Seems everywhere she looks lonely divorcee, Cassie Fremont, sees advertisements claiming to help find her true love…the man of her dreams. With visions of a fairy tale romance, she follows the link in a SPAM message and joins an online dating service. Imagine her surprise when 'he' responds to her profile with toe-tingling interest. Will the Texas heartthrob be the answer to her prayers, or is she about to book a ride on the roller coaster from hell?
Today, I'm sharing an excerpt from my latest release with Books We Love, Ltd, Embezzled Love. You may not know that I wrote this book based on a true life experience, and the "heroine" is or was my sister. For whatever reason, she disowned me three years ago and hasn't spoken to me since. I have no idea what I did to warrant my fall from the family tree, but I recently re-wrote this story which was previously released in 2004, in order to improve the flow and correct some of my amateur mistakes. I was tempted to change some of the story to reveal the entire truth, but then I reminded myself this is a fictional piece. Here's a sample and I hope you enjoy it enough to want to read the entire story:
EMBEZZLED LOVE:
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 flattened 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 ones 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.”
***
Embezzled Love is available on Amazon, offered in the select program for only $2.99. Watch for it's upcoming spotlight day in mid February.
The maximum limit. OOh, that doesn't sound good.
ReplyDeleteIntriguing beginning. Will the cover mention that this is a story about your sister? Maybe she heard about it and that's why she's not speaking to you. That's probably not why, but you've definitely caught my attention. Great excerpt.
Sorry I was late, Ginger. I was out of town and I'm just catching up on emails now.
ReplyDeleteNice job, Ginger. You followed the rules and loved your post!
ReplyDelete