Fan Fiction and Other Indulgences

A few months ago, a friend introduced to me to something called Fan Fiction. I had never heard of it and had no idea several websites were completely dedicated to it. The concept is that fans of a story (book, show, etc) write their own stories involving the characters of other people's work. For instance, I am a Janet Evanovich fan. I love Stephanie Plum and her on again- off again, sometimes very confusing relationships with Ranger and Joe Morelli. Two different men have never existed in real life or fiction which is what makes it so much fun. Anyway, there are thousands of stories out there written by Janet's fans involving those characters and others taken from many different perspectives. I have been know to be up late at night checking out those stories on my Kindle. I love to see the many ways they are portrayed and best of all for me, many of them are short reads so I will finish before I fall asleep and drop my Kindle on my face. (Yes, this does happen, quite regularly actually.)

My favorite site is www.Fanfiction.net  but there are many others out there.

Last week I also read a book I thought was worth sharing with you. It's called Out of Time by Shona Husk and is the third in a series but very easily read as a stand alone. The premise of bad boy meets good girl is there although the sexy Aussie rocker isn't entirely a bad boy and the good girl is entirely as sweet as she may seem. I am including the link here for you to check it out if you are interested. It was a really good read and I highly recommend it. I tend to judge a book by how much sleep I will give up to read it and this one kept me up late two nights in a row.

Out of Time by Shona Husk


As for my own writing- I am nearly halfway through the third book in the Defenders of Love Series. Book 1 Witness Protection and Book 2 Homeland Security are currently available on Amazon and in KU. Book 3, titled Border Patrol, will be available by the beginning of the new year. More information to follow on that later.

Witness Protection (currently $.99)

Homeland Security (going on sale at the end of the week for a short time due to a reading event- more to come on that)


Last, but certainly not least, Undercover in Six Inch Stilettos is preparing for its debut with my new publisher, Limitless Publishing. I have seen the cover revamp and it is awesome. I promise to share that soon! Debut day is November 10th.  The sequel In The Shadow Of The Shield releases a month later on December 15th. I am very excited about both!

Vacation Is Over

After a couple of weeks of downtime, the last few days have been pretty busy and exciting! In July I released my new novella Tormented on Amazon. Check out the beautiful cover a very talented cover artist created for me:

Yesterday Tormented, a romantic suspense with military man and businesswoman turned cowgirl, was listed as the Impulse Buy of the week by author Liana Brooks.  Check it out here and say "Hi" to Liana while you are there. She is a fantastic writer.

Liana Brooks


Now for the really big news. As some of you may know, the publisher for my romantic mystery Undercover in Six Inch Stilettos closed its doors May 1st. Since then Undercover  and the rest of the Secret Lives series has been in a bit of a limbo. Last month I pitched the second book in the series to several publishers during a Twitter pitch event. (Very cool! I had to convince people to read my book in a 140 character Tweet.) I had some interest, which in itself was really exciting but one publisher not only asked to read that book but also Undercover. A couple of days later they offered me a contract on the entire series! As of this morning, I signed said contract and now have a home for my series. I'll keep you posted as I have more to report.

With just a month left before I go back to work for my 15th year in teaching, I have a great deal of work to get done on the writing front. I'm twenty thousand words into my new work in progress and believe it or not, it's not a mystery. More on that later as well.

Finally, if you are looking for a little something to steam up the dog days of summer check out this new adult novel by Allie Kincheloe:

Click here to check it out

Excerpt from Tormented- New Release

I hope you all are having a great summer! It's hot, hot, hot here on the coast. Too hot to be outside but perfect for writing. Perfect for reading as well. In honor of the dog days of summer, I thought I would give my readers a treat... How about an excerpt from my newest book, Tormented, now available in a complete novella rather than the three part serial.

Check out the beautiful cover!

Tormented is currently available in ebook on Amazon:
See Tormented Here

Print copies will be available later this week on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com

Kindle Unlimited users will also be able to read Tormented for free.


And now, some leisure reading to heat up your afternoon... Chapter One of Tormented. Enjoy!

"The next time I decide to quit my job, leave the city, and try to run a cattle ranch, just shoot me." Layla let out a string of curses as the big beast she was attempting to milk kicked the bucket over and spilled what little milk she had gotten all over her jeans. "Forget it. Just shoot me now and be done with it!"

Warm, chocolate brown eyes watched her with pity as Chloe, one of the two dairy cows she had inherited snorted softly. Even the cow knew how pathetic she was. Layla righted the bucket and gave one of the udders a good squeeze like she had seen on the internet. Milk hit the side of the bucket, sprayed in her face and ran down the front of her shirt. "That's it, I'm done." She rose from the stool she was perched on and backed out of the stall.

"Come on, Chloe, let's get you out in the pasture with Zoe. You two gals can soak up a little sunshine while I figure out how the hell I ended up here."

Chloe let out another grunt as she let Layla slowly lead her toward the barn door. Three months ago leaving her job as a criminal defense attorney with a prominent law firm in Virginia Beach had seemed like a good idea. She was exhausted, burnt out really, from the evils of human kind. Spending her days with cattle and horses seemed like a great idea at the time. Excellent therapy. Except she didn't know a damned thing about raising cattle, milking a cow, or riding a damned ranch horse. Ten years of riding lessons, prancing around an arena and dressing in fancy riding gear hadn't prepared her in the least for the wild nature of the horses at her new home.

"Let's move it, girl. We're burning daylight here!" At least she had the lingo down. Hours of watching online videos on how to care for ranch animals had taught her that. Layla laughed at the ridiculousness of it all. Once she managed to get the huge animal out into the pasture with her calf, she had to saddle up the one horse she could pretty much handle and ride the fence line. One of the videos said if she didn't want her cattle to escape she had to check for breaks in the fencing. He called it riding the fence.

Chloe finally sauntered out into the sunlight and immediately started grazing the fresh spring grasses that were finally poking through the old hay Layla spread during the winter months. It took longer than it should have to saddle up Domino, the largest of the horses in the stable. Country Cattle Man, her favorite video host, made riding the fence look like a walk in the park so Layla figured it would be like one of those mud runs that were all the rage now. Sloppy, sweaty, and dirty but done by the end of the day.

The ranch was large, two hundred and fifty acres of grazing lands for her income source, a mid-sized herd of Angus beef cattle. A simple fence of wood posts and barbed wire snaked its way around, through brush and fields, even crossing the small stream she had discovered running through one back corner of the property. She didn't have a clue about handling cattle so she had a couple of hired hands that tended to most of that business. They came three or four times a week and did what needed doing. Her property's perimeter fence she had saved for herself.

Scrambling astride her huge mount, Layla urged the beast forward with a gentle nudge from her heels and a click of her tongue. Domino just stood where he was.

"Come on, Dom, let's go!"  She yanked the reins, muttered a curse and kicked harder. Domino strode toward the barn door. Apparently the animal liked to be cursed at. Ugh. Once they stepped outside, Domino took off. Layla gripped the reins and held on as tight as she could. Domino always ran like his tail was on fire when they first left the barn so she just held on and waited. As was his fashion, Domino slowed to a decent trot as they crossed the field and headed toward the fence. She got the feeling that the horse had ridden a few fences in his day.

Layla was feeling pretty confident when the stream came into view. They were more than halfway through the day and the fence had proven sturdy so far. She urged Domino toward the water. The animal had to be in need of something to drink. As Domino did his thing, Layla downed half a bottle of water and pulled her cell phone out to check the time. Movement on the other side of the barbed wire caught her eye. Bright red shone through the green of the trees and brush. She felt for the shotgun she had gotten used to taking with her on rides. It was still slung down by the saddle. The brush moved, a branch snapped. Layla tried to turn Domino away from the water but the stubborn beast refused to move. She tried to set the shotgun free but her shaking hands fumbled with the sling.

"Let's move, Domino!" She tried to get the horse going but he ignored her. Panicked she yanked at the shotgun, finally setting it free and raised it to her shoulder.

"Who's there?" She demanded, hoping the shake in her voice was only audible to her. Something shot of the brush, running between Domino's legs. The horse startled, rearing up on his hind legs. Layla's body flew through the air, landing on the grassy embankment.

 

"Son of a bitch!" Ben Callahan dropped the rabbit he was holding by the legs and sprinted to where the woman lay in a crumpled mess.

A tiny stream of blood flowed from a gash on her forehead. Ben grabbed the first aid kit from his back pack and tore open a pack of gauze that he pressed gently to the wound to her face. She stirred slightly but didn't wake up. He looked around for her horse. Where did that evil animal get off to?

"Miss? Miss, can you hear me?" He jostled her ever so slightly.

"Mmm..." She moaned and tried to roll over.

"No! Don't move," Ben commanded.

"What happened?" Her words came in short little gasps. "Who—who are you?"

"Name's Ben Callahan and I'm the guy who's gonna get you outta here."

Fear seized her expression. "I don't need help. I just need to get out of here." She pulled herself up, ignoring his command to stay where she was.

"You really should get checked out. You hit your head on the fall." Ben reached for her but the woman scooted out of his reach.

"I'm fine. I just need to get home." She looked around for her horse. The movement forced the trickle of blood on her forehead into her eye. "I'm bleeding."

Give the girl a gold star for the obvious. Be nice, Ben. She just flew off a damned horse.

A horse she had no business riding. That animal was huge. Not at all the right fit for her. None of your business. Help her out and move on.

Ben reached out again, holding the gauze. "Here. Use this to put pressure on it."

Their fingers grazed as she accepted his offering. The contact was brief but electrified. Ben bit down on the gasp that accompanied her touch. Did she feel it too?

You've been alone way too long.

That had to be it. Two years living in isolation would make any man hungry for a little close physical contact of the female kind. He watched as she applied the gauze to her wound with tentative fingers. She was pretty with shoulder length brown curls, green hazel eyes and eyelashes that never needed to see a drop of mascara they were so long and full.

Ben moved toward the woman slowly, like he would approach a spooked horse. She had that same wide eyed look of fear. He knew she would take off through the trees if she weren't still reeling from her spill.

"You really should get to a hospital. You could have a concussion."

"I'm fine. Just a little sore," she snapped, backing further away from him.

"I'm not going to hurt you. You know that, right?"

People were always afraid of him. He couldn't blame them, his disfigured body was nothing to look at—and nothing compared to the emotional scars he carried with him.

She nodded but didn't look convinced, although he gave her props for trying to appear confident. "I—I know. I just don't know what happened to my horse." She glanced around as if to make her point.

"Your horse took off. Probably back at the barn by now, grazing the fresh grass and wondering what's taking you so long to catch up. He'll expect a full brushing when you return." Ben offered her a smile, a lot more crooked and uneven than it used to be thanks to one very sharp blade and a pissed off Taliban soldier.

Surprisingly, she smiled back. Sort of.  "I guess I have quite a long walk back."  

"You the lady who took over the Evans ranch?"

"Why?" She stiffened and her eyes narrowed with instant distrust as she studied him.   

"Just making neighborly conversation. My momma taught me to be polite under every circumstance. Of course she also taught me to offer a glass of sweet tea and a cookie to every person that shows up at my place but since you caught me unprepared all I have is a bottle of water and a protein bar."

The woman relaxed a little as she eyed the bottle and bar he removed from his pack. He could practically see the hunger and thirst in her green eyes so he held them out to her. "Are you thirsty?"

She nodded. "Domino took off with my pack. I was planning lunch here by the stream before—before you showed up and…"

"And spooked your horse out from under you?"

"Something like that." This smile was bigger but didn't quite reach her eyes. She accepted the bottle of water and polished off half of it in one gulp. "Thank you, that tastes good."

Her lips were damp and glossy from the water. Something deep in his gut churned. He ignored the long forgotten sensations and nodded at her. "You're welcome. We really need to get you out of here. I've got my horse just over the stream. I'll grab him and give you a ride back."

"Hey? What happened to the fencing that went over the stream?" she asked, ignoring everything he just said.

"I removed it."

"Why? That's my property. You can't do that." She motioned toward the stream.

"It was catching storm debris and backing up the flow."

"You still shouldn't have touched it. It's on my property."

"I don't know who you think you are but you're sure no farm girl or cattle rancher. Just look at you. Are you wearing designer cowboy boots?"

"I like these boots!" she snapped.

"Impractical. And proof that you know absolutely nothing about running a ranch. Whoever put that fence up was an idiot. You defending it makes you a bigger idiot." He tossed his first aid kit back in his pack and zipped it up. Let her find her own way home. He didn't need this sort of aggravation in his life.

She had managed to get to her feet, her hands resting on her hips, full lips were pursed with anger and she looked about to shoot daggers at him from her beautiful eyes.

Kiss her.

What the hell? Kiss her? Where did that come from?

"I am not an idiot! How dare you! No wonder you wander out here in the woods alone. No one could put up with your nasty attitude! Just where do you get off anyway, telling me who and what I am?"

His nasty attitude? That was it? That was the reason she thought he hid out on his own ranch?

"Look lady…"

"The name's Layla! Stop calling me lady." She actually stomped her foot for emphasis and it took all of his composure to not dissolve in laughter.

"Okay Layla, I'm sorry you're angry about the fence but it had to be done. If that backed up it could cause a flood on your property and cut off water to mine. I didn't know you were living here now. I figured Evans would have wanted me to fix the problem."

"Oh."

He had just apologized, spoken more words in one breath than he had muttered in months and one syllable was all she could manage?

He let out a low whistle and waited until his horse appeared through the brush. "I'm sorry about the fence. Make sure you get someone to look at that cut on your head." He felt her eyes on him as he splashed through the water and climbed in the saddle Sam wore.

"You're just going to leave?" she called after him as he turned Sam around and started making their way back toward home.

"It was nice to meet you, Layla!" he called over his shoulder. It was not nice at all. She had him all confused with her hot and cold behavior. And the way he had been in a perpetually semi-hard state since that first contact with just her fingers. He didn't need that in his life. Nope. What he needed was a cold shower and a beer. Maybe a thick steak on the grill and one of those potatoes he had managed to produce in his garden. Yup, that's all he needed— steak, potatoes, and beer. And to forget he had ever met the feisty Layla. Nothing good could come of it. Even if they one day learned to get along, maybe she wasn't so bothered by the scar on his face but there was no way she could look past the rest of what those monsters had done to him.

He was about a hundred feet into the woods when he started to feel guilty. He was the monster if he made a woman find her way back in the dark—and it would be dark long before she made it home.

"What the hell," he muttered as he pulled up on the reins. "Come on, Sam. Let's go get her."

Sam snorted agreement and turned back toward where Layla had last been. As they broke through the brush by the stream, he caught sight of her making her way slowly and tediously along the embankment. Her obviously expensive jeans fit her curves perfectly—as though they were made just for her. Perhaps there was something to be said for designer fashion after all.

He pushed Sam to pick up the pace until they were right beside her. The little trail was barely wide enough to accommodate them both so he let her get a couple of steps ahead. She refused to look up at him.

"Come on, Layla, let Sam and I give you a ride home."

"I'm fine, thanks," she replied without making eye contact.

"It's a long way back and you are in no condition—" Good Lord he had just made it sound like she was pregnant or something. Smooth, Callahan. Very smooth.

"Why do you go on back to your cave or rock or wherever it is you live. I've got a long way to go and I don't have time to deal with you."

He pulled Sam to a stop and jumped down. Leading the horse by its reins, he fell in to step beside her. "I'm sorry. I can come across as a real ass sometimes."

"Hmpf. Sometimes? I bet you are a real riot at parties and weddings."

She had spunk. And a sense of humor. Two pluses in his book.

Why do you even care? You'll take her home and then get to back to doing what you do best—avoiding the world.

"I said I was sorry. I'm not what you would call a social guy. I'm a little rusty on how to interact with the general public."

"Yeah, well, I'm not a fan of the general public either. Or guys who act like asses."

Try as he might not to, Ben was starting to like Layla.

"My name's Ben. Ben Callahan. I live on the next ranch over."

"So you said. I'm Layla. Layla Evans."

"Evans? You related to…"

"He was my father," she said shortly.

"Wow, I had no idea Evans had a family."

"He didn't. Just a daughter. Me."

"So, you inherited his place?"

She nodded but didn't reply or offer any other information. Her foot hit a loose stone, turning her ankle. "Ouch!"

"Okay, Layla Evans, no more arguing. Sam insists." Without another word he grabbed her at the waist with both hands and lifted her towards the saddle. Ben climbed up and settled behind her, his arms wrapping around her.

Touching her turned up the heat in his blood almost instantly. His cargo pants couldn't hide his body's response this time and he half-expected her to throw herself from the horse to get away from him. But she didn't. In fact, he kind of felt her relax against his chest and that cranked up the volume of the pulse sounding in his ears.

For the first time in over a year, Ben actually felt a little bit happy.

 

 

 

 

On Vacations and New Releases

I hope you are enjoying the pleasures of summer as much as I am. We have just return from our annual pilgrimage north of the Mason-Dixon line. Let me tell you- when you leave ten days straight of near 100 degree temperatures and arrive in 65 degrees and rainy it is quite the shock to the system. I actually had to go and buy some pants and sweatshirts for the kids while we were away.

It was a great trip though, spending time with long distance family, visiting all of our favorite places and sneaking off to indulge in some farm fresh ice cream.

While we were away, my very first serial novel, Tormented was released. Former special forces turned rancher Ben Callahan finally meets a woman that helps him put his demons to rest.  Meet Ben and Layla on Amazon today. (Free with Kindle Unlimited) Their story won't disappoint- there is mystery, action, humor and of course, romance!

Tormented Part 1  
Tormented Part 2
Tormented Part 3

Check out the gorgeous covers...

 

 

 

 

As long as I am showing off covers, one of my older works recently received a facelift and I really love it. If you enjoy a good crime story (no romance in this one!) then you might enjoy this bank heist crime story.  Also found on Amazon and free with KU

Four Lucy Fight Club

 

 

One last thing... for those of you that read and enjoyed Witness Protection...the sequel, Homeland Security, is set to be released at the beginning of August! More to come on that. Have a great day!

New Release- Free Pass by Allie Kincheloe

A great New Adult novel by author Allie Kincheloe is about to hit Amazon. Available tomorrow for Kindle and free with Kindle unlimited is the first book in the Free Will series, Free Pass.

Two weeks to level the playing field... Or change my life entirely?

I spent three years with Josh. Three boring, but comfortable years wasted with a guy who couldn’t keep his dick in his pants over spring break. As I open my mouth to kick him to the curb, Josh begs for another chance and suggests a two week fling of my own.

Say what?

I’m speechless at the thought, but the fantasies of his hot friends creep in... When I stumble into the path of a guy most definitely not on my list of possibles, I know who I want to use my free pass with. But Josh screams that his brother is off limits...

Off limits? Too bad I can't seem to keep my hands off him.

Jake’s a mystery I never expected. The more I get to know him, the more I want him—both in and out of the bedroom. Jake makes me feel wanted with only a glance and sparks fly with our every touch. When the two weeks is up, will I even want Josh back? Or will Jake’s loving attention ruin me for all other men?

Book Trailer on Youtube


Sounds good, doesn't it? How about a little teaser...

Seeing Laney in Dad's study with tears in her eyes about did me in. How the hell was I supposed to walk away from that? Away from her? Still, I doubted she'd accept any comfort from me. I'm sure Austin was the cause of her tears. He didn't deserve her.

But I do.

I leaned my forehead against the door and blew out a deep breath. I couldn't think like that. I had to go tell my brother that she was looking for him.

Walking through the house, I dodged my dad and grandparents to slip out the back door. Yup, my idiot brother was exactly where I'd seen him last. Over in the corner slow dancing with some redhead. She had her hands tucked in his back pockets and his hands were tangled in her hair.

Fucking hell.

Austin had a beautiful girl in the study crying over his stupid ass—a girl I'd kill for a chance with—and he was out here snuggled up to one of Dad's associate's slutty daughters.

I ought to shake the shit out of him. But I restrained myself to just squeezing his shoulder. Hard. "Laney's looking for you."

Austin pulled the girl closer and nuzzled his nose against her cheek and smirked at me. "Can't you see I'm busy?"

"I can see you being a damn idiot. That girl in there loves you. Your girlfriend loves you. What the hell is wrong with you?" The urge to put my fist through his teeth rose up within me.

Did he not realize what he could be throwing away just for a piece of ass?

I tugged him away from the redhead and shoved him back. "Go in there and talk to Laney. She's in the study."

"Chill out. I'll go talk to her. Geez." Austin backed away and threw his hands up in surrender.

I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself down. Last thing I needed was to get into another brawl with Austin. Mom would fucking kill me if I ruined her anniversary party by blacking my brother's eye.

When I opened my eyes, Austin whispered something to the redhead and turned away. I grabbed a beer and followed him as he stomped through the house. When he slammed the door to the study behind him, I hovered close. Raised voices carried through the closed door, but not enough that I could make out their words. Damn it.

 

Undercover In Six Inch Stilettos Is Back On Amazon Today!

The day I have been waiting for!  Undercover in Six Inch Stilettos has returned to Amazon!  I love this book. It is full of humor and mystery and Cyndi and Jason are a married couple still hot for each other after ten years of marriage.

Check it out. It's free to read with Kindle Unlimited!

Meet Cyndi and Jason Mills here!

Amazon Best Seller!

Much to my surprise and excitement, Witness Protection has reached Amazon Best Seller status after only four days! This is a moment in my life as an author I won't soon forget. If you haven't yet checked it out, Witness Protection is the first book in the Defender's of Love Series.  You can find a sneak preview on Amazon here:

Witness Protection on Amazon

If you love this book, the second in the series, Homeland Security, will be available later this summer. Another sexy James man not looking for love when love comes knocking.

Happy Reading!

Countdown to Witness Protection...5 Days and Counting

Due to the closing of its publisher, Witness Protection has been on sabbatical.

I am excited to announce that Logan and Angelina will find love once more May 31, 2015 sporting a new cover and a new price! 

Swing by Amazon.com on Sunday to check out the new look of Witness Protection!

Time To Heat Up Your Summer!

To kick off the Memorial Day weekend and the traditional start of summer here on the mid-atlantic coast, check out this steamy read Taken Identity by Raven McAllan.  Her books are perfect summer beach reads and I promise you won't be disappointed!

Thank you for offering to host me on your blog today. Even though this is all about someone stealing your identity I promise I won't steal yours. (I may use your name in a book though.)

Blurb…

When the devastatingly handsome Gray turns up on her doorstep looking for his wife, and calling said wife by Jules name, Jules wondered briefly if she'd landed in an alternative universe. She knows she's not his wife, and so does he. But apparently someone with her name and history is.

Is it a case of coincidence or did his missing wife 'borrow' Jules' life?

Even though the dominant Gray sends her knickers aflame with just one look, with a missing wife in the equation, Jules knows there's no chance of finding out what else he could achieve.

There's only one thing to do—unravel the mystery and try and keep their hands off each other in the meantime. The first may well prove far easier than the latter.

A wee tease…

“Well, Mr Reynard.” She spoke in a brisk fashion, as she did her best to emulate his tone and pace and show none of the tension he invoked in her. Unfortunately—and no doubt he’d see it as a weakness—she had to squint slightly to bring him into focus. It wouldn’t be a pretty look. She’d taken enough selfies sans glasses or contacts to know that. She peered at him closely to bring him into focus. “So, how may I help you?”

Even without twenty-twenty vision, Jules was now close enough to see and decide the glance he gave her was along the lines of one you might give a not very bright child. She gritted her teeth, determined to show nothing of how she felt. Which was like a particularly unpleasant bug under a microscope.

“Well?” she prompted him in as pleasant a voice as she could manage. When she’d gone to answer the door, Jules hadn’t had time to put her shoes on and the old stone floor of the cottage’s hallway wasn’t warm. It would have been oh so easy to shiver, except she thought it would project a wrong image. She was not scared. Allegedly.

“I wish to speak to Julia Frayne.”

Sheesh, is he a robot or something? Stuck on one sentence? “You are speaking to Julia Frayne. Oh, for fucks sake, hold on a sec.” She remembered her old glasses, the ones she wore for gardening, were in her jacket pocket and if she stretched out, she should be able to reach them.

She managed and shoved them on her nose. All her suppositions were correct. A tall, dark, dangerous sex on legs specimen of manhood was filling her doorway. A very pissed off one.

The expression on his face would have frozen molten lava. Even more now, she wished she was wearing fuzzy slippers and a warm jumper. The look as well as the nip in the air didn’t make her feel comfortable in her thin, strappy and long, floaty skirt. Julia risked a brief glance downward and groaned inwardly. Just as she thought, her nipples had responded to the chilly atmosphere and pushed at the silky material covering them. Even though she was getting mighty sick of the guy, one of Miss McMurty’s expressions floated into her brain and she gave a stifled laugh. Sticking out like hat pegs, lovey. She crossed her arms over her chest and ignored the fact she was annoyed that her action looked defensive.

“You think something I’ve said is funny?” he asked with a frown on his face. “I beg to differ. This is no laughing matter. Impersonating someone—or purporting not to know what I’m referring to—isn’t something to smirk about. You are not Julia Frayne. And neither are you pregnant.”

Jules knew her jaw dropped, and she stood and stared at him, mouth open. At last, she found her voice.

“Half correct,” she said, pleased her tone was almost as frosty as his. “I can assure you, I am most certainly the former, and have been for close to thirty years. Equally, I am certain I am not the latter.”

For goodness sake, she thought in disgust, I sound like his clone with a stick up my ass. Very proper!

“Prove it,” he said.

The challenging tone made the hairs on the back of her neck stand upright, and Jules lost her temper. It was a rare occurrence, but when it happened, friends and relatives knew to duck. As her parents had often said, she lived up to the red-haired virago scenario when necessary.

“Certainly. I’ll fetch my passport.” She slammed the door shut, obviously taking him by surprise, as he made no move to stop her. Damn it, I wish I’d trapped his balls in there. Or at least his toes. Arrogant ass.

The doorbell rang almost immediately, seemingly invested with his impatience. Jules grinned to herself. She’d bet his finger was jammed on the buzzer, and it would stay there until she reopened the door. Let it, she had more things to worry about—like who the hell was he looking for? The bell began to ring in short staccato buzzes. Well, Mr Whoever-you-are Reynard, you can bloody well wait, Buzz Colonel Bogey and whistle, and if you hurt your finger, well, tough. I’m putting my lenses in before I face you again. In addition, I’ll maybe just wave my passport through the window.

It only took a few minutes for her to put in contact lenses, swipe the mascara brush over her pale eyelashes—she really must remember to book an appointment to get them re-dyed—retrieve her passport from a drawer and return to the front door. Nevertheless, in the short time she was away, the noise of the doorbell continued non-stop. At this rate, the battery will stop before he does, she mused, as she stopped in front of the mirror and checked just what her uninvited caller might see when he looked at her.

Typically Celt, she thought ruefully as she eyed her red corkscrew curls, green eyes, pale skin that never tanned properly and the myriad of freckles sprinkled over her nose. Never was she going to be a page three girl—Thank goodness. But, as her mother used to say, “What you’ve got is all yours!” Her strappy vest was now covered with a long, fluffy jumper, and her feet had striped socks on. Not haute couture but warm and serviceable.

Jules checked that her dad’s old, sturdy golf umbrella was tucked away in its usual place in the hallway—for poking her visitor, if need be—then slipped the chain on before she opened the door as far as the security measure allowed. A foot immediately inserted itself into the gap.

“Congratulations,” Jules said sarcastically. “A bit slow last time, weren’t you? But be warned, Mr Reynard, that’s as far as you’ll get. An expert fixed this chain. Now, if you look to the window on your right, I’ll show you my passport.”

Jules could almost hear his teeth grinding. Too bad. She had no intention of handing her passport to a stranger. For any reason. She moved to the side of the door where a small window brought a little more natural light into her otherwise darkish hallway and pressed the photograph page of her passport to the glass. Her—what? Intruder? Unwanted visitor? —moved slightly, without taking his foot from the door opening and leaned toward the glass. After long seconds, he stood back with a bewildered expression. He blinked, and tiny lines radiated out from the corners of his eyes. Then he shook his head.

“Ah…” he stopped speaking and shrugged.

“Satisfied?” Try as she might, Jules couldn’t keep the satisfied note out of her voice. “I, Mr Reynard, am I! Julia Frances Frayne. Spinster of this parish. Do you need anything else?”

“Yes, actually. I want my wife. Julia Frayne.”

~~~~~~~

If that has interested you, here's the buy links

https://www.totallybound.com/taken-identity

Thanks for reading,

Love Raven x         

Raven Bio…

Well what can I say?

I'm growing old disgracefully and loving it.

Dh and I live on the edge of a Scottish forest, and rattle around in a house much too big for us.

Our kids have grown up and flown the nest, but roll back up when they want to take a deep breath and smell the daisies so to speak.

I write in my study, which overlooks the garden and the lane. I'm often seen procrastinating, by checking out the wild life, looking—only looking—at the ironing basket and assuring tourists that indeed, I'm not the bed and breakfast. That would mean cooking fried eggs without breaking the yolks, and disturbing the dust bunnies as they procreate under the beds. Not to be thought of.

Being able to do what I love, and knowing people get pleasure from my writing is fantastic. Long may it last.