STORMY SEAS - EXCERPT CHAPTER 5

             Abigail wasn't sure if she was ready to see Sam yet but she didn’t really want to eat or work alone so she headed down the hall to their cabin. When she came to a set of elevators she decided to head up to deck five to get some fresh air instead. As she stepped onto the car she, literally, ran into Thomas as he was moving closer to the control panel.
            “Hi Tommy,” she smiled, her lips barely turning up at the edges.
            “Hey Abby, how are you?”
            “I could be better,” she answered.
            “I know,” he admitted, "I saw Sam last night.”
            Abigail sighed. “So you know everything?”
            “Yep, every last bit.”
            “Oh Tommy, I just don't know what to do. I love him, but I have no clue if I can overlook his role in this.” 

            “He didn’t have a role in it Abigail,” he stressed as he ushered her off the elevator at deck five.

~~~~~~~~~

            Thomas slowly pulled her close for a quick hug. “I need to tell you something about Sam, something that might help with how you think of him.”

           “You just met him, what can you know about him?” Abby was incredulous.
           “I know that his dad was a bastard, and I also know that the only man in his life growing up was the most decent, kind, gracious human being that ever walked the earth.”  Thomas sighed and grabbed both of her hands in his. “Abby, his uncle Burton was my Gunnery Sergeant, the one I went to hell and back with. And I trusted him with my life. I guarantee the man Sam is today is the same kind of man his uncle was.”
          “The one who died?” she asked quietly. “I remember when it happened. Sam was devastated.”
          “He was a great man Abby and so is Sam. Give him a chance." Thomas kissed her cheek and walked away.

ALASKAN AMBUSH - EXCERPT CHAPTER 4

         
          Olivia walked around his living room looking at some of his Alaskan trinkets. They were so rustic, so charming. There was that word again, charming, she decided she liked it.
          On display, front and center, on the shelf above his television was the large crystal bear she'd given him on the anniversary of their first date. She knew he had hated it, because it was too material, too expensive for his taste. He never said anything though, he'd just accepted it and put it in the closet, probably because he was afraid that it would break.
          It hadn’t exactly gone with the décor in his apartment and it really didn’t go here in this little house either, so why was it displayed? Her heart pounded and her hands were shaking. Did this mean he missed her, did he still think about her? Could Pearl have been right?
          She picked it up off the shelf and walked into the kitchen. “Alex, why did you keep this, and why do you have it on your shelf?”
          He put down the knife he held, and turned toward her.
          She smiled tentatively at him, waiting for his answer.
          After a moment, he walked over to her and took the statue out of her hands, setting it gently on the counter. “Because I missed you,” he whispered right before he pulled her close and finally kissed her.

DON'T FORGET TO VISIT MY BUY PAGE AT THE TOP OR CLICK ON THE FIRST LINK IN THE LEFT HAND COLUMN TO GET YOUR COPY OF VIRGIN VOYAGE OR ALASKAN AMBUSH TODAY!!!

STORMY SEAS - EXCERPT CHAPTER 2

       

  “So what’s with this Abby?” Jackson asked, flicking the bun in her hair. “Never knew you to be a tight ass.”
          “It’s just easier Jackass hole,” she answered. “And it looks professional.”
          “It looks uptight and boring Abby,” Jackson whispered in her ear right before he lovingly kissed her cheek. "I missed you."
          She shot him a smile then started looking for Sam again. The minute he walked into view her heart started thudding and she felt her face flush with heat.
          “That must be the famous assistant, Sam.” Thomas claimed elbowing his best friend.
          Jackson looked from Abby to Thomas and then over to the handsome six foot one inch tall blond man walking toward them. “Do you have a thing for your assistant Abby?” He sounded like a mischievous child, which almost always meant trouble.
          “Thomas answered for her when she seemed to ignore her brother. “She does my friend, and from what I understand, he's a younger man. Your sister’s a cougar!”
          “I hear you guys,” she warned “and you'd better shut up before he gets close or it will be wet willies all around.” Memories of her favorite past time when they were kids came rushing back and she smiled. Any way she could find to torture her annoying little brother and his equally annoying best friend had been a favorite activity.
          “I told you I would make it Bibi,” Sam said, giving her a hug. “So now you'll have to find a different excuse to fire me.”
          Abigail smiled and returned his hug. “Your job is safe,” she claimed. “For now!”
          “Hey mom and dad,” she called to them. “I want you to meet Sam.”
          The older couple turned around and welcomed him warmly to their family vacation. Abigail couldn't help but have the thought that the poor sucker didn’t know what he was getting himself into.
          “And this,” Abigail declared reluctantly “Is my little brother, Jackson and my honorary little brother, Thomas.”

           Both men took turns shaking Sam’s hand.
          “It’s great to meet you both, Abby’s told me so much about you,” Sam offered.
          “Uh oh, she’s told you about us?” Thomas groaned.
          “That can’t be good,” Jackson stated. “Don’t believe half of what she said.”
          “Yeah, the good half,” Thomas joked.
          “What good half?” Sam deadpanned. Everyone, including Abigail laughed. That wasn't usual for her and Sam had to keep himself from staring.

           “So you’re just her assistant right?” Jackson asked in his big brother voice.
           “Or does she give you wet willies and wedgies like she used to give us?” Thomas asked.
           Abigail felt a deep blush creep up her face. “Oh my God you guys, will you just shut the hell up!”
           They didn’t’ have much choice as everyone was asked to quiet down and pay attention. Abigail breathed a silent sigh of relief.
           When there was a break in the evacuation informational lecture, Sam leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Why did I not know we were sharing a cabin?”
          “What!” she cried just a bit too loudly?
          “Your carry-on was in my cabin when I dropped mine off,” he whispered. “I thought I was sharing with your brother and Thomas.”
          “So did I,” she bit out between clenched teeth. “And I thought I was sharing with my sister Mari.”
           Abigail was not happy. There was no way she could share a room with Sam. Her hands wouldn't stop shaking and she had an almost overwhelming urge to flee over the side of the ship. If the drill didn’t end soon, she just might do that.

DON'T FORGET TO VISIT MY BUY PAGE AT THE TOP OR CLICK ON THE FIRST LINK IN THE LEFT HAND COLUMN TO GET YOUR COPY OF VIRGIN VOYAGE OR ALASKAN AMBUSH TODAY!!!

ALASKAN AMBUSH FREE

Alaskan Ambush is free for a limited time until Midnight June 25 to celebrate my 19th wedding anniversary!  Starting June 26 I am reducing Virgin Voyage  to .99 for a limited time so you can get them both for a great price!  Don't forget to leave a review!

Thanks

JJ Ellis

DON'T FORGET TO VISIT MY BUY PAGE AT THE TOP OR CLICK ON THE FIRST LINK IN THE LEFT HAND COLUMN TO GET YOUR COPY OF VIRGIN VOYAGE OR ALASKAN AMBUSH TODAY!!!

ABAGAIL AND SAM

I would like to introduce you to the characters in the next book of the Sunset Destiny Romance Series. This story has so much joy and sadness and hardship and redemption and love. I can not wait to delve in and come out a better person. I know I will shed a few tears too :)

BOOK TITLE: Stormy Seas - A Sunset Destiny Romance - Book 3

MAIN FEMALE CHARACTER -

• Abigail Mannon 
• Red hair, green eyes, just under 6 feet tall (Statuesque)
• 28 years old 
• Has a tragic event in her past that only her mother and father know about. Doesn't want anyone else to know about it but slowly starts to let people in.
• Works at a Publishing Company in New York, NY
• ALWAYS wears her hair pulled up in a tight bun
• Concentrates  on work rather than on a personal life because she gave up on the human race after the tragic event. 
• Has to go on family vacation even though she doesn't want to. Invites her personal assistant so they can work because she doesn't plan on having any fun.
• Harbours a secret love for her assistant.
• Has a professional secret that only her personal assistant knows about

MAIN MALE CHARACTER -

• Samuel West (Sam)
• Blonde hair, blue eyes, 6'1" tall, Athletic looking
• 24 years old (The younger man!)
• Works as Abigail's personal assistant at the Publishing Company in New York, NY
• Has feelings for Abigail, and wants to get her to enjoy life again. But he's afraid of doing the wrong thing and making her go farther into her shell.
• Agreed to go on Abigail's family vacation in hopes of getting her to finally loosen up and have fun. He wants to see if he is correct in believing she has feelings for him too.
• Has a professional secret that only Abigail knows about. 
• Has a connection to Abigails past that even he doesn't know about

Something happens when they board the ship that brings them in closer contact than they have ever been before.  Abby is scared and Sam is thrilled. Sam takes a huge risk and approaches her. Will Abigail let him into her battered heart or will the friendship and partnership they slowly built  fall apart forever.

This is how I imagine my characters looking

Abigail
CLICK HERE TO SEE ABIGAIL AND SAM

DON'T FORGET TO VISIT MY BUY PAGE AT THE TOP OR CLICK ON THE FIRST LINK IN THE LEFT HAND COLUMN TO GET YOUR COPY OF VIRGIN VOYAGE OR ALASKAN AMBUSH TODAY!!!

ALASKAN AMBUSH - EXCERPT CHAPTER 11

          Unlike the others on the cruise with her, Olivia couldn’t wait to get off the ship. Not that she hadn’t had a great time, because she had, but the best part of her vacation had taken place on land.
          The sun was shining bright when she walked across the gangplank. It was a beautiful day in Seward, but it wasn’t hot like home would have been. Her old home that is, her new one was probably rainy and cool and she couldn’t wait to fly there that afternoon. 

          Daydreams of the future found her following her family blindly off the ship and she bumped into Jackson when he stopped abruptly in front of her. Peeking around him, she noticed there were two limousines waiting for the Mannon and Blake parties. Whatever her brother in law had planned better be damn good because it was postponing her seeing Alex again. The luxury transportation was a good start though, and in the end Olivia wasn’t disappointed.
          The surprise Graham had for Mari was well worth waiting an extra few hours to see Alex for. Her brother-in-law surprised his wife with a real wedding and reception, with everything including dresses and flowers. Mari finally had her dream wedding and a fun family celebration too. When the happy couple left for their honeymoon, Olivia pulled her cellphone out to call Alex.
          “Hello Doll.”
          “Hi Alex, when do I get to see you? She asked anxiously.
          “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes, if you’re ready to leave.”
          “I am. You should have come to the wedding, everyone asked about you.” 

          “I had some business to take care of,” he told her. “I wish I could have been there with you though.’
          “Me too, now just come and get me damn it. I miss you!”
          “On my way!”

VIDEO BOOK TRAILER RELEASE!

Alaskan Ambush - A Sunset Destiny Romance Book 2 AVAILABLE JUNE 2013

Also on Youtube! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwJRiGiuInE

DON'T FORGET TO VISIT MY BUY PAGE AT THE TOP OR CLICK ON THE FIRST LINK IN THE LEFT HAND COLUMN TO GET YOUR COPY OF VIRGIN VOYAGE OR ALASKAN AMBUSH TODAY!!!

ALASKAN AMBUSH - EXCERPT CHAPTER 9

          The center director, a woman named Jenny, met them and took them on a tour of the facilities. The work they did to rehab animals was so heartwarming and even heartbreaking at times. The group not only saw the public areas, but they were allowed exclusive access to the private areas and were allowed supervised interactions with some of the animals. Olivia’s favorite was the injured owl that would soon be transitioned from inside care, to outdoor rehabilitation. Those big owl eyes somehow spoke to her.
          “Would you like to name her?” Jenny asked when she saw how attached Olivia had become in such a short time.
          “Can I?” Olivia asked excitedly.
          “Absolutely!” Jenny answered. “Do you have any ideas?”
          Olivia thought for a moment, then whispered something to Alex. When he nodded in the affirmative, she turned to the director. “How about Lily?”
          “Perfect!” she enthused before turning away to answer questions from Graham’s daughter Sarah.
          Alex hugged Olivia. “That was nice of you to name her after my Grandmother sweetheart.”
          “They are both wise and pulled me into their hearts with their lovely eyes. How could I not?”
          Alex kissed her and told her how much  it meant to him. This was the Olivia he’d fallen in love with, not the bitter, scared woman she’d become. She was finally back, one-hundred percent. He just wondered how long it would be before she realized it.

DON'T FORGET TO VISIT MY BUY PAGE AT THE TOP OR CLICK ON THE FIRST LINK IN THE LEFT HAND COLUMN TO GET YOUR COPY OF VIRGIN VOYAGE OR ALASKAN AMBUSH TODAY!!!

ALASKAN AMBUSH - EXCERPT CHAPTER 8

          “Hi beautiful,” she heard coming from behind her. She turned and Alex was leaning against the

railing, looking completely sexy in faded jeans, a black t-shirt, and his hiking boots. She almost forgot to breathe, and then when that one lock of his perfectly groomed hair fell over his eye, she thought for sure her heart would stop beating. She was so happy to see him again.

           He picked up the black hoodie, laying on the rail next to him, and walked over to her. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him, and when they pulled apart, she noticed that only one of his arms was holding her, the other was tucked behind his back.
          “What are you hiding,” she asked
          “Just this.” He smiled and brought his hand around to present her with a single pink rose.
          “Oh my God! You didn’t forget?”
          “Of course I didn’t, I’ll never forget anything about you, Olivia Rachelle Mannon.”
          “Oh Alex, I just don’t know what to say.”
          “Don’t say anything love.” He kissed her gently and pulled away to look into her eyes. “You said you were sad last night so I brought you a pink rose. It’s what I promised to do right?”
          She chuckled. “Yeah, it's just that you made that promise so long ago...”

          “A promise is a promise, Olivia.” He kissed her again...

DON'T FORGET TO VISIT MY BUY PAGE AT THE TOP OR CLICK ON THE FIRST LINK IN THE LEFT HAND COLUMN TO GET YOUR COPY OF VIRGIN VOYAGE OR ALASKAN AMBUSH TODAY!!!

ALASKAN AMBUSH - EXCERPT CHAPTER 7

          Vanessa and Thomas had about three hours alone and Olivia was getting tired so Jackson decided to go back to his own cabin, or maybe out to the bar. He couldn’t help but say one final thing on the subject of Alex before he left though. “It breaks my heart that I didn’t get the chance to fight for my one true love, sis. It also breaks my heart that you refuse to fight for yours because you’re scared and have a warped sense of what life needs to be like. Wake up Liv, and fight for him before it’s too late.” He kissed her on the forehead and was gone.
          What Jackson said was meant to be a big revelation for her, but their previous conversation about her townhouse and about wanting to see him as a dad had brought back some of her resolve to keep with her current lifestyle. She had a life she was proud of! Didn’t she?

           Her twin's advice did have merit though. What if she really did hate her life and she lost Alex again? Could she ever find true happiness? Would she want to? Her resolve started to wane again.
           Great! She suddenly felt like crying. It seemed she was getting more and more confused with each hour that passed. Another shower was out of the question, so crawling under the covers would have to do.
           Just as she was dozing off her phone rang. She saw Alex’s name come across the caller ID.“Hello Alex.”
          “Hello Olivia, how are you? You don't sound so good.”
          “I’m not sure,” she answered. “I’m still so confused and sad, and it seems like my family and my overworked mind are just making it worse.”
          “I’m sorry sweetheart, I wish I could help, but I won’t push you in either direction. Just know that I’m here for you, always.”
           “Thank you, Alex.”
           “I’m going to let you get some sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow morning. Okay?”
           “Okay Alex. I miss you.”

           “I miss you too.”
            Olivia hung up the phone and sat up in bed waiting for the text she knew would come. Five minutes later it did. It said, “I still love you,” and she was able to lie back down and cry herself to sleep.

DON'T FORGET TO VISIT MY BUY PAGE AT THE TOP OR CLICK ON THE FIRST LINK IN THE LEFT HAND COLUMN TO GET YOUR COPY OF VIRGIN VOYAGE OR ALASKAN AMBUSH TODAY!!!

ALASKAN AMBUSH - EXCERPT CHAPTER 6

         Olivia sat on the toilet seat to get her bearings and her phone rang. “Hello,” she answered breathlessly. 

           “Hey Doll.”
           “How are you today?” Olivia asked
           “I’m good, you?” Alex returned.
           “Good, sitting in the bathroom to have some alone time. The joys of a small cabin, you know.””
           Alex laughed. “I can imagine. Did you get my text?” he asked.
           “I did!” Olivia answered with a bit too much enthusiasm.
           Alex chuckled. “That’s good, I hope you slept well.”
           “I did, we had a busy day yesterday.”
           “That we did,” Alex agreed. “What do you have planned for today?”
           “The whole family is going on some sort of a train trip. It’s supposed to be a great excursion.”
           “It is!” Alex enthused. “I’ve been on it before. If you loved the flight tour yesterday you will love the train.”
           “Oh good, I’m sure I’ll enjoy it if it’s half as beautiful as yesterday’s tour.”
           “Call me when you’re done and tell me what you thought of it.” He paused for a minute. “Can I ask you a question Livia?”
            “Of course.” She really hoped she wouldn’t regret it.

            “Do you still miss me?” 

            She laughed in relief. “Absolutely.”
            “I miss you too.” They were both silent for a while.
            “I should go Alex, it’s almost time for breakfast.”
            “Okay, I’ll talk to you after your trip.”
            “Bye Alex.”
            “Bye love.”
            Olivia left the bathroom and climbed up onto her bunk. She loved that she could now talk to Alex whenever she wanted to. Her phone buzzed in her hand and she knew it was a text from him. And she knew what it would say. “I still love you.”

DON'T FORGET TO VISIT MY BUY PAGE AT THE TOP OR CLICK ON THE FIRST LINK IN THE LEFT HAND COLUMN TO GET YOUR COPY OF VIRGIN VOYAGE OR ALASKAN AMBUSH TODAY!!!

ALASKAN AMBUSH - EXCERPT CHAPTER 5

       Olivia made the shower as hot as she could stand it. Stepping under the spray felt so good and so bad at the same time. Her stress started to seep away just a bit, but as she washed herself, the last vestiges of Alex swirled down the drain. Every touch, every kiss, every pleasure he’d plied her body with disappeared and all she had left were the memories of their time together. It seemed memories were all she was ever meant to have of him.

**********

          Watching Olivia walk away again was killing Alex. He wanted to block the ship and not let it leave until she agreed to stay with him, but of course that wasn’t possible. He had no idea what to do or where to go now. He felt lost. Again.
          Getting into his truck, he just started driving with no real destination in mind. His heart broke more with every second. Via a roundabout route, he found himself at his office. Pearl’s car was parked out front and he was actually relieved that she was still there. He knew he could always talk to her, her advice might be a bit eccentric at times, but it was usually good.
          The bell above the door rang as he wandered in and Pearl looked up from her desk. She immediately knew that something was wrong.
          “What happened?”
          “Everything, and then nothing, she went back to the ship, never to see the likes of me again.
          “I’m sorry,” Pearl sympathized.
          “Thanks,” he said sighing. “You know Pearl, I thought I saw signs of change in her. She isn’t as materialistic and she actually seemed to enjoy being outside, experiencing nature. I thought for sure we would have a shot again, that maybe we could compromise a life together.” He sat down on the edge of her desk and sighed again. “I guess I was wrong, I never should have even hoped…”
          “If you saw signs of change, I’m sure they were really there,” Pearl advised.
          Alex thought about that for a few minutes. “You know, you’re right! The signs were there. Hell, she actually liked my little old house. But at the last minute, she just closed up saying our lives are fine the way they are.”
          “At the last minute are the key words Alex. I think she’s still in the process of changing her life, but she doesn’t want to admit it yet. Maybe she doesn’t even know that it’s happening.” Pearl made him look her in the eyes. “She’s afraid Alex, you need to show her that there isn’t anything to be afraid of.”
          “Yeah, and how in the hell do I do that when she lives in the lower forty-eight and I live up here. I won’t go back there Pearl, ever!” He had to calm himself, it wouldn’t’ do any good to yell at his aunt.

DON'T FORGET TO VISIT MY BUY PAGE AT THE TOP OR CLICK ON THE FIRST LINK IN THE LEFT HAND COLUMN TO GET YOUR COPY OF VIRGIN VOYAGE OR ALASKAN AMBUSH TODAY!!!

ALASKAN AMBUSH - EXCERPT CHAPTER 3

      It was seven a.m. on his first day of vacation when the phone rang, waking Alex from a deep sleep. Dreams had troubled him until about four o'clock. After that, he had finally slept well.
      "Hello," he answered sleepily
      "Alex, its Pearl"   
      "Why are you calling so early, is everything okay?"
      "Everything is fine Alex, I'm calling to let you know that Jason can't take the eleven o'clock today. His wife's flight from Orlando was cancelled because of severe thunderstorms and his babysitter is sick so he has to stay with the kiddos until the missus gets home."
      "Okay Pearl, Thanks for letting me know."
       Alex hung up the phone and got out of bed. If he was going to work after all, he really should shower and shave. Yes, he had showered the previous night, but he woke up covered in sweat more than once because of dreams of Olivia. And then suddenly he remembered, the eleven o'clock flight that he was going to do for Jason was the Olivia Mannon flight. Where the hell was his brain? He didn’t want to admit that it had been in his pants for the last forty-eight hours, along with thoughts of loving her. He absolutely had to find someone to cover for him - after the shower.

______________________________________________________________

      Turning the water off, Alex stepped out of the shower, not even bothering to dry off. He just wrapped the towel around his lean waist and walked, dripping, to the phone in his bedroom to dial Pearls number. He waited impatiently for her to answer.
      Damn he was cold. Taking the towel from his waist, he started to dry himself off. As he was running the towel through his hair, Pearl finally answered.
      “Howdy”
      “Hey Pearl. I need you to call Mark and have him take that eleven o'clock for me,” Alex said desperately.
      “I wondered when you would remember it was Olivia’s flight,” she laughed. I already called Mark. His son’s birthday is today and he can’t be there until the afternoon shift.”
      “Damn Pearl, you’ve got to help me out here. Can’t you baby-sit Jason’s kids for him or something?” he asked
      “No can do kiddo. I have commitments! I guess you will just have to take a deep breath and take it yourself. What’s the worst that could happen? She doesn’t bite does she?
      “She does more than bite, Pearl. That’s what I’m afraid of.” He sighed loudly as he threw the towel across the room. What in the hell would he do now?
      “Hey Alex,” Pearl said tentatively
      “What?” he asked grumpily.
      “I hope this is the Olivia.”
      “Why?” he asked surprised. His groin reacted to the image of Olivia walking along the docks, his docks, in his town.
      “You’ve been pining for her all this time. You need to set things straight and get on with your life...with or without her.”
      Alex didn’t want to hear that, especially now when she might be arriving in town any minute. “Pearl, if it is her, I’m doomed.”
      He quickly hung up the phone and went to shave. He had a lot of mental preparation to do for the flight. He was going to be a nervous wreck and he couldn’t let it affect his flying. Why him? Why now?
      By the time Alex was dressed and on his way to the office, he had convinced himself that this passenger was not going to be Olivia Mannon from Nevada. He put pictures of a sweet old grandma named Olivia into his mind and urged them to stay there all morning.

DON'T FORGET TO VISIT MY BUY PAGE AT THE TOP OR CLICK ON THE FIRST LINK IN THE LEFT HAND COLUMN TO GET YOUR COPY OF VIRGIN VOYAGE OR ALASKAN AMBUSH TODAY!!!

VIRGIN VOYAGE KINDLE UPDATE

For any of you who have the kindle copy of Virgin Voyage, you can get a free update with corrections made and better formatting. Just go to Amazon.com and click on Your Account and then go down to manage kindle and then find your purchase of Virgin Voyage and it will say update available. Just download it for free to your kindle. :)

ALASKAN AMBUSH EXCERPT- CHAPTER 2

          The third box was a jumble of many different things, of more recent memories. On second glance, they were all memories involving Olivia; ticket stubs from their first movie, a program from a symphony at the University, a stuffed animal she had given him, restaurant receipts, a t-shirt with an obscene slogan that she got him for his birthday, a picture of them together at his college graduation, a crystal bear she’d given him for an anniversary, the packet of information he’d requested on how to become a park ranger because he thought he’d finally found a job he could love and succeed at, and the ring he’d been planning to give to her.

          Before he could propose, she'd called the relationship off, and his parents' vacation home in Oregon had become his escape for a year before he moved to Alaska to help Pearl in her time of need, and to accept his inheritance.
          He quickly closed the box and taped it shut so it could be moved to the garage as soon as possible. He left out only the crystal bear, the picture and the ring.
          The delicate crystal was carried over to the entertainment center and put front and center on an empty shelf. “I miss you Olivia,” he whispered before walking back to the couch. He still missed her so much, but he could not chance seeing her again, he couldn’t risk the pain. Could he?
          He sat for a while staring at the picture of them together. The desert sun glinted off of her dark hair. She looked like an angel. Her green eyes were sparkling with happiness and her smile was big and bright. She was absolutely stunning. Alex remembered what had happened next like it was only moments ago. She'd turned to him with love shining in her eyes. “I’m so proud of you!” she’d said. Too bad she hadn’t always been. Toward the end of their relationship there had been more disappointment than anything.
          Alex set the picture aside, opened the ring box and smiled. It was a beautiful old ring. His grandmother had given it to him when he told her he wanted to marry Olivia. Grandma Lily had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer and knew she didn’t have long to live, so she took both rings off of her finger then and there and put them in his palm, wrapping his fingers tightly around them. "I love Olivia and I want her to have these," she'd said. "Your grandfather and I both do. You two remind me of him and I when we were young."
          When Olivia broke things off, he vowed to never use the rings, he would pass them down to his kids instead, if he ever had any.
He took the picture and rings and put them in his night stand drawer before fixing a quick lunch and heading to the Living Doll. He needed to fly. 

DON'T FORGET TO VISIT MY BUY PAGE AT THE TOP OR CLICK ON THE FIRST LINK IN THE LEFT HAND COLUMN TO GET YOUR COPY OF VIRGIN VOYAGE OR ALASKAN AMBUSH TODAY!!!

VIRGIN VOYAGE AVAILABLE

Virgin Voyage is available again in paperback!!!  It was temporarily pulled to fix some problems.  The kindle version has been fixed and the formatting updated.  I hope you enjoy them both.  If you would like to purchase them, look above and click on my buy page.  Thanks for all of your patience and support!!! :)

IMPERFECTION (AS A WRITER AND A HUMAN BEING)

So, over the last week I've been struggling with something that i just had to share as I think a lot of people struggle with it. IMPERFECTION. I have learned to live with it in my house, with physical limitations and five kids there is no way I am ever going to keep my house perfect. I get it. I really do. I've accepted it (for the most part). There will always be a dish not washed, clothes not washed/folded, toys not put away and dirt tracked through the house. (Unless of course I hire a maid to live in and follow the kids around with her cleaning supplies. Hmmm, wish I could afford that!)

My most recent struggle with imperfection came last week with my book Virgin Voyage. I finally got down to doing more than just skimming and reading my favorite parts. I was absolutely mortified to see that somehow my group of five people missed 15 mistakes in the Proof (me being one of them :/). Things like know instead of known, child instead of children, improper indents that were made while formatting the book for publication, stray punctuation, improper punctuation. Really really mortified!!! (Not to mention the formatting issues of my Kindle copy that DID NOT show up on the preview I did before publication)

I had people tell me that I should just forget it and move on 15 mistakes in 312 pages wasn't bad. I had them tell me to just apologize and move on. I tried, I really did. But I just couldn't ignore it or move on. It haunted me, awake and asleep. I had something that I loved so much, that was flawed, out and about and people were reading it. After a few days, I just couldn't take it anymore I had to do something about it. So I did.

I had been told that you couldn't re submit it once published but I did some research and found out that in fact you could. So this weekend I re uploaded my work for both the paperback and kindle versions. (I had a perfect copy already so I'm thinking that I uploaded the wrong copy or they used one of the previous copies I had uploaded when trying to make formatting perfect) I learned that if you upload a version and it needs corrections, to completely close out your browser and reopen it before uploading a new copy. So, anyway, I uploaded and republished my book without mistakes. The preview of the Kindle showed it being perfect so if I notice on the actual Kindle that it isn't i'm going to be one upset mama. I ok'd the proof of the book this morning and am very happy with how it turned out.

I can not tell you how much better I feel now that I know that the product out there is as close to perfect as I could get it. A huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Much of the depression I had been feeling is gone. (read my blog from Friday about my Depression). It is amazing how something can bother you so much, but when you really sit down and think about it, the solution is easy. Do whatever you have in your power to fix it. My book was off the market for awhile and that could have hurt sales (haha not really with me, because no one has reviewed my book yet so I don't have an abundance of sales although my free weekend was amazing!) and it was a lot of work to make sure everything was perfect. But the peace of mind I now have is indescribable. I wouldn't change it for the world. I don't feel like a pretender anymore, I feel like a real author!!!

If you want something to be perfect, then do whatever you have to do to make it that way, whether it be the first time or the tenth. If you are not satisfied, try try try again until it is. Don't settle for second best just because it is easier!

ALASKAN AMBUSH - EXCERPT CHAPTER 1

          “Well that’s strange Alex,” Pearl sounded puzzled and her brow crinkled. “The computer won’t give me the usual information. All it says is Olivia Mannon reservation for three and the date. No credit card info or any contact info.” She shook her head. “Very strange.”

          “Okay, thanks Pearl.” Taking the run would be too much of a risk without additional information. He would call the computer company and see if they could find out what was wrong with the reservation program, and he would ask his buddy to take his flight. As luck would have it, Jason walked in the door right then to get his tour schedule for the day.
          “Hey man, I have a favor to ask,” Alex queried.
          “Anything boss! What is it?”
          “I need you to take my run on Sunday. I’ll take a run for you on Monday.”

          “Sure! You have a hot date or something?” Jason joked.
          “Yeah right, that boy wouldn’t know a hot date if it bit him on the butt,” Pearl chimed in. She’d been trying to find a woman for him for the two years he’d lived there and he just wouldn’t cooperate. He was stubborn and he was still madly in love with his ex-girlfriend.
          Alex just ignored her comment. If he didn’t love the old bat so much, she would have been out of a job the day after he’d inherited the business. Well, maybe not, after all, she was his aunt, and his uncle had requested she be well taken care of. Besides, he kind of loved her.
          “Actually, Jason, I am hoping to avoid running into an old hot date,” Alex informed his best friend. He was looking right at Pearl when he said it, hoping to give her a hint. All he saw was a glint in her eyes. Uh oh, that could mean big trouble.
          “Okay back to work slackers!” Alex replied in his grumpiest boss voice.
          Jason and Pearl just laughed and did as he said.

**********

          Olivia Mannon woke reeling from a dream. A dream that told her it was once again time to move on. It was actually two dreams, each a night apart, that always let her know it was time to make a change in her life. One was a nightmare that she could never remember and the other was a dream about someone she used to know.
          She sat up in bed. “Jeff, get up. It’s time for you to go.”
          “I don’t have to be to work for another two hours,” he mumbled from underneath a pillow.
          “No, I mean it’s time for you to go. For good,” she stressed. “I don’t think we should see each other anymore!” A little harsh but sometimes that is how she had to do things to get her point across.
          “Just like that? I thought things were good for us.” He was sitting up now too.
          “Yeah well, I’ve decided to turn over a new leaf after I get back from vacation, so bye-bye,” she said as she got out of bed.
          Jeff grabbed his clothes from the previous day and quickly dressed. Gathering the few other belongings he had there, he threw them into his gym bag and made his way to the door. As he walked out of the bedroom, he left Olivia with one final thought. “You know, everyone is right about you. You are a bitch!”
          Several seconds later she heard the front door slam. Sighing, she put her bathrobe on and went to join her twin brother Jackson in the kitchen for coffee.
          “You know, he’s right, you are a bitch,” Jackson echoed. His head was buried in a newspaper and his right hand was wrapped around a coffee mug.
          “Yeah, well at least I haven’t been acting like an over emotional twit for a week like you have,” she bit back.
          Jackson threw his newspaper down and looked at his twin with hurt in his eyes. Standing up, he took his coffee mug to the sink and walked away from her. A few seconds later, she heard his bedroom door slam.
          Great, she’d just hurt her greatest ally. Was she really that much of a bitch? Yeah, she probably was. She had been ever since…forget it, she was happy and successful, and that was all that mattered.

DON'T FORGET TO VISIT MY BUY PAGE AT THE TOP OR CLICK ON THE FIRST LINK IN THE LEFT HAND COLUMN TO GET YOUR COPY OF VIRGIN VOYAGE OR ALASKAN AMBUSH TODAY!!!

     

FREE KINDLE BOOKS

Hey everybody, my books Virgin Voyage and Until Next Time... are free on kindle Starting at midnight PACIFIC time tonight 3/22-3/23 and the sale lasts until Sunday!  So go to Amazon and grab your copy now!  Please leave a review at Amazon or good reads or both! :)

Thanks so much for the support!

VIRGIN VOYAGE  Romance Novel

UNTIL NEXT TIME... Mommy Blogger Book

Up next...A new excerpt.  Coming as soon as I'm feeling better- Hopefully Saturday or Sunday :D

ALASKAN AMBUSH - BASIC FACTS

Main characters - Olivia and Alex

They were a couple once, but her stubbornness ruined everything.  Matchmaking mama Charlotte decides it's time to intervene.

Alaska is the setting- love and passion are the games

Take a beautiful floatplane tour with Alex and Olivia

Meet the Mannon family - They will drive you nuts and warm your heart.

Olivia has a twin brother - Jackson, who will star in his own book - the final in the series. Deception in Denali!

DON'T FORGET TO VISIT MY BUY PAGE AT THE TOP OR CLICK ON THE FIRST LINK IN THE LEFT HAND COLUMN TO GET YOUR COPY OF VIRGIN VOYAGE OR ALASKAN AMBUSH TODAY!!!