Dishin' It Out

What a pleasant surprise I got yesterday. While blogging to see if I could find any reviews of my work, I found that Embezzled Love is now available and shown on the LBF book site. Lachesis Publishing and LBF Books contracted this story some time ago, and I was so excited to see that it is up for Pre-order...just like the big guys. LBF indicates they are not a POD publisher and will actually run a small printing of the book in July when it debuts, but people who are interested can pre-order at this time.

Check me out:

LBF Books

Here's an excerpt:
Halfway down the stairs, Cassie heard Evan pull into the garage. She bounded toward the door, anxious to see him. The day had been almost perfect, aside from the niggling negative thoughts. She looked forward to sharing a meal with her man.

Surely he could explain away her concerns. He always did.

“Umm, what smells so good?” Evan asked as soon as he entered. He hung his cap on the hook by the door and ran his fingers through his hat hair.

“Could be me,” Cassie joked. “I just took a shower and put on some of your favorite perfume.” There was no way she wanted to ruin the moment asking unpleasant questions.

He walked to her, snaked an arm around her waist and reeled her close - burying his face in her neck. “Well, that does smell good, but I think I was referring to whatever is cooking. I’ll save you for afterwards.”

Evan’s musky scent invaded Cassie’s nostrils. Strangely, it aroused her, despite mingling odors of the day’s sweat and the last traces of soap from his morning shower. She fought the urge to pull him up the stairs and into the bedroom. Instead, she pushed him away, acting insulted. “Fine, if you’d rather fill your stomach than appease your physical needs, so be it!”

She went to the oven to check the roast and add the clean and peeled veggies. “It will be about another thirty to forty five minutes,” she announced. “Would you like a beer?”

“That sounds great, baby girl. It’s been a long day.”

She withdrew a cold brew from the fridge and handed to it him. “Why don’t you go up and take your shower and change into something comfy. By the time you’re done, we’ll have dinner.”

“Sounds like a plan.” He grazed her lips with a kiss on the way out of the room.

Cassie started to set the table but the ringing phone interrupted her. “Hello.”

“Cassie Fremont, please.”

“This is she.”

“This is Stephen Summers from Nova. I’m terribly sorry to disturb you on the weekend, but our security department has flagged your account with some suspicious activity.”

Her heart sank. Oh no, not again. “What kind of activity?”

“There are charges made today at Soboba Indian Casino totaling three thousand dollars. I just wanted to confirm that you were aware of them.”

Cassie grasped her throat. “Oh … well ….” She tilted her head back and looked at the ceiling. Words escaped her. She felt fairly certain there was a pattern developing she didn’t like.

“Are you there?”

“Sorry. Yes, I’m here. I’m fairly sure the charges are legitimate. I’ve recently noticed similar charges on another account and believe my business partner may be able to explain them. May I call you back?”

“Certainly, although, I do need to tell you that you have now reached the maximum limit on this account.”