Excerpt Wednesday – Hidden Desires

 She was humiliated. All the warm sensations she'd been feeling disappeared, leaving in their wake an icy cold emptiness. He'd rejected her. She'd lost not only the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, but her best friend. Her heart broke. She pulled away from him, her eyes swimming with tears. "I won't throw myself at you ever again."

He ran a trembling hand through his hair. "Sage, no, please understand, baby. It has nothing to do with that other girl. I haven't been with anyone else or even wanted to be with anyone else since I met you. It hasn't been easy, but I'm waiting for our wedding night like you've always wanted. I want it to be as special as you've dreamed it will be."

"It has everything to do with me." A tear spilled from her eye. "There's nothing more to say. Maybe my new job on Monday is an omen... a new beginning and a fresh start for the both of us—apart."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"Whatever you want it to mean." She glanced at her hands, too ashamed to look him in the eye. "Please take me home, Ryan. I have a splitting headache."

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Excerpt Wednesday – Hearts On Fire

 She shivered as she picked up a pair of silk stockings and dreamily rubbed them against her cheek, and then smiled. She craved pure raw, uncontrollable sex with no holds barred. She wanted to be taken to the edge and back again. She’d never dared to share these innermost fantasies with anyone, so they had stayed inside clawing to be set free.

Now was the time to let down the barriers and be the woman she was meant to be, the woman who would give her partner as much or even more in return.

Harvey had been a good husband and provider. He gave her and their sons, Jeremy and Scott, a life of ease and luxury that not many of her poor background had or ever would have. And Annabel had loved him. Despite their sexual problems, Harvey had been her rock. He had been her best friend since the moment they’d met and she still felt that way, right up until the moment of his death. She missed his friendship and camaraderie.

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Excerpt Wednesday – Hearts On Fire

 "It’s about time that you took some time off," Annabel said. "You work much too hard," she gently scolded. "I worry about you, Em. Why do you do it? You certainly don't need the money."

Emily threw her head back and laughed. "Believe me, there have been times I’ve asked myself the same question." She grew serious. "What would I do if I didn’t write? That’s all I’ve ever done or ever wanted to do. I don’t know how I’d fill all those empty hours."

"Well, I for one can think of many more pleasurable pursuits," Josephine interjected. "Such as physical pursuits."

Annabel chuckled. "You’re wicked, Jo. I swear you have a one track mind."

"It keeps me happy and satisfied." She pointed a slender finger in Emily’s direction. "It might do you good to have an old-fashioned roll in the hay."

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Excerpt Wednesday - Revenge

 Jackson Bridges leaned against his red pickup truck as he watched Christine Westmiller fussing over her husband and daughter’s graves. A burning rage began in the pit of his stomach. Zoey had been trouble from the start and he wasn’t sorry she was dead. He loved coming here to the cemetery. He enjoyed witnessing Christine Westmiller’s pain. He hoped the bitch suffered for the rest of her life. 

As the weeks, months, and then years passed, his boiling rage only increased. He was still haunted nightly with nightmares about the hospital with all those crazy people. He doubted that after two years, the dreams would ever go away. Christine Westmiller needed to suffer even more. She had to pay for her part in his being locked up like a caged animal. He scowled as Christine stepped into her car. He jumped into his truck and gunned the engine.

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Excerpt Wednesday – The Stalker

 Jeremy sat on the bus, staring blankly out of the window. He heard the familiar echoes and tightly closed his eyes for a few seconds. 

You almost blew everything! they shouted. 

But I didn’t, his mind screamed back at them. He popped his eyes back open, then cautiously looked at the other passengers. No one made eye contact with him. They were involved in their own private thoughts. He settled back in his seat as the bus stopped and passengers got off and new ones got on. 

It’s a good thing we were there to help you keep your cool. Forget Rebecca. She’ll never be your girlfriend, they hissed. 

Yes, she is! his mind shouted, repeatedly trying to drown out their screeching, hissing voices. He’d concentrate on Rebecca. Thoughts of her brought a smile to his lips. He couldn’t wait to see her again. As he willed himself to focus just on her, he chased the demons to the far corners of his mind.

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Excerpt Wednesday – Over The Edge

 Brant slowly shook his head. "Now, Chris, what kind of a man are you? You’re going to choose an over-the-hill conniving bitch like Maggie Allen instead of a tender young thing like Chelsea?" He scoffed. "What the hell’s the matter with you? You’ve got an opportunity most men would beg for. What does Maggie have that would make you throw away a chance with Chelsea?" 

Chris’s muscles tensed. "Maggie has something that women like Chelsea will never have, and that’s called class. You have no right to call Maggie names. Just keep her out of it. You know nothing about her," he angrily replied as his hands formed into tight hard fists. 

Brant threw his head back and laughed. "Well, I call it as I see it, and with Maggie I don’t see any class, only a washed-up whore who destroyed her life because of her corrupt ways." He sniffed. "Her partner in crime even dumped her when the heat was on." 

Chris looked into Brant’s devious eyes. "Maggie’s past is none of your damned business. She was set up! The bastard used her!" 

Brant continued to laugh. "Boy, she certainly has you hoodwinked." His eyes narrowed.

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Excerpt Wednesday - Deadly Tales

 Excerpts From All Five Stories

I'm Waiting For You

"I'm worried about you, honey," he said again. "Hasn't it ever occurred to you how this woman you claim to see knows exactly where you'll be at any given moment and then shows up out of the blue? You're the only one who can see her."

"I know," she answered, her voice softening. "I wish you could see what I do. I'm not crazy, Will. Please believe me."

"I never said or thought you were, but I don't see anyone wandering down this highway. There hasn't been anyone walking on this road for the two hours we've been on it."

"Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me," she said, but deep inside she knew what she saw was very real. She wasn't dreaming or imagining this woman.  

It's Me

Why are all these people standing around my car?  Maybe they are just curious as to why it's been abandoned on the side of the road.  No, that doesn't make sense, but it's the only explanation I can think of right now. 

I need to push my way through this crowd and get into my car and be on my way.  I'm pushing, but no one is even acknowledging my presence.  I'm speaking, but why aren't they responding?  Why do they appear as though they are looking right past me?  I'm waving my arms.  "Hello!  Please let me through!"

The Ducks

He watched Sally's webbed feet as she waddled towards him, squawking as her eyes beheld the customary feast in his hands. He laughed as she drew closer. "Look what I have for you, Sally."  

She grabbed the bread from his hand. The other ducks stood behind her until she'd had her fill, then watched as she stepped aside. They hungrily devoured the remains of the bread she'd left for them.

For the past six months Joe had pondered this strange behavior, but could come up with no logical explanation. It didn't make sense. He pored over books in the library and traveled to several duck ponds, but none of those ducks acted like Sally did. She was the ultimate leader. Joe watched carefully as her followers finished eating, then looked at her. They didn't move. They never did until she gave the signal…a slight nod of her head. Sally eyed him cautiously, then tilted her head, and led the group back to the other side of the pond.

The Ticket

Aside from his obvious joy of making his employees' lives miserable, Harry Ranko had one other passion—playing the lottery. He was constantly waiting for the big one and had grandiose plans for his winnings, which he didn't hesitate to share with Rosie. The money he threw away weekly on the lottery would have supported Rosie and Bart for a month. Ranko was already a wealthy man and he made sure everyone he met knew it. He had no sympathy for those less fortunate-the more money he made, the more he wanted, and the less he wanted to part with.

Every Thursday Harry Ranko called Rosie into his office to check the numbers on his tickets. Why he trusted her with this task he'd never said and she'd never asked, but would dutifully enter his office after the others had left for the day. His small beady eyes widened with glee when he learned he had a winner no matter how small the payoff. It was his obsession.

The Stranger

The girl looked into her eyes, then flashed her a toothy smile. "I'll have a milkshake, Jenny."

Jenny was caught off guard by the child's familiarity. "I don't believe I've ever met you before. How did you know my name?"

"You never met me, but you knew my daddy."

The waitress frowned. "Where is your father? What's his name?"

"He used to come here all the time when he was on the road driving his truck. He told me all about you and other people in this town. He said it was just about the friendliest place on earth." She smiled again.

Jenny was puzzled. "Is he in the restroom?" 

"He's not with me, but he's in the most beautiful place," she replied softly.

"What's his name?" Jenny asked again.

"May I please have my milkshake?"

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