Lizabeth Scott's Blog, page 8

THE SECRET by Karen J. Mossman

The Secret
**Free**
25th-26th-27th May
Kerry O’Brien has a secret so terrible it burns inside her. All she wants is to be part of a normal family, but with a stepfather like Bill, that is impossible.
Set in the 1970s when secrets like this were only ever whispered about, Kerry somehow keeps her humour by pretending everything is fine. Then she meets biker Tommy, and he has his own secret; one that impacts on her.
 Kerry’s secret becomes harder to keep and the tell-tell signs harder to hide. Can she keep it together? Can Tommy and Kerry get it together?
 Then the worst happens and Kerry’s secret is a secret no more. 
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EXCERPT:
'This is where I work,” he said, as we entered a joiner’s workshop. I could see half built furniture with lots of wood shavings on the floor and various types of cutting equipment. We walked over to one half built piece of furniture.“This is mine,” he said. “I’m working on it at the moment.” It was wardrobe and it hadn’t got any doors. “How on earth do you make these?” I asked running my finger through a pattern in the wood. “With this, it’s called a router.” He held up some kind of tool. “Just look inside here,” he said, indicating inside of the wardrobe. I peered just behind where the door would be, and saw he’d scraped TS 74 in the wood. “Oh yeah.”“We all like to mark them somewhere. So should you ever buy a wardrobe, take a look inside, it might be one of mine.”I grinned. “You’ll be famous.”He laughed. “Come on, we’ll go into the tea room.”We went up some stairs and into a big kitchen. There was a table in the centre and on it were mugs and some still contained tea that had gone cold and congealed. I pulled a face.“I know,” he said as if reading my mind. “We’re a mucky lot.” He began clearing it piling it into a dirty looking sink. Kitchen cupboards snaked around the sides of the room, both on the wall and beneath the counter. Some of the doors didn’t appear to fit properly and some didn’t even have doors. There was a fridge, but there was also a bottle of milk standing on the top, it’s contents half empty and I just had the feeling I wouldn’t want to drink it. In fact, everything looked grubby.“I would offer you a brew...”I laughed, “Not a chance, some of those cups look like they’ve never been washed.”“Come over here,” he said, standing by the table.“Why?” I asked a little dubiously.“I want you to lie on it.”I frowned, “Why?” He looked at me with mischievous eyes and my pulse quickened. “I want to draw you.”Draw me? I didn’t expect that. Was I disappointed? Did I think he was going to make mad passionate love to me right there on that table top?I managed to giggle and stood on the chair, then onto the table and lay down, feeling a bit silly. I let him manoeuvre me into position and felt even sillier.“Relax, Kerry.”“Do you know how hard this table is?”He pulled out a chair and sat down a little way from the me. Producing a sketchpad from somewhere, he began to draw.“Well, this is nice,” I said, feeling the back of my head on the edge of the table as I peered at the ceiling and my hair hung down towards the floor.“You’ve no idea,” he said, glancing up at me and then down to the sketchpad as his pencil moving quickly. “Hmm, I wonder what’s for tea tonight. Wood chips? Or wardrobe sausage?” I pondered.“Keep still.”“I am still; in fact I’m so still you can hardly tell I’m breathing.”“Your mouth is moving.”“Can you draw an open mouth?” I puckered it.“Not in the way you mean, shut up a minute.”I mentally counted to 60 and then said, “My back is aching.”“Okay,” he said, standing up and snapping the pad closed. “Finished.”“Can I see it?”“No, you can’t, I need to finish it first.”“I thought you just said you’d finished.”“Hmm,” I loved the rumble sound his voice made. “These are just the bare bones,” he said with a grin. “I’ve to fill it in yet.”“God!” I huffed, feigning annoyance. “I’ve been called many things, but bare bones!”He swatted my bum with his hand. “You’ll see it, eventually.”We were laughing as we made our way back outside to his bike. Is this too soon to fall it love? Because I was falling right over!'
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What the readers are saying:
The story is gripping and interesting, the romance warm and simmering. I absolutely loved the ending, which gives the story an almost fairy tale-like feeling. All in all, it was a very enjoyable two hour read, and I whole heartedly recommend it to fans of the genre.S Anderson
I really enjoyed this book and I was automatically drawn into the characters world, from the very first page. Tommy treats Kerry like a queen and it's so refreshing to read a story where the man respects and truly loves the girl.Jenna Hodge
The characters were so real and the story definitely so believable. These sort of secrets unfortunately still go on. Let's hope others can find the strength just like Kerry to come out on the other side.Lindy-Lou

Karen J Mossman lives in Anglesey in Wales with her husband. She had written 4 books, three themed short story collections, The Missing, Behind The Music, Heroes and Joanna's Journey, a novel set in the 1980s.

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#RRBC Spotlight is on Author, Kim Cox

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Asheville, North CarolinaUSA —Rave Reviews Book Club is pleased to introduce, Author, Kim Cox as their “SPOTLIGHT” Author forthe week of May 22-28,2016. Kim’s featuredbook, All This Time, is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.



Book Description At thirty, Jenny Morgan’s biological clock is ticking. But as a fashion magazine CEO with a busy schedule and no significant other, her wish is unlikely to come true. When her father receives a terminal diagnosis, he wants a grandchild before he dies. With her religious beliefs, a sperm donor isn’t an alternative. Jenny’s only option is her single co-worker and best friend, Trevor Drake. Can she really trust him to be a good husband?Trevor has loved Jenny since college, but she only sees him as a friend with no ambition. After he finds out her predicament, he proposes and sets out to prove he can provide everything she needs. Jenny is determined to have a prenuptial agreement with an “out” clause after one year. Can he convince Jenny of his love by then?As if they don’t have enough on their plate, someone at the magazine is out to sabotage their marriage, their impending parenthood, and the magazine. Jenny is nearly killed in one such attempt. Can Jenny and Trevor work together to uncover their common enemy?


To learn more about Kim Cox, or to purchase All This Time, please visit:Website: http://www.kimcoxauthor.comAmazon Author Page: http://amazon.com/author/kimcoxTwitter handle: https://twitter.com/KimCoxAuthorFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimcoxauthor

For more information on Kim Cox, Rave Reviews Book Club, and other great authors, visit:https://ravereviewsbynonniejules.word...

Rave Reviews Book Club authorizes the immediate use of any of the above information (in part or in whole) for publication.

Sweet Destiny Release Fun and Games!

Read 1st Chapter Here
Download HereAmazon US     Amazon UK     Amazon CA      Amazon AU     Kobo       B&N     iBooks
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Mari and Ki’s story began in the Royal Vow Series, Sweet Surrender. As I finished what I thought to be the last book of the series, Sweet Temptation, I discovered Mari and Ki had another story to tell. I hope you enjoy this two part story of their sweet destiny. Don’t worry, as a thank you treat I’ve included both parts of this story in one book, Sweet Destiny.Sweet Royal Beginnings – Book 0, Jane & MikalSweet Surrender – Book 1, Mari & KiSweet Denial – Book 2, Ella and ZahirSweet Seduction – Book 3, Kassie and TajSweet Temptation – Book 4, Chellie and SiranSweet Destiny – Book 5, Mari & Ki           Part 1 - The King’s Sweet Revenge          Part 2 - The Queen’s Sweet Return
Part 1 The King’s Sweet Revenge Mari and Ki are just as much in love today as they were seven years ago when they first fell in love. As the King and Queen of Tanistan they’re faced with many of the same issues as most married couples. Their time is not their own and commitments and work keep them apart much too often. After three children Mari is beginning to feel as if she doesn’t measure up to the expectations of her husband or of her country. When Ki cancels yet another private dinner to go out of town with his very attractive and size two assistant Mari overfills her schedule to keep the silly voices in her head silent.
Part 2 The Queen’s Sweet Return Mari and Ki are faced with the challenge of rebuilding their marriage. Would they fall in love a second time? Were they really destined to be together?While Mari and Ki still have the same explosive chemistry, Mari can’t help but wonder which woman lay in his arms and in his heart.
NOTE: While Sweet Destiny is a very sweet read this book has steamy hot sexual scenes and is written for 18+ readers. If you don’t like sexy time in the ocean, in the shower, in the kitchen …well you get it. Then this story isn’t for you.
*************************************************Wall of Fame Winner's!


1. “LIKE” this page2. “SHARE” this post.3. COMMENT below.Check to see if you won! Wall of FameWARNING: Hot Sweet Destiny clip ahead!Mari and Ki’s story began in the Royal Vow Series, Sweet Surrender. As I finished what I thought to be the last book of the series, Sweet Temptation, I discovered Mari and Ki had another story to tell. I hope you enjoy this two part story of their sweet destiny. Don’t worry, as a thank you treat I’ve included both parts of this story in one book, Sweet Destiny. You know I would give you a cliffhanger!Here’s a juicy little taste!She laughed and raised her hands over her head to squeeze the water from the ends of her hair. When Ki didn’t answer, she glanced his way and froze. His eyes were once again fixated on her chest, his breathing becoming labored. She looked down and gasped. The wet material of her white suit plastered against her skin left nothing to the imagination. Her nipples hardened and Ki groaned and reached for her. She surprised herself when she went willing into his arms.Ki searched her eyes. “Tell me to stop. Tell me this is too much, too soon.”Even if she’d wanted to, Mari couldn’t have gotten a word out. Instead, to answer his question she pulled his head down and pressed her lips against his. That was the only answer he needed. Ki took over and devoured her mouth. His tongue brushed against her lips, demanding entry. She opened and Ki took the kiss deeper, making her shiver with need. She felt him pressed against her stomach and groaned. Her feet floated up in the water as Ki lifted her higher. She wrapped her legs around his waist, pressing all his glorious length against her very center. Ki’s lips continued their assault on her senses until she wanted to scream with frustration as his lips moved down her neck, leaving not one single inch of her skin untouched by his searing brand.“More.” Even the cool sea water surrounding them couldn’t cool her over heated need.“I know, baby.”Want more? Download now!

#LizSweetDestiny
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Play for a chance to win yummy Shari's Berries!
SWEET DESTINY QUIZ CONTEST1. “LIKE” this page: https://www.facebook.com/LizabethScot.... “SHARE” this post.3. COMMENT below.4. SUBSCRIBE: http://www.lizabethscottbooks.com
Contest open April 1 through April 30. 
LINKS FOR SWEET DESTINYAmazon US: http://amzn.to/1Y1583D Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1T7H8fQ Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1QrCDKV Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1Qr83gX Kobo: http://bit.ly/1QqZDs3 B&N: http://bit.ly/22YpGQp iBooks: http://apple.co/1RApTi2

#RRBC “SPOTLIGHT”AUTHOR, GORDON BICKERSTAFF Is Here!

Reblogged from Watch Nonnie Write!:


Today, I am happy to host RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB’S “SPOTLIGHT”Author, Gordon Bickerstaff! I’m happy to do so because Gordon is one of the most supportive members within the club and when you give support the way he does, you can sit here on my sofa and speak to my blog followers any day of the week…twice on Sunday, if you so choose! And now, I turn it all over to Gordon!





WRITING A TRILOGY – PLANNING


When I was young, I read Ian Fleming and more recently, I’ve read a lot of Lee Child. I knew I wanted to write a series when I started writing fiction, but I didn’t initially plan the first three books to be a trilogy. To me, the prospect of planning for three, seemed too overwhelming.


I’ve read that JK Rowling planned her Harry Potter series for five years before she started to write – so planning is key. The first draft of my first book ran to 130,000 words and I hadn’t finished the story. I realised it would be too long, so I accepted that it would spill into a sequel. Then, as every writer knows, the characters and the story grew organically, and by the time I’d finished the first book, DEADLY SECRETS, I knew it would become a trilogy.


A big planning decision at the start is whether each book will be self-contained or must be read in sequence to make sense. It is equally possible to have three books in one, or one book in three volumes. The approach for each one is different and it is important to decide early on which it will be. I decided that the Gavin Shawlens thriller series would be standalone books, but that anyone reading the trilogy, would gain the added enjoyment of discovering the trilogy story arcs that bind them together.


Every writer has his or her own style, but for me, I have to have the beginning and the end solidly sketched out so I know where I’m coming from and where I am going. So, the ending in the third book, THE BLACK FOX, was known to me when I was writing the first book. I think that it is essential to have that basic structure, so that you can plan for the end of the third book to bring closure to the trilogy. I think it would be difficult for me to write a good ending to the third book that had not been planned in the first two.


Good planning will establish and distinguish book story arcs and trilogy story arcs. The former will be complete in one book and the latter will complete in the third book. Working these out allows you to interweave them so the trilogy arcs become natural background in the book story arcs. I enjoyed the challenge of finding opportunities to fit a trilogy story arc into a book story arc.


For example, I wanted a trilogy romantic arc for Gavin Shawlens that had history (starting when he was sixteen), but not a simple one. One that has been painful and had a dramatic impact on his life.


SPOILER ALERT!

In Bk1 he is reunited with the love of his life, and life is good – then it is under threat. In Bk2, this love is completely lost, which leaves him devastated and suicidal. This trilogy arc is embedded in the Bk2 story arcs and the reader thinks the romantic arc is completed. Then in Bk3, a dramatic twist brings the real conclusion of the trilogy romantic arc.





Buy Gordon Bickerstaff’s Books

Amazon-UK

Amazon-USA


Follow Gordon Bickerstaff here:


Website

Twitter handle: @ADPase


Thanks for stopping by, Gordon and if you would like to follow along with the rest of Gordon’s blog tour (we hope you will), you may do so by clicking here!

Sweet Temptation Blog Tour!

SWEET TEMPTATION BLOG TOUR
One week before the release of Sweet Temptation I was asked if I was doing a blog tour to promote the book. Blog tour? What's a blog tour? As I usually do when I haven't a clue about something, I YouTube it. I discovered a Blog Tour is a thing of wonder and I wanted one. The only problem was, they take months to plan. I had seven days. Thanks to Valerie and Tim Hemlin for pointing me in the right direction. I only had to put the need out there to the amazing community of authors and bloggers on Facebook and in a very short time I had offers rolling in! Astonishing! If they didn't have a blog or website, they offered to make promo posts. I can never thank these folks enough for pitching in at the last minute and doing such an amazing job!

Here are the stops on the Sweet Temptation Blog Tour. I encourage you to visit and leave me a comment. I'll select one comment to win a free copy of Sweet Temptation or an upcoming release!
Christina TetreaultJulie NichollsJM MaurerKathy GoldenKim CoxJen WintersVenture GalleriesMistral DawnLynette CreswellKathy MossmanThe Bohemian HousewifeAmazing Kindle BooksAuthorsdb - Be sure and vote for my 2016 Cover!Black Caviar BookclubChristina PaulTim HemlinSusan Ricci
If I've missed anyone, PLEASE let me know so I may thank you personally.

The Spotlight is on Feature Author: Julie Nicholls!

Exciting times today for my friend, Julie Nicholls! Julie is an amazing author and talented graphic artist who is totally fixated on Momoa, but that's another story. Check out her latest release Blood Ties!


Julie:

Hey peeps! Today is the official release day for Blood Ties! In case you need another sneaky peek to whet your appetite, here's a little more from the book. This is a paranormal, shifter, werewolf, romance, and it's currently available on Amazon.com & Amazon.co.uk



I've spent some time making the paperback quite special, and if you're a collector of 'real' books, I hope you'll consider adding Blood Ties to your collection. 

The first letter of each chapter has a wolf motif which I've created in Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.
I hope you like the design and for the readers who like to hold a book, this is a perfect gift. The paperback is available from:
Createspace: Buy Link     or via Amazon: Buy Link

Excerpt:

The morning looked promising. Keagen was on the road, traveling to a small town he’d never heard of. Filled with elation, thoughts of catching his prey made him smile. There was no need to rush. Despite his need to snag the escapee, he took a leisurely drive. Intel he received advised of a stranger who'd set up house in Dewburn Falls, and was deemed a ‘badass.’

Keagen smirked.  There’s a new player coming to town. Move over badass.

Relaxing into the soft leather seat of the BMW 328i, one of Keagen’s favorite rides, he took in the scenery and thought about his plan of action. Meticulously organized, he always had a fallback plan. He wasn’t at home being Mr. Cock-up, and hated if someone fucked up, which wasn’t too often as he mostly worked alone. Forced to team up on one occasion, it didn’t go well, resulting in a few deaths. Kicking off, Keagen said it was either his way, or he was retiring, which was funny considering they owned him; despite his reluctance to admit it. While he was comfortable, he’d put up with their shit and continued along his merry way. Doing their dirty work. With access to fast cars, the best weaponry, some not even on the market officially, and recreation time to fuck, life was good. He wanted it to continue.

His mind took him back to when it wasn’t so pleasurable, and his hands tightened around the steering wheel as he growled. While he didn’t have many memories remaining, he knew it wasn’t good. Faded scars on his body were the only reminders of his childhood, since Solgen wiped his memory. It was the standard protocol to start with a clean mind, and easier. Still perfecting the procedure, the scientists had made a few errors, but Keagen was their most successful guinea pig. Receiving top marks in all the tests, he confirmed loyalty to the company and, therefore, was allowed to leave the compound. At first, he was under supervision, but that had soon changed. After excelling in each mission within a few months, his reputation soared. Managing a hundred percent retrieval rate, with a required eighty percent coming in alive, he was the top dog. The twenty percent died because they resisted capture and return back to the labs. Keagen was strong. At the start of his hunting career, he didn’t know his own strength. Rarely bringing home a dead one these days, he’d learned to master his body and the enhancements.



When you sign up to my official email list, you can download Demon Within FREE (retail $3 .99)

Sweet Temptation - Buy links in description

Lizabeth Scott Contemporary Romance Ebook Author: Holiday Story Hop

Lizabeth Scott Contemporary Romance Ebook Author: Holiday Story Hop: H o l i d a y Story Hop Christmas Dreams by Lizabeth Scott   Patting his pants pocket for the thousandth time, Christian ca...

Emma and Leo Chapter 1-4

Hey everyone!PLEASE keep the comments coming. Chapter 5 needs some of your marvelous input.
As always, let me put a disclaimer in here.1. I have no idea if this is going to work. 2. This will be raw and unedited. You will see all my ticks and flaws that drive my editors crazy! 3. See #2. This can't be stressed enough. 4. I reserve the right to re-write any previous parts if needed.

Copyright 2015All rights reservedThis is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, places, events and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.CHAPTER FOUREmma stumbled to the door and pulled it open to stop the incessant knocking, and blinked at the site that greeted her.“Hey, You’re Dr. Matthews aren’t you? I recognize you from that special you did on Great Whites. Cap didn’t say it was you that needed a security upgrade.” Tiny knew with only one, why Leo put a rush on her order. She was a looker and in her pajamas, which he bet was only a t-shirt and panties, she looked positively delicious. He couldn’t blame Leo for getting him out of bed to be here before she left work.Emma had to blink again, this was Tiny? Leo was right, his name was very deceptive. Nothing was “tiny” about him. He looked like a life size teddy bear, and she had an incredible urge to hug him. “Tiny?” She asked, and couldn’t keep the smile from her face. Tiny had to be at least six foot two. A red ball cap sat on a head full of shoulder length chocolate brown hair which blended in nicely with his full red beard. How was that even possible? Brown hair, red beard?His blue plaid shirt buttoned over a very broad chest, and tucked into the tapered waistband of blue denims. He was just as massive in girth as Leo, but where Leo was intense, Tiny just made you want to cuddle up with him. How this man could ever be considered intimidating…Emma just didn’t see it. “Yep, that’s me. Cap said you have to leave for work at five thirty. I didn’t want to miss you.” Tiny wiped his feet on her door mat.Emma stepped back to make room for Tiny to enter. Her foyer had always seemed to be adequately sized until Leo and Tiny entered. “But it’s not even five?”“Wasn’t sure how long it took you to get ready ma’am.” Tiny answered sheepishly and tried to keep his eyes on interesting items in the room, instead of on the second best looking woman he had ever seen. His wife, and love of his life, being the first.“About five minutes.” Emma looked at the clock on the wall longingly, she could have slept for another thirty minutes. “Come on in. Would you like a cup of coffee?”“Sure, if it’s not too much trouble.” “Oh!” Finally her brain woke up enough for her to realize what she was, or rather wasn’t wearing. Her mother would have a cow if she knew she had been entertaining guests in nothing more than a t-shirt and her underwear. “I’ll be right with you. Go on in the kitchen. I think there’s some leftover cake in the fridge. Help yourself.”Emma raced to her bathroom, took care of business, brushed her teeth, cleaned her face, pulled her hair back into a ponytail, and pulled on a pair of cut off denim shorts over her one piece black swim suit, and in under ten minutes was back in the hallway.When she walked into the kitchen Tiny already had the coffee going and a cup set out for her. “I hope you don’t mind, I went ahead and started the coffee. It was the least I could do since I woke you up and all.” He poured them both a cup.“No problem, I appreciate it.” Emma took the offered cup. She served them both a piece of the leftover cake, and they sat around the kitchen bar.“My daughter is going to flip when I tell her I met the Dr. Matthews.” Tiny said before he consumed half the piece of cake in one bite.“That’s very kind of you to say. How old is your daughter?” Emma broke off a small bite of cake and watched in amazement as Tiny wolfed down his piece in two bites. She even cut his piece twice the size of hers. Oh, the grocery bill he must have.“She’s twelve.” Tiny wiped his mouth on his sleeve and took a gulp of hot coffee. “Shark Week at our house is a special event. She looks forward to it all year long. She even follows along on your website tracking the sharks through the year.”“That’s wonderful. I’m glad she enjoys it. Is she interested in a science career?”“At the moment, but who knows what will happen in six years time.”“I always knew I would do something that involved the ocean. It has always called to me. I’m never comfortable away from it for long periods of time.”“Isn’t it scary? I mean what you do. Tagging live sharks. I’ve seen you on your television specials. You jump right in the water with them.”“I don’t fear any marine life Tiny. I understand and respect that I’m a visitor in their world. Would your daughter like to come out with us on a tagging mission sometime?”“Wow! Would she ever, I may be father of the decade.”“So, you and Leo are friends?” Emma asked casually.“Yeah, I’ve known Cap since his seal days.”Leo was a Navy Seal? Cap must be short for Captain which would mean he was used to being in charge. One piece of the Leo puzzle fell into place. “Do you work with him now? In security?” “In security…” Tiny quickly covered by adding, “yeah, I do. Well, I better get started. Thanks again Dr. Matthews for the coffee and the invitation for Sammi,” at her confused look he added, “my daughter. I will lock up when I leave.”“Sure, leave your phone number on the kitchen counter and I will call you to set up a date for Sammi to join us. You and your wife are invited as well.”***Emma pulled into her driveway close to dark, put her jeep in park, cut the engine, and then sat to regain enough energy to get out. There wasn’t a bone or muscle in her body that wasn’t screaming at her. They had hooked a Great White early in the day and fought for hours landing him, only to have him slip the hook at the last possible minute. Emma estimated he would have been at least a sixteen footer.She looked down at her hands, blisters had already began to form. She grimaced when she tried to close her fingers. She rotated her shoulders to alleviate some of the stiffness. Everyone on the team took turns at the lines. She had opted for a double shift giving the others a breather before the tagging process began. She knew they would need to be fresh for the strenuous activity of tagging, gathering bio data, after landing she shark. One slip up could mean serious injury. But then the shark had gotten away. Some days were like that. They had trolled around the area hoping to pick him up again, but once hooked they rarely got a second chance with the same shark.Emma sighed and made her trembling legs step out of her jeep. She unloaded her equipment with a groan, and made her way wearily to her front door. A bath, a glass of wine, and bed were the only things on her mind. Well, and Leo. He had been on her mind all day long. She had been thinking about their kiss when the shark had gotten away. It had taken her a few moments before she had realized the shark wasn’t on her line any longer, and that had never happened to her.She had gotten a very cryptic text from him around three in the afternoon. Only four digits. Eight, two, six, nine. What did they mean?With her key out and ready to unlock her door his text finally made sense. A keypad was in the place of her door lock. In fact, she had a whole new doorknob. She bent and looked for a place to put a key. There was no place to put a key. She reached for the door knob and the keypad lit up.  She punched the numbers in that Leo sent her and a red light appeared at the top of the panel.She grumbled as she dug in her pack for her phone. She must have gotten the numbers wrong. With her phone in one hand she punched the numbers in again. This time a green light appeared and she smiled when she heard the click as the door unlocked. This would be cool to never need a key to get into her house. She would need to remember those numbers. Two, six, eight, nine. She could do that. She had a doctorate degree, she could surely remember four numbers. Leo had gone way overboard. A lock, she had told him he could replace her lock. She pushed the door open and froze.A loud beeping sound came from a panel mounted on the wall in her foyer. A panel that hadn’t been there that morning. She dropped her bag, and ran to the panel, her heart beating rapidly. How did she make it stop? She quickly read every menu option but nothing said “off”. A keypad appeared on the panel screen. She started pushing numbers trying to get it to turn off. Nothing was working. Was it the same numbers the door used?She was in such a panic from the noise she couldn’t remember the numbers. Her shaking fingers punched in the numbers she thought were correct, but the stupid screen said error. She tried again. Error. She took a deep breath to try and calm herself, and tried again. Her hands were shaking so badly she had to delete and start over twice before she got the numbers entered. Error. Emma groaned, the numbers must be wrong. She lunged for her pack and dumped the contents searching for her phone. The deafening beeping making her shake with terror.Before she could locate her phone the panel spoke. “The police have been alerted of an intrusion. Your picture is now on file. Exit the premises immediately.” Emma jumped up and ran back to the panel screaming, “NO! NO! Stop! Don’t call the police! It’s me, I live here! Hello?! ***Leo pulled up as a police vehicle pulled out of Emma’s driveway. Another cruiser sat empty with the blue light flashing silently. Leo didn’t have a good feeling about this. In fact, if Emma ever spoke to him again, he would be one very lucky man. Tiny had called when her alarm went off and had sent him the video. She had been struggling to disarm the system. She was not going to be happy. The one thing he had to remember was no matter how funny he thought it was…show no amusement. Emma wouldn’t appreciate the humor at the moment.In his defense, he had been trying to contact her all afternoon, and had even been sitting in her driveway at five fifteen. He was going to teach her how to use her new security system, but she hadn’t been home like she said she would be at five thirty. Finally at seven he had gone to get them takeout for dinner. He knew she would be too tired to cook after putting in such a long day at work.While he was gone, she had gotten home, and then…it happened. With Chinese takeout in hand as a peace offering he swallowed and decided to get it over with. He met an officer coming out of Emma’s door. “Again, Dr. Matthews, I’m very sorry ma’am. I hope you understand we were only following procedure. Handcuffs and body searches are standard protocol for home invasion suspects.”Leo didn’t hear what Emma said but the officer left quickly excusing himself as he breezed by Leo. When Leo stepped onto the porch, and saw Emma in the doorway he knew he was in trouble. Big trouble. He made a quick decision and hit her with his killer smile. Through the years his smile had gotten him to more bases than he could count. He would apologize and explain what had happened. It was an honest mistake. He was only trying to be nice.Emma’s eyes silenced him before he could get the first word of his apology out. Leo thought he actually saw steam rise from her hair as she stood seething in the doorway. One hand on the door and one hand on the door frame. She was breathtaking. Her eyes made contact with the bag of food in his hands. “I hope you like Chinese?” He offered the bag up to her.Without a word, Emma grabbed the bag of food from his hands, gave him a final scorching look, and slammed the door in his face.

Emma's Story Chapters 1-3

Liz's Progressive NovelYeah, I don't like that name either so you need to help me think of another one. 
Hey everyone!
I can't tell you how happy I am that I woke up this morning to emails wanting to know where chapter 3 was! It made my heart happy that you are loving our story as much as I do.

Thank you so much for your wonderful suggestions for Chapter 3. I hope you will be pleased.  

PLEASE keep the comments coming. Chapter 4 needs some of your marvelous input.

As always, let me put a disclaimer in here.
1. I have no idea if this is going to work. 
2. This will be raw and unedited. You will see all my ticks and flaws that drive my editors crazy! 
3. See #2. This can't be stressed enough. 
4. I reserve the right to re-write any previous parts if needed.



Copyright 2015All rights reservedThis is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, places, events and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, currently known or future inventions except as may be expressly permitted in writing from lizabeth@LizabethScottBooks.com



Leo knew he would have to do some fast talking tomorrow if he wasn’t there to pick Vargas up tonight. He’d just tell him he lost track of time in the arms of a blonde and the bottom of a bottle. That, Vargas would understand. After pulling away from the side of road Leo didn’t give Vargas another thought.“So, what happened, if you don’t mind me asking?” Leo was curious about her reason for being at the police station. He tried to keep his eyes on the road and away from her amazingly toned and tanned long legs which were only a few inches from his hand.“No, I don’t mind. Some of it you might even sympathize with. I have a very overbearing, yet well-meaning mother.” Emma couldn’t explain it. From the moment she got into his car she had never felt safer in her life. Why was she not leery of this sinister looking man?“Say no more, I totally understand. She’s trying to marry you off?” Leo shifted gears at a stop light and glanced her way. She was so beautiful she took his breath away. Leo had learned long ago to be cautious of beautiful women. They were usually way too high maintenance for him. But, Emma wasn’t giving off that type of vibe.“Exactly! You feel my pain, right?” Emma pulled her hair over her right shoulder and readjusted in the leather seat, “Once a month I have to show up at my parents’ house and be paraded in front of their latest bachelor of the month. Mother always has a car sent for me so I can spend time getting to know him when he takes me home. This month’s bachelor offering was a little too handsy for me so I told the driver to pull over and got out of the limousine.”“He left you? Alone, at night?” Leo wanted to find the creep and do bodily harm to any man that would leave a woman alone like that.“Yeah, with a squeal of tires and my bag. I had no identification on me so when the police saw a woman walking down the street…well, you can imagine what they assumed.” Emma tried to keep her eyes off of his thigh and hand as he changed gears. But each time he pushed the clutch in the muscles in his leg tensed and stretched the ripped denim of his jeans. Her mouth became dry at the same time her body overheated. Leo chuckled, “Yeah, I can imagine.” His eyes left the road for an instant as he glanced her way. The flush of her face puzzled him. “It was relatively easy to sort out at the station. They were only doing their job.” Emma looked out the window at the passing scenery which she was in no way paying attention to. “So if you have no bag I am guessing you have no keys either.” Leo asked.“Oh dear, I hadn’t thought of that. There’s a coffee shop near my house, I will wait there till morning. My neighbor has a spare key. I don’t want to bother her this late at night.”Leo didn’t wait for her to finish speaking before he had his phone out. “Nash. Contact limo services for Ocean Island. A mister…” Leo looked to Emma and waited.“Stewart Rawleigh.” Emma was puzzled, the Leo that was talking on the phone was another total contradiction to the Leo she met on the street, straight and to the point as if he was used to taking charge…as if he was used to being in charge.“Stewart Rawleigh hired a limo tonight. His guest left her bag. Have it delivered to…” He looked at Emma once again.“1447 East Ocean Drive,” Emma gave him her address. She had no idea what was going on.“1447 East Ocean Drive. Our ETA is forty minutes.” Leo disconnected and tossed his phone on the console between them.“What was all that about?” Emma asked.“Your keys will be waiting on us.” Leo glanced her way and smiled.“How did you do that?” She shook her head in disbelief. “I know people.” Leo gave her his best smile and winked.Emma sucked in her breath, his smile should be illegal, it was totally overpowering to her female bits. She was afraid to ask what kind of people. “So, what type of work do you do?” Perhaps she shouldn’t have asked him that. With the way he looked, and he was waiting outside a police station, did she really want to know. “I’m in…security.” Leo stumbled over, he couldn’t blow his cover, at least not yet.“Oh, like a bodyguard?” She could believe that. He would have no problem with intimidation. “Something like that. What about you?” It would be safer for her to not know what he was really doing in town.“I work with Oceanic Research.” Emma vaguely answered.“Oh really, what do you do?”“I work with really big fish.” Emma was used to people’s reactions when she said she worked with sharks. She rarely gave the full details of her job. You were either a shark fan, or you weren’t. Most she was sad to say, weren’t.“So what, you spend your work day out on the ocean fishing?” Leo laughed and shifted down to make a turn.“Technically that is a correct assumption.” She tilted her head and tapped her index finger against her lips.Leo laughed, “ya know sometimes you say things that are totally geeky.”Emma laughed, that was a comment she was used to, “That’s me Nerdy Girl.”She was so cute and so innocent. He needed to drop her off and forget about her. He glanced her way again and this time caught her looking at his legs. His reaction to the look on her face was instant and strong. He might be able to drop her off, but he surely wouldn’t forget about her anytime soon.“So, what is this about Sunday dinner with your mom?”That certainly deflated his mood quickly, “You know how your mom pushes you to find your one true love, settle down and then start shooting out babies? Well, that’s my mom as well. She called earlier today and threatened to get the neighborhood matchmaker involved if I didn’t hurry things along. I may have told her I was already seeing someone, and now after talking to you, she thinks my someone’s name, is Emma.” All the names in his contact list, and she had to call his mamma. Emma laughed at his predicament. “Wow, you really are in trouble.”“Tell me about it. I’ve already been thinking of borrowing my best friend’s wife to pose as my girlfriend for the day.”Emma laughed again. She hadn’t had this much fun on a date in a long time. Whoa, date? This wasn’t a date. Did she want to date him? He wasn’t anything like the guys she usually dated. He wasn’t even in the same area code as the men she usually dated. She sneaked another glance at his rugged and dangerous good looks from under her lashes and almost swooned. Yes, swooned. Now she finally knew what that word meant.Leo was especially nothing like Marcus. Marcus had been one of her mother’s finds. Marcus was from the right family according to her mother with loads of family money behind him. They had dated for a year before he proposed. At her mother’s urging Emma had accepted. She didn’t have any valid reason for saying no, and she was getting older. They got along alright, he was thoughtful and considerate, but they had no chemistry. Two months before the wedding Emma logged on to his computer to look through their gift registry, and that was when she found pictures of Marcus, and several women, naked, and enjoying themselves on what was supposed to have been a business trip.Emma chanced another glance at Leo. Nope, Leo was nothing like Marcus. “Leo, if you want. I mean I hope this isn’t too forward of me. But I would be happy to be your fake girlfriend for a day, if it would help you out. I mean, you have been so nice to make me feel comfortable, and then to drive so far out of your way to bring me home. Not to mention getting my bag from Pawsy’s car.”“Pawsy?” Leo stopped her for clarification.“You know, he wouldn’t keep his paws off me.” Emma explained.Leo growled deep in his throat. The thought of Emma warding off unwanted hands wasn’t a pleasant thought. Maybe he would look Mr. Rawleigh up before he went home. “Anyway, if you want, I would be happy to fill in for you.”Here was the answer to his prayers. But she was too nice a girl to put her through his family. “Emma…” he paused trying to come up with an explanation.Emma knew that look, and she couldn’t really blame him, “It’s okay Leo. I understand. You had someone a little less geeky in mind. I get it. Really I do. Don’t think another thing about it. I don’t know what I was thinking. I mean why would you want to go out with me.”“Emma stop. Please just stop. You misunderstand. Of course I would want to go out with you. You’re beautiful. I just can’t put you through meeting my family. I appreciate the offer I really do, and I would love to take you up on it, but I just couldn’t do that to you. You’re such a little thing you wouldn’t even make it to the dinner table.”Emma giggled and then began to laugh out loud. “Oh Leo, you have no idea. I can assure you, your family is no worse than mine.”“Well then Emma, I am truly sorry about that.” He loved the way her eyes danced with laughter. Their hazel color was neither blue or green, but somewhere in the middle.His comment set her giggles off again. “How did we get so lucky?” She was finally able to get out once the giggles subsided. When he didn’t respond Emma glanced towards him. Leo wasn’t laughing or even smiling. But he was looking at her with such raw emotion she couldn’t breathe for a moment. Intense desire blinded her and she intuitively leaned towards Leo.“Emma, I want to kiss you.” His eyes focused on her pink tongue peeking from her slightly parted lips.“I…I wish you would.” Emma leaned closer lost in his eyes.“I really shouldn’t.” Leo willed his body to obey what his mind was screaming, “stop!” Instead he brushed a stray strand of her sun streaked hair behind her ear and leaned closer still. “But you will, right?” Emma asked breathlessly as she tilted her head and closed her eyes waiting for his kiss.In answer Leo closed the remaining few inches between them and ran his tongue over her bottom lip, tasting her. She tasted of champagne and strawberries. He felt the breath of her sigh, and moved the kiss deeper, claiming her lips. The floral scent she wore wove its way around him, through him, into his lungs, and straight to his core. He breathed her in as he parted her lips with his tongue. Never had he been so captivated by a simple kiss.A car passing broke the spell and brought them both back to reality. Emma looked into Leo’s eyes and smiled. He felt it too…it was there in his eyes. For once in her life Emma knew what it meant to be devoured by someone’s eyes. Because that was exactly the way Leo was looking at her. That thought only excited her more. She was confused. Yes, she had been kissed plenty of times, but no one had ever kissed her like Leo. Was that the spark everyone always talked about? She shook her head to try and clear her thoughts and looked around clueless as to where they were. When had Leo pulled over? She glanced out the window and finally noticed they were parked in her driveway. When had that happened?She glanced back at Leo and he looked just as muddled as she felt. “Emma…”“Leo…”They spoke at the same time, shared a smile, and Leo tucked the same errant strand of hair behind her ear. “Emma, I really want to see you again.”Emma fell into the deep dark puddle of his brown eyes and shivered. Leo radiated strength and power. By all outward appearances she should be running for her life. Yet, here she sat, unable to leave his side and walk into her house without some hope of seeing him again. “I would like that Leo.” Was she crazy to even contemplate seeing him again? Nothing could ever come of it. Her parents would have her committed if she ever brought Leo home for dinner. After they hid the silver. But in the darkness of the car with only the street lights for illumination she saw more clearly than she could on even a sunny day. She really wanted to see him again.“Can I get your number?” Leo asked nervously. Emma thought his uncertainty was sweet, she held her hand out for his phone. After entering her number she handed it back. What had she done? They both got out of the car and walked towards the house. Leo reached for her hand and Emma felt a warm rush as her hand fit perfectly into his.“Can I call you tomorrow?” He asked hopefully.“Yeah, I’ll be out at sea most of the day, reception is sporadic at best, but we’ll be back by five, five-thirty at the latest.”“What, it depends on if the fish are biting?” Leo joked.“Yeah, something like that.” Emma smiled, he had no idea how accurate his statement actually was.Leo opened her screen door, and bent to pick up her bag, “your purse ma’am.” He made a grand show of handing it to her.Emma giggled. When had she turned into a giggling girl? “You know some mighty find friends sir.” She routed around inside her bag, and finally found her door key. Leo took the key and opened the door, and flipped the light switch. “You know, this lock is not very safe. You don’t even have a dead-bolt. Anyone could kick it in with very little effort.” He would have to see about getting her something safer. Emma took her key back and walked through the door and tossed her bag on the table behind the couch. It was really sweet that he was concerned about her safety. “I’ve lived here for years this lock has been perfectly fine.” She felt extremely small standing beside him. In the car they had been sitting down and the difference hadn’t been as noticeable. Her feet were killing her in her silly heels and she wanted more than anything to kick them off but they did offer her at least four inches of much needed height around Leo. She still had to tilt her head back to look up at him.Leo walked in behind her not waiting for an invitation. If her front door was this bad he had to check out the backdoor. “I would say you’ve been lucky, not fine. Your backdoor is probably the same.”“Well, no.” Emma hesitated to say, “The back door is a sliding glass door and I have a very…unique way of locking it.” He would really go crazy when he saw the broken broomstick in the track she used as a lock.“What?” He didn’t wait for an answer, “I have to see it.” he mumbled as he walked through her house. “Wait, Leo.” Emma called out. When she reached him he was already holding her “lock” in his hands and didn’t look very happy. She should feel intimidated by his look, but…nope, she didn’t. Not even a little bit.“A piece of wood?” Leo couldn’t believe she depended on a broken piece of wood to keep anyone out of her house. “Well the lock broke.” Emma tried to explain. She had intended to have it fixed several years ago but something always seemed to come up. “And why didn’t you have it repaired? This is not safe Emma.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and counted to ten. Emma didn’t like the tone of his voice. She wasn’t a little girl to be scolded and that was precisely the way he sounded. “Well it’s worked perfectly fine.” “Tomorrow, I will send someone over to outfit you with locks that are safe. His name in Tiny, but that name is deceiving. He is anything but. What time do you leave for work?” Leo was already texting Tiny.“No, Leo.” Emma said sternly, or at least what she thought was sternly, it had no effect on him whatsoever.  “I can have my own locks fixed or not fixed. That is…” “What time do you leave for work Emma,” Leo interrupted her. “Please.” He added.Emma crossed her arms and told him, “Five thirty.” He gave her a look, like he didn’t believe her, “What? It’s when the fish are biting.” She explained.Leo grinned, she was so feisty when she got her feathers up. “Fine, Tiny will be here before you leave. I give you my word it is safe to leave him in your home.”“Leo, no.” Emma had to make him listen to reason. There was no way she would allow a man she had only known for a few hours to railroad over her like this. She would simply put her foot down. No, there was no way he was doing this. “Emma, please understand.” He pleaded with her, his brown eyes going dark and doing that puddling thing to her insides again. “Security is my business.  I couldn’t leave anyone I care about without adequate security measures. That is just not the way I am.”“You care about me?” Emma asked breathlessly. “You just met me?”“Yeah,” Leo had to stop and run that over in his head. He had only met her a few hours ago but yes, he did care about her. He cared about her safety, which was as much of an admission as he could or would make. “I guess I do. I care about your safety Emma. Like I said, it’s my job.” “Okay Leo.” She finally relented. It seemed important to Leo and she did need a new lock. It was nice of him to offer. “Two locks. And have Tiny leave me a bill on the table.”He gave her brilliant smile and decided to leave quickly before she changed her mind. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Good night Emma.” He stopped just before opening her door. “Night Leo. Thank you again for everything you did for me tonight.”With a soft kiss of promise Leo closed her front door. Emma watched as he got into his car, and she even watched until his taillights were no longer visible.Emma leaned back against the wooden door with stars in her eyes. “Oh my gosh, he is so hot.” She admitted out loud, right before she hung her head. What had she done?