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Thursday, July 29, 2010

Thursday Thirteen: Back to the 40's


I've spent a lot of time talking about Return Engagement, so I'm sure everyone is ready for something new. Let's pick up with our series on the 1940's. We've talked about slang and movie stars so today I thought we might do movies.

Finding a site that can tell you the thirteen best movies of the 1940’s is an almost impossible task because every critic has his or her own ideas about what constitutes best. I have opinions too. I liked The Philadelphia Story, Key Largo, It’s A Wonderful Life, Miracle On 34th Street, Meet Me In St. Louis, and Mrs. Miniver among others.

I finally found one website that allowed viewers to rate the movies they watched. The site is called The Internet Movie Database, and it’s located at http://www.imdb.com/chart/1940s. This is the way modern people who watched 1940’s movies rated them:

1.Casablanca
2.It’s A Wonderful Life
3.Citizen Kane
4.Double Indemnity
5.The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
6.The Third Man
7.Bicycle Thieves
8.The Great Dictator
9.Rebecca
10.The Maltese Falcon
11.Notorious
12.Kind Hearts and Coronets
13.The Big Sleep

How many of these have you seen? Leave a comment with your email address and tell me, and if I draw your name from the hat I’ll send you a free electronic copy of my novel Purple Heart.

By the way, I’ve seen Casablanca, the Maltese Falcon, It’s A Wonderful Life, and part of Citizen Kane.

Also, I've done some interviews this week, and they are different from others so I hope you'll check them out. The URL's are listed in the previous post. Please don't forget about Return Engagement either. It's available at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com

Sunday, July 25, 2010

More Interviews


I've been a very busy girl! I have three more interviews scheduled for this week. All of them are at nice blogs which I think you'd enjoy, so please do stop by. Here are the links:

http://www.sjivani.com/Tips,-Talks-&-Tid-Bits.html aready posted

http://www.reading-writing.blogspot.com July 28

http://mizging.blogspot.com July 31

Also, don't forget that Return Engagement is now available at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com

Come back on Thursday when we resume our interrupted series on the 1940's. So far we've done favorite actors and actresses and 1940's slang. Maybe we'll do movies next.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

New Interviews


I've been interviewed at some really nice blogs. If you have a minute please stop by to say hi.

http://bookcoverlovers.blogspot.com/2010/07/elaine-cantrell.html

http://authorspromotingauthors.blogspot.com/2010/07/story-behind-book-with-elaine-cantrell.html

http://www.traveltheages.blogspot.com

If you won a prize during my beach party and haven't responded to my email asking for your address, please do it soon.

The picture? A real life beach party.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

And The Winners Are...


Thanks to everyone who came to the beach party. I hope you all had a good time. Everyone won something. If you didn’t win one of the door prizes, as long as I have your email, I’ll send you a PDF copy of my family’s favorite dessert recipes.

Okay, door prize winners are:

Linda Henderson-the picture frame decorated with shells

Peggy-the beach volley game

Jane-the luau for six

Sherry-the kitchen package

BabyBlue22-the flamingo beach towel

Cat’s lady-the sun visor I don’t see your email address. I’ll need that, please.

Jennifer Mathis-the starfish candles

Tamara B-the necklace

Cheryl C-the lanyard

Yadkny-the sport’s water bottle

Robynl-the chocolate pearls

If you’ve enjoyed Return Engagement it’s available at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Thanks For Coming To The Beach Party


This is the final excerpt from the beach party. Thanks for coming. I hope you've enjoyed all the excerpts. I'll post the winners of the prizes on Sunday evening. If you like Return Engagement you can buy it at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com

If you want to read the excerpts in order, go back to the first beach party post and work your way back here. Be sure to leave your email address if you make a comment so I can notify you if you win.

This excerpt picks up where the last one left off. Once again, thanks for coming.

She turned around and heard the rapid fire click of cameras. She smiled as she stepped back from Richard. “You’re going to make the tabloids again. For a minute I forgot about those paparazzi snakes. No matter where I go they follow me. They’ve even snapped pictures of the back of my head as I drove down the road, but I don’t see why any gossip magazines would want those. I make it a point never to give them anything except a big, sunny smile. Those guys are looking for dirt or to see me make a fool of myself. I won’t cooperate if I can help it.”

Richard shot the photographers such a black glare that it startled Elizabeth. “I don’t care,” he said. “I never did. You were the one who worried about it.”

Elizabeth still cared, but for a different reason. Alex didn’t make a habit of reading sleazy tabloids, but someone who knew her past history with Richard might call the pictures to his attention. After all, ten years ago her relationship with Richard had been major news. “You’ll have to work with me to get away from them. If not, we might as well invite them to sit with us.”

“How do you plan to get rid of them?” he asked.

“The same way I usually do.” She smiled at him. “A lot of the pictures you see aren’t really me at all.”

“You’re kidding,” Richard exclaimed. “Who is it? She looks a lot like you.”

“Of course she does,” Elizabeth smugly replied. “I hired a double to stand in for me when necessary. She’ll put on one of my outfits and some big sunglasses. Then she’ll drive my car home. After fifteen minutes or so, I’ll come out with no make up and sometimes a wig. I get into a six-year-old Honda and drive away.”

Richard laughed. “Very clever. Where do you want me to wait on you?”

Elizabeth looked around. “How about that little cafe just down the boardwalk? The one with a pelican standing out front.”

Richard nodded. “I know where it is.”

“See you in a minute.”

Things worked just as Elizabeth said they would. A woman who looked very much like Elizabeth came out of Elizabeth’s trailer wearing an expensive looking dress that showed off her legs and breasts. She wore huge sunglasses which covered a large part of her face.

When the photographers saw the woman they rushed her, snapping pictures the entire time. He heard one of them yell,” Who’s the guy you were talking to, Elizabeth? Does Alex know he has a rival?”

The false Elizabeth didn’t answer. She smiled and waved in the man’s direction and got into a gold Lexus and drove away. To Richard’s surprise, several cars followed her. He frowned. He couldn’t stop them from taking pictures, but he’d bet anything he could keep them at bay with a good security team. They’d come a little too close for his peace of mind. Why didn’t she hire a big bodyguard or two?

Twenty minutes later Elizabeth joined him at the cafe. His heart picked up a little speed. She wore shorts and a tee shirt with her hair hanging loose, but nothing disguised her beauty. He’d seen stars who didn’t look too great without their makeup, but Elizabeth looked wonderful.

“I’m ready,” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. “What would you like to eat?”

“Hot dogs. Let’s walk down the beach and see what we can find. I don’t like the look of this place.”

Elizabeth nodded. “Okay, let’s see what we can find.”

Beach Party Day 3



Hello! The beach party's winding down, but we still have two excerpts to go. If you'd like to read the excerpts in order go back to the first beach party post. You have to leave a comment to be entered in the contest for the prizes. If you do leave your email address so I can contact you if you win.

If you'd like to purchase Return Engagement it's available at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com

The pictures are of one of the prizes, a nice beach towel, and the other is my son at our real life beach party.

Now for an excerpt. it takes place where the last one left off.

“Elizabeth, you were fantastic! That’s your best performances yet,” the director enthused. “Working outdoors agrees with you. Paradise Bay has Oscar written all over it.”

“Wow, this is a red letter day,” one of the nearby camera men called. “Jay never has a good word to say about anyone.”

“Thanks, Jay. That means a lot,” Elizabeth replied.

He stared curiously at her. “What’s wrong with you? You look awfully nervous. You’re about to chew your lip off, and you keep staring at the crowd. Did something happen that I didn’t see? Are the damn paparazzi bothering you?”

“No, no. It’s…oh, I don’t know. I guess I’m just tired.”

Jay patted her shoulder. “Well, it’s Friday so go home and get some rest. You deserve it after the performance you gave today.”

“Okay, Jay. I’ll see you Monday.”

Where is he? Surely he wouldn’t just leave!

The voice came from behind her, deeper and fuller than she remembered. “Hello, Elizabeth. It’s been a long time.”

Elizabeth’s heart leaped into her throat as she whirled around. At times during the past ten years she’d felt sure she had forgotten him, but just when she least expected it, she’d find him dancing on the fringes of her mind.

She had always hoped they’d meet again, but truly she hadn’t expected it to happen. To her chagrin the sheer animal magnetism of the man stayed her tongue and made her feel like a star struck groupie. She said the only thing she could think of. “Hey.”

Richard grinned at her, his smile still the same warm, in-timate smile that had melted her heart ten years earlier. “That’s not much of a greeting since we haven’t seen each other in so long. Are you as nervous as I am?”

Elizabeth smiled too, more about the quizzical expression on his face than his words. Richard had always made her smile. “I don’t know what to say,” she admitted. “You could have knocked me over with a feather when I saw you in the crowd. To be honest, all I really want to do is look at you. You’re more handsome than the law allows, you know.”

She saw him shoot an appraising look her way. “You aren’t so bad yourself.”

Elizabeth’s heart lurched into her throat as they shared a brief, thrilling moment of eye contact. “I always promised myself that if we ever ran into each other I’d be cool and calm and not embarrass myself, but…” She laughed ruefully. “It isn’t working out that way at all. I…I’ve always hoped we’d see each other again, but I didn’t think it would happen.”

Her eyes fell as reality intruded. “I’ve got money and fame now, but the Lovinggood family is still totally out of my league. You don’t need the Hollywood set to validate you or keep you amused. In fact, I’d bet anything Senator Loving-good holds the Hollywood set in contempt.”

Richard ignored her comments about his family. “Have dinner with me tonight,” he urged. “We have ten years of catching up to do.”

Elizabeth felt a flicker of unease; she shouldn’t accept his invitation. Her heart belonged to a wonderful man, a man she didn’t want to hurt by going out with Richard. Richard belonged to her past, and that’s where he needed to stay; in the past. No good could come of a dinner date now. For a split second she hesitated. “I’d love to have dinner with you. Just give me a few minutes to change. Where are we going? What should I wear?”

“Elizabeth, we’re at the beach,” he teased. “Wear shorts of course.”

“Well naturally, what else. I’ll be right out.”

Beach Party Day 3



Today's the last day of the beach party. Tomorrow I'll announce the contest winners. I'd like to thank everyone who dropped by to help me celebrate. I appreciate all of your support.

To read the excerpts in order go back to the first beach party post and work your way through them. You must leave a comment to be entered in the contest for the prizes.

The pictures show two of my grandchildren at our real world beach party and one of the contest prizes. This excerpt begins where the last one left off.

“Psst, Elizabeth! Aren’t you listening to me?” Cathy sounded cross.

“Sorry,” Elizabeth apologized. “What did you say?”

Cathy shrugged. “It wasn’t important. What were you thinking so hard about?”

I…ah…I was..thinking about someone I used to know.”

“Who?” Kathy asked.

Elizabeth sighed. “An old boyfriend if you really want to know. I let him go, but it almost killed me. I…don’t know if I…ever really got over it.”

“Oh, I guess everyone remembers the one who got away,” Cathy lightly answered. “You’ve got Alex now, and you guys are happy, right?”

“Yes, very happy.” And they were, but come hell or high water she intended to talk to Richard the minute this scene ended. She’d like to know what he’d done with his life. Hmm. Wonder if Senator Lovinggood still tried to control him? He didn’t look like a man who’d take kindly to his father interfering in his business.

She squared her shoulders, a look of determination on her face. After ten years she deserved a sense of closure, and she intended to get it. Then maybe she could finally close the door on the past and Richard Lovinggood.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Post 2 Day 2



Please read the first beach party post for information about the beach party. If you want to read the excerpts in order start with the first post and make your way to this one. If you like Return Engagement, you can order it at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com This excerpt takes place where the last one left off.

The picture? A sandcastle from the real beach party.

Her lips tightened. She had never told him what happened right before their final date, but she remembered it as well as if it had happened only yesterday.

“Hello, Miss Lane. May I come in?”

“Of course, Senator Lovinggood. It’s nice to see you. Please, come in and have a seat.”

“That’s all right. I won’t be staying long. I stopped by to tell you that I don’t want you to see my son anymore.”

“Senator…”

“Please, hear me out, Miss Lane.”

“Go on.”

The senator’s cold eyes bored into hers. “Richard is only seventeen, but you are twenty-two. Presumably, you are more experienced than he is. Truthfully, I blame his infatua-tion for you on his inexperience. Don’t take advantage of an impressionable boy, Miss Lane. Richard isn’t a toy to be used for your pleasure and then discarded. He’s being groomed for important work in the future, but if he keeps seeing you he has very little chance of winning any political office. If you care about him let him go.”

Even now she swallowed against the anger that still burned her. I was so angry I thought I might have a stroke, she thought. How dare he come to my home and try to intimidate me! Her eyes took on a faraway expression. I decided on the spot I’d never agree to the senator’s demands. I thought that seeing me wouldn’t ruin Richard’s future career. The senator only wanted to frighten me away.

She and Cathy had reached the set now. Elizabeth pasted a brilliant smile on her face, but inside where it counted she was bleeding. I changed my mind when Richard and I ended up in my bedroom kissing, touching, and undressing. I knew then that Senator Lovinggood was right. If Richard and I continued our relationship, the press would crucify both of us. While it would probably help my career, it would only hurt him. Scandal titillates the public and enhances a star’s reputation, but it’s the kiss of death for a politician.

Beach Party Day 2



Welcome to Day 2 of my beach party. Please read yesterday's first post for information about the beach party. If you comment don't forget to leave your email address so I can contact you for your snail mail adress if you win one of the prizes.

If you are interested in Return Engagement it is available at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com If you want to read the excerpts in order go back to yesterday's posts and start at the beginning. This excerpt begins where yesterday's last post left over.

The pictures? One is of the starfish shaped candles I'm giving away. The other is me at a real life beach party.



“Hurry up, Elizabeth. Jay’s almost finished talking, and he goes ballistic if anyone holds up the shoot.” Cathy Craig, Elizabeth Lane’s best friend and honorary sister, stood in the doorway of the trailer to wait for her.

“I’ll be right there, Cathy. Just let me adjust this belt.” She groaned as she tried to get the belt to rest in the right place. “I hate this costume. Oh, why do I have to be so curvy?”

“Who cares? It works for the public, right?”

Elizabeth giggled. “I guess so. Are there many people watching?”

“Yeah, a good many. Jay told them you were in the movie, so most of them are probably waiting to see you.”

“Oh, I don’t mind,” Elizabeth answered. “If they didn’t want to see me and get my autograph, I guess I’d have to find other work.”

The two friends laughed together and made their way to the set on the beach. “It’s Elizabeth!” a shrill female voice cried. The crowd buzzed with excited chatter as the spectators pressed forward to get a good luck at the big star.

Elizabeth smiled and cheerfully waved to her fans. She knew some of them followed her life religiously. She could guess why, too. She represented the glamour and excitement they craved but lacked in their daily lives. She knew a lot about dreams, so yes, she’d gladly smile and wave to them. Pausing for one moment, she signed a couple of autographs before moving on.

A tall, blond man standing near the back of the crowd caught her eye. She faltered and stumbled, catching hold of Cathy’s arm to stay upright in the sand. No, it couldn’t be! Richard! They hadn’t seen each other in ten years, but yes, it was Richard. She’d know him anywhere. His blue eyes still mesmerized her as he watched her progress across the beach. Irrelevantly, she remembered that when he was aroused his eyes always darkened.

Her heart took off in a wild gallop. He had matured since she last saw him. His shoulders had broadened, and the well defined muscles in his chest rippled under his tee shirt. His stomach appeared flat and hard, and his legs looked shapely and well formed. The expression on his face spoke of a fiery, passionate nature. Her face flushed as it occurred to her that if she faced him across a bed today as she had done ten years ago, the outcome might be very different. He didn’t look like a man she’d want to turn down.

Uh oh. She had started to shake. Would she be able to do her scene or not? She hoped so, but seeing Richard had brought the past vividly to life.

A dull ache, long familiar, reminded her how much it hurt to break up with him. He really was too young for me, but somehow it didn’t matter at all. We were compatible in every way. No wonder I fell head over heels in love with him.

Her lips tightened. She had never told him what hap-pened right before their final date, but she remembered it as well as if it had happened only yesterday.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Return Engagement Beach Party 5



Please read the first beach party post for information about the beach party. The pictures show some of the prizes up for grabs. One is a luau for six, and the other is a lanyard that you attach to your sunglasses so if they fall off in the water they'll float. This excerpt takes place right after the one in beach party 4. To read chronologically start with the first post.

Venice Beach was a California institution. Founded in the 1890’s, the beach’s popularity had waxed and waned across the years until the 1984 summer Olympics turned it once more into a major tourist attraction. You could always find something to do in Venice.

Richard merged into the crowd and spent a few minutes watching a street artist at work before deciding he’d really rather spend his time near the water. He made his way to-ward the shore and sat down to admire the view. Shading his eyes, he watched some surfers trying to ride the waves and chuckled to himself. They weren’t very good. He had tried surfing years ago, but he didn’t especially like it. If he had free time he’d rather go riding. He smiled when he thought of his new horse. Too Bold would give him a challenge.

A little further down the beach a group of volleyball players yelled encouragement to each other. Girls vs. guys, thought Richard. I’d rather play for the girls any day, espe-cially if they look like that blonde with the nice butt.

Hoping to get into the game, he jumped up to make his way down the beach, but out of the corner of his eye he spot-ted a group of people surrounding a roped off area. What were they looking at?

Curious, he wandered over to see. “What’s going on?” he asked one of the bystanders.

“Someone’s making a movie. They’re supposed to start in a few minutes if you want to stay and watch.”

Richard decided he might as well stay. Since he was on vacation, he had no appointments to keep. A brief, familiar slash of pain cut him. Movie making had interested him ever since…a long time ago. He saw the actors making their way to the set and tried to identify them, but he didn’t see anyone he recognized. Either this was a low budget movie, or the stars hadn’t made an appearance yet.

The director, a small man with a bushy, red mustache that made Richard think of a walrus, introduced himself and addressed the crowd, saying, “Any of you want to be in the movie? We could use some people in the background. If you’re interested go to my right and see the man in the blue shirt. He’ll fill you in. The rest of you stand back, and try not to get in the way. The name of this movie is Paradise Bay, and our star is one of Hollywood’s finest leading ladies, Elizabeth Lane.”

Elizabeth Lane. Elizabeth Lane. Elizabeth Lane. The director droned on and on, but Richard didn’t hear a word he said. For ten years Elizabeth Lane had been the mark against which other women had been measured and found wanting. Richard’s heart lurched and a lump in his throat threatened to choke him. Now, when he least expected it and hadn’t had time to prepare himself, he would have the chance to see her again.

Richard uneasily shifted from foot to foot and tried to swallow the lump in his throat. He had often dreamed of seeing Elizabeth again. Once or twice he had even picked up the phone to dial her number, but he never had completed the call. He couldn’t; another rejection would have killed him.

An icy chill swept across him in spite of the warm sun. He was still afraid she’d reject him. Now one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, Elizabeth Lane could have any man she wanted. In fact, he’d heard on TV that she’d gotten engaged to some lawyer. He couldn’t think of a single reason why she’d have any interest in seeing an old boy friend again. The last time they saw each other he’d been a green, inexperienced kid which was probably the way she still thought of him. A grim smile crossed his face. He hated that damn lawyer. He’d give anything to have the guy in front of him for five minutes.

He vividly remembered their last date. They had almost gone to bed together, but at the last minute she had changed her mind and sent him home. He had called her every day for a week, but she had refused to see him. Finally, she had refused to even talk to him.

He took a deep breath and blew it out. Even now that episode stood out as the most horrible experience of his life, but he was only seventeen, and his father had made sure he stayed too busy to mope.

He had gone away to school the following year and had never seen Elizabeth again. Not in person, anyway. He’d seen her on TV and had faithfully watched every movie she ever made. It felt a little bit like rubbing salt into a new and stinging wound, but he knew he couldn’t break the habit so he didn’t even try.

Gah, he had started to sweat! Would she take the time to say hello to him? Probably, if he could get close enough to her. Security had to be tight with a major star on hand. He saw a number of men with cameras. Paparazzi. Yeah, they’d have some security, or those blood suckers would torment the stars unmercifully. How could anyone stand reading the trash the tabloids dished up on a daily basis? One writer who had left a popular publication had frankly admitted that he just made up the captions which went with the photographs in the magazine. Naturally, some of the stories were true, though. Maybe that’s why people read them.

If he went into politics he’d have to watch himself. Re-porters loved to dig up dirt on politicians. Huh! His father went ballistic if he did anything at all to attract negative atten-tion. If he ever got into a major scandal the senator would probably kill him. Or at least hurt him real bad.

His stomach lurched when he saw movement just beyond the roped off area. Was she coming? Elizabeth had liked him as a kid, but what would she think of him as a man? What if he was a disappointment to her? Why didn’t they hurry up and get this thing over with?
With an effort born of training and long practice, Richard brought his emotions under control. He had waited ten years for this moment to come; he could wait a few minutes more.

Return Engagement Beach Party 4



Please read the first beach party post for information about this day. This excerpt begins where Beach Party 3 left off. The pictures are some of the prizes I'm offering.

Richard lowered the top of his Z4 to take advantage of the balmy afternoon, luxuriating in the rush of the wind and the warmth of the sun on his skin. Why’d Scott have to bring up his father? At first the senator had contented himself with gentle hints about the merits of certain young ladies.

When that didn’t work, he had started to arrange meetings with women like Sheila Ridges. He hadn’t come out and said in words that he wanted a wedding soon, but he might as well have. Richard sighed. Dealing with his father could be ex-hausting.

A scowl marred his handsome face. He allowed the sena-tor to control his political future, but his personal life was no one’s business but his own. He’d be damned if he married some cold little witch like Sheila Ridges just to advance a political career. If that was the price he’d have to pay to be the president, it was too high. The FBI had provided a lot of satis-faction for him. If necessary he’d stay with them forever.
His father and mother loved each other passionately. Didn’t his father think he wanted to find love as well?

Resolutely, he pushed thoughts of the senator from his mind. Vacation had started; no need to agonize now. He turned into the parking lot of the building where his condo was located and parked his car in his assigned space. Then he hurried to the elevator, eager to rid himself of the coat and tie that symbolized the work week to him.

A small man already occupied the elevator. He inclined his head to Richard as the elevator doors closed.

Wonder who he is? He sure is washed out looking. The description fit. Everything about the man somehow seemed faded, even his hair and eyes which were a weak, nondescript brown as was his suit. The suit fit him well enough, but it wasn’t tailor made, maybe from a nice department store. Truthfully, he didn’t look as if he belonged here. Living in this building in this location wasn’t cheap.

The elevator doors opened before Richard could strike up a conversation with the intriguing, little man. Oh, never mind. It was such a gorgeous day, he’d decided what he wanted to do. The beach was the only place to be on such a beautiful day. If he hurried he’d have a few hours in the sun.

Beach Party



Please read the first Beach party post for information about this party. The pictures show some of the prizes offered in this beach party.

Chapter 1

Ten Years Later

Richard Lovinggood often whistled as he walked the halls of the Los Angeles field office of the FBI, but today he sounded especially cheerful. Vacation time had finally arrived, bringing with it the prospect of a whole week of glorious freedom. Fields, his boss, had worked his fingers to the bone while as usual his father had had plenty for him to do.

Senator Lovinggood constantly planned for Richard’s fu-ture presidential campaign. For one thing, he insisted his son be on a first name basis with influential politicians who might be of use to him when he finally ran for the presidency. Rich-ard grimaced. Some of the politicians were okay, but most of them bored him. Yeah, he needed a break.

He had to admit, though, that sometimes his father knew interesting people. Take that guy he and Senator Lovinggood had dined with last week. Mr. Ridges was descended from the Russian czars. Talking to him had seemed like having a page in your history book come alive, and Richard loved history.

But he didn’t care for the man’s daughter, Sheila. He made a face. If he had known she would accompany her fa-ther, he would’ve skipped dinner. Sheila, a stunning blonde beauty, thought her royal blood made her better than every-one else. She didn’t mind letting you know it either. Dad can sing her praises all he wants to, thought Richard, but I’ve got no interest in her. I don’t have time to waste on snobs like Sheila Ridges.

As he reached for the door that opened into the parking garage, he heard a voice calling, “Hey, Richard, wait up.” The voice belonged to his best friend, Scott Miller. The two of them had been fast friends ever since they met at the FBI training academy in Virginia.

“It isn’t fair for you to have a week off when I have to work,” Scott complained as he joined Richard.

“I need a break. Between Dad and Fields I’m worn out.”

Scott laughed. “I can believe that. Just thinking about your father wears me out. What are you going to do next week?”

“You mean after I wake up at ten?” Richard teased. “Nothing much. Remember I told you I bought a new horse? He needs some work, so I’ll probably spend a lot of time at the stable. His name is Too Bold, and it suits him.”

Scott shook his head in mock anguish. “Sometimes I wonder about you. Those wild horses you like are nicer un-der the hood of a car.”

Richard rolled his eyes at Scott. “That shows what you know. Come riding with me, and you’ll see why I love it.”

“Huh! If I had a week off I’d find a pretty girl to keep me company, not mess around with a horse.”

“I’ll take that under advisement.” Richard laughed, slip-ping easily into his work vocabulary. “Sometimes you do get good ideas.”

Scott grinned as he slapped Richard on the back and waved him out the door. “See you later. Call me if the horse idea doesn’t work out, and you need some company.”

“You could call my sister if you wanted to.” Richard grinned briefly when he saw the panicked expression on Scott’s face. “I’ve told you how much you guys have in com-mon. Do a big brother a favor, okay? I’d like to see Joan hang out with somebody besides the losers she usually dates. Gah! Where does she find them? You’ve got your head on straight. Maybe you could finally tame that little wildcat.” He suddenly chuckled. “If she knew what I said she’d probably blister my ears for me.”

Scott neatly turned the tables on Richard. “I’ll think about it,” he promised, “but what about you? Your dad’s been making noise about marriage and grandchildren for months now. He’ll have a fit if you don’t find a wife pretty soon.” He glanced appraisingly at Richard. “Don’t you want to fall in love and have a family?

“Sure, I do. I just haven’t found the right woman yet.”

Scott shrugged. “I don’t know why not. Your daddy’s a famous senator with plenty of money, and women like your looks. They always throw themselves at you.”

“Dad can let me handle the romance department,” Richard replied with a scowl. “That isn’t his call to make.”

“He doesn’t see it that way,” Scott objected. “He’s thinking about your family’s future. Have you thought about what might happen if you refuse to get married and have grandchil-dren for him? You two have a great father-son relationship. I’d hate for anything to mess it up.”

“Don’t worry. Dad and I are okay.” Richard’s brief an-swer disguised the fact that he had worried a little about that very thing.

“I guess you ought to know,” Scott agreed. “I’ll see you later. I need to hurry and clear my desk. I’ve got a pretty girl lined up for myself, and I want the whole weekend free.”

Beach Party Post 2



Please read the first beach party post for information about the day. This is a blurb and the Prologue for Return Engagement, and the picture is of the picture frame that I'll be giving away.

Blurb:

Elizabeth Lane has heard the call of the four most seductive words in the entire English language: what might have been. Would you risk everything you hold dear to find out what might have been? That’s the choice which Elizabeth has to make.

Elizabeth is lucky, for she has it all, money, fame, a satisfying career and a devoted fiancé. Her humble beginnings are all but obscured, but she isn’t the kind of woman Senator Henry Lovinggood wants for his son, Richard. Senator Lovinggood plans to make Richard the President of the United States; he’ll need a woman from a wealthy, powerful family by his side. Ten years ago he broke Richard and Elizabeth up, but this time it won’t be so easy, for Elizabeth wants to know what might have been. This time she’ll fight back, a struggle which ultimately leads to kidnapping and attempted murder and alienates her from the man of her dreams.

Prologue

“Stop it!” Elizabeth cried. She scrambled off the bed and put as much distance as possible between them. “It’s over, Richard! No, don’t shake your head at me. I mean it.” Her face blazed with color. “We have to end this, or I’ll be exactly what the tabloids called me. I can’t, I won’t, live with that.”

Chest heaving, Richard struggled for self-control as he faced Elizabeth across the bed, distracted by her beautiful blue eyes and disheveled dark hair. What did the sleazy, tabloid press matter? They loved each other; why did she panic over a few nasty stories?
“Honey, you’re an actress,” he soothed, his voice velvety soft and persuasive. “The tabloids won’t leave you alone no matter what you do. Half the stuff they print is lies anyway. Why are you letting them scare you?”

She stared at him with eyes stretched wide. “You’re sev-enteen years old! In California you’re still a minor, and I’m an adult. They have a right to accuse me of cradle robbing! Don’t you know how many people agree with them?” Her voice dropped. “And that includes my mother and your parents. They’re so mad at us it scares me.”

Richard ignored the fact that his father’s reaction had scared him too. “You talk like you’re fifty,” he scoffed, “but you’re only five years older than me. You know it doesn’t matter.” He lunged for her hand, but Elizabeth danced away from him.

“It may matter to your career. Have you forgotten Sena-tor Lovinggood’s plans for you? Your dad wants you to be the president one day, but a scandal like this could ruin your chances before you even get started.”

Richard impatiently shook his head. “Don’t you get it? You’re more important to me than any career in the world! Without you I don’t care what happens to me.” His eyes sof-tened. “We fell in love with each other the first time we met in the studio. Why would you even consider letting five lousy years ruin things for us?”

Elizabeth dropped her head and bit her lip to hold back her tears. “I know what I have to do, but why does it have to hurt so much?” she whispered so low that Richard barely heard her. She raised her eyes to his. “I love you, Richard, but we can’t keep our hands off each other. It’s only a mat-ter of time until we do sleep together.” She made a sound somewhere between a laugh and a sob. “If we do sleep to-gether I’ll deserve everything they’ve said about me. Please, please go.”

For a moment the issue hung in the balance. The air in the room which already shimmered with emotion now started to sizzle, but with an exclamation of surrender Richard bent and scooped his shirt from the floor. “I’ll call you.”

Elizabeth’s eyes filled with tears. “No, please don’t. It’s over; don’t you see?”

Beach Party!


Welcome to the beach party! Thank you for joining me in celebrating the release of Return Engagement. Return Engagement is the book I always wanted to write, and everything came together so well! I hope you like it as much as I do.

I’m going to make several posts throughout the day. If you’d like to be entered in a drawing for my beach themed prizes, make a comment on any one of the posts except this one. If you would like to ask me a question I’ll be glad to try to answer it. Winners will be announced on Sunday evening. If you make a comment or ask a question be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you to get your snail mail address.

Now about those prizes. I’m giving away a string of chocolate pearls (simulated), a luau for six, a kitchen package consisting of kitchen towels and a magnet, a beach towel and sun visor, a beach game called Beach Volley, a shell necklace, a lanyard that floats so you won’t lose your sunglasses in the ocean, a sports water bottle, a set of candles shaped like star fish, and a lovely picture frame decorated with shells. Why the beach theme? Because the beach is an important part of the story in Return Engagement.
In addition, everyone who leaves a comment or asks a question will receive a PDF copy of my family’s favorite dessert recipes.

I hope you enjoy the beach party.

Oh, the picture shows the chocolate pearls.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Money Isn't Everything


Hello, and welcome to my blog. I have a special guest today. Her name is Billie Williams, and she’s the author of the bestselling novel Money Isn’t Everything. Billie, thank you so much for including me in your blog tour. I’ve read your work, and it’s fantastic. Readers, let me tell you about Billie.

Best Selling and Award winning Mystery/Suspense author Billie A Williams is a fiction, non-fiction and poetry author and has won numerous contests for her short/flash fiction stories, essays, and poetry with over two dozen works published. She is published in various magazines such as the literary magazine Thema; Guide, a Magazine for Children, Novel Advice.com, Writing Etc. WritingNow.com, and Women In The Arts newsletter as well as Sister’s in Crime, to list but a few.

Her articles, columns and features have appeared regularly in newspapers. Short stories, Flash fiction, poetry and book reviews have appeared in Mystery Time, True Love Magazine and various anthologies and on line e-zines and web sites. She writes a bi-monthly column titled “Whodunit?” for Mystery Fiction’s Voices in the Dark and is a contributing editor for Writingnow.com a Blueberry Press Newsletter. She also hosts her own writer’s group, Word Mage Writers and Readers as well as The Amberg Writers Group that meets at her home monthly. She is an active blogger; http://printedwords.blogspot.com and http://onewomansgarden.blogspot.com A website for writers is at http://writingwide.com where you can find plenty of tips, tricks and good reads, as well as a current novel in progress serialized in her newsletter, “Printed Words.”

Williams is currently a member of The Wisconsin Regional Writers Association (WRWA) Upper Peninsula Writers Association (UPWA)National Association of Women Writers (NAWW) Sister’s in Crime, Women in the Arts Program, Electronically Published Internet Connection (EPIC), Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. (SCBWI) and Children’s Book Insider, and the Children Writers Coaching Club. Her website www.billiewilliams.com
She lives with her husband and Lady Slipper the Maine Coon Cat she received the day she got her contract for The Pink Lady Slipper bed and breakfast murder mystery from Wings ePress so of course the kitten got the name. Amberg, is home, a small Northern Wisconsin community where the winters are cold and long, but the people are warm and friendly.

Billie, that’s one impressive resume! To date, which of your books was the hardest to write and why?

It’s funny to think about this now, but I have not had any difficulty with any of my books as far as writing them goes. I think by the time I sat down to write them they had already been running around in my head long enough that they just wrote themselves basically. Not that I was consciously thinking about developing them, but somewhere I must have picked up and idea that was working in the back of my mind.

I think I had the hardest in terms of rewriting and the most rewriting I’ve had to do was with my first. and so far only, young adult historical adventure novel, Watch For The Raven. I was not as careful or knowledgeable as I should have been about writing historical fiction. I didn’t think about what kind of slang words a kid in the 1800’s time frame of Colorado might use. I didn’t know that phrases such as wagon train, or railroad train would not have the same meaning then, if any meaning at all, as it would later on.

Thank goodness for a marvelous writer/editor who caught the mistakes in that manuscript from the Wings ePress, Inc. editorial staff. The book started out from a statement my mother made to me “When Tag was a pup, and turkeys chewed tobacco,” and when I wrote that line down the book just took off. It never appears in the book at all. But, it is what started me writing that book. It was a phrase my mother’s grandfather used to use whenever he told them a story. I guess he was full of stories.

Which hero is your fave to date and why?

Since everyone of my novels to date have had a female accidental sleuth, I guess it would be a heroine…I loved Audrey Fletka Hroc in Knapsack Secrets, but I also loved the spunk of Chanetta in Small Town Secrets…Danielle in Death by Candlelight though shy and passive in the beginning makes some bold changes to her life. It really is hard to choose a favorite. The women in my Zodiac Sleuths series are really as diverse and interesting as the signs they represent.

My newest book that comes out in October, Diamonds, Death, Deceit, has a male protagonist the only other male protagonist was young Josh Avery in Watch For the Raven. It is fun to get inside a male persona and try to use my male side to design a believable person who is a strong male. That is an interesting experience, but since I was always a Tom Boy growing up, perhaps I have enough male traits that it was easier than it might have been. I do prefer the accidental female sleuth though {smile}

What makes a book a page turner?

I have been told that leaving one chapter at a critical point, so that the reader is nearly pushed into turning the page to see what happens next is the way it is done. It doesn’t have to be a major climatic point; you would wear your reader out if your book was a non-stop dash from one chapter to the next…Pace is important. But you can encourage a reader to turn the page by leaving them wondering – what will Danielle do next? How will Chanetta tell her daughter why she had to let her go for adoption? Audrey Woman of the Year one day, destitute, divorced, alone, what will she do? Leave the reader with a question at the end of the chapter, and if not a question per se, a question of what happens next in the context of the story. Fin, Fur and Fatal is a book that pushes the reader, so I’m told. Not at first, but before midway there are so many twists and turns the reader is never sure who is bad, who is just plain dumb, or if February England will make it to the end of the book with her life intact. She is the second accidental sleuth in the Zodiac series.

4.Which author would you most like to meet and why?

Oh my, this is a question with at least 20 answers. I can give you a list but it will be so long it will take a week to read it, there are so many. I’m from Wisconsin and they say you must meet Hemingway if you are a Wisconsinite. Or Agatha Christie because I write mysteries. Or Tess Gerritsen because I love her suspense. Writing Down The Bones author, Natalie Goldberg, because she just plain makes me want to write. Rob Parnell, because his manner of teaching – Easy Way to Write courses is so perfect for me. Jude Devereaux because she has a gift of language that just draws pictures in my mind. Patricia Cornwell, because she is so good at what she does-the clues a forensic expert could only know. Stephen King, because he knows how to find the fear hiding in everyone and bring it to the page. Brenda Ueland, Florence Scovil Schinn, Brian Tracy, Mary Higgins Clark, Janet Evanovich, and all the authors I’ve found at Wings, Whiskey Creek, Red Rose, BookStrand, and my own Word Mage group – so many wonderful writers that have so much talent. If only I could get a tiny fraction of that from some of them, I would be in heaven. And that isn’t even the list of those that have me reading long into the night. Thank you for asking though.

Billie, what is this new book about?

Mary March is a CNA in a nursing home (Idle A While) when she discovers patient abuse, she investigates and that leads to Jayde Blarney being fired. Jayde goes to work as a fitness trainer in a local health club, (Rainbow’s End). Now, she is out for revenge against Mary for two things. Getting her fired and for encroaching on her, as she perceives it, Doctor Tanner Irish who she is head over heels in love with. Tanner can’t see Jayde for dust as he is infatuated with Mary.

Tanner Irish is almost the proverbial cliché in Mary’s mind. She thinks Tanner is a spoiled little rich boy used to having everything his way, handed to him on a silver platter. He is filthy rich. He thinks money talks, she insists Money Isn’t Everything and she won’t be one of his conquests.

Mary uncovers a connection to the missing funds that lead to Edith Erhoes (Director of Nursing) and Fern Fish (Head of the Accounting Department). Edith’s attitude is the rich can afford it. And they have always gotten the wheat while she has always gotten the chaff, she wants the heart of the wheat and is angry that the young whipper-snapper with money, Dr. Tanner Irish, gets more money catering to old ladies and old men who’ll be dead soon anyway. Life is unjust—and fate is fickle, she is out to change the odds.
Mary will try to find where the abuse stems from and who is taking the money from the coffers as well as how.

Billie’s going to share chapter one of Money Isn’t Everything, but before she does I want to mention the prizes she’s offering. Each person who comments on my blog will have a chance to win either a $100 note pad, a $100 pen, or a $100 bookmark magnet. (They all incorporate the hundred dollar bills into their design. They are not real hundred dollar bills or items.)

4. Everyone that comments and leaves their email address (so I can get their address )will get a bookmark with the cover of Money Isn’t Everything and one lucky winner will get an autographed poster of the cover of Money Isn’t Everything. I'm also offering a couple of free booklets that can be picked up at http://www.elainecantrell.com. The booklets are titled: Why I Write, How I Picked My Genere Or it Picked Me, and Why I Write. The booklets have information from all the authors on my blog tour.

5. For the readers/commenters I will draw one name from all the blog sites to get an autographed copy of the print version of Fin, Fur and Fatal another Mystery in the Zodiac Sleuths Series. (That is stateside–if the name drawn is overseas or Canada-- it will be a download version.)

Billie, the prizes sound great. I've been on vacation, so the booklets will be availabe at the end of the day after my web master posts them. Where are you going from here on your blog tour?
You can find me at Annette Snyder’s blog at http://annettesnyder.blogspot.com
Thanks so much for coming, and now let’s have a look at Chapter one.

Money Isn’t Everything,
By Billie A Williams
Chapter One
Mary March pulled into her parking spot at the Idle A While Nursing Home. The slush and ice of March trying to decide whether to be spring or winter created ruts where, depending on the time of day and the amount of sunshine, ice created a walking hazard or rivers of muddy water running in the ruts.

Skirting the puddles and ruts when possible, Mary was loaded down with treats for her favorite residents, her lunch bag, assignment book and her purse. Tanner Irish, that would be Doctor Tanner Irish to the public, whizzed by her in his not-meant-to-be-driven-in-the-winter blazing yellow Fiat Spider 124.

She thanked her lucky stars it was still ice this early in the day and not slush. Jerk, why did he think his money could make every woman fall at his feet? This one wasn’t about to. Money isn’t everything. Arms full, she returned his honk and jaunty salute with a nod. Nothing’s changed.

She went in the employee entrance of Idle A While, the halls were buzzing as day shift prepared to replace night shift. The exchange reminded her of Girl Scout Camp and the competition between the cottages for who was the ‘best’ that day.

The Charge Nurse of the night time CNAs and the Day Charge Nurse would meet with the others in the employee lounge to exchange information on the patients under their care before the day crew began their rounds. Mary wasn‘t looking forward to exchanging anything with Jayde Blarney. In her opinion Jayde was a mistake, but then she wasn‘t on the hiring committee. Jayde‘s credentials must have been good enough, but Mary was uncomfortable with her. She‘d felt bullied by the woman in their few encounters. Maybe she was just testing the water. Everyone deserves a chance.

Mary deposited her stuff in her locker, then she moved toward the employee lounge. Amid “welcome back” and “gee we missed you” from her crew, and glares from Jayde and her chief witch mate Dolly Sweetig and second in command Ebony Jane, Mary felt the stress of the previous weeks return in one fell swoop. The three had their heads together and that unnerved Mary. She felt there was trouble brewing but she wasn‘t sure what.

Edith Erhoes clapped her hands to get everyone‘s attention. “Welcome back, Mary, we‘re relieved to have one more pair of helping hands.”

Edith had been Director of Nurses since Columbus came over, Mary was sure. “Thank you, nice to be back.” Though the statement felt like a lie amidst the glares of Jayde and her team, she really did enjoy her job.

“We have gained residents, five to be exact, and lost three since you went on vacation,” Edith continued in her all business drill sergeant manner.

Mary couldn‘t help but wonder who they lost. Life, especially at the nursing home, was so fragile. It got harder and harder to watch people she had become attached to slip away. One day at a time, she told herself. She gave them all she could while they were at Idle A While. There was nothing else she could do.

The meeting broke up quickly. The night crew was anxious to break free for the day. The smell of breakfast carts arriving drew her attention to the task at hand, making sure those that could were showered and brought to the dining room. Those that needed help eating were assigned CNAs or orderlies to help them.

Mary noticed Audrey wasn‘t eating. She was slumped over on her chair. She laid her hand on Audrey‘s shoulder. Audrey winced and pulled away, pain and fear darkening her faded olive green eyes. “Are you okay, Audrey?”

Tears slid down her furrowed cheeks and her gaze darted around the room like a hunted rabbit. She didn‘t speak. Mary crouched down beside her and wrapped her arm around her shoulders, Audrey pulled away. She put her hands over Audrey‘s. “What happened, Audrey? Did you fall?”

This was so unlike the exuberant and talkative Audrey. Mary became worried. “Here, let me help you with this. Do you want jelly on your toast?” Audrey ate in silence, but at least she ate. She acted like she hadn‘t eaten in days. Mary made a note to have Dr. Irish look at her today. “I‘m going to have Doctor Irish come look in on you today. You be sure to tell him where you hurt, okay?”

Audrey offered a weak smile and patted Mary‘s arm. But, she didn‘t speak.

As Mary made her rounds she noticed more lethargy than normal. Something was definitely wrong here—or was she attaching flawed memories to the usually lively dining room that was only truth in her mind. Memory was such a fragile thing. And it had a tendency to be more about a hoped for truth then reality.

Mary couldn‘t wait to talk to her crew and find out what was going on. One of the CNAs called her to come look at a resident. Raw open sores on the woman‘s buttocks told her hygiene practices had been skipped more than once. She knew Maude was a difficult person. She swung at her caregiver, swore, and threatened all manner of repercussion at whoever was near. She was an angry woman. Part of it Mary knew was because her children forcefully removed her from her home. Now that Idle A While allowed pets, she thought Maude had become more docile. However, the cat that had adopted her was nowhere to be seen.

“We‘re going to have to get you into a bath tub to sit awhile, Maude,” Mary advised ready to be hit verbally and physically with all this used-to-be sheriff wanted to throw at her. Instead Maude merely blinked her eyes, and turned her head away.

The CNA shrugged. “This is the first I was assigned to her.”

“It‘s not your fault. I‘ll have a couple of the orderlies get her into the bath. You can comb her hair and do her nails whiles she sits. Make her feel pampered.” Mary felt her stomach churn. Maude might be a handful, even malicious, but her fighting spirit kept her going. This made Mary‘s heart ache. Clearly, she‘d been neglected.

“When she comes back use some A & D ointment on those sores. Be sure you wear gloves. Then don‘t diaper her. Let her be exposed to the air with just a puddle pad and sheet.” The CNA nodded. Mary made notes on her chart and went to the desk to page the orderlies. Anger was building up inside her. There were cases that flared every day. A fall, a misstep, resulting in a bruise, a patient would be bedridden and prone to bed sores, no matter how careful and well-cared for, but what Mary was seeing was not ordinary. She needed to talk to Edith Erhoes. As Director of Nurses she should be made aware, if she wasn‘t already. How could she not be, Mary thought as she slipped down the hall between housekeeping carts, wheel chairs with residents and CNAs going to and from rooms, appointments or lounges.

She knocked on Edith‘s office door. Edith motioned her to come in as she finished up a phone call. She jotted a name on a piece of paper and handed it to Mary.

“Her family…nothing but trouble. Always complaining. Wish they‘d just take her out of here. I may request they do just that if this keeps up.”

Mary glanced down at the name. The woman hadn‘t been there very long. Mary liked her. She always seemed congenial. She participated in all scheduled activities. “I‘ll check on her right away. What‘s the complaint?”

“Oh, some gibberish about rough treatment again. Same as last week.”

“There is something going on.” Mary cautiously approached the subject. Why should she be worried about reporting suspected abuse, those were state rules, the state demanded suspected abuse be reported immediately to a supervisor.

Edith‘s eyes flashed open wide and then narrowed into angry slits. “What do you mean?” It came across as more an accusation then a question in Mary‘s mind.

Mary listed the problems she had seen already that morning.

Edith fluttered her fingers as if Mary were a bothersome gnat she was trying to dispose of. “You‘ve been on vacation. After a while away from here you forget how most of these people deteriorate by the day. They go from ambulatory and lucid to bed ridden and dementia faster than you realize.”

“I really don‘t believe it‘s that.” Mary pressed on. “When a resident exhibits fear when you place a hand on their shoulder that signals a different kind of—“

Edith cut her off. “I haven‘t got time to deal with your fantasies. After you are back for a few days we‘ll speak again. Don‘t be stirring up trouble where there is none. Now, I have real work to do.”

Mary was angry. A scuffle down the corridor drew her attention and she hurried to intercede. Billy James‘ arms flailed the air. He was refusing to be taken anywhere. He demanded to be returned to his room. “Good morning, Billy. What seems to be the problem?”

“Ain‘t goin‘ nowhere. I‘m stayin‘ in my room where it‘s safe,” he said. His warm cocoa eyes wide with excitement.

It was then Mary noticed his bruised eye. “Who you been fighting with?” She bent to examine the eye.

Billy jerked back. “Ain‘t fightin‘ nobody.” He clutched his lap robe up to his chin and turned away.

“When did this happen, how?” She stood up straight directing her questions to the CNA, a new girl since Mary had worked last. The girl looked frightened, she let her shoulders rise to her ears and then dropped them, her eyes not meeting Mary‘s as she did so.
“I—I really don‘t know. I was assigned to take him to physical therapy.”

“If you don‘t do your physical therapy, you‘ll turn into a vegetable and have to spend all your time in bed.” Mary motioned to the girl to move on to Pearl‘s room and help her. “I‘ll take care of him,” she said softly.

The girl nearly ran down the hall away from her.


“I‘ll take you down today just to prove you are perfectly safe, okay?”

“If that‘s the case, I don‘t want no more shiners from the likes of her.”

“Who do you mean, Billy?”

“That other woman.” anger edged his raised voice.

“You mean the little gal who was just helping you?” Mary thought the tiny young woman who she had relieved of the burden of Billy couldn‘t give a mosquito a black eye, or shiner as Billy‘s colorful language explained it.

“Naw, not her—that Amazon woman.”

Mary searched her mind for a CNA whose stature would qualify her as Billy‘s Amazon woman. Most of the CNA‘s were her size, medium height and build. None of them were very imposing figures.

Dropping Billy off at physical therapy and asking them to treat him with kid gloves today, Mary made her way back up to the main floor nurse‘s station.

Idle A While seemed to have taken on a hostile and disjointed persona, if a place can have a personality. The warm friendly family atmosphere had evaporated in the three weeks she was gone on vacation. Janet had assumed her duties as her second in command. Very competent and motivated. She had been given three days off as compensation for the extra duty. Mary wouldn‘t see her until Wednesday. Already, Mary sensed an urgent need to get Janet‘s take on what she sensed in the atmosphere at Idle A While.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Return Engagement


Return Engagement is now available from Whiskey Creek Press at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com Do please check it out! Also, be sure to join me here on July 15 for a cyber beach party celebrating the release of Return Engagement. There are lots of prizes up for grabs.

Right now, here's the prologue from Return Engagement.

“Stop it!” Elizabeth cried. She scrambled off the bed and put as much distance as possible between them. “It’s over, Richard! No, don’t shake your head at me. I mean it.” Her face blazed with color. “We have to end this, or I’ll be exactly what the tabloids called me. I can’t, I won’t, live with that.”

Chest heaving, Richard struggled for self-control as he faced Elizabeth across the bed, distracted by her beautiful blue eyes and disheveled dark hair. What did the sleazy, tabloid press matter? They loved each other; why did she panic over a few nasty stories?

“Honey, you’re an actress,” he soothed, his voice velvety soft and persuasive. “The tabloids won’t leave you alone no matter what you do. Half the stuff they print is lies anyway. Why are you letting them scare you?”

She stared at him with eyes stretched wide. “You’re seventeen years old! In California you’re still a minor and I’m an adult. They have a right to accuse me of cradle robbing! Don’t you know how many people agree with them?” Her voice dropped. “And that includes my mother and your parents. They’re so mad at us it scares me.”

Richard ignored the fact that his father’s reaction had scared him too. “You talk like you’re fifty,” he scoffed, “but you’re only five years older than me. You know it doesn’t matter.”

He lunged for her hand, but Elizabeth danced away from him. “It may matter to your career. Have you forgotten Senator Lovinggood’s plans for you? You dad wants you to be the president one day, but a scandal like this could ruin your chances before you even get started.”

Richard impatiently shook his head. “Don’t you get it? You’re more important to me than any career in the world! Without you I don’t care what happens to me.” His eyes softened. “We fell in love with each other the first time we met in the studio. Why would you even consider letting five lousy years ruin things for us?”

Elizabeth dropped her head and bit her lip to hold back her tears. “I know what I have to do, but why does it have to hurt so much?” she whispered so low that Richard barely heard her. She raised her eyes to his. “I love you, Richard, but we can’t keep our hands off each other. It’s only a matter of time until we do sleep together.” She made a sound somewhere between a laugh and a sob. “If we do sleep together I’ll deserve everything they’ve said about me. Please, please go.”

For a moment the issue hung in the balance. The air in the room which already shimmered with emotion now started to sizzle, but with an exclamation of surrender Richard bent and scooped his shirt from the floor. “I’ll call you.”

Elizabeth’s eyes filled with tears. “No, please don’t. It’s over; don’t you see?”

Thursday, July 1, 2010

It's Here!!!


Return Enbgagement is now available from Whiskey Creek Press at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com. As a courtesy to my readers, if you will email me a copy of your invoice when you buy the book I'll send you absolutely free a PDF copy of Grandfather's Legacy, my second novel. This offer is good for the first fifty people or forty eight hours, whichever comes first.

Here's a blurb and excerpt from Return Engagement.

Blurb:

Elizabeth Lane has heard the call of the four most seductive words in the entire English language: what might have been. Would you risk everything you hold dear to find out what might have been? That’s the choice which Elizabeth has to make.

Elizabeth is lucky, for she has it all, money, fame, a satisfying career and a devoted fiancé. Her humble beginnings are all but obscured, but she isn’t the kind of woman Senator Henry Lovinggood wants for his son, Richard. Senator Lovinggood plans to make Richard the President of the United States; he’ll need a woman from a wealthy, powerful family by his side. Ten years ago he broke Richard and Elizabeth up, but this time it won’t be so easy, for Elizabeth wants to know what might have been. This time she’ll fight back, a struggle which ultimately leads to kidnapping and attempted murder and alienates her from the man of her dreams.

Excerpt:

Excerpt 2 Richard and Elizabeth haven't seen each other since his father broke them up. After a chance meeting on the beach they go to a beach front carnival, and now they're on the way back to their cars.

“Look at the moon, Richard. Have you ever seen anything so big and beautiful? Isn’t it lovely the way it’s reflecting off the water?”

“Yes, but not as lovely as you are.” Richard made a sound of disgust. “That is so trite. You’d think I could do better, but all evening I’ve had trouble saying what I mean.”

“Maybe it’s because you’re trying too hard, but for the record, I think you’re doing just fine.” She shivered and hunched her shoulders as she hugged herself. “That wind is cold.”

Richard immediately removed his jacket and handed it to her. “Here, put this on.”

“Won’t you be cold?”

“I’m fine. I’ve got on long sleeves and that’s enough.” His eyes twinkled in the moonlight. “In fact, I kind of like the idea of you wearing my clothes. Sounds like high school, huh?”

The chilly wind that blew across the moon-drenched water snatched Elizabeth’s laughter away. “Who cares? Sometimes it’s nice to be as irresponsible as a teenager.”

“Let’s sit down and watch the moon awhile.”

Elizabeth willingly sank into the damp sand and cuddled close beside him.
“Richard, about this evening….”

“Elizabeth, about Alex….”

“You go first,” Elizabeth urged, glad to put off telling him she couldn’t see him again.

“All right, I will.” He turned slightly, an almost angry look on his face. “What the hell do you think you’re doing getting yourself engaged to Alex Crawford? It’s obvious to a blind man that you don’t love him. You’ve been teasing me and flirting with me all evening. You’ve even kissed me. Right now your body language makes me think if I wanted to take this snuggling any further you’d be willing.”

“Wha…” Elizabeth sputtered.

“You don’t strike me as the type of woman who’d pick a man for a night of sex and then go back to her fiancé like nothing had happened. If that’s true I don’t think you love Alex as much as you think you do. The question is: what are you going to do about it?”

Elizabeth moaned and hid her face in her hands. Richard expected this surprise meeting to lead to something more that a hot dog on the beach, a casual meeting between two old…friends. I’ve done enough damage for one evening; I’m going home before I cause any more trouble. I’ve betrayed Alex and given Richard hope for a relationship with me when there is no hope.

She tried to jump up, but Richard grabbed her and held her close. “The wind is cold, and you can think just as well, no better, in my arms.”

Elizabeth gave up the effort to get away from him. “Yeah, right. Being in your arms clarifies everything! I’m so confused I don’t know if I’m coming or going,” she cried. “I do love Alex. I do! That’s why I agreed to marry him, but with you I feel like a different person.

“I know I shouldn’t have flirted with you and kissed you, but I couldn’t help myself.” Her eyes misted with tears. “I didn’t want to help myself. It’s like it was ten years ago only better because now nobody can accuse me of corrupting a minor. You asked me what I’m going to do, but to tell you the truth, I don’t know. The only thing I’m sure of is that I don’t think I can stand it if you walk away again.”

Elizabeth threw her hands over her burning face again. “What kind of woman am I? I haven’t seen you in ten years, yet here I am leading you on and encouraging you to… What’s wrong with me!”

Richard jerked her hand away from her face and kissed it. “From my point of view things have finally taken a turn for the better.” Satisfaction oozed from his voice.
“You’re willing to admit you don’t want to lose me. It’s taken ten years, but we’re back where we belong-together. Everything I ever felt for you came back the minute you spoke to me. Don’t tell me you didn’t feel it too.”

“I…” Elizabeth fell silent. After all; what could she say?

“Let me help you make up your mind about what to do.” Richard pushed her back into the sand and kissed her, a delicate, brushing of lips that deepened as hearts caught fire. Elizabeth imagined she could feel the thudding of his heart against her own and shivered against him. She didn’t really notice when his hand slipped under her blouse, but when she felt its warmth on her breast she cried aloud and shoved him away.

“I want to finish this in private,” Richard whispered. “We’ve waited ten years, and we deserve this night. Ask me to go home with you.”