The Evernight Weekly Writing Challenge - Week 48

Favorite Holiday Food (share recipe) 

Sweet Potato Pie

Ingredients

12 oz. Gingersnap Cookies

2 tbsp light brown sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

2 large eggs

1 cup evaporated milk

1 10.5 oz. jar Sweet Potato Butter

Directions

1. Make the crust: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a food processor, pulse together the gingersnaps and brown sugar until you have a coarse crumb. Pulse once or twice to combine. Pour in the melted butter and pulse until combined.

2. Spoon the crumbs into an ungreased 9-inch pie pan, or two 7-1/2-inch tart pans (with removable bottoms) and use your fingers to gently divide the mixture into an even layer on the bottom and sides of the pan. Follow with the flat bottom of a measuring cup or glass to firmly pack the crust into the pan.

3. Bake for 5-8 minutes, then remove from the oven and let cool for at least 10 minutes.

For the filling:

1. Lightly whisk eggs with evaporated milk until blended.

2. Add sweet potato butter and gently stir with whisk until smooth.

3. Fill the crust and bake in center of oven for 55 min. or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool well and enjoy! 

The Evernight Weekly Writing Challenge - Week 47

Worth Bragging About

My son.

Hands down he is worth bragging about. Let me tell you why.

His name is Hadrian and he turned thirteen this year. When he was born I knew there was something different about him. He was a very serious baby. Hardly laughed. Always studying things. When he was six months, the nurse said he was left-handed, but I already knew that because he picked everything up with his left. He hated food, especially fruit. He NEVER put things in his mouth, not even his fingers or a pacifier. I never worried about him finding something and swallowing it.

He was a silly kid. Always goofing off. I taught him Han shot first and all about Darth Vader. In school he had a difficult time making friends. He was in his own little world. And he had ticks. He'd lick his fingers and touch it to things. And he'd put his ears to cool things. He hated loud noises and he still distrusted food.

The kid drew all the time. He was drawing constantly.

By the time he was in third grade, I was worried because kids teased him. He didn't have friends. He was off in his own world. One day his teacher approached me and told me she wanted to get him evaluated for Asperger's. I didn't know what that was but when the counselors sat down with me, everything clicked into place. He matched every bullet point. And finally, I understood so much of what made him tick. After that, I devoted myself to learning about his own uniqueness.

….about how I could help him.
….about how to think like him.

He told me he wanted to be a game designer in third grade. He loves stories, and characters, and he loves the horror genre. I tell him all the time he can do anything, draw anything, create anything he sets his mind to. I never want to limit his imagination or creativity. He can be, he can do, anything he wants in life.

You know why I brag about him? (beyond the fact that he's my son) ...It's because he's the kindest person I know. He cries for days over a bird that died. He gets upset when a bug is squashed. He hates racism, sexism, and religious intolerance. I've taught him love is love, no matter if it's between two men or two women. I admire his innocence and his enthusiasm; his love and his heart. He is the best part of humanity and we should all try to be like him.

Marteeka Karland's new Bones MC Release!

Hello Marteeka!  Thank you so much for visiting Written Butterfly with me today!  It’s such a pleasure to chat with you.  So tell me…

Q) Is your book part of a series?  If so, can you tell us about it?

It is! Sword is part of the Bones MC series published by Changeling Press. It’s a gritty, MC romance. There is lots of sex and a bit of violence, but it’s an action packed, hot read. The blurb is below:

Magenta: The day my mom took up with Black Reign was the worst day of my life. She became ol’ lady for their president. I became another whore for the club to push around. I fought them at every turn because death was preferable to living this life. Beaten, downtrodden, I was about to be given to yet another man. The scariest man I’d ever seen. He was intent on having me on his own turf, and I wasn’t sure I would survive.

Sword: The second I saw the slight young thing being beaten by that ogre of a man, something inside me I’d thought leashed broke free. A demon better left in check reared his head, and I knew she would be mine no matter what. I got her, but she came with bigger problems than I was prepared to deal with. Not that it mattered. I’m Bones MC. We don’t give up, and we protect our own. Even against The Devil himself…

***WARNING!*** Bones MC has no pussies. These men are rough around the edges and fight as hard as they love. You can expect violence -- some that may have triggers -- and smoking hot sex. If either is something you object to, you should pass. Otherwise, expect an HEA and a man who always satisfies his woman.

Q) How do you select the names of your characters?

With the Bones series, I combed through things like military call signs, biker names, movies and TV shows with similar themes and tried to pick names that were interesting and fit my characters. Pretty much anything that catches my eye from football players to unusual names I encounter in my day to day life I will write down to play with later. Sometimes I use a mixture of names. Other times, I just use what I find. I try to keep it unique if possible.

Q) What was the hardest (or easiest) scene to write?

Depends on how I feel. Sometimes, the sex just messes with my head. I mean, there is only so many ways to write “insert tab B in slot A.” Other times, the sex just flows like magic. Those are the times I go back and read it and think, “Holy shit! Did I write that? I think I got a wettie…” lol

Q) What type of research did you do for your book?

Locations in Florida, particularly Lake Worth and Palm Beach. I had to map out from there to Somerset Kentucky, both on the interstate and alternative routs avoiding the interstate. There was also the matter of biker lingo and what each rank meant. This is my third MC book and I still haven’t quite got it all. But I’m getting there. J I also had to research guns and ammunition. But I always have to when I write any kind of book that uses them. The drug traffic from Florida to Kentucky was another thing I had to research. Which is why I picked the location I did for both Salvation’s Bane MC and Black Reign MC.

Q) What do you think is your strongest asset as a writer? …what is your weakest factor as a writer?

I’m usually good with dialogue. Writing it. Making it flow naturally. There are always exceptions, but I always feel good about my dialogue. My sex scenes must be decent too because I will have the fewest corrections during edits in those scenes, though my editor can tell when I’m having a moment struggling to write them. Weakest would be my ability to add exposition and setting the scene. I feel like, sometimes, I need more, but just can’t make it fit. You know?

Q) Do you have a favorite book you’ve written?

Honestly, so far, Sword is my favorite of this series. I feel like that book represented me getting closer to understanding what the genre is about. Yes, I still have a long way to go, but it just felt... I don’t know. Better? There is also a book called Out of Time that I dearly love! It’s a time travel old west romance. An old west lawman meets a modern day law woman. She’s brash and foul mouthed. He’s a bit more reserved. It was so much fun to write!

Q) Do you write in a linear fashion or do you jump from scene to scene and then go back and “fill in the blanks”?

I’ve tried both. I do much better starting at the beginning and working to the end. My mind just doesn’t work any other way. I even have difficulty skipping the sex scenes to do later. I just can’t do it.

Q) Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?

In this world, I want both. I try to build interesting characters that appear in each book and hope I make them interesting enough for readers to want their stories. I also overlap clubs and members, hoping to build interest over time for those clubs to get their own stories. At the same time, I want readers to get a good experience reading them in any order. If one book is just not working for them, I want them to be able to read the next book without losing anything. Hopefully, no one will have that problem. J

Q) What are your upcoming projects?

I’m working on the forth book in Bones MC. Viper. I’m also hoping to get a self-published Christmas book out there, but I’m so far behind I can’t even laugh about it. Currently, though, Bones MC is completely occupying my writing life.

https://www.changelingpress.com/sword-bones-mc-3-b-2950

Magenta: The day my mom took up with Black Reign was the worst day of my life. She became ol’ lady for their president. I became another whore for the club to push around. I fought them at every turn because death was preferable to living this life. Beaten, downtrodden, I was about to be given to yet another man. The scariest man I’d ever seen. He was intent on having me on his own turf, and I wasn’t sure I would survive.

Sword: The second I saw the slight young thing being beaten by that ogre of a man, something inside me I’d thought leashed broke free. A demon better left in check reared his head, and I knew she would be mine no matter what. I got her, but she came with bigger problems than I was prepared to deal with. Not that it mattered. I’m Bones MC. We don’t give up, and we protect our own. Even against The Devil himself…

***WARNING!*** Bones MC has no pussies. These men are rough around the edges and fight as hard as they love. You can expect violence -- some that may have triggers -- and smoking hot sex. If either is something you object to, you should pass. Otherwise, expect an HEA and a man who always satisfies his woman.

EXCERPT:

She was in Sword’s arms. In a ridiculously small bed. Fully clothed in his shirt and sweatpants. At some point, she’d sprawled out on top of him, her hair tangling them together like silk bindings. One of his big hands rubbed soothingly up and down her back in comfort. That hand seemed to span the entire width of her back as he moved it over her skin lazily.

Magenta remembered him sliding into the bed with her, wrapping her up in his arms as they’d talked. Their conversation spun through her mind like a carousel. Did she believe everything he’d told her? She wanted to. Though she knew better, Magenta decided she’d believe him until he misplaced her trust. Didn’t mean she’d do it blindly though. Maybe she should lay it all out for him.

“You’re fine, girl,” he murmured sleepily. “We got an hour before we need to get up.”

“You know, if you’re trying to make me give up information on Black Reign, I’m more than happy to do it without you making me empty promises. Just promise you won’t make me go back, and I’ll tell you everything I know. That’s the only promise I want or need.”

He sighed, as if disappointed. “I just want another hour,” he grumbled. “Fine. Magenta, I promise I won’t make you go back. Think I said that earlier. Now, go back to sleep. You can spill it all later.”

“You’re kind of a grumpy bear when you wake up, aren’t you?”

Again, he grunted, but tightened his arms around her.

“What are you going to do? You left a man in the clubhouse so you can’t just blaze.”

With an exasperated grunt, Sword rolled them both, maneuvering so that he lay sprawled on top of her, his arms still wrapped around her. He nuzzled her neck, his lips grazing her skin in a soft caress. “Hush now. I need this last hour.” He didn’t stop moving his mouth over her neck.

“Stop,” she whispered, even as she lifted her chin and tilted her head to give him better access. What was wrong with her? Was she going to let him take advantage of her? God, her body had suddenly come alive! Shivers coursed through her, and she realized that, for the first time in her life, she was welcoming a man’s touch.

“I will if you want,” Sword said, even as he licked her flesh with one swipe of his flattened tongue. “Seems like you don’t know what you want. You didn’t push me away. Instead, if I’m not mistaken, your little nails are diggin’ into my back like you’re trying to hold me to you.” He sounded drowsy. Sexy. Like he was her lover waking her for morning sex.

“I -- I don’t know…”

“It’s OK,” he said between nips and scrapes of his teeth. “I’m not gonna take too big a bite out of you. At least not here or now.” He let his lips wander from her neck to her collarbone and back, never venturing into forbidden territory but arousing her like she’d never been before. “When we go to confront Black Reign, you’re staying here with Trucker.”

“You’ll need every man you have,” she breathed out, scarcely able to form a coherent thought beyond the fact that she wanted to cradle his head and push him to her aching breasts. “Crow will annihilate you if you don’t. In fact, call in help. He’s trying to lull you into a false sense of security before he springs whatever trap he has ready.”

“I promise you, the four men we’re takin’ into that clubhouse will be better equipped to deal with that entire club than Crow will be to deal with the four of us. But, you’re right. We called in reinforcements last night. There will be some friends of ours coming to help. Should be here in a little over an hour.” He shifted his weight off her just a little, just enough for her not to feel trapped. Then he laid his head on her chest and kissed the swell of her breast. “So I’d like to get my…” he raised his head to look back over his shoulder at the clock on the wall next to them, “fifty-four minutes.”

“Yeah. So would me and Viper.”

“If you guys need to get a room, you should have said something instead of staying out all fuckin’ night ridin’.”

“You two shut the fuck up. I’m determined to get my ‘fifty-four minutes’.”

“Fifty-three now, bro. Shut up your own damned self.”

Magenta didn’t know what to think or say. Lying with Sword like this was too intimate for strangers, but, strangely, not uncomfortable. All kinds of things went through her mind. Like if the others expected him to have sex with her right there. Did he expect that? If she gave in and embraced the sensations he kindled, would he humiliate her like Black Reign did? And what about Trucker? If everyone thought she’d given in to Sword, would they expect her to service them as well?

“Just relax,” Sword whispered. “No one is gonna hurt you.”

“You keep saying that.”

“You need to hear it.”

“Does me hearing it make it any truer than if you never said it?”

There was a long silence, and Magenta thought he’d dozed off. Then he lifted his face and kissed her throat, blazing a hot trail to her lips where he lingered a moment before pushing off her and getting to his feet. “I’ll wake you before we leave,” he whispered. “Get some more sleep. It will be a long ride home.”

With that, he hopped up onto the bunk above her. Immediately, Magenta felt his rejection like a brutal punch. Realistically, she knew she couldn’t have it both ways. She either wanted his touch or she didn’t. She was scared. Had voiced her reservations about how safe she was with him. He’d responded with the only option open to him.

Author Info:

Website: https://www.marteekakarland.com/

Blog: https://www.marteekasdreams.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marteeka-Karland/183118360789

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marteekakarland

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/marteeka-karland

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Marteeka-Karland/e/B004FZT1IS/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

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The Evernight Weekly Writing Challenge - Week 46

How My Family Survives my Writing

My husband says he thinks I'm an expert at finding ways to write around my life. And I would agree. I don't let it interfere with things that I have to accomplish or let it get in the way of family life. With that comes careful planning in my head.

When I'm working on a story, I'll plan it out in my head and then write in spurts. Sometimes if I'm not able to get to my laptop, I'll write it on anything handy: napkins, post-it notes, notebooks. I've got so many notebooks it's somewhat embarrassing.

I don't work Fridays and every other Tuesday, and on those days after I drop off my son to school, I'll head to a coffeehouse and write. My place of choice is Starbucks, mainly because they're everywhere and I have their app which allows me to gather points to get free items.

At home, sometimes I'll only get a few minutes to write, so everything has to be in m head, which is why I'll get it out and go back later and edit. And while my muse constantly knocks on the door to my brain, I try to concentrate on one story at a time.

An Awkward Love Story from Amelia Kingston!

Hello Amelia!  Thank you so much for visiting Written Butterfly with me today!  It’s such a pleasure to chat with you.  So tell me…

Q) Is your book part of a series?  If so, can you tell us about it?

SO, THAT GOT WEIRD is the first book in the So Far, So Good Series. Each of the three books is based on a couple that seem to be complete opposites, but somehow seem to fit together perfectly. In SO, THAT GOT WEIRD, painfully awkward Elizabeth is only ever comfortable behind her computer screen, shrouded in anonymity. Austin is a larger than life college football superstar. He’s comfortable everywhere. Or, at least that’s what he wants people to think.

Q) How do you select the names of your characters?

Any Jane Austen fans will recognize Elizabeth. And Austin is a nod to my favorite author as well. The rest of my characters, I think their names are a reflection of who they are or who they wish they could be. I see them in my head and then just roll around names until one just sounds right. When I get stuck, I have been known to pull up a baby name book or two. :)

Q) What was the hardest (or easiest) scene to write?

The easiest scenes to write are always the steamy ones. Guess I’ve always had a naughty mind. Plus, it is so satisfying to have the culmination of all the push/pull/struggle of the characters result in some quality time. The hardest are probably the fights and break ups. I can see them coming, but it still kind of sucks to rip apart these guys you’ve been trying so hard to bring together.

Q) Do you have a favorite line in this book?

I have a couple, but my favorite line from Austin is, “I grew up being a chameleon, giving people what they want, hoping to be wanted in return.” It’s just so heartbreaking true for him. For Elizabeth, it’s probably, “This isn’t my first colossal disaster of a date. Epic failure is kind of my thing.”

Q) What type of research did you do for your book?

I am a bit of a nerd, but no where near what Elizabeth is. I had to call in a few favors with friends to help with some of the nerd-speak.

Q) What do you think is your strongest asset as a writer? …what is your weakest factor as a writer?

Hmmm...I think my strongest asset is banter. I love writing snappy dialogue between my two main characters. You can really see their relationship come to life in what they say. Or don’t say. My weakest factor (like most writers probably) is show vs. tell. I see the scene so clearly in my head, I forget the reader can’t see it unless I bring them into my world. I admire fantasy and sci-fi writers who have that unique skill of world creating. I try, but I’m a work in progress. Aren’t we all?

Q) Do you have a favorite book you’ve written?

I have a favorite book I’m about to write. I know that sounds weird, but the third book in this series, SO NOT MY TYPE, is about surly and sarcastic Jackie (you’ll meet her in SO, THAT GOT WEIRD) who I absolutely adore. She is one of those characters that doesn’t just speak to you, she grabs you by the shirt collar and screams in your face, demanding her happily ever after. I know she is going to be beyond fun to write and will be one of my favorites for many years to come.

Q) Do you write in a linear fashion or do you jump from scene to scene and then go back and “fill in the blanks”?

Tough question. I usually write linearly, mostly because the story plays out in my head like a movie and I’m just trying to get it all down before it moves on to the next scene. But, there are some parts that I skip over and come back to if the characters are just screaming for a particular scene.

Q) Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?

Each book is a standalone, with its own happily ever after, but they’re all set in the same world, so you get to keep seeing the same characters you’ve fallen in love with from the other books.

Q) What are your upcoming projects?

The next book in the series, THIS IS SO HAPPENING, should be out next year. It is about perpetually perky Jessie and her obsession with the brooding, dark Devin who is the first guy she’s ever met who refuses to give her the time of day. What girl can resist a challenge? Especially a tall, dark and handsome one!

Incomprehensibly awkward Elizabeth Wilde is desperate for love. Connection. Intimacy. After a lifetime of romantic failures, the twenty-one-year-old gamer realizes she needs help. Professional help. She needs…

A sex tutor.

The devastatingly hot jock Austin Jacobs is just the man for the job. As the reigning campus sex god, he has the playboy act down pat. But underneath those six-pack abs beats a broken heart. He doesn’t trust people and he sure as hell doesn’t believe in love.

The odd couple strike a deal. Four weeks of ‘tutoring’ for five thousand dollars.

When Austin coaxes Elizabeth out from behind her computer screen, the attraction they feel is undeniable. They’re both a little broken, but somehow their jagged edges fit. And when their world comes tumbling down on top of them, they each have to decide if this weird thing called love is worth fighting for.

Buy links:

AMAZON

TOTALLY BOUND

BARNES & NOBLE
KOBO
GOOGLE PLAY

Excerpt:

“What do you want to be tutored on tonight, Goose?”

I blush at the sound of my nickname.

“Well, Mav.” I’m trying to annoy him, but secretly I relish the idea that it’s something only I call him. Maverick. It suits him. “I made us a schedule, actually.” My voice has more uncertainty in it than I was hoping. I hand him the carefully thought-out schedule I crafted over the past few months.

“Of course you made a schedule,” he quips with a smirk. His smile only grows as he reads. “You made us a sex syllabus, a sex-abus.”

I groan. He continues undaunted.

“Four weeks, four topics. Looks like we round a base a week. This week’s kissing. Next week is touching, groping, fondling. Then, oral. Giving and receiving. Last week we hit a few home runs,” he offers.

Sex with Austin.

I get lost in my thoughts of what these next four weeks are going to be like. My body flushes and I cross my legs, fighting the building warmth between my thighs. It’s not like I haven’t pictured all this before, but now I’m starting to realize it’s actually going to happen.

You are going to lose your virginity to Austin Jacobs!

“You seriously think we need a whole week dedicated to kissing?” he challenges.

“It’s important to build foundational knowledge in a new subject before advancing to more challenging material.”  

Oh my God, you’re such a nerd.

“Come here.” He saunters around the kitchen island and I stand up to meet him. He steps right into my body. I start to lean back, but he grabs my hands and puts them around his neck. The gesture highlights our height difference. I can barely reach without him having to bend down.

His fingers slide over the delicate skin of my forearms and down my sides, causing an effervescent tingle across my whole body. He wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me into him firmly. I’m so small in his embrace. It makes me feel dainty and weirdly feminine.

“Kiss me,” he demands.

“Now?” I swallow roughly.

“Now would be good.”

I don’t do anything.

I just stand there.

Kiss him!

Just do it!

He’s right here and he is asking you to do it!

My heart races, my stomach flutters. My throat gets tight. My mouth goes dry. I spiral into panic. Those beautiful blue eyes are bearing down on me expectantly, burning into me. I close my eyes, count to three in my head, and do it. I push forward on my tiptoes and quickly peck him on the lips. Peck is a generous term for the limp-lipped travesty that is my first attempt at a kiss.

“There,” I declare in placid triumph.

“Damn, I must be a horrible teacher. Is that what I showed you last night?” he says in mock disappointment.

I look down at his chest and shake my head, feeling like a kid who got caught sneaking candy before dinner.

“How did I kiss you last night?” It isn’t a rhetorical question. He wants me to answer.

“Deep,” I say without thinking. “A-And long,” I add with a shaky breath and a blush. That’s the only way to describe his kiss. Other than being simply amazing.

“Hey.” He lifts my chin up so our eyes meet again. “I know you’re nervous, but you shouldn’t be. This isn’t a big deal. I know you can do this.” Great, now Austin’s giving me a pep talk. Hello, Self-esteem. Meet All Time Low.

Closing my eyes, I try to think back to his kiss last night. I take a deep breath and this time I pull him down to me. He leans down easily. I run through the checklist I made last night. I brush my lips gently across his as I tilt my head to the side. I place my lips on his, teasing his bottom lip with my tongue lightly.

“Open your lips,” I whisper against him.

“Yes, boss,” he quips. I stifle an annoyed sigh and slide my tongue into his mouth. He lets out a soft moan as his hands slide down to my butt.

Holy shit! You just made Austin Jacobs moan!

Perri Elizabeth Scott Visits Today!

Hello Perri Elizabeth!  Thank you so much for visiting Written Butterfly with me today!  It’s such a pleasure to chat with you.  So tell me…

Q) How do you select the names of your characters?      

I used to think it was just me, but I’ve heard from many other authors who have the same problem. Coming up with names for my characters is one of the hardest things to do. I have to be really careful not to repeat names. I actually resort to using a name generator of all things!

Q) What type of research did you do for your book?    

Lesson Learned features a toddler and all that that wonderful age says and does. Because I used to work with children I figured I had it aced, but I checked with an author friend of mine who has three children under the age of five and I was relieved to learn that I was accurate. I think I painted charming and interesting interactions between Adrian and the little boy he didn’t know about.

Q) Do you have a favorite book you’ve written?   

There are several books that I have really enjoyed writing, but my very favorite remains Forever written by my alter ego Allyson Young.

Q) Do you write in a linear fashion or do you jump from scene to scene and then go back and “fill in the blanks”?     

I am a ‘pantser’ tried and true. I start with an idea, concept, maybe a premise and my muse runs with it. Sometimes I don’t even know where the book will end up but I am almost always pleased.

Q) Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book? 

I have a few series from duets to trilogies and more, but also many stand alones. I can’t say which I prefer more.

Q) What are your upcoming projects?

I am currently working on a romantic fantasy, something very new for me, so we will have to see how that goes. I enjoy stretching myself.

Adrian Matsakis is a successful businessman with terrible luck in personal relationships. His ex-wife wrecked him, and when he tried again with Jessie Brandt, she too betrayed him.

He is shocked and outraged to learn he has a son with her and is determined to take custody. He’s never forgotten Jessie but can’t forgive her, especially now.

Forewarned of Adrian’s intent, Jessie preempts him by inviting him to co-parent, and he reins himself in. He can’t resist reminding her of her perfidy, however, just as she continues to maintain her innocence.

They struggle against the chemistry—and more—sparking between them, and when Adrian double checks the facts around Jessie’s supposed betrayal, he’s staggered to learn the evidence was planted.

He sets out to make amends, and Jessie.

Excerpt

We believe you know Jessie Brandt. Please see the attached picture. Come for dinner tonight. Mikhail 

Adrian Matsakis shoved back from his desk with such strength the back of the chair hit the wall, and the resulting shudder made his teeth clack together. The distance from his computer monitor didn’t make it less true. The attachment he’d clicked on nearly filled the screen with a picture of a sturdy, little toddler, laughing up at a woman who crouched beside him, holding an enormous balloon.

It was like looking into a mirror of his youth, pictures of him as a child festooning most available surfaces, compliments of his doting mother. She’d been unable to have other children, and thus lavished every maternal ounce of her being upon him. His father created a balance, or Mama might have driven him crazy.

Maybe he was crazy, seeing something in that image that was wishful thinking. It couldn’t be. Rolling back to his desk, he clicked to reread the email from Mikhail. Nothing changed.

After opening up the image again, he soaked in the two faces featured there, noting how little Jessie had changed over the three years since he’d last seen her, the golden-blonde hair and laughing brown eyes, clear, ivory skin, long, slender hands, and a lithe body with all the requisite curves.

His son—for he had no doubt the child was his—was still exhibiting baby roundness, but his arms and legs were long like Adrian’s, and the riot of black curls that would be the bane of his existence unless fads changed, and maybe even then, waved wildly about the boy’s head. Olive skin set off the tiny white teeth visible in the wide smile. He thought his son’s eyes were gray like his own, but perhaps they were a velvety brown like Jessie’s.

Adrian finally allowed the cacophony of emotions churning in his gut to be labeled. He was furious, firstly. Furious to learn he had a child after all this time, and curious about the boy. Elated too. He wouldn’t deny it. He had badly wanted a child, children, and learning that his ex wife Sharon terminated not one, but two of his babies still sent shards of agony throughout his being.

But he now had a child, and it must be love, if not intense affection flooding his system as he stared at the little boy. He purposely narrowed his gaze, keeping it directly on the toddler, because he didn’t want his confused emotions toward Jessie to spill over, even within his own head, onto his son.

His son. Why hadn’t she told him? Contacted him as was his right? Especially when she knew how much he wanted children? Because I threw her out. He shook the vaguely remorseful thought away.

He’d thrown her out for good reason. She’d been lucky he hadn’t pressed charges, although she’d challenged him to do so even as she accepted his edict and marched away down the hall, her spine erect and her head held high.

Out of sight, out of mind. He’d made certain she left with nothing. Except she left with something. And if she’d really wanted my money, then why hadn’t she used the child? He decided to ignore that inconvenient niggle as well.

He shot an email to Mikhail, accepting the dinner invitation when what he really wanted to do was phone the man and demand an explanation. But he hadn’t climbed to where he was in his business by flying off the handle. He’d attend the dinner tonight armed with all possible information and pool it with what his friend knew. And plan.

He closed down his computer after carefully saving and printing several copies of the toddler and then obtained the number of an experienced investigative agency. He’d head out and pick up some wine and flowers for the hostess—and begin the plan of retrieving his child. Anything this important would take great care and strategy.

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www.perielizabethscott.com

Romance Anthology featuring First Responders!

Title: Risking Everything
A Steamy Anthology of First Responders

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: November 5, 2019

Blurb

Discover ten spicy stories about brave first responder men and women from some of your favorite romance authors. All proceeds go to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Romance on the Rig by Kara Liane: Finding love on and off the ambulance proves difficult for Air Force veteran Murf—until he meets Lana, a game-changer. Murf may be an EMT hero, but he’s only human. Mistakes happen in love, and a misunderstanding keeps them apart. It’s time to make things right and answer the call from the heart.

Reconstructed Heart by K.L. Montgomery: Trey Prince never expected to make a gruesome discovery at an accident scene only a few months into his new job with the Collision Reconstruction Unit, and he never expected Trooper Jenna Labato to be the one who helped him pick up the pieces. No matter how badly Jenna wants to help him heal, Trey isn’t sure his heart or faith can ever be restored—not without something close to a miracle.

Walk the Line by Harlow Layne: Gage Walker never thought a call to a scene would change his life forever until he met Claire Blake. Sparks fly, but when his fellow Brothers in Blue’s girlfriends are targeted, Gage wants nothing more than to protect her—even if that means he has to give her up.

Always Kind of Love by Amanda Siegrist: The last thing Ethan McCord wants to deal with is his old high school flame, even though his desire for her hasn’t diminished. Battling the burning blazes and an arsonist bent on destruction is nothing compared to fighting the temptation to rekindle the love he always wanted.

Beautiful Persuasion by A.K. MacBride: Raelyn wasn't supposed to fall for the rebound guy, but the moment Griffin opened his mouth, he drew her in with his sexy Irish accent and dark gaze. As one night of sizzling passion develops into something more, she's forced to choose between the man who sets her heart ablaze and the only family she has left.

Going Down by Jody Kaye: Devastated by her parents’ divorce, Kat’s looking to regain the stability she took for granted. Dash Newhouse is a drifter, paying his bills by skiing at a new mountain each season. Paired together on ski patrol, Dash reminds Kat that she can’t live life to the fullest while playing it safe. But when the snow melts, will he ride off with her heart?

Rescuing Ryan by Syd Ryan: Ryan is out of the frying pan and into the fire, working the oldest profession of all time to finish her last year of nursing school. On the first day, she meets Chris, the sexy firefighter, as he is licking his wounds of rejection. For Chris, rescuing Ryan will be the hardest rescue of his life.

Perfect For Me by Alyne Hart: Firefighter Luke O'Conner and ex-model Grace Adams shared all their firsts in a tiny cabin just outside Sugar Creek. Nine years later, Grace is back in town, and they find themselves waiting out a storm in that very same cabin. Fire burns between them as neither seems able to keep their lips or their hands to themselves.

Call of Fate by Kelsey Cheyenne: After surviving a school shooting, Aubrey Winters became a dispatcher, dedicating her life to helping people. One fateful call and a meet-cute at a coffee shop leads Aubrey into the arms of English teacher Noah Burgess. Can their trauma be overcome when true love calls?

Loving Lindsey by Larissa Gail: Firefighter Gavin Thomas has no desire to settle down anytime soon. He’s having too much fun playing the field. That is until he meets Officer Lindsey Allen, who’s moved to Oaktown to start over after a devastating loss. Can the blue-eyed beauty convince him to change his ways?

ADD TO GOODREADS

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Contributing Authors

Kara Liane
K.L. Montgomery
Harlow Layne
Amanda Siegrist
A.K. MacBride
Jody Kaye
Syd Ryan
Alyne Hart
Kelsey Cheyenne
Larissa Gail

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