Geriatric Rebels

By Roseanne Dowell

 

The idea of this book first came to me when my father was in a nursing home. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get out of bed, and he did refuse to eat or take meds. After years of working as a tile setter, it had taken its toll and he suffered with arthritis in his knees and back, so much so that he wasn’t able to stand or walk. I noticed during several visits a little old lady walked past his room and always stopped and looked in. She never spoke, just looked at us for a minute and went on her way. Something about her reminded me of my mother. Maybe it was her curly, silver hair, or her slight build. Whatever it was, she stuck in my mind and years later when I decided to write this story, she naturally came to mind. This story actually had several different drafts. The original was a nonfiction assignment for a writing course I took. It was strictly about my father and his incapacity to get out of bed. From there it changed to fiction, and I brought Elsa into the story.  While Elsa is based on my mother – especially her love of playing jokes and her sense of humor, my mother predeceased my father by three years. And while Mike is based on my father, my dad didn’t have his sense of humor. While I could picture my mother doing this stuff, even in a nursing home, I honestly couldn’t picture my dad. He had a sense of humor, but not one as wild as my mom.

Where I came up with these ideas, I’m not quite sure. I think Mike and Elsa thought of them. The story just took off on its own and flowed. I love when a story does that.

Geriatric Rebels is the story of Mike and Elsa. Seventy-two year old, Mike, forced to stay in the nursing home for therapy. He refuses to take his medicine, refuses to get out of bed, and won’t cooperate with the nurses. At least not until he meets Elsa.  Seventy year old, Elsa is left in the home because her son took his family on a vacation. After an explosive meeting, she teams up with Mike and the nursing home is never the same. Later they discover deception and fraud. Can the two find happiness together?

Available from Books We Love Publishing, Ltd. http://bookswelove.net/dowell.php

For learn more about Roseanne Dowell’s books, check out her website: www.roseannedowell.com or her blog: http://roseannedowellblogspot.com

 

EXCERPT:

Peeking around the corner into the dimly lit halls, Mike watched the pretty silver-haired lady slip into a dark room. What was she up to? He looked up and down the hall to make sure no one was around and followed her. Next thing he knew, he ran smack into her.

“Whoa,” she whispered. “Who are you? What are you doing here?”

“Maybe I should ask you that question,” Mike answered. “This isn’t your room.” A tiny little thing, she barely came up to his shoulders. She put her hands behind her back, and Mike chuckled. What was she hiding? “I’m night security,” he lied. “What’s behind your back?”

She lowered her head and brought out a water pitcher. “It was only a joke.”

Mike took her arm. “You better come with me.” He led her to the hall after a quick check to make sure it was still empty. “So you’re the one stealing the pitchers.”

She shivered and for a moment he felt sorry for her. What a mean trick, but he couldn’t help himself. He pushed open the exit door.

“Where are we going?” Elsa stiffened and tried to pull away. “Where are you taking me?”

 Her timid tone melted Mike. Time to confess. Damn, too late.

“Wait just a dog-gone minute.” She pulled away from him. “How do I know who you are? Where’s your uniform?  Show me some identification.” Although she spoke in whispers, the tone of her voice showed Mike she wasn’t buying his act.

Surprised by her sudden change of attitude, he stopped, raised his hands in surrender, and grinned at her.

“Who are you? Where do you think you’re taking me?” She glared at him with the lightest, bluest eyes he’d ever seen. Eyes that right now, he swore pierced into his.

 “You’re a burglar, aren’t you?” She tapped her foot and crossed her arms over her chest. “If you think for one minute, I’m going out that door with you, think again, buddy.”

Mike stifled a laugh, finding her amusing, obviously she didn’t trust him. Not that he blamed her, he did lie to her, and she didn’t know him from Adam. What did he expect?

“What were you doing in that room, buster, and if you don’t tell me who you are, I’m going to scream for help.”

“Okay, okay, quiet down.”  Hell, she meant business. “I was following you.” He tried to sound serious, but he couldn’t. He found the whole situation humorous. “My name is Mike Powell, room 110, but I don’t belong in this home.” He held out his hand toward her.

“Yeah, none of us belong here,” she scoffed. “Why were you following me?”

Since she ignored his outstretched hand, Mike lowered it. “I was curious to see where you were going in the middle of the night.”

“Humph.” Elsa tapped her foot. “So why are you here?”

“I fell and there wasn’t anyone to take care of me. My wife passed away three years ago, and I don’t have any children. So they threw me in here for therapy.”

“I never see you in therapy.”

“That’s ’cause I don’t need it anymore.”

“Humph. So how come you’re still here?”

“Nothing to go home to. I have more fun here. They don’t know I can get out of bed.”

“And just how did you pull that off?” Elsa seemed surprised to hear he had fooled the nurses into thinking he couldn’t get out of bed.

 “Simple, I refuse to get out of bed. Of course….” He combed his fingers through his thinning white hair and laughed. “They don’t know about my night time escapades.

“Ah, I know who you are. You’re that difficult man. I hear them talking about. You don’t eat, refuse to take your medicine, or even get out of bed. They call you the ‘Geriatric Rebel’.”

Mike chuckled. He liked the sound of her voice, musical, not raspy or whiney like the other women here. “So why are you here?” he asked. “You don’t seem like the typical resident.”

“Humph, kids are on vacation and don’t want to bother with me. I’m Elsa Logan, by the way.” Elsa turned away. “I better get back. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow.” She left him standing in the hall.

A quiver of something familiar went through him as she disappeared down the hall and into her room.

***

Mike sighed as Doris’s soft hands slid over his forehead and soothed him. He liked her voice, soft, sweet, almost sing-songy. But no amount of cooing was going to make him get out of this bed. You would think after a month of trying, she’d give up. The others had.

“Come on, Mike, you know it’s not good to lay here like this.”

 He squeezed his eyes closed ignoring her, wishing her away.

“Just leave me alone!”

“Okay, Mike, but you’re not doing yourself any good.” Doris left and closed the door. Guilt gnawed at him the minute the words came out of his mouth. He shouldn’t have yelled at her like that, she was one of the few nurses in the home who bothered with him, and he savored the pampering. She’d been coaxing him to get up to socialize for a month. Sure, socialize, like half the residents here would even remember. Except Elsa.

Elsa with her curly silver hair, quick temper, beautiful smile and bright blue eyes, he closed his eyes, remembering the previous night.

 Mike smiled at the memory. He couldn’t wait to see her again. He napped off and on throughout the day to help pass the time. Finally, they dimmed the lights. Now was his chance. He sneaked into the hall, and there she was peeking out of her room. Was she looking for him? He hoped.

 “Hi, Elsa.” Strange, he felt shy with her. He’d never been shy a day in his life. Not with his wife, not with anyone. Never one to mind getting up in a crowd to speak, this shyness made him uncomfortable. “Want to go for a walk?”

She gestured for him to lead the way.

“Wait, how are we going to get back in?” Elsa stopped and pulled him back at the exit.

“Don’t worry, the door doesn’t lock. Look.” He went out, pulled the door closed and then pushed it open. “”Come on.” He led her out to the parking lot.

“How come the alarm didn’t go off?”

“I disabled it and jimmied the lock.”

She stumbled as she hurried to keep up with him. “Do you think you could slow down a little?”

He waited for her to catch up.  “Sorry, I forget old people can’t keep up with me.” He took her hand. Something about her brought out his playful side, a side long forgotten.

“Who are you calling old, you blustery old fool?” She pulled her hand away, planted it on her hip, and glared at him.

This was definitely a woman to reckon with “You’re really pretty when you’re mad.”

“Humph.” She furrowed her brow and stepped away from him.

Uh, oh he had pushed her too far, but he couldn’t help teasing her, he felt so alive.

 “I’ll show you mad.” Elsa swung her fist, just missing him.

“Hey, I was joking.” He grabbed her hand.  “Truce?”

She pulled her hand away but gave him an agreeable nod. They stepped out into the parking lot and to a clump of trees.

“This is my special place.” He led her beyond the trees to a small grassy area.  “It’s where I come when I want to get away from them.” He nodded toward the home.

Elsa sat on the grass next to him. “It’s like a million miles away from them isn’t it? It’s been a long time since I’ve been out in the evening. Thank you for bringing me here.”

 Mike stroked the back of her hand, enjoying the intimacy of the moment. “Why do you steal the water pitchers?” He couldn’t help being curious about the soft-spoken, petite woman with the quick temper, who invoked feelings he hadn’t felt since his wife died

“Just for the fun of it- I get bored. Besides, I can’t sleep at night.” She shrugged

“I took the nurses’ lunches a couple of times,” he said, “but usually I just come out here.”

“That was you?” Elsa giggled. “They talked about it for weeks. Boy, were they mad.”

 Mike liked the youthful sound of her laugh He suddenly felt young and mischievous. “Let’s go back and fill their coffeepot with ice.” He squeezed her hand as he helped her up.

Pushing the door open a crack, he looked down the hall. “Okay, coast is clear, come on.” He led Elsa to the break room, looked inside. Empty. He motioned her inside and followed her in.

“Stand guard, while I fill the coffee pot.” Mike couldn’t help but laugh as he dumped a couple of containers of ice into the pot. “That should do it.”

They laughed so hard, he was afraid they’d get caught. Elsa shushed Mike as they walked to her room. He hugged her goodnight. Warmth surged through him like a tidal wave when she hugged him back. He hurried back to his room, feeling more alive than he had in years.

 Maybe I’ll get up tomorrow, he thought. He chuckled, remembering their conversation, ‘Geriatric Rebel’ they have no idea. He sighed before he fell asleep.

 

Using Music as Inspiration for Writing

By Suzan Battah

Well, there is a secret story behind the book Mad About the Boy. It's not seedy, or even romantic but just the truth and I'm here to share the secret - music.

Music is a big part of my writing. It is an inspiration and it beats like a heart in me when I am writing scenes. It doesn't matter the genre, music is always there to push me forward.

Since I was a little girl, I always wanted to be swept off my feet by some dashing hero and we'd get married and live in a castle with plenty of children to follow. I was young! But I was a lonely child and we didn't have family around, growing up in a quiet suburb. I was a quiet child and didn't have many friends. Though I loved to read and always had a fascination with the Medieval Period, Regency Period and anything Fantasy or Sci Fi. I also dreamed and dreamed about running away to live in England where I could visit Jane Austen's house, see the massive palaces and maybe the Queen and lots of castles and walk around in the country and who cares if it's raining! That was the fantastical world from my eyes as a child and right into my teens (even now) I still daydream about what it would be like to have lived in those times or my own world. My imagination runs wild, seriously I can't help it - so I write.

Music and writing is a big thing, especially for me. I am very visual and some particular music can evoke visual scenes, some music brings out the emotional scenes. Mad About the Boy is named after the delightful song Mad About the Boy by Dinah Washington and there seems to be a trend in this. I've seen some other romantic books following along those lines.

I use contemporary, classical, rock, pop and especially love hearing original music from youtube. Music is like the words of a book playing out in rhythm. With all my projects, music plays a big part. So as each project comes to an end and ready for publishing so too does the playlist that was developed while making my creation.

Mad About the Boy was born - a Contemporary Romance with a multicultural couple, the song playlist that was developed while writing the book can be listened to on my website. I was so proud of my achievement. I sent out manuscripts, got rejected over a hundred times had it reviewed by countless agents. I've been shredded to bits in writer's competitions by my peers, I've also won two awesome awards for the same manuscript. I've written this beautiful, charismatic love story and wanted to share it with the world. There was a stigma behind Self-Publishing, other authors stare down their noses or put you down. It's considered taboo but not anymore I hope with the great many successes out there. Wonderful authors whose voices may never have been heard if not for taking their own art form and business with their own hands. I'm proud of the choice I made and even more so when the readers tell me how much they love Mad About the Boy. I write for the readers to entertain.

Blurb:

Julia Mendoza is driven by the success of her business. Since her husband Carlos passed away at such a young age, her business By Design is her number one priority. In her late twenties she works too hard and doesn't take time out for fun. Annoyance with a pesky ex-friend has her begging one of the local surfer's with a cheeky smile in the grocery store to pretend he's her boyfriend. Suddenly, life takes a sudden detour from her business plan; much to the delight of her boisterous Latin American family.

Christophe Augustine is groomed to take over his father's successful chain of luxurious hotels. With a wealthy French-American background, Chris has been given privileges that not many have. He works hard, plays harder but seeks approval and recognition above all else. Family is a top priority for him as he fights for custody of his young brother. His parent's divorce has not diminished his faith in romance. When a gorgeous Latino woman changes one boring morning into an interesting game of role play, though reluctant to help at first, he soon realises she's not like the string of other women he's known.

A romantic first date ending dramatically doesn't stop Chris from wanting to know Julia more. And for Julia, she's all for a bit of fun but when things get too serious she's running the other way. Too alike, in some ways and complete opposites, in others ways, Julia and Chris fumble through fun moments, annoying confrontations, passionate times and heartbreaking revelations. 

Love has no boundaries when soul-mates meet but when one is ready to love and the other one isn't....

Buy now at Amazon: Paperback addition or Kindle

Buy now at Barnes and Noble: Paperback or Nook

Suzan Battah

www.suzanbattah.com

www.facebook.com/suzan.battah

@suzanbattah

An Interview With Goldie from Gnome On The Range

Thank you for having me as a guest on your blog today. I have written an interview with one of my characters from my book Gnome On The Range. Goldie is the wonderful, interfering, meddling mother-in-law who runs the town's only adult store. Enjoy!

-------

Interview with Goldie, owner of Goldilocks Adult Store- Bozeman, MT

When did you open your store and why an adult store?

I opened the store back in the mid-seventies. I'm what you would have called a daring woman. People probably call me a lot of other things today, but that hasn't stopped me yet! Back then, no one talked about sex let alone shopped in a store to buy something to help improve it. Winter in Montana makes for many a cozy night. What better way to spend it than in front of the fire with the one you love?

Speaking of love, do you consider yourself a matchmaker?

If the shoe fits! I wouldn't exactly call myself a nosy sort, but I don't like to see young people all alone. If two people can find love between the sheets, I'm all for helping out.

In what ways do you help, specifically?

I've been known to give someone a little nudge. Others, I provide a little box from Goldilocks to help them get things moving along.

So you think having sex is a way to fall in love? What about dinner and a movie?

Hell. Dinner and a movie are just fine. It's what comes after where I come in. Sex is good anytime. Morning, bedtime, whatever. As long as there are two, or more (!), consenting adults who are staying out of trouble and away from too much TV, so much the better.

Too much TV?

Rots the brain.

Okay. Describe your latest success story on the relationship/marriage front.

All right. I'll replace the names to protect the innocent, but if you're reading this and from Bozeman, it might not be too hard to figure it out. Jessica hadn't been in a relationship in a loooonnng time. She'd found someone who'd relit her pilot light, if you know what I mean. But she was too chicken to make a move. So I sent a little care package to the man, Thomas.

Your care package made them fall in love?

Hell no! It made her so angry with me she took things into her own hands. She wasn't overly quick about it so I threatened another care package. Two days later, bam. The deed was done.

So you really are a matchmaker. In a weird sort of way. Who's your next love victim? Do you have someone in mind?

I sure do! For those of you who are familiar with Jane and Ty's love story, you might remember Veronica who also works with me here at Goldilocks. It might be dead winter and freezing cold outside, but a man just came to town that will keep Veronica warm at night! Ha!

And what are you going to do?

Help them fall in love. By the way, are you in a relationship?

Oh, um. No.

I knew it. Make sure you give me your address and I'll send you a little package from Goldilocks. I'm guessing you're into [author of story removed this section of the interview for personal reasons]. Don't worry, we have that kind of thing in the store.

And that's all for today. Thanks to Goldie of Goldilocks for today's enlightening blog experience.

If you enjoyed this little impromptu interview with Goldie, please read Gnome On The Range to learn how she meddles in the love life of Jane West (aka Jessica in the interview above). Here is the book blurb:

Once you get the zing you can’t go back.

Jane West has everything a woman could want. A job in a small Montana town’s only adult store, two busy young boys and one dead husband. Everything except a little excitement--a little zing. But that changes one summer morning at a garage sale when her kids buy some garden gnomes.

Now someone wants those gnomes and will let nothing get in their way. Including Jane. This new excitement for Jane spells trouble for a relationship with new neighbor--and hot fireman--Ty Strickland. Can Jane and Ty handle a relationship meddling mother-in-law, crazy kids, and stay alive while trying to solve the mystery of the garden gnomes?

Gnome On The Range is for sale on Amazon.

Coming soon! The sequel - Gnomeless

Buck's Dilemma: Do Love and Money Mix

By Toni Noel


I've always enjoyed a love of horses, and several of my novels have horses in them. The cowboy hero of Restored Dreams rides a black horse or drives a well-kept 1932 Ford V-8 pickup. When the urge to travel hits him he loads his horse and truck in his fifth-wheel toy hauler hitched to a shinny Peter Built cab and heads to his next stop.

You're probably thinking this guy is loaded. He is, but you'd never know it talking to him. He'd rather talk about his rodeo days and show off his championship belt buckle, but a sadness shades Buck's eyes as he speaks of roping and riding events he can no longer enter. After breaking his back, he no longer competes.

He has other things on his mind now, like his plan to help the folks in Lakeview, California who were cheated out of their life savings by his grandfather. Yes, the old man was a fast talking traveling salesman who absconded with all the money invested in his railroad scheme. Buck's primary goal in life is to make the lives of the good folks in Lakeview easier, one replaced roof or floor at a time.

He enjoys spending his unwanted inheritance this way, and if he winds up giving his heart to Treasure Montgomery while he restores her run-down Victorian house to its original beauty -- well he wouldn't mind at all. The softhearted teacher has goals, too, goals he'd like to see her achieve.

First he has to win her trust. His helping out with her equine therapy classes is a step in the right direction. He never dreamed his dressage lessons as a boy would come in handy on a ranch. Somebody in Treasure's past did the little lady wrong, Buck suspects. She's downright skittish around men, but unlike him, has no fear of snakes.

Now, if she'd just let him replace her roof the way he wants to, he'd be a happy man. Why must Treasure insist on paying her own way, when he has more money than one man could ever spend in a lifetime and a burning desire to do her repairs correctly. Prideful woman. Why won't she accept his help?

Restored Dreams Blurb:

Her roof leaks, the plumbing, too, but on a teacher's salary Treasure Montgomery can barely pay the taxes on her property, so the list of needed repairs to the grand Victorian house she inherited from the aunt who raised her continues to grow.

Treasure surrounds herself with other people's children, seeking some fulfillment in an otherwise empty life until she meets Buck. A retired rodeo rider turned philanthropist, Buck willingly donates his labor to anyone who needs a helping hand, spending his father's ill-gotten fortune to make amends for his father's bad deeds, but Treasure wants no part of his charity.

Buck persists. Treasure resists, and he turns to subterfuge to get around the obstacles she throws in his path. She learns the truth and fears she might lose her house to Buck. How wrong can a woman be about the man with whom she's fallen in love?

Excerpt: Restored Dreams

Teaching at Lakeview Middle School is a breeze. Holding this Victorian house together is what's sapping my energy, Treasure Montgomery thought as she approached her ranch east of San Diego.

She stepped into her kitchen after a long day in the classroom, turned her back on the paint peeling off the hundred-year-old cabinets, and reached for The Thrifties.

First things first. I may as well get this over with.

The unread mail could wait. Finding another repairman to finish her upstairs bath repairs couldn't. Not when the man she'd hired to do the work had ripped up her floor, then quit.

She started making calls.

Nine calls later, she was no nearer finding a handyman she'd trust to do the work. Some of the men she talked to had even laughed at her.

"You'll pay what?"

"Try me again next fall."

"Get real, lady."

What am I going to do?

At the sound of a vehicle turning down her drive, Treasure glanced up. Who did she know who drove an antique truck?

Through the kitchen curtains -- those needed replacing, too -- she watched a tall man unfold and step out of the carefully-maintained blue truck. His jean-clad legs, like parallel train tracks, were slim and straight. A wide-brimmed Stetson hat hid his face, but she had no trouble making out wide shoulders that narrowed to the belt slung low at his waist.

He was billboard handsome, and not anyone she knew, but he'd look great on her horse. Make that any horse.

Experiencing the usual uneasiness the sudden appearance of a stranger brought, Treasure froze, debating her options as she stared at the closed back door.

Lock it and pretend no one is home?

No. Aunt Bee did that. Not me.

The sound of footsteps crossing her porch caused Treasure's heartbeat to stutter, then drum in her ears.

The man's knock, as cocky as his walk, rattled the door.

Wouldn't do to let the stranger know she'd cautiously watched his approach, Aunt Bee would have advised. Treasure patted her hair, making certain her hair tie still kept her long black hair neat, then waited a moment longer before answering the knock.

"Yes?" she said, opening the door a crack.

"Miss Montgomery?" the man said and removed his hat.

Hmm. Tall. Bushy brown eyebrows overshadowed his eyes but overall, she liked his looks, although he could use a haircut. Chestnut curls hid his ears and the back collar of his denim work shirt.

She nodded.

"Evening, Ma'am. My name's Buck. Angela Turner called to say you got yourself in some kind of bind and could use my help."

"Never trust a man with a Southern drawl," Aunt Bee always warned, an Aunt Bee-ism Treasure wanted to heed, but this man's mellow way of speaking touched something deep inside, warming her and almost making her smile.

Treasure sighed. "I'm sorry, there's been a misunderstanding. You see, I teach with Angela and happened to mention that the man I'd hired quit. She never should have called you. I told her I didn't like the idea of hiring a stranger to work on my house, no matter how highly you come recommended."

"Appreciate that," he said, grinning.

"You're the carpenter who did the Community Hall roof?"

"The church, too," he said with a grin guaranteed to make women swoon.

Not Treasure. Her first night out with a devastatingly handsome man, he'd destroyed her trust. Now she was immune to good looking men, but apparently not immune to this man's softly-spoken drawl.

Watch yourself.

Buck cleared his throat. "Nice rural setting for a Victorian house. Now, if you'll just show me where--"

Unnerved, she tugged on her long hair. "No, I-I can't do that, but thank you. I've lived in Lakeview almost all my life."

Her stammered words rocked him back on his heels and he cocked his head. "It's gonna be kinda hard to estimate the work involved if you won't let me come in."

Now she felt foolish. She hesitated a moment longer, then stepped aside. "You're right. It's just that I don't have much money, and Hank, the man I'd hired, came--"

"Cheap?" he finished with another wide grin and ducked entering the house. "I understand he quit."

As he straightened, Treasure gulped. Beware men who--

No. No more isms. This is my house now.

Aunt Bee hated men.

Even after what happened to me, I don't.

Right or wrong, a man deserved the chance to prove himself.

Even Buck?

His wide shoulders seemed to dwarf her kitchen, and her.

In need of reassurance, Treasure patted her hair again. "It's the master bath, upstairs. I guess it won't hurt to just let you see."

"No, ma'am."

The way he said ma'am made her feel like a queen watching her favorite knight paying homage on bended knee, a sensation she'd never experienced before.

"This way." Shoving the uninvited image to the far recesses of her mind, she led him to the stairs, then started up, suddenly self-conscious, feeling his eyes on...

Not my hair, my butt.

"I'm afraid the hall outside the bathroom is a mess," she murmured, turning sideways to direct his attention elsewhere as she reached the top step.

No, no. This is worse. Now his eyes are on my--

"That's understandable," he said with a knowing grin. "You'd have no use for me if everything was in perfect repair, now would you, ma'am?"

Treasure laughed as she reached the landing and turned right. "True."

"Hmm. Nice view."

She clenched her fists. How dare he?

She swung around, prepared to boot Buck down the stairs for his unwelcome remark and discovered him peering out the landing window at the barn and the rolling hills beyond.

Oh. That view.

"Is that all yours?"

"I own everything to the base of those hills."

"Nice," he repeated, striding toward her.

"Yes, it is," she agreed, scurrying ahead of him down the hall. And you're even taller than I thought.

Restored Dreams is available for download here:

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-template/Toni%20Noel/Page.bok

Or here:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Toni+Noel&x=13&y=20

Or from your favorite eBook store.


Visit Toni Noel a her website or her blog.

Saturday's Salacious Suggestions

Okay, it's time to post your blurbs again!  Last week we had over 30 great books promoted.  I sure hope y'all got some readers from that.

Just leave a comment with your blurb and links to buy the book!

Don't forget about THE AMAZING AUTHOR EVENT.  

Roseanne Dowell - http://roseannedowellauthor.blogspot.com is today's author!

Saturday's Salacious Suggestions

BORDER HEAT

By Teri Thackston

Murderous drug runners, a wildfire in the Texas desert and the President's runaway daughter…Game Warden Shannon Walker didn't sign up for any of this. Add a sexy Secret Service Agent, unexpected betrayal and an escape into the desert, and the border becomes hotter than Shannon can handle. 

BUY IT NOW:

Barnes & Noble http://tinyurl.com/3m3th36
Amazon http://tinyurl.com/3qc6o2a
Smashwords http://tinyurl.com/3bphubz



Saturday's Salacious Suggestions

JESSIE AND THR RANGER

By Cheri Jetton

Jessie Bluefeather Holgrave is thrilled when her best friend Ellen gives birth to an adorable baby girl. She'd love to find a great man like Ellen's husband, Mike, and settle down but the past has taught her to be wary of men--especially men in uniform.

So when Mike arrives at the hospital with flowers and a new co-worker in tow, Jessie decides she's not interested. However, Marsh Abbott, a Texas Ranger, is blond and blue-eyed, and Jessie can almost picture him in the role of husband, in spite of her fears.

Marsh is immediately struck by the raven-haired beauty before him. He'd like to get to know her, but she doesn't seem interested. Yet he is both patient and persistent. Marsh wants to prove that he's worthy of her, even though he is a lawman.

When his job takes him away and into danger, Jessie is both surprised and frightened by the depth of her feelings. Will Marsh be able to prove himself to her before she closes him out forever?

Buy it Now: Avalon Books, Amazon, Barnes and Noble

Saturday's Salacious Suggestions

MIDNIGHT CRAVINGS

by Kimberly Ivey



Armand Giancarlo, former romance novel cover model turned erotic author writes under the nom de plume, Raven Midnight. Uninspired by his current work in progress and with less than six weeks to finish on deadline, Armand reserves a suite at a secluded sea side in thousands of miles away from his bustling LA mansion. He hopes the island serenity will help him regain focus on the book project he's fast losing interest in. There he meets the beautiful, yet reclusive proprietor--Mira Reece--a major distraction.



The jaded-for-love Mira Reece believed she was immune to the charms of men until the mysterious boarder who calls himself Mr. Jones (Giancarlo) arrives. After a bit of sleuthing, she discovers he's a former romance novel cover model, and now an erotic romance author. Years of self-imposed celibacy, combined with the lonliness of running the Inn drives Mira into the arms of the sexy as sin Giancarlo.


Too bad neither of them are looking for love. Or are they?
 
Buy it now at Amazon.

Satruday's Salacious Suggestions

SHATTERED SOULS OF INNOCENCE

by Melissa Ohnoutka

** This is a SHORT STORY Teaser**

Hailey Devlin and Patrick Roark survived their nightmare in Faithful Deceptions. But what about all the others? Will putting a man behind bars for his crimes really stop any of the suffering? The demand is still there. Therefore the horrendous cycle just keeps on going. Can anyone really hope to stop this madness? ….One man is determined to try.


Shattered Souls of Innocence is a Short Story prequel to Target of Betrayal, which will be released later this Summer, 2011.

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Vist Melissa's website.

Saturday's Salacious Suggestions

Faithful Deciptions

by Melissa Ohnoutka

Where Love and Danger Collide

Money dictates the rules of this game and the victim could be anybody— regardless of sex, age, or race.


When high-end antiques dealer, Hailey Devlin, discovers her business partner's boyfriend has bankrupted their company, she sets out to expose the thief. Unknown to Hailey, her target is involved in a brutal trafficking ring where human lives are sold off to the highest bidder and she fits the next customer's order perfectly. She awakens to a world she can't remember. An alluring man claims to be her husband-a man who seems both to want and reject her. Is this amnesia or something much more sinister?


ICE Agent Patrick Roark jumped at the chance to put his training to the test on an elite human trafficking squad of Homeland Security. Undercover as the bodyguard to the ring leader, and key suspect in a murder case, proves more than he bargained for. Masterminding a clever deception, he's determined to keep the next victim safe—even if the high-stakes operation costs him everything-including his heart. Can they survive a killer's wrath? And if they do, will the lies be too damaging for their love to endure?

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Buy it now: Paperback - Amazon, Barnes and Noble

Visit Melissa at her website and blog.

The Town Gossip

by Sue Fineman

In THE MITCHELL MONEY, a Wild Rose Press release, one of the most memorable secondary characters is Mavis Bidwell, town gossip and all around pest.  Mavis lives on the edge of sanity.  Some folks in Maystown, Arizona, call her Mad Mavis.  The kids call her Mrs. Bitchwell, because she’s always complaining about something. 

Mavis has had a major crush on Gary Martinson since high school.  His wife died fifteen years ago, and she’s still hopeful, still determined to marry him someday.  But Gary would rather shoot her than marry her.  Mavis is not just in love with Gary, she thinks she owns him, like a puppy or a pair of shoes. 

Gary can’t stand her and tries to avoid her, but every time he drives his old pickup to town, there she is, fawning over him like a lovesick teenager.  No wonder he’s frustrated and surly.  Seeing Mavis nearly every day would do that to a man.

When Mavis learns Rachel is living at the ranch and cooking for Gary and his son, she’s determined to chase her off the ranch and out of Gary’s life, just as she’s chased every other woman away from him. 

BLURB for THE MITCHELL MONEY:

Before his death, Rachel’s husband hid their money, and the only man in Maystown who can help her find it is the surly ex-cop who owns the ranch next door, the man who drives an ancient pickup and talks on his cell phone instead of paying attention to his driving.  She doesn’t want to accept Gary’s offer to trade his investigating skills for her cooking, but if she doesn’t find the money soon, she could lose her new house. 

Gary is reluctant to get involved with the rude woman who backed into his truck, but she needs his help, and he needs a cook at the ranch.  He suspects Rachel’s husband hid more than his money.  Can she handle the truth about the man she’d been married to for so many years? 

EXCERPT from THE MITCHELL MONEY: 

(There’s a rogue wildcat roaming the area, attacking pets and threatening small children.  Rachel is staying at the ranch with Gary and his son, Joe, until someone catches or kills the animal.  Johnny, her husband’s bastard son, is also living there.  They hear the cat yowl and know it’s nearby.)

Gary heard something brush against the door and turned to see Rachel standing there in her robe.  The nightlight in the bathroom cast enough light to see the fear in her eyes.  “Bouncer has to go out,” she said.  “Is it safe to go out front?”

“Not by yourself.”  Gary took the gun from the nightstand, checked to make sure it was loaded, and followed Rachel and Bouncer downstairs. 

Joe followed them with his rifle.  Gary stood in a dark corner of the porch, scanning the dark hills, looking for any sign of movement.  He spotted the rogue cat about a hundred yards from the house.  Joe already had a bead on it.  Gary spoke quietly.  “Wait for a clean shot, son.”

A low growl came from Rachel’s little dog.  “Hold on to him, Rachel,” Gary said.  She was less than ten feet from the porch.  The cat must be desperate to come this close.

Rachel reached down to pick up Bouncer and Joe’s first rifle shot rang out.  He fired again, and Gary flipped on the flood lights.  Rachel stood frozen, holding the dog in her arms, as Joe walked past her and out to the big cat lying near the driveway.  He fired one more shot, as Gary had taught him, to make sure the animal was dead. 

Gary walked out to Rachel and put his arm around her shoulders.  She was shaking, and so was the dog, so he pulled them close and rubbed her back.  “It’s over.”

Joe called, “Looks like he got caught in a trap and chewed part of his foot off.  It’s a mess.  That’s why he couldn’t hunt.  The guy who set the trap should be shot.” 

They’d had discussions with other ranchers in the area about setting traps.  Some said it was necessary, but Gary disagreed.  It was like setting out poison.  You never knew what you’d kill or injure, and a wounded animal was always more dangerous than a healthy one.  If they couldn’t hunt for their food, they had to find it in other ways.

Gary still had his arms around Rachel, and it felt so good he didn’t want to let go.  Johnny came outside to examine the cat, and Gary stayed right where he was, holding Rachel’s soft, warm body in his arms, with the little dog shivering between them. 

He didn’t want to stop holding her, but he needed to make a phone call, so he walked inside with Rachel and called the police station. 

Ten minutes later, an officer came out, followed by a pickup and a car.  The pickup was driven by Harvey Spinnaker, who did skinning and taxidermy.  In shooting the cat, Joe had earned the pelt, if he wanted it.  One look at the car and Gary groaned.  He stood in front of the house wearing pajama pants, slippers, and a T-shirt.  Rachel stood beside him, wearing a robe.  Great time for the town gossip to show up.

Mavis ran from her car, past the dead cat and police car, straight to Gary.  “I just heard.  Is everyone all right?”  As Mavis pawed at Gary’s arm, Rachel backed up a step or two.  He glanced at her and tried to push Mavis off him.  Rachel’s lips twitched with suppressed laughter. 

“Let’s get you inside, where it’s warm,” said Mavis.  “Why, you’re not even dressed.”

“Why are you here?” Gary asked.

“To help, of course.”

“Joe,” Gary yelled, “Mavis wants to help.”

“Okay, but there’s a lot of blood.”

Mavis put her hand on her chest as her eyes widened.  For a minute, Gary thought she might faint.  Then she caught sight of Rachel and that sharp nose went up a notch, along with one eyebrow.  She eyed Rachel as if she was something to take out with the trash, but Rachel smiled.  The smile didn’t have any warmth, but at least she was polite. 

Fighting an impulse to escape into the house and lock the door, Gary stood back and watched the two women.  Mavis extended her hand to Rachel.  “I don’t believe we’ve met.  I’m Mavis Bidwell.  Gary and I have been close friends since high school.”

Rachel took Mavis’s hand.  “Rachel Woods.  It’s nice to meet one of Gary’s old friends.”

Mavis stiffened and scanned Rachel from head to toe, and Gary knew the gossip would be flying tomorrow, if not tonight.  The way Rachel was dressed, it was obvious she was living at the ranch.  Did Mavis think he was sleeping with Rachel?  Did he care what Mavis thought?  Not if she kept it to herself, but she wouldn’t.  She never kept anything to herself. 

Ignoring Mavis, Rachel asked, “Gary, would you like me to make a pot of coffee?”

“No, Joe should be finished soon, and if I drink coffee now, I’ll be awake all night.”  He took Rachel’s arm and steered her toward the porch steps, hoping Mavis would magically disappear, but he should have known better.  She followed them onto the porch and into the house.  It was late, he was tired, and now he had to deal with Mavis.

“Go on up to bed, Gary,” said Rachel.  “I’ll take care of the boys.”

“Boys?” said Mavis.

“Joe and my son, Johnny.”

Mavis cocked her head and Gary could almost hear the wheels turning.  “Your son?  I thought you had daughters.”

“And a son.  Here he comes now.”

Johnny came in wet and shivering.  “Go upstairs and get in the shower,” said Gary.  “Right now, before you freeze to death.  Is Joe about finished?”

“The cat is on the pickup and he’s talking to the cops.  Oh, there’s a car out there that needs to be moved.  The pickup can’t get around it.”

Rachel and Gary both stared at Mavis.  “Oh, yes, well, I’ll go move my car and I’ll be right back.”

“Go home, Mavis.”  Gary knew he was being rude and he didn’t care.  “It’s late and I’m too tired to play host.”

“Perhaps Mavis would like to come out for dinner one night,” said Rachel.  Her eyes sparkled and Gary could have strangled her on the spot.  

“I’ll call you, Mavis,” said Gary.  “Goodnight.”  He held the front door open. 

Slamming the door behind Mavis, he turned his anger on Rachel.  “I’ll thank you to mind your own business.”

“She’s the one, isn’t she, the one who wants to marry you?”

“Nobody in their right mind would marry that woman.”

“You’re no prize yourself.”

Unable to allow her to have the last word, Gary said, “Some women think I am.” 

He thought he heard her say, “I can’t imagine why,” but she said it so quietly he wasn’t sure he heard her correctly.  Gary clamped his jaw closed, walked upstairs, and went back to bed. 

He punched his pillow, trying to get comfortable.  “Alice loved me,” he whispered to himself.  Or at least she used to, but years of grief and loneliness had changed him.  It didn’t matter if he’d make a poor husband now, because he didn’t intend to marry again.  He had a good life, and he was happy. 

Wasn’t he?

READER COMMENT on THE MITCHELL MONEY:

I really couldn't put it down. As a divorced woman, who kept finding out unpleasant things about her ex for a long time, I really related to the heroine in the book. Your writing was actually therapeutic. I didn't feel so alone and unique, and I while I am still working on forgiveness (because forgetting is out of the question), I am further along than I was before reading your book. Thank you so much!

The printed version of THE MITCHELL MONEY is available NOW from Amazon.com and The Wild Rose Press.

ON THE RUN and ON THE LAM are available from BarnesandNoble.com and Amazon.com.  If you like romantic suspense with a little humor, these books are for you.