FIGHTING FOR THE ONE HE LOVES!

Fighting Blind

by C.M. Seabrook

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE: Contemporary Romance

C. M. Seabrook will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FIGHTING BLIND Blurb:

Mackenzie Brooks is everything I've ever wanted.

Three years ago, she walked out of my life. No explanation. Just gone.

With the biggest fight of my career only weeks away, she walked back in.

I'll do anything to protect her. Destroy anyone who tries to hurt her. When it comes to Mac, there isn't a line I won't cross.

I've loved her my entire life, and now that's she's back I won't let her go.

She refuses to speak about the past, or the secrets I know she's hiding.

I know she's planning on running again. But when you love someone, you stay and fight. Even if you're fighting blind.

FIGHTING BLIND Excerpt:

Her hands snake around my back and she rests her forehead against my chest. I pull her tight, reveling in the warmth of her body. My muscles tense in awareness of how perfectly she fits against me.

I breathe in her scent, not wanting the moment to pass. “Let me fix this.”

“You don’t even know what I’ve done.” Her voice is muffled against my chest. “If you knew, you wouldn’t…I can’t do this.”

“Whatever it is, it’s in the past. Come home with me and we’ll figure things out.”

She shakes her head against my chest and mumbles incoherently. When she pulls back, there are tears running down her cheeks and her eyes are red. I know before she says the words that she’s going to run again. Whatever she’s hiding, it’s obvious she doesn’t trust me.

A cold chill wraps around me when she drops her hands and takes a step backwards.

“I need to go.”

“Mac.” Her name comes out as a rough plea, and I see her flinch.

“Don’t come back,” she whispers, before disappearing through the shelter’s doors.

Like hell I won’t. Losing her once nearly destroyed me. I won’t lose her again.

Amazon Buy Link - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H0UI0QS

C. M. Seabrook, Author

C.M. Seabrook is the author of the Amazon bestselling fantasy romance Cara's Twelve, as well as the Therian Agents paranormal romance series, and co-author of the Mated by Magic series.

When she isn't reading or writing sexy stories, she's most likely spending time with her family, cooking, singing, or racing between soccer, hockey and karate practices. She's living her own happily ever after with her husband of fifteen years and their two daughters.

She loves creating new exciting characters - from sexy, bad boy alphas, to the passionate, fiery women who love them.

Canadian born and bred, she started life in Edmonton, Alberta, and now resides in London, Ontario. She attended Western University where she graduated with an Honors degree in Anthropology.

Her guilty pleasures include red wine, pasta, binge watching Starz originals, and hanging out with her rescue pup, Jaxx.

She loves to hear from her readers and can be reached at cm.seabrook.books@gmail.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cmseabrook

Website – http://www.chantelseabrook.com

Twitter – @chantelseabrook

C. M. Seabrook will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DEAD STILL -- A MEDICAL SUSPENSE THRILLER

Dead Still

by Barbara Ebel

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE: Suspense/thriller

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DEAD STILL Blurb:

Annabel Tilson is a medical student starting her first clinical rotation where she has high hopes of mastering patient care like her famous neurosurgeon father. However, she soon realizes that studying for surgery exams and taking care of patients is only part of the complex burden of her role as a surgical team member.

Grappling with a resident who hates her and a dreamy infatuation for her chief resident, she discovers an inordinate outbreak of patient mortality. But for Annabel to dig further puts her at risk of failing the rotation and ending her future career as a physician.

DEAD STILL Excerpt:

When the entire group entered Mr. Newman’s room, he peered over his newspaper and smiled. He sat in the armchair next to the window, the last drips of his evening dose of antibiotic going into his IV.

“Well, look at you,” Robby said. “It appears your two primary surgical physicians have taken good care of you.”

Dr. Wallace and Annabel stepped forward, and Brandy shut the IV pump off before it started beeping.

“Only after that one used me for a pin cushion,” he said, pointing at Annabel.

Annabel’s shoulders sagged and she wondered if Dr. Mack was going to chime in. He’d done enough damage to her for the whole rotation.

“Actually, I’m glad she got that IV in,” Dr. Wallace said. “Otherwise I was going to have to start a central line.”

“No thank you, ma’am,” Mr. Newman said. “I know what those are and I don’t want no part of them.”

“You’ve had enough bowel rest,” Robby remarked. “But I bet you enjoyed that gelatin and bullion.”

“It was a stepping stone to the fat burger I’m going to devour when I get outta here.”

Dr. Pittman patted the patient’s shoulder. “You have a good night. I’m taking this motley crew with me,” he said, pointing towards the door.

Barbara Ebel, Author, and friend

Barbara Ebel's writing draws heavily from her experience as an anesthesiologist, her dealings with family court, and her interactions with people and places from around the world. As a physician, speaker, and former chemist, she sprinkles credible medicine into the background of her fiction where plots and vivid characters take center stage and her O.R. scenes shine.

She penned the Dr. Danny Tilson Novels before the Dr. Annabel Tilson Novels (DEAD STILL is Book One). COLLATERAL CIRCULATION was the National Indie Excellence Award 2015 Finalist for medical thrillers and Operation Neurosurgeon was the top finalist for best-selling medical mystery books in 2012. (Best Selling Books' blog announced on PR Buzz Press Release Wire, Chicago, IL).

You may find more information about her and her books at:    http://barbaraebel.weebly.com

Her Twitter handle is:  @barbaraebel

In addition to her adult writing, she has illustrated and penned a children's book series called Chester the Chesapeake. The books developed during her philanthropic visits with her therapy dog, Chester. The dog books continue to inspire adults and children alike. Along with her husband and four pets, "Doctor Barbara" lives in a wildlife corridor in middle Tennessee.

You may find Chester at:    http://dogbooksforchildren.weebly.com

Amazon US:    http://amzn.to/2ai7H1T

Amazon Kindle UK:   http://amzn.to/2a37GL3

B&N Nook:    http://bit.ly/29Xeieg

Kobobooks:  http://bit.ly/2a1dsi2

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CRAZY LIFE OF A WRITER

Non-writer friends often ask me how I think up all the stuff in my books. I wish I knew. Bobby Terry tells people she gets her ideas from a small factory in Ohio. ☺ What really happens is our crazy brains conjure all these characters and situations. That doesn’t mean it’s easy.

We’re not really insane, either. Well, most of us aren’t. I’m not naming names, but there are a few people on my Probably Certifiable List.

And there are those (lazy or stupid?) people who say, “I’ll feed you ideas, you write the book, and we’ll split the royalties.” Uh, no. So not happening. The idea is the easy part. In fact, I have more than I can list. Writing a cohesive book with a credible story line is the hard part.

I’m fortunate enough to have great critique partners who help me plot my books. I can plot by myself, of course, but an exchange of ideas spurs creativity. Even if I don’t like their suggestions, hearing them helps me formulate my own choices. And once I’m writing, they help steer me back on course.

Geri Foster at one of
our plotting retreats

Then comes the hard part. Some parts of writing become easier with each book. One part that does not is making basic plots fresh, giving a tried and true idea a new twist. People argue over how many basic plots there are. The number varies from nine to twenty-seven. Supposedly, any book is a variation of one of those basic plots. And the more books and author has written, the harder that new variation becomes. Yeah, bummer.

How to make my feisty, spunky heroine differ from those in my past books? How different is one handsome cowboy from another? You get the idea, right?

Handsome cowboy,
Spunky heroine

Hero and I used to joke about a favorite author who repeated her basic plots. We would say, “This one is plot A.” Or “This one is plot B.” The city and names varied, but little else. At the time, we had no notion of the difficulty of a fresh plot. And, hey, she sold a gazillion books and still is even though she’s passed away.

The main problem I encounter is that life keeps slapping me upside the head. Literally, if you count the fall I had the last week of July and a recent long bout of vertigo. You know there’re always the usual time-killers: dental appointments, doctor visits (or your prescriptions won’t be refilled), and all the errands and social stuff necessary to function--the other stuff that hinders everyone. Then there're the various social media we use to meet fans and promote our books.

Many people think that if you work from home, you can stop and do this or that because, after all, you don’t have a “real” job. Sigh. This is why Debbie Macomber has an office away from her home. If we stop writing, we lose our concentration, our “groove”, and have to reread the last portion we wrote to get back into the zone.  Fortunately, Hero understands this and accommodates my need to hibernate in my pink cave office. He even brings me an occasional cherry Dr Pepper.  

I try to vary settings and events so that my books appear fresh, even though they are always in my style and voice. With a few exceptions, they’re set primarily in Texas and they always end happily. They’re the same, but different. Each main character has a journey, both external and internal. The same, but different. I admit that after twenty-eight books, this isn't easy.

I’m sure you’ve heard that writers are either writing or thinking about writing. It’s true. We can’t help ourselves.  But, I have the best job in the world! Thank you if you've bought my books so I can keep on writing.

If you are feeling cordial, please like my Amazon page:

http://www.amazon.com/Caroline-Clemmons/e/B001K8CXZ6/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1469477014&sr=8-2-ent

Join my newsletter subscribers:

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Visit me on Facebook:

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Connect on Twitter:

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Visit my website:

http://www.carolineclemmons.com

A RACE FOR SAFETY -- CHASING THE DEAD BY KETA DIABLO

Book: Chasing the Dead

Paranormal Western Romance

Publisher: Keta Diablo

Tagline: A sinister ghost is out for revenge. Madrid, Deacon and Sacheen must stay one step ahead of the ghoul and reach the hacienda.

CHASING THE DEAD Blurb:

In 1884 New Mexico, Madrid Arrende finds herself kidnapped by the Apache. Determined to rescue her, her wealthy father realizes there is only one man capable of bringing her back alive...Deacon Bannister. Deacon doesn't give one whit about the large sum of money Don Erasmos Arrende has offered him to find his daughter. He  only cares about bringing the woman he left at the altar a year ago home.

A ghost is terrorizing the Apache village and the young maiden, Sacheen, has been banished by her People for unleashing Uday's wrath. Now, Deacon, Madrid and Sacheen must flee for their lives across the rugged New Mexico landscape with the evil spirit in hot pursuit.

Will they make it back alive to Madrid's father's hacienda or will Deacon lose Madrid forever?

CHASING THE DEAD Setup and Excerpt: 

Madrid and Sacheen confront the ghost

Sacheen ignited Maddie's torch and both women scrambled over the half-wall to light the packets of sage. The moon glinted off a shadowy form sweeping past a line of trees to Maddie's right. Dios, the ghost! With gooseflesh rising on her arms, she called out to Sacheen, "Hurry! Light your bundles and go inside with Deacon."

A circle of fire from a dozen piles of sage lit up the sky around the shelter. The wind moaned and wailed, sounding like the sorrowful lament of Scottish bagpipes. What other magic and manipulations had the dead spirit learned in the underworld since Maddie last saw him?

With a look of startled horror, Sacheen shouldered her. "Do you see him?"

"I thought I told you to go inside. We must not show him fear."

"Do you see him!?"

Tendrils of darkness slipped in as the wraith advanced. Maddie shivered when his visage manifested in her line of vision. More terrifying than any specter she'd ever seen, a haze of gray mist swirled around his translucent form. A quiver hung from his shoulder stocked with stone-headed arrows—a sign he'd taken the form of a native from ancient history. Steeped in blood, his clothing hung in tatters around his massive frame—a vest made of animal hides, a breechcloth and fringed leggings. Maddie's gaze traveled to his painted, pock-marked face. Her insides quivered and ropes of tension knotted every cord and fiber of her body.

 Bleary, unearthly eyes turned to Sacheen when the spirit raised a hand with claw-like fingers and pointed at her chest. The wind, much like the sound of women wailing, keened into the deafening silence. Fire exploded from the ghost's eyes—flames the fires of Hell couldn't compete with.

"Yes." Maddie fought to keep her voice calm and even. "I see him. His hunger for you permeates the air."

Sacheen shouted above the roar and chaos. "You are not welcome here! Hear my words, Uday, you are tats-an. You are dead!”

Maddie peered at the girl through the dim light. Uday? She spoke his name?

"It is I, Sacheen, and I do not fear you chidn. Hear my power:

Hinamaya hinamaya hinamay Chee Chi Yo

 Hinamay chee chi yo hinna may chee chi yo

 Hinna hinna hey ya hinna hinna hey yo

A cry of anguish and rage melded, knifed through the dank, still air. The maiden couldn't see him but stood tall before her imaginary tormentor, her aura shimmering like molten glass. "You are like the dust-storm, nothing but a shiver in the air. Do you hear me? I did not want you in life and will not accept you in death. You are yah-ik-tee, no longer with us!"

Download CHASING THE DEAD

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1SvYfIj

Keta Diablo, Author

Keta Diablo lives in the Midwest part of the United States on six acres of woodland. When she isn't writing or gardening she loves to commune with nature. She adores animals and donates her time and support to local food and animal shelters.

Keta is a multi-published author in contemporary romance, paranormal, historical, and erotic romance. She's also an Amazon best-selling author. Her erotica novel Decadent Deceptions was a finalist in the MOLLY contest sponsored by Romance Writers of America and was nominated for a Red Carpet Award in 2014. Her paranormal novel Meko’s Woman was nominated for a Bookie Award by Authors After Dark and her historical novel Sky Tinted Water was nominated for a RONE Award by Ind’Tale Magazine. Her latest contemporary romance novel, Season, Unforgettable, was a finalist in the romance category sponsored by Independent Author Network Book Awards for 2015.

Keta's books have received numerous Top Pick, Book of the Month, and Recommended Read awards from top professional review sites.

Follow Keta on the Net:

Author Blog: http://ketaskeep.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KetaDiablo.Author

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

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ketadiablo/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Keta-Diablo/e/B002BODURI/

COWBOY IN CHARGE IS NEW FROM BARBARA WHITE DAILLE!

Caroline, thank you for inviting me to visit again!

Readers, I’m sharing a peek into my brand-new release, COWBOY IN CHARGE. To beat the summer heat, I’ve chosen a clip intended to help you think cool thoughts. ;)  

COWBOY IN CHARGE Excerpt

A banana split wouldn’t have been his first choice of dessert in January, but it never dropped off his personal menu. He wondered how much of Layne’s agreement was driven by the boy’s eagerness to have ice cream and how much of it came from her need to sit down.

They were the only ones in the place, which allowed her to argue with him about who would pay for their order.

“You bought my groceries,” she said in a low voice when Shay had moved away to assemble his banana split. “Getting dessert is the least I can do.”

“You never pay when I’m with you at the Big Dipper,” he said flatly.

Her face froze. She blinked once, then walked away to plop herself down at a nearby table.

They had left the carriage parked outside the shop. She set the baby carrier on the far edge of the table near the wall and took off the blanket. Scott settled down in a chair beside them with his ice cream cone.

The minute Jason joined them, Layne leaned forward and said quietly, “That wasn’t necessary.”

“Really? With the way Shay stood behind the counter giving me the evil eye?”

She shot a quick look toward the cash register, but he knew the other woman had disappeared through the doorway behind it into the back room.

“She didn’t give you the evil eye.”

“Close enough to it, and I wasn’t about to stand down.”

He dug into his banana split and held up a mouthful of vanilla ice cream. “You sure you don’t want any? I can always get another spoon.”

“No, thanks.”

“Too tame for you, huh? You always went for the fancy ones, the chocolate-marshmallow swirl or the pistachio-walnut-mint.”

“I’m surprised you remembered.” She didn’t meet his eyes.

“Are you kidding? Those were premium flavors. I had to pay extra for `em.”

That got her looking at him. “Don’t even try to make me feel guilty about that. Your banana splits and triple-dip sundaes cost three times as much as my cones.”

He laughed and spooned up a mound of chocolate ice cream covered with whipped cream. “We spent plenty of time here in our dating days, didn’t we?”

“It was everybody’s favorite hangout.”

“I’ll agree with that. And I won’t point out how you sidestepped the question.”

From the cover of COWBOY IN CHARGE:

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Single mom Layne Slater thought she'd seen the last of Jason McAndry when he chose the rodeo over her and their unborn son. Now Jason's back in Cowboy Creek and just as handsome as ever. But Layne can't give in to those feelings again. She has to protect her children…and her heart.

Jason wants to try to make up for the pain he caused when he left. The least he can do is help Layne while he's home. Before long, Jason realizes he's finally ready to be the husband, father and man his family deserves. But can Jason prove to Layne that this time, their love is forever?

Find the book:

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Cowboy-Charge-Hitching-Post-Hotel/dp/0373756283

Barnes & Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cowboy-in-charge-barbara-white-daille/1123353803

Books-A-Million

http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Cowboy-Charge/Barbara-White-Daille/9780373756285

Harlequin

http://www.harlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=65377

IndieBound

http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780373756285

Kobo

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/cowboy-in-charge

Barbara White Daille

Barbara White Daille lives with her husband in the sunny Southwest. Though they love the warm winters and the lizards in their front yard, they haven’t gotten used to the scorpions in the bathroom.

Cowboy in Charge is the latest book in The Hitching Post Hotel series. Other books in the series will follow. And at the end of 2016, she begins a new sweet romance series for Entangled Bliss.

You can find more info about Barbara and her books at the following locations:

Website  http://www.barbarawhitedaille.com

Blog  http://www.barbarawhitedaille.com/blog

Newsletter  http://www.barbarawhitedaille.com/newsletter

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

Twitter  https://twitter.com/BarbaraWDaille

Amazon author page  http://www.amazon.com/Barbara-White-Daille/e/B002J6B0QQ

Harlequin author page  http://www.harlequin.com/author.html?authorid=1244  

Goodreads author page
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/529361.Barbara_White_Daille

COVER REVEAL AND THE SERIES

My latest historical western romance is RACHEL, Bride Brigade book 5. I’m sharing the cover with readers today to whet your appetite—I hope! Her story will be released August 26.

On a side-note, do you love mail-order bride stories? I love reading and writing them. The aspects of the fish-out-of-water and the characters' adjustments appeal to me.

After reading Chris Enss’ books about real mail-order brides, I know that many were terribly unhappy. I believe most were—if not a marriage made in heaven—at least a life of satisfaction in which both the husband and wife gained.

After the Civil War, there were so many fewer marriageable men in the East than women. A woman had to choose whether or not she wanted to risk a mail-order marriage in order to have her own home, husband, and children. The other choices were to live with a relative as a sort of glorified servant, teach other people’s children, or work at a job with low pay and no prospects for more. Both Hero's family and mine had instances of the glorified servant. Life as the live-in spinster aunt doesn't sound like a fulfilling life, does it?

When I conceived the Bride Brigade Series, I wanted to create a twist on the mail-order bride. Lydia Harrison brings seven women from Virginia to Tarnation, Texas to meet the town’s bachelors. She was certain each woman would find the man perfect for her. In fact, she chose each woman with a man in mind—but she didn’t tell anyone that. Each of the seven is strong in her own way, Make that eight if you count Lydia, and I do.

So far, Josephine, Angeline, Cassandra, and Ophelia have fallen in love and married. Now we meet Rachel. She has just been released from prison after being framed for embezzlement by her boss. Her father has asked her to quickly leave before she resurrects the disgrace she caused the family by her arrest, trial, and imprisonment—as if being framed were her fault. 

I hope you’ll enjoy RACHEL as much as I do. I love Lydia and these young women and feel as if I know each one, as well as the strong men they come to love. LORRAINE and PRUDENCE will soon follow this fall.

Next month I’ll release two connected contemporary western books, GRANT ME THE MOON and CAPTURE A STAR.

ALWAYS YOU -- BY RUTH ROBERTS

Always You by Ruth Roberts

After tragedy strikes, Diana Mathison finds herself back in her home town of Magnolia Falls, sharing custody of her baby sister with her step sister. Reeling from the death of their parents, the three sisters have to learn how to lean on each other and live life without their two pillars of strength. Diana is full of doubts in her ability to raise a little girl and run her father’s law firm. The last thing she needs is to have Zack Connelly back in her life. The last time she let him in she ended up hurt and broken hearted.


Zack has given up on true love. It’s not for him and it’s certainly not with Diana Mathison. He came back to Magnolia Falls to heal after losing his sweet wife and their unborn child at the hands of a drunk driver. Hannah never had a chance at the love and happiness she deserved, therefore neither should he. His life plan is to take care of his sister and niece for as long as they need him, and to be the best veterinarian the town has ever had. That’s enough for him…or is it?





ALWAYS YOU Excerpt

She leaned against the counter and began filling them out. “How much do I owe you?” She asked.

“Dinner,” he replied.

She looked up at him with a raised brow. “Excuse me?”

“You owe me the dinner you promised me ten years ago, with interest I’d say you owe me somewhere around one hundred dinners.” He put his elbows on the counter between them and leaned towards her, bringing their faces close together. “I’m free Friday if you want to start chipping away at that debt.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

She stood up straight and pushed the completed forms toward him. “That should do it.” She gathered up her purse and keys she had set on the counter. “I’ll thank you now for the puppy because at two in the morning when it has me up with its whining and howling, I will be anything but thankful. In fact, I will probably be cursing you.”

She smiled, but it didn’t quite have the same flash as before, and he felt a web of disappointment she hadn’t responded the way he wanted her to. But he wasn’t planning on giving up that easily. “You’re welcome. And if you need any help at two in the morning or just want the satisfaction of knowing I’m not getting any sleep either, call me.”

“I just might do that. See you around, Zack.”

“Sure thing,” he said as she walked through the door.

She stopped, turned around, and leaned against the door jam. A smile touched the corners of her lips. “Dinner’s at seven. Don’t be late.”

Author Ruth Roberts

Romance novelist Ruth Roberts lives in the Big D, where city life abounds but the wide open spaces Texas is famous for are within easy reach. Her books transport readers to the glittering life of high-society, while making the characters normal, fun people we would all like to have as friends. She loves reading, writing and Gilmore Girls. She and her teenage daughter call themselves the real life Gilmore Girls. Her very own romantic hero of twenty years is her greatest inspiration and support.

Website

Blast Giveaway


$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash


Ends 8/26/16


Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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THE CONGRESSMAN'S WIFE OFFERS SUSPENSE, SEX, AND CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

The Congressman’s Wife

by Charlene Keel

 Arie Pavlou

GENRE: Contemporary Romance

Charlene will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

THE CONGRESSMAN’S WIFE Blurb:

All Eden Bancroft has ever been to her high-profile politician husband is a trophy wife, born and bred for the part. She believes she has no choice but to play it—until she meets a talented chef and restaurant heir who makes her feel loved for herself alone. The more her husband uses and belittles her, the more deeply Eden falls for Kaleb. Even with Mitchell’s congressional campaign in full swing, the lovers manage to find brief stolen moments together. When her husband is wounded by a bullet from a disgruntled lobbyist, Eden must stay by his side. What she learns can set her free, if she has the courage to take a stand.

THE CONGRESSMAN’S WIFE Excerpt

Love at First Sight

This was an important night and Eden was at her best.  Her makeup was flawless and she’d pulled her honey-blonde hair up, letting it cascade down her back in a waterfall of curls. Her Norma Kamali gown, a dark emerald green that made her eyes sparkle, clung to her body and defined every curve.

Mitchell took her elbow and steered her towards the entrance to the ballroom, and the photographers followed them inside.  They had missed cocktails, partly because Mitchell wanted them to make an entrance, but mostly because he didn’t want her to have access to freely flowing liquor so soon after they’d had a fight.  The row they’d had earlier had been a big one.

He didn’t like it when she told him he was getting ahead of himself.  As soon as he’d decided to run for congress, he’d started spending, running up the balance on their credit cards.  There was no guarantee he’d win, she’d argued, even though he was well known on the political scene.  His family had owned a few dozen acres in this part of Long Island for over a hundred years, and his father had been a state Supreme Court judge.  Mitchell was convinced that, along with his mayoral record, it was enough to guarantee him a seat in congress.

The fight tonight had started when she’d reminded him that if the dinner didn’t go well, his campaign would be over before it got started.  This was their first formal fundraiser.  At five hundred dollars a plate, she was worried they wouldn’t meet their goal.

Their argument had been pointless—like most of them.  When he had his mind set on something, Mitchell didn’t want to hear that his scheme of the moment was imperfect, and he especially didn’t like being told it wasn’t smart to spend money they didn’t have.  They both had ample designer wardrobes, but he had insisted on the expensive gown for Eden and a new tuxedo for himself.  The limo had been his campaign manager’s idea and she thought it ridiculous.  Mitchell, however, had been delighted.

All she had been able to think of as she got dressed was that their credit cards were almost maxed out—again.  Whether he won the election or not, she would have to get a second job if she didn’t want him to ask his mother to pay them down—again.  His law practice, which could have been successful if he would stay focused on it, was suffering because of all the time he was putting into the campaign.

Mitchell didn’t cope well with any kind of disappointment and if tonight was a washout, he would be impossible.  She was so tired of taking care of him, doing everything for him, especially the constant, incessant ego stroking he required. 

As they walked into the Ocean Club, appreciative murmurs swept through the crowd—most of the comments she’d heard before.  Mitchell and Eden Bancroft were the glamorous, golden couple—beautiful, bright, young, sophisticated and well-connected pillars of the community.  Suddenly, a new insight dawned on her.

Except for his height Mitchell was completely unremarkable.  Having her at his side transformed him into a mysterious, even sexy man.  To look as ordinary as he did and still get a woman like Eden made him sexy.  This unexpected epiphany delighted her.  Laughter bubbled up in her throat as she flashed her million-dollar smile.

v   

That’s when Kaleb saw her.  He had gone out to the dining room to consult with the maître d’ and as he started back to the kitchen, he heard the full, rich sound of her laughter.  He’d turned to see where it was coming from and at that moment, for him, time stopped.  It was as if every moving part of the universe froze in a weird kind of suspended animation.  For a moment he could hardly breathe.  He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.  Her dress was emerald green, slightly darker than her eyes, and her just-right tan accented her soft, blonde hair.  It looked soft anyway, and her skin looked dewy and inviting.  Kaleb stared at her in awe.  Doris, a waitress who had worked all day at her regular job and was doing the gig tonight to pick up a few extra bucks, followed his gaze to the amazing woman. 

“Good choice, kid,” she said, heading into to the kitchen.  “She’s hot.”

  

 

Charlene Keel, Author

Charlene Keel has written over a dozen novels and how-to books as well as multiple episodes of popular TV shows such as Fantasy Island and Days of our Lives.  Her Dell book, RITUALS, was the basis for the first made-for-syndication soap opera.  Recently she co-authored THE TRACKS, a YA supernatural trilogy.  SHADOW TRAIN, the final installment, won a Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewer’s Choice Award.  Keel has also written screen adaptations of novels by bestselling authors, and has worked as editor or managing editor for a few international magazines.  In her spare time she ghostwrites books and screenplays for celebrities, doctors, corporate moguls, spies, strippers and anyone who has an interesting story to tell.

For more information:

Website: CharleneKeel.net -   http://www.charlenekeel.net/

Follow Charlene on Twitter - https://twitter.com/CharleneKeel

Charlene Keel on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/charlene.keel.1

Blog: Red Sky Book Blog - https://redskybookblog.wordpress.com/category/charlene-keel/

Arie Pavlou is a popular chef who attended Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and then perfected his craft at some of the top-rated Michelin restaurants in France and New York.  He has lived and worked in France, Cyprus and the U. S. and is an avid world traveler who speaks five languages.  He enjoys all sports and has a talent for knife-throwing, which he perfected at Le Cordon Bleu.  Currently Chef de Cuisine at the renowned Bridgehampton Inn in New York, his specialties include Caramelized Baked Alaska, Winter Salad, Roast Lamb Fondue, Wild Game and Poached Pears with Mint Ice Cream.  THE CONGRESSMAN’S WIFE is his first novel, and he’s currently writing a cookbook.

For more information:

Arie Pavlou on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/arie.pavlou

Charlene will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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