tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365671324350903102024-02-18T00:05:29.818-05:00Jean JoachimStories to warm your heart & soulJean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.comBlogger721125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-57960342766850806252023-08-01T06:06:00.003-04:002023-08-01T06:06:24.508-04:00TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "COLD" - TWO OF HEARTS<p> </p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qxypEVv7PKxHY5ggsHP5BMbMtK9UET60zY_lRYW1s2mbeKYi64Q8INN8WwNkhdpyy5cLImwING0HyQm1scmeByXe6h11WJNORQ7iM4KQ7IH4kCstZesDOYCusn7n54c5bqmNf998K1h6nTWdmZy3vuVG8iUr9HeCB4N4m7KjW2hhBpSEQwJ24eaxZCtg/s1350/001%202023%20NEW%20LOGO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qxypEVv7PKxHY5ggsHP5BMbMtK9UET60zY_lRYW1s2mbeKYi64Q8INN8WwNkhdpyy5cLImwING0HyQm1scmeByXe6h11WJNORQ7iM4KQ7IH4kCstZesDOYCusn7n54c5bqmNf998K1h6nTWdmZy3vuVG8iUr9HeCB4N4m7KjW2hhBpSEQwJ24eaxZCtg/w320-h400/001%202023%20NEW%20LOGO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Howdy! Today we start a new story, "Two of Hearts." It's a woman's fiction story and different from anything else I've ever written. Sorry that the opening excerpt is so long. It was necessary to include all this to establish who Terry is. Caution: there is bad language and sexual references in this story. If that b bothers you, then stroll on by. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The word prompt is "cold." Don't forget to hop on over and read all the other fabulous stories. You'll find them <a href="http://tuesdaytales1.blogspot.com"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">HERE</span></b></a>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> ***************************************************************</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">At six a.m., the creature breathing on Terry’s ear should
have been his wife, Clare, not their pug, Queenie, placing her cold nose against his temple. </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">His wife, an early riser, always took the dog
on the early morning walk. But he’d put Clare on a plane to Los Angeles the day
before. Terry grumbled as he pulled on sweats, slipped on a wind breaker, and
harnessed the pooch.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“What
the fuck, Queenie? Why do you have to go out so God damn early, anyway?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">He
shuffled down the hall to the elevator, dog prancing alongside. His wife
occupied his thoughts. An acquaintance got her into some dumbass west coast script-writing
internship program. Exactly what would she’d be doing there? He had no clue. Riding
down to the lobby, Terry recalled his conversation over dinner with Clare. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Aren’t
you a little old for an internship?” He’d asked, refilling their wine glasses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“It’s
not for neophytes. Only for experienced writers.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Oh.” He
nodded. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“This is
a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to break into the movies.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Isn’t
that a bit cliched?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Very
funny.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Sorry.”
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">They’d polished
off the bottle, then Clare had led him to the bedroom and seduced him. He
chuckled to himself --not like it was difficult. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After great sex, Terry couldn’t deny her
anything. She used lovemaking to get her way, but he didn’t care. He loved Clare
with all his heart. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“How
long is this deal?” He’d asked, lying next to her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Six
months. That’s all. It’ll pass quickly.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“And
your freelancing?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Sarah
said I could take a leave of absence.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“And
your job’ll be there when you get back?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“That’s
what she said. We live on what you make anyway. My dippy shit little salary won’t be
missed.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“It’s
not the money. I’ll miss you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“You can
come on weekends. Please, Terry? I may never get another chance.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">With the
pleasure from release still floating through his veins, he hadn’t been thinking
clearly. Sure, he’d fly out there at least once a month, catch up on their
lives and screw their brains out. If he made love to her eight times over three
days, that would average out, over a month, to twice a week –more than some
guys got. It was only for six months, right? Easy peasy, he’d thought.
Obviously he’d gone brain dead. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“You’ll
have Queenie,” Clare had said. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Hearing her
name, the animal had jumped up on the bed. After breathing in his face, she circled,
nudging her way between them, and plopped down, resting her chin on Clare’s
leg. He admitted Queenie had wrapped her little self around his heart, but she
was no substitute for his wife.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Okay.
Six months. Only six months. Then you come home, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Right.
Thank you. I love you madly, truly, dearly,” she’d said and slid down his body,
arousing him once more. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Once his
mind worked again, he’d spent the next month looking for ways to back out of
the deal. But he’d never seen Clare happier. She sang in the morning, initiated
lovemaking every night, and created mouth-watering dinners. How could he
destroy her hopes? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Did he
believe she’d have a dazzling career as a scriptwriter? He doubted one course
would turn her into Steven Spielberg, but kept his misgivings to himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The
first time the alarm went off at six instead of seven, he regretted his
decision. Six months of getting up early, six months of walking the damn dog
before he’d had his second cup of coffee, and six months of no sex –what the
fuck had he been thinking? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">That's it. Thanks for stopping by. </span></p><br /><p></p>Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-67587927100555825852023-06-22T17:34:00.002-04:002023-06-23T09:17:13.478-04:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIWRX6BXITdpEGbMeEPbOeKUnjl3AlJcG6cl0Bs8zlUHagOHeLDS1bHDWmOj2VaSjwfFac8MJhl5q7I-KuSSXXnGwDcp-Ma_sRC1690S-kC7kYtftpLdfrJwLHnh45xd-KshfAl6AQKfLB79AYetRUzS2i1cVzaT_Hf-BjLcQ5p6CGCWbf-F8z7ahxdhm/s1200/Banner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIWRX6BXITdpEGbMeEPbOeKUnjl3AlJcG6cl0Bs8zlUHagOHeLDS1bHDWmOj2VaSjwfFac8MJhl5q7I-KuSSXXnGwDcp-Ma_sRC1690S-kC7kYtftpLdfrJwLHnh45xd-KshfAl6AQKfLB79AYetRUzS2i1cVzaT_Hf-BjLcQ5p6CGCWbf-F8z7ahxdhm/w548-h334/Banner.jpg" width="548" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>It's summer and time to scoop up incredible books for your summer reading list. Here are some I especially recommend because they are quick, short reads, or suspenseful reads, or just heart-warming love stories. Take your pick! <div><br /></div><div>Looking for the audiobook versions? Scroll down. <br /><p></p><p>Let's start with summer's biggest sport - BASEBALL! </p><p><b>DAN ALEXANDER, PITCHER (baseball romance)</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUcte359vCM9MCt2TtyGqC6ahkJRpySorygzZ8H_HnCyGG4NeD9h6R7uKeGZqPKY8-sPd0xQJKt15nGiFLuddheB5a6h2PWyNnhTXgTLxzrxI2FwVh1B4ADVZKzP20uhykC5TSsxZ-x7w0cMWgwbX0ws8hRaABs0gVSh7f9cdE1dTnTKRdjXko_mdsAC1/s1200/Dan.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUcte359vCM9MCt2TtyGqC6ahkJRpySorygzZ8H_HnCyGG4NeD9h6R7uKeGZqPKY8-sPd0xQJKt15nGiFLuddheB5a6h2PWyNnhTXgTLxzrxI2FwVh1B4ADVZKzP20uhykC5TSsxZ-x7w0cMWgwbX0ws8hRaABs0gVSh7f9cdE1dTnTKRdjXko_mdsAC1/w400-h209/Dan.png" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0.3in;">Fed up with
cheating women, Dan Alexander, star pitcher for the New York Nighthawks, grew
restless. Searching for something more than a bar babe, he zeroed in on a girl
in the stands. He never expected to see a beautiful chick pushing frankfurters.
But the hot dog girl looked as smokin’ as the food she was selling. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">Holly Merrill found a place to hide in
plain sight, as a vendor at Nighthawks’ stadium. Keeping her secret safe and
simply happy to stay alive, she never considered finding love an option. After
all, a bad girl doesn’t deserve a decent guy, does she? <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">Coming off his best season ever, Dan went
into the playoffs, hell bent on winning the pennant and playing in the World
Series. But could he maintain his focus on the field, where everything was
going right, when off the field everything was falling apart? <span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">Locker room language. Full novel. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0.25in; margin-top: 5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 5.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 5.0pt;"><a name="_Hlk522166197"><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif;">AMAZON <o:p></o:p></span></strong></a></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 5.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 5.0pt;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522166197;"><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></strong></span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Alexander-Pitcher-Bottom-Ninth-Book-ebook/dp/B01M0UT7CS/"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522166197;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">https://www.amazon.com/Alexander-Pitcher-Bottom-Ninth-Book-ebook/dp/B01M0UT7CS/</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522166197;"><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522166197;"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BARNES & NOBLE <o:p></o:p></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">APPLE BOOKS<o:p></o:p></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/667364"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/667364</span></a><u><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk522166226"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522166226;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">AMAZON
U.K. <o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522166226;"></span><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M0UT7CS"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522166226;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M0UT7CS</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk522166226;"><u><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="color: blue; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p><br /><p></p><p> ***************************************************</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgHGPdp_WjTCOsKu9icpqnjV15dboDlxrpX47oUetaoZlncHUgbxfXT4n_wKJBqC_oTekWEQn1qEOwHL3iJEv3izqzTccMtJ6vc5rfgd9lMbWnoqA65HOOKwRIqMq5bzRoT8nPS46lYtnLc4JqLH1FEYrF4AksxJ2yLDzhAW-gKQaGzTzEMNLFwnD_xXm/w400-h209/LLF%20DUET.png" width="400" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b>DANGEROUS LOVE DUET</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Dangerous missions, a deserted
island, terrorists –and heart-stopping love affairs with strong, sexy men will
keep you up nights, turning the pages to find out what happens next. The two
full-length romantic suspense novels, <i>Love
Lost & Found</i>, and its sequel, <i>Dangerous
Love, Lost & Found</i>, come together in one volume, bursting with action
and romance. This rip-roaring saga of two Marine buddies will keep you on the
edge of your seat. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">This second
edition collaboration of an experienced romance writer and a retired Marine is
accurate to a fault, and weaves in two love stories that will leave you
sighing. The second story won </span><strong style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">First
Place</span></i></strong><em style="text-align: left;"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #333333; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> </span></em><span style="background: white; color: #333333; text-align: left;">in the suspense category in the Oklahoma
Romance Writers of America International Digital Awards contest. </span><span style="text-align: left;">Caution: some cursing. TWO COMPLETE NOVELS IN ONE VOLUME!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: left;"></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">AMAZON <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07923H98W">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07923H98W</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;">AMAZON U.K. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07923H98W">https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07923H98W</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"> APPLE BOOKS</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1438403142">https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1438403142</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;">BARNES & NOBLE<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-lost-found-a-military-romantic-suspense-duet-jean-c-joachim/1129709151;jsessionid=2CF706E2CC098A20DB8E0C67AB6C23D2.prodny_store02-atgap09?ean=2940155730880">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-lost-found-a-military-romantic-suspense-duet-jean-c-joachim/1129709151;jsessionid=2CF706E2CC098A20DB8E0C67AB6C23D2.prodny_store02-atgap09?ean=2940155730880</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p>KOBO</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-lost-found-duett">https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-lost-found-duett</a><o:p></o:p></p><p> *********************************************************</p><p><b>HEATHER & MIKE: THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY (Echoes of the Heart series, Book 1) </b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrbdi-r1FI5SsNXocPTNqfXNNZv3qUV8r-a3AkGoqyMg_ahLIpjAonWzmsXoSww8iEagXteB91r6xSqaUThjA7wiDostz-ftkDXGYfFmHSgvQHdsj1kewc80Hn4F3OBtZn7RUSr7ZHn-yLQct2XXHmrwnBFr1Tmt8EEwgWxAAyNGYkFKgGwm3J0gfPpqS/s1200/Heather%20&%20Mike.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrbdi-r1FI5SsNXocPTNqfXNNZv3qUV8r-a3AkGoqyMg_ahLIpjAonWzmsXoSww8iEagXteB91r6xSqaUThjA7wiDostz-ftkDXGYfFmHSgvQHdsj1kewc80Hn4F3OBtZn7RUSr7ZHn-yLQct2XXHmrwnBFr1Tmt8EEwgWxAAyNGYkFKgGwm3J0gfPpqS/w400-h209/Heather%20&%20Mike.png" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Mike Sullivan’s dating Amy, the
perfect woman. Everyone says she is, even his best friend, Bill. She urges him
to move in with her, and he agrees. To Mike, living together means getting
engaged. He’s picked out the ring and is ready to pop the question, isn’t he?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;">If Amy is the one, why can’t Mike forget Heather? He’d
spent a magical ten days with her on Fire Island, ten days that changed his
life. Then he’d screwed it up. As quickly as she entered his world, Heather
disappeared, blocking his calls, and leaving him bereft. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;">That was five years ago. Finally ready to accept the fact
that he’ll never see Heather again, Mike’s poised to take the big step -- until
a magazine article turns his universe upside down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Quick read novella.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;">AMAZON</p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D5FRKPG">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D5FRKPG</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;">BARNES & NOBLE <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heather-mike-the-one-that-got-away-jean-joachim/1128750667;jsessionid=C92187063F27386C8A43F93160C8DD90.prodny_store01-atgap05?ean=2940155581567">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heather-mike-the-one-that-got-away-jean-joachim/1128750667;jsessionid=C92187063F27386C8A43F93160C8DD90.prodny_store01-atgap05?ean=2940155581567</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;">ITUNES/APPLE BOOKS<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1387172571">https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1387172571</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;">KOBO<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/heather-mike">https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/heather-mike</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;">GOOGLEPLAY BOOKS<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=JYKKDwAAQBAJ">https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=JYKKDwAAQBAJ</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"> **********************************************************</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><b>UNMPREDICTABLE LOVE (Pine Grove series, Book 1)</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_v3a28pVh6zGIlV5S505JMlVdoYB0t0gUr6p5rhScCZ4pxq9ZM8AhK0h6S7VkAFHIdzVgeBFyOEcbQiGM_cdX61oAFsgD0rv2-CADUt_fkdGDaJRFSnb_yFDDlLJZhzAmTRoStpvJIEdiJRrtKrkTyiu0XXADgy0u4rzqAq-5e4TczZpJvg4Gh2lont6/s1128/Unpredictable%20Love.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="726" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_v3a28pVh6zGIlV5S505JMlVdoYB0t0gUr6p5rhScCZ4pxq9ZM8AhK0h6S7VkAFHIdzVgeBFyOEcbQiGM_cdX61oAFsgD0rv2-CADUt_fkdGDaJRFSnb_yFDDlLJZhzAmTRoStpvJIEdiJRrtKrkTyiu0XXADgy0u4rzqAq-5e4TczZpJvg4Gh2lont6/w258-h400/Unpredictable%20Love.png" width="258" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">When SSGT Trent Stevens receives a letter and hot picture from Jory Walker,
he thinks his dreams have come true. Deployed in the Middle East, the lonely
soldier writes back right away and waits impatiently for a reply. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Uh oh. Amber signed her sister's name on a pen pal letter to a Marine, and
Jory is stuck fixing the little white lie. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">As letters pour in from SSGT Trent Stevens, Jory has no choice but to
respond, though, he's probably drooling over Amber's bikini photo, thinking it’s
Jory. What harm could it do if she sends him a few letters? After all, they'll
never meet, right?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">When love sneaks up on Jory, will her charade boomerang? Is unpredictable
love destined to break two hearts? Full novel.<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">AMAZON<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DM4EOUW<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;">BARNES
& NOBLE<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unpredictable-love-jean-joachim/1123604545;jsessionid=6E9E3C00CA6DC699E42AA48022A31180.prodny_store01-atgap08?ean=2940153168463"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unpredictable-love-jean-joachim/1123604545;jsessionid=6E9E3C00CA6DC699E42AA48022A31180.prodny_store01-atgap08?ean=2940153168463</span></a><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;">GOOGLEPLAY<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=SGKCDwAAQBAJ">https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=SGKCDwAAQBAJ</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;">APPLE
BOOKS<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1098064633">https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1098064633</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;">KOBO<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/unpredictable-love"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/unpredictable-love</span></a><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p><br /><p></p><p> ****************************************************************** </p><p><b>LIZ & NICK: NO REGRETS (</b>Echoes of the Heart, Book 3)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MFmPUrvVYlWtS1Pfzbphut8oamNBIRyLhKJg0LbAFooatpddp3p9YWZffyU59aOR1mqusjLZqAIp0AAXhYpLlutFXbrhRb0jxEfHQhB-JKMn2bcw_RsYeoOI6uR00u3EghOIOyXIa6xaa2eMInHIiweOxRK90EpXc0hLEj1H4Epwn11vt12tVzYUl5AZ/s1080/Liz%20&%20Nick.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MFmPUrvVYlWtS1Pfzbphut8oamNBIRyLhKJg0LbAFooatpddp3p9YWZffyU59aOR1mqusjLZqAIp0AAXhYpLlutFXbrhRb0jxEfHQhB-JKMn2bcw_RsYeoOI6uR00u3EghOIOyXIa6xaa2eMInHIiweOxRK90EpXc0hLEj1H4Epwn11vt12tVzYUl5AZ/w400-h400/Liz%20&%20Nick.png" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Called “the Odd Couple” in high school, athletic Nick
and brainy Liz hit it off. From tutor and pupil to lovers, they formed a tight
bond –until college. Heading off in different directions, they agreed to cut their
ties with no regrets. That was the last time they saw each other. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Ten
years later, Nick still searches for a woman as smart at Lizzie who could love
a jock. He’s still single. Unable to find a big-hearted man who isn’t
intimidated by her smarts, Lizzie remains unmarried. When Fate steps in, will the
lovers find the answers to their dreams or is it simply too late? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">Quick read novella. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16pt;">AMAZON<o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DLBMPWF"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16pt;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DLBMPWF</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">BARNES & NOBLE</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/liz-nick-no-regrets-jean-c-joachim/1128885953;jsessionid=70560C6FA39FB3CD27C7BC383AACDBE1.prodny_store01-atgap04?ean=2940155514824"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/liz-nick-no-regrets-jean-c-joachim/1128885953;jsessionid=70560C6FA39FB3CD27C7BC383AACDBE1.prodny_store01-atgap04?ean=2940155514824</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16pt;">APPLE
BOOKS<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16pt;"><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1396077000">https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1396077000</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">KOBO<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/liz-nick"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/liz-nick</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> *************************************************************</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> ***********************************************************</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: large;"><b><u>AUDIOBOOKS</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #04ff00; font-size: large;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">These books are available in audio from Chirp: </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGr8kENntUftfRjubi4V7VkvPn2VhcDdU0bEYRqjujpK6NaqcedBKe8XHpZDUckPK3GYLm3AdjLlThmzOWixR3QcyyNqX0Qv8LhWXSeH2CWN8M-UMCOH4gCPrHSKxe1-GB6Nmdn94GFQWPbf9lzEI2C-AK_t5AWD89UkB7nwhtG1rxaLvogQqXZsAuhGR/s2400/DAN.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="2400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGr8kENntUftfRjubi4V7VkvPn2VhcDdU0bEYRqjujpK6NaqcedBKe8XHpZDUckPK3GYLm3AdjLlThmzOWixR3QcyyNqX0Qv8LhWXSeH2CWN8M-UMCOH4gCPrHSKxe1-GB6Nmdn94GFQWPbf9lzEI2C-AK_t5AWD89UkB7nwhtG1rxaLvogQqXZsAuhGR/s320/DAN.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Dan Alexander, Pitcher </u></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Barnes & Noble </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18pt;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dan-alexander-pitcher-jean-joachim/1124673500?ean=2940169081541">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dan-alexander-pitcher-jean-joachim/1124673500?ean=2940169081541</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9P4rPtB1wBquTJAnpkCch_V8Vtxts2Jbxi_AVILYZrEYg7iMfumAiUdmLBpyfgjXTWS5PADGnCEtZZNDX713VvwnGTkPBAHomQG_LIWaiXDRlRDpaGknX5rFgLhEYDSAspNYTqBObnKwqHCfagxUgOYZA2nBY9urQgGw38aS2R93q5hD00CFmrlLUlMfu/s2400/LLF.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="2400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9P4rPtB1wBquTJAnpkCch_V8Vtxts2Jbxi_AVILYZrEYg7iMfumAiUdmLBpyfgjXTWS5PADGnCEtZZNDX713VvwnGTkPBAHomQG_LIWaiXDRlRDpaGknX5rFgLhEYDSAspNYTqBObnKwqHCfagxUgOYZA2nBY9urQgGw38aS2R93q5hD00CFmrlLUlMfu/s320/LLF.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><u style="font-size: x-large;">Love Lost & Found</u><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Barnes & Noble<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18pt;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-lost-found-jean-joachim/1122636941?ean=2940169081572">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-lost-found-jean-joachim/1122636941?ean=2940169081572</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXTrizce1qOKCBEmNhYfpmDaZIjCFQehMyNoVEAiWpKo8tkkAZgoFiTiCe06OCpLjw6QAeETazznOHYCRdclieAdJWOjP-pl9LyDKAj59hTrlNDiP6HsxS0lla_Or3pfw0csveFKjeJys5uafT4Jb8JjoH2uYNm-_JO_-DkW6IX2W_xO5eZaBvdOsZfe_/s2400/Dangerous%20LLF.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="2400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXTrizce1qOKCBEmNhYfpmDaZIjCFQehMyNoVEAiWpKo8tkkAZgoFiTiCe06OCpLjw6QAeETazznOHYCRdclieAdJWOjP-pl9LyDKAj59hTrlNDiP6HsxS0lla_Or3pfw0csveFKjeJys5uafT4Jb8JjoH2uYNm-_JO_-DkW6IX2W_xO5eZaBvdOsZfe_/s320/Dangerous%20LLF.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u style="font-size: x-large;">Dangerous Love Lost & Found</u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Barnes & Noble<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18pt;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dangerous-love-lost-found-jean-c-joachim/1121154969?ean=2940171809461">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dangerous-love-lost-found-jean-c-joachim/1121154969?ean=2940171809461</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvtZYy4d7t84qOqaj-m94D6xdvw3tjKg0YdH0TG0QxJ2drI4pF1xSAUUJqQvv7Fz7QzA7gQjNEn5sqn6JCVkX2_r1K3lU1f5gG0anL46FD4ZLNk4qJplK8IwqQiqCdLj83Ju3C1xj0Y7xQDrvWDi4uii0MV6v0bYL7sMb_j5lu9sZ5tlVEOO-AmUpwn0R/s2400/Heather.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="2400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvtZYy4d7t84qOqaj-m94D6xdvw3tjKg0YdH0TG0QxJ2drI4pF1xSAUUJqQvv7Fz7QzA7gQjNEn5sqn6JCVkX2_r1K3lU1f5gG0anL46FD4ZLNk4qJplK8IwqQiqCdLj83Ju3C1xj0Y7xQDrvWDi4uii0MV6v0bYL7sMb_j5lu9sZ5tlVEOO-AmUpwn0R/s320/Heather.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u style="font-size: x-large;">Heather & Mike: The One That Got Away</u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Barnes & Noble<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18pt;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heather-mike-jean-c-joachim/1140300554?ean=2940171809225">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heather-mike-jean-c-joachim/1140300554?ean=2940171809225</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1S3XvGXmdTuC-KAjuWtitQt-ncyGReMCqWglpAa1QD86U3DXaIQjDJ8cjFHHOieXm_YsPM06igNsYbky3AQpeWNVMQNZ4rvLD2yfaquNjTnnoXnOl_aXNjWHWvCaPwz6lV2SWQAO77uyTjCReYKwvKGbeqWSDXknHGkKtu0wW3QO6y6_r23BWJe0HukF/s2400/Liz%20&%20Nick.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="2400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1S3XvGXmdTuC-KAjuWtitQt-ncyGReMCqWglpAa1QD86U3DXaIQjDJ8cjFHHOieXm_YsPM06igNsYbky3AQpeWNVMQNZ4rvLD2yfaquNjTnnoXnOl_aXNjWHWvCaPwz6lV2SWQAO77uyTjCReYKwvKGbeqWSDXknHGkKtu0wW3QO6y6_r23BWJe0HukF/s320/Liz%20&%20Nick.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Liz & Nick: No Regrets</u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18pt;">Barnes & Noble<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/liz-nick-no-regrets-jean-c-joachim/1128885953?ean=2940169081404">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/liz-nick-no-regrets-jean-c-joachim/1128885953?ean=2940169081404</a><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">And here's a bonus -- Dan in a beefcake pose! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lczhpWoyzwxyk8Me5zPlnK3tO0Ut5zcE5boVVAkOUzQxraiRnsJ-Kg0_1S_kUub2yHTyP_jlltvySFHz1sr3e-Pvljx57lX0xQAnjL5OOOMJLi4-59-QYs5olyBoSO8nf-QwU1heEZKoXhrOz49I6ClzUn71kYHBM5uxmO2fIZGXt-xAOt6LxiVxt4lA/s4972/Jean-PromoTeaser8039.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4972" data-original-width="3314" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lczhpWoyzwxyk8Me5zPlnK3tO0Ut5zcE5boVVAkOUzQxraiRnsJ-Kg0_1S_kUub2yHTyP_jlltvySFHz1sr3e-Pvljx57lX0xQAnjL5OOOMJLi4-59-QYs5olyBoSO8nf-QwU1heEZKoXhrOz49I6ClzUn71kYHBM5uxmO2fIZGXt-xAOt6LxiVxt4lA/w266-h400/Jean-PromoTeaser8039.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">ENJOY LOVE AT THE BEACH!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjYbVbFbZyCmN2iZzmnmxT1x8jzn6ZdVpAYYx2G7S_C1fIVd0HuQma_ZS-g165QhUQytOxCpEh01yh8B4u1YYB4xeUy3cmoMb5G6lUj4GcoG0yXoe9bDFMF-bOfpdQYEin7_NxPKasJYZ0LBYecUwVlCGNuJUP4-VVLYySEhK2ccigv5xL834KtoFpDc0/s1600/bigstock-Beautiful-Young-Couple-Enjoyin-463345069.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjYbVbFbZyCmN2iZzmnmxT1x8jzn6ZdVpAYYx2G7S_C1fIVd0HuQma_ZS-g165QhUQytOxCpEh01yh8B4u1YYB4xeUy3cmoMb5G6lUj4GcoG0yXoe9bDFMF-bOfpdQYEin7_NxPKasJYZ0LBYecUwVlCGNuJUP4-VVLYySEhK2ccigv5xL834KtoFpDc0/w266-h400/bigstock-Beautiful-Young-Couple-Enjoyin-463345069.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZEQpT5rEoMSDWbGwmjJtQ__aAH0ZQ3D5xrQzog2lyVGYifKYm_WRi6eEWQHmHQTG_I74w8b-eQOPuZoQpeuVr2Hhajc9BRn9pK46L5l8SvdJrcB93t86xBnhIF1P3v1zKE0SPM6QGW4cXT5BUF5QWXMxzfKfnDF9ihAj0qPJYokqRV4o-PubAJBmFWny/s1200/BookBrushImage-2023-3-13-22-209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZEQpT5rEoMSDWbGwmjJtQ__aAH0ZQ3D5xrQzog2lyVGYifKYm_WRi6eEWQHmHQTG_I74w8b-eQOPuZoQpeuVr2Hhajc9BRn9pK46L5l8SvdJrcB93t86xBnhIF1P3v1zKE0SPM6QGW4cXT5BUF5QWXMxzfKfnDF9ihAj0qPJYokqRV4o-PubAJBmFWny/s320/BookBrushImage-2023-3-13-22-209.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p></div>Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-13941412387833654982022-09-12T20:52:00.004-04:002022-09-12T20:52:56.602-04:00FAVORITE SCENES<p style="text-align: center;"> I have always said I don't have a favorite book. In fact, I love most of my books. But I do love a few more than the others. Shh. Don't tell them. </p><p>I'm going to be posting favorite scenes from some of my most cherished books here. If you're intrigued, I'll post links where you can buy the book. </p><p style="text-align: center;">********************************</p><p>The first book up is "TO LOVE OR NOT TO LOVE." It's book 4 in the Manhattan Dinner Club series. I started rereading this book for a new project I'm working on and I got sucked right in. The meet/cute drew me into the story. I hope it does the same for you. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXYiXZH1vg4BPByx60nw8MAQ2zw3MOB5ulR2mORscKDZZ1DdfCvmpgVctYm5LH_Et4tplUqpC3c4DA3IRQEx-jUCOgOTHFHm6ZUCYPHYnMDX464FphV_LV2dCgPN4iDQ5OasT_Cpu3C8X3txxVJM0n2lGHcYHh4Vn2rK3DLvGGgQQhsSuuH9ZMFC49A/s1200/ToLoveOrNotToLove_LRG%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXYiXZH1vg4BPByx60nw8MAQ2zw3MOB5ulR2mORscKDZZ1DdfCvmpgVctYm5LH_Et4tplUqpC3c4DA3IRQEx-jUCOgOTHFHm6ZUCYPHYnMDX464FphV_LV2dCgPN4iDQ5OasT_Cpu3C8X3txxVJM0n2lGHcYHh4Vn2rK3DLvGGgQQhsSuuH9ZMFC49A/s320/ToLoveOrNotToLove_LRG%20(1).jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 150%;">TO LOVE OR NOT TO LOVE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Jean C. Joachim<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Chapter One<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Central Park<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wham</i>! A huge, shaggy, golden retriever sent runner Penn Roberts flying
through the air. Intent on his prey—a gray squirrel—the dog never missed a beat,
racing full speed after the wily rodent. The furry target scurried safely up a
tree, leaving the canine barking in frustration on the ground.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Struggling to breathe and shirtless,
Penn lay flat on his back in the dirt. Pebbles dug into his bare skin. The fall
had knocked the wind out of him. The perpetrator trotted back to lick Penn’s
face. He looked up into a pair of soulful brown eyes belonging to the handsome
pooch. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Buddy!</i> Was it Buddy? His beloved
golden, died seven years ago. As he reached up to touch the dog he didn’t
believe was real, he heard a voice.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Are you hurt? Should I call 911?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Penn switched his gaze from the canine
to the most beautiful teal blue eyes, framed in black lashes, he had ever seen.
The woman’s peaches-n-cream complexion was set off perfectly by long hair as
dark as midnight. Her left hand held two more leashes. One with a pug at the
end, the other linked to a Boston Terrier. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Lucky didn’t mean to knock you
over,” she said. The dog licked him again. “See? He’s sorry. Are you okay? Can
you talk?” She leaned over, providing a perfect sneak peek of a pair of tantalizing
breasts. Penn’s gaze was riveted.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">He pushed up on his elbows. “I’ll
live. Is this your dog?” He petted Lucky.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“I’m his dog walker.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Some dog walker…can’t keep
control of one this big, eh?” His regard moved from Lucky to the luscious
figure of the stunning woman crouched before him. She wore black bicycle shorts
topped by a low-cut, turquoise tank top. The outfit molded her figure
perfectly, leaving little to his imagination, kicking his libido into overdrive.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“You’re okay?” Her brows knitted.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“No thanks to Lucky, here…or you,
for that matter.” He tried to scowl but was unsuccessful.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“You’re right. I’m sorry. When he
sees a squirrel, he bolts. My fault all the way. I’m Miranda Bradford.” She stood
then extended her hand.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Penn used it to pull himself up. “Penn
Roberts.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“What can I do to make it up to
you?” Miranda picked up the dog’s leash.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That’s a leading question, honey. I can think of lots of things. </i>Embarrassed
by his own X-rated thoughts, he sensed heat rising from his chest to his face.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Have breakfast with me at The Boathouse.”
He shaded his eyes from the brilliant, June sun. Squinting, he located his Aviator
sunglasses, knocked away by the collision. He brushed dirt off his shorts. Sweat
from running glued the loose soil of the bridle path to his back. He handed her
a handkerchief and turned around. “Would you mind?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Miranda turned over the leashes to
Penn. She flopped the cloth over her small hand then touched him softly.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">He squirmed. “Hey, that tickles!”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Sorry.” She increased the
pressure, brushing away the debris. Her delicate nails dislodged a few stubborn
pebbles embedded in his skin. At her touch, a tingle ran up his spine then straight
down to his groin. Penn was in no hurry to move away from her warm fingers. After
a few more caresses, she dropped her arm.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Thank you. Breakfast?” He faced
her, his gaze warm.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">She handed him the dirty linen. “I
can’t…Lucky, here. Romeo and Blackie, too.” She gestured to the two small dogs sniffing
the ground.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“They’re allowed to sit with us in
the outdoor section.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">She tried to hide a smile. “Glad
to see your injury hasn’t killed your appetite.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Nope. Stomach’s fine. Will you join me?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Guess so. If you’re a serial
killer, Lucky’ll protect me.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“By licking me to death?” Penn cocked
an eyebrow. A grin played on his lips.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Pen, like the writing implement?”
she asked, casting a long gaze over his form.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Two ‘n’s,’ short for Pennington,”
he explained.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Family name?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“How’d you guess?” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">She laughed. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“You walk three dogs three times a
day?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Only twice a day. I have others,
too.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“A lot to keep track of…” he
commented, putting his hand in front of each pooch’s nose to get acquainted.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“I’m used to it.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“You’re a professional dog
walker?” He crouched down to pet the animals.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“I’m a playwright, actually. But this
pays the bills.” Her frank stare roaming over his body warmed him.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Not surprised Miranda checked him
out, he prided himself on his tall, lean, muscular build. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clear, light gray eyes and straight, dark,
almost black, hair constantly annoying him by falling over his forehead
completed the picture. He rubbed his face, shadowed with a day’s growth of
beard, wondering if this woman appreciated his scruff or preferred a smoothly
shaved face. He’d been told the shadow on his square jaw coupled with his dark
eyebrows gave his face an expressive quality. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“I’ve never met a playwright
before. Would I know your work?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“My plays haven’t been produced
yet, but I’m getting close…long story.” She gathered the leashes to continue
her walk.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">She’s more embarrassed about not having a play produced than obviously
giving me the once-over. Interesting.</i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Miranda pulled the leads tighter,
drawing the dogs closer to her as they approached the road snaking through the
park. She headed for the big hill leading to The Ramble, a maze of paths
winding around trees and artfully planted shrubbery.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Penn tugged on her hand. “Let’s go
this way, by the Shakespeare Garden,” he said.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“But that’s a longer route,” she
protested.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“The roses are in bloom, and they’re
amazing right now.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“You know this how?” She lifted an
eyebrow.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“I run in the park every day.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">She followed along, turning right
toward the Swiss Chalet puppet theater then making a sharp left. Penn didn’t
drop her hand as she fell in step with him. When they rounded the chalet, pink
and white roses bloomed abundantly, climbing the long, winding split rail fence
on both sides of the path. The sweet fragrance of their perfume drifted toward
the pair, enticing them farther along the way, as lovely as it was fragrant. The
canines stopped to sniff.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“You were right. This is amazing.
Do they do this every year?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Roses are perennials, so the
answer is ‘yes’.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“You’re into gardening?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“I’m into beauty,” he said, tightening
his grip on her hand, pleased at the blush coloring her cheeks. They walked slowly
on the rose-petal-strewn trail, giving the dogs a chance to get their fill of
the scent. Next came the Shakespeare Theater.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Do you ever come to Shakespeare
in the Park?” she asked him as they lingered for a moment in front of the
statue of Romeo and Juliet.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“I used to. I haven’t been in a
long time,” he admitted.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“I come every year. They do
different plays, so it’s worth it. And it’s free.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“But you have to get here at
daybreak to get in line for tickets.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“I have friends…we each take a
shift. I bring breakfast and catch up on some sleep or read.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“If you get up so early, can you
stay awake through the show?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“It’s Shakespeare. You’re kidding,
right?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">He looked at her quizzically.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“My name is Miranda. My dogs are Romeo
and Juliet. See a pattern here?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“You’re a Shakespeare nut?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“My father was Shaw Bradford, a
Shakespearean actor. My folks named us after characters from his plays. My
sister is Cressida,” she said as they passed the turtle pond, heading for the
edge of The Ramble.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Was?” He dropped her hand to lean
on the railing.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“He passed away when I was
seventeen.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“I’m sorry. I know what that’s
like. Both my parents died when I was fifteen.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Both?” she exclaimed, putting her
hand on his forearm, and squeezing it, her eyes wide.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">He nodded and stared at the pond,
avoiding her gaze. Six turtles rested on rocks, basking in the sun. She put her
hand in his again, and they walked on in silence. Coming down the steep path
toward The Boathouse, Miranda gasped when she saw the riot of bright yellow and
dazzling red tulips in front of the private dining room.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“I try to come by here every few
weeks because they change the flowers often, and each display is more beautiful
than the last,” he said, tightening his grip on her fingers.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Lucky barked at a squirrel. Romy
and Blackie sat down and panted. Miranda tried to quiet the retriever. Lucky
jerked again, trying to get loose. He caught Miranda off balance, bringing her
down hard on her knees on the pavement. Tears filled her eyes.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Penn grabbed Lucky’s leash and
yanked him back. “Bad dog!” he said to the animal, who promptly sat and looked
shamed. “Are you all right?” he asked, helping her up, a frown creasing his
forehead.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">When Miranda stood up, the cut on one
leg started to bleed. Her eyes watered, but she blinked rapidly to hold back
the flow. Her lip quivered. “I’m okay,” she answered in a wobbly voice. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Come on.” He took the leashes in one
hand, putting his other around her waist to support her, ignoring the sparks he
felt when he touched her. He settled her in a chair at the restaurant and went
to the men’s room, returning with some wet paper towels, one with soap.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">She held the dogs while he knelt
down and cleansed her wound. His long fingers gently washed off the lather with
a wet towel and then dried the gash. Bruising and swelling had already begun.
He tried to keep his attention focused on her knee, but managed to steal a peek
at her chest when she leaned forward.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Ice. I’ll be right back,” he
said, jumping up.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“No, no…it’s okay,” she called,
but he was already halfway to the counter before he heard.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Upon returning, Penn examined her
wound. The bleeding had stopped. It looked angry, but clean. Penn wrapped a few
ice cubes in a paper towel and held it on the area. “I think this injury calls
for a big breakfast, coffee alone won’t do. What would you like?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Oh, I…” she stumbled, clearly embarrassed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Come on. I’m hungry, too. Getting
all those paper towels gave me an appetite. Keep me company. They have great
bacon here.” He coaxed her.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Okay, okay. Bacon and scrambled eggs
sound great.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“How do you like your coffee?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“I prefer tea, if that’s okay…with
milk and a little sugar,” she replied, making eye contact with him.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Done,” he said, reluctantly
pulling his gaze from hers and rising.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">* * * *<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Miranda sat on the wrought iron
chair, holding the leashes, and watching Penn walk to the counter. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God, he is poetry in motion</i>, she
thought, focusing on his confident gait, broad shoulders, and cute butt, unable
to keep a grin off her face despite the sting in her knee.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Once he placed his order, he
turned to look at her. Cupping his hands in front of his mouth, he hollered, “Ice!”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">She smiled and waved then returned
the small, makeshift ice pack to her injury. The cold made the pain subside. When
he returned, carrying a tray with beverages as well as two paper plates loaded
with bacon, eggs, and toast, he straddled the chair opposite her.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“I got you whole wheat toast…since
you’re in such good shape…I mean, you look like you work out. You’re wearing
running gear. Anyway, I figured you eat healthy,” he said, stammering to cover his
obvious appreciation of her body.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Good choice,” she responded,
staring at his chest, covered with a smattering of dark hair. She flushed when
she raised her gaze to his then looked down, flustered, and focused on her
toast. Penn blushed slightly then yanked his T-shirt from the waistband of his
shorts and slipped it on. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God, he saw you
staring at him, checking him out, like a schoolgirl. <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“So, you write plays. What kind?
Drama? Comedy?” he asked, slipping a forkful of eggs into his mouth. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Comedy,” she answered, delicately
fingering a piece of bacon.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“I love comedy.” His eyes lit up.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Most people do, but it’s the
hardest to write.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Why?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“I don’t know, but that’s what they
say. Seems like it should be harder to make people cry than laugh, but it isn’t.
Say, what did you called Lucky? Buddy?” She changed the subject.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“He reminds me of a dog I used to
have. He looks just like Buddy.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“When you were a kid?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“I got him as a consolation prize right
before my parents flew off to a week’s vacation in the Bahamas, leaving me
behind. They never made it.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“What happened?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Their private plane went down,
and they were killed…together. I was left with Buddy.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Miranda looked away from him as
tears pricked her eyes, thinking about the lost fifteen-year-old boy, suddenly
on his own.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Buddy died seven years ago. I
still miss him.” Penn’s gaze rested on Lucky.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">She tore off a small piece of
toast for each dog and fed it to them. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“You treat each one as if he’s
your own,” he observed, breaking the silence.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">She laughed. “Walking them every
day, they feel like mine,” she admitted. “What happened to you after…after you
lost your parents? You were only fifteen.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“My uncle Alfred, my father’s
brother and business partner took me in for three years. Then, I went off to
college. My father left me his half of the business, and I’ve been running it
for the past ten years.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“What business are you in?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Real Estate are you uh, seeing
anyone, in a committed relationship?” He glanced at her naked ring finger before
making eye contact again.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Not now. I’m kind of busy.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Too busy for dating?” He raised
his eyebrows.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“My life is complicated,” she
replied, petting Romeo and avoiding Penn’s eyes.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Isn’t everyone’s?"<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“I mean I have responsibilities. It
isn’t only about me.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Children?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“No kids. Look, I have to go.” She
put down her fork and stood up.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Wait.” He grabbed her elbow.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A stab of pain in her knee and
Penn’s tug on her arm made her sink down again.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“You’d better let your knee rest
for a bit more. Tell me, what responsibilities?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“I take care of my mother and
sister. My sister just graduated from F.I.T. I hope she can get a job soon. My
mother has emphysema and can’t work. And the two pugs. I have baggage. Most
guys aren’t interested in someone like me…who can’t spend the night whenever
they want or be available all the time to focus on them. I can’t,” she said,
facing him.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“I run a company. I understand
about responsibilities,” he said, taking her hand.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Do you? You live alone?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“No pets…of any kind?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“No.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Then you don’t have the same idea
about responsibilities. Mine are twenty-four seven, not only nine to five,” she
said, pulling her hand away from his to pet Lucky. Miranda adjusted the leashes
in her grip. “Do you have a girlfriend?” she asked after a pause, looking into
his eyes.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“I play the field. Safety in
numbers.” He chuckled.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“A commitment-phobe with no responsibilities
beyond himself. Nice to meet you and thanks for breakfast,” she mumbled,
standing up. Miranda winced with the pain but continued anyway. She untangled
the leads.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Can I see you again?” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Why?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Because I like you.” He blushed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“I come to the park every day it
doesn’t rain. Thanks again for the food and for the medical care.” She moved
away with the dogs.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“What time?” he called after her.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Same time as today.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Penn turned and headed south while
Miranda went north.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">******************************************* </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">If you liked the beginning and want to read more, you can find it free if you have Kindle Unlimited. If not you can buy it from Amazon. Get the book here: </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">AMAZON
U.S. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014YTQTXY">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014YTQTXY</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">AMAZON
U.K. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B014YTQTXY">https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B014YTQTXY</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">AMAZON
CANADA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B014YTQTXY">https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B014YTQTXY</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">AMAZON
AUSTRALIA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B014YTQTXY">https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B014YTQTXY</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><br /></p>Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-81838823441555353852022-08-01T20:19:00.000-04:002022-08-01T20:19:23.991-04:00TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "CRAZY" - THE KICKER'S STORY - PART ONE<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwJP_QlW5CY_uolYejOw7kXmoygPidboqZ1doQcttLBaNUNw7wgDncqgK1eDe8wl-8UeNsOUwXJ_3yPZG96qz2CLrvIW3AOjFhD5791Jf8rYVMHPBGKRPm3DBkVvw8rd4dwnX8Ib21qhEypUMS28TN15oJk4I1b0IuHM96wLVuhPH8nlvkIequ5cYMg/s400/01%20TT%20LOGO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="309" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwJP_QlW5CY_uolYejOw7kXmoygPidboqZ1doQcttLBaNUNw7wgDncqgK1eDe8wl-8UeNsOUwXJ_3yPZG96qz2CLrvIW3AOjFhD5791Jf8rYVMHPBGKRPm3DBkVvw8rd4dwnX8Ib21qhEypUMS28TN15oJk4I1b0IuHM96wLVuhPH8nlvkIequ5cYMg/w309-h400/01%20TT%20LOGO.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Welcome! This week we are starting something new. The Kicker Story is actually a book in two parts. We started with the kicker's story, which is part two! This week, we'll start the kicker's story part ONE! Yes, this is the story that comes first. I know, it's backward. But both stories are stand-alones. They will be tied together in an extensive epilogue at the end. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In the meantime, the word prompt this week is "crazy". Don't forget to read the great Tuesday Tales stories you can find <a href="http://tuesdaytales1.blogspot.com"><b>HERE.</b></a> Thanks for stopping by.</span> </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">********************************** </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Robbie
Anthony, kicker of the Connecticut Kings, and seducer extraordinaire, parked
his car in the small house he owned in Shelton, Connecticut. He locked his vehicle,
and entered the house from the back door to the kitchen. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">He flipped on the
central air conditioning, and poured himself a Coke. No alcohol during the
season. He kicked off his shoes, and stretched out on his sectional sofa. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">He flipped on the
TV. It was nine already. He wasn’t hungry because he chowed down before the
four o’clock game. He marveled that he wasn’t in the mood for porn, and channel
surfed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">His cell buzzed. Ugh,
it was Cathy. No way could he listen to her bitching at him again about not
calling. He sent the call to voicemail. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Again, his phone sounded.
Phylicia. Oh, boy, he knew better than to pick that one up. She’d spotted him
at The Savage Beast cozying up to a new
waitress there. He’d lied to her about having to practice, so when she spied
him, Coke in hand, breathing down the neck of the new girl, Phylicia went crazy! She yelled, screamed, and called him names. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Carla, the owner,
had to have her husband, Trunk Mahoney, defensive lineman for the Kings, toss
her out – nicely. Trunk threw a dirty look at Robbie, who slunk away and went
home. Damn, that waitress, what was her name? Connie? Maybe. She was fine,
though. And stupid Phylicia wrecked his chances with her. He’d be damned if he’d
answer the phone. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Words that night from
his teammate, Trunk, echoed in his head. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Some day,
Anthony, you’re gonna meet the girl you can’t get. And it’s gonna drive you
fuckin’ nuts. I just hope I’m around to see it.”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large; text-align: center;">Robbie smirked. Yeah,
like that was really gonna happen to him.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p>That's all. Thanks for stopping by...</p>Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-53763501520298244032021-04-09T20:42:00.002-04:002021-08-05T18:11:07.387-04:00BEST OF...ADORA SMUTZ ROUND TABLE INTERVIEW<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>ADORA
SMUTZ ROUND TABLE INTERVIEW</u></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Adora Smutz, here. We have a roundtable discussion
today. I have four heroes of Jean’s books with me today. Please welcome, Tunney
Nichols and Jim Caterson from “The Renovated Heart” and Mac Caldwell and Danny
Maine from Now and Forever 2 and Now and Forever 3.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Get your copy of <i>Now and Forever 4, The Renovated Heart! </i>on Amazon. Free in Kindle Unlimited. </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>https://www.amazon.com/Now-Forever-4-Renovated-Heart-ebook/dp/B014Z5A3XY/</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0in;"><i style="font-size: x-large;">Mac:</i><span style="font-size: x-large;">
Hey, guys, I thought this was a bowling alley.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Danny</i>:
Adora Smutz! What are you doing here?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">Adora: Hi, guys. *grins* Fooled you, didn’t I?
That free bowling coupon works every time.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Tunney</i>:
Who is this babe?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Adora</i>:
Ahhh, he called me a babe! Tunney, you’re such a sexy guy.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Tunney</i>:
*backs away*, hey, hey. Down, girl. Kit would never approve of this. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Adora</i>:
Who’s Kit? What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her, right? *bats her eyelashes*.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Jim</i>: How
do we get out of here?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Adora</i>:
The doors are locked gents. So sit down. You’re my captives for a while. This
is a round table discussion. Here *passes out beer*, might make you more
comfortable. *sound of beer bottle tops popping*.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Mac</i>:
What do you want, Adora?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Adora</i>:
Just want to ask you all a few questions. Let’s see…hmm, which do you prefer,
blonde, brunette or redhead? Mac, you’re the oldest, you start.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Mac</i>:
Thanks a lot for the age crack. Let me think, slam dunk, I prefer chestnut hair
and blue eyes on a woman. Danny? </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Danny</i>:
Blonde and green eyed. Jim?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Jim</i>: Big
blue eyed brunettes do it for me. Tunney?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Tunney</i>:
blonde and blue-eyed.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Adora</i>: What
a bunch of creeps! Those are the descriptions of your girlfriends and wives.
Brother, how unoriginal. Okay…*tosses out index cards*…so much for Jean’s
questions. Now you’re gonna get my questions! *the men shift in their seats*
What’s your favorite position for sex? Danny, let’s start with you.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Danny</i>:
Whoa, Adora! Not answering that one. *raises his hand*.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Adora</i>:
Coward! Mac…how many times a week do you have sex?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Mac</i>:
*blushes*…uh…I don’t remember.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Adora</i>: A
likely story! Tunney…ever do anything kinky in the bedroom?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Tunney</i>:
Uh…hmm…define ‘kinky’ Adora.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Adora</i>:
You know what I mean! You faker! Jim, your turn…How many times in one day do
you have sex with Sarah?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Jim</i>:
*blushes deep red* uh…don’t think I’ve ever kept track, Adora.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Adora</i>:
You are all a bunch of phonies, killjoys! *stomps her foot*.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Danny</i>: *gets
up close to Adora. Puts his arm around her* But maybe we can set some new
records with you, Adora…</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Adora</i>:
Oh? Really? Raises her eyebrows.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Danny</i>:
Sure…*slips door open, signals to Mac to leave*…yup. How many times a week do
you want to have sex?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Adora:</i>
*gets shy* well, gee…I haven’t thought about it…</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Danny</i>:
*shoos Jim out the door* Think about it. There are four of us and one of you…</span></div>
Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-56177382784847353222021-03-28T17:02:00.005-04:002021-03-29T09:36:12.852-04:00NEW RELEASE - "SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL" <p> NEW RELEASE! "SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL" </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIM2dkWD7LCssR35N-hIt8sbxmW1CtB1zNFC3e53wK1DzJX5nLwaEXM_IJ2Co2P-P1vUT-XCgiq54MRSyuUiEEXXzX10BmEvEqDvPseWYtE5cm3Vg7Rq5z83CoAVgxyHnq9o_ZCpWzgLo-/s1200/SomeKindofWonderful_Draft+2+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIM2dkWD7LCssR35N-hIt8sbxmW1CtB1zNFC3e53wK1DzJX5nLwaEXM_IJ2Co2P-P1vUT-XCgiq54MRSyuUiEEXXzX10BmEvEqDvPseWYtE5cm3Vg7Rq5z83CoAVgxyHnq9o_ZCpWzgLo-/w266-h400/SomeKindofWonderful_Draft+2+%25281%2529.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Dear Readers,</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I struggled to write "Some Kind of Wonderful", book 7 in the Pine Grove series (but reads as a stand-alone) this during the last six months as pandemic sapped by strength and focus. But I love Jackie & Jeff and had to get their poignant story written and now it is. SO, I am posting the blurb and an excerpt today. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I will post a new excerpt every day for a week. If you don't buy the book on the first day, be sure to come back and read the other snippets until you are so hooked you have to have the book! </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Here's the blurb: </span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> Life sucks for Jeff Barrett. His girlfriend
hates his hometown, and his mother hates his girlfriend. His alcoholic father
dies and leaves his ramshackle bar to Jeff. He can’t even tear down the dilapidated
building because it’s landmarked! He puts it on the market with one caveat –
the buyer can’t make it a bar again. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">
Jackie Stone’s life grinds to a halt when the IRS closes the restaurant
she managed, and her boyfriend skips to Montana with another woman. While visiting
tiny Pine Grove, looking for a bar to own and run herself, Jackie gets lost.
She flags Jeff down to ask directions. The attraction is instantaneous.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">
It’s smooth sailing on the sea of relationships until Jackie makes an
offer for his bar and Jeff refuses. The irresistible force meets the immoveable
object. Who wins the tug-of-war? Will the winner find a tornado of trouble is just
picking up steam? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Now, the excerpt:</span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><b><u><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><i><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">July,
New York City<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Jackie Stone
narrowed her eyes to read the sign on the door of Chuck’s Wagon,<i> </i>the
steakhouse where she worked as a manager.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.3in;"><i><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">SEIZED!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Big black letters
on a bright orange piece of paper plastered on the inside of the glass door
shouted out. A huge padlock secured the knob and prevented entry. Puzzled,
Jackie tugged on it anyway. The door rattled but stayed shut. She shook her
head. <i>How stupid. Like the padlock is gonna
fall off because you pull on it?<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">She whipped out her cell phone and dialed her boss, Chuck Gregory.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Hey, Chuck. What’s going on? The door’s padlocked. There’s a sign saying
‘seized’ in the window. What the hell?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Tax man cut us off.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“What do you mean, the tax man cut us off?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“I’m a little behind in taxes. So, they took the restaurant.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“A little behind?” She paced up and down on the sidewalk in front of
the big plate glass windows of the empty eatery.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Okay. Maybe a lot behind.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Chuck. You lost the restaurant?” She stopped, her mouth fell open.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Yeah, so I’m going out west. Sindara’s got a house in Montana. I
figure I’ll find a place out there and open another steakhouse.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“You’re going where?” She fished a bottle of water from her purse.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Montana. Is there something wrong with your hearing, Jackie?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Nothing wrong with my hearing. Just my choice of boyfriends.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“You and I were never serious.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Maybe. Maybe not. How could you let this happen? I told you to put
money in a separate account. And then when tax time came around, you’d have
it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Yeah, well, Sindara wanted to buy a house. She needed the down
payment.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“You gave your tax money to your other girlfriend?” She shielded her
eyes from the sun with her hand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“It was a good move because now I have a place to go.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“What about me? And our staff? Have you told anyone else?” The sun beat
down on the back of her neck.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Nope. They’ll find out soon enough. Like you did.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“I can’t believe this.” She resumed pacing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Believe it. Have a good life, Jackie. I’m changing my number, so don’t
try to get in touch with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“What about my stuff?” She guzzled water.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“What stuff?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Change of clothes, some baking stuff.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Sorry. Everything in there belongs to the tax man now. Gotta go. Good
luck.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Her phone went dead. Screwing her face up, her hand drew back as if to
throw the phone but stopped. Hell, it was her phone. She’d have to pay to
replace it. Pay. Pay with what? She didn’t have any income, as of like ten
minutes ago.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">She sank down on a nearby stoop. Tears burst forth. Chuck—what a dirty,
lowdown bastard. Two-timing her and squandering the restaurant’s money. Leaving
her with nothing. Branded a failure. Thirty years old and no job, a small
savings account, and no place to go.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Opening her phone again, she scrolled through her contacts. When her
father’s name came up, she hesitated for a moment before pressing the button.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Jackie?” The familiar gruff voice set her on edge.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Hi, Dad.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“What’s up? Aren’t you working today?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“That’s what I’m calling about.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Oh?” She could hear her father raise his eyebrows.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Yeah. See, uh, Chuck…kinda didn’t pay his taxes.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Silence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“So the feds shut him down, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Jackie closed her eyes and took a deep breath, preparing herself for
the giant “I told you so.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Yeah.” Her voice was almost a whisper. She drew her knees up and
rested her forearms on them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“So you’re out of a job?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Well, then…”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Aren’t you gonna say it?” Her head bowed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In a soft tone she’d not heard since she was six, he said, “I’m not
gonna say it. Why don’t you come home for a while? You could use a break.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Come home?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Yeah. I’ll fire up the grill. I’ve got some chops in the freezer.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Really?” She sat up straight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Sure. You work plenty hard. Take a couple of weeks off. Come out here.
We’ll put our heads together and come up with something.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Really?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Are you hard of hearing or something, Jackie?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">She laughed. “Chuck asked me the same thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“I hope that scoundrel is out of your life now.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Oh, he is. Count on it. We’re so done.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Every cloud has a silver lining. Hold on a sec.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Jackie grinned. Could it be true old Cecil Stone would actually come
through for her? And without a lecture? Maybe the lecture was yet to come?
She’d deal with it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Okay. I’m back. The schedule says there’s a three thirty train. Can
you be ready in time?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“I can.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Good. I’ll pick you up at the station.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Her tears returned. “Thanks, Dad. You’re the best. I didn’t think. I
just—”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Oh, hush. That’s what dads are for, see you at four fifteen.” He ended
the conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Buy the book here:</u></b> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><a name="_Hlk67651974"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">AMAZON<o:p></o:p></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09157583H/">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09157583H/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">AMAZON
U.K.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09157583H">https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09157583H</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">AMAZON
CA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09157583H">https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09157583H</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">AMAZON
AU<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09157583H">https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09157583H</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">AMAZON
IN<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.in/dp/B09157583H">https://www.amazon.in/dp/B09157583H</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">GOOGLE PLAY<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=o60lEAAAQBAJ">https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=o60lEAAAQBAJ</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">APPLE BOOKS<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1560274341">https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1560274341</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">BARNES & NOBLE<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/some-kind-of-wonderful-jean-c-joachim/1139112871?ean=2940164625597">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/some-kind-of-wonderful-jean-c-joachim/1139112871?ean=2940164625597</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">KOBO<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/some-kind-of-wonderful-21">https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/some-kind-of-wonderful-21</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b>COME BACK TOMORROW FOR ANOTHER NEW EXCERPT!</b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgUWL9BcUyLYMbt3zsyJ-XHIEFQsn0VFiLa-TtIaGwpwOEtL1TMnj_FfASCkrnqUDr2XQgQo7G9eMVbnTAorpsxnsFdFv3pY6W64kVDtUR1w2gCL97JLoHllzQzyiMPU7mBJTY5k5t8iV/s1713/PineGroveLogo_SMALL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="1713" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgUWL9BcUyLYMbt3zsyJ-XHIEFQsn0VFiLa-TtIaGwpwOEtL1TMnj_FfASCkrnqUDr2XQgQo7G9eMVbnTAorpsxnsFdFv3pY6W64kVDtUR1w2gCL97JLoHllzQzyiMPU7mBJTY5k5t8iV/w400-h178/PineGroveLogo_SMALL.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-68384148750896494232021-03-25T09:11:00.004-04:002021-03-25T09:11:52.216-04:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqzGdx8ktlZ-xGR_hAMOylrtbViNWmlRIWRs1Ao3Ymp3GK8QhlrxM9ndkSAjL3EvcPOD4nHNEbT2_8nYa95WXtZmC5Fbze1frXP4epAuf7sVhOcTNX7YFhB1MdF1EDFvcbFi76n_SzpsS/s1200/AbigailsJourney_LRG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqzGdx8ktlZ-xGR_hAMOylrtbViNWmlRIWRs1Ao3Ymp3GK8QhlrxM9ndkSAjL3EvcPOD4nHNEbT2_8nYa95WXtZmC5Fbze1frXP4epAuf7sVhOcTNX7YFhB1MdF1EDFvcbFi76n_SzpsS/w266-h400/AbigailsJourney_LRG.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Have you heard about my new sweet historical romance, "Abigail's Journey"? It's book 1 in the Catskills Saga, takes place in Colonial America, and is being read faster than you can flip a page in Kindle Unlimited! Reviews are glowing, with the book achieving a 4.6 overall rating. How about an excerpt? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">First, a bit about the book:</span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Abigail
Chesney has it all; a husband more loving than she could have dreamt, three
healthy children, and a house on thriving farmland. She’s happy in her little
world until it crashes down around her. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Losing almost
everything tests Abby in ways she never expected. Can she learn to accept what
she can’t change and trust those she loves? Relying on help from the people of
Fitch’s Eddy, a tiny Catskill logging town, Abby discovers her own strength. Will
Fate’s cruel blows crush her? Or will
love give her a new reason to go on? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> <i>Abigail’s
Journey</i> – travel back to Colonial America, 1786, with this heartfelt,
sweet, historical romance, where the flavor of the past leaps off the page. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.3in;">*************************** </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.3in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-32-pEklRZtaL45Uajaal9OQYhBpgxDrDZVxlgl9a5GMq6_SKMaWYKtwv9zXkZ8spe9bPn8t7ZSjckyb8t2Mqz7PchyphenhyphenolBIN0HPg5gyGAwy1kP_qNcSGq0HTQ-EuIQJ248CkLTwGCmOb/s2048/bigstock--196495519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-32-pEklRZtaL45Uajaal9OQYhBpgxDrDZVxlgl9a5GMq6_SKMaWYKtwv9zXkZ8spe9bPn8t7ZSjckyb8t2Mqz7PchyphenhyphenolBIN0HPg5gyGAwy1kP_qNcSGq0HTQ-EuIQJ248CkLTwGCmOb/w400-h266/bigstock--196495519.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><b>EXCERPT</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">May 1786<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Pack up and get out, Chesney. I’m moving in.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No sooner were the words out of the scoundrel’s
mouth than George Chesney hit him square on the jaw. The man exploded in rage
and landed two on George before bystanders pulled him away. Chesney had never
been much for fighting to settle a dispute. However, when the welfare of his
beloved family hung in the balance, he’d gladly trade fisticuffs with the devil
himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Leaving the Danbury Inn, he wiped the blood off
his nose. Tramping through town, he breathed deeply. The bell of the town crier
stopped him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Seven o’clock and all is well.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He compressed his lips together as bitterness soured
his mouth. It might be seven o’clock, but all was not well, not for the Chesney
family. Old Luke Morton had gambled away the deed to their farm. He had been Morton’s
tenant, working the farm for the past ten years. He figured to own it outright
in another five. Luke’s one whiskey too many and his losing hand at cards
smashed George’s dream to bits.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Laughing in his face, the winner had dashed any
hope of staying to farm the land. So, he’d lashed out at the man who’d threatened
his future but had come out the worse for it in the end.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fear spiked in George’s chest, slowing his pace. For
once, he dreaded returning home. Since he was late, his beautiful wife would
have kept a plate of dinner aside for him. She’d be wondering where he was. How
could he tell her Morton didn’t own their farm anymore and they had to pack up
and leave?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As he struggled to find words, his heartbeat sped
up. Sweat poured off his forehead and soaked his shirt. He wiped his face with
his sleeve and shivered in the chilly May wind under the cold light of a full
moon. The sweet smell of freshly turned earth met his nose. Crops were already planted,
but he’d not be around to harvest them. Where would they go? Farming was all he
knew. How would he make a living and feed his family?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It didn’t help that his face had swelled and the
flesh around his eye throbbed. Gently, he fingered his nose and flinched in pain.
He grew angry. It wasn’t his fault Morton was an old, drunken fool.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Seemed like bad luck had dogged his steps lately. They’d
lost a goat through a hole in the fence. Fox killed two chickens. He figured it
was timing. He’d had the best fortune in the world to win lovely Abigail’s
hand. And the three wonderful children she’d given him had brought him much
joy. Now he was thirty-six years old, maybe his luck had turned.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As he drew near to the little farmhouse he’d
called home, emotion choked him. How could he tell his family they’d have to
leave the life they loved—the only life they knew?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Smoke curled up from the chimney and the aroma of
burning logs drifted his way. Yep, his son, Samuel, had remembered to bring in
wood. He could almost taste his wife’s fine stew and smell the freshly baked
bread his daughter, Sarah, had put up in the afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">George directed his gaze upward and uttered a
prayer as he approached his home. He stopped halfway up the path to swallow
hard and wipe his cheek. The wetness wasn’t blood, but tears. He took a deep,
shuddering breath. No nice way to break such bad news. They were losing their
home—he’d come right out with it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He pushed the door open.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“George! I’m so glad you’re home. Where were you?
We were worried.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Speech eluded him. He stood, solid, feet spread
slightly, and reached for words that wouldn’t come. His gaze hopped from his
wife to each of his children in turn. They stopped what they were doing. She
approached and put her hand on his arm.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The smile faded from her face. “You’re bleeding.
What happened? Are you all right?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He shook his head. “No, I’m not. And nothing is
going to be all right again for a very long time.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Her eyes widened. “What?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Sarah, put Lizzy to bed then come back. You and
Sam are old enough to hear the truth.” He ran his palm over his face then
sighed, sinking into a chair. His wife picked up a dish towel, removed a plate
from the warming oven and placed it on the table in front of him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Hungry?” She raised her gaze to his.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Not really.” But the aroma of the stew set his
mouth to watering.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Eat. Whatever it is will wait.” She poured a cup
of tea for him and one for herself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“You deserve better,” he mumbled, picking up his
fork.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Better?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Better than me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Hush, George Chesney! I don’t know what happened
today, but I married the finest man in all of Danbury. And don’t you dare
disagree with me.” The fire in her eyes, and her high spirit turned her cheeks
a becoming rosy shade.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“If you aren’t the prettiest woman in all of
Connecticut, I don’t know who is.” He leaned over to plant a gentle kiss on her
lips then took her hand and raised it to his. “And you make the best stew in
God’s creation.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">His daughter returned. She joined Samuel on a
bench across from their parents. Sarah fiddled with her long hair, while Sam
tried to twirl a penny on its end.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“What is it, Papa?” her young voice squeaked. The
children raised their gazes to meet his.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He poured out the story. Shame filled him to admit
he’d struck the first blow and yet had still come out the worse for the battle.
When he finished, silence blanketed the room. The only sound was the scraping
of his spoon against the plate as he finished the last drop of gravy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Don’t worry. We’ll be all right,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“How, Mama? How?” The boy’s eyes filled with fear.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Your mother’s right. We’ll be all right. Go on to
bed now. We need you to be ready to help at sunrise.” He stood.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The children hugged him and left the room. When he
turned around, Abigail fisted his shirt and pulled him toward her. Gently, she
cleansed his face then brushed her fingers through his hair.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He drew her into his embrace. “I’m so sorry.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Stop apologizing. It’s not your fault.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“We’ll manage.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Yes. We will. “Get some rest. You look all in.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He trudged off to their room. “You coming?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Get your copy here, free in Kindle Unlimited: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><a name="_Hlk64275171"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">AMAZON U.S.<o:p></o:p></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KWGRBWF/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KWGRBWF/</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; 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font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08KWGRBWF</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">AMAZON CANADA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08KWGRBWF"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08KWGRBWF</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">AMAZON AUSTRALIA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08KWGRBWF"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08KWGRBWF</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">AMAZON INDIA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.in/dp/B08KWGRBWF"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">https://www.amazon.in/dp/B08KWGRBWF</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Watch for book 2, "Sarah's Dilemma" coming in April! </i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRlIEJph69OiZYztogBtWGMcSOc9C6hNMx7SwwtiWKda0ba6hCyS38pAXscy1MbiDHJaN5zGxpeWKsk3qU9ft3SvfnPWSi55VJtWBlicv3Q7TNpDkeaVbSFHQ-oX0u3WzlxIHIMXiezKM/s3072/Catskills+Series+Banner_fullres+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="3072" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRlIEJph69OiZYztogBtWGMcSOc9C6hNMx7SwwtiWKda0ba6hCyS38pAXscy1MbiDHJaN5zGxpeWKsk3qU9ft3SvfnPWSi55VJtWBlicv3Q7TNpDkeaVbSFHQ-oX0u3WzlxIHIMXiezKM/w400-h134/Catskills+Series+Banner_fullres+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-35812652072901029072021-03-20T08:51:00.003-04:002021-03-20T08:51:59.625-04:00Now and Forever 2, The Book of Danny - Free for 5 Days!<p> `</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnyzMuNSZ8ZZPQ8N2sdXs6ShqKFmUU7DRj8Bu2gkU3eAcQ0v_5dJtN9wBinwFMNKI0SsYO5aUzTykxLrfy5yI_8XemTynB8HvN94qC92k1aeg_vHjA6tWbm7uZ7DLYg-wweZ_CrSewyLg/s2048/TheBookofDanny_2_Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnyzMuNSZ8ZZPQ8N2sdXs6ShqKFmUU7DRj8Bu2gkU3eAcQ0v_5dJtN9wBinwFMNKI0SsYO5aUzTykxLrfy5yI_8XemTynB8HvN94qC92k1aeg_vHjA6tWbm7uZ7DLYg-wweZ_CrSewyLg/w266-h400/TheBookofDanny_2_Kindle.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">FREE FOR EVERYONE UNTIL MARCH 24!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My journey writing this book. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I don't talk much about the Now and Forever series these days, though it's still one of my favorites. It was one of my first. I have re-edited it and put out second editions for all the books. Yes, I had visions of Mac Caldwell in my mind as I wrote his story, which is book 1. But during that book, and "Callie's Story", Danny Maine kept coming back demanding attention. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When I finished writing book 1, Danny came to me and wanted his story told. He wasn't my usual book boyfriend. Danny's scarred, inside and out. He's got PTSD, which gives him nightmares from time to time. In the Army, he was a killer, a sniper. He's having a hard time leaving it behind. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What shone through for me was his strength, loyalty, and humanity. Danny is all in when it comes to protecting the ones he loves. So I had to tell his story. And I felt like he sat on my shoulder, dictating every word. He lived inside me while I wrote this emotional, suspenseful tale. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This book took me on a journey. It was the first time a character took over, refusing to let me direct the story. He took it places I hadn't imagined. I couldn't wait to get my fingers on the keyboard each day to see where the story would go.</span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Danny took a journey. He came back to life. I was privileged to go along for the ride. Still one of my favorite books, I'm pleased to offer you, "Now and Forever 2, The Book of Danny" for free until March 24. I hope you download it, read it, and enjoy it...and fall in love with Danny, just the way I did. </span></p><p>Here's a bit about the book:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #555555; font-size: 14.0pt;">Killer? Lover? Professor? Which one is Danny
Maine? </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Leaving the Army to teach college didn't
mean the war left him. Scars to his body, heart, and soul haunt him. Capt.
Danny Maine seeks a normal life. He struggles to free himself from crippling
war memories and dangerous men, hoping love and a new Glock will bring him
peace. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #555555; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> Eliza Baines, widowed dean at the
university, finally has life exactly the way she wants it, doesn’t she? When
Danny Maine blows into town, he fires up her hunger for love and affection. Can
she throw aside convention to build a life with a much younger man?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">An engrossing, tale of love,
loss, mind-blowing surprises, and facing off against insurmountable obstacles,
the Book of Danny will touch your heart.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> Caution: Occasional cursing and violence. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“...it
was a wonderful read that tore me up in the middle, but left me satisfied in
the end.”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>HERE'S A TASTE OF THE BOOK:</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; tab-stops: center 3.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<i>This way, Danny</i>.”
Cal motioned.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<i>No, don’t go that way</i>…” Danny hollered.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Too
late. The explosion might have deafened him, but Danny got lucky. Running away
from a bomb one minute, the next, he woke up in an army hospital in Germany.
Still, he was the charmed one—getting the Purple Heart and a trip home. Cal
hadn’t been so blessed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Danny
had only been out of the hospital for three days when he hitched a ride on a
military transport back to the United States. A long plane ride provided the
chance to say goodbye to his buddies.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Hey,
Captain, ever get the guy in Iraq who killed your brother?” asked Sgt. Josh
Benson.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Sure,
Benson. Him and the rest, too. All those bastards,” Danny replied.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“You
got the highest score. How many killed?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Lost
count.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“More
than me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Everybody
got more than you, Benson. Jenny behind the desk hit more than you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Can’t
see nothin’ on you. Looks like they never touched you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Yeah,
looks can be deceiving. How’s your leg doing?” Danny asked, moving away to make
more room for Benson’s leg cast.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Good,”
he lied.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Danny
saw the beads of sweat on Benson’s forehead, his pale face. Benson had always
been a good liar.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Glad
to be delivering you back to your sister. Say what does she look like again?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Stay
away from her, Captain. She’s got enough to do takin’ care of me. She can’t be
cryin’ her eyes out over givin’ it up to you.” Benson chuckled.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Too
bad. But if she looks like you, maybe not!” Danny laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“I’m
not tellin’.” His brow furrowed, Benson asked, “Say Captain…you sleep good?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Okay,
I guess,” he said, side-stepping the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“I
see things. I wake up. I don’t sleep all night,” Benson said quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Danny
nodded, looking away.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Will
those things go away? Will I always be seein’ Joe or Cal when I go to sleep?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“I
hope not,” Danny said, looking down at his hands.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“At
least I’m still here. Thanks to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“I
told you, just shut up about what happened,” Danny snapped, making a fist.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Everybody
here does his bit. I did mine…with you. Don’t talk about it,” Danny said in a
low voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Okay,
okay.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“You’re
one brother I’m returning home,” Danny said to himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Hey,
Maine, we’re coming down over Syracuse. This is your stop, right?” the pilot
hollered. Danny moved up to the cockpit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Yeah.
That’s me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Where
do you go from here?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“I
got a ride with Sgt. Marie Willis to Willow Falls,” Danny said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Some
hick town?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“College
town.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“You
going to school?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Teaching.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Marie,
huh?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Better
warn her about the Captain,” Benson piped up from the back.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Shut
up Benson or I’ll have to break your arm, too,” Danny called.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Ever
see her, Benson? Don’t think the Captain’ll be interested.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“She’s
female, isn’t she?” Danny cocked an eyebrow.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“As
far as I know.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“I’m
interested,” Danny said with a snicker.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Your
vitamin E pack, Captain.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Accepting
the pouch from Benson, he put it in his duffle bag. “Thanks.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
plane landed. Danny parted from Benson and two other members of his squad.
Marie Willis stood at the gate jingling car keys in her hand. Danny stored his
gear in her trunk then got in next to her.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“How
long a trip is this, Sergeant?” Danny asked the washed-out brunette.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Call
me Marie.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Okay,
Marie. How long?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Maybe
four hours?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Too
bad. Thought we might need to stop for the night,” he said, looking her over.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“That
could be arranged,” she said, smiling.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">You'll find the ebook free only on Amazon here: </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014X7RTBI">AMAZONUS</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B014X7RTBI">AMAZON U.K.</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B014X7RTBI">AMAZON CANADA</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B014X7RTBI">AMAZON AUSTRALIA</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.in/dp/B014X7RTBI">AMAZON INDIA</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><b style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">All of the Now and Forever series books are available in Kindle Unlimited.</b></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwiADI0HhvgHVLd54YiEPeabWweebGWHOkOcXxHye4Qqn7vhoaopyqqQftLh8urYrlPSesIDqb10nyVRPF9DVXA7v5Uxvf5cEHMCbm4ZzxMEWFtM2tAV1E1SYLe_v4cWLpPt1XbR1375f/s714/Banner_itunes_Apple+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="714" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwiADI0HhvgHVLd54YiEPeabWweebGWHOkOcXxHye4Qqn7vhoaopyqqQftLh8urYrlPSesIDqb10nyVRPF9DVXA7v5Uxvf5cEHMCbm4ZzxMEWFtM2tAV1E1SYLe_v4cWLpPt1XbR1375f/w400-h280/Banner_itunes_Apple+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>And as a boxed set, too</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvA8KYhMYTH3NoqUBV3pbTRT5rVUfLBDiyneBogkhyelAfn9rHnqTmU6n8HJaA53CungI1nQWLCaAVqgqzSUtHmbasaa8D80JlcVQTfaoDStitffHrV9IqpKHYROOQuHVussghfv7mCJZ6/s1400/Box+Set_Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1400" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvA8KYhMYTH3NoqUBV3pbTRT5rVUfLBDiyneBogkhyelAfn9rHnqTmU6n8HJaA53CungI1nQWLCaAVqgqzSUtHmbasaa8D80JlcVQTfaoDStitffHrV9IqpKHYROOQuHVussghfv7mCJZ6/w400-h280/Box+Set_Kindle.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Get the boxed set here:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">AMAZON<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F46WY2Q"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F46WY2Q</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">AMAZON U.K<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07F46WY2Q"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07F46WY2Q</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">AMAZON CANADA<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07F46WY2Q"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07F46WY2Q</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">AMAZON AUSTRALIA<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07F46WY2Q"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07F46WY2Q</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">AMAZON INDIA<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">https://www.amazon.in/dp/B07F46WY2Q<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></p></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p>Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-32247106115521254742021-03-18T18:36:00.002-04:002021-03-19T10:35:38.060-04:00SNEAK PEEK! PREVIEWS OF "SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL" COMING MARCH 28!<p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Welcome! For the next few days, while my editing team gets this book ready to be published, I'll be posting excerpts. Feel free to stop by and get a taste of the story to come. Before you start, here's a bit about the book: </span></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Life sucks for Jeff Barrett. His girlfriend hates his
hometown, and his mother hates his girlfriend. His alcoholic father dies and
leaves his ramshackle bar to Jeff. He can’t even tear down the dilapidated
building because it’s landmarked! He puts it on the market with one caveat –
the buyer can’t make it a bar again. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jackie Stone’s life grinds to a halt when the IRS
closes the restaurant she managed, and her boyfriend skips to Montana with
another woman. While visiting tiny Pine Grove, looking for a bar to own and run
herself, Jackie gets lost. She flags Jeff down to ask directions. The
attraction is instantaneous.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">It’s smooth sailing on the sea of relationships until
Jackie makes an offer for his bar and Jeff refuses. The irresistible force
meets the immoveable object. Who wins the tug-of-war? Will the winner find a
tornado of trouble is just picking up steam? </span></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFBFBDt_DR3mzSG2DaX76B_hWDo44njyGmwOuYOrxd2ekK4vE_vjsgDcGSyMa6W8nQvkVSrQ3bqQjF46N6H40BOkE0YKXoLSb8Yz_RdCk2pjylAoY1rpfYJdF3VkjPnMb0mqC2pMWnEVv/s2048/SomeKindofWonderful_Kindle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFBFBDt_DR3mzSG2DaX76B_hWDo44njyGmwOuYOrxd2ekK4vE_vjsgDcGSyMa6W8nQvkVSrQ3bqQjF46N6H40BOkE0YKXoLSb8Yz_RdCk2pjylAoY1rpfYJdF3VkjPnMb0mqC2pMWnEVv/w266-h400/SomeKindofWonderful_Kindle.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">New
York City<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;">Jackie Stone
narrowed her eyes to read the sign on the door of Chuck’s Wagon,<i> </i></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;">the
<a style="mso-comment-date: 20210303T1200; mso-comment-reference: KK_2;">steakhouse</a></span><span class="MsoCommentReference"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-special-character: comment;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;">where she worked as a manager. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.3in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">SEIZED!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Big black letters
on a bright orange piece of paper plastered on the inside of the glass door
shouted out. A huge padlock secured the knob and prevented entry. Puzzled,
Jackie tugged on it anyway. The door rattled but stayed shut. She shook her
head. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How stupid. Like the padlock is
gonna fall off because you pull on it? </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She whipped out her cell phone and dialed her boss, Chuck Gregory. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Hey, Chuck. What’s going on? The door’s padlocked. There’s a sign saying
‘seized’ in the window. What the hell?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Tax man cut us off.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“What do you mean, the tax man cut us off?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“I’m a little behind in taxes. So, they took the restaurant.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“A little behind?” She paced up and down on the sidewalk in front of
the big plate glass windows of the empty eatery. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Okay. Maybe a lot behind.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Chuck. You lost the restaurant?” She stopped, her mouth fell open. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Yeah, so I’m going out west. Sindara’s got a house in Montana. I
figure I’ll find a place out there and open another steakhouse.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“You’re going where?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Montana. Is there something wrong with your hearing, Jackie?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Nothing wrong with my hearing. Just my choice of boyfriends.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“You and I were never serious.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Maybe. Maybe not. How could you let this happen? I told you to put
money in a separate account. And then when tax time came around, you’d have
it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Yeah, well, Sindara wanted to buy the house. She needed the down
payment.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“You gave your tax money to your other girlfriend?” She shielded her
eyes from the sun with her hand. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“It was a good move because now I have a place to go.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“What about me? And our staff? Have you told anyone else?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Nope. They’ll find out soon enough. Like you did.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“I can’t believe this.” She resumed pacing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Believe it. Have a good life, Jackie. I’m changing my number, so don’t
try to get in touch with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“What about my stuff?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“What stuff?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Change of clothes, some baking stuff.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a style="mso-comment-date: 20210314T0659; mso-comment-parent: 3; mso-comment-reference: JJ_4;"></a><a style="mso-comment-date: 20210303T1206; mso-comment-reference: KK_3;"><span style="mso-comment-continuation: 4;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;">“Sorry.
Everything in there belongs to the taxman now. Gotta go. Good luck.” </span></span></a><span style="mso-comment-continuation: 4;"><span class="MsoCommentReference"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><!--[if !supportAnnotations]--><a class="msocomanchor" href="https://d.docs.live.net/b673be2b29eb1e53/Public/Pictures/Documents/03%20Pine%20Grove%20Books/Some%20Kind%20of%20Wonderful/2021%20SOME%20KIND%20OF%20WONDERFUL1--first%20edit_KK.docx#_msocom_3" id="_anchor_3" language="JavaScript" name="_msoanchor_3">[KK3]</a><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-special-character: comment;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="MsoCommentReference"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><!--[if !supportAnnotations]--><a class="msocomanchor" href="https://d.docs.live.net/b673be2b29eb1e53/Public/Pictures/Documents/03%20Pine%20Grove%20Books/Some%20Kind%20of%20Wonderful/2021%20SOME%20KIND%20OF%20WONDERFUL1--first%20edit_KK.docx#_msocom_4" id="_anchor_4" language="JavaScript" name="_msoanchor_4">[JJ4]</a><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-special-character: comment;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Her phone went dead. Screwing her face up, her hand drew back as if to
throw the phone, but stopped. Hell, it was her phone. She’d have to pay to
replace it. Pay. Pay with what? She didn’t have any income, as of like ten
minutes ago. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She sank down on a nearby stoop. Tears burst forth. Chuck—what a dirty,
lowdown bastard. Two-timing her and squandering the restaurant’s money. Leaving
her with nothing. Branded a failure. Thirty years old and no job, a small
savings account, and no place to go. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But she did have a place to go, didn’t she? She pulled up the bottom of
her T-shirt to blot her eyes. An older man walking by stopped. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Keep going. Show’s over.” She shot him a cold stare, and he hurried
away. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Opening her phone again, she scrolled through her contacts. When her
father’s name came up, she hesitated for a moment before pressing the button. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Jackie?” The familiar gruff voice set her on edge. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Hi, Dad.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“What’s up? Aren’t you working today?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“That’s what I’m calling about.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Oh?” She could hear her father raise his eyebrows. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Yeah. See, uh, Chuck, kinda didn’t pay his taxes.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Silence. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“So the feds shut him down, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jackie closed her eyes and took a deep breath, preparing herself for
the giant “I told you so.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Yeah.” Her voice was almost a whisper. She drew her knees up and
rested her forearms on them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“So you’re out of a job?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Well, then…”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Aren’t you gonna say it?” Her head bowed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In a soft tone she’d not heard since she was six, he said, “I’m not
gonna say it. Why don’t you come home for a while? You could use a break.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Come home?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Yeah. I’ll fire up the grill. I’ve got some chops in the freezer.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Really?” She sat up straight. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Sure. You work plenty hard. Take a couple of weeks off. Come out here.
We’ll put our heads together and come up with something.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Really?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Are you hard of hearing or something, Jackie?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She laughed. “Chuck asked me the same thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“I hope that scoundrel is out of your life now.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Oh, he is. Count on it. We’re so done.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Every cloud has a silver lining. Hold on a sec.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jackie grinned. Could it be true old Cecil Stone would actually come
through for her? And without a lecture? Maybe the lecture was yet to come?
She’d deal with it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Okay. I’m back. The schedule says there’s a three thirty train. Can
you be ready in time?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“I can.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Good. I’ll pick you up at the station.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Her tears returned. “Thanks, Dad. You’re the best. I didn’t think. I
just.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Oh, hush. That’s what dads are for, see you at four fifteen.” He ended
the conversation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"></p><div style="mso-element: comment-list;">
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<div class="msocomtxt" id="_com_1" language="JavaScript"><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-comment-author: "Kathy Krick"; mso-comment-providerid: "Windows Live"; mso-comment-userid: 67aa965d58ca35e4;"><!--[if !supportAnnotations]--><a name="_msocom_1"></a><!--[endif]--></span>
</span><p class="MsoCommentText"><br /></p><p class="MsoCommentText">Sooo, what did you think? Does it make you want to read more? Your feedback is welcome. Please feel free to leave a comment. </p></div></div></div><p></p>Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-80843383817324900192021-01-25T18:46:00.003-05:002021-02-03T09:19:01.065-05:00ABIGAIL'S JOURNEY - Step into the past with this sweet historical romance!<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kEBNaRxeCFc88oFXtnD7jrcFVz_RwqfDDSXFeXisGRDse3x35njVwRjAcl5Tge0KcVPXwz4LkKaZlEHEnyy51JfgIr_PNXJ2yRAelGYntRaxAb1ZMpHDb6zHiu3E2jIvoEkx4221UAjl/s2048/AbigailsJourney_fullres.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kEBNaRxeCFc88oFXtnD7jrcFVz_RwqfDDSXFeXisGRDse3x35njVwRjAcl5Tge0KcVPXwz4LkKaZlEHEnyy51JfgIr_PNXJ2yRAelGYntRaxAb1ZMpHDb6zHiu3E2jIvoEkx4221UAjl/w266-h400/AbigailsJourney_fullres.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Abigail
Chesney has it all; a husband more loving than she could have dreamt, three
healthy children, and a house on thriving farmland. She’s happy in her little
world until it crashes down around her. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Losing almost
everything tests Abby in ways she never expected. Can she learn to accept what
she can’t change and trust those she loves? Relying on help from the people of
Fitch’s Eddy, a tiny Catskill logging town, Abby discovers her own strength. Will
Fate’s cruel blows crush her?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or will
love give her a new reason to go on? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>Abigail’s
Journey</i> – travel back to Colonial America, 1786, with this heartfelt,
sweet, historical romance, where the flavor of the past leaps off the page. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What readers are saying... </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: times; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.3in;">“5 stars. This is a great read for sweet romance lovers and
for fans of American historicals.”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: times; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: times; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.3in;">A.V.</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: times;">”5 stars. I LOVED this book. The characters were well
developed and likable. I gasped, cried and held my breath at different scenes.
Did I mention that I loved this book? I can't wait to read more in this series.
So well done!” P.M. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">5 stars<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<span style="background: white; color: #0f1111;">I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's
well-written and takes the reader back to a time when life was a physical as
well as mental struggle to survive. Abigail is a strong woman, as pioneering
women had to be. Faced with an unbearable loss she keeps her head high and does
what she has to do to care for herself and her children. In a time when a
marriage built on love was a luxury Abigail is fortunate to find Caleb though the
angst of giving her heart a second time rings true for the time period.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;">This is a great read for sweet romance lovers and for fans of
American historicals.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"> A.R.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">READ AN EXCERPT: </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">May 1786<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Pack up and get out, Chesney. I’m moving in.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No sooner were the words out of the scoundrel’s mouth than
George Chesney hit him square on the jaw. The man exploded in rage and landed
two on George before bystanders pulled him away. Chesney had never been much
for fighting to settle a dispute. However, when the welfare of his beloved
family hung in the balance, he’d gladly trade fisticuffs with the devil
himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Leaving the Danbury Inn, he wiped the blood off his nose.
Tramping through town, he breathed deeply. The bell of the town crier stopped
him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Seven o’clock and all is well.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He compressed his lips together as bitterness soured his
mouth. It might be seven o’clock, but all was not well, not for the Chesney
family. Old Luke Morton had gambled away the deed to their farm. He had been
Morton’s tenant, working the farm for the past ten years. He figured to own it
outright in another five. Luke’s one whiskey too many and his losing hand at
cards smashed George’s dream to bits.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Laughing in his face, the winner had dashed any hope of
staying to farm the land. So, he’d lashed out at the man who’d threatened his
future but had come out the worse for it in the end.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fear spiked in George’s chest, slowing his pace. For once,
he dreaded returning home. Since he was late, his beautiful wife would have
kept a plate of dinner aside for him. She’d be wondering where he was. How
could he tell her Morton didn’t own their farm anymore and they had to pack up
and leave?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As he struggled to find words, his heartbeat sped up. Sweat
poured off his forehead and soaked his shirt. He wiped his face with his sleeve
and shivered in the chilly May wind under the cold light of a full moon. The
sweet smell of freshly turned earth met his nose. Crops were already planted,
but he’d not be around to harvest them. Where would they go? Farming was all he
knew. How would he make a living and feed his family?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It didn’t help that his face had swelled and the flesh
around his eye throbbed. Gently, he fingered his nose and flinched in pain. He
grew angry. It wasn’t his fault Morton was an old, drunken fool.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Seemed like bad luck had dogged his steps lately. They’d
lost a goat through a hole in the fence. Fox killed two chickens. He figured it
was timing. He’d had the best fortune in the world to win lovely Abigail’s
hand. And the three wonderful children she’d given him had brought him much
joy. Now he was thirty-six years old, maybe his luck had turned.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As he drew near to the little farmhouse he’d called home,
emotion choked him. How could he tell his family they’d have to leave the life
they loved—the only life they knew?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Smoke curled up from the chimney and the aroma of burning
logs drifted his way. Yep, his son, Samuel, had remembered to bring in wood. He
could almost taste his wife’s fine stew and smell the freshly baked bread his daughter,
Sarah, had put up in the afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">George directed his gaze upward and uttered a prayer as he
approached his home. He stopped halfway up the path to swallow hard and wipe
his cheek. The wetness wasn’t blood, but tears. He took a deep, shuddering
breath. No nice way to break such bad news. They were losing their home—he’d
come right out with it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He pushed the door open.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“George! I’m so glad you’re home. Where were you? We were
worried.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Speech eluded him. He stood, solid, feet spread slightly,
and reached for words that wouldn’t come. His gaze hopped from his wife to each
of his children in turn. They stopped what they were doing. She approached and
put her hand on his arm.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The smile faded from her face. “You’re bleeding. What
happened? Are you all right?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He shook his head. “No, I’m not. And nothing is going to be
all right again for a very long time.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Want to read more? Buy the book here: </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">AMAZON
U.S.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08KWGRBWF"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08KWGRBWF</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08KWGRBWF"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08KWGRBWF</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.in/dp/B08KWGRBWF"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">https://www.amazon.in/dp/B08KWGRBWF</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><br /></p><p></p>Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-54694323963587235152020-12-22T11:00:00.002-05:002020-12-22T11:54:42.601-05:00Merry Christmas! How about a feel-good, sweet short story for the holiday? THE CHRISTMAS PARTY<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5gnOQlIfmeWttkFgBa24cRdy6iI-bBT7k3azBDK1iBsUG8NqBSekKVEl0hEsa71wGoDdbS0i3l-XIrdiNE63apQhMK9vR6Yg_irax2BhbCbKGIgHw037jjjl_iSvxdgh_nOpQxxdz5iU/s1650/The+Christmas+Party+COVER.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1275" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5gnOQlIfmeWttkFgBa24cRdy6iI-bBT7k3azBDK1iBsUG8NqBSekKVEl0hEsa71wGoDdbS0i3l-XIrdiNE63apQhMK9vR6Yg_irax2BhbCbKGIgHw037jjjl_iSvxdgh_nOpQxxdz5iU/w309-h400/The+Christmas+Party+COVER.jpg" width="309" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Only $0.99! Bring a little holiday cheer into your life with </p><p>The Christmas Party...</p><p><span style="text-align: justify;">What do you get for Christmas for
your best friend who has everything? A date with her forever-crush, right?
Aaron and Patrice have been best friends since high school. This year, instead
of a bottle of perfume or a new scarf, he has the supreme surprise in store for
her – movie star and high school chum, Damian Wood.</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Aaron’s bringing him to Patrice’s
Christmas party expressly to meet her. Never mind Aaron had once crushed on her.
Putting aside your own feelings to make someone else happy is a sign of true
friendship, isn’t it? <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Little does he know Patrice has
cooked up a mighty big surprise for him, too. All is revealed at the Christmas
party, where things may not be what they seem in this sweet rom-com, feel-good short
story.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Here's an excerpt: </span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><i>An
apartment on the West Side of Manhattan<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">Aaron North had the best
Christmas present humanly possible for his best friend, Patrice Linden. Signed
and sealed—the only thing missing was a bow. He’d be bringing Damian Wood to
her annual Christmas Eve party.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">Damian was a star of
stage, screen, and Patrice’s dreams since they were fifteen. Aaron and Damian
had kept up a sort of friendship since they attended McHugh High School. The
actor had been in town to audition for Broadway, and while they were at lunch
together, Aaron had brought up Patrice.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><i>“The flat-chested girl
with the skinny legs?” Damian sipped his latte.<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><i>“She’s changed.” Aaron
had whipped out a picture and slid it across the table. Damian choked.<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><i>“Holy shit! This is
Patrice Linden?”<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><i>“Yep. She’s having a
Christmas Eve party, and I want to bring you. As her date. You’re her biggest
wet dream.”<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><i>“Me?”<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><i>Aaron nodded. “Come
on. You’re not dating anyone now, are you?”<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><i>“Well. Let me check my
schedule. I’ll text you tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">Damian had agreed. Aaron
couldn’t stop smiling.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">Every year Patrice would
rope him into helping out with planning and decorating. He’d be doing the tree
with her this year. And ordering the liquor too.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">His girlfriend, Crystal,
had stopped over after work. They ordered a pizza and watched a movie. Now,
he’d press her into service too.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“I need to order the champagne,
wine, and vodka. Call these liquor stores, Crystal. Get prices and delivery
schedules, okay? We need the booze there by noon on Christmas Eve.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Okay.” She perused the
list. “This is a lot of work for one lousy party.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“It’s going to be a great
party. The most monumental party in the world.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Just a Christmas party.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Not just a Christmas
party. A liberation. You’ll see.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">She sidled up to him. “Are
we getting engaged at Christmas?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">Aaron avoided her
question. “Go on, get started.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Don’t get your knickers
in a twist.” She picked up her phone and plopped down in the kitchen. His phone
rang. It was his father.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Dad?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Your text said you’re
inviting me to a Christmas party?” <i>he </i>Christmas party. I want you to be
a witness.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Witness to what?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Them meeting at the party.
Then it’ll be over.” Aaron cradled his cell phone while he pulled a beer from
the fridge.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Over for who? Her? Or
you?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“She’ll have the man of
her dreams.” He popped the top.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Come on, Aaron. I know
you’ve had the hots for this chick for like fifteen years.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“You’re crazy. We’re just
friends. She’s always wanted to be with Damian. And now she’ll get her chance.
He’s finished with his last…can I say relationship? No, probably not. With his
last whatever. And when I told him about Patrice and showed him her picture, he
went nuts. I couldn’t believe he actually remembered her from high school.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“So she wants to be with
him, and he wants to be with her?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Sort of. She’ll finally
get her chance.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“For a smart man,
sometimes you can be so stupid.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“What?” Aaron reached
into the cabinet and snatched a bag of potato chips.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“When are you going to
make your play?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Never. I have Crystal.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“I hope you’re not going
to propose to her.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“She expects it.” He
grabbed a handful of chips and put them on a paper towel.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“On Christmas? Why don’t
you just put coal in my stocking?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“She’s not that bad.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Yes, she is, and she
hates me.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“She doesn’t hate you.” He
munched on a chip.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Are we talking about the
same girl? The one with the big boobs?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Dad!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“You’re throwing away
your chance for happiness.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">Aaron paused before he
said, “Patrice wants Damian.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Did she say so?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“She spent five years
talking about Damian Wood, constantly, like he’s some kind of god. I got the
message.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“And now?” his dad asked.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Okay, maybe not so much
now.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“At all now?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Well, no. But I know how
she feels. She’s marking time with other guys.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“How do you know?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">He took another sip of
his beer before answering, “Said she’s waiting for the right one. She means
Damian.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“You’re an idiot. I can’t
talk to you. Go ahead. Throw happiness down the toilet. But don’t come crying
to me. I’ve gotta go. Neighbor lady is bringing a casserole.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">Aaron snickered. “Hot and
cold running women. Mom would be ashamed.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Mom would be thrilled.
Of course, I’d rather it was her, but she’s gone. Go ahead. Be a fool. Just
don’t tell me about it.”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">The phone went dead.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZatzOuuA_EszS2JeAn9lcY9urMW70ILJxIRMvnw6vgu2WM1X6VAxXGU2FsISQ_R0KLSdt1iI2rFb8JULPZrAMMEyWWC156atoyasMwQtsarJvQ0Wa44WI9Aeug8hOe-iPX906BOf7so8M/s1650/The+Christmas+Party+COVER.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1275" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZatzOuuA_EszS2JeAn9lcY9urMW70ILJxIRMvnw6vgu2WM1X6VAxXGU2FsISQ_R0KLSdt1iI2rFb8JULPZrAMMEyWWC156atoyasMwQtsarJvQ0Wa44WI9Aeug8hOe-iPX906BOf7so8M/w154-h200/The+Christmas+Party+COVER.jpg" width="154" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">Get it on Amazon now. Coming soon to Kobo and Google Play. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"> <b> </b><b>AMAZON</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span> </span><span> </span>https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R67NZQ5/</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"> APPLE BOOKS<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1546092528">https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1546092528</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-74164466137827692892020-10-27T12:21:00.012-04:002020-10-31T08:27:29.302-04:00Signed Paperbacks Are here!<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Who says you can't get a signed, personalized paperback anymore? Not me. I've put 32+ of my paperbacks up on Etsy for purchase. Plus my new 2021 calendar! Same price as Amazon (in some cases, less), no shipping charge, signed and personalized any way you want. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Great inexpensive holiday gifts! Where else can you get a gift of reading that's signed to your favorite aunt or your best friend? On Etsy, from me. Here's the list of books there so far, and the link.</span> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/">JEAN'S BOOKS ON ETSY</a></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">All books in the Pine Grove series are available.</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9OpN2PIQa2nwQTltgMVhK7-itiJe9y5Xa-9vfBGPIgnAWl_fuU5Q9_QPARrHXweU5jQ4XqY9Dm1mGounJpQHRyaIgsB-gkLqyo_5uzReZ5Wr8LLs8TtWiGizi7SPiD54BVraXgaOrlbt/s2508/SeriesBanner_fullres.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="2508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9OpN2PIQa2nwQTltgMVhK7-itiJe9y5Xa-9vfBGPIgnAWl_fuU5Q9_QPARrHXweU5jQ4XqY9Dm1mGounJpQHRyaIgsB-gkLqyo_5uzReZ5Wr8LLs8TtWiGizi7SPiD54BVraXgaOrlbt/s320/SeriesBanner_fullres.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Find all the books in the First & Tens series!</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4QdZY28wEbjkoDM9MdpZSXSCv49T4O3wXF4AY5rs-AlDtV7Y0xja-mnUFaQuPgYzVvQHUiXgVWAWwqf7vRzS7WPtkDhKGa5jwwwL1ke3umZivsR4MFZaaAtR1QBnZL7jVXJ6P64Yj3xu/s1800/7+covers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4QdZY28wEbjkoDM9MdpZSXSCv49T4O3wXF4AY5rs-AlDtV7Y0xja-mnUFaQuPgYzVvQHUiXgVWAWwqf7vRzS7WPtkDhKGa5jwwwL1ke3umZivsR4MFZaaAtR1QBnZL7jVXJ6P64Yj3xu/s320/7+covers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Find all the book in this series available in paper.</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPNYBtE_GNrPoyUARllmWVRuGWMQxZiBVhOrVdIIuLxoeXrSahsnmA4oSEhS96dwI6Pt0aEPr0EW11fGRz9k4MPYTFzPawY1yO8P1am8idhJoamSy1hpO1Dgmyjld_rOkLJ8HmjptPhd0/s1650/HH+All+Six+New.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPNYBtE_GNrPoyUARllmWVRuGWMQxZiBVhOrVdIIuLxoeXrSahsnmA4oSEhS96dwI6Pt0aEPr0EW11fGRz9k4MPYTFzPawY1yO8P1am8idhJoamSy1hpO1Dgmyjld_rOkLJ8HmjptPhd0/s320/HH+All+Six+New.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">All Books in the Bottom of the Ninth Series are available.</span></b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiKxJmWej7FjPHzCP1tihi8nr9gsKB95KbEId9v7kew4PufHTTS0otn0KHQ2N9FPm2Ydw-aHr64pkMoBghw-cHr19lmihuKY7JKLPZWAEV0cghNCpE7hTjUSkJ7OwD98q74pFLCcX5-bV/s900/Full+series.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiKxJmWej7FjPHzCP1tihi8nr9gsKB95KbEId9v7kew4PufHTTS0otn0KHQ2N9FPm2Ydw-aHr64pkMoBghw-cHr19lmihuKY7JKLPZWAEV0cghNCpE7hTjUSkJ7OwD98q74pFLCcX5-bV/s320/Full+series.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The anthology is available.</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkveGKPrvWJ6cqUa7Df9KcrY9vSF-uwPaXE_0TCuhGhFtj5ycOdAe7lsZyf7qSL7ibwOtfV6UzGF6mFXf7bglErsXbRTzyrEsnXFdPMpoz8s5fH5emnWHHMHJxVzeFKovqS21dARqGAfQ/s320/EchoesoftheHeart_AudioFormat.jpg" /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The House-Sitter's Christmas is available.</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzJ1YIqsIurOFeD_TlDdFxlkIsMbUBPyKk6_xOnS6QLsWwZndB0eJhZB3wHR0WVMdT-g2cx0f7QEXRlIt3q7X9oL8_htVdzpyINNHAc6xPOtF3GnSC3Zistf5an3nu4TfqdZCVNplmfPP/s1650/BLUE+ICE.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1275" height="26" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzJ1YIqsIurOFeD_TlDdFxlkIsMbUBPyKk6_xOnS6QLsWwZndB0eJhZB3wHR0WVMdT-g2cx0f7QEXRlIt3q7X9oL8_htVdzpyINNHAc6xPOtF3GnSC3Zistf5an3nu4TfqdZCVNplmfPP/w20-h26/BLUE+ICE.jpg" width="20" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZE2y84_wpMPolU8CeU9zSf_zJyWLk3NxS91X6ETh2AwryMl3umCx6eGkAh3FNaU_CPhxTBlYmwASZw-Q58ISN5ocl0sX4cjWvfqfYB0WdEvyiU0-H68eKZojn8_ctBQiDySKpD6na3KD_/s1650/Blue+Ice+FINAL+FT+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1275" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZE2y84_wpMPolU8CeU9zSf_zJyWLk3NxS91X6ETh2AwryMl3umCx6eGkAh3FNaU_CPhxTBlYmwASZw-Q58ISN5ocl0sX4cjWvfqfYB0WdEvyiU0-H68eKZojn8_ctBQiDySKpD6na3KD_/w247-h320/Blue+Ice+FINAL+FT+Cover.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sunny Days, Moonlit Nights, a sweet romance, is available.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHE449Xn_XaFH_7YNwZmIky4c-6fSkjDheOfIiq-ZUZAaskHPbCoWU30Ofxu2qpsjrFQDKbnO_FvmJRoYeSl5D06SPHYRhIF4gaxObjw9Vmo7iXUUIGDUqv2FvIpvrmjLypcyEEiV1OdRp/s750/Sunny+Days%252C+Moonlit+Nights+500+x+750+%25282%2529+-+Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHE449Xn_XaFH_7YNwZmIky4c-6fSkjDheOfIiq-ZUZAaskHPbCoWU30Ofxu2qpsjrFQDKbnO_FvmJRoYeSl5D06SPHYRhIF4gaxObjw9Vmo7iXUUIGDUqv2FvIpvrmjLypcyEEiV1OdRp/w213-h320/Sunny+Days%252C+Moonlit+Nights+500+x+750+%25282%2529+-+Copy.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>April's Kiss in the Moonlight, a sweet romance is available.</b></span></div><span style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><span style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOl_9wbHGpphRE6VfpHlbfCbfW7O9oSGhxMQ0MZEh4dYRpK3m2DG1DZ0kHMBMsJzqEgzYY_bqn-n9bCK6NEh4Qnm5l8pPnhyxYNnN_Si5UCxQo1rwPRhO5obstDEgHEVa8FuFqIb47tZTg/s1200/AprilsKissintheMoonlight_LRG+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOl_9wbHGpphRE6VfpHlbfCbfW7O9oSGhxMQ0MZEh4dYRpK3m2DG1DZ0kHMBMsJzqEgzYY_bqn-n9bCK6NEh4Qnm5l8pPnhyxYNnN_Si5UCxQo1rwPRhO5obstDEgHEVa8FuFqIb47tZTg/s320/AprilsKissintheMoonlight_LRG+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><br /></div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Beyond the Bake Sale is $4.00 less than the price on Amazon!</span></b></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKI0FRSYPl17gb8um8dcK-KXQZB2M9Xmk7PbyZkub9mw2DJlOrQNtm8_tSVSB33QWNEzyWIPW1BlBo5wc1ezMc_1OXMnGrX8fSN6YtKVlD39q1rs8RL6OPBMwldS75aXOfvr3zkYA5_heX/s2048/BeyondtheBakeSale_Kindle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKI0FRSYPl17gb8um8dcK-KXQZB2M9Xmk7PbyZkub9mw2DJlOrQNtm8_tSVSB33QWNEzyWIPW1BlBo5wc1ezMc_1OXMnGrX8fSN6YtKVlD39q1rs8RL6OPBMwldS75aXOfvr3zkYA5_heX/s320/BeyondtheBakeSale_Kindle.jpg" /></a></span></b></u></div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><u><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></u></div><div style="text-align: center;">Holiday Hearts Collection (5 novellas) is available. </div><div style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><u><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></u></div><div style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><u><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></u></div><div style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><u><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkRIXI367T3bfhzM_3bJDWPe-OZMdD2Zd5CRZ0YPXkQlpnPT27J3ODWSL9P3p4IrZfkAZ2_BIYUkdUyfPr_djOsocU6Nqh0XQtz65lyXKQ-RYONKH9VnuDjFNdlWDd7wTn1QpjlZb18UF/s2048/HolidayHeartsCollection_fullres.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkRIXI367T3bfhzM_3bJDWPe-OZMdD2Zd5CRZ0YPXkQlpnPT27J3ODWSL9P3p4IrZfkAZ2_BIYUkdUyfPr_djOsocU6Nqh0XQtz65lyXKQ-RYONKH9VnuDjFNdlWDd7wTn1QpjlZb18UF/s320/HolidayHeartsCollection_fullres.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></u></div><div style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><u><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></u></div><div style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><u><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></u></div><div style="text-align: center;">Stories from the Heart 2021 Calendar is available.</div><br /></span></b><p></p><p><u></u></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Gw1x7QXbXJ5tNaErpgOBdOlHSFI-nMs2SaFOPzRm3yDvmHHblTEFM7aOTfhBwGeUErQKgaFwmTx8snGC39Bvi0RTKkcqEC_5ev0XJKrL4kQ16cwy0T_FnIiXtdxcN775tZKkUTZlRIFz/s1275/Cover+2021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Gw1x7QXbXJ5tNaErpgOBdOlHSFI-nMs2SaFOPzRm3yDvmHHblTEFM7aOTfhBwGeUErQKgaFwmTx8snGC39Bvi0RTKkcqEC_5ev0XJKrL4kQ16cwy0T_FnIiXtdxcN775tZKkUTZlRIFz/s320/Cover+2021.jpg" width="320" /></a></u></div><u><br /><b><br /></b></u><p></p><p><u><b><br /></b></u></p><p><u><b><br /></b></u></p><p><u><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Coming this week: </span></b></u></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Now and Forever series </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Go to </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com" style="font-size: large;">http://www.etsy.com</a><span style="font-size: large;"> and search by book title or Jean Joachim </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Special request? If you want one or more books you don't see here, or more of a particular book than are available, simply email me and I'll make it happen: sunnydaysbook@gmail.com </span></p></div>Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-17639760991128732012020-10-11T05:46:00.002-04:002020-10-11T05:46:41.426-04:00<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvX-ffZrRI6a7opOON8wsJAbz-Gw4DH5HCL5U5E5zJysh5ZtAJAQ7aSz3urlmvagCPURZBBwulUImI1PxQ9LxWH7ROu8MuNB8bkrizNH1OX-MsaTJ_YrD4aYp-aePD21kuVm9qdUZ61cd/s1500/BookBrushImage-2020-8-23-12-4640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvX-ffZrRI6a7opOON8wsJAbz-Gw4DH5HCL5U5E5zJysh5ZtAJAQ7aSz3urlmvagCPURZBBwulUImI1PxQ9LxWH7ROu8MuNB8bkrizNH1OX-MsaTJ_YrD4aYp-aePD21kuVm9qdUZ61cd/s320/BookBrushImage-2020-8-23-12-4640.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLqwc_eq-FY87PoRAhIU48viwpWxIDWqtpOBgj3-2MpQSWVYmX_klSAfzRFLv857IQMTUt7LMS3bWIHDp0ZJXRqUrlc6mxNL-Qi9SvtN3w8tcX77PYWo2DAbKDs1RVZspxes-AoBjv-F8/s1200/SeducingHisHeart_LRG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLqwc_eq-FY87PoRAhIU48viwpWxIDWqtpOBgj3-2MpQSWVYmX_klSAfzRFLv857IQMTUt7LMS3bWIHDp0ZJXRqUrlc6mxNL-Qi9SvtN3w8tcX77PYWo2DAbKDs1RVZspxes-AoBjv-F8/s320/SeducingHisHeart_LRG.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Welcome to the Fall RWANYC blog hop. "Seducing his heart" is free for everyone until 10/14 and free on Kindle Unlimited all the time. Scroll down to return to the blog hop. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Here's a brief excerpt:</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Crash opened the door to The Wellington. Bess nodded to him as she continued on her way upstairs. Her mind on her baking, she didn’t see Candy Wayne barreling toward her. The skinny young woman plowed into Bess, knocking her bags to the ground. The contents scattered.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Broken heel.” Candy held up half of a four-inch spiked pump before she teetered onto the elevator. When Bess swore under her breath, her pug, Dumpling, barked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The woman looked disheveled, top half-tucked in, skirt askew. “Sorry. Sorry,” the model mumbled as the doors shut. The elevator descended, leaving Bess to clean up the mess. She heard scratching at her door and the squeaking of hinges as the one down the hall opened. Whit, wearing a fluffy white terry robe, and probably nothing else, stuck his head out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“What the hell?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“My dog. When she hears me, she barks.” Bess, on her knees, swept boxes of tea and bags of coffee together.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“What have you got? A Rottweiler? A shepherd?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bess laughed. “A pug. She <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thinks</i> she’s a Rottweiler.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“A pug?” He chuckled. “Do you need a hand?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“I’m fine.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Did Candy do this?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bess clamped her lips together in a fine line and continued to scoop her purchases up and dump them in the bag. Dumpling kept barking.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Whit padded barefoot out of his apartment and knelt down next to Bess. He picked up several items and read the labels. “Chai tea, Kona coffee, Loganberry jam…”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bess plucked each container out of his hand one-by-one and whisked it into the bag. “I’m doing some research on coffee and tea.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“How interesting. My research involves sifting through dry, boring article after dry, boring article on the Internet.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“You do what you do, and I do what I do.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As she stood up, he handed her a package of black licorice. “Bet we’re the last two people in the city who like this stuff,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“I doubt it.” She stiffened.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As he leaned over, his robe parted, and she got a good view of his chest--totally touchable, firm, but not bodybuilder hard. Black chest hair in moderation made her fingertips tingle at the thought of running them up his pecs. With an effort, she ripped her gaze from his body and directed it to the cartons of food still on the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">A bit about the book:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Inside a fashionable apartment house on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, sparks fly when tenant, Bess Cooper, as delectable as the desserts she whips up on her TV baking show, bumps into her gorgeous new neighbor</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p>Whitfield Bass. A well-known broadcast journalist, he’s locked in a hot and heavy embrace with a stunning model, like those who accessorize his every outfit, and boudoir. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Whit, aka Mr. No Commit, is a smooth-talking womanizer. Bess is the kind of Happily Ever After girl you make the mother of your children. Yet, against their will, they’re drawn together as powerfully as the poles of a magnet. Will she have the fortitude to survive a shattered heart?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is Whit chasing a dream of success half a world away -- or running scared? Can scandal destroy everything Bess holds dear?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;">Find the book here: </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk43212768"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">AMAZON<o:p></o:p></span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43212768;"></span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014X9QHMS"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43212768;"><span style="line-height: 27px;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014X9QHMS</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43212768;"><span style="line-height: 27px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43212768;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43212768;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">AMAZON U.K.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43212768;"></span><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B014X9QHMS"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43212768;"><span style="line-height: 27px;">https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B014X9QHMS</span></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43212768;"><span style="line-height: 27px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43212768;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43212768;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">AMAZON CANADA<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43212768;"></span><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B014X9QHMS"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43212768;">https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B014X9QHMS</span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43212768;"><span style="line-height: 27px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43212768;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43212768;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">AMAZON AUSTRALIA<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43212768;"></span><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B014X9QHMS"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43212768;">https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B014X9QHMS</span></a><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43212768;"><span style="line-height: 27px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk43212768;"></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5357397699939712336/1780852401493738793"> RETURN TO THE BLOG HOP HERE</a></span></o:p></p></div><div><o:p><br /></o:p></div>Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-42186513037541550622020-07-23T21:48:00.001-04:002020-07-23T22:02:20.223-04:00RWANYC BLOG TOUR! WELCOME ABOARD!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGJT8CFcG-2ajkDrqO7Xqk8rHt52-DdYWH2Xwz7FqQLZ5YgZ2LvTPXuZrYhg7gBE-xf5vLbkJnu0kapvaH2aI-bpriiEE9xQ5LRhfzdCvcUifk2JPcaN5-EUcBSP877lZGif_lyHDQnwP/s825/Blog+Tour+July+Badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="825" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGJT8CFcG-2ajkDrqO7Xqk8rHt52-DdYWH2Xwz7FqQLZ5YgZ2LvTPXuZrYhg7gBE-xf5vLbkJnu0kapvaH2aI-bpriiEE9xQ5LRhfzdCvcUifk2JPcaN5-EUcBSP877lZGif_lyHDQnwP/w500-h291/Blog+Tour+July+Badge.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><font size="5"><br /></font></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><font size="5">Welcome to the RWANYC Summer Blog Tour! RWA authors are posting excerpts from their works. This is from my book, "You Belong to Me." </font></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><font size="5">When you've finished reading mine, click on the link below to return to the tour and read the excerpts from other fine authors. Thanks for stopping by! </font></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><font size="5">******************************</font></i></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><i><font size="5">December</font></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><font size="5">“Look, Dad!” Bobby Morrison yelled from the living
room.<o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><font size="5">Holding a mug of coffee, the boy’s father, Cal, strolled
into the room and peered out the window.<o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><font size="5">“Someone’s moving in,” Cal said.<o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><font size="5">“Look! A big truck,” exclaimed the boy.<o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><font size="5">Cal chuckled and rubbed his son’s head as they watched
the men unloading furniture and carting it into the house.<o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><font size="5">“Go get dressed. School today.” Cal shooed Bobby
away.<o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><font size="5">Curiosity riveted the older Morrison to the window.
A woman appeared at the door to the small house. Her short, dark hair and the
way she moved caught his eye.<o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><font size="5">“What’s she doing here? She’s not moving into that
house, is she?” he said to himself.<o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><font size="5">A frown drew the corners of his mouth down. His
brows knitted, and anger tightened his chest. Hadn’t Giselle Davenport done
enough harm? She didn’t belong here anymore. Why had she come back? It sure
wasn’t because of him. Why hadn’t she stayed in Europe, where she belonged?<o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><font size="5">He had a life in Pine Grove now. Her return would
spoil things. He’d been over Giselle since themoment she left, or at least that
was what he told himself. He’d found someone else, married, and had a child. So,
why didn’t Giselle stay in another corner of the world?<o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><font size="5">Drawn to her against his will, he stood there, transfixed,
as the burly men hauled tables, chairs, and boxes inside.<o:p></o:p></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><font size="5">“She can’t own the place. No. She must be renting.
Probably only a brief stop on her way to Timbuktu for another fancy job,” he
muttered to himself. And maybe breaking another heart? At least this time, it wouldn’t
be his.</font><o:p></o:p></p><font size="5">For links to buy the book, click <b><a href="https://wp.me/P2002B-xz">HERE</a></b></font></div><div><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div><font size="5"><a href="rwanyc.blogspot.com">Click here to return to the blog tour.</a> </font></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-64965950783306697152020-04-22T07:38:00.002-04:002020-04-22T07:49:41.723-04:00REWRITE THE STARS - NEW RELEASE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_j5fsP7rwDOBJfT_K7-j1f6JtDYyY-AZOxOwakJVuDSJaF4bjZQIDSneK8mnaPVkbF70MrlnRqaZOWNgmmEiYRbKmagMf6kjZb7aD859oUacjmOQrZztvHZglzs5utD8x1SYsB3YHfYc/s1600/RewritetheStars_Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_j5fsP7rwDOBJfT_K7-j1f6JtDYyY-AZOxOwakJVuDSJaF4bjZQIDSneK8mnaPVkbF70MrlnRqaZOWNgmmEiYRbKmagMf6kjZb7aD859oUacjmOQrZztvHZglzs5utD8x1SYsB3YHfYc/s400/RewritetheStars_Kindle.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Welcome! How about a taste of my new release? It's back to Pine Grove. Meet some of your favorite characters again as you rub elbows with the folks of Pine Grove, a small town in upstate New York, where people can be so friendly, some might call it nosy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a taste of the book - one of my favorite scenes: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">********************************</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">Flint
closed his project file. While he’d never buy a mansion on the profits from
McKay Press, he and his brother lived comfortably in Pine Grove. His parents
had sold the business and their house to their sons when they moved to Arizona.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">Flint and
Marty renovated the place and took a business loan from the bank to upgrade
their equipment and expand. Flint had put Marty in charge of new accounts while
he took care of tried-and-true customers and maintained the machinery. The
partnership worked. The brothers, separated by five years, stayed out of each
other’s way. In their spare time, they joined the volunteer fire corps.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“So? Did
Miss High-and-Mighty tell you what to do with the store or tell you to fuck
off?” The slow drawl of his younger brother, Marty, annoyed him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Don’t
call her that. She was nice, real nice.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I bet.
So why’d you come home pissed?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Shut up,
Marty.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Yeah,
yeah, Flint. When pigs can fly, when the worm turns, and when hell freezes
over, you’ll get a call from Miss Cassandra Wells.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">Seeing
Cassie had jolted Flint. Could she be more stunning than she’d been at sixteen?
Hell yeah. She’d exuded an energy from her expression, the way she’d moved, and
those eyes. Damn those eyes. They were the clearest blue, like the Caribbean
Sea. Her hair still had a reddish glint, too. Being in her presence had turned
him on. Until she sloughed off the importance of the store. As heartless as she
was beautiful. He shuddered to think she’d turned her back on her past.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">The phone
interrupted his thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“McKay
Press. Flint McKay speaking.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Hey,
Flint.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Oh, hi,
Grey.” Damn, if there was anyone he didn’t want to talk to, it was Grey
Andrews.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Rumor
has it you had dinner with Cassie Wells.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“There is
truth to the rumor.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Great.
So? When is she coming to take care of the store?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Well, we
didn’t exactly work out a date yet.” Flint glanced at the sky, asking for
forgiveness for one of the biggest lies of his life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Why
not?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You
know, performers. Schedules. Stuff.” Sweat broke out on his forehead.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Oh.
Okay. I hope she’s coming soon. Town council’s getting antsy. Keep me in the
loop.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Sure
thing, Grey.” Flint put down his phone and wiped his palm over his face.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You’re digging
the hole deeper,” Marty said, lounging against the doorjamb of Flint’s office.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I know,
I know.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Not
ready to give up on her, are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I just
saw her this week. Crap. Give the woman some time. She’s real busy. It’s not
like she’s sitting on her butt all day eating candy. She’ll come around. You’ll
see.” Hmm, second biggest lie of his life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Is that
what she told you?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Never
mind what she told me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marty
shot his brother a sly grin. “Yeah, right. Like there’s anything between you
and her anymore.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“None of
your business. Don’t you have calls to return or something?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I’m going,
I’m going.” Marty held up his palm. “Hell, you can lie to me all you want,
Flint. But don’t lie to yourself.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">With
those words, Marty slipped away. Flint stared out the window. There were Chipping
</span>S<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">parrows at the bird feeder.
Marty was right. Lying to others was bad enough, but lying to yourself was
worse. He sighed and turned his focus to the computer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">His cell
rang. “McKay Press. Flint McKay speaking.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Flint?”
A small voice barely audible whispered his name.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Cassie?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Well, shit. Pigs can
fly, worms have turned, and hell has frozen over!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a bit about the book: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk37656348"><span style="font-size: large;">Fleeing
from the altar three times brands Flint McKay as “a serial proposer.” He swears
each proposal is genuine and real. Yet, when it comes time to tie the knot, his
heart isn’t in it. What drives him away from marriage? He has no clue. No, the
answer doesn’t lie with Cassandra Wells, star of stage and screen. Or at least
that’s what Flint tells himself. <o:p></o:p></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk37656348;"><span style="font-size: large;">After sixteen years setting records at the box office, winning
Tony Awards, and rising like the brightest star in the sky, stardom no longer
appeals to Cassandra Wells. At 32, she wants to trade in her greasepaint for a new
life. The first step is escaping the people controlling her. Would old
friendships rekindled, and secrets revealed allow Cassie to rewrite the stars?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk37656348;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk37656348;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's book six of the Pine Grove series, but a true stand-alone and only $3.99 for the ebook. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk37656348;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk37656348;"><span style="font-size: large;">Find the ebook and paperback versions here: </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk37656348;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk37656450">AMAZON<o:p></o:p></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0871JZQ3D">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0871JZQ3D</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<o:p> </o:p>GOOGLE PLAY</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=P2rcDwAAQBAJ">https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=P2rcDwAAQBAJ</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<o:p> </o:p>KOBO</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/rewrite-the-stars-5">https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/rewrite-the-stars-5</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
AMAZON U.K.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0871JZQ3D">https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0871JZQ3D</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<o:p> </o:p>APPLE</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1507683720">https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1507683720</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
BARNES & NOBLE<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rewrite-the-stars-jean-c-joachim/1136847741;jsessionid=8DFDC8D75832FB29B892653B71CBEA0F.prodny_store01-atgap09?ean=2940163973910">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rewrite-the-stars-jean-c-joachim/1136847741;jsessionid=8DFDC8D75832FB29B892653B71CBEA0F.prodny_store01-atgap09?ean=2940163973910</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
AMAZON CANADA</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0871JZQ3D">https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0871JZQ3D</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
AMAZON AUSTRALIA<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0871JZQ3D">https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0871JZQ3D</a><o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-27860955829877173102019-12-20T11:31:00.003-05:002019-12-20T11:32:04.764-05:00NEW RELEASE! CHRISTMAS DUET - A PINE GROVE CHRISTMAS NOVELLA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdHJ443tjZAMh0zYHy2e5RSfvl9guN39Hp4RrTYTjlAzdDkg4qMloJZKCdpsQh0uDwHOHFXYFC8CB6TX3rsUUO3Oe1g_hyMZ1qegLv3MGayVpu0yHsPYWVoajveCE-71MhH3-Hgn5BGgX/s1600/ChristmasDuet_fullres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdHJ443tjZAMh0zYHy2e5RSfvl9guN39Hp4RrTYTjlAzdDkg4qMloJZKCdpsQh0uDwHOHFXYFC8CB6TX3rsUUO3Oe1g_hyMZ1qegLv3MGayVpu0yHsPYWVoajveCE-71MhH3-Hgn5BGgX/s640/ChristmasDuet_fullres.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Brand new holiday novella - CHRISTMAS DUET</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A Pine Grove Christmas story.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sheriff Don Armstrong can’t believe what he sees when he shines his
flashlight on someone breaking and entering –a beautiful woman. What’s a woman wearing
expensive suede boots doing climbing in a window? And why is such a fancy perp in
Pine Grove altogether? With gun drawn, he gives the orders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Hold it right there, Ma’am.
Step back. Away from the window. Keep your hands where I can see them.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The woman’s eyes widen. Like a deer in the
headlights, she freezes. He thinks he’s seen
it all, until he meets Traci Ashton. Sure, it’s Christmas Eve, but Don stopped
believing in miracles years ago. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 354.95pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Traci Ashton has it all, or almost all. With a job she loves and a
kick-ass apartment in New York City, what more could she ask for? The only
thing missing is the perfect man. The closest she’s come, Lars, went back to
Norway at Thanksgiving –and he didn’t ask her to go with him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Newly turned forty, Traci gives up looking. Little does she suspect
that the next attractive man she meets brandishes a gun and is pointing it at her! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Pre-order here:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(On sale 1/1/20)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="https://wp.me/P2002B-F7">https://wp.me/P2002B-F7</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-87367580115128535652019-10-31T18:06:00.002-04:002019-10-31T18:06:37.779-04:00A TREASURY OF HOLIDAY STORIES TO WARM YOUR HEART<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: start;">Welcome to my treasury of holiday stories. I'm a sucker for holidays and have been writing holiday books forever. Here they are, some award-winners, some poignant, some funny, short, long, they defy categorization -- except to say they are all holiday stories and they all have happy endings. From $0.99 to $4.99, your sure to find something intriguing. Let's start with Thanksgiving.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE MARRIAGE LIST</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhvF_KeMUAYqxns2HiVSc4qwXr_QwXLantAe0jqnCyvNMgT1svYWBsoEfzqz75qnPBiqKm8sPg-i2pqNCMhqsFDV1hQYC7YtOnjR9cqh10vcYgAS6q6qGeTQd6BIzSC88WTAJBIKLggLo/s1600/2019+ML+NEW+COVER+SMASH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhvF_KeMUAYqxns2HiVSc4qwXr_QwXLantAe0jqnCyvNMgT1svYWBsoEfzqz75qnPBiqKm8sPg-i2pqNCMhqsFDV1hQYC7YtOnjR9cqh10vcYgAS6q6qGeTQd6BIzSC88WTAJBIKLggLo/s400/2019+ML+NEW+COVER+SMASH.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Written specifically for Thanksgiving, this timeless story is a favorite of mine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Can happily ever after start with a list? </span><span style="font-size: large;">After 10 years of working, saving, and investing, Grey Andrews achieved a level of wealth that allows him to do what he wants with his life.
He needs a woman to share it with, but not any woman, the perfect woman, one
who possesses the three qualities on his marriage list. $2.99 </span><span style="font-size: large;">Buy it </span><b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><a href="https://wp.me/P2002B-a">HERE</a></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>HANUKKAH HEARTS</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Relocated to New York City from the Midwest, Becky
Cohen follows her dream by snagging a choice entry level job at a publisher. She
plans to Skype with her family during their Hanukkah celebration, until her mother’s
rushed to the hospital.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Devastated to be
removed from her loved ones during this trying time, Becky’s amazed to find a
new gift appears on her desk every day. Does she figure out who her benefactor
is? Read the story to find out. $1.99</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Buy it <a href="https://wp.me/P2002B-C2">HERE</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At Christmas, Laura Fleming lived her fantasy
adventure. Paid to house-sit for the fabulously wealthy financier, C.W. Banley,
while he traveled, she eagerly headed for New York City. As mistress of his
elegant townhouse, she baked cookies and dressed the old gent’s richly-furnished
residence for the holidays. Every year, she wished, in vain, for a happy
ending. Will this be the year that Miss Fleming discovers her dreams can come
true? A</span><span style="font-size: large;"> sweet, award-winning, Christmas Fairy Tale. $2.99</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Buy it <a href="https://jeanjoachimbooks.com/holiday-hearts/the-house-sitters-christmas/">HERE</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When Connecticut Kings
star football player, Keith Wilson, asks his actress sister, Molly, to sub for
him at the annual Christmas party for kids, she refuses. Although he
manipulates her into agreeing, she turns the tables by extracting a reluctant
promise from him. Will she be able to carry off posing as a man? And what
happens when Santa turns out to be someone she didn’t expect? A sweet, sexy
short holiday romantic comedy. $0.99 Buy it <a href="https://jeanjoachimbooks.com/holiday-hearts/santa-surprise/">HERE</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORT4BTShjItJ4Z0eB_a6xgemdrLH1hr4AmoVbxwHRCEG2BGCWFEBjetBIOFc_LhLt-cnD-TV9ZUSdtibtaRmq4LmM-hHqEefU2OPO9MCAcufWNpAQf214A49hL0duKP6y2Yjs6Va3m7ft/s1600/The+Final+Slapshot+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORT4BTShjItJ4Z0eB_a6xgemdrLH1hr4AmoVbxwHRCEG2BGCWFEBjetBIOFc_LhLt-cnD-TV9ZUSdtibtaRmq4LmM-hHqEefU2OPO9MCAcufWNpAQf214A49hL0duKP6y2Yjs6Va3m7ft/s400/The+Final+Slapshot+%25282%2529.jpg" width="266" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Why did life have to be so hard? And at
Christmas, too. Things had been going great for him. Being the top defenseman
on the Huskies and married to the hottest, nicest woman—Deke had captured the
brass ring of life. This Christmas, half of that dream bursts into flames. Does
he need a Christmas miracle to keep the other half from going up in smoke, too? $2.99</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Buy it <a href="https://jeanjoachimbooks.com/the-final-slapshot/">HERE</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">A contemporary
holiday romance that starts in the country and travels into the glitzy glitter
of New York City at Christmas. A steamy, funny, emotional story with a happy
ending you'll never see coming! $2.99 Buy it <a href="https://wp.me/P2002B-dS">HERE</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Broken promises, heartbreak,
bitterness keep Cal and Giselle apart. Can a little boy and the spirit of
Christmas convince them to put their hurt aside and open their hearts to
forgiveness? $3.99 Buy it <a href="https://jeanjoachimbooks.com/pine-grove-novels/you-belong-to-me/">HERE</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the men and their women celebrate the holidays, bad news
rivals good as accidents, breakups, and unexpected reunions strain love to the
breaking point. Who will get their Christmas wish and who will not? If you’ve
loved the men of the First & Ten series, then you won’t want to miss this
nail-biter, the final chapter that will have you in tears and laughing with the
wonderful men of the Connecticut Kings. $4.99 Buy it <a href="https://wp.me/P2002B-nS">HERE</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnG6DThqyJ4HkXw3JroZBlKwmya5U1-ykr7o1LCScgT0HKVZUxpnRzfCmZ60QzTxNHkO1ZKlTTPDMyoErXXPIbZqwH47OcxOiF-FCeUekOyfcOlqHPnYCEP9VESIoFza47_58XzrEqyveS/s1600/Tuffers+Xmas+Wish+NEW+COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnG6DThqyJ4HkXw3JroZBlKwmya5U1-ykr7o1LCScgT0HKVZUxpnRzfCmZ60QzTxNHkO1ZKlTTPDMyoErXXPIbZqwH47OcxOiF-FCeUekOyfcOlqHPnYCEP9VESIoFza47_58XzrEqyveS/s400/Tuffers+Xmas+Wish+NEW+COVER.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">When he turned eighteen, Tuffer gave up on
getting his one special Christmas wish. At twenty-three, the tough, pro football lineman turned his energies toward helping the Connecticut Kings win
the Super Bowl and courting the coach’s daughter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">One wintry day, Tuffer’s wish was
granted. He hoped it would bring peace to his life, but the outcome was just
the opposite. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">A story of Christmas spirit reaching into the heart of an angry young man. The emotion in this short story will
rock you to your roots. Stand-alone short story. $0.99 Buy it <a href="https://wp.me/P2002B-mr">HERE</a></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-29863587372592797072019-08-26T09:38:00.002-04:002019-08-26T09:38:14.222-04:00FREE!! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWGyYr1XA7ZnDgwEovQ0uBIwzNhyphenhyphenRtjy6tBuuTxSNKPF0hBC4mXiTR3AgL1m794ZFteMsD-jTNMEhnoja5Prtk3TdfGsCZr6L_5VlKmmDbdIe9x0NIRQrjtwAFNrsBmg7F5_vxJP6UzfY/s1600/First%2526TenSampler_fullres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWGyYr1XA7ZnDgwEovQ0uBIwzNhyphenhyphenRtjy6tBuuTxSNKPF0hBC4mXiTR3AgL1m794ZFteMsD-jTNMEhnoja5Prtk3TdfGsCZr6L_5VlKmmDbdIe9x0NIRQrjtwAFNrsBmg7F5_vxJP6UzfY/s400/First%2526TenSampler_fullres.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not sure if you like football romance? Read the first
chapters of all nine books here – FREE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Meet the men of the Connecticut Kings football team. Share their anguish
and their triumphs as they strive for success in the game of football and the
game of love. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">GRIFF
MONTGOMERY, QUARTERBACK<br />
BUDDY CARRUTHERS, WIDE RECEIVER<br />
PETE SEBASTIAN, COACH<br />
DEVON DRAKE, CORNERBACK<br />
SLY "BULLHORN" BRODSKY, OFFENSIVE LINE<br />
AL "TRUNK" MAHONEY, DEFENSIVE LINE<br />
HARLEY BRENNAN, RUNNING BACK<br />
OVERTIME: THE FINAL TOUCHDOWN <br />
A KINGS' CHRISTMAS <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is a compilation of the first chapters of all nine books
in the football romance series, First & Ten. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Find the free book here: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">https://wp.me/P2002B-zJ</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DUHShuclfWEpd22KUVHzUhIO_aDpmM4CB89nXjmlTOiBZiGoGrBB9rDCFRrxVNLkn4KQnf8zsalmekgOiNdRw1fBiFR96ZBoHHUxrMXTpLULgp_UuN0Efkk8TZxqr0Ldoa_GTovyK85b/s1600/ALL+8+covers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DUHShuclfWEpd22KUVHzUhIO_aDpmM4CB89nXjmlTOiBZiGoGrBB9rDCFRrxVNLkn4KQnf8zsalmekgOiNdRw1fBiFR96ZBoHHUxrMXTpLULgp_UuN0Efkk8TZxqr0Ldoa_GTovyK85b/s400/ALL+8+covers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-30840835732705103762019-07-15T13:23:00.000-04:002019-07-15T13:23:09.462-04:00JUST ONE KISS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Q6LgchrBbB5z-hGrLowxTrQrBVF9Gg8Fn0geE7rb99XawOssKwKmQq__mmqgAAjYXXpXe1-J3J5q_yO81-6IO1VSqP5S-urEvUBdcbdsz-Jh5K0zrGfr6QQvTBBY31qQhOEHXCAESzFm/s1600/JustOneKiss_Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Q6LgchrBbB5z-hGrLowxTrQrBVF9Gg8Fn0geE7rb99XawOssKwKmQq__mmqgAAjYXXpXe1-J3J5q_yO81-6IO1VSqP5S-urEvUBdcbdsz-Jh5K0zrGfr6QQvTBBY31qQhOEHXCAESzFm/s320/JustOneKiss_Kindle.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Up for preorder, available now on Google Play. JUST ONE KISS, new romantic comedy! Here's an excerpt.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
GPS put her within two miles of her destination. Her pulse kicked up.
Impatience pushed her foot down a little harder on the accelerator. Picking her
gaze up from the road, she eased down on the brake as a sleepy little house
emerged from the darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;">How
thoughtful of Roberta to leave the light over the front door on</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;">.
As she signaled for a turn, she frowned to see another car in the driveway.
Maybe Roberta had a spare car? Could she have forgotten about Meg’s arrival
date?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
pulled up next to a silver BMW SUV. Hmm, maybe Roberta had custody of the house
already?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Meg
opened the trunk and took out two bags. The rest could wait until the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
jostled Charlie. “Sweetheart. Charlie. Dear. We’re here. Can you get up long
enough to get into bed?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Meg
prayed the beds were made up already. Charlie mumbled something, rubbed his
face and slid out the door. He stumbled his way up the cement path with his
mother toting the bags right behind him. Meg fished the key from her purse. She
put it in the lock and swung the door wide open.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
Charlie tripped up the step into the house, the sound of barking, once faint
grew louder. As the boy moved inside, the hound from Hell, snarling, teeth
bared bounded into the room. Charlie and his mother screamed at the same time!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Seeking
escape, Meg fled to the dining room, dragging Charlie behind her. The dog
nipped at the boy. Using all her strength, Meg grabbed him by the waist and
vaulted him onto the table. Then she scrambled onto a chair, then the table
with the black dog close behind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">She
and Charlie clung to each other screaming. The dog jumped, but Meg raised her
foot and kicked its snout. The dog yelped.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Hey!
Don’t kick my dog!” came a masculine voice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Meg
looked up. “Call off your dog!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Come
here, Coco. Did the bad lady hurt you?” A man dressed only in boxers, followed
by a young boy in pajamas fussed about the dog. The animal calmed down for a
moment before it snarled again at Meg and Charlie.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“It’s
okay, Coco. I don’t think she’s armed.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Call
off your dog!” she repeated, only louder.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
will, if you tell me what you’re doing breaking into my house.” Despite his
words, the man grasped the dog’s collar and held her at bay.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Slowly,
Meg let go of her son. “You okay? Did the dog bite you?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Charlie
nodded. “I don’t think so. She ripped my pants.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Meg
examined the boy’s leg. “Damn. She did. You’ll pay for new pants, mister. And
by the way, what are you doing squatting in my house?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Your
house?” His eyebrows rose.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You
heard me. Keep that beast away from me,” she said, easing her way down from the
table.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I
paid to rent this house for the entire summer! So get out before I call the
cops.” Rusty frowned.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Cops?
Please do! I paid to rent this house for the entire summer. This is thirty-five
Pond Road, isn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
man yanked open the front door and checked the number nailed there. “It is. I
have paperwork.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You?
I have paperwork, too!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I’m
calling the cops,” he said, leaving the room.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Fine
with me.” Meg folded her arms across her chest. “And take the beast with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Come
on, Coco. You don’t have to stay here and be insulted.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“What
kind of dog is it?” Charlie asked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Rottweiler,”
the other boy replied.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I’m
Charlie.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Tommy.
Wanna see my room?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Don’t
leave my sight. The dog isn’t safe!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Aw,
Coco won’t hurt you. You’re with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Despite
his mother’s words, Charlie went off with Tommy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
man returned with his cell phone in hand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Come
on, Coco,” the boy called, and the Rottie obeyed, following the boys into the
back of the house.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I’d
like to report an intruder,” Rusty said into his cell.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br /><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A bit about the book:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Advised by his son’s
school to up his game as a single parent, arrogant ex-baseball star, Rusty
Reisse, takes a hiatus from his broadcasting career to spend the summer with
his son. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Rusty hopes to bond with
Tommy in rural Pine Grove. His plan blows up when Meg Gunderson, a brainiac
schoolteacher, shows up with her son, claiming the house is hers. When police compare
receipts, they discover Rusty and Meg have rented the same house. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A widow, Meg, schemes
to get Rusty out. He’s equally determined to send her packing. Although a war
of words ensues, the boys become friends. Obligated to share the digs for the
duration, they’re forced to declare a reluctant truce. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: center 3.4in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">While
no longer openly hostile, they still snipe at each other, too stubborn to admit
their growing attraction. When their vacation ends abruptly, will their
chemistry vanish, too, with the summer sun and fresh corn-on-the cob? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Buy it here: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://wp.me/P2002B-z3"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>https://wp.me/P2002B-z3</b></span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-22347271572192537422019-06-28T16:41:00.000-04:002019-06-28T16:41:10.765-04:00JUST ONE KISS! NEW BOOK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jCAd-I1mYnJpLQC3e-_1Cq10FoErGBoGDGfmaR-pCadMYYkKrqsWDjcqP95tdDasbim1qFd6968ZTvvExbIYnVuu3QFS0rLxuaoL8aqiKIkxOZOG3FwIiuaTF2kmgn-0_B7NmlxNict8/s1600/JustOneKiss_Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jCAd-I1mYnJpLQC3e-_1Cq10FoErGBoGDGfmaR-pCadMYYkKrqsWDjcqP95tdDasbim1qFd6968ZTvvExbIYnVuu3QFS0rLxuaoL8aqiKIkxOZOG3FwIiuaTF2kmgn-0_B7NmlxNict8/s400/JustOneKiss_Kindle.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Pine Grove, book 5</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Pre-order now</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Releasing 7/21</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">JUST ONE KISS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Advised by his son’s school to up his game as a single parent, arrogant ex-baseball star, Rusty Reisse, takes a hiatus from his broadcasting career to spend the summer with his son.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Rusty hopes to bond with Tommy in rural Pine Grove. His plan blows up when Meg Gunderson, a brainiac schoolteacher, shows up with her son, claiming the house is hers. When police compare receipts, they discover Rusty and Meg have rented the same house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A widow, Meg, schemes to get Rusty out. He’s equally determined to send her packing. Although a war of words ensues, the boys become friends. Obligated to share the digs for the duration, they’re forced to declare a reluctant truce.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">While no longer openly hostile, they still snipe at each other, too stubborn to admit their growing attraction. When their vacation ends abruptly, will their chemistry vanish, too, with the summer sun and corn-on-the cob?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>PREORDER HERE:</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TKNDDZC/">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TKNDDZC/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1470484541">https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1470484541</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>BARNES & NOBLE</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/just-one-kiss-jean-c-joachim/1132247208;jsessionid=1A3DA61E62C4E380BC20F3B95C9086D3.prodny_store01-atgap05?ean=2940156569236">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/just-one-kiss-jean-c-joachim/1132247208;jsessionid=1A3DA61E62C4E380BC20F3B95C9086D3.prodny_store01-atgap05?ean=2940156569236</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>AMAZON U.K.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07TKNDDZC">https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07TKNDDZC</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>AMAZON CANADA</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07TKNDDZC">https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07TKNDDZC</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07TKNDDZC">https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07TKNDDZC</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-13421585396586379212019-03-30T17:01:00.000-04:002019-04-15T17:36:40.855-04:00What people are saying about... "YOU BELONG TO ME"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDcczHUXVs1_PLMbYQXC5SHFU19zLW0L0_P2CcAYB60pOCkHu49qyZ0JyS_OpKvN7TRYMYqo11bsZTtkZCXHVZg0_jOb77gwhkndoRcUVSK9hXQ1R4_RoLo9M7humWZ9ROF9QHo2flZBv/s1600/YouBelongtoMe_3D+bookcover+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1101" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDcczHUXVs1_PLMbYQXC5SHFU19zLW0L0_P2CcAYB60pOCkHu49qyZ0JyS_OpKvN7TRYMYqo11bsZTtkZCXHVZg0_jOb77gwhkndoRcUVSK9hXQ1R4_RoLo9M7humWZ9ROF9QHo2flZBv/s320/YouBelongtoMe_3D+bookcover+%25281%2529.png" width="220" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What people are saying about "You Belong to Me:" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a class="a-link-normal" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R8SQXMRE10KGA/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B07PH42DLW" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0066c0; text-decoration-line: none;" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><i class="a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating" data-hook="review-star-rating" style="background-image: url("https://m.media-amazon.com/images/G/01/AUIClients/AmazonUIIcon@legacyImages-sprite_1x-6c462f5dc3bc3e40d0788502814fa7043355712a._V2_.png"); background-position: -5px -368px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 400px 900px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: 18px; position: relative; vertical-align: text-top; width: 80px;"><span class="a-icon-alt" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: 17.9977px; left: auto; line-height: normal; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: auto; width: 79.9884px;">5.0 out of 5 stars</span></i></a><span class="a-letter-space" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; width: 0.385em;"></span><a class="a-size-base a-link-normal review-title a-color-base review-title-content a-text-bold" data-hook="review-title" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R8SQXMRE10KGA/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B07PH42DLW" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-weight: 700 !important; line-height: 19px !important; text-decoration-line: none;">A true romance.</a></span></div>
<span class="a-size-base a-color-secondary review-date" data-hook="review-date" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(85 , 85 , 85); line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">April 9, 2019</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span class="a-color-secondary" data-hook="format-strip-linkless" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(85 , 85 , 85);">Format: Kindle Edition</span><i aria-label="|" class="a-icon a-icon-text-separator" role="img" style="background-color: #dddddd; background-image: url("https://m.media-amazon.com/images/G/01/AUIClients/AmazonUIIcon@legacyImages-sprite_1x-6c462f5dc3bc3e40d0788502814fa7043355712a._V2_.png"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 400px 900px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: 14px; line-height: 0; margin: -2px 0.67375em 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 1px;"></i><span class="a-size-mini a-color-state a-text-bold" data-hook="avp-badge-linkless" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(196 , 85 , 0); font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.465;">Verified Purchase</span></span></div>
<div class="a-row a-spacing-small review-data" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; margin-bottom: 10px !important; width: 679.988px;">
<span class="a-size-base review-text" data-hook="review-body" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19px !important;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A well-written small town, second chance romance with characters who ring true. They're your friends, relatives and the people next door. You want them to have their happy-ever-after, and as with any true romance, you won't be disappointed.</span></span></div>
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<span class="a-size-base review-text" data-hook="review-body" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19px !important;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="a-row a-spacing-small review-data" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; margin-bottom: 10px !important; width: 679.988px;">
<span class="a-size-base review-text" data-hook="review-body" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19px !important;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
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<span class="a-size-base review-text" data-hook="review-body" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19px !important;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a class="a-link-normal" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R301WPD77375K1/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B07PH42DLW" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0066c0; text-decoration-line: none;" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><i class="a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating" data-hook="review-star-rating" style="background-image: url("https://m.media-amazon.com/images/G/01/AUIClients/AmazonUIIcon@legacyImages-sprite_1x-6c462f5dc3bc3e40d0788502814fa7043355712a._V2_.png"); background-position: -5px -368px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 400px 900px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: 18px; position: relative; vertical-align: text-top; width: 80px;"><span class="a-icon-alt" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: 17.9977px; left: auto; line-height: normal; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: auto; width: 79.9884px;">5.0 out of 5 stars</span></i></a><span class="a-letter-space" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; width: 0.385em;"></span><a class="a-size-base a-link-normal review-title a-color-base review-title-content a-text-bold" data-hook="review-title" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R301WPD77375K1/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B07PH42DLW" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-weight: 700 !important; line-height: 19px !important; text-decoration-line: none;"><span class="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Absolutely loved This Book!!!</span></a></span></span></div>
<span class="a-size-base review-text" data-hook="review-body" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19px !important;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
<span class="a-size-base a-color-secondary review-date" data-hook="review-date" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(85 , 85 , 85); line-height: 19px;">April 2, 2019</span><div class="a-row a-spacing-mini review-data review-format-strip" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 6px !important; width: 679.988px;">
<span class="a-color-secondary" data-hook="format-strip-linkless" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(85 , 85 , 85);">Format: Paperback</span></div>
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<span class="a-size-base review-text" data-hook="review-body" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19px !important;"></span><br />
<div aria-live="polite" class="a-expander-collapsed-height a-row a-expander-container a-expander-partial-collapse-container" data-a-expander-collapsed-height="300" data-a-expander-name="review_text_read_more" style="box-sizing: border-box; max-height: 300px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 679.988px;">
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<span class="a-size-base review-text" data-hook="review-body" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19px !important;"><span class="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">This book was absolutely Amazing and Heartbreaking and made you feel what the characters were going through and you felt their pain. I have to say this is absolutely my favorite book this year. The characters were absolutely incredible and the storyline flowed from the beginning until the end and heck I want more from them. Joan Joachim you absolutely stoked my heart with this book... </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a class="a-link-normal" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R256VAFQ3EVG7A/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B07PH42DLW" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0066c0; text-decoration-line: none;" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><i class="a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating" data-hook="review-star-rating" style="background-image: url("https://m.media-amazon.com/images/G/01/AUIClients/AmazonUIIcon@legacyImages-sprite_1x-6c462f5dc3bc3e40d0788502814fa7043355712a._V2_.png"); background-position: -5px -368px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 400px 900px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: 18px; position: relative; vertical-align: text-top; width: 80px;"><span class="a-icon-alt" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: 17.9977px; left: auto; line-height: normal; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: auto; width: 79.9884px;">5.0 out of 5 stars</span></i></a><span class="a-letter-space" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; width: 0.385em;"></span><a class="a-size-base a-link-normal review-title a-color-base review-title-content a-text-bold" data-hook="review-title" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R256VAFQ3EVG7A/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B07PH42DLW" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-weight: 700 !important; line-height: 19px !important; text-decoration-line: none;">WOW!</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span class="a-size-base a-color-secondary review-date" data-hook="review-date" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(85 , 85 , 85); line-height: 19px;">April 1, 2019</span></span><br />
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<span class="a-color-secondary" data-hook="format-strip-linkless" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(85 , 85 , 85);"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Format: Paperback</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="a-row a-spacing-small review-data" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; margin-bottom: 10px !important; width: 679.988px;">
<span class="a-size-base review-text" data-hook="review-body" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 19px !important;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">These characters are so easy to visualize, they came to life on the pages. The little boy, darling! Reminded me of my guys when they were that age. And the one moment, (I don't want to give it away,) it brought tears to my eyes. A fabulous story from a talented author!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*****************************</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a new excerpt: </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<span style="font-size: large;">Cal stopped at the front window to check out
Giselle’s place. She inched her way down the slippery walk toward her mailbox.
He shook his head. <i>Where the hell are her
boots? </i>He wanted to turn away but couldn’t. Finally, he threw open the door
and strode across the street. Opening her postbox, he snatched the mail inside
and then joined her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Here. Where are your boots?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">“I didn’t realize it was this slippery.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Didn’t you look?” he asked, anger tinging his
tone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">“I-I-I didn’t see the ice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Well, it’s there. Next time, look. Or just put on
boots. This is Pine Grove, remember? You grew up here. I wear out a pair of
boots every year. You’re going to get hurt if you don’t dress for the weather.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Thank you.” She took the mail from his hand,
ignoring his admonishment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Suit yourself. But when you fall and break
something, don’t cry for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">She stiffened. “Don’t worry, Cal, I won’t. I could
be dying on the ground and I wouldn’t call for you,” she said, her tone colder
than a glacier.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">He stepped back, as if he’d been slapped. “Pardon
me for trying to help.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Is that what you were trying to do? Help? Seemed
more like seizing an opportunity to yell at me. What’s eating you, Cal? It’s
been a million years. You got over me in thirty seconds. You married someone
else. What gives you the right to be so hostile to me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Got over you in thirty seconds? I’m not the one
who walked out, who took off for Europe. I’m not the one who left me high and
dry. Who agreed, in five seconds, to date other people? That wasn’t me, lady.
You practically told me to find someone else. I can’t help it if you didn’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">Her jaw tightened, and her lips compressed into a
thin line. “Whether I found someone else or not is none of your business.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Damn right it isn’t. And my marriage isn’t any of
yours.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Leave me alone, Cal.” Straightening her
shoulders, she pushed by him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">“My pleasure,” he said, making an exaggerated bow
to her back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">She stopped and called over her shoulder. “And it
was you who said we should see other people. Don’t hang that on me.” She tossed
her hair and continued on her way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">Gripping the handrail, Giselle went up her steps slowly
but without incident. Cal stood, watching. There was something about her,
something different. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but Giselle had never
been wobbly before. Of course, it had been six years, but she was still young.
What had happened to make her so unsure on the path and the steps?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">She must be hiding whatever it was. Just like
Giselle, never wanting to admit she was less than perfect. Well, hell, she’d
sure told him off. Why should he even be curious? She’d ordered him to leave
her alone, and that’s exactly what he’d do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">Cal brushed the snow off his sleeves and trudged
home. Giselle Davenport made it completely clear she wasn’t his concern. Didn’t
he have enough to worry about without adding her to the list? He’d take her
advice and bug off. Time to face the fact she didn’t belong to him anymore, and
probably never had.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><u>Get the book here:</u></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">https://jeanjoachimbooks.com/pine-grove-novels/you-belong-to-me/</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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<br />Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-7139765382769627152019-03-20T10:48:00.003-04:002019-03-20T10:59:03.372-04:00YOU BELONG TO ME - brand-new small-town romance. Up for preorder, releasing April 9. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's an (unedited) excerpt. Take a peek into Cal and Giselle's life... </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A man
approached her with a piece of paper. She made some gestures before signing.
She brought the paper right up to her face before scribbling something with a
pen. Hmm, he didn’t remember her being that nearsighted. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She must have left her glasses inside. But he
didn’t recollect her wearing glasses, either. He shrugged it off. Things change
over time, he figured. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As he
got to the place where their paths paralleled each other, he stopped. After the
massive truck pulled out of her driveway, he faced her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“You’re
back?” he called out, narrowing his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">She gave
him a semi-smile and made her way down the walk. Halfway down, she stepped on
an icy patch, slid, and went down hard on her butt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Ouch!”
she blurted out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Cal was
by her side in a second. He grabbed her elbow and yanked her to her feet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“You
hurt?” He raised his hand to clean off her bottom but stopped in the nick of
time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Brushing
off her pants, she shook her head. “Thanks.” She moved out of his grasp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What are you doing here?” Cal asked,
struggling to keep belligerence out of his voice, but failing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“In Pine
Grove? It’s my hometown. I’ve always lived here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Okay,
then. On Pond Road? Right across the street from me?” His folded his arms
across his chest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“It
wasn’t intentional. I needed a ranch. Small. Julia picked it out for me before
I got back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Oh?
Julia? And she didn’t know I lived here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I guess
not. I think it was the only small ranch on the market.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“What do
you need a ranch for? What’s wrong with your father’s Victorian?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“None of
your business,” she said, pushing by him. “Thanks for the neighborly welcome,”
she sniffed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I did
help you up,” he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“And I
thanked you. I could have gotten up by myself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“But you
didn’t need to, did you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">She
whirled around and faced him. “What do you want? A medal? Should I call the
newspaper? You did something neighborly and nice, but don’t ask me to give you
a Purple Heart.” Giselle raised her chin for a second, then turned back and
continued on her way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He
stood, frozen in place, watching her walk away. She still had that haughty
sway, the “I’m- better-than-you swing of her hips he’d so admired six years
ago. Today it simply appeared condescending and haughty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">At the
stairs, she slipped again and went right down on the step. From where he stood,
it appeared that her shin fell right on the edge of the flagstone. She uttered
a cry of pain and stopped. Her shoulders heaved once. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Well, I
suppose you can get up from that one on your own,” he said, his tone meaner
than he intended. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Damn
right,” she called over her shoulder. But, for several minutes, she clutched
the railing with one hand, and her leg with the other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Cal gave
in, strode over, and slid his hand under her elbow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I’ve
got it,” she said, attempting to wiggle out of his grasp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“No, you
don’t. Why don’t you just shut up and let me help you?” he asked, easing her
up. She leaned against him for a moment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Thanks.
I’ve got it,” she choked out, staring straight ahead and gripping the
bannister. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“Then
I’ll just mosey on home,” he said, backing away from her property. His gaze
stayed glued to her back. Slowing his pace, he waited for her to move. Finally,
she limped up the steps and fiddled around at the lock. Boy, she’d sure gotten
clumsy since he’d last seen her. He shook his head and continued on his way
home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">************************************</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Here's a bit about the book: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #222222; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Cal promised to
wait for her. It was only for one year while Giselle pursued her dream job in
Paris. Devastated when he marries someone else, she remains in Europe. When her
failing eyesight forces her to abandon her work, she returns to Pine Grove--only
to find that Cal, now a widower with a young son, lives across the street.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #222222; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Each nurses a
broken heart and vows to never let that happen again. But a small boy brings
them together in unexpected ways. Can they move beyond the past to rebuild
trust and a future together? Or will the truth of what happened all those years
ago keep them apart? </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #222222; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #222222; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Preorder it here:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #222222; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://jeanjoachimbooks.com/pine-grove-novels/you-belong-to-me/">https://jeanjoachimbooks.com/pine-grove-novels/you-belong-to-me/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<br /></div>
<br />Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-88691258649077788822019-03-08T20:09:00.003-05:002019-03-08T20:09:53.049-05:00NEW THRILLER - STATUS:MISSING -- FABULOUS, SUSPENSEFUL, TAUT EDGE-OF-YOUR-SEAT THRILLER<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-family: FreeSans; line-height: 115%;">A rugged, indelible heroine
headlines a riveting tale.”</span> ~ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kirkus
Reviews</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">Highest praise you can receive from one of the most respected journals in the country. Curious? Want to know more? </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">Here's an excerpt from STATUS:MISSING: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Get me the info on the flight.”
Other members of the task force were
filing in now, looking sleepy, tired, and pissed off. “Grab as many people as
you need. I want everything.”</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Aren’t you jumping the gun?” Jude
asked. “We aren’t even sure the plane is in trouble.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Do you really believe everything
is fine?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jude shook his head. “No.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I didn’t think so.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">The director clicked back on the
line. “What do you need, Major Sloan?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Amazing what a phone call from the
right person could accomplish. “Global 2455. Somebody needs to make contact
with the flight deck. Try the radio first. If it doesn’t work, try the
secondary system.” Every airliner came equipped with the text-based Aircraft
Communications and Reporting System (ACARS). While radio communications were
mostly restricted to talking with air traffic controllers, ACARS allowed ground-to-aircraft communications regarding
weather, routing, and gate assignments, as well as functioning as a backup
system if radio communications were lost. “We need every commercial aircraft
within five hundred miles of Hawaii to try to contact Global 2455 on Guard
Frequency. That’s 121.5 if you don’t know.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I know what it is, damn it,” the
director grumbled. “I’ll get right back to you.” He clicked off.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">I passed the handset to Jude.
“Sanchez! What have you got?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">More office manager than analyst, Sanchez hustled over with his familiar yellow pad.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Shit.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">When Jude swore, it almost never
meant anything good. “What?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“It’s gone. Disappeared.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">I searched the wall of monitors
for the tiny pinpoint representing Global flight 2455. “Just like that? It’s
gone?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Just like that,” Jude confirmed.
“Just like the others. Here one second, gone the next.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Except we hadn’t been watching the
others when they disappeared. We’d found out after the fact on the others. This
was different. Because we’d been watching this particular radar blip, we might
have a chance of locating the plane in a timely manner. And, if our operating
theory proved correct, we might find the person or persons behind the missing
planes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Last known position?” I signaled
Sanchez to write it down. With no radar image to draw from, Jude rattled off
the coordinates. “We need eyes on this plane, or what’s left of it, right now.
Sanchez, get Rodgers on the horn again.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ordering fighter jets into the air
to search for a missing plane was way above my pay grade, and if there was one
thing I’d learned from my time in the field, it was to let each member of your
team do what they did best.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Buy the eBook here:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/status-missing">Kobo</a> </b></span></div>
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Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-9182944826275982242019-01-16T10:48:00.002-05:002019-01-18T08:40:03.283-05:00PINE GROVE TRILOGY! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yN4UBI_MKqw99wfB0CHA2Z9LeikCjusiJFTXvP0o1mmHfwFIwRaCmuPIBhzQWOU0nwhXm7hOmfT7qXL8a3Xrg6f4xnDPf1YwFt9KYnNTw3PxZ5w-uqMszhOtmK-iqXyK-l_YOqPbe0jD/s1600/Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="1600" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yN4UBI_MKqw99wfB0CHA2Z9LeikCjusiJFTXvP0o1mmHfwFIwRaCmuPIBhzQWOU0nwhXm7hOmfT7qXL8a3Xrg6f4xnDPf1YwFt9KYnNTw3PxZ5w-uqMszhOtmK-iqXyK-l_YOqPbe0jD/s200/Logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Pine Grove series is now a trilogy. The first book, Unpredictable Love, is now only $0.99 - for a limited time. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfixU5f1mEtLFb5nzzR37boa1cCvvzyLYkICHRMQh6ibHO0Mlo5OqZfXKiOMmvsMddD7J8qvWSCLILgX5spufIHt_3IVrqRf7FbMLwJIxoIXwkqXOrWL5DzjeAbB-hXfnVlEiVwujNsvC8/s1600/UnpredictableLove_Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfixU5f1mEtLFb5nzzR37boa1cCvvzyLYkICHRMQh6ibHO0Mlo5OqZfXKiOMmvsMddD7J8qvWSCLILgX5spufIHt_3IVrqRf7FbMLwJIxoIXwkqXOrWL5DzjeAbB-hXfnVlEiVwujNsvC8/s400/UnpredictableLove_Kindle.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Uh oh. Amber signed her sister’s name on a pen pal letter to a Marine.
As usual, Jory Walker was stuck fixing her sister’s little white lie.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When letters poured in from SSGT Trent Stevens in Afghanistan, Jory had
no choice but to correspond. Sure he’d be drooling over Amber’s bikini photo,
thinking it was Jory. Since they’d never meet, what harm could it do if she
sent him a few letters?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Would her charade boomerang replacing happiness with pain? What started
off as an innocent ruse, morphed into a monstrous web of deceit. Maybe
unpredictable love was destined to break her heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Only $0.99</b></span> - for a limited time. Get it now!</span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Buy it <a href="https://jeanjoachimbooks.com/pine-grove-novels/unpredictable-love/">HERE</a>:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://jeanjoachimbooks.com/pine-grove-novels/unpredictable-love/"><span style="font-size: large;">https://jeanjoachimbooks.com/pine-grove-novels/unpredictable-love/</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">**********************************************</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's book 2, "Break My Heart" </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CHSh3Eo_X1uddTHr8DQpltCU8tqps6-H2VxHEiPRsnKwegnqo4z9j64XouFieDqSFz672DxOGVDWMwUElGfSB7haqy5hcCCE0nhvp1DwFEPFDakh6chqi7CaRwVPwzua8jensOnfn3uQ/s1600/BreakMyHeart_Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4CHSh3Eo_X1uddTHr8DQpltCU8tqps6-H2VxHEiPRsnKwegnqo4z9j64XouFieDqSFz672DxOGVDWMwUElGfSB7haqy5hcCCE0nhvp1DwFEPFDakh6chqi7CaRwVPwzua8jensOnfn3uQ/s400/BreakMyHeart_Kindle.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk496388572"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Men envied Breaker Winslow and women wanted
to sleep with him. As a top cover model with a budding acting career, he
embodied every man’s dream. Living in a townhouse in Manhattan, Rick Breaker
Winslow had everything he ever wanted. <o:p></o:p></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> When fire ripped through his home, trapping
his beautiful golden retriever, Breaker pushed firemen aside to rescue his
beloved dog. While heading for the stairs with the canine in his arms, a
falling beam crushed them, killing the animal and scarring Breaker’s face.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Life, as the famous Breaker Winslow, disappeared.
With his career finished, Rick appealed to his friends –who turned their backs
on him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Broken, despondent, and alone, he takes
refuge in a decrepit farm house in rural Pine Grove. Can the man who had success
and love around every corner rebuild his life or is escape the only answer? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Buy it <a href="https://jeanjoachimbooks.com/pine-grove-novels/break-my-heart/">HERE</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://jeanjoachimbooks.com/pine-grove-novels/break-my-heart/"><span style="font-size: large;">https://jeanjoachimbooks.com/pine-grove-novels/break-my-heart/</span></a></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">************************************** </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The newest book in the series, book 3 is "Renovating the Billionaire." </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Get
rid of the house and sell the land. Bulldozing the broken-down mansion
billionaire Stryker Alexander West inherited solves an annoying problem. Busy
launching a new venture, he doesn’t have time to waste on sentiment. Taking
down the historic building should be a slam-dunk. But Stryker comes up against
a stone wall in the form of Landmark chair, Jess Lennox.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Supporting
her brother and juggling a hard life, Jess refuses to approve a permit to demolish
the old house. No way will she let arrogant, wealthy Mr. West destroy her
dream. Unwilling to accept defeat, Stryker’s confident he can prevail. He insists staying in town is about winning
and has nothing to do with heat from a determined blonde. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Too
stubborn to budge, Jess holds fast, struggling against her attraction to her
worst enemy. Will the winner of the battle lose at love? </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><i><b><u>Here are 2 short excerpts: </u></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><i><b><u><br /></u></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Meet Stryker Alexander West:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">Aunt Minnie had been his father’s big sister. She
was lively, happy, and inquisitive, always poking into his personal business
and giving him unwanted advice. She’d been a one-woman matchmaker, trying to
marry him off until two years ago, when he turned forty. Then even Minnie West threw
in the towel, declaring that he was not marriage material. So what? He doubted
he was missing anything other than a messy, expensive divorce.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">Stryker West enjoyed playing the field, taking his
pleasure whenever and wherever he could. He’d never been at a loss for female
companionship. His billions, his most attractive quality, he assumed, made
marriage a risk he preferred not to take.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">**************************************<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Meet Jess Lennox, newly minted Landmark Committee chair of
Pine Grove<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">Like there are any buildings to be landmarked
anyway,” someone muttered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Oh, but there are,” Jess replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Like what?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Like that big old house on 113,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">A murmur ran through the crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Excuse me, Miss,” said an unrecognized, deep
voice. Jess turned toward the man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Chair recognizes Mr. West.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Do you mean to say that you are landmarking that house?”
he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Damn right I am. Of course, I will give it
further study. But as of right now, my recommendation to the Town Supervisor is
that no one bulldoze that building.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">“But it’s decrepit. It’s falling down,” the
stranger argued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Nope. It’s completely stable. And it dates back
to the early 1800s”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">“That building now belongs to me, and I’m planning
to take it down.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">Jess’s heart skipped a beat. Sweat broke out on
her forehead. Take it down? Destroy her home, her dream? No way!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Think again, Mister. No one’s touching that house
unless it’s to fix it up.”</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Buy it <a href="https://wp.me/P2002B-tL">HERE</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://wp.me/P2002B-tL"><span style="font-size: large;">https://wp.me/P2002B-tL</span></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-836567132435090310.post-90024592357002960602018-12-30T10:21:00.002-05:002018-12-30T10:21:55.558-05:00A taste of "Renovating the Billionaire." <br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ98m9Yge-5yZ-CW0gimvmnvEXlv8bbm63G7CEc7r3CtyYgnLfbqNolTrj2D8zaEBpvlFZzyBt-U4zB5ZKKY_KYfynGim0Z5dg_qN3_laX8q38ga1jCHszE7lbzw0wMAj1GdPhktM5gPdz/s1600/RenovatingtheBillionaire_Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ98m9Yge-5yZ-CW0gimvmnvEXlv8bbm63G7CEc7r3CtyYgnLfbqNolTrj2D8zaEBpvlFZzyBt-U4zB5ZKKY_KYfynGim0Z5dg_qN3_laX8q38ga1jCHszE7lbzw0wMAj1GdPhktM5gPdz/s400/RenovatingtheBillionaire_Kindle.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> The bus ride to the prison in Fishkill and back
provided reading time for Jess Lennox. She settled into a window seat and prepared
to read. A man slid in next to her. Jess pulled the book closer. Feeling his
stare, she squeezed up against the glass.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “You visiting a relative?” he asked, eying her up
and down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> She nodded. The last thing she needed was some
chatty, middle-aged man hitting on her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “My wife. Shoplifting. Minimum security.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">Jess ignored him and kept reading. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “It gets lonely with her gone,” he continued. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">Anger bubbled up in her chest. Damn it! She worked
hard, and this trip once a month was her only time off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Your boyfriend in the slammer?” he asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">Her patience evaporated like water boiling on the
stove. Jess slammed the book shut and faced the insensitive clod. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “My mother. She’s in for murder. She killed my
father. They say murderous tendencies run in families,” she said, shooting him
the meanest glare she could muster. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> The man paled, nodded once and pushed to his feet.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “I can see you don’t want to be disturbed,” he
muttered and headed for another seat. Jess smiled and opened her <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">novel</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If
I Loved You. </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Totally absorbed by the
story, tears formed in her eyes as she identified with the trials the
characters endured. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoXDEBvyoGl6L7QeQSlIXOBT66vdOEBT5RkdhDzRXsdOqOCkPr0qcbjqRP1ILwYZEtf_S6JCGtTK6tnrdhf-9CljMFtISSj7j3HIkLjKgczH-HMPyMqa3sNi18SmtEfxcPvgEiJ3sxIMW/s1600/IfILovedYou2_Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoXDEBvyoGl6L7QeQSlIXOBT66vdOEBT5RkdhDzRXsdOqOCkPr0qcbjqRP1ILwYZEtf_S6JCGtTK6tnrdhf-9CljMFtISSj7j3HIkLjKgczH-HMPyMqa3sNi18SmtEfxcPvgEiJ3sxIMW/s200/IfILovedYou2_Kindle.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Jess ate up love stories from the library by the
dozen. Romance books kept her believing that things could work out, that life
could get better—and happiness did exist</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="font-size: x-large;"></a><span style="font-size: large;">. When the bus pulled up to the Pine Grove
stop, she scooted past the annoying man, down the steps, and ran for her car.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">She stowed the book in the glove compartment until
her next visit and put the vehicle in gear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story stuck with her. What would she do if
she ever met a man like Chaz Duncan? Would she even recognize his good heart under
his arrogant attitude? With a short laugh, she figured she wouldn’t. Jess hated
egotistical men, men so in love with themselves they couldn’t see anyone else. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> She’d only met one man who had cracked her hard
veneer. Chip Matthews won her heart in high school. He’d taken her virginity
then, too. But she didn’t care. He had provided respite from the anger,
fighting, and hostile atmosphere in her home. He’d been her refuge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Pulling into the parking lot of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Java the Hut, </i>she turned off the car and
plucked a dollar bill from her purse. Inside, an iced coffee-to-go waited on
the counter. Marge, the waitress, looked up. Jess picked up the paper cup and
slid her buck across the shiny Formica. She shot a small smile at the older
woman and headed back to her vehicle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Next stop, the old mansion on Route 113. She
turned on the radio and cranked up the volume to banish the reality of how many more trips she’d make to Fishkill over the next
fifteen years. Taking the winding road that hugged Cedar Lake refreshed her
spirits. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> There it was, in all its glory. Way below
ramshackle, the 1825 four-story mansion stood with whatever pride it could
muster. All the windows were broken and there were bare spots on the roof, including
one large hole—providing entry for a variety of wildlife. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">When she was only eighteen, Jess had stumbled on
the house and fallen in love. Minnie West, the old woman who owned it, had
invited her in for tea and cookies. Jess gained entry to every room by
volunteering to sweep and dust. Including bathrooms, there were forty rooms in
the mansion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> The third floor resembled a rabbit warren of tiny rooms
only big enough for a single bed and small dresser. Jess guessed those were the
servants’ quarters. At the end of the floor was the longest staircase she’d ever
seen. It went straight down from the top floor to the kitchen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Minnie chatted about the history of the house and
how, years ago, she’d raised her nephew there. The older lady didn’t go on much
about him, and he never visited—at least not when Jess was around. As time went
on, Jess noticed the house sink further and further into disrepair. When she
asked Minnie about it, the woman had explained. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Oh, I have money, but I spend it on saving animals.
A house is just a thing. Animals are alive. So many need help, you know. I do
what I can. I give to several shelters.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> While Jess agreed with the worthiness of the
cause, she doubted the wisdom of putting it ahead of upkeep for the old house.
Years passed, and Jess had less and less time for visits. Providing for her
brother and herself had become more than a full-time job. She and Minnie lost
touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Yr_0e6RAiFNCm_Ui9bxtml5QNbkWDCwxOZlxM6dU6w4rU3gIbfX9KuoOFoJTuqc4ICLq3oXd2U5BNUTMPeHyoK3in87dog8OsbThAFkgYxXoOTwKA8CLESgbljHfVMw8ogcPsFq0xefL/s1600/bigstock-Cooking-Apple-Pie-Hands-Addin-252474271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Yr_0e6RAiFNCm_Ui9bxtml5QNbkWDCwxOZlxM6dU6w4rU3gIbfX9KuoOFoJTuqc4ICLq3oXd2U5BNUTMPeHyoK3in87dog8OsbThAFkgYxXoOTwKA8CLESgbljHfVMw8ogcPsFq0xefL/s320/bigstock-Cooking-Apple-Pie-Hands-Addin-252474271.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">After studying cooking in high school, Jess had
become a pretty fair baker. She eked out a meager living baking and selling her
pies to restaurants, shops, and hotels. She conjured up a dream of buying the
fixer-upper from Minnie for a song, repairing it, and running a bed and
breakfast.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day while
spying on his big sister, Will had discovered her secret. He promised not to
tell anyone and vowed that he’d fix it. He told her that new paint, hammer,
nails, and a ton of elbow grease could restore the splendor of the mansion. Jess
believed every word. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">From that day on, they had shared the secret.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jess sold her cakes and pies while Will did
odd jobs and a bit of <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">carpentry</span> when he
could get it. They worked toward making the dream come true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> When Minnie got too old to take care of the place,
she moved to an assisted living facility several counties away. Year after year,
Jess spied the weather-beaten for sale sign staked in the front lawn. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">From time to time, a real estate agent brought someone
by, but they left quickly. The only one with a <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">vision</span>
for the decrepit house, Jess smiled every time a car carried away someone shaking
their head and wrinkling their nose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> A few pangs for the dotty old woman who had lived
in the mansion tweaked Jess’s heart. She’d waited patiently for the old woman
to put the building up for sale at a rock-bottom price. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Now thirty, with Will a sturdy twenty-five, she
figured they were ready to take on world’s biggest renovation and make her
dream come true. Even after such a long wait, Jess had never given up on her
dream. She simply baked her pies, did odd jobs for folks in town and kept house
for her and her brother. They put away a few bucks when they could and waited. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;">Today she circled around back, eying the snarled
weeds, wiry brambles, and tree stumps in the backyard. Jess planned where she’d
plant her garden. Fresh veggies and herbs would make her food better than
anyone’s for miles. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiPCLbTEPwcvUKhhH1E0hTgZfPg7GL2foQGYmsn6mUA61mP2ezetBbHwqDswJxiIS4vJFWQ7gvj72K-pdbec8VRG85ADWUPqM54acxqeOdqPMWZuEJ7Fe2d_4_pKmU4J49f8OXPFusCVB/s1600/bigstock-Portrait-Of-Atrractive-Sensual-275469964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiPCLbTEPwcvUKhhH1E0hTgZfPg7GL2foQGYmsn6mUA61mP2ezetBbHwqDswJxiIS4vJFWQ7gvj72K-pdbec8VRG85ADWUPqM54acxqeOdqPMWZuEJ7Fe2d_4_pKmU4J49f8OXPFusCVB/s320/bigstock-Portrait-Of-Atrractive-Sensual-275469964.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> She found a patch of grass and lay down, staring
at the pitched roof and the top floor that, in its day, had cooks, butlers, and
maids filling its rooms. As she picked at a weed, she made a mental list of the
seeds and plants she’d buy when the place was hers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> The clouds cleared, and the sun shone down. Jess
believed in guardian angels. How else had she and Will survived without parents
these past twelve years? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> She glanced around. Something wasn’t right. Jess
sat up. What was missing? The “for sale” sign had disappeared. She picked up
her phone and called her brother. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> “Haven’t you heard? Old Minnie West finally kicked
the bucket,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Jess put down her phone. Did this mean that her
time to buy the place had come? If that was true, where was the sign?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">To find out what happens next, pre-order the book, releasing on January 15, here:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://jeanjoachimbooks.com/pine-grove-novels/renovating-the-billionaire/">WEBSITE</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://jeanjoachimbooks.com/pine-grove-novels/renovating-the-billionaire/">https://jeanjoachimbooks.com/pine-grove-novels/renovating-the-billionaire/</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Jean Joachim Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16614059778826802446noreply@blogger.com0