Lessons Learned—Open Book Blog Hop

  By Uncategorized

This week we’re talking about things we’ve learned since writing our first book. I’ve learned a lot, but two things immediately come to mind that I’d like to share.

The one that surprised me the most was the wide range of reactions from the on-line critique group I use. What one person loved, someone else thought needed changed or deleted. The  description I worked so hard to create? Someone would think it needed shortened and another wanted it expanded. The unique turn of phrase that came to me at midnight? There’d be at least one person who didn’t understand it. At all.

Which meant I had to learn to trust myself. Did I think the description needed fixed? Then I’d fix it. If I thought it was perfect as it stood, I wouldn’t touch it. It was my story and my writing: voice, The old line that says “you can’t please everyone?” Writing is like that. No matter how hard you try, someone is going to find a flaw. It takes a certain skill to learn to ignore them.

Of course, the flip side of that is that I had to know when to listen. What seems obvious to me as the writer, is not always obvious to the reader. I’ve learned that I have to be open to suggestions if I want to improve my writing.

The next lesson I learned was that no matter how many eyes have reviewed a piece, no matter how many programs you’ve run it through, no matter how many times you’ve looked it over, you’re going to miss something. Maybe a quotation mark at the end of a sentence, or a comma added where you don’t need one. Or you forget a “the” in a sentence. Then there’s always the dreaded “its” versus “it’s.” Easy mistakes to make and hard to catch, no matter how good your editor is.

One way I use to help find those missing words or words I’ve repeated to closely together is to listen to my book. I load the document on one of my devices that will read it to me. It’s not like listening to an audio boo, the voice reading it is monotone and expressionless. Which is perfect for catching mistakes that I’ve missed previously. So while my newer books are still not perfect, but there are fewer errors

I’m eager to see what some of the other authors have learned. You can to, by clicking on the links at the bottom of the page. And if there are any lessons that you’ve learned and would like to share, please leave a comment!

Just for fun- the first person who finds an error in this post (sentence fragments don’t count) and leaves it in the comments will receive a hot-off-the-presses Oak Grove postcard.

April 11, 2016 – Lessons Learned. If you have written a novel, you have done what millions aspire to but few ever accomplish. What have you learned along the way—about writing, about publishing, about marketing—about yourself. Tell us so we don’t have to learn the hard way.
Rules:
1. Link your blog to this hop.
2. Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
3. Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
4. Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use ?#?OpenBook? when tweeting.
5. Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.
WordPress:


Custom Blog:


Code for Link:
get the InLinkz code

#OpenBook #Writing #Editing

First Memory of Books or Reading— #OpenBook Blog Hop

  By Uncategorized

     This week we’re talking about our first memory of books or reading. Spoiler alert: I can’t remember ever NOT being around books. Being the fourth child in a family of nine, and having a mother who loved to read, books were always present in the house.
     Even before I started school, I played “school” with my older sister. I would have been three or four at the time.  And I remember both my sister and my two older brothers  reading to my mother as part of their homework. Those sessions normally took place in the kitchen as my mother washed the supper dishes. Obviously, I stuck around and listened but I can’t tell you if I learned anything.

(not me and my sis)

   
   I can tell you exactly when I started reading myself. First grade. I didn’t go to kindergarten, but started first grade when I was five. And we learned to read using the standard Dick and Jane books. See Dick run. Run, Dick, run. No kidding. And I can’t forget the dog, Spot, either,
     So soon those sessions in the kitchen included me practicing. And ever since, I’ve always had books around. During grade school, I helped the librarian with checking out and returning books. I was reading a book a day at that point, and not easy books either. If memory serves me correctly, I was reading at a tenth grade reading level when I was in sixth grade.
     I thought I’d get a degree in library science in college, and even majored in library science one semester, but life ended up sending me down another road. I did spend several years working at the library in the small town where I lived after getting married. In my spare time, I did what came naturally—read. I wasn’t always the first person to read new books when they came in, but I had an inside shot at it!

    I suppose it makes sense that eventually I started writing my own books. Although I didn’t expect that the first book I’d release would be a paranormal; romance—and the romance wouldn’t be the primary story line! My first attempts at writing were standard romances. Then I figured out I was better at writing action than romance.
   So thank you, Mom, for always having books in the house and encouraging us to read.  And thank you Dick, Jane, and Spot. And thanks to all the teachers along the way that recognized my love of reading and helped me develop it further. (Including teaching me how to open the school library without a key on the days the librarian was running late.)  My life has been fuller and richer because of all of you.

To find out what other authors remember about books, click the links below. And feel free to tell me your story in the comments.

#Books  #Reading

“April 4, 2016 – Your first memory of books or reading.
Rules:
1. Link your blog to this hop.
2. Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
3. Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
4. Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use ?#?OpenBook? when tweeting.
5. Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.
Wordpress:

Custom Blog:

Code for Link:

get the InLinkz code

First Memory of Books or Reading— #OpenBook Blog Hop

  By Uncategorized

     This week we’re talking about our first memory of books or reading. Spoiler alert: I can’t remember ever NOT being around books. Being the fourth child in a family of nine, and having a mother who loved to read, books were always present in the house.
     Even before I started school, I played “school” with my older sister. I would have been three or four at the time.  And I remember both my sister and my two older brothers  reading to my mother as part of their homework. Those sessions normally took place in the kitchen as my mother washed the supper dishes. Obviously, I stuck around and listened but I can’t tell you if I learned anything.

(not me and my sis)

   
   I can tell you exactly when I started reading myself. First grade. I didn’t go to kindergarten, but started first grade when I was five. And we learned to read using the standard Dick and Jane books. See Dick run. Run, Dick, run. No kidding. And I can’t forget the dog, Spot, either,
     So soon those sessions in the kitchen included me practicing. And ever since, I’ve always had books around. During grade school, I helped the librarian with checking out and returning books. I was reading a book a day at that point, and not easy books either. If memory serves me correctly, I was reading at a tenth grade reading level when I was in sixth grade.
     I thought I’d get a degree in library science in college, and even majored in library science one semester, but life ended up sending me down another road. I did spend several years working at the library in the small town where I lived after getting married. In my spare time, I did what came naturally—read. I wasn’t always the first person to read new books when they came in, but I had an inside shot at it!

    I suppose it makes sense that eventually I started writing my own books. Although I didn’t expect that the first book I’d release would be a paranormal; romance—and the romance wouldn’t be the primary story line! My first attempts at writing were standard romances. Then I figured out I was better at writing action than romance.
   So thank you, Mom, for always having books in the house and encouraging us to read.  And thank you Dick, Jane, and Spot. And thanks to all the teachers along the way that recognized my love of reading and helped me develop it further. (Including teaching me how to open the school library without a key on the days the librarian was running late.)  My life has been fuller and richer because of all of you.

To find out what other authors remember about books, click the links below. And feel free to tell me your story in the comments.

#Books  #Reading

“April 4, 2016 – Your first memory of books or reading.
Rules:
1. Link your blog to this hop.
2. Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
3. Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
4. Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use ?#?OpenBook? when tweeting.
5. Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.
WordPress:



Custom Blog:


Code for Link:

get the InLinkz code

M.S. Kaye and the Cover Reveal for Once

  By Uncategorized

Today I’m welcoming M.S.Kayne and the cover  reveal for her book Once.




Cover
Reveal
Once
by
M.S. Kaye
Her
first and also her Once.
 Jonathan
is studying to become a priest. He is three days from taking vows. He
will not be a priest.
 Rebecca’s
major is pre-law. She is supposed to take over her father’s law
firm. She will not be lawyer.
Their
paths cross at exactly the right moment, when each most needs to hear
what the other has to say. Jonathan’s structured life is turned
sideways, but Rebecca also helps him learn how to forgive himself. It
was self-defense, not murder.
Rebecca
finds the strength to stand up to her father, to be the real her. If
Jonathan likes her writing, it must be worth pursuing.
They
must each struggle to forge a new path without each other’s comfort
and strength, with only memories of the one day that changed
everything.


Will
be released 7/2/16 by Inkspell Publishing.

Add
to your to-read on Goodreads.
Author Bio
M. S. Kaye has
several published books under her black belt. She writes in genres
ranging from contemporary romance, to romantic suspense, to
paranormal young adult. As s 4th degree black belt and
certified instructor of Songahm Taekwondo, she enjoys bringing some
of that kick-butt attitude to her stories. A transplant from Ohio,
she resides with her husband Corey in Jacksonville, FL, where she
does her best not to melt in the sun.
Also available
from M.S. Kaye:
Fight Princess
(romantic suspense)
Kindling the Past
(romantic suspense)
Clouded
(paranormal YA)
Coming Soon:
Once & Again,
Once & Forever (Once books 2 and 3)
Strong as Death,
Awaken from Death (paranormal YA, Born from Death books 1 and 2)
Endless as the
Rain, Overcast, Echo Through the Mist (romantic suspense, Taken
books 1-3)
Excerpt
from Once:
“What’s the answer?”
He paused. “A switchblade.”
With my fingertips, I reached out and
traced the scar across his cheek. “Did you win?”
He removed my hand and closed his
eyes. “Yes.”
I slid his Book back to him. “This
says we can find forgiveness.”
His eyes still closed, his jaw
clenched. He bowed his head. “It also says ‘Thou shalt not
kill.’”
I took his hand in both of mine,
petted his rough skin, and then brought it to my lips. He had a
talent for guiding invisibly, but I didn’t know how to do that.
He watched me again. His eyes were
intense, like the black of the night sky, and his forehead was
furrowed, as if his emotions were scattered, as if he was shocked at
my reaction, as if he had been sure his answer would drive me away.
But I knew him. Already, I knew him.
“You’re still a good person,” I
said.
His jaw clenched. “I’ve been
trying to believe that.”
“I have faith in you.”
He continued to watch me. His forehead
never smoothed, as if he was fighting for strength, but his eyes
softened. He slid around the booth, closer to me.
I didn’t move, not sure what to do,
what was right, what he wanted.
He leaned closer.
I only watched him.
He touched his lips to my cheek, the
faintest pressure. I struggled to sit still, to keep my hands in my
lap, not to grab hold of him. And then his lips were gone, such brief
contact that I couldn’t be sure if he had actually kissed my cheek
or if I wanted his contact so much that I’d imagined it.
He spoke in my ear. “You must be
some kind of final test.”
My heart pounded into my ribs, against
the point of the blade. “Are you going to pass?”
His lips brushed against my jaw. “I
don’t know.”
He trailed to my neck, his mouth
softly pressing. My hand curled into his hair, the other on his
shoulder, holding, clutching. His mouth found mine, barely touching.
His warmth invaded my head.
“God give me strength,” he
murmured.
The door slid open, and the
compartment filled with laughter.

He
closed his eyes. Then he slid away from me.

Want to pre-order? 

M.S. Kaye and the Cover Reveal for Once

  By Uncategorized

Today I’m welcoming M.S.Kayne and the cover  reveal for her book Once.


Cover Reveal
Once
by M.S. Kaye
Her first and also her Once.
 Jonathan is studying to become a priest. He is three days from taking vows. He will not be a priest.
 Rebecca’s major is pre-law. She is supposed to take over her father’s law firm. She will not be lawyer.
Their paths cross at exactly the right moment, when each most needs to hear what the other has to say. Jonathan’s structured life is turned sideways, but Rebecca also helps him learn how to forgive himself. It was self-defense, not murder.
Rebecca finds the strength to stand up to her father, to be the real her. If Jonathan likes her writing, it must be worth pursuing.
They must each struggle to forge a new path without each other’s comfort and strength, with only memories of the one day that changed everything.

Will be released 7/2/16 by Inkspell Publishing.

Add to your to-read on Goodreads.
Author Bio
M. S. Kaye has several published books under her black belt. She writes in genres ranging from contemporary romance, to romantic suspense, to paranormal young adult. As s 4th degree black belt and certified instructor of Songahm Taekwondo, she enjoys bringing some of that kick-butt attitude to her stories. A transplant from Ohio, she resides with her husband Corey in Jacksonville, FL, where she does her best not to melt in the sun.
Also available from M.S. Kaye:
Fight Princess(romantic suspense)
Kindling the Past(romantic suspense)
Clouded(paranormal YA)
Coming Soon:
Once & Again, Once & Forever (Once books 2 and 3)
Strong as Death, Awaken from Death (paranormal YA, Born from Death books 1 and 2)
Endless as the Rain, Overcast, Echo Through the Mist (romantic suspense, Taken books 1-3)
Excerpt from Once:
“What’s the answer?”
He paused. “A switchblade.”
With my fingertips, I reached out and traced the scar across his cheek. “Did you win?”
He removed my hand and closed his eyes. “Yes.”
I slid his Book back to him. “This says we can find forgiveness.”
His eyes still closed, his jaw clenched. He bowed his head. “It also says ‘Thou shalt not kill.’”
I took his hand in both of mine, petted his rough skin, and then brought it to my lips. He had a talent for guiding invisibly, but I didn’t know how to do that.
He watched me again. His eyes were intense, like the black of the night sky, and his forehead was furrowed, as if his emotions were scattered, as if he was shocked at my reaction, as if he had been sure his answer would drive me away. But I knew him. Already, I knew him.
“You’re still a good person,” I said.
His jaw clenched. “I’ve been trying to believe that.”
“I have faith in you.”
He continued to watch me. His forehead never smoothed, as if he was fighting for strength, but his eyes softened. He slid around the booth, closer to me.
I didn’t move, not sure what to do, what was right, what he wanted.
He leaned closer.
I only watched him.
He touched his lips to my cheek, the faintest pressure. I struggled to sit still, to keep my hands in my lap, not to grab hold of him. And then his lips were gone, such brief contact that I couldn’t be sure if he had actually kissed my cheek or if I wanted his contact so much that I’d imagined it.
He spoke in my ear. “You must be some kind of final test.”
My heart pounded into my ribs, against the point of the blade. “Are you going to pass?”
His lips brushed against my jaw. “I don’t know.”
He trailed to my neck, his mouth softly pressing. My hand curled into his hair, the other on his shoulder, holding, clutching. His mouth found mine, barely touching. His warmth invaded my head.
“God give me strength,” he murmured.
The door slid open, and the compartment filled with laughter.

He closed his eyes. Then he slid away from me.

Want to pre-order? 

Clare Dargin and Wolf’s Blade

  By Uncategorized

Presenting- Wolf’s Blade and Clare Dargin. I had the pleasure of reading this book several weeks ago, and if you like erotic shifter romances, I think you’ll like it too!

Blurb:

Samantha Dixon rescues a wounded wolf shifter in the woods near her home … and unwittingly gets drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a murderer. Callum Blake is on the trail of an evil man who would be king of all wolf kind, no matter the cost … it’s up to Callum to stop him. How can Callum fulfill his duty to protect his pack and save the woman who is destined to be his mate?

Excerpt:

Callum Blake growled and grabbed his forearm. He opened his clenched fist as the nails on his hand morphed into long dark claws. He gritted his teeth and closed his eyes as he fought the urge to shift. He pounded the tree and glanced up at the night sky and prayed in agony to the wolf goddess. He pleaded for help. He’d take anything she had to offer if it would provide even the smallest amount of relief.
Nothing. The pain continued. He shook his head and grimaced in an attempt to remove the fog that was starting to shroud his mind. He silently cried out to her again.

Why are you silent? You’re the reason I took this mission and now you’re allowing me to suffer?
His frustration mingled with his physical pain, adding to his misery. The beast fought its way to the surface. He opened his mouth and howled. A mixture of a roar and a yell, it relieved some of the tension within him, but it did not drive away the urge to shift. Leaning against the tree, he dug his claws into the bark, burrowing deep grooves as he exerted his strength against the muscle contraction. His pulse pounded in his ears as sweat poured down on his face. Unlike his wolf self who resided peacefully inside of him, his lycan did not have the same kind of placating nature. It yielded only to the strongest of commands exerted to it from his mind. It was supposed to live in harmony just as his inner wolf, but it refused.

For wolf shifters, their human and wolf self were like two individuals abiding in one nature. One innately human, sharing some of the same abilities and desires as regular people only with keener senses and more powerful instincts. The other, their wolf side was wild and untamed. It acted on a gut responses, using its innate sixth sense to interact with the world around it. The wolf freely gave into its passions, choosing strength and cunning over calculated reasoning.

The lycan, however, was a being whose nature lived far beyond that of the wolf. Not present in all wolf shifters, it was like a curse of their wolf self causing them to revert to a primitive version of their wolf self. Acting on impulse and rage, the lycan did not use reason or soft emotions like joy, love, and happiness, it understood violence.

—-

Buy Links-

Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019VS3IZK?redirect=true&ref_=s9_simh_gw_g351_i1_r

Liquid Silver Books- http://www.lsbooks.com/wolfs-blade-p1090.php

–

Author Bio

Clare Dargin is a multi-published romance author. She has written for several publishers in different genres, including erotic romance, military romance, contemporary, paranormal, and sci-fi. She lives in the mid-west, and when not surfing the web, she is hard at work writing her next romance novel. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, and Amazon.

Web Links-

Clare’s Blog 2 The Haven- http://claresblog2thehaven.blogspot.com

The Embraced: Scribal Love- http://theembraced.blogspot.com

Facebook- www.facebook.com/clare.dargin

Twitter- www.twitter.com/clare_dargin

Google + https://plus.google.com/u/0/113201930657713285351/posts/p/pub

Author Page:

http://www.bookstrand.com/clare-dargin

Thanks and Happy Reading!

-Clare Dargin

Clare Dargin and Wolf’s Blade

  By Uncategorized

Presenting- Wolf’s Blade and Clare Dargin. I had the pleasure of reading this book several weeks ago, and if you like erotic shifter romances, I think you’ll like it too!

Blurb:

Samantha Dixon rescues a wounded wolf shifter in the woods near her home … and unwittingly gets drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a murderer. Callum Blake is on the trail of an evil man who would be king of all wolf kind, no matter the cost … it’s up to Callum to stop him. How can Callum fulfill his duty to protect his pack and save the woman who is destined to be his mate?

Excerpt:

Callum Blake growled and grabbed his forearm. He opened his clenched fist as the nails on his hand morphed into long dark claws. He gritted his teeth and closed his eyes as he fought the urge to shift. He pounded the tree and glanced up at the night sky and prayed in agony to the wolf goddess. He pleaded for help. He’d take anything she had to offer if it would provide even the smallest amount of relief.
Nothing. The pain continued. He shook his head and grimaced in an attempt to remove the fog that was starting to shroud his mind. He silently cried out to her again.

Why are you silent? You’re the reason I took this mission and now you’re allowing me to suffer?
His frustration mingled with his physical pain, adding to his misery. The beast fought its way to the surface. He opened his mouth and howled. A mixture of a roar and a yell, it relieved some of the tension within him, but it did not drive away the urge to shift. Leaning against the tree, he dug his claws into the bark, burrowing deep grooves as he exerted his strength against the muscle contraction. His pulse pounded in his ears as sweat poured down on his face. Unlike his wolf self who resided peacefully inside of him, his lycan did not have the same kind of placating nature. It yielded only to the strongest of commands exerted to it from his mind. It was supposed to live in harmony just as his inner wolf, but it refused.

For wolf shifters, their human and wolf self were like two individuals abiding in one nature. One innately human, sharing some of the same abilities and desires as regular people only with keener senses and more powerful instincts. The other, their wolf side was wild and untamed. It acted on a gut responses, using its innate sixth sense to interact with the world around it. The wolf freely gave into its passions, choosing strength and cunning over calculated reasoning.

The lycan, however, was a being whose nature lived far beyond that of the wolf. Not present in all wolf shifters, it was like a curse of their wolf self causing them to revert to a primitive version of their wolf self. Acting on impulse and rage, the lycan did not use reason or soft emotions like joy, love, and happiness, it understood violence.

—-

Buy Links-

Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019VS3IZK?redirect=true&ref_=s9_simh_gw_g351_i1_r

Liquid Silver Books- http://www.lsbooks.com/wolfs-blade-p1090.php

–

Author Bio

Clare Dargin is a multi-published romance author. She has written for several publishers in different genres, including erotic romance, military romance, contemporary, paranormal, and sci-fi. She lives in the mid-west, and when not surfing the web, she is hard at work writing her next romance novel. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, and Amazon.

Web Links-

Clare’s Blog 2 The Haven- http://claresblog2thehaven.blogspot.com

The Embraced: Scribal Love- http://theembraced.blogspot.com

Facebook- www.facebook.com/clare.dargin

Twitter- www.twitter.com/clare_dargin

Google + https://plus.google.com/u/0/113201930657713285351/posts/p/pub

Author Page:

http://www.bookstrand.com/clare-dargin

Thanks and Happy Reading!

-Clare Dargin

Easter and What It Means—Open Book Blog Hop

  By Uncategorized

Easter has always been more that a religious holiday to me. No matter what the calendar says, Easter marks the beginning of spring in my book. My mother had a group of daffodils in the yard that bloomed around Easter each year, and that was the first sign winter was on its way out.

Tulips were next. Hers were mostly red. They were about as old as the daffodils, which were as old as me.

Then came  the lilacs, and after that it was time to plant the garden. Before I knew it it was summer.

Now that I live near the Rocky Mountains, spring is different. For example, last Tuesday it was 60° F. Wednesday we had a blizzard. So, we don’t plant flowers until the end of May. And because of the effect of altitude, spring arrives in different places at different times.Spring can occur anytime between April and June depending upon how high you are.

In honor of spring, I offer you a collection of Rocky Mountain wildflower pictures.

To check out what other authors have to say, check out the links below. And please feel free to leave a comment!

#Easter #Spring #OPenBook #RockyMountains #Wildflowers

Rules:
1. Link your blog to this hop.
2. Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
3. Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
4. Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use ?#?OpenBook? when tweeting.
5. Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.
Wordpress:

Custom Blog:

Code for Link:

get the InLinkz code

get the InLinkz code
“

Easter and What It Means—Open Book Blog Hop

  By Uncategorized

Easter has always been more that a religious holiday to me. No matter what the calendar says, Easter marks the beginning of spring in my book. My mother had a group of daffodils in the yard that bloomed around Easter each year, and that was the first sign winter was on its way out.

Tulips were next. Hers were mostly red. They were about as old as the daffodils, which were as old as me.

Then came  the lilacs, and after that it was time to plant the garden. Before I knew it it was summer.

Now that I live near the Rocky Mountains, spring is different. For example, last Tuesday it was 60° F. Wednesday we had a blizzard. So, we don’t plant flowers until the end of May. And because of the effect of altitude, spring arrives in different places at different times.Spring can occur anytime between April and June depending upon how high you are.

In honor of spring, I offer you a collection of Rocky Mountain wildflower pictures.

To check out what other authors have to say, check out the links below. And please feel free to leave a comment!

#Easter #Spring #OPenBook #RockyMountains #Wildflowers

Rules:
1. Link your blog to this hop.
2. Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
3. Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
4. Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use ?#?OpenBook? when tweeting.
5. Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.
WordPress:



Custom Blog:


Code for Link:

get the InLinkz code

get the InLinkz code
“

Tina Gayle & Fallen Leaves—#Egg-cerpt Exchange

  By Uncategorized

So we’ve come to the end of the #Egg-cerpt Exchange. It seems fitting that my last guest is Tina Gayle, who organized this adventure. Thanks, Tina!

Fallen Leaves Blurb –

As autumn comes to the Winston estate in Ohio, Amber Harrison learns further lessons in her new position as keeper for the spirits and ghosts who haunt the estate–and further lessons in love, too. She and her love, Carter Miller, grapple with the fears and passions of new love, while caught up in the storm of ancient family drama.

This is the second book in the unfolding saga of the psychics and talents associated with the Winston estate, a sheltered place where past, present, and future are woven into a single dramatic tapestry of love and desire. The tale spans multiple generations, multiple eras, and offers something special for all ages of reader. A sexy, erotic winner, with an assortment of couples to appeal to most tastes.

Excerpt:

“How long before you install the new cabinets?”

He turned on the ladder. His dark brown eyes captured her, engulfing her in an encompassing warmth. She melted under his heated gaze, which ran from the top of her head to the white socks on her feet. He lifted a brow at her attire, but he didn’t comment on her pink sweat suit.

“With the old cabinets out of the way, I need to knock down this wall and tear up the flooring. The electrical work is next on the agenda.” He climbed off the ladder, yanked off his gloves, and slid a hand through his thick, wavy hair.

“It might be awhile before we install the new cabinets. Right now, we’re simply working to remove the old stuff so we can start fresh.” He smiled, which didn’t hide the dark circles under his eyes or the fatigue in the slump of his shoulders.

“There’s no hurry. If you’re busy with something else, this can wait until your Dad and Mattie come home next week.”

“No, Dad doesn’t want her dealing with this mess.” Carter unbuckled his tool belt and placed it on a workbench. “I promised him I’d have it done.”

“Is Grant helping?” Amber stepped around several pieces of sheetrock and stray bits of wood, to the bottom of the stairs.

He walked to the backdoor. “Friday, his classes are over at noon.”

With his hand resting on the doorknob, he appeared anxious to leave. “I’m headed to lunch, and then I need to drop by the office for a while. Are you sure you’re okay here by yourself?”

Amber toyed with the idea of saying no. She missed the taste of his lips and the strength of his arms, but she nodded instead. “Yes, I’m fine.”

After opening the door, he paused. “I guess I’ll see you later.”

She waved and turned to head to her room, satisfied she’d at least gotten him to talk. Her leaden feet trudged up the steps. Unexcited, she contemplated her latest assignment from the family council. How could she achieve such an impossible task of convincing her great grandmother’s ghost to cross over?

Purchase links:

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JOTY270

Character Questions – pick 5

1. Nickname – Don’t have one
2. Job – new keeper of the Winston Manor
3. Level of schooling, or self-taught – some college
4. Birthdate – April 17
5. Birthplace – Irving, CA
6. Currently residing in… Hebron, Ohio
7. Favorite type of pet – cat
8. Favorite place to visit – Disney World
9. Significant other – Carter Miller
10. Most important goal – to save my grandmother’s spirit
11. Worst fear or nightmare – being kicked out of the family
12. Favorite food – chocolate chip cookies
13. Wealthy, poor, or somewhere in between? somewhere in between
14. Secret desire or fantasy – to find someone to love
15. What would you do if you won the lottery? Won’t happen, I never buy a ticket. I’m not lucky.

About Tina Gayle

Tina Gayle loves writing and is currently working on finishing her Family Tree series, a contemporary paranormal suspense series.
When not writing, she enjoys spending time with my family and traveling around the country. She hasn’t hit every state, but she hopes to someday. You might also catch her on the golf course with her husband of 30 years.

Also, you can read the first chapter of any of her books by visiting her website or download an exclusive story “My Future Step Brother” and join her special friend’s list. All on her website www.tinagayle.net

Find Tina everywhere

Home – www.tinagayle.net
Blog – www.tinagayle.blogspot.com
Twitter – https://twitter.com/#!/AuthorTinaGayle
Goodread – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1641826.Tina_Gayle
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/tina.gayle
Google + – https://plus.google.com
Linkin – http://www.linkedin.com/pub/tina-gayle/11/689/759