Goto Lost in a Good Book and get involved in the January Book Discussion of Bartlett's Rule and you might just win an autographed copy of Bartlett's Rule (read the first post to learn how).
January book discussions will run through January 31st. Discussion comments will be made in the comment section of each book. (found at the bottom of each posted selection) - moderated by Annette Snyder-Novelist.
Bartlett's Rule (paperback)
Brandon stepped back. He caught his breath. “Now, Tom, I need you to leave. Go see your niece and then leave. Please.”
Tom looked crushed. “Brandon... I’m sorry.”
Brandon shook his head. “This has nothing to do with what happened. Caitlyn came here to be by your side. It’s where she wanted to be. It’s where she needed to be. Trust me, even if I had been home, I never would have tried to stop her from coming to you. I couldn’t have anyway. We don’t blame you for anything.”
“Then why can’t I stay?” He was choked up.
Brandon clenched his jaw and finally broke down. “Her chances are much better but... they still can’t be sure.” He held on to Tom. He spoke between his tears. “If you stay, it will be like we’re waiting for something to go wrong. It’ll be like we’re waiting to say goodbye.” He had to compose himself. “If you go, then I can believe everything will be okay.” He had to take a moment before he could continue. “And if something were to go wrong... We can’t make it easy for her to let go.”
Tom looked lost. He couldn’t argue with Brandon. He understood. Alli took a business card from her purse and handed it to Brandon. She put her hand on Tom’s arm. “We’ll be just a few minutes away. Here’s my phone number.”
Brandon pocketed the card and nodded. “Thank you.”
“Can I come back in the morning? Please?” Tom felt like a child asking for permission.
Brandon nodded. “Yes. She’ll be asking for you.” They hugged again. “Please come back tomorrow.”
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He unpacked his suitcase and put things away. He put the water kettle up in the kitchen and reached into the cabinet for a pair of oversized mugs. Not at all surprised to find cocoa mix just where he thought it would be, he enjoyed a cup of hot cocoa with Amanda. Leaving the kitchen he walked her to the office door and helped her to turn the futon into a bed. He kissed her gently and wished her good night. Entering the master bedroom, he sighed contentedly and got ready for bed. Jet lag and the stress of the past two days had taken their toll and he felt tired. Maybe he would wake up to more memories after resting.
He felt comfortable as he stripped down to his boxers and crawled in between the sheets of his king sized bed. He fluffed the oversize pillows and lay down enjoying the comfortable familiarity. It didn’t take long for Brandon to close his eyes and begin to relax. Some of the tension he had been feeling began to melt. Just as he was feeling himself drift off to sleep, he reached out and was bothered by the unfamiliar feeling of finding himself alone in the bed.
Without hesitation, he realized that he had shared his bed with Caitlyn several times before and he missed having her by his side. In the dark, he stared at the empty half of the bed and then forced himself to stretch out across the middle to make the bed seem a little less bare. He fell asleep with Caitlyn’s name on his lips and her image in his mind. Tomorrow he would have to talk to Amanda about their engagement; it was something he obviously couldn’t honor.
The room was dark when he woke and it took a few moments for him to get his bearings. Slowly he recognized the shadows of his bedroom and was pleased that they felt ...
Forgotten
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“Do you want me down on my knee?”
She stared at him. “I wasn’t expecting this.”
He laced his fingers with hers. “I’m kind of blindsided by this too. I started thinking about it yesterday. This morning though it just seems so right.” Lon brought his hand to her jaw and tilted her face to him. “May I kiss you this morning?”
When Paige didn’t answer, Lon took it as agreement.
He slanted his mouth over hers and drank from her sweet lips. He gathered her close to him. Paige could see, and feel, he wanted so much more than a kiss but he held back. She mentally chastised herself. She should have been able to let him know that it would be all right, she should have been able to initiate their lovemaking. But the truth was, she couldn’t. Lon had proven himself to be a patient and considerate lover... hell, he had proven himself to be a terrific lover. But she was still so unsure of herself in the sex department and Paige berated herself for that.
She gently broke their contact with a hand on his chest, his magnificent, muscled and strong chest. “I can’t think. I need time. This is so rushed.”
She could see the disappointment in his eyes. He nodded to show that he accepted her decision. Lon stopped as he was getting out of bed, his feet on the floor, his back to her. “Do you want room service or are you up to the dining room?”
“The dining room is fine.” She looked at him sitting there. “I’m sorry Lon, I just... I need more time.” She watched as he nodded. “I do care for you so much. I wasn’t saying no. I’m just not ready.”
There is still time -
go to Lost in a Good Book and get involved in the January Book Discussion of Bartlett's Rule and you might just win an autographed copy of Bartlett's Rule. January book discussions will run through January 31st. Discussion comments will be made in the comment section of each book. (found at the bottom of each posted selection) - moderated by Annette Snyder-Novelist.
Davie Prescott would be played by Anna Belknap
Adam Sherman would be played by Brandon Beemer
COURAGE OF THE HEART shows us that sometimes love is the only cure for the very deepest of emotional wounds.
Adam Sherman has remained quiet about his scandalous past and is comfortable with his reputation as a womanizing and dedicated bachelor.
Davie Prescott is a young college student working part-time at the same Internet Provider where Adam is employed.
Adam is attracted to Davie, but he shies away from her innocence because he feels his shameful past is too harsh for her existence. Adam finally shares his darkest secret with Davie and is amazed to find that she doesn´t turn away from him.
When Adam’s past catches up to him, he soon learns that there´s a lot more at stake than just his nightmares. Adam is prepared to give Davie up if need be in order to protect her until he learns that she´s got a secret of her own.
The story of the two lovers takes a series of unexpected and fast paced turns where lives, sanity and love are put in jeopardy. Their commitment to one another results in a spirit that binds them together and helps them to overcome physical and emotional dangers.
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"Really?" He looked really young and boyish for a moment.
"Of course." Davie laughed. "For some stupid reason I do care about what happens to you even though you keep on pushing me away."
"I'm sorry. Sorry about pushing you away, but not about you caring. I like to know that you care about me." He reached for her hand again. "So, what was the occasion for going home?"
Davie bit her lip. "The sixth anniversary of my mom's death."
"I'm sorry, Davie." Adam knew from the way Davie had talked about her mom that she still took her passing very hard. "I'm glad you were able to be there with your dad."
Davie shook her head and grimaced. "He didn't need me."
"Of course he did."
"Nope. What my father needed was privacy." She looked at Adam with a defensive smile. "I walked in on a lovers' tryst."
"What?"
"It seems that Daddy has a girlfriend and they're getting married."
"That's great!" He saw her hurt expression. "Isn't it?"
Davie stood up and began to pace around Adam's bed. "I guess so. I don't know." Sighing, she stopped at the foot of his bed. "I guess I just have to get used to it."
"You really are upset about this." He frowned.
Davie returned to the chair and leaned closer to Adam. It was comfortable to talk with him. "It's just that I never thought my father could love anybody except for my mom."
"It doesn't mean that he doesn't love her."
~~~~~
The time is NOW -
go to Lost in a Good Book and get involved in the January Book Discussion of Bartlett's Rule and you might just win an autographed copy of Bartlett's Rule. January book discussions will run January 15th through January 31st. Discussion comments will be made in the comment section of each book. (found at the bottom of each posted selection) - moderated by Annette Snyder-Novelist.
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The monthly Creative Writing Workshop at Barnes & Noble in West Nyack is currently underway! Our next session will be held on Wednesday February 11 from 7-8pm.
I'm leading a Creative Writing Workshop at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in the Palisades Center, West Nyack. If you have questions or want to sign up (only a FEW spots open), call the store at 845-348-4701 ~or~ email me at chellecordero@gmail.com
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By the way, you can buy all of my novels at Barnes & Noble in West Nyack - if the in store copies are sold out, just ask at the info desk (in the center of the store) and they will order in for you. You can get ALL of my books through ANY Barnes & Noble either on the shelf or via the information desk.
Happy Reading!
