Showing posts with label steamy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label steamy. Show all posts

Tuesday, 12 March 2024

Release Blitz : Not That Kind of Witch - by Lucy Felthouse @cw1985 #contemporaryromance #romance #steamyromance

OUT NOW

Not That Kind of Witch

by

Lucy Felthouse



The latest release from Lucy Felthouse, Not That Kind of Witch is a M/F steamy contemporary romance filled with fun and steam, which also tackles some serious topics. So if you’re looking for a hefty dollop of realism in your romance, then check this one out!


Blurb:

Can Willow let go of her fears and begin living her life again, or will her issues get the better of her?

Willow Green is having a hard time of it. Losing her job at the beginning of the pandemic and her elderly grandmother’s ‘clinically vulnerable’ status have resulted in her becoming housebound. While her entrepreneurial, hard-working spirit and the knowledge passed down through generations of green witches in her family mean she has solved her employment problem, her fear of going out, of allowing the dreaded virus into the house she shares with her grandmother, is far from resolved. In fact, it seems worse than ever.

That is, until Joe Lane comes along. The handsome care worker turned delivery driver does Willow a favour, gaining her attention and reluctant admiration. He’s got plenty of baggage of his own, but he also has the skills and temperament to help her with her problem—and he really seems to care.

The question is, will she let him get close enough to try?



Available in eBook and paperback formats: https://books2read.com/ntkow


Excerpt:

Willow Green had just stepped into the kitchen from the back garden when there came an almighty hammering on the front door. Panic and irritation flared in equal measure and she dumped her loaded wicker basket on the huge farmhouse-style table before hurrying through the house towards the source of the noise.

Another hammering. The irritation started to outweigh the panic. Whoever was there was in danger of waking the dead, never mind disturbing mostly-deaf Grandma Annie, whom Willow had left happily knitting in the conservatory with a cup of tea on the table at her side before she’d headed out to the garden.

Willow cast her gaze to the ceiling and grunted with frustration. The whole point of installing the smart doorbell and having it set to only sound an alert on her phone had been to prevent Grandma being tempted to get out of her chair and make her way to the door, putting her at risk of a trip or fall along the way, or placing her in a vulnerable position with a complete stranger. The added bonus being, Willow could be at the furthest reaches of the garden, and her phone would cleverly let her know someone was at the front door.

Had this person not seen the sign? Smack dab in the middle of the door: Please use doorbell. With an arrow pointing to it. Couldn’t they read?

Then she remembered. The last time this happened, which had been a while ago, prior to getting the doorbell camera in the first place, it had been kids at the door. Kids who, once she’d opened up, backed off down the path and began flinging jibes and questions at her from what they considered a safe distance.

Hey, witch.

Been out flying on your broomstick?

What’s bubbling in your cauldron?

You gonna turn us into toads?

Did your ancestors get burned at the stake?

Where’s your black cat?


Her heart sank. She sighed and prepared herself for more of the same. It was unlikely, after all, they’d have come up with something new or more original—despite the astonishing wealth of information the human race had at its fingertips these days. Perhaps they hadn’t bothered to look, to educate themselves, or simply thought it was fun to torment a forty-year-old woman who’d never harm anything or anyone—not even if it was possible to turn people into toads. Though, admittedly, if she were a lesser woman, she’d be sorely tempted to throw out a few fake incantations to scare them, make them think she’d cursed them.

Maybe she should. Yes, it was stooping to their level, but if it stopped them coming back…

No. I’m not going there. She briefly considered not answering the door at all. She could access the doorbell speaker and tell them to clear off from the safety and comfort of her hallway, but she didn’t want them to think she was weak, or frightened. That’d just enhance the thrill for them, encourage them to harass her more often. Not happening. Not on my watch. I don’t have time for that kind of idiocy.

She shook her head, unlocked the door and yanked it open, her annoyance already spilling forth. Generally speaking, she was an incredibly placid person, and slow to anger. But she didn’t want these kids to think this house was an easy target. She’d kept the previous incident from Grandma, not wanting to worry her, and had hoped the addition of the doorbell camera might deter them from returning. “Have you horrible toerags seriously got nothing better to do? You should be ashamed of yourselves, pestering people like this! I’ve a mind to contact your parents—”

She stopped dead as the door swung wide enough to provide a view of who was on the other side of it. Not kids—horrible or otherwise—but a man. With a large cardboard box at his feet, bearing a familiar logo. Uh-oh.

A glance past him to the gravel lane leading to her house confirmed her fears. A white Transit van sat there.

She cringed and forced her gaze back to the man. A navy-blue T-shirt bearing the delivery company’s logo was stretched over his muscular biceps and chunky abdomen—a dad bod, she supposed it’d be classed as, though she didn’t really agree with the terminology—as well as a pair of tan shorts and some beat-up looking trainers. He was tall, well over six feet, and she had to crane her neck to meet his eyes. “I’m so sorry. The last time someone hammered on my door like that, it was a bunch of kids shouting abuse. I thought you were them. If you’d just rung the doorbell, like the sign…”

The frown that appeared on the man’s face as she spoke made her shift her attention to her right, a sinking feeling taking over. Where there should have been a sign attached to the centre of the door, were now only six evenly-spaced blobs of Blu-Tak.

Heat flared into her cheeks, and she let out a groan and closed her eyes momentarily. “Well, there was a sign. It’s obviously fallen off. I had no idea. Or I wouldn’t have… never mind. I’m really sorry. And now I’m waffling.” She gave a pained smile, her face threatening to burst into flames. “Anyway. You have a parcel for me?” Her voice went so high at the end she was surprised she hadn’t summoned the neighbourhood dogs.

To his credit, the man simply shrugged. “No worries. I’ve been called worse. You’re…” he consulted the screen of the smartphone in his hand, “Willow Green?”

Given the circumstances, she let the slight waver of amusement in his voice at her name slide. “Yes,” she replied resignedly. “That’s me.”

“Great. It’s a tracked parcel, so I need to take a photo to prove I’ve delivered it…”

“Okay. Go ahead.”

He tapped his phone screen a few times, then lifted the device and stepped back, presumably ensuring he got the right angle so his image would contain both the parcel and her feet inside the open doorway. Pressed the button. “Got it. Thanks. Do you want me to bring it in for you? It’s pretty heavy.” He pocketed the phone.

“No,” she said quickly, recoiling as he approached and made to pick up the box. “I mean, no thank you. I’m fine. I need to find the sign before I go indoors, anyway. Don’t want to shout at any more undeserving delivery drivers, do I?” The chuckle she let out sounded forced, even to her own ears.

“Guess not.” He backed off and clasped his chin, then stroked his thick beard, more grey than black—the colour of his thick, plentiful hair, which had only a dusting of grey at the temples. He glanced at the doorbell and wrinkled his nose. “Should’ve spotted that, really. Especially when no one answered after I knocked a few times. The Blu-Tak should have provided a clue that maybe there was a sign there, and I could have put two and two together. I’m sorry. Such an idiot. Won’t make that mistake again though, will I?” Despite the weakness of his smile, it transformed his face enough that Willow’s stomach flipped. Goodness, he’s handsome.


Available in eBook and paperback formats: 


Author Bio:

Lucy Felthouse is the award-winning author of erotic romance novels Stately Pleasures (named in the top 5 of Cliterati.co.uk’s 100 Modern Erotic Classics That You’ve Never Heard Of), Eyes Wide Open (winner of the Love Romances Café’s Best Ménage Book 2015 award), The Persecution of the Wolves, Hiding in Plain Sight, Curve Appeal, and The Heiress’s Harem and The Dreadnoughts series. Including novels, short stories and novellas, she has over 175 publications to her name. Find out more about her and her writing at http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/linktree


Release blitz organised by:


Wednesday, 1 July 2020

Happy Canada Day!


Happy Canada Day!

I know I've been a bit scarce blogging lately. It's a busy time in the Carlton household these days. Lots of changes going on. But I just wanted to drop in to wish everyone a Happy Canada Day. 🎆🍁🥂 I hope you enjoy your day. I know it won't be as jubilant this year with all that's going on around the world, but I hope you have an awesome day. Please take care. Stay safe and well, my friends. 

In honor of the day, I've posted the first couple of chapters from one of my favorite stories, Lost Time, over on Pick a Genre Already if you'd like to have a read. A Canadian girl ventures to the UK.

Hannah Keys thinks she's setting off on the trip of her dreams—a month in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland—but after one mishap after another—beginning with her best friend abandoning her in the airport and ending with the man of her dreams dead—she's renaming it the vacation from hell!

I also want to wish my American friends a Happy upcoming Independence Day on the 4th! 🎉



Tuesday, 14 April 2020

Book Tour + #Giveaway - Never Kiss a Stranger - by Logan Chance @LoganChance85 A Hot Romantic Comedy #RomCom

Never Kiss a Stranger 
by 
Logan Chance 

Genre: Romantic Comedy 


Kiki

Ellis Atwood is the devil. Ok, maybe that’s too harsh. Ellis Atwood is ruining my life.
First, he demolishes a perfectly good wedding trellis.
Second, he destroys a gorgeous doggie wedding that I spent ages planning. (I kid you not.)
Third, he makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, and that is not ok. I prefer the cold and harsh way my fiancé makes me feel so much better. (wait, that didn’t come out right.)
Fourth, and there is a fourth, he gets me all wound up and flustered.
And last, when he unexpectedly kissed me it made me forget my own name, or the fact that I’m getting married...in a month.
Please someone help me out. I’m a mess.
Worst part is, Ellis isn’t the bad guy I first thought he was.
And being forced to spend time with him is making me realize that he needs my help more than anything.
So what’s a girl like me to do?

Ellis

I’m only in town long enough to figure out a plan with my brother on how to save our brewery from the awfulness that is my father. Oh and be in a wedding.
Where I may or may not be crushing a little too hard on the bride-to-be. (spoiler alert, I'm crushing hard.)
She’s really cute. Like seriously.
And she has the cutest job, she’s a dog wedding planner. (I kid you not.)
I can see why Henry loves her.
I can see why everyone loves her.
I can see why I’m falling for her.
I’m usually not a relationship-type guy. Call it picky or whatnot, but usually I get bored easily. So, my plan is simple. Spend as much time with Kiki (soon to be Faniki, I know) and hopefully get bored with her adorkable smile and sexy legs that go on for miles.
Then, I can save the brewery, be the best man of the wedding, and get my butt back to Chicago and away from the happy couple. 

Goodreads  *  Amazon



Book Trailer 




Logan Chance is a USA Today and Top 20 Amazon Bestselling Author with a quick wit and penchant for the simple things in life: Star Wars, music, and smart girls who love to read. He was nominated best debut author for the Goodreads Choice Awards in 2016. His works can be classified as Dramedies (Drama+Comedies), featuring a ton of laughs and many swoon worthy, heartfelt moments. 




Signed Paperback of Never Kiss A Stranger and $10 Amazon gc 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!




Wednesday, 6 February 2019

Blog Tour + #Giveaway - An Earl of Her Own - by Heather Boyd [Saints and Sinners #3] #Steamy #Regency #Romance

An Earl Of Her Own
Saints and Sinners series (Book 3)
By Heather Boyd

Heather is giving away a print edition of The Duke and I and A Gentleman’s Vow during the tour. Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Remember there is a chance to enter everyday so be sure to follow the Blog Tour. You may find the tour schedule and locations here https://goo.gl/qw8v5J

  About An Earl Of Her Own:


Marriage is about finding that special someone you want to annoy for the rest of your life! Rebecca Warner’s devotion to her family is the perfect distraction from the loneliness of widowhood. Not that she’d ever admit a need for someone special in her life after her husband’s betrayal. With the responsibility of arranging her sister’s wedding falling into her lap, Rebecca has no time for a certain maddening earl bent on seducing her—until he proves her most ardent ally. For Adam Croft, Earl of Rafferty, what began as an amusing pursuit—shocking Rebecca Warner—becomes something deeper when he recognizes how perfect a wife and mother she would make. Adam’s keenly aware of his loneliness…and that his habit to curb it with drink lost him Becca’s respect. He’ll happily change his ways to win her approval, but what more can he do to win her love?

Release Date: FEBRUARY 12, 2019 

Length: approx. 300 pages 
Heat: steamy regency romance Digital 
ISBN: 978-1-925239-51-5 
Print ISBN: 978-1-925239-52-2 
ASIN: B07KGLD7RB 
AppleBooks ID: 1437218392 


“You are hurt, worse than you want to say,” Rebecca Warner whispered.

Her soft green eyes were filled with real concern, something Adam had never expected to see on her face. “Well, that is disappointing.”

“Disappointing?” Rebecca immediately began searching through his hair for the wound, and he chose to imagine it a sensual caress until she spoke again. “You have a gash to your head that has bled. Dear God, you could have died.”

“Always looking on the bright side,” he murmured, and then noticed how close the lady was to his body. He inhaled slowly, delighted in this unexpectedly rare treat. Mrs. Warner had never been the friendliest sort. “You smell nice.”

“Really, Rafferty,” she chided. She suddenly slipped her hand inside his coat, rummaged in his pockets and began to dab at his head with the handkerchief she found there. “This is hardly the time to worry about my perfume.”

“As you say, I could have been killed. Seems like an appropriate time for noticing the little things in life that please me.” He felt pain and hissed. Eager for a distraction, he dropped his gaze to her shoulder—now bare of the shawl, which had fallen away unnoticed by the lady. The respectable garment Rebecca had worn to church, so stylish and modest, was less so now thanks to the accident. The struggle out of the carriage seemed to have ripped the seam apart, and her pale skin looked very soft and inviting. He curled his fingers into the skirt of her gown and held it. “Lovely.”

She drew back to peer into his eyes again, and then she glanced down at his fist. “What are you doing?” 


What was he doing? Adam had no idea, but he wasn’t of a mind to stop.



Saints and Sinners series: 
Book 1: The Duke and I (Nicolas and Gillian) - https://amzn.to/2Thss0C 
Book 2: A Gentleman’s Vow (Gideon and Jessica) - https://amzn.to/2Tc3kso 
Book 3: An Earl of Her Own (Adam and Rebecca) - https://amzn.to/2G2HCmT

~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~


About the Author:

Determined to escape the Aussie sun on a scorching camping holiday, Heather picked up a pen and notebook from a corner store and started writing her very first novel—Chills. Eight years later, she is the author of over thirty romances and publisher of several anthologies too. Addicted to all things tech (never again will Heather write a novel longhand) and fascinated by English society of the early 1800’s, Heather spends her days getting her characters in and out of trouble and into bed together (if they make it that far). She lives on the edge of beautiful Lake Macquarie, Australia with her trio of mischievous rogues (husband and two sons) along with one rescued cat whose only interest in her career is that it provides him with food on demand. You can find details of Heather's work at www.heather-boyd.com

Heather Boyd's Social Links:

Monday, 21 January 2019

Salem is fighting a battle he’s not sure he can win - Enjoy the First Chapter - Autumn's Healing - #Steamy #Paranormal #Romance


Blurb:

Rarely do we get to pick our battles… Often, they choose us

Single mom Mikaylah MacDonough and her only daughter Autumn have been on their own a long time. So, when Autumn goes off to school, it seems only natural for Kaylah to pull up stakes and follow, though with some clear-cut boundaries, of course. She’s determined to give Autumn space to enjoy the whole college experience but remain close enough for emergencies, meals and laundry. But when the closing date of the current house overlaps with taking possession of the ‘new’ house, along with orientation week, Autumn has to go it alone. From that moment on, Kaylah’s dreams of a new beginning turn into a complete and total nightmare.

When former serviceman Jerusalem Aames drives up to the century-old Cleary house, he sees dollar signs for himself and his all-veteran crew. The rundown, old place would finally put his fledgling construction-renovation firm in the black. But the moment he meets the gorgeous homeowner who had been duped into buying the money-pit, his attraction is swift and instantaneous.

However, there’s something very strange going on in the dilapidated house that has nothing to do with rotting timbers or shoddy wiring. Whatever it is, it’s affecting Kaylah’s state of mind, and Salem finds himself in a battle he’s not sure he can win.


5 Stars from Reviewer: Alberta Manic Readers

By the time we find out the true story, Kay & Salem are deeply in love, but she has demons that Salem isn’t sure he can vanquish. I can’t say anything more about the story, without giving it away, so suffice it to say, it’s tender, loving, & totally worth the occasional tear it will evoke. Get it right away, & look for more by this author.

Read the full review HERE

From Amazon 5 more stars!
☆☆☆☆☆

WOW! What a heartwarming, beautiful tale of two people struggling through the pain of unexpected disasters. I promise you that you will cheer for Kaylah & Salem to come together, their characters being so finely drawn by the author. Long past reading this page turner you will remember them. And wish them well. Not to mention the story is spicy hot with sexy, powerful scenes set against an intriguing backdrop. Throw in an unexpected plot twist that makes perfect sense in hindsight, one that you’ll never see coming or at least I didn’t, and you have the real deal. I look forward, with pleasure, to reading more books by this fine author.


Excerpt:

Chapter One

Kaylah closed her eyes and shampooed her hair. The hot spray from the shower stung her skin, but she didn’t care.

Her mind went back to the day Autumn and her friend Emily had set off for college.

“Best laid plans…” she mumbled in the mist.

It had started out as a bright, beautiful, sunny day, perfect for new beginnings.

In the driveway, Kaylah tried not to wring her hands.

“Stop looking like that,” Autumn warned.

“I should be taking you, though,” Kaylah repeated under her breath, as she Tetris-ed another box into the hatchback. It’d been an ongoing discussion since the girls had come up with the idea of driving alone.

Autumn slammed the trunk of the overstuffed compact car. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and all the other aggravation of the last few weeks fell away.

“We won’t be in the same city for a while.” Autumn frowned and draped her arms around Kaylah. “It’s gonna be weird. We’ve never really been away from each other for more than a night or two.”

“It won’t be long,” Kaylah reassured. “I’ll get things settled here and I’ll join you in about a week’s time—if all goes well, that is. Keep your fingers crossed. But I really wish I was taking you now.”

“But this is kind of appropriate, too. I’m supposed to drive off into the sunset, while you wave profusely from the driveway. This is the way it’s supposed to be—the child leaving the nest and all that. And next weekend when you collect the keys and take possession of the new house, I’ll probably crash with you because I’ll have missed you so much.”

“Me, too,” Emily chimed in, joining the hug.

Kaylah nodded. The closing dates on the old house and the new place were about a week apart and coincided with Autumn’s orientation week.

“Bye, Mrs. MacDonough.”

Kaylah hugged Emily, as well. “Take care, Em.”

“You, too. We’ll see you next week.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Autumn squeezed her one last time. “I love you, Mom. Thank you for everything.” She sniffled.

“You promised. No tears until we can’t see each other anymore.”

“I know. I’m sorry. It’s just harder than I thought.” Autumn let her go then took one last look at the house.

“First step to the rest of your life.” Kaylah wiped her daughter’s rosy cheeks. “I’m so proud to be your mama. I love you, baby.”

“I love you. And I’ll see you—”

“Next week.” Kaylah managed a smile as she finished the sentence.

The girls got into the car and Kaylah waved profusely as they pulled away—just as Autumn had predicted—before she gave way to tears.

Kaylah rinsed the suds from her hair as the old pipes started to knock inside the walls. From experience, she knew the water would turn cold within seconds.

Turning off the taps before that happened, she then grabbed a towel from the rack and wound the terrycloth around her shoulder-length hair. She yanked another towel from the shelf and dried off.

The entire bathroom was filled with steam. Obviously, it needed a new fan and some better ventilation. Another addition to the ever-growing list of upgrades this ‘new’ house needed. What a nightmare the entire undertaking had turned into. Even the contractors she’d interviewed had shied away from the massive workload the turn-of-the-century home presented. It required updating on every level, not to mention the work it needed on the outside.

The home had been grossly misrepresented, but Kaylah blamed herself. She and Autumn had found and bought it, sight unseen, over the Internet. It had been so beautiful—or so they’d thought.

She’d gone so far as to contact a lawyer, hoping he could give her a rundown of her options. But, as of this morning, he still had not returned her call.

Nothing was going right. Nothing had since Autumn had left for school.

Kaylah stepped out of the shower and looked toward the vanity mirror. It was frosted with condensation, but that’s not what caught her eye. She pulled the towel tightly around her body as her gaze darted around the tiny room. The hair on the back of her neck stood up and a shiver ran through her body. Her heart began to pound. It looked as if someone—or something—had written a message in the film on the glass.

Jerusalem.

The word had started to run, streaking the letters down the glass, dripping off the edge and into the sink below.

That name. She’d been seeing it everywhere recently—on newspapers, street signs, on the side of transport trucks, when she flicked on the TV. She’d even driven through a town near Geneva, New York, named Jerusalem on her way here. Now this.

Irrational anger flooded her. “What are you trying to tell me?” she screamed.

She picked up the closest thing—her handheld hairdryer—and threw it at the mirror. The glass blew out and shattered all over the sink and the bathroom floor—one more thing to add to the repair list.

Kaylah hurried to her bedroom. She dressed quickly then left the house.

* * * *
Kaylah stood on the bridge, looking down over the water in the park. It was so peaceful here, but the craziest thoughts raced through her head. Ever since Autumn had moved and Kaylah had taken possession of the new house, her thinking had been muddled, unpredictable. She didn’t feel like herself at all—one minute angry as hell for no logical reason, the next crying uncontrollably. Like now, looking down at the water from the great height on the walkway, she had the most overwhelming urge to jump—to end it all.

It would take away the crushing pain in her chest.

She pulled her cell phone out of her jacket pocket and quick-dialed Autumn.

“You’ve reached Autumn. You know what to do. Beep.” There was a little giggle, then the digital sound followed.

Unbidden tears filled her eyes at the sound of her daughter’s voice.

The water beckoned.

Jerusalem, the wind seemed to whisper.

Kaylah jerked at the sound and looked across the bay. Her gaze collided with another sightseer. He didn’t scare her, but he watched her intently. She stared right back.

“Jerusalem.” The stranger’s mouth seemed to form the word, but Kaylah’s mind rebelled. There was no possible way she’d have really heard that.

“Ma’am. Ma’am? Are you all right?”

At the sound of the voice from behind, she realized she’d stepped up to the wrought-iron railing, her hands poised as if to pull herself up. And what? Over? Dear God! She jumped down.

Swiftly, she wiped her cheeks and stuffed her cell back into her pocket. She didn’t even turn or wait to see if the passerby had been addressing her. She fled the scene.

As she walked briskly by the downtown shops, she began to feel more in control and aware of her surroundings. A shop window with huge steaming cup and saucer painted on the inside pane beckoned.

“Don’t mind if I do,” Kaylah mumbled under her breath as she tugged open the door to the inviting establishment.

Once she was seated at the little restaurant with a hot cup of coffee, Kaylah looked around but didn’t really take note of any of the other patrons.

She took a deep breath, inhaling through the pain in her chest. Absently, she rubbed it. She’d experienced this before, prior to her diagnosis. Was the cancer back? Had she already diagnosed herself? And, in so doing, could this explain the mood swings? The unexplained sorrow and irrational anger? The symptoms all went hand in hand when dealing with any illness, along with the self-pity and why-me syndrome.

“Can I get you a refill?” the waitress asked cheerfully with the coffee pot poised over her cup.

“Please. Thank you.”

“Are you just passing through?”

“No, we’re new to the area. I purchased the Cleary property.” By mistake, she added, silently.

“That’s a beautiful old place,” the server replied, her eyes lighting with interest. “Needs some major TLC, though.”

“You’re telling me. I’ve been shopping around for contractors.”

“Where are you coming from?”

“Out West,” she answered vaguely.

“Jenna! Customer at booth two,” the rotund and harassed-looking cook in a stained yellowed apron hollered across the dining area.

“Sorry. Gotta go. This one’s on the house. Nice meeting you. I hope you’ll be back.” She smiled.

“I will. Thank you.” Kaylah cracked open a creamer and poured it into her cup.

Her cell phone vibrated. She dug through her purse, frantic to get to it.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Mama.”

Closing her eyes, Kaylah savored the sweet sound of her eighteen-year-old daughter’s voice. These days, nothing seemed to set her back on an even keel better than Autumn.

“Hey, baby, how are you?” she said, upon opening her eyes.

As she stared out of the window, a small blonde girl charged along the sidewalk. Kaylah watched her and grinned as she skipped along, her pigtails bouncing. She remembered when her little girl was that age, curious and full of energy and endless questions.

‘Who’s that man, Mommy? Why do dogs lift their leg when they pee, Mommy? Why do I call you Mommy but my friend Bonnie calls one of her mommies ‘Mommy’ and the other one ‘Pam’?’


It seemed like yesterday.

“I’m okay,” Autumn replied. “I miss you, though.”

More tears sprang to her eyes. “I wish you could meet me.”

“Mom…we talked about this.” Another awkward silence stretched between them.

“How are classes, baby?”

“Good. I love lecture hall. Everyone else falls asleep, but I find it the most informative part of the week. I’ve learned so much about how things work here, and the teacher is an absolute angel.”

“That’s good.”

“I have this big assignment due in about a week, so I’m going to shut out all my new friends and funnel all of my energies into it.”

“There’s a good girl. Make your mama proud.”

“I will.”

“You always do.”

“Thanks, Mom. How’s the new house?”

“It’s too quiet.” Kaylah picked at a paper napkin.

“You’ll get used to it.”

“I know. I haven’t got a choice.”

“Have you met any people? Neighbors?”

Still spellbound by the little person flouncing about, Kaylah watched as she and the adult accompanying her entered the café through the glass door, making the bell ring.

“Why is that bell there?” the little girl asked.

The question made Kaylah chuckle.

“To let the servers know a new customer has entered,” the man with her answered.

“Well, that’s just silly. They don’t need a bell for that when they have eyes.”

Her handler hesitated, then he nodded his dark head at her logic.

Kaylah paused at the mere sight of him. Very handsome.

“Yes, I’m meeting people.” Kaylah turned her attention back to the conversation.

“Good. I’m glad. Meet any men-type people?”

“Autumn…” she cautioned, which prompted a giggle.

Kaylah’s attention strayed back to the new customers.

“What do you want to eat, Lindsay?” As she’d expected, Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Handsome’s voice was deep.

“I’m having trouble hearing you,” Autumn said. “You sound very far away. I’ll let you go for now.”

“Oh, no, don’t. You don’t have to do that. I can run outside.” Kaylah felt the familiar disappointment. Would this separation ever become any easier? Autumn’s calls were what kept her sane.

“I’ll call you later…to say goodnight. All right?”

“Okay. Talk to you then. I love you, Autumn.”

“I love you, too, Mama.”

Kaylah ended the call, but her attention was riveted on the other customers.

“What do you want, Lindsay?” The man prompted the girl again. Kaylah studied his back. He was solid, muscular and had incredibly broad shoulders.

“Umm, fries and a Coke.”

“Fries and milk,” he corrected.

“French fries and chocolate milk,” she countered.

“Deal. Go hop up at our table.”

The girl turned and eyed Kaylah.

She swung around and tugged his back pocket, directing Kaylah’s focus to the snug denim.

“Uncle Salem, there’s someone at our table.”

Salem?

“Then pick another,” he said while retrieving his wallet.

“No, that’s our table,” she pouted, scowling at Kaylah.

Kaylah made eye contact with the girl. With an exaggerated facial expression, she pointed at the table. “Is this your table?” she asked.

The child nodded but wrapped her arm around her uncle’s leg.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I’ll move so you and your uncle can have your spot. Would you like that?”

With her lip still jutting, the girl simply stared at her.

“You don’t have to do that,” the distracted man said, after paying for their snacks. He shoved his billfold back into his jeans and turned fully in her direction.

Whoa!

He approached the table, walking with a bit of a limp.

“No, I don’t mind. I was leaving anyway,” she said, shuffling out from between the table and the banquet seat. As she straightened to her full height, she gazed up him. 
The little girl scooted onto the bench.

He was a good-looking man in a rugged sort of way. A sexy layer of stubble coated his strong chin as if he hadn’t shaved that morning. He assessed her with shrewd hazel eyes as he yanked a worn ball cap from his head. A thick swatch of dark hair tumbled over his forehead, which he was quick to slick down. Yet, in contrast, the sides and the back were shaved close. No doubt Autumn would call it a ‘righteous flow’.

“Please, don’t let us rush you,” he said, as he shrugged out of his plaid jacket. The cut of his black T-shirt fit snug to his sculpted biceps. “She needs to learn the world doesn’t stop for her. Her mom spoils her rotten as it is.”

“Chocolate milk?” Kaylah called him out on how he’d caved to Lindsay’s wishes.

Passing his hand over the back of his neck, he looked down at the floor then grinned. He had nice teeth and full lips. “Yeah, well, I’m her uncle. I’m allowed. Besides, we negotiated, right, Lindsay? That’s different.”

“I’d rather have the pop,” she replied, dragging a napkin over the tabletop and now standing on the seat.

“Aw, is that how it works?” Kaylah responded.

“Hey, why don’t you join us? I see you’ve still got a full cup there.”

“No, I’ve got to go, but thank you. Nice meeting you…both.”

To her surprise, he stuck out his hand. She hesitated, staring at it stupidly before tucking hers in his. His palm was warm, his grip strong. A jolt of sensation shot up her arm.

“Jerusalem Aames,” he introduced himself.

Kaylah’s stomach clenched. Her vision tunneled. “Jerusalem?” she echoed in a whisper, peering into his eyes.

Her head swam as the message on the bathroom mirror shimmered in her mind.

“Jerusalem,” she said again.

©Copyright H K Carlton

For a spicier adult excerpt hop on over to Pick a Genre Already

Autumn's Healing

Available at: