OCEAN GROVE BEFORE THE STORM

Welcome to one of the cities with the most Victorian homes in the United States. Here are some pictures from happier times, before the hurricane. And some snippets from my book, The Renovated Heart.

The house and the furnishings were old but well kept. A massive mahogany table stood grandly in the dining room. A sofa plus loveseat in faded chintz were the main pieces in the living room. Kit found her favorite furnishings at first glance—a china cabinet from the early 1900’s, a fabulous antique roll-top desk, black Hitchcock chairs and a rattan rocker captured her heart “Your mother had great taste,” she said, running her hand lovingly over the roll-top desk.

The next morning, Tunney showed up right on time. Kit answered the door wearing nothing but his shirt. He eyed her body then looked away. “What are you wearing?”
“The smock, remember? Your shirt.” “But…but…what else?”

Kit sat down at the table across from him. Noticing he’d missed a spot with his comb, she longed to reach over and comb his thick, glossy dark hair with her fingers. Instead, she placed both hands around her coffee mug to keep them occupied.
“After my dad died, Mom insisted the place stay exactly as it was. I couldn’t even have a wall re-plastered or painted. So the house has deteriorated some. I apologize.”
“Please don’t. I love this house the way it is.” Their eyes met.

A bit about the book

Can a broken heart be renovated like an old house? Kit’s life came to a halt when her husband slapped her with a divorce. Finding herself without a job or a place to live, she’s forced to take Tunney Nichols up on his offer of cheap rent for his parent’s house. The catch: she must allow him to renovate while she’s living there. Out of fear, Kit tells a lie she soon regrets as she is drawn to the sexy man plastering and painting his way into her heart.

Can Sarah forget the abuse from her late husband? Can she fix her heart and the hearts of her children?  With her two children in tow, Sarah relocates to be near her sister, she meets Jim, a neighbor and English professor. A mutual interest in writing, paves the way for a friendship that blossoms into romance. But is Jim the right man for Sarah or does another man from her past still light her fire? 

“Neutrals sell a house better…makes it look bigger. If people see a dark color or a color they don’t like, they walk away. I’m selling the house, not making the house ready for a centerfold in
Better Homes & Gardens.”
“Centerfold? Aren’t you a little confused? Isn’t a centerfold for naked women?” Her voice dripped sarcasm.
Tunney flushed.

 His gaze roamed over her body from head to toe, kicking up her pulse. “I’ll move my things into the master bedroom, so I won’t be in your way.” Kit said, opening a drawer to grab an armful of lingerie. A few garments slipped out of  her grasp, landing at his feet. He bent down to pick up a pair of pink lace panties and a black lace bra. She snatched them out of his hand, feeling heat rise to her cheeks.

She tried to stay away because he worked shirtless in the warm closet. She didn’t trust
herself. But she did bring him water and a sandwich. Trying to avert her gaze from his broad shoulders, his strong, bare chest sprinkled with dark hair, a lump grew in her throat, her breath
came more quickly. With a little spackle smeared on his arm and shoulder, some plaster dust in his hair and a light sheen of sweat on his chest; he looked so sexy she could hardly keep her hands off him.
Two shots of sunrise in Ocean Grove.

Buy The Renovated Heart  here:
AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS
BOOKSTRAND
SECRET CRAVINGS 
CLICK HERE FOR MY WEBSITE

HALLOWEEN IS GOING TO THE DOGS!

Here are some pics of the Halloween Dog Costume Contest held every year in the dog run at 72nd Street in Riverside Park in Manhattan. It's kind of silly but a fun event. 

 Decorated townhouse on 75th Street was my first sign of Halloween on the way to the dog run.

They really went all out and no one stole it, either. Nice to know people are improving.

 In case you thought I was joking!

 Lovely lady helping out.










A few goodies for humans, too.
 Okay, okay, I'm getting to the dogs. Here they are!!!

 A new puppy rescued by this delightful couple who just moved here from the D.C. area.  Didn't take them long to get into the swing of NYC silliness.

 Devil Dog

 A cross-dresser. I understand this is a male wearing a dress. Only in NY.

 Can you guess where  
 his owner is from?








 


I have no idea what this Welsh corgi is supposed to be. He just looks embarrassed. Can you guess what this one is supposed to be? Leave your guess in a comment.

 

Barbecue anyone?

 Shark dog.



SAVING THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS FOR LAST!!

 Where's my motorcycle? It's not there.

 Not here, either.

I'd be depressed, too, if I was a bulldog forced to look like this.

Woman who dressed like her dogs. People and their dogs...it never gets old, does it?








 

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

CLICK HERE TO GO TO MY WEBSITE

THE DATING LIST - NEW RELEASE

Here's an excerpt of The Dating List, third in the List series of New York Nights Novels. 

 New York City, the last week of December
Colin Andrews whipped open the front door of his brother’s townhouse in Manhattan, revealing the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen on the other side.
“Do you always answer the door half naked in winter?” she asked.
Her beauty robbed him of words. All he could do was emit a low whistle. Where did this angel come from?
“I’d know those hazel eyes anywhere. You must be Grey’s brother.” She said, stepping closer.
His eyes widened as he stared. Clothed in a soft, rose-colored, quilted jacket the lovely, petite woman took his breath away. The white ermine trim on the hood emphasized the rich mahogany of her hair, framing her delicate oval face. Her eyes, the color of honey, glowed as they looked up at him. His lips parted but no sound came out.
Finally he squeaked out a response that he hoped sounded like yes while his gaze wandered over her face, settling on her luscious, kissable pink lips. Glowing skin with an attractive blush and the hint of tiny laugh lines topped off her perfection. She was, without a doubt, the most stunning woman ever to walk into his life.
“Name?” She asked. Merriment danced in eyes highlighted by artfully smudged black liner and fringed with black lashes.
 
“Colin,” he breathed.
“It’s cold out here, Colin. Do you think I could come in?” She raised her eyebrows as a small smile played with her lips.
Her words snapped him out of his reverie. He looked down to see a large red suitcase standing next to the diminutive woman. From male instinct, he picked up the suitcase, placed it inside next to the door and stepped back.
“Carrie’s friend, Leah,” she said, offering her small, white leather-gloved hand to him after she stepped across the threshold of the house, closing the door behind her.
He took her hand, squeezed it a touch too hard, causing her to wince, then let go. He watched her gaze move down from his dark brown hair to his hazel eyes, and lower until it rested on his bare chest. The deepening of the blush on her cheeks made him aware he had not finished dressing before answering the door. He crossed his arms over his chest.
“Excuse me,” he mumbled as he made a hasty exit, taking the stairs two at a time to the second floor landing. The last sound to reach his
ears before he closed the door to his room was the tinkle of Leah’s laugh.
A little bit about the book

Is Leah the woman of his dreams or a heartbreaker in disguise? Colin Andrews is blown away by her beauty, creativity and sophistication. However Leah has other plans that don’t include shepherding a younger man through an intense love affair. Taken by his charm but committed to her new career overseas, Leah is caught between desire and destiny.

The wedding of Carrie Tucker and Grey Andrews is on track, scheduled for late June. Grey, Colin’s big brother, is confident nothing can take his beloved fiancée from him. But family secrets and lies threaten their union. Is Grey the consummate lover Carrie fell for or the ultimate deceiver, as her mother claims?

BUY LINKS
AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
My WEBSITE