Home Wrecker I (Home Wrecker Chronicles) by Brenda Perlin: The Sea Inside (book 1 in the Cerulean Songs serie...

This is me talking about my new book, The Sea Inside, with an excerpt... Thanks Brenda!!

Home Wrecker I (Home Wrecker Chronicles) by Brenda Perlin: The Sea Inside (book 1 in the Cerulean Songs serie...: I am so excited to share this lovely English author’s new book called THE SEA INSIDE, book 1 in the Cerulean Songs series. Her name is V...

Monthly column at The Indie Exchange - on fantasy

Seeing as I can't seem to stop writing stuff involving fantasy, I wrote this month's column at The Indie Exchange on just that. 

What things make a fantasy novel and how can you make these magical worlds believable? Plus some quotes from my fave fantasy writers :) 

You can read it here: http://theindieexchange.com/fantasy-a-touch-of-the-fantastic/

Cheers guys!
Vickie

Between the Lines Book Tours Presents: Kill Me Now! by Lawrence Fisher

Welcome to Lawrence Fisher who is on a blog tour to promote his new book, Kill Me Now! You can win a copy by leaving a comment and your email address. There are two copies up for grabs and the winners will be drawn from all comments left on all blogs hosting the tour.

Book blurb

Kill Me Now! is about Lawrence, a man in his late 40s dodging bullets deep in the dating battlefield while searching for the ONE. In Kill Me Now! Lawrence tries to decode the signals of his enigmatic opponent, often resulting in his hasty retreat. Why is she resting her head on her hand? Is she bored? Or is she interested? 

He finds himself in many humorous situations where he has no idea what he is doing and no idea how to maneuver through the skirmish. Trapped in the epicenter of the courting conflict, the motivating thought that sustains him is his strong belief that somewhere out there, she awaits. 

Join Lawrence as he painfully stumbles through the mating minefield in search for his SOULMATE while silently wishing that he was elsewhere. Be warned, you will laugh!

Website: http://killmenow.org

Buy it on Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Kill-Now-Maneuvers-Frontline-Battlefield/dp/1462059511/ref=tmm_pap_title_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367997718&sr=8-2

About Lawrence Fisher

Lawrence has been out on countless dates in search of his soulmate. Like most people he has found himself in many strange situations. However, he found that he could see the humor in each situation. Lawrence is a single guy in his late 40s. He has worked in computers and education for about 25 years and also holds a personal fitness trainer certification. He currently lives in Tel Aviv, Israel. Lawrence Fisher spends his days writing software tutorials and his nights in the endless search for the ONE. Will he find her? Or will there be book two out?

Book excerpt

February 2: A Steep Learning Curve

N

o date again, woe is me! How many of us have sat at home wondering why we don’t have a date? How many of us have gone to a bar to look for a girl, found someone interesting and just froze? What should we say to her? What is a good pick up line? Questions, questions, questions! Help!

Those of us who know how to use the internet instinctively say, “Google it!” In the search tab, you type in, “how to pick up girls” and hope for the best. You then receive a plethora of websites offering you information from the best of the best. THE experts! Or so you assume. One site says there are plenty of people who are good at picking up girls, but cannot explain their art. If they cannot explain, then what good are they to us? Do they describe which girls are they trying to pick up? What kind of girls were these, real or imaginary?

One night, I decided to try a line from one of those websites. Me, myself and I, the holy trio, decided to go to a bar. A stunning brunette caught my attention as she eyed the crowd. Somehow she managed to avoid eye contact with me. I walked up to the lady, took out my iPhone, and hoped it impressed her.

I read off my iPhone, “Baby, I’m no Fred Flintstone but I can make your Bedrock.” OK, I agree with you. That is a lame line.

She leaned toward me seductively and said, “Go Google again!” Was she being rude to me or not? I still have no idea. I think she had learned the true art of diplomacy, which is the ability to tell someone to go to hell so that he actually looks forward to the trip.

It is very important to make a good first impression. The first impression is vital. It is difficult to correct a bad first impression. Oh, the pressure, the pressure. There is only one chance to do it right!

Going up to a girl at a bar saying, “What is a girl like you doing in a place like this?” will probably earn you a smirk. Not only is the line antiquated, but it seems to work only in the movies, and sometimes not even there. The only time I tried that line, the girl said it was her bar and that I should not refer to it as “such a place”.

Oh, what should I do? What should I do?

The internet provides contradicting information. What's new? When we search for something in our field of expertise, we understand whether it sounds right or not. But if our understanding is close to zero, how can we define what is right and what is not?

Somehow I need to hone my non-existent skills. Somehow I need more practice. Somehow I need experienced friends.

Looking at my friends and hearing their stories, I wonder, does experience really help?

Oh, crap! Kill me now!

Be Inspired, Kristina

Owner of Book Club Sisters Book Blog & Between The Lines Book Tours/Assistant Services

Not edited. Posted as supplied.

New book release: The Sea Inside

Yesterday I published my new book, The Sea Inside. It is the first part of the Cerulean Songs series. I started the novel in 2009, but kept getting stuck as I was not sure where to take the story. I never write outlines and stuff for my books, so it depends what enters my mind... and for a while nothing did. But now it's finished and out there! Horrah!

The beautiful cover photo is by Maja Drazic - http://maay.deviantart.com/

Book 1 in the Cerulean Songs series. 

Time is all we have; it flows – it cannot stop.

Jayne wakes up in hospital following a terrible accident, which changes her life as she knew it. While struggling to recover, she is visited by a mysterious woman who offers her a gift. To the girl’s astonishment, she finds herself on a journey, on both the physical and mental plane. It brings her to the mystical realm of Entyre, where life is very different and power lies with the creatures of the deep. While the threads of time keep flowing, Jayne must decide what is real, who to trust, and regain her inner strength in order to find herself and her true destiny.

Early excerpt:

Every night Jayne experienced a recurring dream in which she was running across an empty beach. Her red hair blazed in the sunlight, sweeping, flying in the wind. Dancing and twisting in the sand, the girl’s feet sank into the cold, damp heaviness. She charged forward with Glen barking in the breeze, leaping over him as he twisted, his tail wagging for all it was worth. The midday sun beat down on them, and the blue sky was dotted with silken wisps of softest white cloud. But it was only a dream. Jayne would never feel the coolness of the water trickling between her toes. The girl would be able to smell the sea, its salty breath, but never feel it; she would never run, never walk; never sink her feet into the soft sand. 

Reviews from my beta readers:

Nickie Storey, author of the Grimsley Hollow series: “A delicious brew of invention, enchantment and refreshing characters, Vickie Johnstone has a firm grasp on the fantasy genre. I can’t wait to read more of her work!”

Greta Burroughs, author of the Wee People series: “Strange worlds, interesting characters, suspense and a surprise ending – what more can you ask for? This book has it all and more.”

Jennifer Thomas: “A gripping and fascinating mythical adventure that is beautifully described. There is suspense, fear and emotion throughout the entire novel that makes you want to keep turning the page.”

Amazon UK
Amazon US

Thanks :))

New reviews of my books

Some new reviews of my books...

Life's Rhythms (316 haiku)

http://www.amazon.com/Lifes-Rhythms-ebook/dp/B009Z0X8H8/ref=sr_1_7_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1369576105&sr=8-7&keywords=vickie+johnstone

4 out of 5 stars - Great porch reading!, May 26, 2013 By Deal Sharing Aunt  I liked this book, and reading it relaxed me. The poems were written in a way that they flowed together nicely. I read the whole book in one sitting, and they were all positive. They author uses nature and humor in her poems as well. They were all haikus and some were straight forward while others were more abstract.

I did not like that there were not chapters and I didn't know what theme I was reading. However the poems were written very well and I am going to use this as a coffee table book! It is great for chatting. I also think that this would be a great book club book. The members could write their own poems each week. As I read the poems I definitely got pictures in my mind of birds chipping and wind blowing. This was my favorite poem:

Paw prints in the snow

Whiskers watches from the wall

White envelops all.

We definitely had a lot of snow this year!
I am giving this book a 4/5. I was given a copy to review, however all opinions are my own!

http://dealsharingaunt.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/lifes-rhythms-by-vickie-johnstone-review.html

Travelling Light

http://www.amazon.com/Travelling-light-poetry-ebook/dp/B00537SN0E/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

5 out of 5 stars - Continued Read..., May 11, 2013

By Ann Johnson-Murphree (Wisconsin) 

Very enjoyable read, one that I will return to time and time again. Well worth anyone's time to get to know this poet. ajm

Kiwi in Cat City

http://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-Cat-City-ebook/dp/B004YKSZMM/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1369576105&sr=8-1&keywords=vickie+johnstone

5 out of 5 stars - Great Children's Book!, May 23, 2013 By Chatty Cupid  This was such a sweet book. I loved the cat- hope there are many more adventures of Kiwi! Great Book! 3 Heads & a Tail http://www.amazon.com/3-Heads-a-Tail-ebook/dp/B009YZRUSC/ref=sr_1_4_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1369576105&sr=8-4&keywords=vickie+johnstone 5 out of 5 stars - Fun and funny read!, May 20, 2013 By Lady Wings (South Carolina, USA)  Any book that features a dog as a main character has to be good. Right? Well, most of the time... some of the time? This book, 3 Heads and a Tail, meets my idea of a good book. It is very humorous and a fun light read. Vickie Johnstone is one of my favorite authors and I always look forward to reading her work. It is written for readers over 16 years old. Folks wanting to be entertained will enjoy this book. I highly recommend it.

Kiwi in Cat City made it!

Amazing news!

A case of blimey and then some!

Kiwi in Cat City made it to number one! Yesterday the book was at 18-20,000, which was a miracle in itself, but following an ereadernews advert it shot up to #2,840 Paid in Kindle Store and...
#1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Children's eBooks > Animals > Cats
#6 in Kindle Store > Literature & Fiction > Children's Fiction > Animals
#7 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Cats

Although I love these books, this one was ranking 600,000 two weeks ago and out of 12 books I was selling 0-2 a week. This shows the power of teamwork, promoting others and using small ads and listings (cheap or free even). It just shows - if people can actually see our books (or whatever else we create, whether songs or skirts) exist, we can do it! Thank you so much to everyone who has been helping! Especially to Kim Mutch Emerson for organising this blog tour. I know my book will go down again, but I'm thrilled it's been up there for a bit.

This is an amazing day in my writing life! 

Between the Lines Book Tours presents: M. E. Sutton

Book blurb:

All Jaycee Hiller wants to do is survive eighth grade. Mostly that means hanging with her friend, Stu, avoiding the cheerleading squad, secretly crushing on Nate Fletcher, and playing her favorite video game, Hero’s Sword.

When she receives a new video game controller, Jaycee finds herself magically transported into the Hero’s Sword video game world. Survival takes on a whole new meaning. No longer battling with a plastic joystick, Jaycee picks up a real sword and bow & arrow, and readies herself for battle.

Can she save Lady Starla’s rule in Mallory, keep herself in one piece, and maybe even learn something about surviving middle school?


Author Bio:

A software technical writer by day, Mary has been making her living with words for over a decade. She writes the middle-grade fantasy ebook series Hero’s Sword for Delabarre Publishing under the name M.E. Sutton. Power Play: Hero’s Sword Vol 1 is available now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Sony KoboBooks, and the Apple iBookstore. 

Mary also writes crime fiction, including The Laurel Highlands Mysteries police-procedural series, under the pen name Liz Milliron. She is a member of Pennwriters, Sisters in Crime, the Mary Roberts Rinehart chapter of Sisters in Crime (of which she is secretary), the Sisters in Crime “Guppies”, and the Mysteristas. 

Mary is a red-belt student of Songahm taekwondo and writes for her school, Oakmont Martial Arts. She writes a personal blog at www.summaria.net. She resides in Pittsburgh, PA, with her husband and two children, and she hopes to have a dog again soon.

Author Links:

Website: marysuttonauthor.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorMarySutton
Twitter: www.twitter.com/mary_sutton73

Book links:

Amazon
B&N
Kobo
iBookstore

 

Be Inspired, Kristina

Owner of Book Club Sisters Book Blog & Between The Lines Book Tours/Assistant Services

Kiwi and the Serpent of the Isle is IEA finalist :) So happy!

Just found out that one of my books, Kiwi and the Serpent of the Isle, which I entered into the children's category of the Indie Excellence Awards, is a finalist. 
I'm so stunned that I don't even know what to say about it, but wanna shout it out, though I'm so happy that I'm kind of blank!

http://www.indieexcellence.com/indie-results-2013-finalists.htm#31

Kiwi in Cat City - 99c blog tour

Hi, here are some more of the stops on my blog tour, organised by the amazing Kim at Master Koda Publishing. The tour is to celebrate Kiwi in Cat City being on sale for 99 cents or 75 pence, if you're in the UK like me!

Heidi Nicole Bird is interviewing me - 
http://www.heidinicolebird.com/2013/05/please-welcome-vickie-johnstone.html

Here I talk about the inspiration behind the book on Natalie Star's blog - the real Kiwi - 
http://authornataliestar.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/the-furry-inspiration-behind-kiwi-in.html

An excerpt...

Who is your favorite author, and how did they inspire you to write?

I have a couple: Hans Christian Anderson and Roald Dahl. I don’t know if they inspired me to write, but I loved both and still do. My favourites are The Little Mermaid and Fantastic Mr Fox. I always loved books starring animals and fantasy, along with characters who had layers and seemed real. I also loved Enid Blyton, especially The Folk of the Faraway Tree. I always had my nose in a book as a kid and I started writing stories really young, so it’s children’s authors who inspired me. I remember in junior school the teacher reading us The Adventures of Miss Pepperpot. I can’t remember anything about the book now, but our homework was to write our own version. I included many of my classmates in my story, which was read aloud, and I remember going bright red because my friends enjoyed it and the teacher liked it. I was pretty shy and writing was my outlet, along with drawing. So, thank you Miss Pepperpot and co.

Thanks :)

Kiwi Series by Vickie Johnstone

Video Trailer - the Kiwi Series

Hi, yesterday I couldn't go out because I've got a horrid cold, so I made a book trailer. I've been meaning to make one since publishing my first book in 2011! So it's only taken me 2 years! haha!

I used iMovie and it was okay to use. Not to hard and the guide is easy, although there's a lot that I didn't look at using, so it could probably be better! :)

The awesome music is by Ed Drury - it is also his music that normally plays on my blog.
This tune for the trailer is called Streetlight Desire. The illustrations are by Nikki McBroom.

Kiwi in Cat City is still on sale at 99c / 75p (ebook) everywhere...

Cheers!!

Blog tour: Kiwi in Cat City - 99c sale

Hi, to celebrate Kiwi in Cat City being on sale for 99c / 75p this week and next, I'm on a blog tour, organised by Kim of MasterKoda (ra, ra! big thanks!)

Here are the stops so far, if you'd like to check them out - 

Natalie Star is hosting me here. I'm talking about the furry inspiration behind Kiwi in Cat City and the Kiwi Series - my love of animals and birds since I was a kid, and a cat I used to have called Kiwi. She died in 2000, and I wrote the book in 2002.
http://authornataliestar.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/the-furry-inspiration-behind-kiwi-in.html

Jane Carroll interviews me - On a Slow Boat with Vickie Johnstone -
http://janecarrollauthor.com/slow-boat-vickie-johnstone/

Kim of MasterKoda interviews me -
http://masterkoda.com/interview-with-author-vickie-johnstone

KR Hughes & interview me -
http://krhughestlburns.wordpress.com/2013/05/12/please-welcome-author-vickie-johnstone/

A little preview...

Describe yourself in one word –

Daydreamer.

What super power would you like to have?

The ability to fly like a bird, of course. Or time travel. But then invincibility would be cool too. Can I have all three?

Thank you!

Vix

Win 13 books in the Children's Book Week Giveaway Hop

May 13th – 19th

Hosted by KidLitFrenzy, Mymcbooks & I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

This week, I'm excited to be celebrating Children's Book Week by teaming up with author Greta Burroughs to give away a massive bundle of our books. Some are for middle-grade readers, others for YA and some for children aged 5-10. Just enter the contest via the Rafflecopter to win.

What you can win from me -

A signed paperback copy of Kiwi in Cat City and a set of 7 ebooks. 

Five runners-up will win the ebook sets. 

What you can win from Greta -

The winner will receive ebook copies of all 3 books in the Patchwork Dog and Calico Cat series plus Gerald and the Wee People and the House on Bo-Kay Lane.
The first 30 people to enter the contest will win a book of their choice!

About our books...

The Kiwi Series (furry fun for ages 9-99)
Have you ever wished your cat could talk or wondered where he/she goes when you're not around? Kiwi is a magical cat from a world called Cat City. With her two humans, Amy and James, she finds mysteries and adventures, dealing with catnappings, gem thieves, giant mice, time travel, haunted houses, Santa, ancient gods, pyramids and more. The fun stories contain positive messages about loyalty, friendship, honesty, bullying and the power of standing together.

Kiwi in Cat City opens on one dark night. Amy cannot sleep and she looks out of the window into the garden to see her cat, Kiwi, transfixed by the moon. Waking her brother, James, she suggests they follow Kiwi to see where she goes... whether it involves a hunt for mice or something else. Little do they know that with a flick of her tail, Kiwi is going to magically change them into kittens and lead them on the adventure of their lives. In the blue-lit world of Cat City, the budding detectives help Inspector Furrball to investigate the mysterious catnapping of Mr Katz and find out what happened to Madame Purrfect.

Day of the Living Pizza (comedy detective series - age 10 up)

Detective Smarts of Crazy Name Town has a problem. Doctor Boring and his receptionist have been bumped off, and the only clues at the scene are some olives, tomatoes and a sprinkle of oregano. With the townsfolk dropping like flies and strange figures stumbling down the streets mumbling “Pizza”, Officer Dewdrop has an unusual idea.

Day of the Pesky Shadow 

There is a new mind boggler to solve – who is the mysterious dark figure nicking knickers off washing lines, scaring cinema-goers and causing folks’ legs to go wibbly wobbly? Smarts and Dewdrop are hot on the trail.

Gerald and the Wee People (book 1 - MG/YA fantasy)

Gerald and his best friend, Vernon, discover a mysterious spot in the woods where Gerald visualizes a miniature village complete with wee inhabitants. He enjoys going back to that spot and watching the day-to-day activities until trouble starts in the village, and he tries to convince Vernon that his visions are real - that the wee people need help. The boys literally fall into the new world, get caught up in a war, and embark on a quest to face down the deranged forest god who started the mayhem. 

House on Bo-Kay Lane (book 2)

Gerald and Vernon encounter strange happenings at an abandoned house. Ghostly images of familiar faces from the wee people village are seen in the windows, echoes of voices from the past haunt the boys’ dreams, and an undeniable curiosity draws then to investigate. What they find takes them back to the world of the wee people and into a new adventure.

The adventures of Patchwork Dog and Calico Cat

Christmas with Patchy and Calico

Patchy and Calico’s Summer Vacation

(picture book series for ages 5-10)

Patchwork Dog has a knack for getting into trouble and his best friend, Calico Cat, usually winds up right in the middle of the mess with him. Calico would rather spend her days sleeping in her nice comfortable bed, staying safe and worry free. She knows better than to follow Patchy when he is out looking for a new adventure, but she tags along anyway just in case… On the other hand, Patchy is very curious and is always investigating new sights, sounds and smells. He follows his nose wherever it goes. Sometimes that leads to trouble, but other times it gives Calico a chance to play a trick on her not so smart friend.

About Greta

Greta Burroughs loves to read. No matter where she is, there is always a book close at hand. As a preschool and elementary school teacher, Greta tried to instill the joy of reading in the children she worked with. Books were an important part of her classroom and story time was the highlight of the day. She now resides in SC with her husband, Robert, and three dogs. Greta has six books published: the Patchwork Dog and Calico Cat series, Gerald and the Wee People and House on Bo-Kay Lane, and a nonfiction account of her experiences with an autoimmune blood disorder called ITP - Heartaches and Miracles.

Website: http://booksbygretaburroughs.weebly.com

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/256288

Amazon US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A9I4XB0

What is Children’s Book Week?

Established in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running literacy initiative in the country. Each year, books for young people and the joy of reading are feted for a full week with author and illustrator appearances, storytelling, parties, and other book-related events at schools, libraries, bookstores, museums, and homes from coast to coast! For more information please visit: http://www.bookweekonline.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kiwi in Cat City - 99 cents sale & blog hop

Happy Sunday to ya!

One of my books, Kiwi in Cat City, is now on sale at the cut price of 99 cents on Amazon, Kobo, Smashwords et al! And it's 75-99p in the UK. That's the ebook, although it's also available in paperback.

At the same time, I'm hopping around between some blogs, all organised by the wonderful Kim of Masterkoda. Kudos! Today I'm being hosted by KR Hughes & TL Burns, two cool writers. Here's the link if you fancy a visit - http://krhughestlburns.wordpress.com/2013/05/12/please-welcome-author-vickie-johnstone/#comment-997

 About Kiwi in Cat City... 

Have you ever wished your cat could talk or wondered where he/she goes when you are not around?

Kiwi in Cat City is the first book in a series, of which there are six fun adventures so far. 

Kiwi seems like a typical moggie, content to nap in the sun and chase shadows, but she has a secret. She is a magical cat from a place called Cat City. With her two humans, James and Amy, Kiwi finds mysteries and adventures, dealing with catnappings, jewel thieves, giant rats, time travel, haunted houses, Father Christmas, pyramids and more. The fun stories contain positive messages about loyalty, friendship, honesty, bullying and the power of standing together. 

Book 1 opens on one dark night. Amy cannot sleep and she looks out of the window into the garden to see her cat, Kiwi, transfixed by the moon, which is glowing brightly like a cat's claw. Waking her brother, James, Amy suggests they follow Kiwi to see where she goes... whether it involves a hunt for mice or something else. Little do they know that with a flick of her tail, Kiwi is going to magically change the children into kittens and lead them on the adventure of their lives to a land they never knew existed in their wildest dreams. In the blue-lit world of Cat City, the budding detectives help Inspector Furrball to investigate the mysterious catnapping of Mr Katz and find out what happened to Madame Purrfect.

The books contain illustrations by Nikki McBroom. 

Furry fun for ages 9-99.

Where she's on sale... (just click the shop)

Amazon UK
Amazon US 
Kobo 
Barnes & Noble 
Smashwords 

Cheers! :)

Page Turner Book Tours Presents: 'Lost & Found' Cover Reveal

Title: Lost & Found

Author: Bernadette Marie

Genre: Fiction, romance, contemporary

Series: The Keller Family Series

Publisher: 5 Prince Books

Formats available: All ebook formats

Release date: 9 May, 2013

Digital: ISBN 13:978-1-939217-54-7  /  ISBN 10:1-939217-54-7

Print: ISBN 13:978-1-939217-53-0  /  ISBN 10:1-939217-53-9

Purchase link: www.5princebooks.com/buy.htm

Book blurb:

Darcy McCary came to Nashville with some big expectations--to find her birth parents. She had no plans of making a life in Tennessee. But when her sources lead her to Eduardo Keller, her heart took over, and plans changed.  

Eduardo Keller is a man who goes after what he wants and he doesn't have time for playing games. Darcy is exactly the woman he's been looking for to assist him in business and be his partner in life.

Because he loves Darcy, Ed promises to help her find the answers she seeks. What he doesn't know is that if Darcy finds the secret to her past it might mend her curiosity; however, it might also tear apart a branch of the Keller family. 

Excerpt:

Ed  Keller  leaned  back  in  his  chair  and  kicked  his  feet up on his desk. The view from his office would never cease to  amaze  him.  The  view  from  his  uncle’s  office  was  much more spectacular, but he had no reason to complain.

Who would have thought, nearly twenty years ago when he’d  asked  for  an  after-school  job  to  afford  a  limo  ride  to take  a  girl  to  prom, that he’d  end  up  with  the  title  Vice President on his business cards.

He  laughed.  He  couldn’t  even  think  of  the  girl’s  name that  had  squeezed  at  his  heart.  She’d  been  older. That  he remembered. But he’d never done well with older women. 

Now he sat atop an empire that his uncle’s grandfather had started and his uncle’s father had carried on. But it was Zach Benson who made it what it was today. 

Benson,  Benson,  and  Hart  built  big—built  on  time—and built under budget. Nothing had changed.

Ed  didn’t  have  a  foreman  like  Zach  had.  His  other uncle,  John  Forrester,  had  been  the  best  foreman  any company could have asked for. A loyal employee until Ed’s Aunt  Arianna  made  him  retire  only  two  years  earlier.  But another would come along. Right now he had to focus on a new assistant.

Interviewing  people  for  a  position  shouldn’t  be  an issue. He’d been doing it for years. But a personal assistant had to be in your business, and he didn’t like that. 

He’d fought it for years. Temps were good. They came, did the work, and left. He figured it was kind of like dating the  wrong  girl.  There  weren’t  any  he  wanted  to  spend  his life with.

Perhaps  his  expectations  were  too high.  After  all,  his Aunt Regan had been Zach’s assistant. They’d been married nearly  twenty-five  years, and  she  still  took  care  of  him.  It wouldn’t  be  long  before  Tyler  and  Spencer,  their  sons, would be sitting in Ed’s seat. 

Ed  dropped  his  feet  to  the  floor  and  pushed  up  from his chair. When the time was right, he’d find the assistant of his dreams. He’d given up on the woman of his dreams, so an assistant would have to do.

He walked to the elevator and pressed the button to go down  to  the  lobby.  There  was  a  Starbucks  there  now, and he’d grown very fond of caramel lattes, thanks to his Aunt Arianna,  though  he  didn’t  go  for  the  skinny  version.  His Uncle  John  would  say  it  was  a  bit  too  frilly  a  drink  for  a man  in  the  construction  business.  His Uncle  Zach, on  the other hand, would argue that it was a good stress reliever. 

Ed  laughed  at  himself.  What  an  eclectic  bunch  of people  he  had  in  his  family. And  even  without  them  there with him, he still enjoyed them.

The  gathering  of  the  masses  in  the  Starbucks  also entertained  him, almost as  much  as  the  thoughts  of  his family and their differences. 

Ed  ordered  his  drink  and  stood  at  the  counter  waiting for it to be handed to him.

As he looked around the store, he mentally spotted and named each  kind  of  person.  There was  the  tourist,  the executive,  and  the  assistant.  There  was a couple,  obviously just downtown for the day and…hmmm, one that stumped him. 

She was professional, probably interviewing by the way she  was  dressed,  but  she  wasn’t  comfortable  with  the  big building  and  the  mass  of  people.  She  was  using  Starbucks as  a  common  ground,  something  familiar,  to  ease  her nerves.

He   listened   as   she   ordered   her   drink—decaf   and nonfat. What fun was in that, he wondered.

She  tucked  her  change  back  into  her  purse, walked  to the end of the counter, and stood behind to Ed to wait for her drink.

Flowery perfume filled his nose. She had a sweet side.

The  lady  behind  the  counter  handed  Ed  his  iced caramel latte. He  turned  to  leave and, he’d  say  so  himself, that was when things got interesting.

The   woman   who   had   been   standing   behind   him, searching  in  her  bag  for  something, looked  up  just  as  Ed turned  around.  She  shifted  to  move  out  of  his  way,  but instead she moved right into him.

Ed’s  hands  slipped  from  the  condensation  on  the  cup, and  the  entire,  cold  drink  poured  down  the  front  of  the woman.

She let out a stifled scream, and her hands went into the air. “Oh-my-God!”

“I’m very sorry.” 

Ed turned toward the counter and grabbed a handful of napkins. He would have helped to mop up her clothes, but he noticed that the white, silk shirt clung to her and decided it just wasn’t a good idea to try.

“Look what you did!” She ripped the napkins from his hand and began to blot away the coffee, which had already stained the shirt.

“Sorry, but I think you ran into me.”

She  snapped  her  head  up  again.  “Oh,  men.  You’re  not always right, you know. Sometimes you do make mistakes.”

Not only was she not as sweet as her flowery perfume, she was jaded. Bad news.

“Again,  I’m  very  sorry.  How  can  I  help  you?”  He turned and reached for more napkins, but when she pulled them from his hand, he noticed she was crying.

“I think you’ve done enough.”

“I still think I can help in some way.”

“Listen. My suit is ruined. This is the only one I have. I was  searching  for a  job, and  I  can’t  do  that  now.  I  can’t hand out resumes looking like this.”

Ed  watched  as  the  woman  continued  to  wipe  off  her blouse,  but  to  no  avail. It  was  ruined,  but  he  still  wasn’t going to take the blame.

“Are you looking for a job in this building?”

She let out a grunt. “Why else would I be here?”

“I was just asking. I know most of the businesses in the building. Perhaps I can help you out.”

The   woman   pursed   her   lips.   “I   don’t   need   your charity.”

“It’s not charity. You seem to be in need of a job, and

I’m sure I can help you find one.”

“What, do you own this place?” She waved her arms in the air.

“Let me see your resume.”

The woman stared at him as if he’d lost his mind. That wasn’t new. You didn’t run a multi-million dollar company in your mid-thirties without people giving you a shifty eye.

Her coffee was set on the counter. He moved in to grab it,  but  she  moved  quicker.  “I’ll  get  this.  I  can’t  afford  to waste a sip of this. It’s my breakfast and lunch.”

She  picked  up  the  coffee  and  moved  to  a  table where she  set  down  the  cup  and  pulled  a  resume  from  her  bag.

She  handed  it  to  Ed.  “Here  it  is.  I  hate  to  say  it,  but  I’m desperate.  If  I  don’t  find  a  job  in three  days, I  have  to  go home.”

“Why?  Does  that  suit  turn  back  into  a  pumpkin  and your glass slipper breaks?”

“Have  you  ever  been  desperate  for  anything  in  your life?”

About Bernadette Marie:

Bernadette Marie has been an avid writer since the early age of 13, when she’d fill notebook after notebook with stories that she’d share with her friends.  Her journey into novel writing started the summer before eighth grade when her father gave her an old typewriter.  At all times of the day and night you would find her on the back porch penning her first work, which she would continue to write for the next 22 years. 

In 2007 – after marriage, filling her chronic entrepreneurial needs, and having five children – Bernadette began to write seriously with the goal of being published.  That year she wrote 12 books.  In 2009  she was contracted for her first trilogy and the published author was born.  In 2011 she (being the entrepreneur that she is) opened her own publishing house, 5 Prince Publishing, and has released contemporary titles and began the process of taking on other authors in other genres. 

In 2012 Bernadette Marie found herself on the bestsellers lists of iTunes and Amazon to name a few.  Her office wall is lined with colorfulPostIt notes with the titles of books she will be releasing in the very near future, with hope that they too will grace the bestsellers lists.

Bernadette spends most of her free time driving her kids to their many events.  She is also an accomplished martial artist who will earn her conditional second degree black belt in Tang Soo Do in October 2012.  An avid reader, she enjoys most, the works of Nora Roberts, Karen White, Megan Hart, to name a few. She loves to meet readers who enjoy reading contemporary romances and she always promises Happily Ever After.

Author Contact Info:

Website: www.bernadettemarie.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorbernadettemarie

Blogspot: www.authorbernadettemarie.blogspot.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/writesromance

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