April Showers Bring Wha???

Hi everyone! It’s been a while since my last update. I hope everyone is well, and staying safe.

April was an insane month for me. I have been making a ton of promo posters, as you saw in the last blog entry by yours truly, and I’ve been going nuts fast drafting the Top Secret project. Dana’s story was put on hold for the time being, so I could get the Top Secret one finished.

Writing Update

I started the Top Secret manuscript itself in January but really didn’t get into the story until April. I parked my butt at the computer and just ran with it. The manuscript was about 7K to 8K when I started (can’t remember exactly WHERE I started writing in the manuscript this month)
I started the fast drafting on April 8^th. I typed “THE END” in the manuscript on April 27^th.

When I finished it, it was over 44K. That’s over 37K in 20 days, and I was writing only two days a week on average. My highest word count in one day was on April 9, and it was 7850 words. Highest week was April 11 to 17^th, at 14,925 words. I blew through it!

I’m still not allowed discussing the Top Secret Project yet, but I can give a few tiny hints that will make you wonder what kind of stuff I got into this time:

1. I have three coconspirators. Who they are will remain top secret unless I have permission to open the yap.
2. The idea is one given to the rest of us by one of the coconspirators. Her idea, we wrote our own take on it.
3. It's in a genre I've never tried before....It's a paranormal romance with horror elements. (It's been interesting!)
4. Minimum word count was 30,000 words. Mine was about 44K when it went into stasis last night.
5. I wrote a synopsis for it, and the blurb is done - as in edited and ready for Nicki's approval.
6. I will be subbing it sometimes in late May. It's due May 31st, I THINK.

That's it. I'm not allowed saying anything else. *zips lips!*

I’m getting ideas on what we should be using for promos for this book as well as the other authors’ books (same background, etc) and a few other things. Thank heavens for subscriptions to stock photo sites… Talk about lifesavers (I don’t use the free sites, only sites you pay for so I know it’s safe to use in my promos, etc.)

I’m taking the rest of the week off from writing, and I’ll be bringing the Top Secret story out of stasis probably on Tuesday. We’re back to online learning in Nova Scotia, but I can edit and do my graphics designs while I’m supervising my son and his schoolwork. I’m so zonked out from fast drafting this last one that I need the break. I’m doing some promos for my pal Cameron, who is hosting the Great Canadian Romance Hunt sometime in June. I’m a participating author, and I’ll be doing a live read with a bit of Nova Scotian trivia tossed in. I’ll share the dates and links when I get them.

I won’t be back into Feathered Tartan 3 for a bit. Not until after this one has landed in Nicki’s capable hands.

Real Life!

I had an eye exam last week, to be sure my eyes are okay, and I did need an updated prescription for glasses. Everything is fine. My eyes are probably the heathiest part of me! My optometrist is pleased, and so am I. I ordered my new glasses from an online store, and they are now on the way here. Hopefully they arrive soon. My favorite frameless purple ones decided to have an arm let go yesterday, so I’m back to using my bifocal ones without nose pads until the new ones arrive. Hopefully soon! I’ll share pics of the new purple glasses on Twitter when they get here, the frames are different than the purple ones I have now. My suns and bifocals have the same frames as the old ones – the $10 special from Z-Canada.

Other than that, not much has changed. Things are just as crazy here as they were three weeks ago.

Nova Scotia

Remembers

Original design ©2021 Veridian Rose Designs

Last week was the one year anniversary of the Portapique shooting. Although the wound still oozes and we are still in mourning, all of us Nova Scotians took a moment to remember and reflect on how fast the last year went. It’s not easy thinking about that monster who lived among us, and took 23 innocent lives (including an unborn baby), for no reason that we can find right now. There is an inquiry happening but it’s not guaranteed we will get answers.

I just want to remind my fellow Scotians that we are tough, and we are stronger together. #NovaScotiaStrong

Nova Scotia in Lockdown

*REMINDER: NO debating on my areas. If you disagree with me on COVID procedures and vaccinations, please stop here.*

Nova Scotia is in another lockdown, due to spikes in our cases of COVID-19. As of April 29, 2021, we have 548 active cases in Nova Scotia, with 15 active cases in the Western Zone, aka the western half of the mainland, where I reside. I think we have a couple of people in Lunenburg County who are positive, but they are isolating as required by provincial mandates. Pretty much all non-essential services are closed – hair salons, the public pools, the library, etc. – and schools have moved to online learning. Son is rather miffed that he still has to follow his daily school schedule, and not do things when he felt like it last year. High school is much different than junior high. Either he does his work or he loses all privileges, including his computer time on my computer. Simple as that!

We did have someone in the community test positive, so Son and I got tested. That was an “experience”. A swab up the nose and a scraping. Ouch. It hurt like hell. It sent my trigeminal neuralgia into a tizzy and my face burned for days afterwards. We were both negative, which is a relief! We are hoping to get our vaccines soon, which will be another relief. Even then, we plan to keep wearing our masks – even though wearing one makes my trigeminal neuralgia go insane – and following protocols until Premier Rankin and Dr. Strang say it’s okay to forgo things.

I hate to say it, but I have a bad feeling schools will be online until September again. Son isn’t happy, and honestly I do not blame him.

Oh well. I can always write when Son is deep into his schoolwork, or on weekends this time. I’ll figure it out. I always do.

Stay safe, everyone! I’ll drop another update when I have time, and if anything happens.

I’m leaving you with one of my favorite songs of all time… “Tom Sawyer” by RUSH. (Love the bassline in this one!)

 

Tour Stop: Ivy's Hot Shots by Dana Littlejohn

Ivy's Hot Shots 

by Dana Littlejohn 

Genre: Women's Fiction, Erotic Romance 

Ivy York had always been a hot commodity among the young pilots. She tried not to date them, but having an air force general for a father gave her a challenging social life. Her mother’s only goal in life seemed to be to get her to settle her down with the next available pilot and birth as many babies as possible. Just as Ivy let her mother set her up with an extremely handsome tech sergeant name Steven Jones, she met Jonathan Hayes. 

Having spent time with both men, Ivy can’t help but wonder if her mother finally got lucky in choosing Tech Sergeant Jones...or is Jonathan Hayes a better match for her after all? 

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Where sensual erotic romance is always waiting for you. 

I am Dana Littlejohn, author of sensual erotic romance. You will find that I write contemporary romances with just a hint of another genre to take it away from the ordinary. My stories will touch your heart and your soul and make your body feel like it's being touched, too. 

Imagination will take you places your money can not. I invite you into my world with open arms to see my imagination run wild... 

Come along for the ride as I go on an imaginary trip into my world. You'll enjoy every minute of this wild ride. 

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$5 Amazon 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway! 

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Guest Post: RENEWED by Maggie Blackbird

Hello everyone! Today, my dear friend and fellow eXtasy Books author, MAGGIE BLACKBIRD, drops by on her tour for RENEWED. First, she talks about her favorite romance movie couple... Who does she think is the perfect couple? Check it out, and please show her tons of love!

* * * *

MAGGIE BLACKBIRD

My Favourite Romance Movie Couple

I don’t watch a lot of romance movies or romcoms, even though I’m a die-hard romance novel reader.  Go figure.  And I lean towards villains and villainous couples LOL  For this blog post, I’m going to choose a duo who are heroic, so that eliminates Anck-Su-Namun and Imhotep from The Mummy and Wez and The Golden Youth from The Road Warrior aka Mad Max II.

There are a lot of great couples, so here are some honourable mentions, couples I totally adore:  Jasper Hale and Alice Cullen from Twilight; Mercy and Swan from The Warriors; Charlotte Flax and Joe from Mermaids; Padmé Amidala and Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars; and Brian Slade and Curt Wild from Velvet Goldmine.

As for my favourite romance movie couple, this duo appeared in one of my favourite movies.  I’m choosing Maggie Eagle Bear and Ray Levoi from Thunderheart.

There be spoilers ahead, so you’ve been warned!

I chose them because these two had some wicked awesome chemistry.  Ray is an FBI agent residing in Washington DC, whose birth father was half Oglala Lakota, something Ray is ashamed of because his father was an alcoholic who drank himself to death.  He is tasked by his superior to join another agent at a fictional Indian Reserve in Lakota country where a murder has occurred.

Maggie Eagle Bear is a single mother and teacher from the reserve, and she is an Indigenous activist for ARM (Aboriginal Rights Movement).

From the beginning, Maggie clashes with Ray.  She doesn’t like him and has no respect for him.  But Ray is determined to find out who murdered a man who was a member of the tribal council, even though nobody on the reserve is talking.  Ray is failing at his mission until he begins to try understand the very people he rejected because of his father.

I loved how these two begin to trust and respect each other.  And it’s one action by Maggie that gets her killed when she goes out of her way to provide Ray with information he needs for his case.  Ray, of course, is devastated when he discovers her body.

I always enjoy watching these two in this movie.  They are awesome.  Ray’s and Maggie’s character arcs are brilliantly executed.

Renewed 

The Matawapit Family Series Book 4 

by Maggie Blackbird 

Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Romance 

When two former enemies fall in love, family secrets threaten to destroy their fragile union and everything they hold dear. 

With their extreme ideas about traditional Ojibway life, the radical Kabatay clan have made enemies in their fight to rid the reserve of Western culture and its religion. Disowned by her family for daring to love the church deacon’s eldest son, Jude, Raven Kabatay longs to put an end to the feud started by her mother, brother, and sisters against the Matawapits…people she’s come to think of as her own since Jude changed her life. 

Jude Matawapit suffered a humiliating divorce after his wife left him for another man, but with Raven, he’s created a beautiful, new sanctuary after losing his previous one, and his new haven is everything he’s ever wanted for himself and his children. Only two things could destroy his pristine bliss: the secret he holds close to his chest, and the vengeance Raven’s family wants to exact on the Matawapits. A secret and vengeance that could cost the unlikely lovers their hard-won, much longed for happily ever after. 

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Sanctified 

The Matawapit Family Series Book 3 

Genre: Contemporary Inspirational Romance 

In the midst of a battle for leadership at their Ojibway community, two enemies of opposing families fall in love… 

After suffering a humiliating divorce, infuriated Catholic Jude Matawapit bolts to his family’s Ojibway community to begin a new job—but finds himself thrown into a battle for chief as his brother-in-law’s campaign manager. The radical Kabatay clan, with their extreme ideas about traditional Ojibway life, will stop at nothing to claim the leadership position and rid the reserve of Western culture and its religion once and for all, which threatens not only the non-traditional people of the community, but Jude’s chance at a brand-new life he’s creating for his children. 

Recovering addict Raven Kabatay will do anything to win the respect and trust of her older siblings and mother after falling deep into drug addiction that brought shame and anger to her family. Not only does she have the opportunity to redeem herself by becoming her brother’s campaign manager for chief—if he wins, she’ll have the reserve’s backing to purchase the gold-mine diner where she works, finally making something of herself. But falling in love with the family’s sworn enemy—the deacon’s eldest son, Jude—will not just betray the Kabatay clan. It could destroy everything Raven believes in and has worked so hard for. 

Add to Goodreads

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Redeemed 

The Matawapit Family Series Book 2 

Genre: Contemporary Inspirational Romance 

A single woman battles to keep her foster child from his newly-paroled father—a dangerous man she used to love. 

Bridget Matawapit is an Indigenous activist, daughter of a Catholic deacon, and foster mother to Kyle, the son of an Ojibway father—the ex-fiancé she kicked to the curb after he chose alcohol over her love. With Adam out on parole and back in Thunder Bay, she is determined to stop him from obtaining custody of Kyle.

Adam Guimond is a recovering alcoholic and ex-gangbanger newly-paroled. Through counselling, reconnecting with his Ojibway culture and twelve-step meetings while in prison, Adam now understands he’s worthy of the love that frightened him enough to pick up the bottle he’d previously corked. He can't escape the damage he caused so many others, but he longs to rise like a true warrior in the pursuit of forgiveness and a second chance. There's nothing he isn't willing to do to win back his son--and Bridget.

When an old cell mate’s daughter dies under mysterious circumstances in foster care, Adam begs Bridget to help him uncover the truth. Bound to the plight of the Indigenous children in care, Bridget agrees. But putting herself in contact with Adam threatens to resurrect her long-buried feelings for him, and even worse, she risks losing care of Kyle, by falling for a man who might destroy her faith in love completely this time. 

Add to Goodreads 

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Blessed 

The Matawapit Family Series Book 1 

Genre: Contemporary M/M Inspirational Romance 

It’s been ten years since Emery Matawapit sinned, having succumbed to temptation for the one thing in his life that felt right, another man. In six months he’ll make a life-changing decision that will bar him from sexual relationships for the rest of his life.

Darryl Keejik has a decade-long chip on his shoulder, and he holds Emery’s father, the church deacon, responsible for what he’s suffered: the loss of his family and a chance at true love with Emery. No longer a powerless kid, Darryl has influence within the community—maybe more than the deacon. Darryl intends on using his power to destroy Deacon Matawapit and his church.

Hoping to save the church, Emery races home. But stopping Darryl is harder than expected when their sizzling chemistry threatens to consume Emery. Now he is faced with the toughest decision of his life: please his devout parents and fulfill his call to the priesthood, or remain true to his heart and marry the man created for him.

This is very erotic book about a spiritual journey. 

**On Sale for only 99 cents at eXtasy Books for the month of February!!**

Add to Goodreads 

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An Ojibway from Northwestern Ontario, Maggie resides in the country with her husband and their fur babies, two beautiful Alaskan Malamutes. When she’s not writing, she can be found pulling weeds in the flower beds, mowing the huge lawn, walking the Mals deep in the bush, teeing up a ball at the golf course, fishing in the boat for walleye, or sitting on the deck at her sister’s house, making more wonderful memories with the people she loves most. 

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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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Tour Stop: Miami Masters Series by BJ Wane

Bound
and Saved

Miami
Masters Book 1

by
BJ Wane

Genre:
Erotic BDSM Romance

A
few weeks after witnessing her stepfather order a cold-blooded
murder, Cassandra Bowlin hides aboard a luxury yacht to flee the men
who are after her. Dashing into a closet, she trembles in fear of
discovery until the owner enters the room with a woman intent on
gaining his sexual favor. The scene she witnesses between the couple
leaves her shaken with arousal, making her wonder what she has been
missing from her own sexual encounters.

Zachary
Allen-Vancuren returns to his new decked out yacht, eager to take her
out on a maiden voyage before presenting her to his friends. After
putting several miles between him and the mainland, he slips
downstairs and finds he’s stuck with a stowaway, with secrets she
refuses to divulge and a determination to wring as much from his
planned four-day excursion as possible. His refusal to engage in any
sexual activities is met with her constant, teasing antics until she
finally wears him down and he gives her the lesson she thinks she’s
been wanting.


It
takes interference from a surprising source and two rescues by
Zachary to free Cassandra of her stepfather’s threats and enable
her to embrace a future with the one man she hasn’t been able to
resist.

Publisher’s
Note: This romantic, spicy tale contains elements of power exchange
and explicit scenes. If any of these offend you, please do not
purchase.

**Get
it FREE 10/10 – 10/14!!**

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* Amazon

Master
Me Please

Miami
Masters Book 2

Krista
Matthews thought nothing could be harder than losing her husband and
Master to suicide until the man he’d entrusted her care to left
also. By the time Dr. Dax Hayes returned from an overseas volunteer
medical tour, she thought she was over his defection and ready to
re-immerse herself in the world she needed and missed so much –
without his help. One scene proves how wrong she was, and after
Master Dax’s timely rescue, she agrees to let him tutor her back
into the lifestyle. She just didn't count on her growing feelings for
the strict Dom, or his refusal to take her over completely, the way
she craves.

Dr.
Dax Hayes fell for Krista Matthews the minute he looked into her blue
eyes and saw the sated, content look she shared with her husband, Dr.
Kurt Matthews. He managed to keep his feelings and lust under control
until his friend and colleague asked him to join him in gifting
Krista with a ménage for her birthday. Knowing it was a mistake, but
unable to resist, Dax succumbed to the temptation of this one-time
scene, never realizing where it would lead. A year later, after
sealing his fate with a questionable act, he flees on a guilt trip,
only to return and discover nothing has changed – he still wants
Krista with an ache that won’t be assuaged by anyone else.

Unable
to resist stepping in when Krista gets herself in trouble, Dax again
gives in to temptation and aids the one woman he can never have back
into the lifestyle her submissive nature needs. When Krista learns
the truth, will her feelings be strong enough to forgive him, or has
he gambled everything only to lose it all in the end?

Publisher's
Note: This book is intended for adults only. It contains elements of
power exchange and explicit scenes.

**On
Sale for only .99 cents 10/9 – 10/16!!**

Goodreads
* Amazon

Mastering
Her Fear

Miami
Masters Book 3 

Julie
Martin pulled on Jackson Davenport’s protective urges the minute he
stepped outside and saw her go flying off her swing to land in a heap
of gangly arms and legs then come up smiling. When he discovered how
her parents pressed her into competing in beauty pageants for their
own selfish gratification, he took it upon himself to provide her
with the friendship the little girl craved. Years later, just when
his adult feelings – and body – began to want more from the
beautiful young woman she’d grown up to be, Julie moved away to
take the modeling world by storm. Jackson’s first encounter with
the changes in her personality broke his heart and he severed all
ties with her.

Six
years later, Julie returns to Jackson a broken woman, unable to cope
with the nightmare that changed her life forever. When he discovers
her penchant for cutting herself to deal with the fear, he shows her
a new side of him she’s never seen before, and a new way to get
through the darkness that continues to plague her.

Even
though Julie embraces Jackson’s dominant sexuality and the way his
painful ministrations work much better at calming her fears, the
truth of what happened the night her two friends were murdered stands
between them. Will she be able to set aside her guilt to tell him the
entire truth, or will she once again lose the only person who can
complete her?

Publisher’s
Note: This book is intended for adults only. It contains elements of
power exchange and explicit scenes. While it is the third title in
the Miami Masters series, it can be enjoyed as a standalone.

**On
Sale for $1.99 from 10/9 – 10/16!!**

Goodreads
* Amazon

Bound
to Submit

Miami
Masters Book 4

Hope
Wallace left Atlanta after being betrayed by her family and friends
in the worst way. Now, running a homeless shelter in downtown Miami,
she was finally doing what she wanted with her life and working at
putting the past behind her. The only thing marring her happiness was
the constant desire to explore the lifestyle her new friends enjoyed
so much. She had tried that once, and it led to disaster and her
losing everything, but the urges kept pulling at her until she
finally succumbed and braved going to a club.

Miles
Cavenaugh fell for Hope the minute he saw her bruised face and
determination to protect a friend and resident at her shelter.
His
violent childhood kept him from forming relationships, his fear of
losing his temper if he came across someone harming an innocent woman
or child made him anti-social and preferring to stick with his close
friends for companionship. But when he hears Hope is at a local club
while there is a serial abuser of submissives making the rounds in
Florida, he rushes to ensure she stays safe. Unable to continue
keeping each other at arm’s length, Miles and Hope agree to a
short-term affair where he’ll introduce her to the lifestyle she
craves until she gets her interest out of her system. But an unknown
person is determined that Hope won't find the happiness that has
eluded her for so long, and both she and Miles may have waited too
long to come clean with each other about their pasts.

Publisher's
Note: This steamy romance contains elements of power exchange. While
it is book four of the series, it can be read and enjoyed as a
standalone.

**On
Sale for $1.99 from 10/9 – 10/16!!**

Goodreads
* Amazon

His
To Master and Own

Miami
Masters Book 5 

The
first time Sean Bates sees Alessa Alexander at a lifestyle club
without one of her friends attending with her, he doesn’t approach
her or interfere, deeming it’s none of his business. The second
time, his protective, dominant instincts force him to confront her,
and then offer his professional counseling for her needs.

Alessa’s
desire to turn herself over to a man’s full control always kept her
from believing she’d ever enjoy a long-term relationship like her
friends recently committed to. When she gets up the nerve to ask Sean
Bates to tutor her in her unorthodox fantasies, the first scene he
devises leaves her aching for more of his strict control, but worried
about keeping her feelings uninvolved. Past heartbreaks keep Sean
and Alessa leery of hoping for too much from their agreed upon
temporary relationship.

Between
escalating problems with an ex at work and her insecurities, Alessa
runs from Sean before she ends up hurt. But it doesn’t take her
long to realize how much she wants him and his strict discipline,
enough to risk the height of humiliation to earn his
forgiveness.

Publisher’s
Note: This steamy contemporary romance is the fifth installment of the
Miami Masters series but can be read and enjoyed as a standalone. It
includes elements of power exchange and ménage.

**On
Sale for $1.99 from 10/9 – 10/16!!**

Goodreads
* Amazon

Theirs
to Master

Miami
Masters Book 6 

Paige
Wilcox has been lusting after the Carlson brothers since the first
time she saw the two men enter the cops’ bar where she works.
Problem is, neither man shows her the slightest interest – not
until her sister is attacked at a club and they discover Paige posing
as a submissive to draw out the assailant.

Troy
and Trevor Carlson always found the feisty redhead attractive, but
steered clear of personal involvement since she showed no signs of
being into the lifestyle. Fear for her safety and a determination to
keep her out of their investigation into a serial attacker prods them
to insist she complete the terms of an auction contract after they
win the bid on her. Neither Paige nor the brothers are prepared for
the streak of submissiveness she exhibits under their dual
control.

Paige
doesn’t fight her growing need for the two men and the lifestyle
they’re introducing her to, but when they give no hints the feeling
is mutual, she despairs of anything coming of the short-term
relationship. It takes the reappearance of the man they were after
and another threat to her life to get all three on board with giving
a committed, three-way relationship a try.

Publisher’s
Note: This steamy contemporary ménage romance contains elements of
power exchange. While it is book six of the Miami Masters series, it
can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.

**On
Sale for $1.99 until 10/31!!**

Goodreads
* Amazon

I live in the Midwest
with my husband and our two dogs. I love dogs, enjoy spending time
with my daughter, babysitting dogs and kids, reading and working
puzzles. We have traveled extensively throughout the states, Canada
and just once overseas, but I now much prefer being homebody. I
worked for a while writing articles for a local magazine but soon
found my interest in writing for myself peaking. My first book was
strictly spanking erotica, but I slowly evolved to writing erotic
spanking romance with a touch of suspense. My favorite genre to read
is suspense.

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Amazon *
Goodreads

Follow
the tour HERE
for special content and a giveaway!

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Away to Me is Now LIVE on eXtasy Books!

My newest book, Away to Me, is now live on eXtasy Books! Here’s a few juicy details about my little story, and a sneak peek!

Away to Me

Book 1 of the Tri-Town Series – Bridgewater

Part of the Noted Special Collection at eXtasy Books

(Cover art by the lovely and talented Martine Jardin)

Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance, set in a Small Town.

Tagline: Sometimes you have to go back to move forward.

What would you do if you found out your late spouse wasn’t the biological parent of your stepchild as they had led you to believe? Would you let it go, in hopes the child wouldn’t go looking for their birth family, or would you help them in their search?

This is the dilemma Neil Falcon faced when he first discovered his late wife, Rita, wasn’t the biological mother of his teenage stepdaughter, Rikki.

His decision to look for her roots puts them on a path that leads them to a part of Neil’s past, one he thought was locked away forever.

Kelsey Wagner is shocked to see the man she once adored appear on her doorstep with claims that Rikki may be her biological child. After finding out her daughter wants her to be a part of her life, she agrees.

Amidst the confusion of raising a teenage daughter, the old feelings resurface. They know their daughter wants them to become a family, but can they make it work?

Away to Me is about family, overcoming one’s troubled past, and finding that one special person to love forever.

Purchase Away to Me at eXtasy Books!

Excerpt from Chapter Four:

Two weeks later, Rikki’s birthday weekend arrived, and Kelsey was satisfied with everything. Rikki, Taffy and the four other girls invited would be there after school and they were looking forward to a long weekend of movies, gossip and fun.

However, the instant the girls walked into the house with Punky, bedlam ensued. After the girls said hello to her and introduced themselves, they made the mistake of not locking the dog in Rikki’s bedroom.

Excited to have so many admirers at once, Punky took off like a bullet the instant he was off his leash and made a lunge for the cats. Sammy and Casey hissed and zoomed off in different directions. The corgi’s playful nature took over and the promise of a treat could not calm him.

The girls laughed and tried to catch him.

Kelsey slid down the wall to land on her rump and watched the scene unfold with a grimace.

Insanity seemed to follow that corgi wherever he went.

I think he creates chaos out of boredom, or because he likes it!

Finally, the girls rounded up the eager canine and managed to sweet-talk him into Rikki’s room with treats and the promise of belly rubs.

Kelsey thought the worst of the craziness was over once Punky was distracted with food.

Unfortunately, she had forgotten how noisy teenage girls could be when they were not absorbed in a movie or TV show. The blare echoing out of the house was deafening, punctured by squeals and giggles, and she wondered how any parent could survive a few hours of it without going deaf or losing their mind.

She was right by the speaker for the doorbell when it rang. She ran for it with a sigh and a prayer it was someone quiet, preferably an adult with chocolate who would rescue her from the madness.

Kelsey opened the door and sagged against the wall with relief when she saw Neil. “For a minute, I thought it was the cops,” she explained as she moved back to let him inside.

He glanced toward the hallway with a wry grin and cringed at the noise level coming from Rikki’s room. “Better you than me.”

She stuck her tongue out at him and swiped at his arm. “If you didn’t want to get run over by a bunch of screaming girls, you should have stayed away. What’s up?”

“I’m dropping off a few DVDs for the girls,” he replied and held them up.

Kelsey noted the titles and grinned. “Do you want to give them to her yourself? You’re welcome to come in and say hello.”

Please save me.

Neil groaned and held up his hands defensively. “Uh, no, that’s fine. How are you holding up? Are you ready to rip out your hair yet?”

She gave him a blank look.

“It was your idea to have the party at your place,” he said.

She wanted to wipe that smug smile off his face, preferably with one of his dirty socks. Better yet, Punky’s favourite blanket. That thing is disgusting.

She grabbed a DVD case out of his hand and lightly whapped him over the head with it. “You could have warned me about the noise and insanity!”

He snickered. “Some things are best learned when you’re in the middle of it.”

An evil grin spread across her face as a way of revenge came to her. “Would you like a coffee?”

Neil glanced at the hallway again and raised an eyebrow at her. “Rule one of having a sleepover is that if you’re a single parent, no other adults are allowed, especially if you volunteered.”

Kelsey mockingly glared at him. “The next time she has a sleepover, it’s at your place, and you’re on your own.”

His left eyelid twitched. “I was joking.”

She giggled. “I knew you were yanking my chain.”

“You can’t blame a guy for trying.”

Her smile softened. “Seriously, do you want a coffee? I’ll make sure the girls don’t go nuts on you if you come in.”

“I can’t. I have the support group this evening.”

She nodded as she recalled it. It was Friday night and the group for runaway teens. Neil had switched weeks with another leader so the other man could take a family trip. “Some other time?”

Neil’s grin made her toes curl in her sneakers. “Definitely.”

Their gazes locked and their smiles faded as he hesitantly reached out to cup her cheek in his palm. His thumb brushed her lower lip.

Kelsey trembled when she saw the tenderness on his face. She leaned into the soft caress and shivered as she felt his breath, soft and warm, graze her lips. She nuzzled her face against his, closed her eyes and brushed her lower lip along his.

A loud bang ripped through the house. They pulled away from each other with a jump.

Giggles and squeals echoed out of the hallway.

Neil awkwardly shoved his hands into his pockets.

Kelsey took a step backwards and wrapped her arms around her stomach.

Punky tore past them with a bra dangling from his mouth, followed by Rikki, Taffy and the other four girls spending the night.

“What in the dickens is he doing now?” Kelsey called after them with a sigh.

“Punky stole Carrie’s bra and we’re trying to get him before he buries it in the snow!” Taffy yelled over her shoulder.

Kelsey blinked several times. With an apologetic smile at Neil, she muttered, “I’d better help them before he eats it.”

Neil was trying to hold back a snicker. “Better you than me.”

She gave him a filthy look, which softened when he touched her cheek.

“I’ll let you get to it.” He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “Night, Kelsey.”

“Night,” she whispered as he left, and with a shrug, jumped back into the fray.

* * * *

“Play with Me”, Book 2 of the Tri-Town Series (Mahone Bay) is currently “Under Production”!

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 Want to see another excerpt? There's one on my website!

https://vjallison.com/away-to-me