Living Indie Book & Author Blog: October 2014

EXCERPT CHAPTER 5 - RUSSELL'S RETURN

Hey everybody! Chapter 5 has wielded us two small excerpts. Most of what takes place in this chapter could be considered a spoiler, but we worked around it! Enjoy!

How could they go from this above to what happens below!

Russell jumped out of his seat and grabbed his jacket. He was at the door before Emily knew what was happening. “You know what?” he said in a loud, seething voice as he opened her office door. “You are insane...you are a quack! You are a flat-out nut case. You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about and I want you to stay away from me and my daughter from now on!” The office door slammed behind him.

Emily looked on, shocked silent. When her heart started beating normally again she looked up and Mary the school secretary was standing there.

“Didn’t go too well huh, Emily?”

“No, it didn’t go well at all. He’ll come around though.” She gave Mary a weak smile. “I hope.”

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

Russell stormed out of the school and went straight to his vehicle. Slamming the door, he tossed the packet the ’school counselor’ had given him onto the passenger seat and beat his hands against the steering wheel. He didn’t know if he could even face work today. He’d probably fire everyone who crossed his path. He dug his cell phone out of his pocket and called the theater. His assistant managers would have to hold down the fort for one day. The only place he was headed was home to talk to his mother about the so-called professional counselor she and her school board were allowing to corrupt their children.

*******

“Mother!” Russell was even angrier now that he’d had the ride home to think about things. What the hell did Emily Zane think she was doing, pulling disorders out of a hat and doling them out to whoever the hell she felt like? “Mother!”

“What is it Russell? Is Miranda okay?” Evelyn practically flew down the stairs.

“What? Oh, yeah, she is fine - for now. Are you still on the school board?”

“Uh, yes...yes I am. Why?” Evelyn felt as confused as she looked.

“Mom, you need to call an emergency meeting. Emily Zane needs to be relieved of her position and you need to recommend to the State Board that she lose her license.”

“What?” Evelyn raised her voice which was really rare. “Russell Harper, Emily is good at what she does. Why on earth would I go to the board? Have you completely lost your mind?”

“No, but that...that woman has."

EXCERPT CHAPTER 4 - RUSSELL'S RETURN

Here is the excerpt from Chapter four of Russell's Return. This one has been edited.I truly hope you enjoy it and don't forget to join us for our triple cover reveal for the complete Harper's Rock Romance series on Nov. 3rd right here!

“Who would have thought we had the same favorite pizza?” Emily looked at him questioningly.

“Yeah, I haven’t met many people who actually enjoy mushrooms, olives and pineapple together. Vivienne hated it. She refused to get pizza with me because she didn’t want to have to even look at it.” Russell smiled apologetically. “Sorry, didn’t mean to bore you.” He didn’t usually talk about his ex-wife, especially to people he didn’t know well. But then again, he wasn’t sure if Emily fit into that category. Yes, he hadn’t spoken to her in many years, but they did grow up together so maybe that counted as knowing her well?

Emily finished chewing before she said anything. “First, you aren‘t boring me.” She wished he would stop thinking like that. She actually found his life quite interesting. “And second, I take it Vivienne is your wife.”

Russell smirked. “Ex-wife. And yeah that’s who I was talking about.”

Emily laughed at his expression. “She doesn’t sound like a very agreeable person. She doesn’t like Miranda’s difficulties, she doesn’t like your favorite pizza even to look at.” Emily shook her head. “Was there anything the woman did like?”

Russell paused staring at Emily and then burst into laughter. He laughed so hard he almost choked on his iced tea. It took him a moment to compose himself before he could speak again. “You know, now that I think of it, there wasn’t much that Vivienne Deveraux Harper liked. She hated Wyoming, she hated nature, she hated any pizza that didn’t have some weird gourmet cheese on it, she didn’t like houses that were under 3,000 square feet, she didn’t like getting wet in the rain, and she didn’t like eating ice cream on a hot day…” He shook his head and took a bite of his pizza.

“I’m so sorry,” she murmured. "Your life with her sounds like it was, well I don’t know, rough I guess? How on earth did you manage?” Emily took a sip of her soda and continued. “I’m sorry, you don’t have to answer that if you don’t want to.” She often had to remind herself that she wasn’t in counselor mode.

“It’s okay, I’ve never really felt comfortable talking about her, but right now, it's kind of…kind of a relief.” Russell paused and toyed with his napkin. It took him a moment to figure out where to begin. “You asked how I managed?” he questioned and Emily quickly nodded. “Well at first it was great. She was everything I wanted, rich, powerful, only wanted the best of everything, but then after a while I guess it wore thin. My country roots started to show through.” He laughed and pointed at his hair as if he were talking about hair dye. “I don’t think she really liked me that much. She kept trying to change me and erase all signs of the Harper’s Rock Russell that I had left.” He paused and pushed his plate away. “Then when Miranda was born, I guess she kind of blamed me for the way she was. After all, I had grown up a country hick and therefore it was my fault that our daughter wasn‘t ‘normal‘.” He made quote signs in the air.

Emily sat silent with her hands in her lap. She really didn’t know what to say. People like Russell’s ex-wife made her so angry. She had seen similar adults completely mess up the lives of some really good kids. Thank goodness this woman was no longer in Miranda’s life. It would have killed her to watch Vivienne Deveraux Harper continue to wreck the lives of two such wonderful people.

THE HARPER'S ROCK ROMANCES - GET TO KNOW THE CHARACTERS!

Introducing the main characters of our next novels in the Harper's Rock Romance series

Russell's Return

Russell Harper - Brown Hair - Blue eyes 31 yrs old

A Wyoming country boy who couldn't wait to get out of the small town that bears his family name
Ended up in Las Vegas where he married, had a kid and built a successful corporation that owns and runs three high end restaurants.
His young daughter, nine-year-old Miranda, is a troubled child that Russel now parents alone. He has a hard time dealing with her and coping with her eccentricities but loves her more than anyone.
He reluctantly returns home to Harper's Rock, Wyoming where his mother, Evelyn Harper, can help him with his daughter. His ex-wife left them without a word and has nothing to do with their child.
He leaves his restaurant in capable hands and takes over the family business for his mother. He is sometimes overwhelmed with stress from having two full time jobs and a problem child.
He runs into the nerdy girl that used to crush on his best friend - Emily Zane. And now she is far from the nerdy girl he used to know.

Emily Zane - Red hair, green eyes 31 years old

A Wyoming country girl who couldn't wait to get out of the small town she grew up in.
She ended up in Seattle where she went to college and started on her dream of helping troubled children and families.
A tragedy sent her back to the safety of her small hometown. She's happy to be home - she didn't realize what a great thing she had when she lived there before.
She runs into the best friend of her old High School crush - Russell Harper
She becomes the school counselor at Miranda's new school.
She finally figures out what is wrong with the little girl and agrees to work with Russell to get Miranda the help she needs.

Synopsis:

Home was the last place he wanted to be.

Single father, Russell Harper, would do anything for his troubled nine-year-old daughter Miranda, including returning to the suffocating small Wyoming town he fled at eighteen. Meeting up with childhood friend, licensed counselor Emily Zane, helps father and daughter come to terms with their new life. When the past thunders into town, threatening to destroy everyone it its path, the Harpers could lose everything.

Home was the only place she could truly breathe.

Emily Zane left Harper’s rock, Wyoming as fast as she could, for the city life she’d always dreamed of. When circumstances take away what she holds dear, Harper’s Rock offers the safety and shelter she needs to heal. A chance meet up with her childhood friend, restaurateur Russell Harper and his troubled little girl, renews her confidence in her abilities. But when the past comes bearing down, it threatens to take everything she holds dear…again.

For those of you who have read my Sunset Destiny Series, Evelyn Harper (Russell's mom) is the twin sister of the Mannon family patriarch Ethan Mannon. You are first introduced to Evelyn in the novel The Heart of Alaska. Don't forget to visit the buy page for a link to the books.

Logan's Leap (A Harper's Rock Romance)

Logan Harper - Red hair, green eyes 28 years old

A Wyoming country boy who gladly returned to the small town that bears his family name. The less people he had to deal with, the better.
He bought the town's only grocery store with the inheritance from his grandmother and father and runs it successfully. He has an apartment above the store and is building a house on his family's now defunct ranch.
Logan doesn't do relationships or even associate with other people socially. His mother, brothers and a few causal friends are all he needs.
He is a self proclaimed loner and is happy with his life just the way it is. He spends most of his time in the grocery store or on his horse at the ranch.
While out for a ride one day, he rescues a woman in trouble. She is heavily pregnant and on the run for her life.

Jayna McIntyre - Blonde Hair, Brown eyes 28 yrs old

A woman from Alaska who has no family. (Best friend of Deb in JJ Ellis's Deception in Denali)
She gets sent to Harper's Rock, Wyoming by her best friend's Husband to look up his relatives, the Harper's.
She is 9 months pregnant with her ex-boyfriends child. She runs into trouble on her way to Harper's Rock and passes out in Logan Harper's arms.
She is running for her life, and that of her baby. She must figure out a way to get rid of the threat so they can start a new life.
She was expecting to run to motherly Evelyn Harper but instead gets sexy Logan Harper. He is helpful but distant.
After she gives birth to a baby boy, the fun begins and she truly is on the run for her life. Logan vows to help her figure it all out.

SYNOPSIS:

He believes that love is for fools.

Logan Harper’s motto - stay away from people and you won’t get hurt. He has a successful business, his family, and a few casual friends. That’s more than enough to keep him happy. When Jayna McIntyre comes to town seeking out the Harper family, Logan is the one who comes to her rescue. What harm could come from helping a single mom? He’s an expert at knowing how to keep other people’s drama from invading his life, so helping her and sending her on her way should be easy.

She’s never stopped believing in love.

Jayna is nine months pregnant and running for her life. Her best friend’s husband sends her to his family in Harper’s Rock, Wyoming. She was expecting to find the motherly Evelyn Harper, but instead she wakes up in sexy Logan’s arms. The self-described loner truly does have a heart, as she witnesses with her newborn baby and his willingness to put their safety before his own. Forced into close quarters, with a madman on the loose, Jayna and her knight in denim armor create a bond, but it may not be strong enough to override the past.

For those of you who have read my Sunset Destiny Series, Evelyn Harper (Logan's mom) is the twin sister of the Mannon family patriarch Ethan Mannon. You are first introduced to Evelyn in the novel The Heart of Alaska. Don't forget to visit the buy page for a link to the books.

Dylan's Desire (A Harper's Rock Romance)

Dylan Harper - Brown hair, blue eyes 24 years old

A Wyoming country boy Wilderness Guide. He is said to have a different girl in every small Wyoming town.
His childhood best friend Nicoletta (Nic) Ballas was the only girl he ever wanted on any kind of permanent basis. She is the only girl to ever turn down his advances.
Dylan doesn't do relationships.
He lives wild and free and by his own rules. He drives fast, drinks hard and loves many different women.
He is a man of few regrets, his main one being Nic.

Nicoletta Ballas - Brown hair, green eyes 25 years old

A small town Wyoming girl who escaped the heartbreak of her best friend's promiscuity by leaving for nursing school.
She escapes tragedy after nursing school and heads out to work on a cruise ship for three years (The character of Nicole in JJ's book Virgin Voyage)
She finally comes back to Harper's Rock intent on staying away from her best friend.
Without a job prospect she is forced to work for Evelyn Harper taking care of her son who was in a bad accident.
She finds herself mixed up with her playboy best friend again.

SYNOPSIS:

He is used to getting what he wants…except for her

Resident Playboy and wilderness guide Dylan Harper lives life on his own terms until one fateful night when an accident leaves him struggling to live. The man with few regrets will come face to face with the ones he does have. The only girl to tell him no, Nicoletta Ballas, is the only one who can help him through the physical struggles and the only one who could break his heart irreparably.

She always wants what isn’t good for her

Widowed nurse Nicoletta Ballas comes home after working for three years on a cruise ship. She is immediately thrown into the world she had run from when she left for nursing school. Wild child Dylan Harper was her childhood best friend but his promiscuity came between them. Now he’s struggling, for his physical wellbeing and his true identity and she feels compelled to help him break free. But to do that, she must consent to face her own broken past.

COVER REVEAL FOR L.C. MORGAN'S BEAR CREEK ROAD

Sometimes losing yourself leads right to the place you were looking for ...

Summary -

Secluded and quiet is exactly what Laney Walker is looking for when she decides to pack up and move across the country. It's what she wants, what she thinks she needs—until she meets Joe Boone.

Contracted to replace the plumbing along the property, Joe is first to arrive and last to leave. And to Laney's surprising disappointment, he never has much to say.

But the more Joe comes around, the more she learns about him and soon finds the man is as flawed as the house he's fixing.

A fact that only seems to draw her closer to him.

Excerpt -

The cabin was dark and gloomy in the moonlight, its stairs even squeakier than mine. I slowly followed him up them, waiting until he flipped on the light before stepping inside.

The decorum was what I would have expected—nonexistent. A plain brown couch was pressed up against the bare wood wall, a boxed-out TV sitting on a makeshift stand on the opposite wall with a set of rabbit ears on top. There were no curtains or throw pillows. No rugs, no runner on the tiny dining room table. But it was clean, and it was cool, and it smelled like him.

My eyes fluttered closed as I breathed him in, the scent so overwhelming I felt myself sway. When I opened them again, he was gone.

Glancing from side to side, I stepped further inside and peeked down the hallway, finding a bright light shining from an open door. I hesitantly started for it, smiling when I saw it was the bathroom. A towel and washcloth had been left out on the counter by the sink. I moved inside and closed the door, feeling around and then reaching up to find no lock.

“Okay …” I mumbled to myself, turning back to the tub and twisting the handles until the temperature was perfect. Glancing back at the door, I quickly stripped out of my clothes, jumped inside and pulled the curtain shut behind me.

The water was searing in the best sort of way, steaming up the room and loosening my sore muscles from a day of angry weed pulling. I could have stood under the hot spray all night, just basking in the forceful water pressure. This shower was so much better than Mona’s.

Dipping my head back, I closed my eyes to wet my hair, hurriedly wiping the water from my face when I felt a brush of cool air against my legs.

My heart pounded, thinking it was Joe, but it was only the air from the furnace blowing the shower curtain. I couldn’t imagine what I would have done if it had been him. The fact that I wanted to find out had me washing off a little quicker. I didn’t know if I was ready for him to see me naked.

I dried off and got dressed as close as I could to the door in order to avoid that accident waiting to happen. If he did ever end up seeing me naked, I wanted to be prepared and not look like a drowned cat if I could help it.

When I emerged from the bathroom, he was coming down the hallway, shirtless and with the button of his pants undone. I swallowed, unable to take my eyes off his zipper until he reached out for my towel.

“Mind if I use that?”

“Uh, yeah.” I handed it over. “I mean, not unless you do.”

“Nope.” He slid past me and into the bathroom, setting my bag out in the hallway before cracking the door. I stood outside of it while I listened to him adjust the curtain and turn on the shower, trying to decide if I should just take off or not. I was getting ready to knock and tell him I was leaving when the water suddenly shut off, the shower curtain screeched and the door opened to reveal a mess of towel-dried brown hair and a shiny, wet chest.

Bio -

L. C. Morgan resides with her husband on the outskirts of a small town in the heart of it all. A lover of many things, she puts family first and diet Coke second. When not working she can be found spoiling her new nephew with lots of love and kisses while awaiting her own little bundle of joy or at home, face shoved in her Kindle, fingers typing away to free the words from her head. She writes them for you and hopes you enjoy them as much as she enjoys yours.

Social links -

EMAIL - authorlcmorgan@gmail.com

FB - https://www.facebook.com/pages/L-C-Morgan/301419176699774?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

TWITTER - https://twitter.com/LCMrgan

GOODREADS - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23197167-bear-creek-road

GOODREADS - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8298088.L_C_Morgan

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JUDE OUVRARD BLOG TOUR - OPHELIA

Ophelia's blog tour

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OBOF2KO

For teenage musical prodigy Ophelia Stewart, life couldn't be better. She has a loving family, a friend who is closer than a sister, and big professional dreams to pursue. But Ophelia’s perfect world is shattered when a disaster claims her parents and forces her into a center for emotionally damaged children where she is required to finish her senior year far from her best friend.

http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-images-tender-romantic-young-lovers-holding-each-other-close-intimate-embrace-view-behind-bare-back-man-image36754219

Lost and alone, Ophelia tries to cut herself off from connecting with the other young people there, however one of them, Teodore de Luca, refuses to be put off. Breaking through her restraint, the young man insinuates himself into her life, where he becomes her new support system.

What can the future hold for them? Ophelia still has big dreams to pursue. Is there really a place for Teo in them? How can she chose between the man she loves and her passion for music? Can she ever truly commit herself to him? Or is their love destined to be crushed under the weight of her career?

Jude was born and raised in a small village named Lacolle. She now lives in Montreal, Canada. She is the proud mother of a beautiful five year old son, and has spent the last thirteen years with her partner, Cedric.

French is her native language, but she prefers to write in her second language, English.

Besides working full time and being a mother, Jude has a passion for books, both reading and writing them.

Her first novella, Under the Sun was published at the end of July 2013.It is part of an anthology called Heat Wave. Her second novella, Wonderland, was published in March 2014 and has hit the bestselling rank. Lost Dreams, a military romance, was published in May 2014 and Body, Ink, and Soul in late June 2014.

She is currently working on her novel, Music, Ink, and Love and is hoping to publish during the winter of 2015.

FACEBOOK - TWITTER - GOODREADS

AMAZON - STREET TEAM

The sun was beginning to rise when I heard noises coming from the front door. Small knocks echoed in the cabin. Who could it be? I didn’t have friends here. It scared me but the curiosity stopped from going back to bed. I hope it wasn’t some jackass playing games on me. Quietly, I tiptoed to the door and opened it just a little to see who was hiding behind it.

“Baby?” My voice broke with emotion. “You travelled all the way here?” I jumped into his arms and kissed every inch of his face. I never expected to see him. My heart filled with joy, I couldn’t believe he was standing there at my door.

“For you, Ophelia, only for you, my baby. I love you so much.” He returned my kiss and his arms took me in a warm embrace. I missed those strong arms around me so much. I wanted to stay there forever.

“Come on in. It’s small but big enough for us.” I let him enter, never letting go of his hand, never leaving his sight. So many emotions were expressed only by the look in our eyes.

He let his backpack fall on the floor and he lift me into his arms. “You are gorgeous, baby, you are so fucking perfect. I want to give you the world and make you happy.” He laughed out of breath. “I’ve been thinking about what I would say to you for over sixteen hours, but seeing you here, now. There is only one thing you need to know. I’m in love with you and I want to share my life with you.”

“That makes two things,” I teased. “I am, too.” The words rolled off my tongue. “I’ve always love you and always will.”

We stood facing each other. Our past had been quite confusing at times. He’d waited for me, but whenever I was home, we were one. We acted like a couple, we were very involved physically. That was always our thing, our connection.

“Hearing you, seeing you telling me that you love me is everything I’ve ever wished for. I want to spoil you, make you see how happy you make me.”

“Show me.” I pulled him to me, holding his t-shirt. His touch had always meant everything to me. When we met, I’d been craving any kind of human affection. I wanted to be loved, I needed someone to hug me and make me feel safe and he was exactly that for me. Teo gave me the strength I needed to go on with my life.

“There is nothing else I rather do.” His lips crushed mine, taking possession of me. Our lips parted and our tongues met, hungry with desire. My hands hunted the skin of his waist, lifting off his t-shirt and feeling the warmth emanating for his body.

Teo didn’t waste more time, he removed the only clothing I was wearing, which was one of his old t-shirt that I had stolen before leaving.

“Baby, look at you, you’re incredibly sexy.” He whispered, nibbling on my earlobe.

My desire for him had me all mixed up. I wanted to push him on the couch, I wanted to undress him. I needed him to show me how much he loved me. “Let me get you out of that top.” I said, lifting it over his head and dropping it on the floor. I let my hands dance on his chest, enjoying the feel of his skin under my fingers. His muscles hardened under my touch.

“You’re driving me crazy.”

I chuckled shyly. My fingers grabbed hold of the belt of his jeans, pulling him toward my bedroom. The bed had to be the best place for what we had in mind. I undid his belt and unbuttoned his pants as we walked toward the room. His lips trailed a line of kisses from my lips to my jaw and then to the hollow of my neck. It sent shivers all over my body making my nipples pucker. I pushed his pants and underwear down and pulled him into the bed with me.

“You have no idea how many nights I’ve wished to have you here with me. You are the one I love Teo.”

“I love you. I’m never getting rid of you. Look at you,” he said admiring my body, feeling my breast with his hands. “You’re everything. My everything.”

With my both hands, I held his face and looked at him. Love reflected into his eyes and I hope he could see how much love I had in mine. I needed him to see it, to feel it. I had never loved someone that hard. It scared me but I knew he would always have my back. I trusted that he would find the perfect words to make me feel secure.

“I could get used to that look on your face. The one that says, oh Teo, you’re the man of my fantasies, the one I’ve been dreaming of all my life.” He mimicked my voice.

We both laughed.

“You’re an ass.”

“It was the first promise I made you, and I keep my promises.” He kissed my lips languorously. “I don’t know why it feels so different. We’ve been doing this for a very long time but it feels like it’s the first time in all those times that I own you, that you really are mine.”

“It’s because you do, I’m yours, baby, I’m yours.” I sighed. “I’m sorry that I kept you waiting all this time. It was very selfish of me. I can’t believe that you’re still here wanting me.”

He smiled and nodded. Maybe he was happy hearing me acknowledge all the effort he had made over the years.

“Enough talking now. I need to show my girl how much I missed her.”

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SHADES OF PINK CHARITY ANTHOLOGY

As you may know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Last year, the first Shades of Pink event raised over $10.000 through more than 1300 donations!

For our second year, 22 authors have allied for 1 cause: fundraising for research. Their gift to everyone who makes a donation? A romance anthology (ebook) titled Shades of Pink (volume 2), totaling almost 150.000 words / about 400 pages as a PDF.

The suggested donation is $5. Funds are raised via Stayclassy.org and all proceeds go directly to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Readers can also donate to the charity organization of their choice (with a focus on breast cancer) and email their receipt to receive their copy of the anthology in either PDF, ePub or mobi (kindle).

Who: Catherine Bowman, Mitzi Calderone, Vivien Dean, JJ and TA Ellis, Sabrina Garie, Nina Day Gerard, T. Hammond, Susan Harris, Laura Hunsaker, Kallysten, Amara Lebel, Alicia J. Love, Deelylah Mullin, C. Deanne Rowe, Cynthia Sax, DJ Shaw, Alice Stark, Ashley Suzanne, Gill Taber, Natasza Waters, Zoe York, Angela Yseult

When: Now through November 15th.

What: 22 short stories, including…

· 4 paranormal, 1 sci-fi, 11 contemporary, 1 historical, 2 military, 3 BDSM, 2 YA (some stories have more than one genre)

· 3 spicy (ménage or kink), 7 sexy (explicit sex scenes), 12 sweet (no sex)

· A couple of vampires, about three dozen humans including soldiers, geeks, teachers, librarians, writers, survivors, bosses, rock stars, teens, mages, wives, husbands and fiancés, 1 succubus, 1 genie, a few aliens, some werewolves and other shifters.

· Pink, pink and more pink, including tattoos, plenty of flowers, precious stones, jewelry, a bookmark, a drawing, ropes, lingerie, a car, a bag, a vase, various clothes, an anteater and a squirrel.

Where: Kallysten’s blog

Here you’ll find links to teasers for the stories, interviews of the authors and blog posts during all of October, a FAQ, and of course the link where you can donate and help this worthy cause.

__________________________________________________________________________

Tim and I are so proud to have been a part of this wonderful anthology. This is a great cause. Back in 2010/2011, I was pregnant with our fifth child and I logged on to a website where I could chat with some other moms that were due to have babies at the same time as me. Eventually we formed groups and migrated over to Facebook. In this I met some incredible, supportive women and to this day a lot of us are still friends. One of these incredible ladies just recently finished her last treatment for Breast Cancer. She is strong and kind and beautiful and she is fighting this battle hard. We have dedicated our story, Tattooed Hearts, to my friend Jill. You are a true inspiration. Here is an excerpt of our story. We truly hope you enjoy it. For those of you who have read our book, The Heart of Alaska, you will recoginze the characters of Francesca and Jackson.

Synopsis:

Two hearts, two tattoos, and a dash of fate

Francesca can’t accept that Jackson volunteered to go to Vietnam and their relationship ends. He returns a changed man - but his love remains true. When they reunite, fate once again leads them toward forever.

Excerpt:

Jack pulled away when he felt her trembling. “It’s okay sweetheart. There’s no reason to be scared. I’ll take care of you.” That was when he noticed the tears in her eyes. “Francesca, what’s wrong?”

“I missed you,” she sobbed. “So much. And I’m so sorry…”

“Shh,” he whispered, putting a finger to her lips. “It’s over and we’re back together. Please don’t do this to yourself.”

“But I feel so bad,” she murmured through tears.

“Don’t,” he stressed. “Please don’t. I love you Buttercup, and I missed you too, but that part of our lives is over. Now we move on. Okay?”

Fran nodded and dried her tears. “Every moment that you were gone was like a year in hell. Sometimes I couldn’t catch my breath when I read your letters or looked at your picture.”

“I know how much you missed me,” he smiled, gently taking her face in his hands. “Because I felt the same way.”

Their lips met again, this time softly. When they pulled apart, Jackson took her hand and led her over to the bed. He sat on the edge and pulled her to stand between his knees.

Fran reached out tentatively to touch his arms. She began to trace the outline of the tattoo of the buttercups and smiled. Looking to Jack, she could see him smiling too. “So, if this was to remind you of me, then why is there more than one?” she teased.

“There’s one for each month I thought about you.”

“That’s so sweet,” she replied as she turned her attention to the other arm, running her fingers over the empty area. “Why is this area blank? If you don’t want to tell me, I understand.”

“That is for my heart, whether whole or broken, to be decided when I got home," he replied as he ran his fingers up her side, sending shivers through her body. “Seeing you waiting for me completes my heart.”