Jill Hughey

Make Me Surrender – a special first meeting excerpt

Jill Hughey — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 11:00:46 +0000

Today I welcome Tina Donahue for a special installment of First Sight Saturday – on a Tuesday! Tina was kind enough to help me out with my cover reveal last week, so I’m returning the favor today with her story, Make Me Surrender, part of the “Brought To His Knees” boxed set. Based on the cover, I don’t think any of these men are kneeling in prayer. Tina’s fun fact is that she is a true chocoholic, and she is never giving it up!

SETUP OF THE SCENE:

She has a proposition…to win their attention, passion, hearts.

For over a year, Mercy’s had her eye on Travis and Dutch, two of the hottest guys on the Oregon coast. Dark and dangerously virile, Travis owns a saloon that caters to bikers. Dutch looks like one, right down to his impressive tats, and operates a motorcycle repair shop on the premises.

When a position opens in the saloon’s kitchen, Mercy sees a way to be near these sinfully sexy men, wanting the job and lodging, her cabin snuggled between theirs. This is the scene when she arrives to move in to the property.

EXCERPT:

She forced herself to take a deep breath and held it as the greenery opened up, showing the southern end of the old motel’s property.

“Ready?” Jill breathed, sounding excited.

Mercy wanted to throw up. The only time she’d seen this place was at night when she’d had the courage to drive by quickly and unnoticed. Afraid if Travis or Dutch saw her, they might think she was stalking them.

“Mercy?”

She nodded. “Let’s do it.”

The pickup rounded a bend. Nestled within the monstrous trees were a series of rustic cabins, their construction simple, square footage modest. They stood on either side of the largest structure, surely four times their size. It had a bold sign over the door, marking it as Smooth Rider Saloon. To its right was the motorcycle repair shop, its sign less impressive.

The guys’ pickups were parked in front of cabins Mercy guessed belonged to them. She didn’t see either man on the grounds.

Jill pulled onto the expansive front lot. Gravel crunched beneath the pickup’s tires and pinged against its undercarriage. She elbowed Mercy. “Look.”

Her heart leapt. “What?” She pushed up in her seat, expecting to see Dutch and Travis striding toward them.

The only thing that moved was the thick foliage stirred by the gentle breeze.

“That cabin. Way over there.” Jill pointed.

It was snuggled in trees and shadows, no signs of life around. “What about it?”

“Do you think they have their orgies there?”

Mercy barked a nervous laugh. “Only if they don’t invite more than one other person besides themselves. Look at how small it is.” She recalled how big Travis and Dutch were. Sweat prickled the back of her neck.

“Maybe they do it outside,” Jill said.

Or in the saloon after hours. Before Mercy lost her nerve, she left the cab and headed for the building, her cowgirl boots stirring up small whorls of dust. Shading her eyes against the lowered sun, she regarded the saloon’s windows, half-expecting to see Dutch and Travis watching her.

They weren’t.

Disappointment and uncertainty knotted her stomach. She motioned Jill over and whispered, “Are we early?”

“Nope,” she hushed. “Right on time.”

“Do you think they forgot?” Already? Barely six hours had passed since she’d propositioned them.

“They wouldn’t do that to you,” Jill assured, rubbing Mercy’s back. “Why are we whispering?”

Mercy felt like an unwelcomed intruder. As though she’d stumbled onto the guys while they crawled all over another woman.

Aw crud, they couldn’t be with someone now, could they? That would be too awful. She’d never recover from that humilia—

Her thoughts halted at the sound of footfalls. Not on gravel. On wood.

Like a well-rehearsed dance team, Mercy and Jill turned to the left. Beyond the saloon was a cabin Mercy hadn’t noticed. Travis and Dutch crossed its brief porch, filled trash bags in each hand, their chests tantalizingly bare.

“God,” Jill whispered.

Mercy leaned into her friend for support, dizzy at the sight of all those male muscles.

END OF EXCERPT

There’s plenty more lustiness, but I try to keep this blog rated PG, so go grab a copy of the “Brought To His Knees” boxed set for as much steam as you can handle! You can find it at almost any retailer you can think of, linked below.

Amazon Barnes and Noble iTunes

Smashwords Kobo Goodreads

If you’d like to learn more about Tina Donahue, visit her at these sites.

Website Facebook Fan Page Amazon Author Page

Tina and I both welcome your questions and comments. Come back this Saturday for another first meeting excerpt!

Jill Hughey’s Books

Jill Hughey — Sun, 19 Jan 2014 17:57:00 +0000

Here they are! Every Jill Hughey Romance book available! I created this post – copied it from my Love Historicals page to be honest – to reduce the clutter on the home page of the blog. Every book is here, and the icons beneath lead directly to the individual book at your vendor of choice.

The books in the Evolution Series in chronological order are Unbidden, Second Love: A Short Historical Romance Story, Redeemed, Vain, and Little Witch. The Evolution Series is set what we now know as France and Bavaria in the years after Charlemagne’s death. There is also an Evolution Series Bundle that contains every story except Little Witch.

Way down at the bottom of the post you will find my sweet American historical romance, Sass Meets Class.

The Evolution Series consists of five stories in this chronological order:

Unbidden

When the emperor chooses a husband for Rochelle, she tries to drive her betrothed away, but by the time she realizes she might want to keep him, she has been too successful and other forces are dividing them as well. Will she trade her beloved estate to earn David’s love?

A whirling romance in the enchanting world of Charlemagne’s Empire in which a reluctant heroine and “drool-worthy” hero engage in a battle of wills. Unbidden is currently free at most ebook vendors and is Jill’s first audiobook release!

Second Love: A Short Historical Romance Story

Second Love is a SHORT STORY of about 10,500 meticulously crafted words. It is volume 1.5 in the Evolution Series, chronologically falling between the last chapter and the epilogue of Unbidden.

When Ingrid helps a noblewoman escape, she is sure her master’s retribution will be severe. Instead, the woman and her husband quickly return to offer the widow and her young son protection far away in Francia. Their new home provides comfort and stability but does not relieve her inner shame at what she’d done to survive. Certain she does not deserve a second love, she resists the yearnings of her heart and discourages a worthy suitor.

A story told through a year of seasons, Second Love unites a man and a woman who both have pieces of their pasts they would rather forget.

Redeemed

Can a quiet widow help a damaged, secretive man find redemption?

Doeg has only two requirements in a wife and upon meeting Philantha he knows she is the one who will fulfill them. However, she has a requirement of her own that tests and eventually breaks the barriers Doeg has maintained around himself for decades. They struggle during the day to revitalize his estate while the night-time awakening of their passion leads to binding love and redemption beyond their wildest imaginings. When an unexpected threat to Philantha emerges, Doeg rises to the challenge, throwing off the shackles of his past once and for all.

Travel to Bavaria in 834 where Redeemed combines the best elements of historical romance with an exciting new setting. Book Two in the Evolution Series

Vain

Lily had her life planned, neat and tidy as thread on a spindle, until her mother died and her father snipped at the seams of her future by abandoning Lily in their shop. A nobleman unexpectedly gives her hope when he brings fabric for a special garment. Lily survives on his first payment, and immerses herself in sewing and embroidering an incomparable tunic for him, as her tidy plan continues to unravel.

Theophilus, Lord of Ribeauville, takes his responsibility to his townspeople seriously and, therefore, does not dally with local women. Desire wars with duty when Lily glances up at him while adjusting the hem on his Easter tunic. As her deteriorating circumstances push them together, Theo and Lily learn that the path to his heart just might be through his wardrobe, though the exquisite outfit she creates is the only part of her that fits in his precarious aristocratic world.

Little Witch: Historical Romance Novella

The night is dark. The moon is bright. She brings his heart into her light.

The fifth book in the Evolution Series and a 49,000 word historical romance novella.

A vicious neighbor uses a series of coincidences to label Salena as the local moon-charmer, making her an outcast in rural Francia. When Salena encounters her brother’s childhood friend, Nox, out on business for the Lord of Ribeauville, she fears he will accept the locals’ tales about her, especially since they relate to the death of his family a decade before. He is, instead, as charmed by her as she is by him.

Nox’s sympathy for Salena evolves into affection in spite of his strict rule against close ties with people. Afraid to risk another loss like that of his youth, he abruptly ends their relationship, unaware that Salena has already been downtrodden by her father denying her request to venture farther out into the world.

A threat to Salena’s family prompts her to run away in the hopes of protecting those she loves while forging a new path for her life. Too late, Nox discovers that she has also run away with his scarred heart.

The Evolution Series Bundle

This single purchase contains Unbidden, Redeemed, and Vain, with Second Love: A Short Historical Romance Story as a bonus! This is definitely the most cost effective way to get most of the Evolution Series, plus you can read straight through all four romances without being pulled away to visit your favorite ebook vendor!

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Sass Meets Class

I’ve also written a light, sweet romance, Sass Meets Class, set in 1880s Arizona Territory that one reviewer described as “Mr. Darcy in the Wild West.”

Conversation gets pricklier than a cactus and desert temperatures are bound to rise when American common sense meets British nobility in Arizona Territory.

Susan Mellott doesn’t pay much attention to the outlandish Englishman who joins her family for the last leg of their overland journey She considers Alexander Dorcester a source of bowing and boot-polishing amusement until he helps scare off a couple of curious Apaches on their last day on the trail. The Brits and her paths part in Gateway, and even though she knows he will be visiting his parents just five miles away, her family’s new general store requires so much attention she mostly forgets about the Redcoat. Until he arrives to do some shopping with his oh-so-proper mother. He returns alone the next month, then again the week after, and the week after. Not sure of his intentions, Susan decides to encourage Alex a little. Next thing she knows, he’s bolted for England.

Or has he? Time and distance and secrets cannot end a friendship that is meant to be love.

Sass Meets Class. A sweet romance in which two mismatched people discover they are just what the other needs.

Outrageous Pride on First Sight Saturday

Jill Hughey — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 13:00:00 +0000

Each week I welcome a guest author to share an excerpt of a first meeting. Today, Gem Sivad brings us a snippet of her American historical romance, Outrageous Pride. Gem’s fun fact is that she loves horses!

Here is the setup of the scene: Irish bare-knuckle boxer Kellan Lonigan is in Texas inspecting his investments when he engineers a meeting with Natalia Fitzwilliam, a young lady he soon decides is fated to be his wife. They meet in the local town Mercantile.

EXCERPT:

”Tá tú iontach álainn,” you are verra beautiful, Kell muttered in Gaelic when he looked upon the vision of loveliness crouched on the floor.

“What?” she asked, giving him a perplexed stare from eyes the sweet, clear blue of a summer sky over the River Lagan. Instead of accurately translating, Kell squatted in front of her and brushed his fingers across the smudge on her nose.

“A wee speck of dirt has taken up residence here.” He could see the incongruity of his scarred knuckles against her delicate flesh, and it surprised him that she didn’t flinch from his big paw. When he removed the streak of dust and unnecessarily dragged the back of his hand across her flushed cheek, nothing had ever felt as exquisite as the silken skin beneath his calloused touch.

“You’re Kellan Lonigan, Edge Grayson’s friend,” she said in a husky whisper.

“That I am,” he agreed. “And you would be…?” He waited for her response, watching rose colored lips form her answer.

“Tali. Natalia Fitzwilliam.” Her dark brows and darker lashes accented the warmth in her expressive eyes as she introduced herself.

Bluidy hell. As Kell savored the look of her moist pink lips, the dimples that indented each rosy cheek and the tiny creased laugh lines fanning from the corners of her beautiful eyes, his usually quite sensible cock became unruly. And then the miscreant reared its foolish head, unfurled into full stance, and left him shifting from thigh to thigh, trying to disguise his condition.

“An bhfuil tu posta?”he murmured.

“That’s very rude you know,” she scolded him. His face flooded with color and then he almost collapsed in relief when she added, “Speaking in a language I can’t understand.”

“Is it now?” He felt a bit hoarse and struggled to get out something sensible that wouldn’t scare her away. “I’ve lived by meself for a bit and forgotten the niceties of getting along. Are you married is what I ask.”

“I’m not wed yet, but will be soon.” Her cheeks took on an even rosier glow as she shook her head.

“So yer betrothed; what is the name of this lucky man?” Insanely, he thought of hunting the fellow down and persuading him to move on. Then, of course, he cast that idea aside as barbaric and unworthy of such as her. Still…

Her blush deepened. “My engagement isn’t official.”

“Ahh…” He looked at her thoughtfully. Reprieve. She hadn’t spoken a name, so perhaps some gobshite was toying with her affections.

“Bluidy fool to let one such as yerself go unclaimed. Were you mine…” He stopped, realizing that he’d said too much, leaned too close, and blabbered the wrong things.

END OF EXCERPT

You can find Gem Sivad and Outrageous Pride at the following links:

Web / Twitter / FB / Amazon / GR /

Gem and I welcome your questions and comments. I hope you’ll come back every Saturday for a first meeting excerpt from a new guest author.

One Bad Day on First Sight Saturday

Jill Hughey — Sat, 07 Sep 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Edie Hart visits today with her short contemporary romance One Bad Day. Any day that you have to wear a tacky costume is a bad day. Read on!

BOOK BLURB: Tessa is having one seriously bad day. After agreeing to dress as a cheesy mascot at a convention for her boss, her clothes get stolen, she gets chased through a sinister parking garage, and her apartment gets broken into and turned upside down.

Gray, an off-duty police officer, can’t resist the sexy legs he sees in costume at a hotel convention. When he catches sight of her running for her life through a dark car lot, he’s determined to find out what her story is and ends up promising to keep Tessa safe…even if that means taking her home with him.

EXCERPT

Gray stepped outside of the hotel ballroom hoping the air would be cooler out there. He hated stuffy gatherings. Hell, he hated weddings. How two people could think they’d love each other forever was beyond him. Gray didn’t do love. Which was why he was stag at a co-worker’s wedding. He’d originally planned to invite Monique, but several months back she’d become demanding and talked about moving into his place with hearts and flowers in her eyes. So he’d ended it. Deep down, he’d known that she didn’t really want him. She wanted any warm body that would take care of her. She had slowly been trying to mold him into some GQ tycoon, telling him what to wear, how to act, and even going as far as telling him what he needed to do career-wise.

A loud crash on the other side of the hall caught Gray’s attention. In the open ballroom across the way he saw legs. Glorious legs in strappy high heels. The beautiful legs were tangled on the floor and attached to an ass that was just as gorgeous. After taking a closer look, Gray realized that above the amazing ass was an enormous, white light bulb-shaped head with blue googly eyes. It had blonde hair and wore a glittery purple hat. The tangled-up legs and heels were flailing around in a pile of what looked like empty light bulb boxes. Several gentlemen nearby were quick to help Legs get her feet beneath her. From their smiles and laughter he could tell that they were all quite happy to be of assistance. Gray didn’t blame them.

He watched Legs find her balance in those high heels, and with a little wiggle and tug of her skirt she went on her way.

END OF EXCERPT

Here are links to the places you can find One Bad Day.

Book Links:

To follow Edie Hart, visit these sites.

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Sweet Lenora on First Sight Saturday

Jill Hughey — Sat, 17 Aug 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Today we have an interesting excerpt from a historical romance novella by Ute Carbone called Sweet Lenora. I say “interesting” because it is written in the first person point of view, and uses some antique word choices that make the reader really move back in time. Fun stuff!

SETUP OF THE SCENE: Lenora Brewer has stowed away on the Sweet Lenora. She’s been found out and, after stopping some of the crew from accosting her, Anton Bourdreaux has her taken to his cabin. This is the first time they speak to one another.

EXCERPT

I was in the captain’s quarters, of that I had no doubt. Which meant that the dark haired man was none other than the infamous Captain Anton Boudreaux. Curious to find out more, I went to the log. Not much was writ on the page, merely records of what the ship carried and the weather when she had set sail. Frustrated by such a lack, I sat back in the chair then bolted out again as the cabin door flew open. The black haired man stood on the threshold, examining me with his coal dark eyes. His look suggested he would like nothing better than to tear me limb from limb, and I shrank back against the wall. He stepped inside and pulled the door shut behind him.

For all of Aunt Louise’s insistence that I was a wanton and wild woman who ran afoul of manners, his actions shocked me. I had never stood alone in a room with a member of the opposite sex, much less a room that was a bedroom, and much less a member as handsome and with a reputation such as the one who stood before me now.

His fiery countenance turned my knees to water. He walked to the desk and closed the ledger, then stared at me with a scowl for agood long minute that seemed to stretch to an hour. I wilted under his gaze. He was far taller than I, with broad shoulders, and I was frightened of him and desired him at the same time.

One suitor of mine had been daring enough to kiss me in the apple grove. I remembered the kiss as stirring, and though I protested it at the time, a warm feeling had overcome me. It was nothing compared to the feeling that inhabited me now. Heat stung at me and left me feeling pliable in body, my face flushed.

Yet what choice had I but to stand my ground? I straightened my spine and with all the bravado I could muster to my bones, I returned his unflinching stare.

It gave me the opportunity to examine him. He was, I could see, not much older than I. His hair was black as a raven’s wing and waved back from a high forehead. His face was bronzed, chiseled and handsome, with lines about the eyes from days spent in the sun. And those eyes! Dark as midnight were they, with a depth one could fall into.

My stare had an effect. Although the scowl did not leave his face, he blinked, sighed, and went to sit at a chair near his berth. “What am I to do with you?” he muttered under his breath.

“Allow me safe passage?”

“And why, pray tell, should I do such a thing? You are a stowaway. By rights, I ought feed you to the sharks.”

“By rights, perhaps. But you are too fine a gentleman to throw an unarmed girl overboard.”

The remark made him smile, though only briefly. “I am no gentleman. If I were, I would bid you to cover yourself.”

The men had ripped the laces of my gown. The bodice hung low, revealing the curve of my breast. Boudreaux stared at the space between them and I wondered that he did it to shame me. I pulled the torn fabric up to cover myself and felt the bloom of heat on my face. The captain handed me a blanket. “You see, you are a gentleman after all,” I said.

“Being as your naiveté invites trouble, I have no choice in the matter.” He eyed the ledger I so recently had read. “I did not think ladies were given to spying.”

“I was hardly spying. Besides, what makes you think I am a lady?” I had grown more comfortable in his presence. His giving me a blanket proved to me that he meant me no harm. And his eyes had softened somewhat.

“You wear silk. I presume you can read. Someone is no doubt looking for you, so I cannot throw you to the crew or the fish.”

“You see, you are honorable after all.”

“Nay. I have no honor.”

“Yet you protect me from the crew and the fish.”

“’Tis my duty to keep order on board my ship. You cause chaos.” He circled close to me, close enough that I could feel the warmth of his skin. I thought he might kiss me, a foolish notion I invited to keep me company despite my knowing it for the fantasy it was. “So who is it that looks for you?”

“Why would anyone look for me?”

“You have run away. It suggests you are wanted. And that you would rather not be found. You may be naïve, but I doubt you are witless. You risked your very life stowing aboard my ship.”

“I had little choice.”

“And I have little choice but to see you given back to whomever you’ve run from. Since we are already well under way, I shall have to keep you until we reach San Francisco.”

“You will offer me your protection?”

“Long as you warrant it. You’ll stay in the cabin. Unless you would like your virtue compromised by my crew. They will be all too happy to serve in such a capacity.” With this, he bowed and left the cabin. My pulse raced at the thought of his return.

END OF EXCERPT

Oh, the memories of cutting my reading teeth on Kathleen Woodiwiss’s seafaring tale The Flame and the Flower. I’m sure you are eager to stow away with your own copy of Sweet Lenora, so here are the places you can find it!

Sweet Lenora Buy Links:

And if you want to learn more about author Ute Carbone, visit with here here:

Web page: http://www.utecarbone.com/

Blog: http://ute-carbone.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ute-Carbone/234417796596443

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wildwords2

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5114798.Ute_Carbone

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Ute-Carbone/e/B005G7U8RM/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Telling Stories (available daily via Paper Li): http://paper.li/Wildwords2/1355247882?utm_source=subscription&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=paper_sub#

Thanks for stopping by today. I share an excerpt from a guest every Saturday so sail back this direction next week!

Little Witch – A First Meeting

Jill Hughey — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 11:00:00 +0000

The next (last?) story in my Evolution Series of historical romances set in Charlemagne’s Empire will be released soon. Since I have a regular feature on my blog sharing first meetings, I decided to share this meeting from Little Witch: Historical Romance Novella, between the hero, Nox, and heroine, Salena.

EXCERPT

As Salena rounded a bend in a road that was little more than two rutted tracks worn by the rare cart, a patch of blue color on the hillside startled her enough to make her halt. Though the sun shone brilliant with the promise of spring, winter’s muted colors still dressed the land, making that flash of azure even more shocking. She thought for a moment it might be a kingfisher, except this blue did not wheel away. It roosted on the side of the hill, too large to be a bird, gradually becoming part of a cloak with a man sitting inside it, his curly brown hair hard to discern against the tangle of brush surrounding him.

Salena did not recognize the man. He sat with his back mostly to her, arms braced on bent knees. She did not know him. She should turn away before he noticed her.

He dropped his chin to his forearm. There was something forlorn yet intense about him as he stared forward.

She moved her head to one side and was just able to see the rooftop of a small cottage. Sydney’s old place, she thought. She squinted at the man’s profile. Despite what Dina claimed, not all of Sydney’s family had died in 837 from the illness supposedly caused by Salena’s tantrum. Nox, the eldest son and Grant’s best friend, had survived, though she had not set eyes on him since. After he had been orphaned, as the little community reeled from the epidemic, he had been taken in by the Lord of Ribeauville, brought into the grand household as a servant, and rarely seen by any of his old neighbors. Even Grant had only crossed paths with him three or four times in eleven years. Just like Grant, he would be a grown man now, though Salena’s last memory of him was as a lanky, cheerful fourteen-year-old.

She stepped forward, still cautious, craning her neck for a view sufficient to confirm her suspicion. He looked so sad and alone on the hillside as he pondered the house where he had probably been born, now long occupied by a man named Burke and his family.

The snort of a horse made her gasp and jump. The young man’s head swung first to the left, where the horse must be, then to the right where he immediately spotted her, frozen in an awkward stance, one foot behind the other, ready to run, eyes wide and alert, heart pounding against her breastbone.

She was alone.

She was not sureshe knew him.

People around here did not, as a rule, like her very much.

She and the stranger studied one another warily until his face broke into a tentative smile. “Salena?” he asked, as he rolled spryly to his feet.

Her breath hitched. The fact that he recognized and remembered her deserved some contemplation. She watched as he stepped down the hill to the road, brushing bits of crushed dry leaves from his cloak as he walked.

Perhaps he had heard the stories. Perhaps he had spent the last eleven years blaming her for making him an orphan, though he probably wouldn’t be smiling at her if he had.

He strode toward her and touched a large hand to his chest. “I am Nox, Grant’s old friend. You have to be Salena. No one else could have eyes like yours.”

She backed up a step, startled by his words and his aggressive approach. He stopped as he recognized her fear. His grin faded. A flash of hurt feelings chilled his pleasant brown eyes.

“I…I am sorry,” she stuttered. “I was not expecting to meet anyone and, at first, I did not recognize you.” Now that she did recognize him, she found the familiarity of his face somehow endearing. She finally recalled how to smile. “Hello, Nox. It is very nice to see you again.”

Her belated greeting pleased him. He scanned her from the top of her veiled head to the toes of her old shoes and back up again. “You have grown up.”

“So have you,” she said, glad she had worn the natural wool cloak that Firmina said made her face very pretty. She interpreted that to mean it made her eyes less shocking.

He flushed. “Are you out on an errand or for pleasure?”

“I’m on a walk. Grant has married and sometimes I feel like an extra piece of furniture at home,” she said, realizing too late that she probably sounded like a petulant child. “I like his wife very much,” she rushed on.

“I had not heard,” he said. “That he was married, I mean.”

“Oh.” She wondered if they should have invited Nox to the wedding. His life was so entirely separate from theirs now that the idea had not occurred to any of them, to her knowledge. “His wife is called Firmina. She is the prettiest, smartest girl around.”

He smiled again, and she noticed a dashing cleft in his chin. “Grant would attract the best.”

She smirked at his teasing tone. “He was a trial as an older brother, but has grown into a good man,” she admitted. He asked about her parents and she assured him they were well also. Then they stood there, feet shifting awkwardly. “What brings you to your old home?” she asked, partly to keep the conversation going, and partly to feed her curiosity.

He glanced over his shoulder at the little cottage, apparently empty, its residents probably out working one of the fields of their manse. When he looked back at her, she sensed again a deep sadness in him despite the hint of a smile still intact on his face. “You have caught me stealing a moment away from my duties,” he said briskly. “I am bid by my lord to discover what I can about a property dispute.” He paused. “Why, it involves your father, doesn’t it? Your father and a neighbor named Artemas? Since the plot of ground is so close I thought I would have a look at my old place.” He turned again, unable to stop looking at his childhood home.

She stepped forward to get a better view. A memory teased her then clarified. Grant — just a boy then — was running down the path to the cottage, looking much as it did today, followed by Nox who was chased by his little brother, Diem. Diem stood a hand shorter but in every other way was an accurate reflection of Nox. Salena had trailed well behind, the smallest, youngest, and worst of all, a girl begging to be included. Nox and Diem’s mother had laughed from the doorway as the boys’ taunting hoots echoed from far away. She had waved at Salena, calling her in to give her a sweet ring of dried apple. “Do not worry,” she had whispered. “One day my boys will be following you, hoping for a hint of a smile.”

Though normally hardened against people and memories, Salena thought she might burst into tears. She wished she could place the memory in time. All she knew for certain was that it had happened before. Before neighbors accused her of sickening people with her anger and killing people she had liked.

“I remember them,” she blurted.

He inhaled sharply but she could not stop her words now that the thought was in her head. “Your mother always took pity on me because you boys did not like playing with a girl. I remember Diem used to spit at me to try to make me go away. He could spit farther than you or Grant.” She gave a sad laugh. “He always wanted the two of you to himself. One day when you hid from him he was stuck with me and he taught me to spit. You should have seen his face when I spit all the way from the door to the side of the road.”

Nox’s face was still averted, his eyes trained on the house. “I can picture him.” His voice wavered.

She should not have spoken of his family. “It must be very difficult for you,” she said.

He cleared his throat. “What must be?”

“To, um, to have people to miss for the rest of your life.”

His head pivoted abruptly so he could look at her. For a brief, excruciating moment, all the shields a person carried against others dropped away from him. She saw him as he must have looked on the day his last family member died, leaving him devastated and terrified and alone.

“I am sorry,” she blurted. “I should not speak of those times. My memories must just make it harder.”

He lifted a hand to stop her. “No.” He cleared his throat again. “I liked your story. Diem really taught you to spit?” he asked cautiously.

“He did, though I have not practiced for years, I assure you.”

He chuckled. “It is nice to meet someone who remembers and, maybe, understands.”

END OF EXCERPT

If you are not familiar with the Evolution Series, you can find links to all the books here on my blog page. I’ll be announcing the release of Little Witch here and on Facebook.

Lynbrook’s Lady on First Sight Saturday

Jill Hughey — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Today on First Sight Saturday, Allison Knight shares an excerpt from her historical romance Lynbrook’s Lady.

Setup of the scene: After the death of her father, Abby Whitmore is ordered to England by her half-brother, family she didn’t know she had. He told her to wait for him, but he hasn’t shown up yet and

her merger funds are almost gone. She doesn’t know what to do. Enter an acquaintance of her brother who has no idea who she is and has a bone to pick with her brother. He decides to get even, as he says, “a mistress for a mistress.”

EXCERPT

“Bodkins, we’ll go to the young woman, and you can introduce me. Tell her that I’ll be delighted to offer aid. Yes,” he added when Bodkins hesitated, “we’ll go and assure her that we can help. In fact, I can’t wait to discuss her future.”

Brad didn’t even try to conceal the pleasure he felt. A mistress for a mistress, he told himself as he started for the door. If she was all that desirable, he would give her the house Rosemarie occupied. Women loved clothes. He’d outfit her like a queen.

Brad preceded Bodkins up the stairs to the third floor, then stood waiting for the man. The woman who opened the door to Bodkins was more than attractive. She was stunning, absolutely beautiful. Her face shone like fresh cream, no splotches, no ghastly white countenance. He’d describe her as small boned, delicate, and he suspected the top of her head would fit nicely on his shoulder. He stared into an elfin face with large, dark eyes, full of fear. Bodkins, he decided, was a master of understatement.

Bodkins presented him, and he stepped forward. “Let me assure you I mean you no harm. My man has told me a bit of your plight, and I believe I can help.” Brad watched as she hesitated.

He rushed to add, “Miss, I am Bradford St. James. I am acquainted with Carrington, and I believe I can help with this difficult situation in which you find yourself. Lady… Miss…”

He waited for her to supply the name. The woman glanced at Bodkins, standing to the left, then turned back to him. Brad waited several seconds before she gave him a fragile smile, hope lighting her bright blue eyes.

“You know Harry Whitmore, the Earl of Carrington? Sir, I will accept your help, and my name is Abigail Moore,” she said, her voice whisper soft. “My friends call me Abby. Your man says you are an earl, as well.”

Brad nodded and smiled at the sound of her voice. Her well- modulated tones suggested some education. A whiff of her fragrance, a delicate scent of wild flowers, teased his senses, and he felt a sudden rush of desire. “May I call you Abby? I would like to be your friend.”

He glanced at the tiny chamber. She couldn’t be comfortable here. “Won’t you join me in my suite? I thought that perhaps you would be willing to join me for a meal. Bodkins can serve as chaperon.”

He gave her time to consider his offer and watched her cheeks flame as she weighed her options. He stood, waiting patiently, knowing if she was a lady, she could answer in only one way. “All right, sir, I’ll join you for dinner.”

Brad hid his grin. So, she wasn’t a lady. Well, that made things so much easier. He turned around and nodded to Bodkins. Damn, but the sight of her had sent a surge of lust through him. He waited for her to precede him down the stairs.

END OF EXCERPT

Lynbrook’s Lady was just released this week! It is available at http://www.champagnebooks.com/ and http://www.amazon.com/.

If you’d like to continue to follow Allison Knight, here are some places on the web to find her:

Website: http://www.allisonknight.com/Knight.com

Blog: http://www.allisonknight.blogspot.com/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/HistoricalAllie

A Child’s Heart on First Sight Saturday

Jill Hughey — Sat, 29 Jun 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Every week on First Sight Saturday, a guest shares a first meeting between two characters. This week, E. Ayers visits with her contemporary romance A Child’s Heart, which also has strong mainstream elements. This book is Trent and Cassie’s story and is a River City Novel.

EXCERPT:

Trent Callahan intended to fill the day with a few pleasant memories of his four-year-old son, and he was not about to have this day ruined over false advertising. He brought his son to see dinosaurs, and the child was going to see them.

He strode into the room to have a word with the museum curator, but what he saw made him want to gag. Mummified remains of small animals seemed to be everywhere, and in the middle of all of it was an Oshkosh-clad young woman with white-blonde hair. Trying not to stare at the dead creature next to him, he held his son’s hand a little tighter as he cleared his throat. “Excuse me. I was told I’d find the curator in here. It’s quite obvious that no one in this place seems to know anything.”

The young woman rose from her crouched position and smiled. Her eye color matched the denim blue of her overalls. Pulling a pair of gloves off and extending her hand to him, she politely answered, “I’m Cassandra Jones, the curator. How may I help you?”

Taken aback, he hesitated, then took her hand. Standing there without a trace of makeup, she looked very young, except for the crinkles around her eyes. He stammered, “You’re the curator?”

“Yes. Again, how may I help you?”

“We came to see the dinosaur exhibit, and I’m being told we can’t go into those rooms.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry. The exhibit officially opens to the public tomorrow. Tonight is the Dino Tread.”

“I can’t afford to come back tomorrow. I took today off from work to bring my son. According to the billboard, the exhibit opens today.”

Tears were brimming in the child’s eyes.

“I understand the confusion. The posters are more accurate than that billboard. Give me a moment to finish,” she replied with a broader smile, which made the lines around her eyes more noticeable.

He watched as she returned to what she was doing when he walked into the room. It was as if she were ignoring him, and his blood boiled. He looked down at Shawn, whose eyes were washed in tears that were starting to spill. “Don’t cry, Shawn,” he whispered. “I didn’t pay all this money for you to miss seeing the dinosaurs. You’re going to see them.”

“Daddy, I don’t like these ugly things.” Shawn pointed to a blacken figure. “I don’t want to stay here.”

Trent scooped his son into his arms. “It’s okay, they aren’t going to hurt you.”

The woman stood and then grabbed her keys off a shelf. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to keep you waiting.” She reached up and touched the boy’s arm. “What’s your name?”

“Shawn,” the boy replied shyly.

“That’s a wonderful name for a handsome young man.” She gazed up at Trent and blushed. “He’s as handsome as his father. Follow me.” They walked out of her office and down the hallway. “What’s your favorite dinosaur, Shawn?”

“Tyrannosaurus.” The boy bared his teeth and held out his hands to claw at the air.

She laughed. “That was a mean one, but not the meanest.” At the end of the hall, she ushered them through a door marked for employees only. The office was small, and there was an older women sitting behind the desk. “I need two guest passes for tonight’s event. Seat them at my table.” Thanking the woman for the tickets, she set out on another trek through the museum. She inserted a key into a door. “Please return tonight as my special guests.” She handed Trent the two passes. “I’m sure Shawn will enjoy the evening. It’s geared for children and their family.”

Trent could feel the anger slipping away as she smiled at him. Those tickets were worth almost as much as he made in a week, and her bright, friendly smile seemed genuine. Suddenly, he felt as if he were being asked on a date, and he knew he had to respond. He lowered his son to the floor, as she opened the door and flipped on some overhead lights. He swallowed and then answered, “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

Shawn’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Wow! Real dinosaurs!”

“You’ll see the whole exhibit tonight. There will be an hour tour of the exhibit and then dinner. Afterwards, we have several special educational events with lots of hands-on fun crafts. It’s all in the brochure with your tickets. If Shawn is allowed to stay up extra late, he can view the dinosaur movie. It starts at eight fifteen and runs for an hour and twenty minutes.”

Trent smiled at the curator and nodded, but suddenly his stomach filled with butterflies. It seemed as though he was back in junior high, and Cassandra Jones was the prettiest girl in class. He got a grip on his waning confidence and shoved his shoulders back, as he stood a little straighter. “I’ll be here at…” He looked at the brochure in his hands. “Five.”

“Come a few minutes early. And you never gave me your name.”

“Trent…Trent Callahan.”

The woman’s eyes grew wide. “Shawn Callahan? This is the famous Shawn Callahan?”

“I wouldn’t say famous.”

“It’s your son who is in need of heart surgery, right?”

“Yes. It’s scheduled for June first.” He could feel the broad smile as it crossed his face. “Riverton Chemicals and Petroleum raised the rest of the money he needed.”

“He looks perfectly healthy.”

“It’s a tough battle to keep him that way. The surgery will give him the opportunity to live a normal life.”

“Do you know Tate Bia?”

He nodded. “Yes. She’s been very active in helping to raise the money for Shawn.”

“She’ll be here tonight.”

“I owe her a huge debt of gratitude for what she’s done. She’s a friend of one of my neighbors, and her father is part of the team of doctors who will be doing the surgery.”

Shawn tugged on his dad’s pants and, in a panicked whisper, said, “I need to tinkle.”

The lovely blonde gazed at the little boy. “Follow me.”

“Sorry. One of his meds creates an urgency.”

“The mens room is right there. I’ll see you this evening.”

END OF EXCERPT

What a great Dad! I’ll bet he will also make a wonderful man for Cassandra to fall in love with. You can find A Child’s Heart at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

If you’d like to find E. Ayers on the web, here are some links.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1297251502

Twitter: @ayersbooks

Website: http://www.ayersbooks.com

Email: e.ayers@ayersbooks.com

Shared blog: http://authorsofmainstreet.wordpress.com

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.com/e/B005AYJ0XE

And here is a list of other books by E. Ayers that are available at most retailers. * indicates books that are sweeter romances.

Wanting Mac and Amanda’s Story (A River City Novel)

A New Beginning Rick and Dallas’ Story (A River City Novel)

A Challenge Ari and Tate’s Story (A River City Novel)

Forever Jeffery and Letitzia’s Story (A River City Novel)

A Son Gerald and Katie’s Story (A River City Novel)

Coming Out of Hiding (a novel)

A Fine Line (a novella) *

Mariners Cove (a novella)

Ask Me Again (a novella)

A Skeleton at Her Door (a novella)

A Snowy Christmas in Wyoming(a novella) *

A Cowboy’s Kiss in Wyoming(a novella) *

A Love Song in Wyoming (a novella) *

A Calling in Wyoming (a novella) *

Thanks so much for visiting today! I am sure our author welcomes any questions or comments. Like many of us, she is traveling this week so be patient if she doesn’t reply to you right away. Fill your time with a good book. Happy reading!

Awakening the Fire on First Sight Saturday

Jill Hughey — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Each week on First Sight Saturday I welcome an author to share an excerpt of a first meeting. Today Ally Shields will share her urban fantasy/romantic paranormal Awakening the Fire (Guardian Witch Book One).

Here is Ally’s setup of her scene: Twenty-three year old Ari Calin is a fire witch and a Guardian, a supernatural cop. She has just used her witch fire to save a human teen couple from a werewolf attack in a wooded park late one evening.

EXCERPT

Ari retrieved her knife from the forest floor. The woods were quiet again. An ominous prickle persisted at the back of her neck, keeping her rooted to the clearing. She scanned the trees, opening her mind to the smells and energy in the wind.

A sharp round of applause shattered the silence.

A shadowy figure stepped from the shelter of the trees. The stranger stopped, silhouetted against the light of the moon. “Very nice, if a little overdone. I do not think he will return soon.”

A rich, masculine voice, softly accented, rolled over her. Ari’s pulse leaped. Her witch blood surged in response to the unmistakable vampiric energy, and she snapped into defensive mode.

The vampire stayed in the moonlight. An easy target for witch fire, Ari thought. Maybe he wasn’t hostile. More likely, he didn’t think she was any kind of threat. Either way, her advantage. She’d been underestimated before.

“You need not be concerned,” he said. “I intend no mischief.”

The distinctive cadence of Italy in his words trailed a feathery caress along her skin. The sound wrapped itself around her in lazy curls. A quiver swept up her arms, and she shivered. Ari quickly blocked the intrusion. She needed to keep her wits about her.

“No magical probing,” she snapped. “Your tricks don’t work on me. I’m stronger than that.” Yet even as she spoke, she felt the pull, smooth as silk and slightly wicked. Her blood hummed in response, as if her magic recognized his.

And liked it.

He chuckled. Audacious. Bold. Sexy? Ugh, contrary to popular fiction, seduction wasn’t something Ari associated with vampires. Federal civil rights laws, new treaties, and citizen status didn’t make them any less dangerous. They were predators—useful in the military, but not exactly her idea of boyfriend material.

“I heard there was a new guardian, but not that she was a fire witch.” The vampire moved closer, his feet skimming soundlessly over the layers of fallen leaves and pine needles. When he came to a halt, the moonlight illuminated his face, revealing dark eyes and strong, lean features. A lock of black hair had fallen across his forehead. He was dressed casually in black jeans and a crew neck T-shirt. “Our meeting is fortunate. Always good to know the local authorities.” He cocked his head. “You are not what I expected.”

Not again. Ari was sick of comparisons to her mentor. “Sorry to disappoint. Who are you? What do you want?”

“Did I say I was disappointed? On the contrary.” His gaze swept the length of her. “You are much younger, prettier, than your predecessor. But then Yana served a hundred years or more. Disappointed? Not in the least. I find you and your talents…most interesting.”

“Is that meant to be a compliment? Never mind. I don’t care.” Ari raised her chin and looked him straight in the eyes. “If you think I’m a pushover because I’m young, you can think again. I’m good at what I do. I’ve trained my entire life.”

His eyes narrowed at her bold stare. She thought she’d made her point, until he laughed. Ari bit her lower lip. Had she been too quick on the uptake? Again. Or was she reacting to vampiric magic? She nudged up the strength of her magical defenses.

“Your entire life,” he murmured. “As long as that. Impressive.”

Ari snorted but didn’t take the bait this time. She waited to see what he’d do next. Unfortunately, he had the same idea, and they stood staring at each other.

The vampire acted unbothered by the silence. He stood at ease, his body relaxed but waiting. The breeze ruffled the unruly, black hair that curled over his ears. He looked thirty or less in human years. Yet, despite his present efforts to hide it, she felt an underlying hint of power that said he was older. Much older. Awareness of him filled all the available space.

Whoever he was—she hadn’t forgotten he didn’t answer the question—his continued watchfulness made Ari uneasy. She moved her hand closer to her dagger. Although blood hunting was strictly forbidden, with a penalty of immediate execution, she didn’t trust any vampire to play by the rules.

His lips curved under her scrutiny, a hint of amusement reaching his dark eyes. Humor? That surprised her. As their humanity fell away, vampires usually took on a distinctive look: cold, predatory, reptilian. Except for the newborns, and this guy didn’t feel that newly minted.

In a rare flash of vanity, she wondered what he thought of her. The long, dark blonde hair wasn’t very witchy. And her five-five frame was more boyish than curvy. But the long-lashed green eyes? All witch, and her best asset. Great-Gran’s eyes. Her mother’s eyes. Ari jerked herself back from this weird train of thought. What was the matter with her? This wasn’t a hot-looking date.

Whatever was going on behind the vampire’s hooded eyes, he kept it to himself. He made no overt aggressive moves, simply stood there. Wasn’t that typical predator behavior? Lure the unwary into a sense of safety? Well, he could forget it. Wrong prey, bloodsucker.

She took the initiative. “I know what you are, but I’ll ask again, who are you? What are you doing here?”

He moved then, gliding forward. She was startled when he bowed with all the grace of an old world aristocrat. It didn’t quite fit the jeans and T-shirt. “Andreas De Luca, at your service, madam witch. And you are…?”

“Arianna Calin. Guardian for Olde Town.” She hesitated, then stuck out her hand. She really didn’t want him touching her, but getting along with both the human and magic communities was part of the job.

He accepted the gesture, grasping her hand in long, cool fingers. Ari felt a spark of energy, but its relative neutrality told her how good he was at controlling his magic.

“Arianna.” With his eyes never leaving her face, he repeated the word, his voice rolling it around. “Not exactly a Romani name.”

“No, should it be?” Her gut clenched at his unexpected remark. How much did this vampire know about the Calin family of witches? About her?

As if she’d spoken aloud, he said, “Your great-grandmother was the witch Talaitha. The last great fire witch in this region.” His smile said he knew he’d surprised her. “Talaitha is a Romani name.”

How did he know that? What right did he have to use her name so freely?

Andreas De Luca examined the hand he continued to hold. His fingers were inches away from Ari’s silver bracelet. Although he didn’t make direct contact with the trinket, he didn’t act bothered by the sight or presence of the charms, most of which were considered dangerous or at least harmful to vampires. The miniature silver cross, the vial of holy water, the protection stones. Ari lifted a brow.

“These slim fingers have inherited Talaitha’s gift for fire,” he said, using her great-grandmother’s name again, as if he knew it bothered her. “A rare and coveted talent.” His smile broadened, bringing charm to his attractive face, and he lifted Ari’s fingers to his lips in a brief kiss. Before she had a chance to react to this unexpected gallantry, he turned her hand over and nipped the palm with wickedly sharp teeth.

“Ouch!” She snatched it back, leaped away, and glared at him. Her witch senses flared with a rush of hot energy that ran to her fingertips. Ari clenched them into fists.

His rich laughter rang out. The real thing, no magic this time. Grinning, he threw up his hands as if to ward off retaliation.

“It’s not funny,” she snapped, getting herself under control. Unclenching her fingers, she stared at the small drop of blood that welled from the broken skin. Her brain warred between anger and a strong desire to get the hell out of there.

END OF EXCERPT

Find Awakening the Fire (Guardian Witch Book One) at these trusted vendors.

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0099ZDHO8

Amazon worldwide: viewBook.at/B0099ZDHO8

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/RPrJ45

If you’d like to follow Ally Shields, here are a few places to find her!

Website: http://allyshields.com

Blog: http://allyshields.com/blog.html

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ShieldsAlly

Facebook: http://facebook.com/AllyShieldsAuthor

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6527209.Ally_Shields

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/allyshields

Witch meets vampire! Fire and fangs are flying. Thank you, Ally, for visiting with us today!

There Goes the Groom on First Sight Saturday

Jill Hughey — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Every Saturday I welcome a guest author to my blog to share an excerpt of a first meeting between two characters. Today, Jana Richards is visiting with her contemporary romance, There Goes the Groom.

Setup of the scene: Eight years ago, Tony and Olivia were about to marry. They were passionately in love but Tony sensed something was wrong. As they stood at the altar, about to say their vows, Tony said goodbye, believing Olivia really didn’t want to marry him. Now Tony is back in town and they’re forced to work together. This is the first time they’ve seen each other since they left the church on the day of their wedding.

EXCERPT:

Olivia stared at the man standing in the doorway of her office, for a moment too stunned to speak. What did you say to a man you’d almost married, a man you hadn’t seen in eight years?

God, you look good.

What the hell are you doing here?

Are you married?

Olivia kept her errant thoughts to herself. Summoning her most professional persona, she straightened her back and found her voice.

“Hello Tony.”

Tony smiled as he set a beat up duffle bag on the floor. “Hello Liv. It’s good to see you.”

“What brings you Ottawa? You haven’t lived here in what, eight years?”

“Eight years, six months and five days to be exact,” he said. “Didn’t you get the email?”

“What email?” Olivia’s mind whirled in confusion.

“I’m going to fill in for Dr. Peterson.”

Now she really was confused. “I don’t understand. Dr. Peterson is a world renowned archeologist. How could you possibly fill in for him?” Dr. Derek Peterson was an eminent archeologist who had amassed a collection of artifacts from the Haida aboriginal peoples of the Pacific North West. He, along with the curators of the National Museum of Canada where Olivia worked, were planning to mount an exciting new exhibit for the museum.

“We’re colleagues, Liv. Derek was in a serious car accident two days ago. He’s going to be okay but he’s got a badly broken leg and some internal injuries. He won’t be in any shape to travel or to help put together the exhibit here at the museum any time soon.”

“Oh. I’m sorry Dr. Peterson’s been injured.”

Olivia sat in her chair once more, her legs feeling too wobbly to hold her up. Tony was a colleague of Dr. Peterson’s? When she’d known him eight years ago, he’d taken some night classes at the university, but he’d worked for his uncle as a tile setter, a tradesperson like the rest of his family. When had that changed? Then she remembered his sister Dani telling her a few years ago that he was in university full time. He’d become an archeologist? Talk about a career change.

“So you’re saying that you’re going to help mount the Haida exhibit?”

Tony nodded, his eyes never leaving her face. “I wasn’t scheduled to teach any classes this summer so the university sent me in Derek’s place.” He took a letter from his backpack and handed it to Olivia. “Derek had put everything together before his accident and I’m familiar with his work so there won’t be a problem.”

There won’t be a problem? Olivia could think of one or two, starting with the sheer awkwardness of working with a man she almost married.

In her wildest dreams she hadn’t anticipated Tony Dipietro becoming part of the scenario.

“Look Liv, I’m sorry about all this. If there had been any other choice—”

“No, you’re right. Making the exhibit a success is the important thing here.” She read the letter he handed her outlining the situation. “We’ll just have to deal with it. Just one thing though. I’d appreciate if you called me Olivia. No one’s called me Liv since—no one calls me that anymore.”

He nodded, the expression in his dark brown eyes unreadable. “Yes, of course.” He picked up his duffle bag from the floor. “I understand accommodations have been booked for me, or at least for Derek. If you tell me the hotel, I’ll call a cab and get settled in.”

Olivia’s stomach dropped to her knees. Because Dr. Peterson had planned to bring his family, he’d wanted more homey accommodations than a hotel could provide. She had arranged to rent a furnished apartment in her condominium complex.

She groaned inwardly at the implication. Not only would she be working closely with Tony every day at the museum, he was going to be her next door neighbor for the following three months. Was there no escaping the man?

“It’s not a hotel.” She explained the situation to him.

“Well,” Tony said, looking thoughtfully at his shoes for a moment. He lifted his gaze and stared directly into her eyes. For a moment Olivia was transported back to a time to when every look from Tony held meaning for her, when every smile he gave her was immeasurably sweet. But that was then and this was now.

“We’re both adults. I’m sure we’re mature enough to do our jobs without worrying about ancient history.” She raised one eyebrow, challenging him. “Or at least I am.”

He grinned at her with the devastating smile that used to make her turn into a quivering mass of desire. Thank goodness his smile no longer had that affect on her.

She was after all, a happily engaged woman. She gritted her teeth. She was happy, happy, happy.

“You’re right,” he said. “It’s ancient history and we’re both adults. Whatever it takes, we’ll get the job done.”

Tony moved towards the door. “If you give me the address of the condo, I’ll call a cab.”

Olivia regarded him for a moment. A memory of kissing Tony for the first time as he walked her home on a snowy Ottawa night suddenly popped into her head. She remembered how sweet that first kiss had been, how it had left her wanting more. She quickly pushed away the thought. It irked her to know that he could still elicit such an emotional response from her. She was over him, had been for a long time, and she’d be damned if she’d let her emotions get in the way of her work.

Or in the way of her upcoming wedding.

She opened a drawer of her desk and grabbed her purse. “It’s getting late. I’ll give you a lift to the condo.”

“You don’t have to do that. I can take a cab.”

Olivia raised her eyebrow once more. “Are you afraid to drive with me?”

It pleased her to see that Tony looked as uncomfortable as she felt. “No, of course not. It’s just that—”

“It’s just that what?” She enjoyed watching him squirm.

“I’m sorry. I saw your name on the correspondence with Derek, and I knew coming here might be…awkward for you. The last thing I want to do is cause you any unpleasantness.”

Tony reached out to touch her, but pulled back his hand at the last minute. Olivia stood staring into his dark eyes. For one crazy moment she wished he’d take her in his arms and make the last eight years go away.

Her good sense quickly returned. Getting dumped at the altar had been brutal and humiliating, but not getting married at twenty had been the right decision. Neither of them had been ready.

“Do you want a ride to the condo or not?”

He nodded, not quite looking into her eyes. “Sure. Thanks.”

She tossed him a set of keys for the condo. “You might as well have these.”

They retrieved Tony’s motley assortment of well-worn suitcases from the lobby and loaded them into Olivia’s car. As she drove into rush hour traffic, Olivia couldn’t stop the shiver of unease that traveled up her spine. Could she really work with Tony like any other colleague when she’d once loved him to distraction?

For the sake of her sanity and her future marriage, she sincerely hoped so.

END OF EXCERPT

I don’t know if I’d be so nice to a guy who left me at the altar. It will be interesting to see how Tony earns Olivia’s trust again. If you want to watch this rediscovered love story unfold, buy There Goes the Groom at http://www.uncialpress.com/There-Goes-the-Groom.html.

To keep in touch with author Jana Richards, here are some places she can be found.

Blog: http://janarichards.blogspot.com

Website: http://www.janarichards.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JanaRichardsAuthor

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JanaRichards_

Thanks for visiting today, Jana!