This month’s theme
resonates with most romance readers because deep at our core we do believe that
love embodies the total acceptance of another person and grants an ease that
allows the emotional wounds of the past or present to be soothed.
People who share an
experience often find common ground and begin their journey of discovery and
healing together. We all carry around secrets but what if the discovery of that
secret brought more pain before an actual healing could take place? The
willingness to go the extra mile to help someone we love is, at least for me,
the basis for a wonderful romance.
I have always loved a mysterious
hero because there are so many layers to each individual that peeling them away
becomes an adventure in itself. It doesn’t matter if the wound is physical or
emotional; love can work its magical healing power—even for a plain Jane USO
hostess and an elusive army lieutenant with a forty-eight hour pass and a
secret he can never share.
I’m very happy about
being part of the first Romance Books ‘4’ Us anthology, Entice Me, with my 20th
century historical/paranormal romance, I’ll Be Seeing You. Available
October 10, 2015…
Blurb:
Jack
Howland, part of an elite group of OSS special
agents can’t resist the pull of the moon or widowed USO hostess, Lulu Lane.
After the war, while chasing a Nazi war criminal, their paths cross again. Will
the truth about what Jack is send Lulu screaming into the night or back into
his arms?
Excerpt:
Heat level 2 chili peppers (mild)
She
wasn’t used to having someone pay for a cab or open the door of the small
cottage she hadn’t shared with anyone else in three years.
The
young lieutenant had barely closed the door before pulling her into his arms
and kissing her—hard, as if he’d wanted to imprint his mark for all time
instead of forty-eight hours. She pushed the thought away. He’d made his
intentions very clear. Lulu had come to terms with the fact that forty-some
hours with Jack Howland was worth more than a lifetime of regret.
She
hadn’t been kissed in a very long time or been pressed against a wall while
large, masculine hands swept over her bare flesh. His mouth tasted of
cigarettes and coffee, unfamiliar and delicious. His touch, tender and
demanding, sparked a need she barely remembered but knew, after this night,
she’d never forget.
Her
experience had been limited to a young husband whose enthusiasm often
over-shadowed anything she might have desired, if she’d been brave enough to
ask. Much like their dance, she followed where he led and was surprised by the
stray tear he kissed away and didn’t ask her to explain. He’d glanced at Toby’s
picture on the fireplace mantel and held her while she explained her two-week
marriage and being widowed when the Arizona sank.
Jack
was tender and passionate and she had to keep reminding herself that their time
together was temporary, but she’d never been kissed so intimately or devoured
so completely; consumed.
As much
as he gave she couldn’t help but feel that there was part of himself he held
back and she found herself wishing that might come before their time together
ended. If it didn’t, she couldn’t fault him. He hadn’t made any promises past
forty-eight hours and she didn’t expect any. He attended to her protection
without comment and she was alternately grateful and sad. A child would have
been impractical.
She
thought she’d convinced herself that the last thing she needed in her life was
the complication of a romance during this damn war until at the end of their
time together, he kissed her goodbye and climbed into a cab while the radio
played Jo Stafford singing “I’ll Be Seeing You” in the background.
He
didn’t look back until she turned to go inside. One last glimpse found their
gazes locked as they had been only hours ago. If she lived to be one hundred,
she was never going to forget the desperate sadness he’d refused to explain.
It
would have made a great movie scene. A real tearjerker, if her reaction was
anything to go by.
I hope you enjoyed the blurb and excerpt for I’ll
Be Seeing You, and my nod to a generation that made this country great.
If you’ve been enticed (sorry, I couldn’t resist) you can pre-order the entire
collection that also includes stories from Cindy Spencer Pape, Marianne
Stephens, Jean Hart Stewart, Janice Seagraves, Gemma Juliana, Denyse Bridger,
Rose Anderson and Cara Marsi here http://www.amazon.com/Entice-Me-Luscious-Love-Stories-ebook/dp/B015YEHP9U/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF
So many
luscious love stories for such a great price! What, I didn’t mention that it
was only $.99? With a heat rating of 1-5 chili peppers, you’re sure to find
something to enjoy while you curl up with a cup of your favorite tea or coffee
and nibble something sweet!
Until next
month,
Happy
Reading!
Paris
Brandon
Amazon
Author page:
I love your story, Paris. I know readers will too.
ReplyDeleteWonderful collection, Paris - you should be so proud. :)
ReplyDeleteParis, I'm looking forward to reading Entice Me, AND participating in its Facebook promo party next Wednesday, the 14th. My first!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cara! I love being part of this wonderful boxed set!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tina! I am:)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Polly! It will be my first FB party also. See you there!
ReplyDeleteI loved this story when we were putting the anthology together. I know readers will too.
ReplyDeleteI love that song. The WW2 era has often been one of my favorites for music because of the sadness evoking moments that the songs show. But it's also a belief in possibilities... in forever afters that made us all wish for more.
ReplyDeleteCongrats!
Thanks, Rose!
ReplyDeleteGreat excerpt!!! How can anybody resist the bargain of this set?
ReplyDeleteGreat excerpt.
ReplyDeleteJanice~
Thanks, Jean! I don't see how anyone could resist:)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janice!
ReplyDelete