#NewRelease Matt's Pregnant Runaway Wife #MustRead a Preview #ContemporaryRomance #RomanceReaders #UK

THE WEDDING FAVOR Release Day #Romance #ILovetoRead #NewRelease #RomanceReaders

Release day has finally arrived for The Wedding Favor! 

When unlucky-in-love Erin Hart’s workaholic boss asks her to attend a family wedding as his fake girlfriend, hiding her secret crush becomes an impossible task.  

Will a favor lead to forever?
 
A wedding favor for her secret crush…

When unlucky-in-love personal assistant Erin Hart enters her boss’s New York office to resign her job, she doesn’t expect to exit as his fake-girlfriend for an upcoming family wedding. How is she going to keep her crush a secret when she has to share a room… and a bed… with Max for one sizzling weekend in the UK?

Workaholic CEO Max Ferrell understands women only too well: they either want his body or his money. But fiery, sexy Erin is different and recruiting her to help curtail his over-zealous, matchmaking sisters is proving that it’s far more fun to play while you work. Especially when his prim and proper PA helps him to set the sheets ablaze. But falling for her was not in the plan and if he’s not careful, the next wedding might be his own.

The Wedding Favor

Copyright © Monique DeVere 2019

The Wild Rose Press

All Rights Reserved

“Look out!” A female voice shouted a second before a wave of water hit the top of Erin Hart’s head and cascaded down her body.

Erin squealed, jerking back way too late to avoid disaster. It was just her bad luck to be passing a café awning the moment someone decided to upend the canopy of collected rainwater from last night’s heavy downpour. One minute, she’d been striding along East 23^rd Street at 7:15 a.m. trying to work up the courage to resign her job. The next, she stood—shocked motionless—dripping wet in the middle of the sidewalk.

Max Ferrell, CEO of Ferrell Alliance, Inc, the real estate investment firm on Madison Avenue where she worked, had been hijacking her thoughts for the last three years—and especially this morning—leaving her oblivious to the potential hazard ahead.

Clutching her tote with one hand as she worked to catch the breath the sudden splash of chilled water had snatched, she swiped the other down the front of her brown office dress. Did she really hope she would be able to brush the wetness from the material as easily as she would a speck of dust? When her frantic effort made little difference, she shook herself, much like Buttercup—her teacup Yorkshire terrier—would have.

Sensing eyes on her, she glanced at a couple of snickering teenage girls in tight jeans and tighter T-shirts who gave her a wide berth as they passed.

Suddenly aware of the spectacle she was making; she raised her chin, squared her shoulders, pasted on a smile, and forced one sensible-pumped foot in front of the other until the momentum had her fast-pacing it to Ferrell Alliance, Inc.

Of course, she accumulated countless stares on her way, but she’d faced humiliation more than once in her lifetime. By now, it was a piece of cherry pie to her. Even her crush on Max was proving humiliating. How much longer would she be able to hide the fact that he made her heart pound and her insides flutter?

Her cell jingled from deep inside her brown leather tote and she dove for it. Without checking, she knew who was calling. It would be her sister Nicole, wondering whether she’d given Max her resignation. That would be a big fat no. She’d attempted to hand it in several times over the last week but, each time, Max’s reliance on her as his PA got in the way. It was now Monday, the start of a fresh week and she still had the pristine envelope in her handbag. Every time she pictured handing him her resignation it sent nervous sensations and sorrow swirling in her belly.

Her family needed her and, instead of leaving New York and returning to Baltimore to help her three sisters save the family business, she’d allowed her monumental crush on her boss and his dependence on her to stall her. As a result, her sisters were struggling to keep Hart to Hart Restorations afloat without any help from her.

It took four stabs before her wet fingers managed to let her answer the call, while Nicole’s smiling face stared at her from the screen.

“Hi, Nik. Before you ask, no, I haven’t told Max I’m leaving yet. I’ll do it soon. Promise.” Just as soon as she came to terms with not getting to see Max five days a week—sometimes more when she traveled with him on business trips. She was going to miss her job. Miss the business trips and the challenge of being his assistant. But most of all she was going to miss Max.

“It’s not looking good, hon. We could really use your help around here.”

Guilt washed over her right about the same time a speeding taxi sailed through a deep puddle of settled water and she experienced her second dousing of the morning. Dripping wet, she clutched the phone at her side with a death-grip, trying to catch her breath. A bubble of laughter tickled her belly, and she saw the funny side. Here she was, trying to look calm, cool and pristine enough to hand in her notice to Max, only for some wicked, unseen imp to have fun at her expense.

“Erin?” Nicole’s voice filtered through the cell. Obviously hearing Erin’s laugh, which probably veered close to hysteria, had her sister wondering what had happened.

Bringing the phone to her ear, she swiped the back of her other hand across her eyes. “I’ll call you later, Nik.” She cut the call, wishing she could rewind and start her morning again.

Every time she’d ever taken a risk it had turned out to be a huge mistake. Deciding to walk to work today instead of taking a taxi just proved she shouldn’t take risks. She closed her eyes and in that moment the last three years flashed through her mind. What was she doing? She’d meant to lay low working as Max’s PA, desperate to avoid the people who’d witnessed her humiliating experience back home when her fiancé had jilted her on the night of their wedding rehearsal.

All she’d wanted was time to heal emotionally until she was able to branch out on her own and start her dream business of flipping houses. Instead, she’d developed a crush on her boss and now she was putting her futile attachment to him before her family’s needs. Up until now, she’d hesitated, afraid of losing Max. But really, she never had him. He barely noticed she existed. She heaved in a deep breath, then released it on a sigh. Every thought of him came with a painful pinch at his rejection. The only way she would get over her crush was to put as many miles between the two of them as she could. The notion made her heart hurt, but working with Max and knowing he just didn’t see her as more than his assistant hurt more. Being so close to him, yet not being free to do anything about her feelings made her days impossible to bear.

It was time she started taking risks. Time she took back control of her life. And it started with handing Max Ferrell her resignation.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | The Wild Rose Press | Kobo |

The Wedding Favor Has a Release Date #Bookworm #MustRead #Preorder #RomanceReaders

Hello guys. I thought you, my wonderful fans, would like to know that The Wedding Favor has a release date. You can finally get to know Max and Erin better on November 18th, 2019. Both the ebook and paperback are available for pre-order now. 

Don't forget to pre-order from Amazon.

THE WEDDING FAVOR Has a Cover! #CoverReveal #RomanticComedy #Weddings #WeddingRomance #Bestman #Romance

The Wedding Favor has a cover! I'm very excited to share the cover for my new romantic comedy, published by The Wild Rose Press. I haven't been given a release date yet, but, I have to tell you, I can't wait! 

When unlucky-in-love Erin Hart’s workaholic boss asks her to attend a family wedding as his fake girlfriend, hiding her secret crush becomes an impossible task. 

You're probably wondering why I have a picture of a Yorkshire Terrie fronting the blog post when I'm introducing you to my new book cover. Meet my Yorkie. Her name is Autumn Buttercup and she's 11 months old. 

So what does this have to do with my cover? 

Good question. 

The answer is that the heroine—Erin Hart—from The Wedding Favor and I have something in common—we both love Yorkies. Erin's Yorkie is a teacup Yorkshire Terrier named Buttercup. I was thrilled when I saw that The Wild Rose Press cover artist assigned to create my cover had managed to get the Yorkie on the cover ~melt~.

Isn't the cover cute? I must say, I do love it. 

A wedding favor for her secret crush…

When unlucky-in-love personal assistant Erin Hart enters her boss’s New York office to resign her job, she doesn’t expect to exit as his fake-girlfriend for an upcoming family wedding. How is she going to keep her crush a secret when she has to share a room… and a bed… with Max for one sizzling weekend in the UK?

Workaholic CEO Max Ferrell understands women only too well: they either want his body or his money. But fiery, sexy Erin is different and recruiting her to help curtail his over-zealous, matchmaking sisters is proving that it’s far more fun to play while you work. Especially when his prim and proper PA helps him to set the sheets ablaze. But falling for her was not in the plan and if he's not careful, the next wedding might be his own.

Happy #ReleaseDay for DILLON: Her Rule Breaker! #Book 2 in the Pleasure Flights #RomanticComedy #Series #Readers

Monique: Hi, Ren and Dil, are you as excited as I am for today's release of your story?

Renée: I'm so excited, Monique. I didn't sleep a wink all night.

Dillon (cheeky grin & a saucy wink): Don't worry, I kept her company.

Monique: I'm sure you did, Dil... I'm sure you did. So, Happy Release Day!

Ren: Thank you!              Dillon: Thanks.

Monique: Shall we share another excerpt?

Ren: Good idea.

Dillon: Which one are you thinking?

Monique: How about the one when you're helping Ren to put out the stock in her lingerie boutique? 

Ren: Ohhhh... I like that one.

Dillon (worried frown): Exactly which part of that scene are you planning to share?

Monique: Don't worry, Dil. It's all good.

Dillon still looks cautious.

Monique (pats him on his muscle-toned shoulder): Trust me. It'll be fine.

Dillon still looks uneasy, but I'm the boss so...

Everything was moving along on schedule. The invitations were on their way, and most of the stock was on display. She could have emailed the invitations, but Ren wanted the tangibility of an embossed card. Somehow it made her business feel more real.

Speaking of real, Dillon sauntered into the shop carrying a large box, his black T-shirt molded deliciously to his chest, his tanned biceps flexed to mesmerizing proportions, and his black jeans hugging him just right. “Where do you want this?”

The answer that came to mind had nothing to do with the box Dillon lugged in for her and everything to do with where she wanted him. Refraining from voicing her suggestive reply, Ren pushed back her hair and glanced around the shop to find the best place to display the items.

“That would be the new season’s baby-doll nightwear. You can leave the box over there.” She pointed to the circular rail atop the dais in the middle of the shop.

As he walked by, Dillon dropped a kiss on her mouth. Ren immediately jumped back and checked to see if Shauna had caught the PDA. Thankfully, her shop assistant was too focused on her task in the window to notice the exchange on the shop floor.

“We spoke about this, Dil. Not in front of my staff.”

“Yeah, then you went and made it a rule.” He shrugged his wide shoulders, gave a slow, inevitable shake of his head. “You know how I feel about rules.”

(You can read the first shared excerpt HERE)

AmazonUS | AmazonUK | AmazonCA | AmazonAU |
Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords | iBooks |

If You'd like to check out book #1 in the Pleasure Flights series, you can find ADAM: Her Deal Maker at the below online stores. On sale for 99c/99p. Get you copy before it returns to regular price.

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon Ca | Amazon Au | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords | iBooks |

ADAM: Her Deal Maker Is Up For Pre-Order #RomanceNovels #KindlePreorder #NewRelease #NewSeries #Excerpt

Welcome to my new Pleasure Flights series! 

Set in the world of a California helicopter tour company, this romantic comedy series follows co-workers, friends, and family as they find everlasting love. 

When they each fall for the men they work—and play—with, five women discover whether friends really do make the best lovers.

Let me introduce you to book #1 in the series. Meet Lacey Sanders and Adam Swank. They both work as sightseeing pilots for Pleasure Flights. 

She’s a sassy, daredevil heiress. He’s a serious, overprotective helicopter pilot. Together they’re as opposite as red and green. But when these co-workers are teamed to close a business deal on a private island, everything changes.

Making a sexy deal with the deal-maker 

Flying sightseers over California is part of helicopter pilot Lacey Sanders' job. The other part is denying her attraction for hot-bod fellow pilot Adam Swank. A painful experience has taught Lacey never to date her co-workers. So regardless of how sizzling the sparks are, she will never go there again. But when they team up to close a business deal, Lacey can no longer resist Adam’s steamy kisses or sensuous lovemaking under stars on the beach of a private island.

Adam The Deal-Maker has the gift of persuasion. Except when it comes to Lacey. For five years they’ve been dancing around a fiery attraction. Now he has her right where he wants her—in his arms—but can he persuade thrill seeking Lacey to accept his deal and take a chance on an office romance?

ADAM: Her Deal Maker

Pleasure Flights series #1

Copyright © Monique DeVere 2017

Crystal Swan Publications

All Rights Reserved

Snagged around the waist, Lacey found herself swept off her feet. "Adam, put me down!” 

His free hand closed on the doorknob to the stationery cupboard next to them. “We need to talk,” he repeated. A second later he had them shut inside the dimly lit cupboard, her back pressed to his chest, his arm branding her, his body heat reminding her of how hot his naked skin had been against hers. Her stomach fluttered with a warmth that meandered through the rest of her. 

“We have nothing to talk about.” She squirmed and pushed at his arm around her waist, no match for his easy strength. 

“Keep doing that, and we’re going to have an embarrassing problem, Lacey.” His voice dropped to the same seductive husk he’d used that night in Washington. “You must know when you wriggle your butt against my groin like that, it’s going to react.” 

She stilled, frozen in midair as a sudden blast of desire slammed her. She drew in a sharp breath, angry with herself for responding to his words, his touch. 

He put her down, dipped his head so his lips brushed her ear, sending a delicious buzz through her. 

“We do need to talk.” He let his hand slide across her abdomen, making her muscles quiver as he released her. “And I’m done pussyfooting around the issue.” 

“What issue?” The confined space felt too closed-in, too intimate. Too much like the perfect place for lovers to grab a stolen moment.

“You and I.” His fresh, spicy clean scent distracted her as it always did.

She put a step between them, scraped back the lock of her hair that had come loose, her breathing ragged with temper and—she hated to admit—excitement. “There is no you and I—me—I.” He made her so mad she forgot her grammar. 

“All I’m asking for is thirty seconds to say I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Was he really attempting to apologize for the way he’d treated her? 

“For what happened in D.C.”

Or was he simply poking at her wound? “I already know that. You made it clear, so no need to press the point home.”

Adam heaved a frustrated breath, rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m saying sorry for the way I reacted after we made love.”

“Will you keep your voice down?” Her whisper came out a little harsher than she intended. “I’m not anxious to broadcast that stupid mistake to everyone in this place.”

In the gloom, she sensed more than saw him tense, as though she’d landed a direct blow and she experienced a moment of remorse. 

“Why does everything with you have to be so difficult, Lacey? Why can’t we just get along?”

And wasn’t that just the question she’d been asking herself for months? “Maybe we should stay out of each other’s way.”

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon Ca | Amazon Au

PARTY FOR TWO Cover Reveal #NewRelease #HotRomance #SexyCategoryRomance #MustRead

I'm back! And I'm bringing two new books with me! The first is Party For Two, a sexy category romance featuring Danielle Hampton, a lawyer turned pregnancy model, and Casey Lowe, a smoking-hot attorney who gives Dani a run for her money.

Dani and Casey's story is book 1 in my new Party On series. Party For Two is due to be released on December 2nd, 2015, but you can pre-order now from Amazon at the special introductory price of 99c/99p, 

Back cover copy

Her sexy weekend fling.

Ex-lawyer turned pregnancy model Danielle Hampton has one simple rule; never date an attorney, even if he’s so deliciously hot she’s nicknamed him His Hotness Esquire. When her father asks her to strap on her silicone bump and pretend to be Casey Lowe’s pregnant fiancée in order to pull her family’s law firm out of trouble, her first answer is a resounding no! But she owes Casey for wrecking his pool.

Civil Rights Attorney Casey Lowe lives by a code of practice: never date his boss’s daughter, but he’ll do just about anything to make partner at the top law firm—even if it means violating his personal code. He hasn’t bargained on the fierce desire that burns hotter than the Mojave Desert and combusts every time he gets his boss’s daughter alone. She may drive him to distraction and melt in his arms, but will this party girl hang around long enough for him to convince her that all the best parties… are for two?

Excerpt

Copyright (c) Monique DeVere 2015

Crystal Swan Publications

All Rights Reserved

“Answer the question, Lowe. Did you or did you not say—”

It should have wiped the smile off his face but if anything it brightened his grin. “Yes, I said it, but—”

“Just the facts, Lowe.”

He chuckled. “Why the hell did you ever give up law?” His mouth landed on hers and she hadn’t even seen it coming. 

Dani refused to let her eyes drift shut. Refused to let the sweet sensation of Casey’s lips on hers seduce her. She should pull back. Push him away. She got as far as planting her palms on his chest—his hard chest with the solid muscles that flexed beneath her fingers. Then, as if they operated independently of her brain, her hands bunched in his shirt front, tugged him closer. Her lids became too heavy and fluttered closed. The tip of his tongue caressed the seam of her lips. They softened, parted of their own accord. He accepted the invitation, slid his tongue in slow bewitching strokes inside her mouth. A shudder skittered through her, coaxing a sigh from her.

She was going to push him away… in a minute… any minute now… just one more second…

He made a half growl kind of sound deep in his throat then broke the kiss. “How’s that for a fact?” 

Dani blinked. She couldn’t think. Every muscle in her body had jellified. She’d never been kissed stupid before. 

Pre-order from Amazon today!

The second book is a novella which will be released on January 13th, 2016.  Kiss Me Again is part of the Candy Heart series from The Wild Rose Press. I'll reveal the book cover on Friday, so please come back for that.

Meanwhile, don't forget to check out Party For Two and my other books on Amazon.

#NewRelease SEXIEST EYE CANDY #Romance #Kindle

I have a New Release and it has a story. 

Sexiest Eye Candy was originally intended for the Mills & Boon Modern Romance (KISS) line, but half way through I changed my mind and pulled the partial from HMB slush pile. 

I mention this to give you and idea of the type of book Sexiest Eye Candy is. It's spicy--OK some readers have already told me HOT!--yet, simple, clean romance. There isn't a whole lot of external plot since the focus is on the internal issues and the romance. 

Looking for more plot? Why not try Zach's Rebound Girl?

If you enjoy Harlequin type romances, I think you'll enjoy Sexiest Eye Candy. However, if you don't like fluffy romance--which is predominately what I write--you might want to give this story a miss, I won't hold it against you ヅ.

My hero Ethan Stone is a successful TV weight-loss coach--a sexy celebrity. And this guy is so sexy he has the title to prove it. 

My heroine Karis Van de Burke is a talented cosmetic surgeon looking for that illusive "something" that's missing from her life.

~*~*~

Sexiest Eye Candy

© Monique DeVere 2014

Crystal Swan Publications
All Rights Reserved

Take one super-hunky TV weight-loss celebrity, one love-rejected cosmetic surgeon, a little guilty pleasure, and the consequences of one-night could prove shattering.

Back Cover Copy

He’s so sexy he has the title to prove it!

Super-hunky, weight-loss celebrity Ethan Stone brings out Dr. Karis Van de Burke’s inner bad-girl. To prove it, when Ethan accepts the challenge to persuade the sassy, love-rejected cosmetic surgeon to appear as a guest on his show, she ends up inviting him into her bed for one night of guilty pleasure instead.

Used to women throwing themselves at him boobs first, Ethan knows his way around every female erogenous zone, but the sizzling chemistry he has with Karis blindsides him. Soon he’s convincing her to extend their one-night to another ... and another ... and...

Karis can’t resist! Yet, if Ethan discovers her secret, he’ll ditch her as fast as her ex-fiancé had – but really, what could go wrong in a one-week, tangle-free, affair?

Excerpt

Her expression guarded, she worked the tissue over his cheek with a light stroke, as if she was afraid to touch him. Yet she managed to make the deed feel more like a caress than a platonic chore. She may avoid meeting his gaze as she worked him over with the tissue, but he knew she was as aware as he of their sizzling chemistry.

He’d seen the flash of heat in her eyes just before his fan interrupted. By the time he’d dealt with the girl, Karis had erased every trace of desire from her face and had looked at him as though the thought of touching him repulsed her. So he’d pushed the issue for the hell of it, and forced her to do it anyway. He could have gone to the washroom to scrub off the lipstick, but he liked the idea of Karis performing the intimate task for him. 

~*~*~

Story Rating 

Heat Level: Hot (R)

Language: Clean

Violence: None

Feelgood Factor: High

~*~*~

Sexiest Eye Candy is now on sale at Amazon for the launch price of 99c/77p.

AmazonUS ~ AmazonUK

#Read Excerpt of ZACH'S REBOUND GIRL ~ On Sale Now! #BookBuzz #Smashwords #Kindle #Kobo #Romance @AmazonBookPromo

Yay! Zach's Rebound Girl is on sale!

You can purchase copies from Amazon. The paperback version is on the way. 

Excerpt

Zach's Rebound Girl
Copyright © 2014 Monique DeVere
Published by Crystal Swan Publications
United Kingdom

All rights reserved.

*~*~*

“I don’t believe you.”

Her mouth fell open at the sheer audacity of the man. Okay she was lying, but he had no way of knowing that. She could’ve had thousands of affairs for all he knew. “You don’t even know me. I’ve changed.”

Electric tension vibrated between them. He was staring at her mouth again, his jaw stiff, eyes doing that glitter thing once more. 

“I don’t think so. Underneath all that sophistication you’re still the sweet girl I used to know.”

Goaded into retaliation, Maddie followed the first crazy impulse that popped into her head. 

“Oh really? Would a ‘sweet girl’ do this?”

Before he had time to take a breath, Maddie threw her arms around Zach’s neck and plastered herself to him.


As kisses went, she nearly cracked a tooth with her surprise attack.

*~*~*

Back Cover Copy

Goodbye quiet geek ... hello hot TV personality.

Television property renovator Maddison de la Botella is popular, adored, and on the brink of snagging the opportunity to restore her ancestral home—if a ruthless developer doesn’t tear it down first! Her life has suddenly gone from smooth to bumpy, and it all starts the night she discovers her new neighbour ogling her in her hot tub is none other than Zachary Canady! Her once-upon-a-time best friend and heartbreaker.

He’s still way too gorgeous, still makes her heart flip—and still sees her as just a friend. Back in uni, Zach made sure she understood men wanted exciting women. And there was nothing exciting about Maddie. Now ten years on, here’s her chance to make him notice she’s a living, breathing, desirable woman—even if she almost cracks a tooth to prove it. But is it coincidence that as soon as Zach re-enters her life, she becomes curiously accident-prone?

Commercial property developer, Zach is about to close the business deal of his career until his past catches up with him, and he’s knocked sideways by the stunner next door. Suddenly he can’t decide what he’s protecting Maddie from—his white-hot desire, or the psychotic stalker out to harm her.

*~*~*

Would you like to read more?

Purchase from any Amazon outlet, but here are the two main sites: AmazonUS ~ AmazonUK 

Don’t have a Kindle? Not to worry, Amazon has FREE Kindle reading Apps which you can easily download and install on your laptop, PC or iPod. You can then download and read Kindle books on your device. Here’s a link to Amazon’s app download site where you can download FREE reading apps for your chosen device.

Featured #Author: Chicki Brown ~ Ain't Too Proud To Beg

 

Today, I'm featuring best selling author and good friend, Chicki Brown! She has been an inspiration to me and one of the wonderful people who encouraged me to take my writing career in my hands. I don't only love her cos she's just fab. I also love her writing. Her books are entertaining and deep. She tackles subjects that makes you take notice.

And her latest book has hit the shelves!

AIN'T TOO PROUD TO BEG is a story about Hollywood film star Vaughn Breland, and physical therapist Trenyce Clark. When a man loses everything he values, can he find something more precious in return?

Hollywood film star Vaughn Breland has wrecked his beloved Lamborghini, lost his latest movie role, the use of his legs and possibly his fabulous good looks. He’s depressed and mad at the world then he meets Trenyce Clark, his new physical therapist. Trenyce, and her beautiful three-year-old daughter, give him a new outlook on life.

EXCERPT

Dr. Liu’s assistant called to say his surgery ran longer than expected, and he wanted me to go ahead and introduce myself to Vaughn Breland. I hated to admit it, but the prospect of meeting the handsome actor jangled my nerves. In order to appear cool and professional, I would have to put on my game face and approach him as I would any other patient.

Still amazed at the news of my prospective patient, I sat at my desk and studied Vaughn Breland’s file. His injuries were extensive, but from what I read, it appeared that Dr. Liu had done his usual marvelous job in surgery. A knock on the door interrupted my contemplation.

“Excuse me.”

Oh, my God. This couldn’t be happening. I recognized the trademark heavy baritone without even looking up, because I had just heard it a few nights before. It belonged to Devon Burke!

“Hope you don’t mind, but I asked at the nurses’ station where your office was. May I come in?”

I glanced up, smoothed my hair and smiled, conscious to keep it from being too wide. “Of course, Mr. Burke. What can I do for you?”

Dressed in a body-hugging black t-shirt and jeans, he entered my small office, instantly increasing the ambience in the room one thousand percent. He took a few steps toward the desk then paused.

He’s waiting for you to invite him to sit, you idiot. Pull yourself together.  “Please, have a seat.” I pointed to a chair.

“Call me Devon, please. We might as well be on a first name basis, since we’ll probably be talking to each other a lot.”

 After an unsteady plop into the chair, I managed to fold my hands on top of the blotter to keep them from shaking.

“You haven’t met Vaughn yet, but Dr. Liu told me you’ve been assigned to his case. I need to explain a few things to you, if you have the time right now.

“Of course. What do you need?”

“He wants to be transferred back to L.A., and according to Dr. Liu, that would not only be expensive but could also be disastrous. Could you try to talk some sense into him about coming back to Cali? He has no family there to look after him, but he has an opportunity to stay here in Telluride for as long as it takes to get back on his feet. Will you convince him this is the best route for him to take right now?”

The pleading look in his deep-set dark eyes showed the depth of concern for his friend. “I can only stay here for another day, and if I don’t do everything I can to get him straight before I leave, Shontae – my wife – will kill me.”

“That’s right. You’re married to Shontae Nichols, the author. I’m reading one of her books right now.”

He smiled, and it seemed as if the entire office lit up. “Really? Which one?”

“The latest one, Standing in the Shadows of Love.”

“Wow, what a coincidence. I’ll have to tell her.”

“I’ve read her last three.”

“Is that so?” The brightness in the office increased again when his smile widened. “She’ll be pleased to hear that.”

“I’d be glad to talk to Mr. Breland, but the decision is up to him. We can’t force him to stay here.”

Devon leaned forward and clasped his hands on the edge of the desk. “Vaughn can be really stubborn, but he’ll usually listen to reason

Grab your copy of Ain't Too Proud To Beg from any of these outlets:

Amazon.com *~* AmazonUK *~* Kobo *~* Nook