The Dark Side of T-R-O-U-B-L-E

The Dark Side of T-R-O-U-B-L-E
By Sable Hunter

Domestic abuse is disgusting. Unfortunately, Cooper, the heroine of T-R-O-U-B-L-E, is a victim of domestic abuse, and perhaps, one of the most tragic things about it is, nobody else knows. Domestic abuse is considerably more common than you think it is. More than 25 million American women are victims of domestic abuse. And it’s not just women. 4 out of every 10 victims is a man. Chances are, you know someone who is a victim. I know, I know. You may never talk about things this depressing with your friends. It is hard to confide in someone, and Lord knows it is hard to listen to things like that. The sad truth is, only 1% of all domestic violence incidents are reported to the police.
Cooper had been a battered wife; and until her husband had gone missing, she had no idea that she would ever be free of that torment. She did not understand a man’s gentle touch, or sweet caress, or tender love-making. She had heard of it, of course. But on some level, it was kind of like Santa Claus. A beautiful thought, to be sure, but a man who is strong and gentle could never really exist.
One of the most beautiful things about sex, and you know, I can think of a lot of beautiful things about sex, is the complete surrender and trust that you are giving to your lover. It is complete, and selfless and unconditional. It is a sign of great strength to be a tender lover, to be gentle and caring and giving. Anything less shows that something is wrong.
Nobody should tolerate a person who needs to beat someone else to feel better. Nobody needs to. There are plenty of men and women in the world who are secure enough to give to another person like that. Understand that I am no psychiatrist, but I know a thing or two about relationships. At some level, a person who batters their significant other is afraid. They are terrified of something; and whatever it is, they are handling it quite cowardly. It may be intimacy, or commitment, or judgment, or loneliness, but I promise, weakness and fear is at the root of that violence.
The solution for that kind of fear is love. A person who loves their partner cannot harm them. A person who loves one’s self does not need to force any affection or attention. Someone full of love can never abuse someone; allow abuse on one’s self, or anyone they care about. I strongly urge anyone aware of abuse or any signs of abuse to inform an authority immediately.
Wow, I ranted there, didn’t I? It is something I am passionate about. As a lover, and a creator of lover-fiction, I feel surrounded by it and I know what it is capable of and how magical it is. Hurting someone is never a consequence of real love. In fact, clearly it is indicative of an absence of love.
In T-R-O-U-B-L-E, a victim of domestic abuse discovers what real love is, and how a real man behaves. It is important to me that no person has to live with the suffering of an abusive relationship. A percentage of the sales of this book are going toward the Safe Place. The Safe Place is a shelter in Austin, Texas with programs and homes to aid victims of sexual and domestic violence as well as programs for rehabilitation, child care and prevention. If you would like to learn more about Safe Place, or get in touch to give or volunteer, please visit their website www.safeplace.org.

Excerpt From T-R-O-U-B-L-E
Hearing the front door open, Ky turned to find a sight that stole his breath away. God, she
looked good enough to eat. Her face shone with excitement and her smile was totally contagious. It was all he could do to hold back from sweeping her in his arms and greeting her with a kiss.
"Hey, Ky. I am so glad you could come. And thanks for bringing the animals."‖ She was
definitely happy; there was no way she could hide that fact.
"Hello, sweetheart. We couldn‘t wait to get here." Opening the crew cab door, Samson
bounded out and Ky had to help a much more subdued Rover. Reaching in the back end, Ky picked up the cat carrier and the paper sacks containing the wine and the sex toy. He was saving the toy until after dinner, hoping to change the tone from friendly to erotic. Cooper held the door open and the dogs entered first. Stepping just inside, Ky set the carrier down and watched as Cooper sat down beside it to coax the kittens out of their confines. They didn‘t require coaxing. Out they bounded, eager to see where they were and what they could get into. "I remind you; I call them the wrecking crew," Ky dryly commented. "I don‘t care." Cooper smiled. "It will be so nice not to be alone."
She didn‘t look toward him as she said it, so she didn‘t see his reaction. Ky felt an
uncharacteristic tug at his heartstrings. He replied before he thought. "A woman like you should never be alone," he said softly.
Ky helped Cooper get the animals settled. They introduced them to their food and water
bowls and the kittens to their sand box Cooper had put under the sink in her bathroom.
"The food smells great. I‘m starving." Ky was serious, his stomach was growling and the
food smelled incredible.
"Then come sit down. It‘s all ready." She led him to the dining table and proceeded to set
the food down on hot pads so they could serve themselves family style. He uncorked the wine and she held the glasses as he poured. Ky noticed that her hands were shaking. What does she have to be nervous about?
"Did you go out and buy new plates and glasses?" Ky‘s tone was on the gruff side. Cooper immediately tensed and looked up at him with wide frightened eyes. She slowly sat the wine glasses down and stepped straight backwards a few feet, striving to put some distance between them.
"Yes, sir." She cast her eyes down and whispered, "I‘m sorry."
What happened? Ky was dumbstruck. He couldn‘t believe that she had transformed before his very eyes. One moment she had been happy and excited, the next she was trembling— obviously frightened. Of him. God, she was afraid of him!
Thinking quickly, he did the most reassuring thing he could think of. He sank to his knees at her feet and held his hands out toward her, palm up. "Baby. Don‘t be afraid of me. I would never hurt you."
She watched him carefully, taking a step or two back. Ky hadn‘t been a witness to how she had reacted to the serpent; he‘d had his back to her. However, if he had to bet—the fear on her face then, would be no worse than now. "Come here, love. You can trust me. I‘m harmless. I promise." He spoke softly, just as he did to small, frightened animals people brought to the shelter. "You‘re safe with me; I‘d protect you with my life."
He watched her lift her eyes to his. She worried her bottom lip, thinking. Then, she took one step forward, then two, until she stepped into his arms. He held her close, kissing her right in her middle, over and over, through her clothes.
"I bought the plates and glasses so we would both have one; I only had enough for me
before." She pulled on his hands. "Come on, let‘s eat."
Ky stood. "Sweetheart, don‘t you want to tell me why you were so afraid? You didn‘t really
think I was angry with you, did you?" He stood close to her, willing her to think of him not as a threat, but as a shield against whatever would threaten her.
"No, I don‘t think you would hurt me. I…I overreacted. I‘m sorry." Cooper looked just over
Ky‘s shoulder. She wasn‘t quite meeting his gaze.
"Look at me, baby. Look at me," Ky urged her. "Won‘t you tell me why you reacted that
way? Has someone hurt you?"
"I‘m fine." She walked to the table and pulled out their chairs. "Please, Ky. Don‘t make
me…I don‘t want to…I…please don‘t make me—"
"Shhh…It‘s okay. I‘m sorry, we don‘t need to discuss it now." He went to her, and she
stiffened slightly when he took her in his arms. "It‘s perfectly all right. Let‘s enjoy ourselves."
The subject wasn‘t closed by a long shot; he would make sure of that. But it could wait. Right now, they were together and nothing or no one would ever hurt her again. And she could take that to the bank, because it was non-negotiable.
They sat down to fill their plates and then couldn‘t eat for laughing at the animals. "Look at them. They‘re all lined up." And they were, from the biggest to the smallest–they were sitting in a row facing the couple that had shown them every kindness.
"If you guys have finished eating, why don‘t you give us some privacy?" Ky was kidding,
but Samson surprised him, got up, and headed for the living area. The others followed suit, causing Cooper to dissolve in a fit of giggles.
Ky was entranced. He loved to watch her have fun. She was absolutely beautiful and he
couldn‘t wait to taste her lips and every other part of her. But he forced himself to eat, not that it was a chore. The food was fabulous. "You‘re a very good cook."
"Thank you." She looked like she was about to say something else, but she stopped herself.
Cooper couldn‘t believe it. She almost told him about Richard and how they never shared a meal. How odd that she felt compelled to talk to this man she barely knew. There was no denying it though, she felt safe with him–safer than she had felt in a long time. This was dangerous. Cooper Lawson knew Kyler Landon could become highly addictive."The etouffee was great, but this bread pudding is out of this world."‖ Ky helped himself to a second portion.
"I‘m making a pig of myself, but I don‘t get home cooking like this very often.
Don‘t you want some?" He held his hand out for her plate.
"No, I‘d better not." Cooper looked at his face, trying to ascertain if he was testing her. Richard would have taken the opportunity to point out how much she didn‘t need to be eating sweets, but Ky looked sincere. "Really, you go ahead. I‘ve had enough."
He eyed her curiously. "You‘re not dieting, are you, Cooper?"
Oh, no. Here it comes. A lecture. Cooper hung her head. "Of course. I know I‘m fat.
Obviously, I need to be on a diet."
"What in the hell are you talking about, Cooper?" Ky sat his fork down and lifted her chin
so she would look at him. "You are perfect. Your body looks the way a woman‘s body is
supposed to look."
"You don‘t have to say that, Ky," she tried to smile. "I‘m not going to take your bread
pudding away from you."
"Not all men like ultra thin women, Cooper. I like my woman to be a woman. With real
curves, all soft and luscious." His voice was hypnotizing her, and when she came to herself, she realized she was leaning closer to him by the moment.
"I‘ll put on a pot of coffee." She got up, abruptly, and left him sitting there.
He followed her. Ky walked right up on her, close enough she could feel his heat. With one hand, he pulled back the thick, sexy weight of her hair, so he could plant tiny kisses on the sweet curve of her neck.
She shivered. "Ky, please don‘t," she whispered.
"Why not, babe?" He let his tongue dance along her skin. She jabbed the plug at the wall a few times before she actually got it into the receptacle. "Don‘t you want to? Aren‘t you attracted to me?"
"Of course, I am. Look at you. But, I‘m… " She didn‘t know what to say. Desire for him
was welling up in her, almost to overflowing. But she was afraid. Not of him. She was afraid Richard had been right. She was afraid she was lacking the very things that would satisfy a man such as Ky.
"Oh, babe," he whispered next to her skin. "I‘ll tell you what you are. You are exquisite."
For just a moment, she allowed herself to lean back into him. He rubbed his hands up her arms and then back down, when all hell broke loose.
A raucous chorus of yelps, howls, and baying filled the house. The loud noise had scared the cats who were tearing around the room, thinking the devil himself was at their heels. Samson and Rover were standing at the back door, barking at something on the other side of the screen.
Cooper had left both the front and the back doors open, with just the screen doors in place, letting the late summer breeze fill the house. Ky purposefully strode to the door, ready to do battle. "Whoa!" What he saw caused him to back up.
"What is it?" Cooper couldn‘t imagine what would give Ky pause.
"It‘s a skunk," Ky spoke softly. "Samson. Rover. Come here boys. Come here before you
get an unexpected surprise."
"It‘s all right.‖ Cooper stepped around Ky and pulled the dogs away from the door.
"That‘s Leroy. I‘ve been feeding him." Cooper walked out the door and the skunk just stood calmly, waiting for her to pour some food from a bag she had hidden behind the door.
"Love, I don‘t think that‘s a wise idea." Cooper stepped up to the skunk and knelt down to
stroke his silky fur.
"Well, I‘ll be damned."

Morning everyone - I've been busy. Today, I will introduce you to me and also to my newest release - T-R-O-U-B-L-E
It is special to me as it deals with issues that are important - abuse and body image and other things that women struggle with.
I'll also share with you some funny stories
So let's have a good time - leave a comment - we will be giving away some prizes and ebooks.

Here's my latest release from SECRET CRAVINGS PUBLISHING.

It's a cowboy erotic romance filled with scenes that will make you laugh, cry and fan yourself from the sexy heat.

Cooper drove slowly by the Landon place. Ah, sweet Lord! There he was. And the fact she had been a good girl was paying off in spades. The powers-that-be had seen fit to reward her by letting the sun beat down hot enough to cause Gorgeous to shed his shirt. She slowed to a crawl.
Sometimes, he would stop working and watch her drive by. Today, he appeared too busy to notice. A movement at the side of the woodpile caught her eye. What in the world? Cooper was alarmed to see a huge snake crawling out of the stacked logs. The vibrations of the axe on the wood had obviously disturbed it. This couldn‘t be good.
Cooper pulled over and stopped. Trying to be as quite as possible, she opened the car door but did not shut it. The snake was right behind her neighbor and she was afraid to call out, for fear, any sudden movement on his part would cause the snake to strike. The rhythmic movement of the man and the axe had the snake, seemingly, hypnotized.
She walked as silently as she could, until she was at the fence, right behind the snake. He was coiled and ready to strike. Cooper knew snakes, having grown up on in the deserts of southwest Texas. She quickly recognized that either the rattler had somehow lost his rattles in an accident, or someone had intentionally caught it and removed them for a hat decoration or whatever.
It was now or never. Putting aside her normal reservations about being so close to a man, she decided his safety was more important than her own. Climbing slowly up on the fence, she spoke softly. ―"Don‘t move, Mr. Landon. Don‘t move a muscle." The snake was huge! Coiled up, it was hard to judge, but it could easily top five feet.
The beautifully muscled man slowed his movements, until he was still. ―"Is this a hold-up?"
He asked the question softly, with a touch of humor in his voice.
"No, but there is a major-sized rattlesnake right behind you, and it‘s getting ready to strike."

Ky froze. He didn‘t know which he was more concerned about, the idea of a dangerous
reptile or the intriguing female voice that made him want to risk turning his head to look and see if the rest of her matched the incredible, husky, little voice.
"Just listen to me. As you know, snakes can‘t hear, but they can feel vibrations. I am going to jump off this fence. Hopefully, it will turn on me. When I scream ‗now‘, you turn around and whack him with your axe. Please." She did not hesitate—there wasn‘t time.
She jumped. The snake whirled around and immediately struck out at her. "Now!" She
dodged backwards for all she was worth, slamming her body into a fencepost. The snake‘s deadly fangs grazed her thigh, but from the look of things, distance and the thickness of her jeans saved her from a direct hit. Ky did his part and the snake‘s head parted company with its body.
Cooper tried to get up, but the post she had run into had obviously knocked the wind out of her.
"Good Lord!" K. Landon looked from the snake to her. "Did he get you?" At her slight
negative nod, he quickly picked her up. "Let‘s get you in the house and make sure."
Cooper struggled. "No. No. I‘m all right. I can walk, I‘m too heavy for you to try and carry."
"I think I can bear up under your tremendous weight." Ky looked down at his slight burden.
He would have smiled at her consternation, if the situation hadn‘t been so serious. Heavens! She was lovely. All he could think of were the words to one of his favorite Elvis songs, 'Well hello, T-R-O-U-B-L-E.‘ Thank God, for trouble.

Visit my website at sablehunter.com
Thank you so much

Release Party: T.R.O.U.B.L.E. by Sable Hunter

Welcome to the New Release Party for Sable Hunter's T.R.O.U.B.L.E., just released by Secret Cravings Publishing.

Let me introduce you to our author:

Sable Hunter writes erotic romances that run the gamut from cowboys to New Orleans witches to Texas good old boys that play football one day and ride bulls the next. She grew up in south
Louisiana along the mysterious bayous where the Spanish moss hangs thick over the dark waters. The culture of Louisiana has shaped her outlook on life and has made its way into her paranormal romances where the supernatural is entirely normal. Presently, Sable lives in Texas and spends most of her time in wild and wonderful Austin. In the spring, her home sits in a field of bluebonnets.

While writing takes up a lot of her time, Sable also loves to cook Cajun, Creole and Tex-Mex. She is passionate about animals and has been known to charm creatures from a one ton bull to a family of raccoons. For fun, Sable has been known to haunt cemeteries and battlefields armed with night vision cameras and digital recorders hunting proof that love survives beyond the grave. She writes for Secret Cravings Publishing and has several books coming out in the next year.

What's T.R.O.U.B.L.E. about? I'm glad you asked!! Here's the blurb:

Trouble comes calling on Kyler Landon. He falls hard and fast for his beautiful, mysterious neighbor after she saves him from a rattlesnake attack. The sexual tension mounts between them with each sensual encounter, but he soon realizes that Cooper has been hurt and is leery of men. So he sets out to teach her that a real man can be gentle, loving, and sexy as hell.

Trouble seems to follow Cooper, and Ky makes it his mission to protect her from her past. Kyler would move heaven and earth to keep her in his bed and in his life

Want more? Check out this excerpt in our Goddess Fish Excerpt Library.


Sable will be visiting here all day today, so stay tuned for lots of fun and excitement.

And remember, Sable will be giving away a download of T.R.O.U.B.L.E. right here on the party blog and so comments and be entered to win!

New Release Party: Blood On The Feather by Melinda Elmore

Welcome to the New Release Party for Blood On The Feather by Melinda Elmore , released today by Dancing With Bear Publisher.

Let me introduce you to our author:

Melinda Elmore has always had a fascination for Native American's and grew up reading everything she could about their lives. When she began writing she wanted to show honor and respect for the Native cultures, and began writing stories based on their traditions and stories.

Melinda and her husband Tom have been married for 24 wonderful years and have two children. She currently resides in Arizona.

What's Blood on the Feather about? I'm glad you asked!! Here's the blurb:

BLOOD ON THE FEATHER by Melinda Elmore quickly pulls you into this Native American mystery. Archeologist, DeShay Graywater finds much more than she is looking for on a dig on Lakota Sioux land. When detective TJ Hawke and FBI agent Melina Wolfe team up to investigate the murder of a young Sioux woman, much more than the case, and their shared past, present problems.


Adventure, Native culture, and mystery combine in Blood On The Feather to make this a romantic thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat and your heart pounding.

Want more? Check out this excerpt in our Goddess Fish Excerpt Library.

Melinda will be visiting here all day today, so stay tuned for lots of fun and excitement.

And remember, Melinda will be giving away an autographed copy of Blood on the Feather right here on the party blog, so leave a comment and be entered to win!

New Release Party: The Gladiator Prince by Minnette Meador

Welcome to the New Release Party for Minnette Meador's The Gladiator Prince, released today by Resplendence Publishing.

Let me introduce you to our author:

Somewhere between thirty and dust...red hair, blue eyes...six kids, one slightly used husband, and any number of pets from time to time... wanttabe hippy... wanttheirmoney yuppie...pro musician and actress for 20 Years... native Oregonian... lover of music, beauty, and all things green. Willing slave to the venerable muse. Minnette currently resides in Portland, Oregon with her husband, having replaced the children with one dog. The dog, Pierre, pretty much runs the show.

What's The Gladiator Prince about? I'm glad you asked!! Here's the blurb:

Prince Thane is the last surviving royalty of the Trinovantes Tribe in Roman Britannia, having surrendered to the Romans after the Boudicca Revolt to save his two daughters, whose identities he sacrifices his freedom to protect. He is condemned by Nero himself to become a gladiator, to fight until he dies in the arena. When his two daughters are taken in a slaver's raid, Thane escapes, forcing the daughter of his master to take him to Rome to save his children. Little does he know that the beautiful Syrian woman holds not only the key to his passion, but a secret that triggers a disaster that ignites the world. Will this spoiled willful girl betray him in the end or sacrifice herself to save them all? Book III of the Centurion Series.

Want more? Check out this excerpt in our Goddess Fish Excerpt Library.

More? View The Gladiator Prince book video in the Goddess Fish Video Library.

Minnette will be visiting here all day today, so stay tuned for lots of fun and excitement.

And remember, Minnette will be giving away a $25 Amazon gift certificate at the end of her tour and right here on the party blog she will be giving away a pair of green Roman earrings! Comment and be entered to win!

Faithful Danger...my first suspense. Leave a Comment to win an e-copy

The SITUATION:

Two puppies, a woman in hiding, a mysterious man, and a pair of pink polka dot pumps.

The PHRASE:

“Dead guys don’t usually show up for breakfast,” she said, staring at the very-much-alive man who stood in front of the pastry counter.

What does all this mean? Check out my first-ever suspense novella and find out! It's a fun, fast-paced Labor Day read! http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/Faithful-Danger

Sizzling Hot Book Review for Finding Felicity

Finding Felicity was just released in August and has already received some wonderful reviews.  I thought I would share this one with you, from Sizzling Hot Book Reviews:

"What I loved most about Finding Felicity was the deep connection between love, forgiveness, relationships, passion and God. Each of the characters has to come to terms with liking themselves and forgiving themselves about the choices they have made. It was interesting to see how those choices change each person’s story. I loved that the characters really were trying to open themselves up to God and his miracles, rather than pigeon-hole God’s rules." 
          For more:  http://www.sizzlinghotbooks.net/2011/08/finding-felicity-by-monica-marlowe.html

To peek at the blurb, watch the trailer, and read an excerpt, follow your heart to my website, here:
http://monicamarlowe.blogspot.com/p/about-finding-felicity.html

Westerns -- Yeeha!

Come on, admit it. Who can resist a historical western film?

Clint Eastwood might have said, "Make my day" as Dirty Harry, but I love re-watching Hang 'Em High, The Outlaw Josie Wales and A Mule for Sister Sarah (hilarious with Shirley MacLaine.) I also love watching the Duke spar with Maureen O'Hara in McClintock! (just as feisty a pairing as in The Quiet Man) and Newman and Redford in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I enjoyed some of the newer films like Hidalgo and Appaloosa with Viggo Mortenson, 3:10 to Yuma with Russell Crowe, and of course the new version of True Grit with Jeff Bridges.

In fact, it seems westerns are trickling back -- mostly in film or on cable TV. When was the last good TV western you've seen on the regular channels? Go back further... Remember seeing Tom Berenger in Peacemakers? No?? Not surprising, that was eight years ago and Deadwood was far more popular. As well as Firefly... a mix of western and science fiction. That show could be the reason why they tried (and mostly failed) with Cowboys and Aliens. Some people enjoyed it, though. (I'm not naming names!)

But there's really good news.

Westerns--from straight historical to romance to blended genres like Double Crossing (historical, western, suspense, mystery, hint of romance)  have ALWAYS been available on bookshelves and for your Kindle! So get reading and indulge! Bury yourself in the past, without living with the inconveniences of outdoor plumbing, the lack of air conditioning, antibiotics, washing machines or dishwashers, computers, telephones, automobiles. You can imagine the constant dust from dirt roads, the overpowering scent of horse and cow manure, the meat on the hoof instead of wrapped in shiny cellophane, the fresh-from-the-garden pesticide-free produce... well, you get the idea.

Here's what a few readers are saying about DOUBLE CROSSING:

“Fast paced and thrilling to read. The history angle is so well developed and researched that I found myself lost in the train from another century… so many smaller added details that made this book leap off the page. A definite page turner…” Jacque Stengal, Good Family Reads

“…vivid and compelling… exciting and harrowing moments that had me holding my breath with anticipation or gasping in shock.” Romance Junkies Reviewer

"…the adventure plotline is well drawn, with twists and turns like a mountain railroad, and the characters are a crafted balance of believable, historically accurate, and sympathetic. Mims treats the setting as an extra character, with well-crafted descriptions of actual places that are accurate to the time period. Her writing is elegant and easy to read…” Gunnar Grey, Mysteries and Histories Blog


Thanks for stopping by! Leave a comment, friend me on Facebook or follow my tweets! Check out my website by clicking here. You'll find my book trailer there, some great links and a lot more.

Enjoy Double Crossing -- and keep a spur handy!

A Different kind of Hero...

It's not a topic you find all that often in romance novels. Cancer. But my hubby and personal hero's successful battle against testicular cancer helped inspire this story featuring the foreman of Hearts Crossing Ranch, Hooper Martin.

The highlight so far of Sanctuary's recent release has been a four-star Web exclusive review at Romantic Times.

I hope you'll give it a chance. It's truly a book of the heart, and full of hope, romance, and faith.

Blurb:
A beautiful plus-one at a wedding, a hunky cowboy..autumn leaves and rugged horse trails. The perfect setting to unite two healing souls…

Ranch foreman and single dad Hooper Martin is ready to put his health and life back on track after battling cancer…including re-entering ing the dating scene. His little girl sure could use a mother. Falling hard for wedding guest Malia Cameron makes perfect sense to him: she's a survivor, too.

Mallie has put her heart on hold, knowing she will never recover from her brain tumor struggle. She can't promise a future to anybody and vows never to fall in love. Letting Hooper Martin into her life would be a big mistake. But his good looks take her breath away, and his living faith starts to gentle her confusion about Who's really in charge.

Leave a comment and e-mail address for a drawing to win a copy.
Available at White Rose Publishing

Watch my series Trailer...enter drawing for an e-book

Howdy! This lovely trailer encapsulates the first three books in my Hearts Crossing Ranch series, tales of romance, love and faith of the eight Martin siblings of Hearts Crossing Ranch, Colorado.

Take two minutes to watch. Leave a comment with your e-mail address for a drawing, and get the e-story of your choice if you're name comes out of the Stetson.

On NBC Talking About Writing Finding Felicity

I just LOVE a party! Thanks so much for having me today! I'll be posting two or three times and so will be mixing it up a bit. First, I wanted to share an interview I did this week on NBC's My Carolina Today show. The hosts invited me on the Book Club segment. I was nervous since it was my first time on TV. But once I started talking about my debut novel, Finding Felicity, I relaxed a bit. Hope you enjoy it!



My blog/website: http://www.monicamarlowe.blogspot.com

View the trailer: http://www.blazingtrailers.com/show/1645/

Who Knew Dentists Were Such Great Kissers?

Ever wonder about the love lives of dentists? Me, too! But then, I've worked with dentists most of my adult life. I'm a dental hygienist. So I'm around to hear lots of interesting stuff about dentists that the average person doesn't get to know.

"Grin and Barrett" is my take on two dentists who try to out-do each other in growing their practice patient-bases. Somewhere along the way, though, their attraction for each other gets in the way. It's funny, goofy, and a quick read if you're looking for an escape from your worries for a while.

Chapter One

Grabbing the sides of the wooden stepladder, Remmie Grin squinted against the bright sunlight. The sign she’d hung in her front window tilted, just a little. Rats. She’d have to climb back up there to straighten it. Did the New Patients Welcome sound too pathetic? Did that sound as desperate as she felt? She’d like to kick the new dentist who was moving in right next door. Hard.

How obnoxious could he be? With all the empty buildings in town, why did Dr. What’s-his-name have to come breathing down her neck? It made her want to spit. She wrinkled her nose. She’d worked her fanny off building her practice. Now she’d have to compete with the new guy. She wanted to claw at his ugly face.

This new dentist wouldn’t know what hit him. When she was through with him, he’d be nothing more than a pile of dirt on the sidewalk. And as for the man’s lawyers, she’d like to take a hunk out of their hide, too. Did they really think that calling her every single day would change her mind about selling her practice to them? Since they’d never revealed the name of the dentist, she’d have to come up with a name on her own. Hmmm. Gargoyle? Tarantula? Nah. Those names were too pretty for someone as repugnant as him. The creep.

“Looks good.”

A deep velvety voice shot tingles down her spine. She turned and stared. A Greek god with ice blue eyes and salt and pepper hair stared back. Oh my. Would he object if she reached up and tousled that perfect hair? Her gaze traveled down to his massive shoulders. The fabric of his sports shirt straining over hard muscles. He must be a stranger in town because she’d never laid eyes on anyone as pretty as him.

“Thanks.” Her breathing became shallow.

“So, you’re taking new patients?”

“Yep.” She crossed her arms. “Why, are you looking for a dentist?” What she wouldn’t give to have him in her dental chair right now. His luscious lips close enough for her to lean down and….

“Not really.”

“Oh.” Drat. She had such dreamy plans for him.

“Just admiring the scenery.”

He turned away from her and headed down the block.

No! She didn’t want him to leave. “Wait, the scenery?” She frowned. It took four seconds for it to sink in that he’d meant her. Yikes. And he’d just walked away? How was that fair? It wasn’t as if she got compliments from handsome men every day of the week. Not even the occasional Tuesday.

She blew out a frustrated breath as she picked up the lightweight stepladder, lugging it back inside her office. She leaned it against her front counter and snapped her hand back. She looked at her palm. A splinter, of course. Picking at the tiny wound only irritated her skin more. Hmmm. Too bad the handsome stranger from the sidewalk hadn’t stayed. She’d gladly let him get out her splinter. Which would involve him holding her hand. Kissing her neck, her face, and her lips. She sighed. But he hadn’t. So, she needed to put on her fuchsia big girl panties and get to work.

The town she lived in was small, so maybe she’d run into him again some time. At the very least, her postal carrier, June, knew everything about everyone. Maybe she would have a clue who the stranger was. If Remmie knew June, she’d have the stranger’s coffee preference, shoe size, and contents of his glove compartment in no time.

 http://www.amazon.com/Grin-Barrett-ebook/dp/B005HB9850/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1313545780&sr=1-1

Double Crossing - Sample Chapter!

Chapter One

Evanston, Illinois: 1869

I burst into the house. Keeping the flimsy telegram envelope, I dumped half a dozen packages into the maid’s waiting arms. “Where’s Father? I need to speak to him.”

“He’s in the library, Miss Lily. With Mr. Todaro.”

Oh, bother. I didn’t have time to deal with Emil Todaro, my father’s lawyer. He was the last person I wanted to see—but that couldn’t be helped. Thanking Etta, I raced down the hall. Father turned from his roll-top desk, spectacles perched on his thin nose and hands full of rustling papers. Todaro rose from an armchair with a courteous bow. His silver waistcoat buttons strained over his belly and his balding head shone in the sunlight. I forced myself to nod in his direction and then planted a quick kiss on Father’s leathery cheek. The familiar scents of pipe tobacco and bay rum soothed my nervous energy.

“I didn’t expect you back so early, Lily. What is it?”

With an uneasy glance at Todaro, I slipped him the envelope. “The telegraph messenger boy caught me on my way home.” My voice dropped. “It’s from Uncle Harrison.”

Father poked up his wire rims while he pored over the brief message. His shoulders slumped. “I’ll speak plainly, Lily, because Mr. Todaro and I were discussing this earlier. My brother sent word that George Hearst intends to claim the Early Bird mine in a Sacramento court. Harrison believes his business partner never filed the deed. He needs to prove our ownership.”

“Hearst holds an interest in the Comstock Lode, Colonel.” Todaro had perked up, his long knobby fingers forming a steeple. The lawyer resembled an amphibian, along with his deep croak of a voice. “His lawyers are just as ambitious and ruthless in court.”

Father peered over his spectacles. “Yes, but I have the original deed. I didn’t plan to visit California until next month, so we’ll have to move up our trip.”

“Oh!” I clasped my hands, a thrill racing through me. “I’m dying to visit all the shops out there, especially in San Francisco. When do we leave?”

“We? I meant myself and Mr. Todaro.”

I stared at the lawyer, who didn’t conceal a sly smirk. “You cannot leave me behind, Father. I promised to visit Uncle Harrison, and what if I decide to go to China?”

“Lily, I refuse to discuss the matter. This trip is anything but a lark.”

“It’s a grueling two thousand miles on the railroad, Miss Granville. Conditions out west are far too dangerous for a young lady,” Todaro said. “Even with an escort.”

“The new transcontinental line has been operating all summer. Plenty of women have traveled to California. I’ve read the newspaper reports.”

“I’m afraid the Union and Central Pacific cars are not as luxurious as the reports say. You have no idea. The way stations are abominable, for one thing.”

I flashed a smile at him. “I’m ready for adventure. That’s why I’ve considered joining the missionary team with Mr. Mason.”

Father scowled. “You are not leaving Evanston until I give my approval.”

“You mean until you dissuade me from ‘such a ridiculous notion.’”

“Need I remind you of the fourth commandment, Lily?”

“No, Father. We’ll discuss this later.”

My face flushed hot. Annoyed by being reprimanded in front of Todaro, I ignored the rest of the conversation. I’d always wanted to see the open prairie and perhaps a buffalo herd chased by Indians, the majestic Rocky Mountains and California. California, with its mining camps, lush green meadows and warm sunshine, the cities of Sacramento and San Francisco that had to be as exhilarating as downtown Chicago. I’d pored over the grainy pen-and-ink drawings in the Chicago Times. Uncle Harrison, who’d gone west several years ago to make a fortune and succeeded, for the most part, would welcome me with open arms. I plopped down on an armchair and fingered the ridges of the brass floor lamp beside me. Somehow I needed to persuade Father to allow me to tag along on this trip.

When Mr. Todaro’s bulky form disappeared out the door, Father glanced at me. “All right, my dear. Let’s discuss this business about California.”

Heart thudding, I stood up. “Why do you need Mr. Todaro, Father? I don’t trust him one bit. Uncle Harrison has a good lawyer in Sacramento.”

“He insisted on accompanying me. Emil has a quick mind in court.”

“Maybe so, but—”

“I wouldn’t be alive if not for his help. He pulled me out of a heap of bodies at Shiloh, remember. I know you don’t like him, Lily, but I will keep him as my lawyer.”

Frowning, I swallowed further protest. True enough, I disliked him. Something about the bulbous-nosed, oily man sent shivers up my spine. I crossed to the window, remembering the time I’d seen Todaro aim a kick at my pet lizard in the garden. Telling Father about the incident now would make me sound childish and petty.

Etta carried in a silver tray of refreshments and set them on the table between the desk and the leather sofa. I sank into the soft cushion with a whoosh. My feet still hurt from my downtown shopping venture and several hours of errands.

“I bought the handkerchiefs you wanted, Father, and that brass letter opener. I found a pearl brooch at Marshall Field. The silver setting looked inferior, though.” I plucked up a golden-crusted pastry filled with creamed chicken and dill. “My seamstress had no open appointments today, and I couldn’t find one straw hat that I liked at any of the millinery shops.”

“If you’re serious about China, you’ll have to give up your notions of fashion.”

“I suppose,” I said, licking a spot of gravy from my thumb.

“That young man has filled your head with nonsense, in my opinion.”

“Charles is dedicated to God. The China Inland Mission has accepted him, did I tell you? Now he’s raising funds for his passage.”

“You’ve never been dedicated to working in Chicago among the poor. Charity begins at home,” Father said. “Your mother was devoted to the Ladies’ Society at church.”

“Her charity circle sewed clothing and quilts. I can’t even thread a needle.”

“So we agree.” Father snagged a handful of candied almonds. “You need to gain valuable skills here in Evanston, or at a finishing school, before you run off to China.”

“I’m too old for school! I’ll be twenty in a month—”

“Ripe for marriage, then, and giving me grandchildren. I’d rather dandle a baby on my knee than read letters about you starving in a foreign country. I’m not going to allow you to wed Charles Mason, either. He might be full of the Spirit, but he’s more interested in using your inheritance for his own purposes. I never detected any love in him for you.”

His final words stung. I couldn’t protest much, either. Charles was a decent man, a hard worker, dedicated to his calling, but admiration wasn’t the best foundation for a love match or a lasting marriage. Father might be right about Charles’ interest in my inheritance, too, which nettled me. I changed the subject.

“Tell me about the Early Bird mine, Father. Is it like the Comstock Lode?”

“Quicksilver. Your uncle is set on new technology, hydraulic mining. It uses high pressure jets of water and is quite expensive. He knows more about it than I do.”

I chose a toasted point topped with cheese, tomato and spinach. “Then I’d better travel with you to California so I can ask him myself.”

“You need to stay here where it’s safe.”

“But you cannot protect me from the world forever, Father. I must choose a path—”

“Keep praying, Lily. The Lord will show you the way.” Father bit into an apple cinnamon tart. “If you truly loved Charles, you’d have accepted his marriage proposal right away.”

After gulping some chilled lemonade, I set down the glass. I’d prayed on my knees every night and morning, waiting for some sign, but nothing changed. I didn’t love him, and didn’t share his missionary dream. If I rejected him, I might be stuck in a loveless marriage to someone else. If I married Charles, perhaps my inheritance money would come to good use once I turned twenty-one. But I’d be thousands of miles away from home, among foreigners, and might never see Father again. Neither choice led to happiness.

Tiny dust motes danced in a ray of late sunshine beaming through the window’s lace curtain. Cicadas droned outside among the trees. The mournful sound, buzzing low and then high, sent a shiver down my spine.

Waiting for an answer to prayer led to frustration, but perhaps that was best. For now. “My pet lizard lost another clutch of eggs a week ago to a badger. I shot the creature—”

“With what?”

“Your Army revolver.”

“Good heavens, child. That weapon has a nasty kickback,” Father said grimly. “It might blow your hand clear off. Promise me you won’t handle it.”

I didn’t want to admit that I had lost my grip on the revolver, and gagged on the rank smell of gunpowder. I’d also been shocked by the tremendous bang that deafened me for several days. Still, I was reluctant to promise anything in case of any future predators harming Lucretia or her eggs. Rising to my feet, I rocked back and forth on my heels.

“Did you forget about my early birthday present?”

“No, but don’t think you’re going to distract me about that revolver.”

“I will promise not to touch it, but only if you hire a different lawyer.”

Father coughed hard, his mouth full of tart, and swallowed. “No, Lily! I will not bargain with you. This notion you have about Mr. Todaro is foolish. Don’t worry your pretty little head about the Early Bird mine any further.”

My chest tightened. We’d never quarreled over anything this serious before, not even Charles. Father had often given in to my whims. Something about Emil Todaro soured my stomach.

Perhaps that was the Spirit at work in me. I decided to stand firm.

“I’m sorry, Father, but even Uncle Harrison said Mr. Todaro is not trustworthy—”

“I refuse to hear another word on the matter.” 

Scowling, he returned to his desk and barricaded himself behind a flimsy newspaper. His stubbornness matched my own. I paced the library, slowly perusing the crammed bookshelves, and traced a finger over the globe’s continents and oceans. The sphere spun on its stand with a low hum. I stole a glance at Father. He rustled the thin pages, as if awaiting my apology. No doubt he was unhappy with me, but my feelings intensified about Todaro. I could not shake my conviction despite the commandment to honor and obey a parent.

Tired of counting the sofa’s brass tacks, I toyed with some wilting flowers in a vase. Silence reigned. I breathed out a deep sigh and moved to the window again. Twilight made it easier to study Father’s reflection. At forty-six, he was too young to be widowed. Mother’s unexpected death had stunned him so soon after his return from serving the Union in the War. A sore hip bothered him on occasion, brought on by bone-chilling winter nights, damp or soaked tents, marches over difficult terrain or long horseback rides. Deep worry lines tracked his face, iron gray streaks in his hair and beard made him look years older. We shared the same pride, loyalty and tolerance of faults in others.

Emil Todaro was an exception.

Drumming my fingers on the window, I heard the parlor clock strike half past six. “When are you and Uncle Harrison due in court in Sacramento?”

“He didn’t mention an exact day or time in that telegram.”

“How long will you be gone?”

“A week or two, I suppose. We leave in three days.” As if sensing a truce, Father pulled a desk drawer open. “Here is your birthday present, Lily.”

I kissed his cheek again and accepted the package. Slipping aside the silky ribbon, I tore the wrinkled rose-scented tissue to reveal a beautiful red leather-bound sketchbook. The cover had stamped golden scrollwork. Each creamy watermarked page begged for sketches or soft watercolors. Remorse filled me. I shouldn’t have caused him so much heartache.

“Thank you, Father. What’s this?”

A brief inscription filled the inside cover. I read in silence, my throat constricting with more guilt. Presented to Lily Rose Delano Granville. Treasure all that is precious to you, and you will have treasure for years to come. From your Dudley.

“Why did you sign it that way? I haven’t called you Dudley in years.”

“You scrawled it on all the sketches your mother sent.” His voice gruff, he tugged at a loose strand of my curly blonde hair when I leaned to kiss his cheek. “You remind me of her so much. She sent your drawings with her letters. They cheered up the men in my regiment, too, whenever I shared them. Forgive an old man his memories.”

“You’re far from old age. Perhaps I’ll go sketch in the garden. I’m expecting Charles to call today or tomorrow.”

“He hasn’t come to ask my advice, or for my blessing.”

“I think he’s afraid of you—”

“How can he face heathens then, in a foreign country? You ought to meet other men in the world. Better men, who have a fortune of their own.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Perhaps you’ll meet better lawyers in California.”

“Don’t be impertinent.” Clenching his pipe in his teeth, Father picked up his newspaper once more. “That won’t serve you if you’re serious about becoming a missionary.”

“Would you rather I follow Aunt Sylvia on stage?”

“Harrison and I disowned her, in case you forgot!” Father knocked pipe ash over his papers and spluttered with anger. “I would lock you in a nunnery if you ever disgraced yourself that way—don’t you dare say we are not Catholic, either.”

Heat flared in my cheeks. He knew me too well, since I’d almost lobbed that volley. Guilt seared me again when he picked up his paper with shaking hands. I hadn’t meant to upset him like this. We both needed some time to recover, so I fled to the garden. The French doors rattled shut behind me. Crossing the flagstones, I clenched my fists around my new sketchbook. Father would recover his good humor before bedtime. I tiptoed past the kitchen window. The clink of china and flatware drifted to my ears along with their low voices while Etta and Cook prepared the evening’s meal. My heels sunk into the soft grass. I passed the rose-covered trellis and then perched on an ironwork bench, the metal warm under my fingers. Lucretia scurried out from a hedge’s thick foliage, eyes blinking. She froze, staring at me, when I opened the book to the first page and slid a pencil stub from my pocket.

I needed something to make me forget the argument with Father. Capturing the lizard’s familiar form, I filled it in with dark cross-hatching and smudges. What a beautiful creature. My friends kept Persian cats or lapdogs, but lizards held a special fascination for me. Exotic, alluring with their patterned skin texture and independence from humans. Lucretia flicked her tongue and scuttled away, alarmed by some noise in the distance. The setting sun glowed dull red and orange

past the shadowy trees, casting golden beams over the garden. The aroma of roast chicken, thyme and sage reminded me of dinner.

Rising to my feet, I groped for my mother’s necklace which held the tiny watch that Charles had given me. I must have left it upstairs on the dressing table. Tinkling water spilled from a cherub’s pitcher into the fountain. I sat down on the bench again and added ferns and shadows to my sketch.

Minutes later, a loud crack echoed in the air. The odd sound lingered. It reminded me of the revolver’s shot when I’d killed the badger. Had it come from the house? Closing my book, I hurried through the garden. Two shadowy figures slipped off the side porch and fled toward the street. The taller one wore dark clothing. I recognized the shorter man as Emil Todaro by his frog-like gait. Rushing after them, I witnessed their mad scramble into a waiting buggy. The team shot forward under a whip’s cruel lash.

Why had the lawyer returned? What did they want?

I climbed the steps to the side door and found it locked. Scurrying around to the back of the house, I tried the library’s French doors but they didn’t budge. My heart jumped in my throat. I picked up my skirts, raced around to the front door and flung it wide.

“Etta! Etta, where’s Father?”

The maid poked her head out of the dining room. “In the library.”

“I saw Mr. Todaro leaving with another man. Did you let them in?”

“No, Miss Lily. I did hear the Colonel talking to someone, though.”

“Didn’t you hear a loud bang?”

“I did, but I thought it was Cook with her pots. I was in the cellar fetching more coal.” Etta trailed me through the hall. “Is something wrong?”

“I’m not sure.” The library’s doorknob rattled beneath my fingers when I twisted it open. I peeked inside the dim room. “Are you all right, Father?”

An odd smell tickled my nose—gunpowder. I swallowed hard, my throat constricting, staring at how Father was sprawled over his desk, head down, one arm dangling over the edge. My head and ears thrummed when I saw papers littering the floor. The safe door stood ajar, the drawers yanked open every which way. I took a step, and another, toward the pipe that lay on the plush Persian carpet. His crushed spectacles lay beside it. Father’s hand cradled the small derringer he’d always kept in his desk drawer. Its pearl handle gleamed above a stack of papers, stained dark crimson.

A fly crawled over Father’s cheek. Etta clawed the air, one hand clamped over her mouth. I saw a tiny blackened bullet hole marking his temple, and wet blood trickling downward. Frozen in place, I heard a shrill scream—my own, since pain raked my throat.

Everything swirled and a dark void swallowed me whole.

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

PLEASE check out the HUGE sale at Astraea Press for the Labor Day holiday! If you liked the first chapter of DOUBLE CROSSING, buy it on sale, read it and then rate it on Goodreads and Amazon. Thanks!

Faithful Danger...my first suspense. Leave a Comment to win an e-copy

No matter, my heroes are always cowboys. Point rider, horse doctor, ranch foreman. Even Rhee Ryland, the hero of my latest release, Faithful Danger, from White Rose Publishing. Yeah, he might be a high -priced private investigator, but he's never forgotten his cowboy roots. Meeting mysterious widow Caffey Matthews in the beautiful ranch country of Santa Ynez, California, starts his pulse racing.

Leave a comment and your e-mail address for a chance to win a copy.

Blurb:

 Frightened and alone, Caffey Matthews leaves behind her wealthy Manhattan life after her husband's financial crimes and suicide…knowing his enemies are in pursuit. Finding succor in remote California ranch land helps her to reclaim her faith and trust in God. But the heart-stopping stranger Rhee Ryland frightens her even as she’s powerless to halt her deepening feelings for him…

Believing she's involved in her late husband's misdeeds, cowboy-turned high-priced private investigator Rhee Ryland arrives in Rancho Lorena on her tail ready to haul her back. Never expecting to fall in love with her, even more surprising is his return to his childhood Lord. 

Excerpt:

Locked in the trunk of the car!

Caffey battled to stay calm, to breathe normally, to hold down panic. To conserve air. The compartment wasn’t air tight, but heat and hyperventilation could kill. Lord, keep me safe, she begged. But even knowing He was at her side, she had to figure out what to do by herself.

 Breathe deep, slow. Breathe deep, slow. Amazingly, she did know what to do. Everett had borne a pathological fear that one day, either one of them might be kidnapped and held to ransom. Now, he was the abductor. Her lip quivered, and she swallowed tears.

            Scrunched into a bundle of bones and hot, tightened skin, she widened her eyes in the darkness to try to detect a glow-in-the-dark-handle. Spirits deflating, she understood the car wasn’t a late model with a required trunk release. Just in case, she groped with her fingers to try for a toggle switch or button.

             Nothing. Her heart flew into her throat, and she concentrated on easing the pain in her cramped shoulders. Maybe, just maybe the backseat would fold down. Doubtful she’d find a release in the trunk, she explored anyway with her fingertips, then unsuccessful, tried to unwind her legs enough to push the seat down. It didn’t give a centimeter.

           Panic started to roil, but she refused to let it. A Psalm of David dashed through her mind. Keep my soul and deliver me, for I put my trust in You. The words had saved her before, too many times to count, and a smidge of relief skittered through her. The Lord wouldn’t let her face this alone.

Available: http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/Faithful-Danger

4th Soul Catcher novel released

Love Conquers All Evil is the latest Soul Catcher novel. So, what's different with this one?

Well, several things. First, Jessie, my half-demon protagonist, meats a couple of priests. Yikes! Hold up. A half-demon meeting a priest? That's a problem. Trust me, it is. Second, she's no longer in Indianapolis with her friends. She's on the run with her lover, hiding from the world, well, most of it. And it's really, really bothering her. Third, she pays a visit to hell and meets an angel. "What?" you ask. Yeah, that was fun to write. The devil is in this book and so is an angel. Fourth, she's looking for a serial murderer. In other words, there's a mystery she has to solve. Off the top of my head, those four items stand out the most.

What's the same? Sending an evil soul to hell. You guessed that, right? LOL. And of course, love. Got to have some lovin' going on. (smile)

Love Conquers All Evil is my favorite out of the series. For some reason, it flowed smoothly. I had never written a mystery before, so there were times I questioned if I gave too much information away. The black moment was intense. I love those dark times when all hope is lost. Then there's the internal and external conflict to deal with. Sheesh, can Jessie ever get a break? No. What fun would that be? In my opinion, LCAE is a mixture, not just another paranormal romance. At least, that's my take on the novel.

Have I piqued your interest?

Welcome to arctic Alaska, free from vampires and home to humans, demons, and werewolves.

After months of moving and hiding from the VETOV, Drake and Jessie settle into a small Alaskan town. They soon discover a serial killer is on the loose and it's a demon stealing good souls. As Jessie mingles with locals from the demon community and investigates the murders, she bumps into a werewolf she had hoped she would never see again. More trouble arises and Jessie reaches out to Alan, the Alpha she met in Arizona.

Together, Drake and Alan seek to eliminate the threat against Jessie, but removing the werewolf may come with a steep price for the Alpha.

In a matter of a few days, Jessie battles for survival, and her own soul, while maintaining a feverish love for Drake. Demons and werewolves won't stop this half-demon soul catcher from sending evil souls to hell, or spending eternity with her noble vampire.

Buy Links:

Noble Romance: http://www.nobleromance.com

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Conquers-Evil-Catchers-ebook/dp/B005HZKEK4/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

All Romance Ebooks http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-loveconquersallevil-594251-139.html

The Soul Catcher series includes Claiming the Evil Dead, Catching an Evil Tail, Fighting Evil, and Love Conquers All Evil.

Find Mary Abshire, Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy Author, at:

http://www.maryabshire.com

http://www.facebook.com/mary.abshire

http://www.goodreads.com/maryabshire

http://twitter.com/maryabshire

http://www.linkedin.com/in/maryabshire

http://www.maryabshire.wordpress.com