Counting down the days until
Like a Love Song releases, but
the
pre-order link on Amazon is LIVE! Here's a little teaser from midway through this romantic relational
drama to get your reader-juices going:
* * * * * * * *
Joe was already at her side. “You okay, Sue?”
His nearness and the warmth coming from him set off a burst
of panic in her. She swallowed hard and forced her voice steady. “I’m fine.”
“Did you want me?”
She inhaled to suppress the weird flutter in her chest. Want you? What have you been smokin’?
Where’d you get an idea like that?
Oh yeah, Chaz. Fundraiser. “Yes, I almost forgot.” She
explained the problem with Chaz and the dismantled sale items, and her need for
things to be in working order as soon as possible.
Joe wore a pained look. “Wow. I’m really sorry for not
paying closer attention to the boy. Yeah, I’ll fix it, right away.”
“And I don’t know how, but could you keep him busy? So he
doesn’t find anything else to take apart? At least until we get through the
fundraiser.”
Joe didn’t answer. Instead, the crease in his brow softened,
and his eyes wore a strange expression. Like his wheels were turning. “Sure,”
he said slowly. “There’s just one thing.” His eyes locked with hers. “A
condition.”
Sue stiffened. That did not sound good. “Which is?”
Joe rubbed his chin. “I’ll keep Chaz busy if you agree to
take a day off. Away from the ranch. You don’t have to plan anything. I’ll take
care of it.”
Sue’s brows gathered. “You’ll take care of it? What is that
supposed to mean?”
He didn’t answer.
Her voice rose. “You want me to do something with you?”
Joe nodded.
“Like a date?”
“No, no. Just ... a little outing. Just for fun. When was
the last time you took a day off?”
“Last week. Three times. You were there for two of them,
remember? I’ve left the ranch more times in the last two weeks than I have in
the last two years.”
He shook his head. “Physical therapy doesn't count. It has
to be fun.”
“Hey, I have fun.”
“You?” Joe belted out in a laugh. “Name the last fun thing
you did.”
Her headache spiked. “Well, it’s not like I can just--”
“I know, when you’re not running yourself into the ground,
you’re all fun, all the time.” His eyes narrowed. “Name one fun thing you've
done in the last year.”
Sue huffed. “This is lame.”
Joe nodded. “A one-day outing with me along to make sure you
have fun, or no deal.”
She let out another huff that could probably be heard all
over the compound. “You’d hold a poor neurotic kid over my head for a date?”
“It’s not a date. Just ... a friendly little outing. And
like I said, I’ll plan it. All you have to do is go along for the ride and
relax.”
She let out an exasperated sigh. “This is not exactly the
best time for me to be taking a day off. I've got the fundraiser to pull off,
the kids, the temps ...” Not to mention
hanging onto my sanity, keeping everything together, trying to figure out your
twisted game ...
“After the fundraiser then.” Joe crossed his python arms and
waited.
There had to be a whole warehouse of laws somewhere against
being forced into spending time with a guy who looked like he could shred a
semi with his bare hands. Hands she needed now or there wouldn't be much of a
fundraiser. “Two hours tops. After the fundraiser. And Chaz is your shadow from
now on.”
He crammed his hands in his pockets. “Half a day.”
A growl escaped her clenched teeth. “Fine.”
Joe smiled. “Deal.”
Sue headed for the main house. What in the world had she
just agreed to?
***************
When she finally surrenders her heart, will it be too late?
Susan Quinn, a social worker turned surrogate mom to foster teens, fights to save the group home she’s worked hard to build. But now, she faces a dwindling staff, foreclosure, and old heartaches that won't stay buried. Her only hope lies with the last person she’d ever turn to—a brawny handyman with a guitar, a questionable past, and a God he keeps calling Father.
Like a Love Song is a romantic drama set in Oregon’s high desert about a
fiercely loyal woman, some cast-off kids, and the courage it takes to believe
in a love that never fails.
March 18 Update: Like a Love Song just received a Romantic Times 4-1/2 star "Top Pick" review. What an honor!
