”

“That’s a first.”

“We’re here,” Miles picked up the thread of conversation, “on strict orders from MI6.”

I squinted at them. “Did you two do drugs last night?”

“I’m totally serious,” Miles said. “If you will kindly let us in, we’ll explain.”

With a roll of my eyes, I stepped aside. They plunked down on the couch, a large box between them.

I pointed at it. “It’s not ticking, is it?”

Mia smiled. “Nope.”

“As I said”—Miles adopted a serious tone as if he were on one of those TV shows about the CIA—“we were given a clear mission, and it was to deliver this to you.”

I perched on the arm of the couch. “And did this message self-destruct after you received it?”

“Nope. Mia destroyed the evidence by eating it. Girl will eat anything.” Miles snickered, and Mia punched him in the arm.

“So what’s in the box, and who sent it?”

“That’s classified—need to know only, and we didn’t need to know.”

“You guys are really starting to weird me out,” I said in partial honesty.

“Just open it.” Mia pulled me onto her lap and forced my hands around the edges of the paper-wrapped box.

After inspecting it for any signs of who gave them this mysterious “mission,” I tore open the paper. Inside was an expensive white-and-red striped decorative box, the kind in which an uptown woman might store correspondence or invitations to snooty parties. Lifting the lid carefully, I found a single sheet of cream stationery on top covered in Alex’s elegant, Catholic schoolboy handwriting.

Annabeth, since there is much I cannot be with you for in body over the coming months, I wanted to make sure I was there in spirit when you needed me. I made this while I was waiting to hear the final outcome, knowing we’d have use for it eventually even if I didn’t get in at Oxford. Please consider each one of these envelopes a work of love.

The letter ended with his signature and a quote from a Florence and the Machine song about finding a way around an ocean for the sake of love.

Speechless, I handed the letter to Miles. Mia craned her neck around me to see it.

Underneath, standing in neat rows, were at least two dozen multicolored envelopes. Selecting one at random, I pulled out a bright green envelope that reminded me of those glow sticks they used to sell at skating rinks in the eighties. I even had the urge to shake it to see if it would light up. In the upper left corner, where a return address would normally have been, were the words, “Open me when…” In lieu of an address, he had written, “you need a laugh.” Below the words was a giant smiley face sticker. Thumbing through the others, I noticed they all bore the same return address but were meant for different occasions—everything from my moods to situations that might arise at work or in other areas of my life.

Typical Mia, she made a beeline for the only red envelope, which said, “Open me when… you’re Fifty Shades of Horny.” She waved it in my face. “I want to know what’s in this one.”

I made to grab it away, but she squirmed out from under me, scampering around the couch and holding it out of my reach like a schoolyard bully. She shook it. “Too small for even a silver bullet.” Her face lit up with inspiration. “Someone’s getting lucky online,” she sang.

“Damn it, Mia. Give it back.”

Miles calmly got up—unnoticed by Mia because she was too busy capering around—plucked it out of her hand, and tossed it to me. “My darling, we’ve completed our mission. We should probably leave Annabeth alone.”

She gave Miles an incredulous look. “Why, so she can fondle her envelopes? Nope. This calls for a day on the town.”

A Romantic Comedy in an “Interesting” Setting

When the plot of my new romantic comedy, Been Searching for You, plopped itself in my head a few years ago, I didn’t have to think twice where I was going to set it. It had to be Chicago. It’s my favorite city in the country, I’ve been there many times, and it’s not too far from where I live now, so plot-specific research wouldn’t be a problem.

When my agent at the time started to send the book out to publishers, an interesting thing happened. We started getting responses that Chicago was an “interesting” choice for a setting, and they weren’t saying it in a positive way. What the heck? Why should it matter? The only thing we could come up with is that it isn’t the traditional settings of New York City/Manhattan or small town America, both of which are very popular in romance novels.

But here’s the thing – besides my own predilection, I chose Chicago specifically because it isn’t either of these places. As someone in the prime demographic for romantic comedies who can’t afford to live in New York, I find it frustrating that so many are set there. All that says to me is I somehow missed out on something in life since that’s obviously where all the young women are, or at least I feel like I’m being told that’s where I should be. New York is used as a setting so often it’s becoming cliché, plus it’s not realistic or relatable to most of the target audience.  As for small towns, again, not all readers live in one of those and there are so many out there (fictional and real) that you can’t twirl your earbuds in a bookstore without hitting one. (Plus, small towns give me panic attacks – true story – so I don’t know that I could set one there.)

To me, Chicago was the perfect compromise. It’s cosmopolitan enough to have the glamour of New York, yet small enough to be relatable no matter where you live. Demographically, it’s a young city, so it’s a logical place for two never-marrieds to fall in love. There are a multitude of cultural options so my characters would never lack for things to do, plus there are the lake, beaches and parks to add variety. I knew my hero was going to be a literature professor, and with the Chicago area being home to more than 119 colleges and universities, I had plenty of places to employ him. In the end, the city of Chicago became almost a character and the novel became my love letter to my future home town, much like Lost in Translation was Sofia Coppola’s ode to Tokyo.

Now when people ask “Why Chicago?” I think, “Why not? After all, it worked for While You Were Sleeping!”

Meet Nicole (again!)

Nicole Evelina is an award-winning historical fiction and romantic comedy writer. Her new novel, Been Searching for You, a romantic comedy, won the 2015 Romance Writers of America (RWA) Great Expectations and Golden Rose contests.

She also writes historical fiction. Her debut novel, Daughter of Destiny, the first book of an Arthurian legend trilogy that tells Guinevere’s life story from her point of view, was named Book of the Year by Chanticleer Reviews, took the Grand Prize in the 2015 Chatelaine Awards for Women’s Fiction/Romance, won a Gold Medal in the fantasy category in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards and was short-listed for the Chaucer Award for Historical Fiction. Later this year, she will release Madame Presidentess (July 25), a historical novel about Victoria Woodhull, America’s first female Presidential candidate, which was the first place winner in the Women’s US History category of the 2015 Chaucer Awards for Historical Fiction.

Nicole is one of only six authors who completed a week-long writing intensive taught by #1 New York Times bestselling author Deborah Harkness. Nicole has traveled to England twice to research the Guinevere’s Tale trilogy, where she consulted with internationally acclaimed author and historian Geoffrey Ashe, as well as Arthurian/Glastonbury expert Jaime George, the man who helped Marion Zimmer Bradley research The Mists of Avalon.

Nicole is a member of and book reviewer for The Historical Novel Society, and Sirens (a group supporting female fantasy authors), as well as a member of the Historical Writers of America, Women’s Fiction Writers Association, Romance Writers of America, the St. Louis Writer’s Guild, Women Writing the West, Broad Universe (promoting women in fantasy, science fiction and horror), Alliance of Independent Authors and the Independent Book Publishers Association.

Her website is http://nicoleevelina.com. She can be reached online at:

https://twitter.com/NicoleEvelina
http://www.goodreads.com/nicoleevelina
http://pinterest.com/nicoleevelina/
https://www.facebook.com/nicoleevelinapage/
http://instagram.com/nicoleevelina
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyi5-knSn0Abm5ujfpcHgbg/videos?view_as=public

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All For Mom (May 12)

Roger didn’t know why he confessed who he was. He never told anyone, not until he knew them well. He wanted to know Nicole though. So he admitted the truth.

He waited to see the dollar signs in her eyes. The knowledge that he was worth far more than she ever imagined. She would warm up to him immediately, and he would start to pull away. He would decide it wasn’t worth it to spend more time with her.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Nicole said again. “I’m sorry I wasn’t very nice, but I have to be cautious. Do you have kids?”

He shook his head with a grin. “Nope. Just my nieces and nephews. Never had a chance for kids.”

“Do you want kids?”

Roger was more than a little uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation, but if she was talking to him, and not looking at him like he was her meal ticket, he would answer whatever questions she threw at him. “Yes, I want kids. I always wanted kids.”

“Why didn’t you have any?”

Riger took a deep breath. “I know how hard it is to be a single parent. I wanted my kids, if I ever had them, to know both their parents loved them. I wanted to love their mother too. I haven’t found that.”

Nicole chewed on her lip and glanced toward her daughter. He wanted to know what she was thinking, but she kept quiet. She shook her head and finally looked up at him, her features softening. “I can understand that,” was all she said.

Roger wanted to press her for more, but she closed off. Still, he had to try one more thing. “Do you think I could take you out sometime? You know, someplace nicer than the deli at the grocery store.”

Roger held his breath as she silently contemplated his offer. He wasn’t sure what he wanted her to say. Yes, he wanted to get to know her, but he didn’t want her to agree to go out with him because of what he could give her.

Nicole kept her eyes on Makayla the whole time. After a moment she answered, “I don’t really have a regular babysitter. I don’t have anywhere Makayla could go.”

Was she making an excuse or explaining? “Bring her with us. She’s a part of you. If I’m going to get to know you, I want to know your daughter too.”

Nicole cocked her head at him. “Next Friday. Seven. She likes that new Japanese restaurant where they cook in front of you.”

“Excellent. Meet you there?” Nicole nodded as Makayla walked up with three notebooks. She rolled her eyes but nodded to the cart for Makayla to throw them in. “I’m looking forward to it,” Roger said with a wink for Makayla when Nicole wasn’t looking. He watched them walk away and was glad he could stop staking out the grocery store.

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