Beyond the Book: The Captain and the Cheerleader

Today's excerpt is from the book we've been previewing The Captain and the Cheerleader. To summarize, so far we know that Susan bet an irritating fellow teacher that she could make head football coach Kurt Deveraux ask her out. He did, and tonight he arrives at her house to take her to a party. This scene is significant because we learn that Kurt is attracted to Susan, and we also learn that neither of them drink, which will be important later on. Today Susan and Kurt arrive at the party.

Blurb:
Susan English can’t stand Robin Lanford! She’s so full of herself she irritates everyone on the faculty of Fairfield High. When Robin bets Susan fifty dollars that she can’t get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach, Susan jumps at the chance to put the little heifer in her place. She had no idea that teaching Robin a lesson would irrevocably change her life, strain treasured friendships, and throw two families into chaos.

Excerpt:

“It looks like they’re having the party in the barn,” Kurt said as they turned off the highway onto Mendoza’s driveway. “No wonder. It’s bigger than their house.”

Mendoza had painted the barn brilliant green. “John Deere colors,” Susan said with a laugh.

They parked Kurt’s car against a fence and made their way to the barn. “Everything looks great,” Susan said. “So clean and spacious.” She touched Kurt’s arm. “Look. We’re having live music. They’ve set up a stage at the other end of the hallway.”

Kurt nodded. “I see it. They put the refreshments down there too. I bet there’ll be a lot of spicy stuff and tequila flowing like a river.” 

Buy Link: http://amzn.to/1NDgnrg

Beyond the Book: The Captain and the Cheerleader

Today's excerpt is from the book we've been previewing The Captain and the Cheerleader. To summarize, so far we know that Susan bet an irritating fellow teacher that she could make head football coach Kurt Deveraux ask her out. He did, and tonight he arrives at her house to take her to a party. This scene is significant because we learn that Kurt is attracted to Susan, and we also learn that neither of them drink, which will be important later on. Today Susan and Kurt are on their way to the party. I skipped a few paragraphs.

Blurb:
Susan English can’t stand Robin Lanford! She’s so full of herself she irritates everyone on the faculty of Fairfield High. When Robin bets Susan fifty dollars that she can’t get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach, Susan jumps at the chance to put the little heifer in her place. She had no idea that teaching Robin a lesson would irrevocably change her life, strain treasured friendships, and throw two families into chaos.

“Where is this party of yours?” Susan asked as she fastened her seat belt.

“It’s out on Bailey Road. Do you know where the old Texaco station used to be? A Hispanic guy by the name of Jose Mendoza bought the property that adjoins the Texaco. He and his family like me

because I can speak Spanish. The party will probably be a little on the wild side, though. Jose and his people work hard, but they play hard too.”

A stirring of guilt brought a rush of warmth to her face. I’d give anything if I hadn’t made that silly bet. Kurt asked me to go out with him in good faith, knowing nothing about the bet. I feel like a jerk who obtained an invitation through false pretenses. I’ll make it up to him, though. I’ll do my best to show him a good time. 

Buy Link: http://amzn.to/1NDgnrg

Beyond the Book: The Captain and the Cheerleader

Hello, and welcome to Beyond the Book. I've been sharing excerpts from The Captain and the Cheerleader. I'm picking up where I left off last week. When you finish  with this post, scroll down. I have two guests today, and I believe there are some prizes up for grabs.

Robin Lanford who's a royal pain in the butt just bet Susan English that she couldn't get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach. Some of the other faculty members also got in on the bet. Kurt showed up and Susan asked about the football game later that night. Kurt went to be with the football players before the game. He told his friend Jason that Susan had given him a compliment, and Jason reminded him that he already had a girl named Aleisha Childs. Kurt isn't sure if it's serious between them. He is about to lose his Friday night ball game when a boy interrupted him. The boy had a football play from Susan that won the game for him. Kurt is pondering that play when Alicia calls and cancels their date for that night. Kurt decides to ask Susan to go with him so he can ask her about that play, and afterward Susan calls her friend Melissa who told her to behave herself. Susan said it was a party that were going to, and the worst thing that could happen is they wouldn't have a good time.

Blurb:
Susan English can’t stand Robin Lanford! She’s so full of herself she irritates everyone on the faculty of Fairfield High. When Robin bets Susan fifty dollars that she can’t get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach, Susan jumps at the chance to put the little heifer in her place. She had no idea that teaching Robin a lesson would irrevocably change her life, strain treasured friendships, and throw two families into chaos.

Excerpt:

As Susan hung up the phone, Samson head butted her to get her attention. He always seemed to understand when she wasn’t totally focused on him. “I hope we have fun tonight, kitty. Things have been a little stale since Tommy and I broke up.”

Samson stared holes through Susan, but the mean look on his face didn’t surprise her. “You liked Tommy, didn’t you, boy? He always had a treat for you, but that’s no excuse for looking daggers at me.

“I feel bad about Tommy too. He’s a great guy, but I don’t love him the way he loved me. I broke up with him because it wasn’t fair to let him hope for something that can never be. Still, I miss him too.”
She needed to move on with her life, and going out with Kurt Deveraux seemed like a good way to begin. Maybe this date had come at exactly the right time. 

Buy link: http://amzn.to/1NDgnrg

Beyond the Book: The Captain and the Cheerleader.

Hello, and welcome to Beyond the Book. I've been sharing excerpts from The Captain and the Cheerleader. I'm picking up where I left off last week. Robin Lanford who's a royal pain in the butt just bet Susan English that she couldn't get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach. Some of the other faculty members also got in on the bet. Kurt showed up and Susan asked about the football game later that night. Now, Kurt has gone to be with the football players before the game. He told his friend Jason that Susan had given him a compliment.

Blurb:
Susan English can’t stand Robin Lanford! She’s so full of herself she irritates everyone on the faculty of Fairfield High. When Robin bets Susan fifty dollars that she can’t get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach, Susan jumps at the chance to put the little heifer in her place. She had no idea that teaching Robin a lesson would irrevocably change her life, strain treasured friendships, and throw two families into chaos.

Excerpt:

Kurt grinned. “Susan said she knew I’d tried my best to get the team ready for Middleton.”

“Oh, it was a football compliment. Smart girl.” Jason leered at him. “You still think she’s hot?”

Kurt’s fork paused on its way to his mouth. “I never said that, but, yeah, I do. Susan English could put a movie star to shame.”

“What about Aleisha Childs?”

“What about her?”

Jason paused to swallow a big drink of his tea and made Kurt smile. Mrs. Kirby always provided the tea for the football team, exactly what he had hoped for when he complimented her on how good it tasted. Everyone at school loved it, and that included the football team.

“We’ve known Aleisha since we were ten,” Jason said. “She’s awfully pretty. How many times have you gone out with her now?”

“A few. I like Aleisha, but Susan can put her in the shade. And before you ask, I have no idea if Aleisha and I are serious about each other.” 

Buy link: http://amzn.to/1NDgnrg 
 

Beyond the Book: The Captain and the Cheerleader

Hello, and welcome to Beyond the Book. I've been sharing excerpts from The Captain and the Cheerleader. I'm picking up where I left off last week. Robin Lanford who's a royal pain in the butt just bet Susan English that she couldn't get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach. Some of the other faculty members also got in on the bet. Kurt showed up and Susan asked about the football game later that night. Now, Susan is at home thinking about the bet.

Blurb:
Susan English can’t stand Robin Lanford! She’s so full of herself she irritates everyone on the faculty of Fairfield High. When Robin bets Susan fifty dollars that she can’t get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach, Susan jumps at the chance to put the little heifer in her place. She had no idea that teaching Robin a lesson would irrevocably change her life, strain treasured friendships, and throw two families into chaos.


EXCERPT:

Susan threw her keys into the basket on the kitchen cabinet and flung her book bag into the closet. It was so much fun putting that thing away on Friday! “Here, kitty, kitty,” she called.

An ancient yellow cat with chewed up ears and inscrutable green eyes strolled into the kitchen.

Samson was fifteen years old and didn’t get around too well anymore, but he had lived with Susan since he was a kitten. She confided in him as she did in no one else. Samson never criticized and always made her feel better.

“Hey, boy,” she crooned as she scooped the cat up and scratched his chin. “What did you do today? I got myself into hot water at school with a stupid bet.”

Samson purred and offered his own brand of comfort to Susan. “Yes, I know it’ll work out okay. It’s just that I don’t want to hurt his feelings. He seems like a nice man.” 

BUY LINK:
http://www.amzn.to/1NDgnrg

Beyond the Book: The Captain and the Cheerleader

Welcome to Beyond the Book. Today I'm sharing excerpts from The Captain and the Cheerleader. We'll be picking up where we left off last week. We know that Robin just bet my heroine Susan that she can't get the football coach Kurt Deveraux to ask her out.  The other teachers are also getting in on the betting. Kurt is coming into the teacher's lounge at the end of last week's excerpt.

Blurb:
Susan English can’t stand Robin Lanford! She’s so full of herself she irritates everyone on the faculty of Fairfield High. When Robin bets Susan fifty dollars that she can’t get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach, Susan jumps at the chance to put the little heifer in her place. She had no idea that teaching Robin a lesson would irrevocably change her life, strain treasured friendships, and throw two families into chaos.

Excerpt:

Kurt looked surprised to find so many teachers in the lounge. He probably was; on Friday the school usually emptied in a hurry.

“What’s up?” Kurt inquired of the room at large as he rounded the corner and turned toward his mailbox. “Why are you all so quiet?”

Susan spoke up before anyone else could answer. “Oh, we were talking about the game tonight. Are we going to beat Middleton?”

Kurt grinned and made Susan’s heart pick up a little speed. Bet every other woman in the room had the same reaction. Could any woman alive resist Kurt Deveraux’s smile? 

***

I got some print copies of the book today, and they look lovely. In person the cover is even prettier than it is on the computer screen. If I've captured your attention, you can get your copy of the book at:

http://amzn.to/1NDgnrg

The Captain and the Cheerleader

Now that we've learned a bit about the English and the Deveraux families, let's have some excerpts. This is the beginning of the book.

One

Robin Landford swept into the room and plopped down into an orange plastic chair beside Susan English. “I think Kurt Deveraux is gay.”

It was Friday afternoon, but Robin’s statement halted the teacher exodus from the faculty lounge.

“Why do you say that, Robin?” Susan asked. Yeah, her voice sounded chilly and a bit snooty, but she couldn’t help herself. Robin was fresh out of college and seemed to think she was God’s gift to men; she flirted with anything in pants. This annoying little creature had probably made a play for Kurt’s attention and been rejected. 

Of course, in Robin’s defense, she’d have to say that not many women could ignore Kurt Deveraux. There might be a man somewhere who had more sex appeal than the blond, blue-eyed coach, but Susan doubted it.

She watched as Robin tossed her hair and pouted. “If I can’t get his attention he isn’t interested in women.” 


Annoying, isn't she? And things only get worse.

Blurb:
Susan English can’t stand Robin Lanford! She’s so full of herself she irritates everyone on the faculty of Fairfield High. When Robin bets Susan fifty dollars that she can’t get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach, Susan jumps at the chance to put the little heifer in her place. She had no idea that teaching Robin a lesson would irrevocably change her life, strain treasured friendships, and throw two families into chaos.

Buy link:
http://amzn.to/1NDgnrg

Beyond the Book: The Captain and the Cheerleader

Last week we discussed cheerleading because my heroine was once a cheerleader. I intended to talk about football today because my hero was the captain of the football team when he was in high school. I guess, though, that most people have a good idea about the pros and cons of football so I thought we'd do something else. Today, I think I'll introduce you to both Kurt and Susan's families.

The English Family
Susan and her family originally lived in Arizona where her father coached high school football until he retired. After Susan visited Fairfield, she loved it so much she moved there and got a teaching job at Fairfield High. Her parents also moved to Fairfield a few years later.

Bill English, Susan's father, now works at Super Mart the local discount store. Marjorie, Susan's mother, is in charge of the bakery in Chef's Pantry, the largest grocery store in Fairfield. The whole community loves her delicious baked treats. Susan has one brother Tyler who is going to the local community college.

On the outside they look like a happy family, and they are, but Bill English has some deep rooted issues that Kurt and Susan's relationship will bring to light.

The Deverauxs

Kurt's family always lived in Fairfield. His father George owns a small grocery store near the high school, and his mother works at the local library. They're proud of Kurt who set a goal for himself and worked until he achieved it. They're also proud of the high school team's record. Kurt is a good coach.

Kurt has one sister, Sheila, who's eleven years younger than he is. Sheila is a handful at the best of times, but when she finds out about Kurt and Susan she rebels against her family and friends and is definitely hanging out with the wrong crowd.

Well? What do you think? I hope you like the sound of these two families. Trust me; sparks are gonna fly all which ways before the end of the book.

Buy link: http://amzn.to/1NDgnrg.

Saturday Sample The Captain and the Cheerleader

 Welcome to Saturday Sample. Today is the last excerpt from The Captain and the Cheerleader. If you've enjoyed the book so far, you can buy it Amazon http://amzn.to/1NDgnrg, Barnes and Noble, and most other retail outlets. Any book store can order a paper copy for you. Next week we'll begin Fortuna, a romantic comedy that's partly based on things that happened to either me or my family.

Blurb:
Susan English can’t stand Robin Lanford! She’s so full of herself she irritates everyone on the faculty of Fairfield High. When Robin bets Susan fifty dollars that she can’t get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach, Susan jumps at the chance to put the little heifer in her place. She had no idea that teaching Robin a lesson would irrevocably change her life, strain treasured friendships, and throw two families into chaos.

We know the Susan won her bet with Robin when Kurt asked her to go to a party with him. Unfortunately, they drank too much and ended up sleeping together which didn't please Susan at all. She begged Kurt to take her home, and in today's excerpt they've just reached Susan's house.Kurt has assured Susan that he doesn't make a habit of making love to women in no condition to say no, but he already wanted her, so the tequila pushed him over the edge. He also asked if they could continue seeing each other, not for sex but because they had a good time. 

EXCERPT:

She stayed in the bathroom for a long time even though she knew Kurt was waiting for her. Maybe she’d get lucky and he’d move to Alaska or Africa, anywhere far, far away. He could say anything he wanted, but it didn’t change a thing. She had still humiliated herself and done something that appalled her. Oh, imagine what he really thought!

Footsteps sounded in her bedroom. Kurt knocked on the bathroom door and called, “Susan? Are you okay?”

With a big sigh, Susan opened the door.

Kurt studied her face. “You look kind of pale. I know you had something to tell me, but maybe we should wait until you feel better. I’ll help you to bed

if you like. I think you need to sleep a little while longer.”

A reprieve! Putting things off did no good, but that’s exactly what she’d do. “Bed sounds good.”

Kurt turned back the bedcovers for her and patted the side of the bed. “Sit down and I’ll take your boots off.”

Susan’s stomach quivered at the thought of bending over to tug on her boots. She sat and stuck out her foot.

Kurt wrestled the boots off, and she fell back onto the bed. It felt so soft, and it was blessedly quiet in the room. “Don’t go,” she mumbled. “I want to talk to you when I wake up.”

~* ~
Kurt watched as Susan’s eyes closed. Where did
she expect him to stay? With her? Well, why not? They’d already spent a night together. He took off his shoes and shirt and got under the covers with Susan. Before long he too fell asleep, lulled by the soft silence in the room.

Snippet Sunday and Weekend Writing Warriors

Happy Valentine's Day and welcome to Snippet Sunday and Weekend Writing Warriors, your chance to sample the work of a talented group of authors. Once you finish here you can find more samples at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SnippetSunday/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SnippetSunday/

Here's a blurb.

Blurb:
 Susan English can’t stand Robin Lanford! She’s so full of herself she irritates everyone on the faculty of Fairfield High. When Robin bets Susan fifty dollars that she can’t get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach, Susan jumps at the chance to put the little heifer in her place. She had no idea that teaching Robin a lesson would irrevocably change her life, strain treasured friendships, and throw two families into chaos.

Last week Kurt had just told his friend Jason that Susan English gave him a compliment in the faculty lounge, and Jason asked him if he still thought Susan was hot, and we found out Kurt had starting seeing Aleisha Childs. Kurt speaks first.

EXCERPT

"I like Aleisha, but Susan can put her in the shade. And before you ask, I have no idea if Aleisha and I are serious about each other.”

Jason picked up the tea pitcher and refilled Kurt’s glass. “You don’t have to tell me you like Susan’s looks. I’ve seen the way you stare at her when you think nobody’s watching. Especially her legs. You’ve always noticed a woman’s legs.”

Kurt cursed his fair skin as his face burned. “I think she’s a classy, elegant woman, and you’re right about her legs. They’re slender and about a mile long.” 

Buy link:http://amzn.to/1NDgnrg