Flora Reigada's Blog, page 5

TEMPTATION IN PARIS: CAN CARLOS RESIST?

 Excerpt from "Love's Sweetest Truth," third in the "Castle in the Sun," romance book series.

TEMPTATION IN PARIS: Overseas on business, can the newly married Carlos resist an old flame?At the close of another busy day, Carlos entered his room, mentally and physically spent. Wanting to get comfortable, he slipped off his shoes and removed his jacket, draping it over a chair. He loosened his tie, taking it off, then his shirt and undershirt, baring his muscled chest and arms. He stretched to loosen up.
He was unbuckling his belt, when he got a whiff of intoxicating perfume, sifting through the cracked-open bathroom door. A melodious giggle wafted through. The laughter had a familiar ring.A woman’s seductive voice spoke in French. “Nice show, Carlos. Don’t stop now.”Carlos whipped around to the sight of a curvy young brunette wearing a sheer négligée.“Monique! What are you doing here?” he gasped in French.The musical giggle sounded again as she sashayed over, caressing his face with her hand. “What am I doing here? Don’t you mean what are you doing here without contacting me like you always do? I saw you in the lobby. I thought we had an arrangement.”“How did you get into my room?” Carlos blurted, staring in disbelief.She lifted her face to kiss him. “Let’s just say I came in with the maid.”Feeling the need for intimacy, Carlos . . ..
Will Carlos succumb to Monique's charms or will he stay faithful to his new wife?Find out in Love's Sweetest Truth, book 3 in the Castle in the Sun romantic-suspense series--ONLY 99 cents for a limited time. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09BM9829B?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_2&storeType=ebooks

FURRY FELINE FANS

 

The word is spreading about "Where Your Heart Meets God's," a devotional book by Flora Reigada. Patsy just can't stop reading.


Paws for a read.

Furry fans are lapping it up.

 It's the cat's meow.
 Find out more:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077X37MVX/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_9PI3Eb7NZF4TW?fbclid=IwAR0nd9Tmw-1DSAUqvlEgT0otztOsImS2Bpdamd6TGnqA4vTUDMRuf2kelu0
Covers by Mark Miller, of MillerWords Books: Visit them on facebook.  https://www.facebook.com/MillerWords

A DANGEROUS SITUATION

With furniture being delivered, the building's door was propped open. Watching from her condo window, Fern saw Steve walk right in, and gasped. She lost track of him as he entered the lobby and rode the elevator to the top floor. The next time she saw him, he was walking aggressively along the outdoor passageway--making a beeline toward Carlos and Liz's door."Oh no, Harold," Fern cried out.

This time, the fear in her voice alarmed him.Even from a distance, the couple heard Steve pounding on Carlos' door."It's Steve," Carlos growled.Before Liz could say, "Carlos, don't," he stormed to the door, flinging it open, yelling.
What happens next? Find out in Love's Sweetest Deliverance, published by MillerWords.https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BBFRHJT? Covers by Mark Miller of Miller WordsVisit them on facebook.https://www.facebook.com/MillerWords

W 

Big Book Sale!

 https://millerwords.square.site/

TURBULENCE IN THE AIR AND WITH LOVE

 Secrets coming to light brings turbulence to Carlos' life.

So does a storm at 36,000 feet as the international linguist flies home from business in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Will his new marriage to Liz survive the secret?

Will Carlos survive the plane's downward plunge and make it home to Liz's arms?

Find out in Love's Sweetest Truth, Book 3 in the Castle in the Sun romantic-suspense series published by Miller Words.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09BM9829B?re

Covers by Mark Miller of Miller WordsVisit them on facebook.https://www.facebook.com/MillerWords
Other Books in the Series
Love's Sweetest Revenge How could a life-or-death bear encounter possibly lead to romance?Find Out: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0785FWH5P?

Love's Sweetest Deliverance How could one nasty phone call from Liz's ex-husband threaten her new romance?Find Out: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BBFRHJT?
Amazon book reviews are greatly appreciated!

TURBULENCE AT 36,000 FEET

 Secrets coming to light brings turbulence to Carlos' life.

So does turbulence at 36,000 feet as the international linguist flies home from business in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Will his new marriage to Liz survive the secret?

Will Carlos survive the plane's downward plunge and make it home to Liz's arms?

Find out in Love's Sweetest Truth, Book 3 in the Castle in the Sun romantic-suspense series published by Miller Words.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09BM9829B?re

Covers by Mark Miller of Miller WordsVisit them on facebook.https://www.facebook.com/MillerWords
Other Books in the Series
Love's Sweetest Revenge How could a life-or-death bear encounter possibly lead to romance?Find Out: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0785FWH5P?

Love's Sweetest Deliverance How could one nasty phone call from Liz's ex-husband threaten her new romance?Find Out: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BBFRHJT?
Amazon book reviews are greatly appreciated!

TURBULENCE IN THE AIR

 There is turbulence in Carlos' life when secrets come to light.

There is also turbulence in the air as the international linguist flies home from business in Buenos Aires Argentina.

Will his new marriage to Liz survive the secret?

Will Carlos survive the plane's downward plunge and make it home to Liz's arms?

Find out in Love's Sweetest Truth, Book 3 in the Castle in the Sun romantic-suspense series published by Miller Words.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09BM9829B?re

Covers by Mark Miller of Miller WordsVisit them on facebook.https://www.facebook.com/MillerWords
Other Books in the Series
Love's Sweetest Revenge How could one walk in the forest change Liz's life?Find Out: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0785FWH5P?

Love's Sweetest Deliverance How could one nasty phone call change Liz's life?Find Out: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BBFRHJT?
Amazon book reviews greatly appreciated!

CHAPTER ONE: BIBLES AND BONES IN THE FOREST, COMING SOON!

CHAPTER 1

The stallion’s hooves pounded the frozen earth along a narrow path through New York State’s rugged forest.

Twenty-three-year-old Laura Murillo leaned forward in the saddle. “Faster, Champ, faster!”

Vapor poured from the horse’s nostrils and despite below-freezing temperatures, sweat beaded on Laura’s forehead, mingling with the black curls escaping her helmet.

She thanked God that the former racing thoroughbred still had plenty of spirit. She prayed he wouldn’t spook and buck.

Laura heard the approaching roar of the ATV squeezing through snow-draped pine boughs hanging over the path, then a resounding gunshot.

Oh God, let someone hear.

But Laura knew she had wandered too far into the wilderness and that the dense forest muffled sound.

Her mind screamed. Why did I come back here again? What was I thinking? I could pay for this with my life. Champ too.

Laura forced back her panicked thoughts with characteristic determination etched into her attractive face. She knew every inch of the forest; one of its old, hidden trails was a mile ahead. Even though Champ was in full gallop, they seemed to move in slow motion.

At last, they reached the trail, and Laura pulled on the rein, instructing him to turn. The heavy brush swallowed them as another gunshot blasted. Laura held her breath as the ATV roared past and faded away into the forest.

Still, danger was closing in, and she had to warn the others.

It had all begun innocently enough, six months earlier—just three young moms escaping the doldrums of dinner, dishes and diapers to explore the beauty of the forest on horseback. The verdant canopy and gentle breeze on their faces provided relief from the sultry July afternoon.

Laura had invited Stella and Tiffany on the outing, glad for the company of her new neighbors who lived along the same rural road. But they were more than neighbors.

Married to Laura’s brother, Raúl, Stella lived in the family's rambling old farmhouse, several hundred feet from Laura and her family. Tiffany Cavanaugh and her husband, Stevie, had taken up residence in a newer home about a mile away. Laura and her husband, Chris, had purchased their own farmhouse.

The couple was living their dream. It included a recently organized horse rescue and boarding business. They built a stable and named the business Pine Brook Ranch and Rescue. So far, they owned three horses, Champ, the 16-hands tall, athletic thoroughbred and Buster, a bay-colored American Quarter Horse. Then there was Buttercup, a speckled old mare. They were also boarding four additional horses.

“One of these days, I'll start giving riding instruction,” Laura called above the clip-clop of hooves.

“And I'll teach a children's Sunday school class,” Tiffany injected, taking a thoughtful breath. “Sometimes I think I should wait until I get over this emotional funk. But if I wait until life is perfect, I’ll never get anything done, so I’m praying about taking this step of faith and claiming First Timothy 1:7. ‘For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.’”

Laura smiled. Coming from “the biblical scholar’s wife,” scripture had a natural flow. Tiffany could bring the pages of the Bible into the practical concerns of everyday life.

In the lead along the path, Laura, an accomplished equestrian, was astride the spirited Champ, while California transplant, Stella, rode the easier-to-handle Buster. Tiffany, who had never ridden a horse until recently, was astride Buttercup. The horses clip-clopped at a leisurely pace, occasionally whinnying, shaking their heads or snorting.

Laura's German shepherd, Lady, brought up the rear.

The friends chatted in English and Spanish. Although Laura and Stella were Hispanic, Tiffany was mainly of English and Irish descent. But she had studied Spanish in high school and college and was quite proficient.

Laura told them how the horses they rode came to the ranch.

“When Champ outlived his usefulness as a racehorse at age four, his owners kicked him out of the barn to make room for a young stallion. They all but abandoned Champ to the elements and left him to starve. Neighbors reported his exposed ribs and weakened condition. The authorities contacted Chris and me, asking if we would take Champ in. We couldn’t say no; as you can see, we loved him and fattened him up.”

Laura patted the horse’s side. “He earns his keep. We get stud fees by breeding him.”

“Buster was found wandering in the woods, also malnourished. Although it was winter, he could paw through the snow for plants. He had no microchip, so we have no idea who may have abandoned him or from where he came. No one claimed him. But he’s got a great disposition, and we were happy to take him in. The veterinarian estimates his age at seven.”

“Our sweet Buttercup was never neglected, but when her owner died unexpectedly, no one wanted Buttercup because she was too old at eighteen. She was well cared for, and it shows. We couldn’t resist.”

Laura changed the subject. “Hey, I’m glad we got the guys to watch the kids and get the cookout ready.”

“Yeah, our cavemen, cooking and guzzling beer,” blonde ballerina Stella laughed. “Maybe even Tiff’s hubby, ‘The Preacher,’ has guzzled a cold one or two.”

Tiffany smiled. “I don’t think so. Stevie doesn’t drink anymore because he’s concerned it might turn people away from his Bible studies.”

“Oh, who cares about those stuffed shirts,” Stella said with a good-natured toss of her head.

Sunlight shimmered in Tiffany’s red hair, cascading from her helmet. Her relaxed smile warmed Laura’s heart. She knew the rides and burgeoning friendship with herself and Stella were taking the edge off Tiffany’s anxieties about moving from Florida to New York’s Adirondack Mountains, Stevie’s home turf.

After living in Florida for a while, he had returned to start a church, but for now, was putting his law degree to use by working for a law firm while taking seminary classes and leading a non-denominational Bible study group. Laura and Chris, as well as Stella and Raúl, were among several young couples meeting in homes for the time being.

As if part of the magic that day, Laura spotted a doe and fawn, down an incline, drinking from Pine Brook. Its clean moisture perfumed the air, mingling with the fragrance of evergreens.

As quietly as possible, Laura pointed out the deer. The threesome paused to admire the peaceful scene and take pictures.

Viewing her picture, Tiffany remarked that the collage of greenery, branches, deer and sunlit brook lent an abstract effect. She forwarded the photo to her mother-in-law, Liz, an artist. “She might want to paint this.”

After smiling at her reflection in a small compact mirror, Stella adjusted her hair and admired one of the pictures she had taken, which focused on the speckled fawn.

“Beautiful!” she said, leaving Laura to wonder if she was referring to her reflection or the picture.

But the deer scampered away when Lady went to lap from the brook. Laura motioned to the others.

“Let's bring these thirsty horses down for a drink.”

The horses were soon drinking from the brook and shaking their manes.

Laura proclaimed the refreshing interlude “a perfect way to end a perfect ride.”

She led the group alongside an old stone wall leading to the back of her property. The rich aroma of meat grilling on a barbecue grew stronger as the trio approached. The men's hearty laughter and the children’s happy squeals grew louder. Lady ran ahead, announcing the riders' arrival.

Once the horses were cooled down and secured in the barn, the threesome joined their families around a table spread with food. The husbands and children had been waiting, and everyone was eager for hamburgers, chicken, potato salad, baked beans and corn on the cob. All ate to their heart's content.

Later that starry night, the couples and sleepy-eyed children gathered in the driveway to say goodnight.

Something had annoyed Stella, and she let the others know. “So, I send my dad the picture of the deer—and what does he say? Instead of ‘wow, that’s amazing, he said he doesn’t want his Princess going in the woods, even on horseback. He reminded me that his sister-in-law, Liz, was chased by a bear in that area.”

Stella rolled her pretty blue eyes. “He told me wild animals or perverts could be lurking in that lonely forest. Dad’s seen too much blood and gore in the Army. It’s stayed with him.”

Laura nodded in agreement. She knew Jack well; after all, he was married to her mom, Rosa, who had mentioned Jack’s nightmares about watching a buddy’s head explode when a sniper shot him. But Rosa was cathartic for him, and the couple lived happily in St. Augustine, Florida.

Suddenly, amid the din of chatter, Laura heard a bone-chilling scream echoing from the dark hills, directing her attention there. She pressed her finger to her lips. “Did you hear that? I could swear I heard a woman scream in the distance.

Catching the alarmed look in Tiffany's eyes, Laura wished she could take back her words.

“I thought I heard something too,” Stella concurred, her eyebrows pulled tight.

Chris unintentionally came to the rescue. “It was just a red fox. You know their shrieks can sound like a woman screaming.”

“That’s probably it,” Laura replied to assuage Tiffany's fears.

Yet, in her heart, Laura knew she had heard a scream—and it was human.

She wondered if she should call the police. But her brother—a sheriff’s deputy was right there and he didn’t seem alarmed.

Reasoning that he should know, Laura tried to put the incident in the back of her mind.

BIG BOOK BASH

 

MillerWords, LLCIt's that time of year! All of our eBooks on all platforms are on sale now through Labor Day. Follow the link for Amazon Kindle or search keyword "MillerWords" at your favorite retailer!http://MWBooks.me/kindle https://www.amazon.com/s?k=millerword...

We are nearing the finish line

My book cover is "bringing up the rear" and could use your vote. Thank you in advance!

https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-month/13891/