Dwarven Rock--Misty Mountains Cover

A wonderful bit of music to start the day! The resonance fills my heart. The scenery, my soul.

Egg-cert Exchange with Linda McLaughlin

My thanks to *lizzie for hosting me in today's Egg-cerpt Exchange. You can find her post at my blog http://flightsafancy.blogspot.com/.

Worth The Risk

Short Contemporary Romance

By Lyn O'Farrell

(the writing team of Anne Farrell and Linda McLaughlin)

Children's librarian Amanda Lloyd values privacy above all else. Three years ago her wedding ended in disaster when her groom was arrested at the altar and the story of the 'Embezzler's Bride' appeared in the supermarket tabloids. The experience has left her determined to avoid being caught in the public eye again. Until she meets a sexy single dad with a scandalous past.

Ex-racer Mitch Delaney is a public figure whose life has been plastered across the tabloids more than once. But he believes that anything worth doing is worth a risk, and he wants Amanda in his life. When they draw the attention of the tabloids, his custody of his son is threatened. Amanda has waited twenty-eight years for the right man. But will happiness come at too high a price?

(Golden Heart Finalist, previously published as Private Affair, Kensington Precious Gem #121)

Available in e-book format from the following ebookstores:

Amazon Kindle, Apple iTunes, Kobo, Nook, Smashwords, and Sony Reader.

Excerpt:

His head was nestled in her lap. Amanda gently smoothed back the hair that had tumbled into his eyes. He sighed contentedly and gazed at her with soulful blue eyes.

"You really are a love," she murmured. "I can't imagine why I was ever nervous around you."

The living room was quiet now, except for the soft crackling of the fire. Shadows played on the walls as the flames danced in the fireplace. Dinner was over, the kitchen cleaned up, and Josh was upstairs asleep. It was the first really relaxing moment Amanda had had all day.

"Is that mutt bothering you?" Mitch asked as he stepped into the room.

"No, we've been getting acquainted." She smiled and scratched Albert behind the ears. He looked up at her adoringly. Then, as if aware that three was a crowd, he sauntered over to the fireplace and flopped down with a large sigh.

"Never thought I'd actually be jealous of a dog," Mitch muttered, sitting down on the couch next to her.

Amanda laughed. "But he's the sweetest thing."

Mitch murmured his agreement, then said, "You're sweet, too."

She cocked an eyebrow at him.

"For tutoring Josh, I mean," he said quickly.

"There's nothing sweet about that. I expect to be paid the going rate for my efforts."

"You will be," he assured her, putting an arm around her shoulders. "In fact, there may even be a bonus in it." He leaned closer, a teasing gleam in his eyes.

"What kind of a bonus did you have in mind?" Amanda knew she shouldn't have asked when his look changed to one of desire.

Pulling her closer, he rubbed his thumb along her lower lip and her lips parted instinctively. She looked deeply into his eyes and saw a new tenderness she hadn't seen before. Her body ached in anticipation as he continued caressing her mouth and gazing at her from hooded eyes that promised a world of pleasure in their blue depths.

Connect with Anne and Linda online:

Anne Farrell's website: http://annefarrellwriter.com/

Linda McLaughlin's website: http://www.lindamclaughlin.com/

Linda's blog: http://flightsafancy.blogspot.com/

Welcome Stacy Juba --Egg-cerpt Exchange

On this, not yet snowy day, welcome Stacy Juba and get a peek at her tale Twenty-Five Years Ago Today.

Twenty-Five Years Ago Today by Stacy Juba

Should we dig for the truth when Pandora’s Box is a coffin of buried secrets?

Kris Langley has always been obsessed with murder. She blames herself for the violent death of her cousin when they were kids and has let guilt invade every corner of her existence. Now an editorial assistant and obit writer, Kris stumbles across an unsolved murder while compiling “25 Years Ago Today” items from the microfilm. Determined to solve the case and atone for the death of her cousin, Kris immerses herself in the mystery of what happened to Diana Ferguson, a talented artist who expressed herself through haunting paintings of Greek mythology.


Not only does Kris face resistance from her family and her managing editor, she also clashes with Diana’s suspicious nephew, Eric Soares – until neither she nor Eric can deny the chemistry flaring between them. She soon learns that old news never leaves the morgue and that yesterday’s headline is tomorrow’s danger, for finding out the truth about that night twenty-five years ago may shatter Kris’s present, costing her love, her career, and ultimately, her life.

Available in e-book and audiobook formats from retailers including:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Twenty-Five-Years-Ago-Today-ebook/dp/B003U4WVKA/ref
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/twenty-five-years-ago-today-stacy-juba/1017979048?ean=2940011980930
Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Twenty-Five-Years-Ago-Today/book-fc55-OLdikey2hFgy_jaDA/page1.html?s=ujwec_jtbU2U134hnmDkXA&r=7
Audible: http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_3?asin=B00B8VUQM2&qid=1359725371&sr=1-3
More retailers, reviews and book trailer at:
http://stacyjuba.com/blog/books-2/twenty-five-years-ago-today/

Excerpt

Cheryl came up behind Kris.  Her voice sounded sad and tired.  "Please don't tell my mother too much, even if you're making progress.  I don't want to raise her hopes."

Kris glanced back at Irene, who hunched on the couch, turning the locket over in her hand.  "I'll be careful with what I say.  My aunt would've been eager, too."

"How was your cousin killed?"   

"She was strangled, kidnapped by a neighbor while walking alone.  We were  twelve."

Cheryl heaved a sigh.  "I'm sorry.  I remember reading about that.  It happened locally, didn't it?"

"Yes."

"I know you're a terrific writer.  I couldn't have been happier with the business story.  I'm just concerned about my mother."

"I understand," Kris said.  "I won't let you down."

She trudged out to her car and brushed off her windshield.  She waited behind the steering wheel as the defroster warmed the interior. Not knowing Diana's whereabouts must have tormented Irene.  Kris's family had agonized over Nicole's disappearance.  As one day blended into the next, Nicole had seemed further and further away. 

Finding her was worse.

Kris had learned a new phrase that May, a litany that surged back into her mind, drumming to the beat of the windshield wipers.  If only.

If only it hadn't rained the afternoon Nicole had disappeared.

If only she hadn't climbed into the car with Randolph Coltraine.

If only Aunt Susan had been home when Nicole called for a ride.

Kris swallowed the metallic taste in her mouth.  If only I didn't trick her.

She chose the long route home, driving fast. She hadn't driven in New York and had forgotten the thrill of a climbing speedometer.  Her first week back, she'd landed a speeding ticket. 

  Kris skidded onto the Fremont State College campus, her tires kicking up tufts of snow.  She passed dorms, tennis courts and the library before parking in front of the deserted baseball field.  White trees cast shapeless shadows across the broad expanse of snow.

A chunk of ice slid off the roof, hitting the front window.  Kris jumped, her hand to her heart.   

"No one's out there," she murmured, gazing into the woods.  "Not now."

But once.

Beyond those trees, Diana had lain dead. 

Police had crowded the scene, their search over.

Middle-aged reporter Dex Wagner had scribbled in his notebook. 

Twenty-five years ago today.

Visit Stacy's blog today to discover more about her and for a peek at *lizzie's Birds Do It!

How Can You Not Love This Face?

  The Westminster Kennel Club dog show is an event I look forward to every year. It's a great way to discover new breeds, since the AKC adds new/old breeds to their roster, and visit with old favorites. I have so much fun remembering past winners.

I've seen this year's winner, the affenpinscher, Banana Joe, in other shows and love his sweet little face and indomitable personality.

Congratulations Banana Joe! You're the winner of many hearts, and of course the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

 GCH Banana Joe V Tani Kazari 
Breed: Affenpinscher
Sex: Dog
AKC: TR 71691502
Date of Birth: July 30, 2003
Breeder: Mieke Cooymans
Sire: Kyleakin Space Cowboy
Dam: Bling Bling V Tani Kazari
Owner: Zoila Truesdale & Mieke Cooymans


And congratulations, too, to the 2013 Reserve Best In Show, Swagger. (Who was in fact, my second favorite of the fantastic seven group winners! This was a great year for me.)

  Bugaboo's Picture Perfect 
Breed: Old English Sheepdog
Sex: Dog
AKC: DN 31271401
Date of Birth: November 18, 2005
Breeder: Colton & Heather Johnson
Sire: Ch Bugaboo's Big Shot
Dam: Ch Bugaboo's Georgie Girl
Owner: Colton & Heather Johnson 

Do you watch dog shows or other animal events? 

Upside Downton Abbey

Gotta love Sesame Street!