Sunday, December 8, 2013

Celebrating Even More of the Holiday with Rock and Roll and Romance and a Giveaway!

Welcome back for the second installment of my Rock and Roll Holiday posts. As I mentioned earlier, I'm a lover of old time rock and roll, specifically the 1950s and 1960s, a time period that inspired my series, The Golden Decade of Rock and Roll, from The Wild Rose Press. The latest release in the series is 1958's April Love, inspired by Pat Boone's beautiful song.

Eleanor Martin is every company's dream employee. She arrives early, stays late and never misses a day. If it weren't for Eleanor's skill as a private secretary, her architect boss would never make a deadline. Not only does she keep him on track, she runs interference between him and his over-bearing mother, his deadbeat brother, and the half dozen or so women who want to bed him and/or wed him.

When Jess Norton acquires a new client who asks him to build a palatial hideaway on Grand Cayman Island, Jess is certain he'll never be able to complete the multi-million dollar job without the help of his efficient secretary.  Despite her reservations, he convinces Eleanor to accompany him on the assignment of a lifetime.


The sun and the sand cast the perfect spell for romance. But will the tides turn in the opposite direction?




Excerpt:
“I didn’t hear you come in,” Eleanor said, as she followed her boss into his office.

He chuckled, the timbre of his voice sinking into her subconscious. There were many things about her boss’ life she’d learned to ignore, or at least accept. His deep, sexy voice wasn’t one of them.

“You were too busy discussing pastry with our new receptionist.”

Eleanor met his teasing gaze and broad grin. “She’s inquisitive, and very bright.”

“And now she knows everything there is to know about pastry in the workplace.” He removed his suit jacket and handed it to her before adding, “As long as she can answer the phone without hiccupping in the client’s ear, I’m happy.”

Eleanor did her best to control an outright laugh. “Yes, that was definitely a problem. I can’t imagine wanting to be a receptionist if you panic every time the phone rings.”

“Whatever happened to…what was her name? Clarice?” he asked. “Did you let her go?”
Eleanor shook her head. “I transferred her to the mailroom.”

“Good for you. I hate to see anyone out of a job.” Reaching for the telephone he asked, “Has my sainted mother called already this morning?”

“Yes. She thinks you’re angry with her and don’t want to speak to her.”

Looking up until their gazes met, he rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I don’t know where she got that idea. No wait. It might have something to do with the fact she arranged another blind date for me.”

Eleanor quickly covered a smile with her hand and pretended to cough. “She worries about you.”

“Worrying is one thing. Arranging a date with one of this year’s debutantes is ridiculous. Hell, I’m nearly old enough be the girl’s father.”

A quick, and thoroughly unwanted, picture flashed through Eleanor’s thoughts. Jess Norton surrounded by a bevy of evening gown clad debutantes, each of them doing their best to snag a rich, influential businessman. “If you check the engagement announcements in the newspaper, it seems most well-established businessmen prefer to marry gently-raised, properly educated younger girls.”

“Not me. I prefer my women a bit more on the experienced side.”
****

My Social Links: (I'd love a follow or a like!)
Twitter: @nfraserauthor

And, more of my favorite holiday songs:

1958: Rocking Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee (probably one of the most played)
1958: The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) by Alvin and the Chipmunks (probably one of the cutest)
1959: This Time of Year by Brook Benton (another soulful song)
1960: Please Come Home For Christmas by Charles Brown (another tear-jerker)

Don't forget to leave a comment (including your email) for a chance to win having your name used as a character in book 5 of the series, as well as a digital copy of the book you're named in and a digital copy of the first three books in the series, 1955's Love Is A Many Splendored Thing, 1956's Love Me Tender and 1957's Wake Up Little Susie.

I've got one more post coming later. Please stop back by for a visit.

Happy Holidays!
Nancy

2 comments:

ELF said...

I love the chipmunks' song! (and enjoyed the excerpt...nice banter)

Nancy Fraser said...

Thanks so much for the comment. That's what I love about writing for the 50s and 60s ... they actually talk to each other!