A LESSON FROM DR. SEUSS:READ KNOW LEARN GO

Hi Everyone! 

In the beginning of the year, I have promised to share some of the things I run across that just make life a little better, a little sweeter. Well, today I have a blast from the past for you. Do you remember this poster?

I remember reading that simple rhyme in my elementary school library. The poster hung from the wall over a stack of books. Those four simple words, READ KNOW LEARN GO have shaped my life in so many ways. Not only have they shaped my life, but I raised my children to believe that their own pathway to their dreams is discovered from reading.

I have to wonder if Theodor Seuss Geisel had any idea the affect he would have on future generations. 

I will always cherish the simple wisdom of  Theodor Seuss Geisel. Here are some of my favorites:

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

"You'll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut."

"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple."

Do you have a favorite quote? How did it help shape your life? Please post it here. I would love to hear about it. 

((Hugs to all))

Nancy C. Weeks
Author of In the Shadow of Greed
In the Shadow of Evil-release date-26 August 2013

KEEPING THE DREAM ALIVE WITH AUTHOR, ANDREA R. COOPER

Keeping the Dreams Alive series is BACK!  Today, I’m so excited to introduce you to one of my fellow Crimson Romance authors, Andrea R. Cooper.  Andrea has been very busy the last few months. Her debut novel, The Garnet Dagger was released in March and her second book, Viking Fire is coming out in only 5 DAYS! How exciting is that!!

Andrea created a very intriguing story with The Garnet Dagger. Here is what the reviewers are saying:

The Garnet Dagger takes you on a romantic flight into fantasy. Page after page there are new adventures and you can't wait to see what happens next, especially with the surprise ending.

The author builds her story with vivid descriptions that transport the reader into a magical world of danger and intrigue.

The Garnet Dagger takes you on a romantic flight into fantasy. Page after page there are new adventures and you can’t wait to see what happens next, especially with the surprise ending.

Before I talk everyone’s ear off about how fabulous Andrea’s stories are, let me give you a chance to get to know the author first. Andrea, I’m so thrilled to have this chance to get to know you better. You may not know this, but I grew up just south of you in The Rio Grande Valley. We are not only related by Crimson Romance, but we are both TEXANS! Beans never belong in chili and canned cheese soup is definitely NOT queso.

Thank you for being here today and sharing your dream with us. Would you please tell us a little about  yourself?

Andrea...

I’m a wife and mother to three kids, two boys and a girl. I was born, raised, and still living near Houston, Texas. It’s not the weather, which is HOT 362 days a year, that keeps me here, but family and the food, especially Tex-Mex (which is the right kind of hot ) J For all of those who live in the north, a can of cheese soup is not queso or Tex-Mex – you will have to try it if you are ever down this way.

When I was growing up, I wasn’t much of a reader. The books that I craved were not allowed in my home—anything with magic, mythical creatures, paranormal, etc. Seriously, I wasn’t even allowed to watch Disney movies. During my junior year, I found and enjoyed historical romances by Beatrice Small, Julie Garwood, Sandra Hill, and others. But it wasn’t until my early twenties that I found fantasy stories. Since I wasn’t under the rules of my parents, I devoured these stories. Then added paranormal and even YA to my list.

I love writing…let me correct that, I love writing fiction. Make me write nonfiction, I’ll do anything else…even stuff I hate like cleaning house and laundry. .

I love Zumba. Before I had my daughter, Zumba and weight training helped me to lose 40lbs. Now, I’m trying to work off the baby fat from eight months ago I’ve accumulated, which getting to the gym with an almost four year old and an eight month old is about as easy as solving a puzzle with one hand, missing pieces, and in the dark….lol

People of all ages have forgotten how to dream. What inspired you to dream?

I’ll talk about two dreams.

First is writing. Even though I wrote poetry when I was fourteen until my senior year, I didn’t think about becoming a writer. I had this burning desire to share characters and their stories that ran nonstop through my head. I started writing historical romances in my late twenties after being frustrated with other romance genres  I believed had little plot or characterization. It wasn’t until I had finished my second book that I thought maybe it was possible.

I have always been a story teller. I remember being seven years old and my friends would come to me asking what we were going to play. Once I had some of the ‘bad guys’ be space vampires. I didn’t want the kids biting each other, so I told them their fangs were their first two fingers. So, while I haven’t always been a writer, I’ve been a storyteller for as far as I can remember.

My second dream is my daughter. When I was little, I said I wanted two boys and a girl. I had my son, and by twenty-seven, I was divorced. Four years later, I remarried. Still, I didn’t push the idea of kids on him because I already had my son and I was content. Then in my (cough) late thirties he wanted to try for a baby. I was nervous. I was much older than when I had my son.

After my second son was born, he was so sweet and cute that I wanted one more before my biological clock broke. After six months, no luck. I had gotten pregnant the first two times in less than two months…had I missed my chance?

I believe in the power of positive thinking, talking, and vision boards, etc.—so I set up a vision board with pictures of pregnant women, babies, and little girls. And I prayed. I followed the ‘schedule’ and foods to have a girl. Six more months passed and nothing. Finally I gave up but left the vision board up. Then a month later we were pregnant! When the ultrasound technician told us it was a girl, I asked them to double-check. I now have a wonderful healthy laughing eight month old little girl.

We all place obstacles in our path which brings our dreams to a dead stop. I call these obstacles dream killers. What was your dream killer and how did you overcome it?

I’ve touched on this above, but I’ll add more because sometimes dream killers don’t come only once or even twice.

For my daughter, because I was in my early forties, I tried to dwell on positive thoughts and not worry if she would have Downs or something else because of my age. Waiting for those tests to come in was one of the hardest times in my life, but I would have been happy whatever the results.

On writing, it was my ex taking one of my poems into work and saying he and everyone laughed at it. A friend of mine laughed at a few chapters of a story I had written. Both of these events didn’t make me give up writing, but they did help me not to be aggressive in pursuing publishers or showing anyone else my work. I’m one of those writers who wrote for years and have a pile of eight finished novels and four others in various stages.

How do you keep the dream alive under extreme adversity – external or internal?

Writing is how I get the stories and characters out. No longer do I have the luxury of a cast full of neighborhood kids willing to act out my plots and characters. And since I can’t do a one-man show…writing is the only outlet I have. And as a stay-at-home mom for the last three years, it’s an escape that has helped me keep my sanity J

Also, taking classes has helped. I’m still not where I want to be as a writer. I know my strengths and my weaknesses, but I keep striving to be better and learn.

In your opinion, have you reached your dream. How did it feel and how has it changed you?

Yes, I have reached my dream of having a daughter. It feels wonderful, even when she refuses to sleep through the night. It has changed me in that I’m more protective of her in public than I was with my two sons. I want to put a force field around her and keep her safe and happy always.

With my writing, I’m still reaching. I would love to be able to share more of my stories with others.

What's next? What new dream would you like to reach for?

The really big dream would be to earn enough money to support my family and allow my husband to be home and watch our children grow. For now though, I’d settle for continuing to be able to publish my stories and have more people enjoy them. New dream? Maybe to get back in shape like I was before I got pregnant  Oh, and have more time to write, and read, and to write some more.

Blurb for The Garnet Dagger-ON SALE on Amazon today for $1.99

Forbidden to cross the Elvin barrier into human lands, Brock cannot sate his curiosity. Cursed by a vampyre bite that forces him to feed on the life-essence of others, he is unable to touch another without taking their life. Chained by prophesy, he must find a witch, pierce her heart, and draw her blood for his cure.

Celeste must escape the monks who have held her prisoner for years. Her magic has been kept dormant by her captors. An ancient powerful Warloc craves her powers. If he succeeds in devouring her magic, she and the world will die.

When Brock falls in love with Celeste before realizing her demise is his cure, will love triumph over his desire to be healed? Will he risk everything to save her from a Warloc, an oath breaker, who also wants her dead?

Blurb from Viking Fire:

856 CE, Ireland is a land of myth, magic, and blood. Viking raiders have fought the Irish for over half a century. Rival Irish clans promise only betrayal and carnage.

Kaireen, daughter of Laird Liannon, is suddenly forced into an arranged marriage with her sworn enemy, a Viking. She refuses to submit. With no mention of love, only land and the protection of her clan, she endeavors to get her betrothed banished from her country. Will love find its way around her stubborn heart?

Bram, the Viking, finds himself without future or inheritance as a younger son in his family. A marriage to the Laird’s daughter would grant him land if he swears fidelity and if his men will fight along with the Liannons against any foe—Irish or Viking. However, the Laird’s feisty daughter only holds animosity for him and his kind. Is marriage worth the battle scars of such a relentless opponent?

With the blame for a rival laird’s death treacherously set against the Liannons, Kaireen and Bram must find a way to lay aside their differences as an unforeseen darkness sends death snapping at their heels.

Excerpt Viking Fire : Chapter One

Ireland 856 CE

“I renounce Father for this.” Kaireen threw the elderberry gown. Dressed only in her

leine, she glared at the new gown on the stone floor.

“Shame on you and your children for speaking such.” Her handmaid, Elva, gathered the damask and then dusted off the rushes. “It’s a wonder one of the clim has not scolded you from your hearth for such talk.” She wore her white hair twisted in a chignon, underneath a linen head cloth. Strands of white hair poked out the sides of her covering.

“No, curse Father for a fool.” She plopped on her bed and a goose feather floated away. With a huff, she leaned against the oak headboard. Red curtains puffed like a robin’s chest around oak poles supporting her wooden canopy.

Her bare feet brushed against the stone floor. Why was she not born plain like her two older sisters? Already they had married and expected their second bairns by spring. Well, at least so far she had enjoyed twenty years of freedom. Neither of her sisters had had matrimonial dreams of love matches. Both were arranged marriages.

“You know your da arranged a marriage within a season.” Elva smirked.

Kaireen shook her head. “To another land holder,” and waved a hand in disgust, “not t-this heathen. Twice they raided our land in the last month alone. Many a raid has come from them. Now father wants me as wife to one of them?” She clenched her fists. “No, I will not marry this Viking.”

Elva smiled, reminding Kaireen of the rumors of her handmaid’s uncanny foresight.

Whispers of Elva making strange things happen and often blamed as the cause of

Kaireen’s stubborn refusal to behave as a laird’s daughter should.

“You’ve not seen him yet.” Elva wiggled her brows.

“So?” Kaireen shrugged. “I would like to never see him.”

“Well then, would you not like to know if you have a handsome husband or not?” She waited for her response, but Kaireen scowled at her. Elva chuckled. “I would rather get a good look at him now than the morning after.”

Kaireen’s ears heated. “I am not marrying.” She shook her head for emphasis. “So there will be no morning, nor night, nor wedding.”

“If he is handsome, I may fight you for him.” Elva smiled, deepening the wrinkles around her eyes.

“Welcome to him either way.” Kaireen laughed.

#

To preorder VIKING FIRE from Amazon, here is the link:

 http://www.amazon.com/Viking-Fire-ebook/dp/B00DV0XJ9U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373923714&sr=8-1&keywords=viking+fire

How to find Andrea R. Cooper: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndreaRCooper.author

Twitter: @AndreaRCooper

Website: www.AndreaRCooper.com

Buy Links: 
Crimson Romance ebooks | Amazon | B&N | iTunes

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18104475-viking-fire

Viking Fire Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/bpk2ZMGwJik

Fire Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/bpk2ZMGwJik

Andrea, thank you for coming by and sharing your dreams with us. We would love to hear from you.  To leave a comment, click on the tiny word comment at the end of the post. Sorry it’s so hard to see.

((HUGS to ALL))

Nancy C. Weeks

Ava Miles talks about NORA ROBERTS LAND, the Dare Valley Series and family...

Hello everyone,

Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to a new author, Ava Miles. Ava has just released a novel called Nora Roberts Land. Isn’t that a great title?  As a long time reader of all things romance, Nora Roberts Land grabbed hole of my attention and I had learn more it and Ava.  I can’t thank Ave enough for being here with me today. So on to  her interview… 

Welcome Ava. I read that ever since your great-great-grandfather won a newspaper in a poker game in 1891, your family has had something to do with words.  When did you start writing?

It seems as if I've been penning stories for fun forever. Like most writers, I had a spiral notebook in grade school and wrote whatever came to me.  In high school, I wrote my first few chapters of a romance novel and got hooked. One of my best high school gifts was a Plot Journal from a former English teacher, which I still write in.  It wasn't until my characters wouldn't get off my back that I finally finished a full manuscript. It wasn't easy--especially with a full-time job--but after that I couldn’t stop.

Is NORA ROBERTS LAND your first book?

It's the first of my books to go out into the world, but not the first I've completed.  I've written three complete books and started several others, but this is the first one that spoke to me this strongly and pulled me into my characters so fully that I simply had to write until I knew what was going to happen to them.

Can you tell us a bit about the plot?

Absolutely.  My heroine is Meredith Hale, a journalist who's a huge fan of Nora Roberts' books, and whose ex-husband blames them for their marriage breaking up.  He insists that Meredith had unrealistic expectations of their marriage because she read Nora's romances. She even stopped reading Nora's books for a time thinking he might have been right.  But when she's called home to Dare Valley to help her family, she packs a hidden agenda--to write a piece about a divorced woman who goes back to her small home-town to find Mr. Right, and to prove her ex wrong at the same time.

Meredith's ready to put herself out there like a Nora Roberts heroine, determined to find what her mother calls "Nora Roberts Land," a.k.a. her own  "happily ever after."  Of course, that's much easier said than done, especially when Meredith's efforts to uncover the mystery surrounding the death of a family friend require pretending to go out with Tanner McBride, the only man who sets her heart racing--and the only one who is totally off limits.

Is Tanner totally fabulous?

I think readers will be the ones to decide, but...ummm...hard body, great lover, handsome, intelligent, a terrific flirt... Did I mention he's being blackmailed? He is. 

Have you based any of your characters on people you know?

My characters are their own people. I don't sit down and model people after ones I know as I've heard Madeleine L'Engle used to do. However, they often have characteristics of people I know and seem familiar to me. There's probably a little bit of each of my three sisters and me in Meredith. And, of course my family's newspaper and writing background informs several characters as well as the plot, especially Grandpa Hale, who is what I imagined my great-great grandfather to be like. Tanner has lots of his own personality and is definitely blessed with the physical, mental and emotional traits that attract me to a man, be it romance or friendship. It's funny though, with him being a former war correspondent, he resonates with a lot of what I felt and experienced when I was working in similar places.

It seems that family is also very much at the heart of NORA ROBERTS LAND. Is that because of your own upbringing?

Yes, I come from a big family. I was born in the Midwest and lived in small towns until we moved down South to a bigger city. My parents both grew up on farms so we were raised with family and community coming first. I'm the oldest, and have three sisters and two brothers. We are very close even though we span the U.S. now.

Everyone does their best to support each other. From day one, everyone supported me with this new passion, especially my sister, Michelle, my Nora girl.  When her personal experience of having her ex-husband blame their divorce on her reading Nora Roberts novels (something that shocked us all) crystallized into the story idea that became NORA ROBERTS LAND, I knew I needed her permission to write it. She wholeheartedly agreed, wanting to inspire people to believe in second chances and happily ever after since she's found her own.

You pluck Meredith from the center of Manhattan and send her to her small hometown in the Colorado mountains.  Why is it important that Meredith's journey takes place in Dare Valley, rather than a big city, or even the suburbs?

Returning home seemed critical for her story. She has an incredible sense of family and tradition with her family's newspaper.  When her dad has medical issues, she immediately heads home to help run things while he's out.  Also, coming from a small community to the big city, I could see how it's easy to lose yourself in a large city and to not feel connected to your neighbors. Meredith needs to reconnect to the parts of herself she lost in her marriage and while living in the New York City. Going home to Dare is a reminder of all that's made her who she is.

Have you ever lived anywhere like Dare Valley?

Yes. I spent my childhood in two small Midwestern communities and then my summers in the same town as our family newspaper. I cherish those times.  Having people simply stop by for coffee or to drop off a meal if someone has a crisis or a new baby arrives.  Walking into people's houses because the doors aren't locked. Talking about the various events in town, how people are related and, of course, any mischief that's going on. Since much of our big family also lived in Colorado, where Dare Valley is located, we also spent a lot of time there.  Additionally, I lived in a small university town in Utah for grad school.  Dare is an amalgamation of these experiences, and a place I would love to live.

What's next?  Are you working on something new?

I am working on a new series involving another intriguing family, but I'm also still tweaking my next book, FRENCH ROAST.  It's Meredith's sister Jill's story, who readers will have gotten to know in NORA ROBERTS LAND. Readers revisit the action at Don't Soy With Me, Jill’s coffee shop, and find out what's next for her and her ex-best friend, Brian. It's the second of three books set in Dare Valley.  It goes on sale August 13th.  THE GRAND OPENING is about Tanner's sister and a mysterious man who arrives in town with an agenda she's determined to stop. It will be out on September 24th.  It's the last book in the Dare Valley Series.  At least I'm saying that now.  I'm not completely certain I'm finished with Grandpa Hale, Meredith and Jill’s grandpa.  If he were forty years younger, he'd make a hot and charming hero.

How can readers find out what else is going on with you?

I'll always post updates on my site about what's out and what I’m working on.  And I'll be sharing news on Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus.  I'm also collecting some fun visuals for Pinterest, along with who knows what else.  I'm looking forward to meeting up with everyone.

Excerpt of Nora Roberts Land

Meredith dropped her gaze from Tanner’s face and studied the strong arms filling out his gray dress shirt. She remembered what those muscles looked like dripping wet. Whimpering would be totally inappropriate, but she wanted to. God, the man was as intoxicating as Valrhona bittersweet chocolate.

He put his hands on either side of her, brushing their bodies together in a wildly tempting caress. “Maybe we could go out for breakfast after our next swim.”

The idea of going out for breakfast with this man fired up her imagination about other things…like wild sex and a sleep over. She leaned back for breathing room, but there was nowhere to go. He surrounded her. She couldn’t smell anything but him, and the counter was biting into her back.

He had her body purring, but that damn wounded part of her was sounding the alarms. Her lack of confidence—courtesy of Rick-the-Dick’s hurtful parting words—clanged like a train trolley.

And Tanner was a journalist. Just. Like. Rick.

She pushed him back with a hand to his hard, muscular chest, needing space. She searched for the caramel apple pie Jill had brought home from the coffee shop and raced over to it. Her hands shook as she took out the plates and dessert forks. Deep breaths seemed like a good idea to clear out Tanner’s musky smell, but she couldn’t seem to take in a full one. Her lungs had deflated like balloons after a disappointing party.

“I can’t…have breakfast with you,” she rasped, frantically touching her bustier. Even that wasn’t doing much to restore her confidence. Damn it.

Tanner’s boots scraped across the tile floor. She could feel the heat of his body behind her, and she imagined him gazing at that mole he’d mentioned. She wanted to lean back against him, but was suddenly afraid of how much she wanted him and where it could lead—especially with her family in the next room.

“Why can’t you?”

“I don’t date journalists. Ever.”

He turned her around. She stood stiffly in his hold.

“Neither do I…usually. But I don’t want to talk about journalism with you, Meredith.”

#

Ave, thanks again for visiting me today. I hope your new debut novel sells off the shelf.  For more information about Ave and how to find her book, you can find her here: 

NORA ROBERTS LAND, Book 1, Dare Valley Series, by Ava Miles

Contemporary Romance/Fiction/Original

July 2013/On Sale 7-2-13/$5.99 (eBook), $14.99 (print)/ISBN: 9781301307210

www.avamiles.com • facebook.com/AuthorAvaMiles • pinterest.com/authoravamiles 

facebook.com/NoraRobertsLand • twitter.com/authoravamiles • plus.google.com/110201714901830875706

Yay!!! COVER REVEAL FOR IN THE SHADOW OF EVIL

Hi Everyone,
Another incredible day in my journey as an author. I've been working almost non-stop on edits for my next book in the Shadow Series, In the Shadow of Evil. But today it all finally became very real. I just received the new cover and just had to share it. 

I hear stories how authors never like their covers. Well, that's not the case with this author. The art department at Crimson Romance out did themselves. So without further adieu, here it is: 

Drum Roll please...

The backdrop is the beautiful Inner Harbor of Baltimore, Maryland, the setting for the story. In the Shadow of Evil features the oldest brother of the McNeil clan, Jared and his heroine, Jennie McKenzie. I just love their story and am bouncing in my seat to share this amazing couple with you. I wish I could give it over to you now, but we all have to wait for the release date: 26 AUGUST 2013. For just a little glimpse into what is come, I've posted the blurb and and a short excerpt below just to wet the whistle.

If you haven't had a chance to read the first book in the series, In the Shadow of Greed[ Jason McNeil and Sarah Tu's story] well now is your chance. It's only $1.99 on Amazon--just hit the Amazon icon on the sidebar. Nook lovers, never fear, you can also find it on Barnes and Noble and iTunes--links below. Enjoy the blurb and excerpt but please let me know what you think of the cover.

((HUGS))

Nancy C. Weeks

Blurb for In the Shadow of Evil:

Elías Mendoza’s personal vendetta against the McKenzie family rests on Jennie’s shoulders. As she cradles the bullet ridden body of her ten-year old student, she knows Mendoza is responsible. Quinton’s death is a message. Jennie’s life belongs to only Mendoza. But she has her own message. No one else dies. Her life means nothing as long as Mendoza is free.

Jared McNeil has spent ten years with Maryland’s Special Crime Unit and very little rattles him. When the haunted teenager he once tried to protect walks into his precinct now a beautiful woman, he wants nothing more than to wrap her in his arms and never let her go. But he soon realizes she is there only to settle her debts before she goes after his nemesis, Mendoza. Jared’s vow to stay away from Jennie until the task force destroys Mendoza now means nothing.

What Jared and Jennie don't understand is there are forces at play greater than the evil shadowing them, but time is running out. United, they can do anything. Alone, they will fail.

First ever excerpt of In the Shadow of Evil. Enjoy!

Jared rested his head against the column and listened to the hauntingly sad music coming from the piano. As Jennie’s fingers waltzed across the keyboard, a tear slid down her cheek. Whatever gut-wrenching pain she was trying to rid herself of through the music, it wasn’t working. Every note echoed what only could be a deep hurt—the kind of hurt that dug itself into the darkest crevasses of the heart. Just listening to her pain ate away at him. What the hell had he missed that would cause this kind of grief?

Jared stepped out of the shadow and waited for her to notice him. It didn’t take long before her fingers froze and she sought him out. “Jared,” she whispered.

He took another step closer. “Hey, Jennie.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing.” He strolled up the side aisle, keeping as much in the shadows as he could. The one question he wanted to ask all day came stumbling out of his mouth. “How could you just run off like that, Jennie? You know Noah. He’s all bark. He never would have . . .”

“You shouldn’t be here.” Her expressive, deep hazel eyes widened as she searched the sanctuary. When Jennie turned and faced him, her features were clouded with fear.

Jared straightened his stance and his hand went to his weapon. “Who else is here?”

“No one, except Father Anthony.”

“Why are you so spooked? Hell, Jennie, you look like you are about to jump out of your skin.”

Jennie stood and lowered the piano lid over the keys. “It’s just late. I didn’t expect anyone to be here. You just startled me . . .”

Damn. What the hell is going on?

“I think that is the first lie you ever told me.” Jared took several steps, closing the space between them. Even in the dim light he could tell his words affected her. He reached for her hands clutched in front of her. His fingers rubbed against several layers of gauze wrapped around her left palm. He lifted it so he could get a better look. He couldn’t see what was under the bandage, but the skin was red, and blisters formed on each joint. “What the hell? You didn’t have this earlier.”

She yanked her hand free. “Nothing. It’s nothing.”

“That’s two lies.” Jared shook his head. “And this,” he said, holding up her hand, “is definitely something. How did it happen?”

In all the years they have known each other, Jennie never tried to close herself off from him. In fact, he teased often that her eyes gave away exactly what she was thinking. But not tonight. She was definitely hiding something.

Where was the smile that lightened his mood, or the hug that stayed with him for hours? Their friendship was solid. She was one of the few people with whom he felt completely comfortable. He didn’t think there was anything he didn’t know about her.

So what had he missed? Could the distance he placed between them have finally led her to stop believing in him? The thought was crushing.

“Why did you come to the station today?”

“I left you a note.”

Jared edged in close enough that her citrus and jasmine scent surrounded him. She didn’t back away but she kept her gaze on the floor. “Since when do you need to leave a note? Why didn’t you just let me know you were coming? I’m would have been there to meet you.”

Jennie brushed a hand through her auburn shoulder length hair while her eyes darted everywhere but at him. So many emotions passed across her features—desperation, guilt, sadness.

With the tip of his finger, he lifted her face. “Jennie, what’s wrong?”

“Read the note, Jared. It’s all in there,” she replied in a hushed whisper.

It took everything in him to keep from blaring out where she could stuff the damn note. “You could always talk to me before. What’s changed?” He cupped her face with both of his hands. His thumb caressed the tender skin along her jaw. “I’m here, Jennie. Please don’t shut me out.”

“You’re not here, Jared. I can’t . . . won’t—”

“Won’t what, Jennie? Count on me, trust me?”

Amazon | B&N | Crimson Romance ebooks |iTunes

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

I just want to wish this amazing country I live in a very Happy Birthday. I know we have our problems. We can all be kinder to each other, less judgmental, and definitely more compassionate. But even with all our problems...and there are many, I still believe that we are great country with the potential to be extraordinary. I very proud to call myself an American. Here is wishing my country a very happy 4th of July. God Bless the U.S.A.

((HUGS TO ALL))

Nancy C. Weeks

Author of In the Shadow of Greed

In the Shadow of Evil-release date- 26 August 2013