Thursday, January 29, 2015

Ready For A Snippet from Chasing Love? Here it is

Chase stepped inside the warm but empty eatery.  He figured it was slow because the weather had closed schools and most businesses for the day.  He walked up to the counter where a woman was going over the inventory. The counter held pastries, cakes and pies and an assortment of cookies.  Looking at it made his stomach grumble since he skipped breakfast.

“Good morning, I’m Chase Lombardi from Lombardi Seasonal Services.  I’m supposed to meet Jas Smith this morning.

The woman didn’t look up from her position. “Give me one second to finish this and I’ll be right with you.”

Chase waited tapping his booted toe on the laminated floor. It would have taken her a second to call for Jas. But he was somewhat patient.  “No problem.”

She looked up and spread a friendly smile across her face. “I’m sorry, to keep you waiting.  You’re here about the snow removal contract, right?”

“Yup.  So, is Mr. Smith here or should I come back?  I know the weather is bad out today.”

“I’m Jas Smith,” she said sliding the doors on the counter shut.

Chase arched his brow. “You’re Jas?”

“Yes.  I bet you were expecting a man. My name is Jasmine.  My roommate has a tendency to shorten my name.”

He wasn’t expecting to meet a woman that’s for damn sure. “Uh, yeah; I was waiting for a man to appear wearing a dingy white t-shirt and stained apron…never mind.” He put his briefcase on a propped up knee and pulled out the contracts. “I have the contracts for you to sign.  Once we’re done, I’ll start plowing your walks and parking lot.”

“Great.  I’ll have your check ready when you’re done.  I admit, I tried shoveling the walkway myself but as you can see it doesn’t look as if I touched it this morning.”

“That’s why I’m here,” he said flipping through the stack of contracts to get to hers. “I’ll get the job done for you the right way.”

She raised her brow. “I wasn’t aware there was a certain way to shovel snow but you came highly recommended by the owner of the business across the street.”

He looked up and smiled. “That’s great to hear.  Word of mouth is the best advertisement I can get.”

“You do a good job and I’ll gladly spread your name around.”

“Thanks. However, everyone around here knows how good I am.  That’s why I was recommended to you. I tend to satisfy my customers.”

She folded her arms across her chest. “You said that with confidence—as if you are the only company in town that does what you do.”

Chase smoothed a hand down his goatee. “That would be big-headed for me to say, but I am the best.  Now if you sign on the dotted line, I can get started on those sidewalks.  The snow is piling up as we speak.”

She removed an ink pen from behind her ear and held it up.  “Point me where to sign; I don’t want to hold up the greatest snow removal guy in the city of Cleveland.”

 “You’re funny.  Sign here and initial here,” he said not taking his eyes off her.  She was young.  He placed her around his age if not younger.  That was the trend lately. Younger men and women starting businesses while they had the energy to work the long hours it would take to compete in competitive markets.  Jasmine was definitely in a competitive market.  There were a number of restaurants and coffee houses in the area that served different variations on food, but not enough people moving into the area to be regular customers yet.

Jasmine finished signing the contracts and stacked them neatly before handing them to him. “There you go; all signed.  I trust I will get a copy in the mail or should I make a copy now and save you one or two steps?”

Since she was standing behind a tall counter, he couldn’t all of her, so he focused on what he could see. Jasmine was attractive. She had the darkest brown and sexiest eyes he’d ever seen on a woman.  She wore little makeup and her skin was flawless. Her soft brown hair was tied loosely in a ponytail and tucked under at the back of her head.  Large gold hoop earrings graced her tiny ears and her full lips were painted a glossy rugged red.  Everything blended well with her caramel skin tone.
He shook his head as he stuck the papers in his briefcase, she was not afraid to say what was on her mind…he liked that. “I’ll make sure you get a copy.”

“Thank you,” she said.

Customers entered the restaurant and she walked away to take care of them.  Chase pulled on his gloves and walked outside.  The snow was coming down harder and the strong winds created high snow drifts along the walls of the restaurant.  He decided to plow the driveway first and save the sidewalks for last.  The less he was exposed to the cold temperatures the better.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Coming In the Near Future: Chasing Love Chase Lombardi's Story

If you enjoyed Teach Me To Love Again, you do not want to miss this sequel.  Chase Lombardi is the younger brother of Kyle Lombardi.  He's a former Marine, who has lived his life on his terms since his discharge.  One night on his way home, something happens to change his views about life, love, and staying single forever.  

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

The Reunion is now available!

The Reunion is now available for downloading from Amazon, BN, and allromanceebooks.com.


Kennedy Mason is a microbiologist who loves her work.  However, she classifies herself an introvert who lacks the social skills needed to blend in with the rest of the world. Despite Fiona’s insistence she go, Kennedy declines an invitation to attend the upcoming reunion at Bridgeport Academy since there aren't any classmates she is eager to see again.  Although, that is where she met Harrison Davidson, the first boy she’d ever had an emotional attachment to.  Once they parted ways, she never heard from him again.

Harrison Davidson has been searching for the love of his life for years.  He made the mistake of letting her get away fifteen years ago.  His luck changes when he is headhunted to fill a position at the same company the love of his life now works.  He jumps at the opportunity without thinking it thoroughly through.  He has baggage and doesn’t know the current situation of Dr. Kennedy Mason after all these years.  He refuses to let that stumbling block stop him and plows ahead with his plans to reunite with the one woman he swore he could never live without.

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Welcome to My Fictional World: A Short Clip From The Reunion. Coming In A Few Wee...

“Fiona sat in the chair across from him, crossed her shapely legs, and folded her arms across her body. “I’m not going to play games with a genius.  I’m not smart enough for that battle, but I am smart enough to know when a man is trying to pull a fast one.  What do you want with Kennedy, Harrison?  Are you after her because she looks like your dead wife?  And I don’t mean to sound disrespectful in any way.  But Kennedy will join us in a few and I want to clear the air of this issue now.  It will give you enough time to make an excuse on why you can’t stay.”

The lump in his throat rose. He was surprised Kennedy had talked about his personal life with her sister. “Are you implying Kennedy is naïve?  Because if you are, Fiona, I must say I’m offended.”

“Don’t even go there with me, Einstein.  You know damn well what I’m talking about.  How long did it take you to catch up with the rest of the world, Harrison?  This person you are now was not made in a test tube,” she said pointing at him. “Who helped break the cocoon you’ve lived in for most of your life?”

He played with a loop the shoelace made on his shoe. His idea of a tranquil evening was a home-cooked meal, good wine, and casual attire. This conversation with Fiona, however, tensed every muscle in his body. “Fiona,” he said in a sort of condescending way he didn’t mean to do, “to ease your mind, I’m not replacing Calli with Kennedy. I only showed Kennedy the picture of my wife so it wouldn’t be a shock when she finally saw a picture of her. I didn’t do it to upset her.”

Harrison watched Fiona as she bounced her crossed leg. She had that suspect look plastered across her face. Finally, she said, “I don’t believe you. You may make my sister’s heart go pity-pat, but I know your type, dude.”

He finished the drink and took in a deep breath. “Why don’t you believe me? What do I have to do to convince you that I'm not using deceptive tactics?”

“That will be up to you to figure out how to convince me you're not a creep stalking my sister. But, 
I’ll gladly give you two reasons why I don’t believe you.  You accept a position where she works, and your deceased wife, who was a “sistah,” resembled her.  Wouldn’t that raise red flags if the shoe were on your foot?”

He nodded. “I can’t negate those facts.  However, I have one for you to ponder over.  Did you consider that I married my wife because of Kennedy?”

She furrowed her brows and asked, “Did you?”

He grinned. “Now it’s my turn to run down the facts before Kennedy joins us, and you have to make an excuse to leave us alone tonight.”

“If the facts stand up to my satisfaction, I will have no problem leaving you two alone,” she said rolling her neck.

“Okay—here they are.”  He spoke quickly and in a low tone so that his voice wouldn’t carry any further than the living room.  “I was madly in love with Kennedy. My heart broke when she moved back to Cleveland, and we lost touch.  I tried to track her down.  I even checked to see if she used that dreadful social media crap. Apparently, I’m not the only one who doesn’t use Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, to log my life adventures.  With that last-ditch effort under my belt, I was left with no choice but to drop the search even though I couldn’t get her off my mind.  I got lonely, and I knew that if I didn’t make some changes to myself, I would be alone forever.  During my transition, I met Calli, fell in love—boom—end of story.”

Fiona clapped her hands bouncing in the chair. “You go boy! I like your approach, but I’m still not convinced you’re up to something!” She sat forward in the chair and deepened her voice. “How this is coming together is not just by coincidence.”

“I assure you it is.  It could only be fate that I was headhunted for the position at Cyptec.  And when I learned she worked there; that, sweetheart, was the bonus that persuaded me to sign on the dotted line.”

His honesty was wearing Fiona down---he could see it. All he had to do was reel her in to end her suspicions. If he could get her assistance in luring Kennedy to him, he would forever be in her debt.

She rolled her eyes at him hard. “Don’t mess with my sister.  She may be older and smarter, but I’m hell on wheels when it comes to her.  And don’t underestimate Kennedy either.  She’s tougher than she looks.”

Harrison smiled, revealing a straight set of white teeth.  “I would never mess with her head.  Actually, we could both benefit if you’d help me, Fiona.”

“Why would I want to do that?” she asked in a distrustful voice.

He sat up on the sofa and looked around to make sure Kennedy wasn’t in the hallway.  “Your sister is fighting me.  I know she is as attracted to me as I am to her.  Fiona, can you nudge her in my direction?  I’m begging you and will pay whatever price you ask.  I have plenty of money,” he added.

Fiona cocked her head to one side.  “Do I look like I would sell my sister to the devil for a dollar?”

He slapped his hand on her forehead. “That was a bad choice of words.  Can’t you see how much I want her in my life?  I’m willing to make a fool of myself.”

“Yeah, and not to mention you’re trying to con a street-smart chick.”

“I’m sorry,” he said again.

“Whatever! Kennedy is not being cagey; she is protecting herself. Harrison, there is a lot you don’t know about her. She has never been in love. She has never had her heart broken by a REAL MAN, either. If you come on too strong, she’ll throw her walls up. That’s just the way she is.”

“I don’t comprehend that. Why is she building walls around herself? Is she against falling in love?”

“Hell no! She is saving herself for the right man. When Kennedy falls in love, she wants it to be forever. Not some one-night fling with an old boyfriend that neglected to call her in fifteen years.”

He closed his eyes and rubbed his temples with his index fingers. “I swear to God, I love Kennedy.”
Fiona fussed in a quiet voice. “Get real, man! How can you say that after two days of being with her?”

“All it took was for me to see her again, and those feelings rushed back to me. I declare on everything that I have, including my daughter, that I am completely honest with you.”

Fiona fidgeted in the chair. “You are putting me in a bad position. I don’t know you, and you could be shitting the hell out of me just like you did Kennedy with the story about your wife!”

Just as Fiona was getting ready to tear into him, Kennedy walked into the living room to join them. 
“Hello, Harrison; I’m sorry I wasn’t at the door to greet you. I got behind in the kitchen. Has Fiona been a suitable hostess?” she asked, cutting her eyes at her sister.

Harrison stood up as Kennedy entered the living room.  He walked over to her and kissed her gently on the cheek. “Yes, she has.  We’ve had a chance to get to know one another.  Fiona is quite interesting.”  He caught Fiona rolling her eyes upward as she drew her body tightly in the chair.

“She lives an exciting life.  Dinner is ready if you all want to follow me into the dining room.”

A cell phone blared out loud rap music.  Fiona dug it from her purse.  “Sorry about that,” she said as answered it.  After a short conversation she hung up the phone and said, “Sorry, guys, but I can’t stay for dinner.  Something came up suddenly.”

“Something or someone?” Kennedy questioned with a raised eyebrow.

Fiona hunched her shoulders. “Really doesn’t matter because I can’t stay here to babysit you two; I got better things to do.  You all have fun and behave,” she said rushing for the front door.

Harrison shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans and dropped his head to look at the polished hardwood floor.  He couldn’t bring himself to look at the puzzling expression that was probably on Kennedy’s face.

A Short Clip From The Reunion. Coming In A Few Weeks!

Harrison watched Fiona as she bounced her crossed leg. She had that suspect look plastered across her face. Finally, she said, “I don’t believe you. You may make my sister’s heart go pity-pat, but I know your type, dude.”

He finished the drink and took in a deep breath. “Why don’t you believe me? What do I have to do to convince you that I'm not using deceptive tactics?”

“That will be up to you to figure out how to convince me you're not a creep stalking my sister. But, I’ll gladly give you two reasons why I don’t believe you.  You accepted a position where she works, and your deceased wife, who was a sistah, resembled her.  Wouldn’t that raise red flags if the shoe were on your foot?”

He nodded. “I can’t negate those facts.  However, I 
have one for you to ponder over.  Did you consider that I married my wife because of Kennedy?”

She furrowed her brows and asked, “Did you?”

He grinned. “Now it’s my turn to run down the facts before Kennedy joins us and you have to make an excuse to leave us alone tonight.”

“If the fact stands up to my satisfaction, I will have no problem leaving you two alone,” she said rolling her neck.

 “Okay—here they are.”  He spoke quickly and in a low tone so his voice wouldn’t carry any further than the living room.  “I was madly in love with Kennedy. My heart broke when she moved back to Cleveland and we lost touch.  I tried to track her down.  I even checked to see if she used that dreadful social media crap. Apparently, I’m not the only one who doesn’t use Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to log my life adventures.  With that last ditch effort under my belt, I was left with no choice but drop the search even though I couldn’t get her off my mind.  I got lonely and I knew that if I didn’t make some changes to myself, I would be alone forever.  During my transition, I met Calli, fell in love—boom—end of story.”

Fiona clapped her hands bouncing in the chair. “You go boy! I like your approach, but I’m still not convinced you’re up to something!” She sat forward in the chair and deepened her voice. “How this is coming together is not just by coincidence.”

“I assure you it is.  It could only be fate that I was headhunted for the position at Cyptec.  And when I learned she worked there; that, sweetheart, was the bonus that persuaded me sign on the dotted line.”

His honesty was wearing Fiona down---he could see it. All he had to do was reel her in to end her suspicions. If he could get her assistance in luring Kennedy to him, he would forever be in her debt.

She rolled her eyes at him hard. “Don’t mess with my sister.  She may be older and smarter, but I’m hell on wheels when it comes to her.  And don’t underestimate Kennedy either.  She’s tougher than she looks.”

Harrison smiled, revealing a straight set of white teeth.  “I would never mess with her head.  Actually, we could both benefit if you’d help me, Fiona.”

“Why would I want to do that?” she asked in a distrustful voice.

He sat up on the sofa and looked around to make sure Kennedy wasn’t in the hallway.  “Your sister is fighting me.  I know she is as attracted to me as I am to her.  Fiona, can you nudge her in my direction?  I’m begging you and will pay whatever price you ask.  I have plenty of money,” he added.

Fiona cocked her head to one side.  “Do I look like I would sell my sister to the devil for a dollar?”

He slapped his hand on her forehead. “That was a bad choice of words.  Can’t you see how much I want her in my life?  I’m willing to make a fool of myself.”

“Yeah, and not to mention you’re trying to con a street-smart chick.”

Text 'Yes' If You Love Me Has Been Nominated for Cover of The Month for May. I Need Your Votes Please

If you liked the cover of my book, Text 'Yes' If You Love Me, please vote for it for the Cover of the Month contest on AllAuthor.com...