Excerpt Wednesday – Maggie Quinn

Patrick dropped to his knees by the other side of the bed and took his mother's hands, while Maggie set the bowl on the table and then sat quietly looking at Catherine's drawn face. Every breath she took was an effort as she struggled to speak.   

"We're here, Ma," Maggie whispered. "Paddy and I are here."

"Where's Paddy?" Her faded eyes struggled to focus. "Paddy?"

"I'm here, Ma." His eyes welled with tears and he swallowed hard.

Catherine slightly turned her head and focused her eyes on Patrick. Maggie leaned closer and Catherine, with great effort, slightly turned her head as her lips tried to form a smile. "My beautiful children." Her voice was growing weaker, and Patrick and Maggie had to strain to hear her. She paused and drew a ragged breath after each word, struggling to make herself heard. 

Every breath she took was labored as though it would be her last, and Maggie swallowed the lump in her throat as she listened. Her eyes misted, but she knew her mother couldn't see. "Don't try to talk, Ma," Maggie said quietly. "Keep your strength."

"No. I need to talk."

Maggie glanced at Paddy. His eyes revealed that he was as frightened as she was at their mother's worsening health. She didn't know how to help her mother and did the only thing she could do, which was to offer up another silent prayer for her healing. But she had to face the truth. The Lord would soon take her beloved mother the same as He’d taken Da and her brothers and sisters. She wanted to scream and pound her fists. What had they done to deserve this? She drew a deep breath. No, her faith was being tested. She had to hold on. She had to accept whatever burdens the Lord had placed on their family. She couldn't forsake everything Ma had taught her.

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Excerpt Wednesday – Murder In The Pinelands

"I don't care about any of that!" Jensyn screamed. "I only remember walking to the car. Everything is a blank after that." She charged at him again. "What did you do, Evan?"

He grabbed her wrists again. "Stop it, Jensyn! You need to listen to me. I took you two home. That's what I did!" he spat at her. "Now both of you better shut up and listen to me." He drew several deep breaths to calm himself. "Don't tell the police you don't remember anything about last night. And especially don't tell them we were drinking. Do you know what they'd do to us?"

"I doubt underage drinking is a top priority when a kid is dead, Evan," Kennedy said, dabbing at her eyes with a paper napkin.

"Do you want the police to think that we had something to do with it?" Evan hissed.

"Why would they think that?" Jensyn sniffed.

Evan's jaw tightened. "They'll want to know why he didn't leave with us," he explained. "You know how they twist everything." He stared at Jensyn. "Don't forget, Jensyn, you did argue with him. They'll try to twist that into a motive."

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Excerpt Wednesday - Shattered Vows

 Robert walked to the table, pulled out a chair, and sat down across from her. "So, what do you write about, anyway?" 

Farrel set her pen down. "You’ve never seemed interested before," she said, surprised. 

"I didn’t say I was interested. Just curious." 

She sighed. Why did he have to try to ruin everything that meant something to her? She wanted so much to be able to have the kind of normal relationship where they could share their individual passions with one another. She looked at him. He was dressed in an old paint stained shirt and faded jeans. His feet were bare. His attire was unusual, but she didn’t dare question it. "Mostly, I write about my feelings. Sometimes what I’m feeling pours out on paper and releases all of my frustrations. The difference is that I can control my characters so they can have the most wonderful lives with all of their dreams fulfilled." 

Robert’s eyes narrowed. "Are you saying that your life isn’t satisfying to you?" 

Farrel noticed the disapproval in his eyes as he swept over her makeup-less face and uncombed hair. Self-consciously she swept a strand of hair from her brow as she pondered his question. "No, I don’t mean to imply that. It’s just that everyone always wishes certain aspects of their lives were different. In my writing, I can fulfill all of my dreams through my characters’ actions and emotions." 

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Excerpt Wednesday - All I Want Is You

 Rachel’s eyes clouded. She couldn’t tell her friend that Caleb had stirred something in her, something she’d never felt before. She had to brush those feelings aside. "I know what you’re trying to do, Kate. I told you last night that I’m perfectly happy with my life just the way it is. I don’t have the time or energy to focus on a relationship. My job and Ethan are about all I can handle right now." 

Kate lifted a suspicious eyebrow. "What do you think I’m trying to do, Rachel?" 

Rachel pursed her lips. "You’re trying to set me up with Caleb. Admit it, Kate. I can see right through it." 

Kate held up a hand. "I swear I’m not, but you have to admit he’s not only gorgeous, but nice. You said so yourself, and Ethan likes him." She drew a deep breath. "Okay, I admit it. I thought if you two met each other you might be able to help one another. You’re both too young to shut yourselves away from the world. You already have something in common." 

"I know your intentions are good, but did it ever occur to you that some people never get over their grief?" 

"It has, and I personally don’t think it’s healthy." She shrugged. "You have to admit, he’s gorgeous." 

"Okay, I admit he’s good looking, kind, and Ethan is enjoying his company." She sighed heavily. "If things were different—" 

"Just what does that mean, Rachel?" Kate demanded, cutting her off.

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