Thursday;s Opening Scene from A Marriage Takes Two #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Romance #Medical #Contemporary

 Two hours of pep talks, a dozen whispered mantras, and five sets of calming breaths, failed to settle Carrie Graham’s acute case of nerves. Get a grip, she told herself. She was going to see Tony, childhood defender, teenage ego booster, and the one person who’d always listened. Besides, she’d already eliminated every other candidate for the position.

Who are you kidding?

Myself?

From the moment she’d been presented with her current dilemma, he was the only possibility. All she had to do was convince him… But could she?  Sure Tony listened, but he didn’t talk about his problems, or his feelings.

The fading light of dusk made her slow the car in order to read the street signs. She’d planned to leave the apartment at noon, but the short nap after her night shift stretched until late afternoon.

She made the final turn into Fourth Street in a small West Virginia town established in the days when coal mining dominated the area. She shook her head. Rundown houses and boarded storefronts were the norm along the town’s main street. Why was Tony practicing medicine in this end-of-the-road place?

She hadn’t seen him for years, not since several months after his marriage, an event that had shaken her life. His wife hadn’t understood the friendship, or Tony and Carrie’s mutual interest in medical mysteries. With a flash of anger, Carrie recalled the night that woman stormed into the hospital cafeteria and spewed jealous accusations.

Carrie’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. She’d been embarrassed, hurt, and angry enough that she’d walked away from her best friend.

She’d heard rumors Tony’s wife had taken off for greener pastures. At least that’s what the hometown gossips said. Not that Carrie believed in gossip, especially after the news of her inheritance brought the tongue-waggers out in force.

She slowed the car to a crawl. Waves of panic lashed against her momentary calm. The place in her head where she’d filed his address was empty. She braked. The paper with the directions fluttered from the dashboard. She bent and grabbed them.

One glance was enough to retrieve the forgotten data. She eased off the brake and cruised the street. Half the houses were missing numbers. What now? Then at the foot of the dead end street, she saw the ones she’d memorized displayed in shiny brass on a massive gray house that looked like the setting for a Gothic novel.

A broad lawn fronted the house. The tailored grass stood in contrast to the tangles on either side.

“This is the place.” She gulped a breath.

After parking at the curb, she slowly released a held breath. She strode up the walk and onto the wide porch. Muffled shouts and noises came from inside. She rang the bell. What sounded like a slammed door nearly sent her back to the car. Who was staging a major temper tantrum?  She thought Tony lived alone.

She rang the bell again, this time holding it for several peals. The door opened and she forgot why she’d come. She forgot to breathe. Her eyes widened and her heart pounded in a staccato rhythm until she thought her ribs would crack.

He was more than she remembered.

Are you sure you want to be here?

“Tony.” His name escaped on a sigh. She felt like a teenager come face to face with the latest movie hero. This was the man she planned to ask…She changed her mind. Time to retreat. The plan wouldn’t work, not with the things he made her feel, and what he made her want.

“Carrie...Oh lord, it’s been ages. What are you doing here?  You look terrific.”

She did?  He must be blind. Even her coworkers had made comments about the deep smudges beneath her eyes. Most days, she felt as though she was suffering from terminal exhaustion.

“Come in.” He took her hand.

Exhaustion vanished. He’d always made her feet great, but this instant tonic-effect startled her. Coming to see him had grown corners she couldn’t see around.

“I can’t believe you’re here.” He drew her inside. “What brings you to town?”

She wanted to tell him, but the words caught in her throat. “Would you believe I was in the neighborhood?

Tony laughed. “No.”

She inhaled and the spicy scent of him invaded her space. “I came...” She couldn’t finish the sentence. He’d been her hero, her prince, her fantasy lover. In the flesh, he relegated those images to black and white.

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Sunday's Book A Marriage Takes Two #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Romance #Medical

 

"This is medieval.” That’s Carrie’s response to the reading of her grandfather’s will. The money will allow her to provide for her ill mother and give her the chance to give up one of her full time jobs as a nurse. The money won’t be hers until she marries. This creates a dilemma. She has no time for dating and doesn’t know who would marry her until she thinks of her former best friend, Tony. But can she ask him? Two months later time is running out and she decides to take the plunge. Three years ago, Tony and his wife divorced. Last year he obtained custody or their child. When Carrie asks him to marry her he decides since this won’t be a real marriage, he can accept. Years ago, he loved Carrie but never said anything to her. Now burned, he doesn’t believe in love. To help her uncomplicate her life he agrees. Can Tony and Carrie get past the reason for the marriage and find love and make a home for his son?

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Wednesday A Marriage Takes Two #MFRWHooks #BWLAuthor #Romance #Medical

Join the authors at #MFRWHooks here http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com  for some great excerpts Mine is a medical romance about a modern marriage of convenience

BLURB;
” This is medieval.” That’s Carrie’s response to the reading of her grandfather’s will. The money will allow her to provide for her ill mother and give her the chance to give up one of her full time jobs as a nurse. The money won’t be hers until she marries. This creates a dilemma. She has no time for dating and doesn’t know who would marry her until she thinks of her former best friend, Tony. But can she ask him? Two months later time is running out and she decides to take the plunge.

Three years ago, Tony and his wife divorced. Last year he obtained custody or their child. When Carrie asks him to marry her he decides since this won’t be a real marriage, he can accept. Years ago, he loved Carrie but never said anything to her. Now burned, he doesn’t believe in love. To help her uncomplicate her life he agrees.

Can Tony and Carrie get past the reason for the marriage and find love and make a home for his son?




EXCERPT:

She slowed the car to a crawl. Waves of panic lashed against her momentary calm. The place in her head where she’d filed his address was empty. She braked. The paper with the directions fluttered from the dashboard. She bent and grabbed them.

One glance was enough to retrieve the forgotten data. She eased off the brake and cruised the street. Half the houses had missing numbers. What now?  Then at the foot of the dead end street, she saw the ones she’d memorized displayed in shiny brass on a massive gray house that looked like the setting for a Gothic novel.

A broad lawn fronted the house. The tailored grass stood in contrast to the tangles on either side.

“This is the place.” She gulped a breath.

After parking at the curb, she slowly released a held breath. She strode up the walk and onto the wide porch. Muffled shouts and noises came from inside the house. She rang the bell. What sounded like a slammed door nearly sent her back to the car. Who was staging a major temper tantrum?  She thought Tony lived alone.

She rang the bell again, this time holding for several peals. The door opened and she forgot why she’d come. She forgot to breathe. Her eyes widened and her heart pounded in a staccato rhythm until she thought her ribs would crack.

He was more than she remembered.

Are you sure you want to be here?

“Tony.” His name escaped on a sigh. She felt like a teenager come face to face with the latest movie hero. This was the man she planned to ask…She changed her mind. Time to retreat. The plan wouldn’t work, not with the things he made her feel and what he made her want.

“Carrie...Oh lord, it’s been ages. What are you doing here?  You look terrific.”

She did?  He must be blind. Even her coworkers had made comments about the deep smudges beneath her eyes. Most days, she felt as though she was suffering from terminal exhaustion.

“Come in.” He took her hand.

Exhaustion vanished. He’d always made her feet great, but this instant tonic-effect startled her. Coming to see him had grown corners she couldn’t see around.

“I can’t believe you’re here.” He drew her inside. “What brings you to town?”

She wanted to tell him, but the words caught in her throat. “Would you believe I was in the neighborhood?

Tony laughed. “No.”

She inhaled and the spicy scent of him invaded her space. “I came...” She couldn’t finish the sentence. He’d been her hero, her prince, her fantasy lover. In the flesh, he relegated those images to black and white.

“I bet you came to apply for the nursing position at the clinic.” He steered her down a hall that needed paint into a large living room. “Did you get lost on the way there?  Unfortunately, I’m not the one you need to see.”

She shook her head. “Another job is the last thing I need. I already have two.”

“Why?”

She shrugged. “Necessity.”

“I don’t understand.”

“It’s a long story.” She sighed. “I shouldn’t have come.”

“What’s wrong?  Sounds like you need a shoulder.”

The entire body, she thought. “You could say...It’s like this...I have a problem that needs a solution...It’s sort of...” Her throat closed. Maybe she should leave. Go home. Forget the plan. Find a new one. Except, he was her first, last and only choice.

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Wednesday Havens Book 2 Affinities #MFRWHooks #BWLPublishing #Fantasy #YA

Visit me at http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot and join the writers at #MFRWHooks here   http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com  and find some great excerpts.

BLURB:

The four teens, led by the mysterious birds they believe are their parents seek a place of safety where they can learn to control their affinities. They find a place of refuge with Doma Jandia, grandmother of their friend Zand. The doma plans to take them to the highlands but news of the capture of two of their friends by Dom Senet, sends them on a rescue mission. Their powers are not strong enough to defeat the evil dom. They must find a way to succeed or their friends will be corrupted forever.



EXCERPT:

Alizand

     Alizand prowled about his bed chamber.  He paused beside the window and pushed the heavy draperies aside.  Another day of confinement.  Since the day his step-brothers had invaded the suite, forcing Alizand to reveal his affinity for Fire, he’d been a prisoner. 

     At least the guards at the door believed he couldn’t leave.  They didn’t know about the hidden sections and the secret rooms and passages to be found beyond the walls.  Though Alizand could slip away, he should wait until night lest his room be checked.  Dom Senet often made random visits during the day.  Only when Alizand’s personal guard appeared could he escape these chambers. The corridors and places he could go had to be kept secret. 

     He was bored.  He even missed the tedious lessons he’d been given by the clan elders during the short time he’d been acknowledged as his father’s heir.  Having his affinity exposed had ended the dream of being deemed fit to become a prince.  No one who could use one or all of the elements could rule the princedom of Wesren.

     He stared at the tray on the table.  A maidservant had delivered the food a short time before.  Though he had eaten nothing since yesterday’s midday meal, he had no desire to break his fast.

The back of Alizand’s neck prickled.  Trouble approached.  Which of the many enemies he’d collected in his fourteen years of life came to upset his day?

     The door opened.  Before the guard could announce the visitor, a tall man entered.  His ash blond hair hung in a single braid.  Black leather riding clothes gleamed in the light from candles set in glass-shielded sconces on the wall.  His dark green eyes sought and held Alizand’s gaze.

     A smile appeared on Dom Senet’s face.  Alizand felt like a tabby surrounded by a pack of ratis.  He forced himself to breathe.  How could one man raise such a high degree of terror?  Though Alizand’s legs felt unsteady, he forced himself to remain on his feet.

     “Dom Senet.”  A sense of pride filled Alizand’s thoughts.  His voice hadn’t cracked or risen to a high pitch to reveal his inner quaking.

     The dom stroked the multi-colored gem he wore about his neck.  The gold chain glinted.  “I have questions for you to answer.”

     Questions, Alizand thought.  What kind of trick was this?  He couldn’t relax his barriers or forget his suspicions of the dom.  Was this a new way to fool him into becoming the dom’s puppet?  Alizand needed to respond.  To remain silent would expose his fear.  “What do you want to know?”

     “About your kin, the children of your father’s step-brother.  I have a great need to find them.  Poor lost children who need a home and a guardian.”

     Alizand’s hands clenched.  His friends had saved his life when he’d been injured in the aftermath of the destruction of the henge.  With them, he’d been Zand, a person and not a creature to be used.        “I don’t know where they are.  I told my father I didn’t and I say the same to you.”

     “I think otherwise.”  The dom moved closer.

     Alizand clung to his determination to resist.  He felt icy touches trying to push beneath his surface thoughts and invade his memories.  He pressed his hand against the gem beneath his tunic and strained to hold firm against Dom Senet’s invasion.  “How could I know where they’ve been or where they’re going?  I’ve been a prisoner here for weeks.”

     Dom Senet ran a finger along Alizand’s cheek.  “And I imagine you have no idea how the child escaped the circle room.”

     “What child?”  Though he had released Ky, he didn’t consider her a child.  The pressure in his head built until his vision and balance wavered.  “Is there a circular room in your suite?”  The pressure vanished so suddenly Alizand’s knees folded and he fell into the chair.

     Dom Senet frowned.  “Perhaps someone else is to blame.”

     Alizand looked up.  “Who?”

     “Don’t worry.  I’ll learn.  As for you, your barriers are stronger than they were the last time we met.  I haven’t time to break then now, but be assured when I return, you will answer to me.”

     “Even if I don’t know the answers you want?”  To Alizand’s surprise, though inside he battled hysteria, his voice remained calm.

     “This much I can tell you.  Your friends have left the city and foolishly chose to challenge me.  They gave themselves away.  Though they’ve escaped, they have nowhere to go.  I’m leading a patrol of guards eager to receive the reward your father has offered for the return of his step-brother’s children.  We will bring them back.”

     His laughter sent prickles along Alizand’s skin.  “Will you betray my father by taking charge of them?”
     “Betray him?  How?  Your father is mine to move as I will.  Once he sees these children have affinities, he’ll gladly name me as their guardian.”  The dom leaned closer.  “When I return with them you will come to me.  Don’t think to flee.  Remember, I touched your gem.  No matter where you go, I can find you, unless you remove the crystal and suffer the seizures of destruction.”  He strode to the door.

Kat Taylor

5.0 out of 5 starsTake me away...

March 8, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Do not miss this exciting and dynamic series. An escape for young adults as well as adults with a passion for

 fantasy. Janet Lane Walters creates world like no other writer I know.

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Thursday's Fourth Scene A Marriage Takes Two #MFRWAuthor #BWLPublishing #Eomance #Medical

The sound of Tony’s deep voice woke her. “Chad, time to be up and at ‘em.”

The order made her smile and raised an eagerness to see him, an eagerness she had to hide. She sat on the edge of the bed and listened to a sleepy child beg for a few more minutes.

“Come on, buddy.”

“Five minutes, please.”

“On your feet.”

She scurried to the bathroom that adjoined the guest room. The green silk underwear she’d washed the night before hung on the shower curtain rod. After putting on the wisps of silk, she slid into her jeans and pulled a sweater several shades darker than her bra over her head. Then she finger-combed her hair.

When she opened the door into the hall, she stifled a sigh. Tony looked better than he had in her dreams. What if he said no?

“Don’t borrow trouble,” she whispered. She stepped into the hall and caught her first glimpse of Tony’s son. He was his father’s image in miniature. Her thoughts rocketed to her first encounter with Tony -- the day he’d become her hero and her best friend.

The boy stamped his foot. “It’s not fair.”

“Life often isn’t.”

Carrie’s breath caught. Tony leaned against the wall. Faded jeans covered his long legs. He wore no shirt. Her gaze focused on the mat of dark hair on his muscular chest. The man was a walking anatomy lesson for the muscular-skeletal system. She itched to explore the lines of his pectorals, intercostals and muscles she’d forgotten how to name.

“Not fair. It’s not fair.”

“And who promised it would be?”  Tony asked.

Carrie held in a chuckle. How many times had he said those words to her?

“Son, just get on with what you have to do.”

This time, she laughed. Tony and Chad stared at her. The boy’s blue eyes turned hostile, but in Tony’s eyes, she saw memories and promises.

“Can we do something special tonight?” Chad asked.

“Count on it.” Tony grinned. “Carrie, come and meet my son.”

She clutched the promise she’d seen and strode toward them. “You certainly can’t deny he’s yours. He has the Flynn look.”

Tony winked. “There are times…” He ruffled his son’s dark curls. “Carrie, this is Chad. She’s an old friend.”

The boy’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t look that old.”

Carrie smiled. “You’ve got that straight. I’ve known your dad since I was your age.”

Chad grinned. “That’s forever. Guess you are old.”

“Hey,” Tony said. “She’s four years younger and was like my little sister.”

“Okay.” Chad headed down the hall. “Hazel’s here. I smell the coffee. Bet she makes pancakes ‘cause we have company.”

Once he started downstairs, Carrie forced her gaze away from Tony’s chest and met his eyes. “What did you decide?”

“Patience. Tell you later.”

Their gazes meshed. Warmth that had nothing to do with comfort and everything to do with desire flooded her system. She swallowed. Feeling this way was a sure recipe for disaster.

He thought of her as a little sister, and from what she’d heard in his voice last night, he still loved his ex-wife. Still, he might agree to a marriage of convenience.

That’s what she wanted. If she repeated those words for the next ten years, she might believe them.

“See you downstairs. Follow the coffee trail, but don’t drink it unless you like rocket fuel. Usually smells better than it tastes.”

“I already made the mistake of having a cup. Strong is a joke.”

Until he vanished into his room, she lingered in the hall and considered the situation. If he agreed to marry her, she was in trouble. With her feelings for him, the marriage would rapidly become very inconvenient.

Sunday's Book A Marriage Takes Two #MFRWAuthor #BWLPublishing #Romance #Contemporary #nedical

” This is medieval.” That’s Carrie’s response to the reading of her grandfather’s will. The money will allow her to provide for her ill mother and give her the chance to give up one of her full time jobs as a nurse. The money won’t be hers until she marries. This creates a dilemma. She has no time for dating and doesn’t know who would marry her until she thinks of her former best friend, Tony. But can she ask him? Two months later time is running out and she decides to take the plunge.

Three years ago, Tony and his wife divorced. Last year he obtained custody or their child. When Carrie asks him to marry her he decides since this won’t be a real marriage, he can accept. Years ago, he loved Carrie but never said anything to her. Now burned, he doesn’t believe in love. To help her uncomplicate her life he agrees. 

Can Tony and Carrie get past the reason for the marriage and find love and make a home for his son?

Reviews:

Carol Butti

4.0 out of 5 starsFour Stars

May 16, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Fun, easy to read with just enough conflict to keep it interesting. Will read more of Ms. Walters books.

Rosemary Morris

5.0 out of 5 stars21st Century Marriage of Convenience

February 28, 2018

Format: Kindle Edition

What does the future hold for Carrie? She is not sure whether Tony, her ‘childhood protector’, ‘teenage ego booster

’, the one person who always listened to her, will help her. Years ago, Tony’s wife, Marilyn spread false accusations 

about Carrie, a nurse, in the hospital cafeteria. Embarrassed and angry Carrie walked away from Tony, her best 

friend. Since then, Marilyn has left Tony and their son Chad, who reacted by behaving badly.Tony has never forgotten, Carrie, his first love. When she asks him to marry her to fulfil the terms of her grandfather’s will, although he has reservations he agrees to help her. However, with a rebellious

 child to deal with and an uncertain relationship they have much to resolve.

Ms Lane-Walters has written a romantic novel about a marriage of convenience with many twists and turns that

 held my interest from beginning to end.
A Marriage Takes Two contains explicit sex.

Wednesday A Marriage Takes Two #MFRWHooks #BWLPublishing #Medical #Romance

Join the writers at #MFRWHooks here    http://mfrwbookhooks.blogspot.com  for some great excerpts.  Mine is A Marriage Takes Two

BLURB:
” This is medieval.” That’s Carrie’s response to the reading of her grandfather’s will. The money will allow her to provide for her ill mother and give her the chance to give up one of her full time jobs as a nurse. The money won’t be hers until she marries. This creates a dilemma. She has no time for dating and doesn’t know who would marry her until she thinks of her former best friend, Tony. But can she ask him? Two months later time is running out and she decides to take the plunge.

Three years ago, Tony and his wife divorced. Last year he obtained custody or their child. When Carrie asks him to marry her he decides since this won’t be a real marriage, he can accept. Years ago, he loved Carrie but never said anything to her. Now burned, he doesn’t believe in love. To help her uncomplicate her life he agrees. 

Can Tony and Carrie get past the reason for the marriage and find love and make a home for his son?



EXCERPT:

Two hours of pep talks, a dozen whispered mantras and five sets of calming breaths failed to settle Carrie Graham’s acute case of nerves. Get a grip, she told herself. She was going to see Tony, childhood defender, teenage ego booster and the one person who’d always listened. Besides, she’d already eliminated every other candidate for the position.

Who are you kidding?

Myself?

From the moment she’d been presented with her current dilemma, he was the only possibility. All she had to do was convince him… But could she?  Sure Tony listened, but he didn’t talk about his problems or his feelings.

The fading light of dusk made her slow the car in order to read the street signs. She’d planned to leave the apartment at noon but the short nap after her night shift had stretched until late afternoon.

She made the final turn into Fourth Street in a small West Virginia town established in the days when coal mining had dominated the area. She shook her head. Rundown houses and boarded storefronts were the norm along the town’s main street. Why was Tony practicing medicine in this end-of-the-road place?

She hadn’t seen him for years, not since several months after his marriage, an event that had shaken her life. His wife hadn’t understood the friendship or Tony’s and Carrie’s mutual interest in medical mysteries. With a flash of anger, Carrie recalled the night that woman had stormed into the hospital cafeteria and spewed jealous accusations.

Carrie’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. She’d been embarrassed, hurt and angry enough that she’d walked away from her best friend.

She’d heard rumors that Tony’s wife had taken off for greener pastures. At least that’s what the hometown gossips had said. Not that Carrie believed in gossip, especially after the news of her inheritance had brought the tongue-waggers out in force.

She slowed the car to a crawl. Waves of panic lashed against her momentary calm. The place in her head where she’d filed his address was empty. She braked. The paper with the directions fluttered from the dashboard. She bent and grabbed them.

One glance was enough to retrieve the forgotten data. She eased off the brake and cruised the street. Half the houses had missing numbers. What now?  Then at the foot of the dead end street, she saw the ones she’d memorized displayed in shiny brass on a massive gray house that looked like the setting for a Gothic novel.

A broad lawn fronted the house. The tailored grass stood in contrast to the tangles on either side.

“This is the place.” She gulped a breath.

After parking at the curb, she slowly released a held breath. She strode up the walk and onto the wide porch. Muffled shouts and noises came from inside the house. She rang the bell. What sounded like a slammed door nearly sent her back to the car. Who was staging a major temper tantrum?  She thought Tony lived alone.

She rang the bell again, this time holding for several peals. The door opened and she forgot why she’d come. She forgot to breathe. Her eyes widened and her heart pounded in a staccato rhythm until she thought her ribs would crack.

He was more than she remembered.

Are you sure you want to be here?

“Tony.” His name escaped on a sigh. She felt like a teenager come face to face with the latest movie hero. This was the man she planned to ask…She changed her mind. Time to retreat. The plan wouldn’t work, not with the things he made her feel and what he made her want.

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