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Interview & Giveaway – Promises My Love by D.L. Larson

By Barb Drozdowich 6 Comments

Welcome to Sugarbeat’s Books – The Home of the Romance Novel

VBT_PromisesMyLove_Banner

Today we are welcoming L.D. Larson to the blog! She’s here to answer some of my questions and to share some information about her book, Promises My Love. She’s also going to be giving away a copy of one of her previously published books, hardcover (US only) or e-book format to 2 randomly drawn commenters during the tour. If you are interested in entering, just leave a comment below. If you want to find more blogs to leave comments on, the list can be found HERE.

*   *   *

Barb –  If someone else wrote a blurb about your book what would it say?

D.L. – A young man’s revenge brings despair to him and his family.  Will hate rule his life, or will his wife’s love be enough to make him whole again?

Barb – How would my friends describe me in 20 words or less?

D.L. – They’re surprised I write such serious books. I’m easy-going and generally pretty corny.  I enjoy my own company but have to have family about.

Barb – Where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world?

D.L. – I would live by a lake, with big, shady trees around my large 2 story house with its wrap-around porch.  My home would be close enough for my family to visit on weekends, but I would have quiet during the week, unless I wanted to be the rowdy one!

Barb – When did you begin writing?

 D.L. –  I always knew I was meant to be a writer, but not until I turned 36 did I decide to pursue a writing career.  I reminded myself every day that writing was not a hobby – it was important to make that distinction toward publication, even in the early stages while juggling work, family and kids sports.  Too many times I veered off course, but determination always pulled me back to continue on.  My youngest child was in first grade when I started and I thought for sure I would be published by the time he reached eighth grade.  When that didn’t happen, I aimed for the end of his high school career.  He was out of college before I found my first publisher.  It’s been a roller coaster kind of a journey.

Barb –  Do you read reviews written about your book?

D.L. – I do.  I want to understand what readers are thinking or if my work has satisfied their expectations.  I like knowing how my work stacks up compared to others.  Anyone want to write a review?  Have at it!! J

Barb – Who is your favorite character in your new release?

 D.L. – I’ve always been fond of Joe Douglas, the gambler.  He’s wild and has his own rules in life, but has a decency that runs deep.  He is charismatic and rugged, a combination I’m attracted to.

Barb – What were the challenges in bringing this book to life?

D.L. –  I wrote around Francis, my main character in my previous book, for quite awhile.  Finally he revealed himself and I was shocked he had so many problems.  I wanted to share his life and hardships but did not want to write a depressing book, so I chose to express snippets of his past rather than morbid scenes.  I hope I struck a good balance.  Francis is a good man who simply wants to love his wife and family if only he knew how.

Barb – Did you do any research before start or during of the writing of the books?

 D.L. – I learned much about suicide and family abuse from working at Northern Illinois University in the Department of Family Services.  My department hosted educational conferences for professionals and I learned more than I ever wanted to at them.  I had ample opportunity to talk to many therapists and counselors about family dysfunctions over the eleven years I worked in that department.

Barb – What is the one book that you think everyone should read?

D.L. – The Shack, by Wm. Paul Young

Barb – Where is your work available?

D.L. – Any bookstore can order my books, or turn to Amazon.com and order my books via hard copy or e-books.

Barb – Vampires or werewolves?

D.L. – Werewolves rule!!  I’m writing a sci-fi romance where the werewolf and his soldiers are in league with the Almighty.  It’s outrageous and fun with escapades of other-worldly excitement and romance.

Barb – Are you reading or writing something else at the moment?

D.L. – Oh sure ~ I’m working on the next installment of my historical series.  It’s called, ‘Coming Home.’

Francis stumbles into a romance he had not expected or sought and wonders at how much his life has changed.  Plus, I hope to publish my sci-fi romance called, ‘The Warrior Priest, The Werewolf Prince & The Trials of the Black Universe.  I’m super excited to see that published – keep your fingers crossed that it happens soon!!

    Thank you for having me as a guest blogger.  It’s been fun.

    DL

*   *   *

Promises My Love

by LD Larson

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Cover_Promises My LoveBLURB:

 

The Story from Promises To Keep continues with … Promises My Love

a novel

by DL Larson

 

Francis Frailey fears he might become as abusive as his uncle once was, so he admires his young family from a distance. His plan is lonely, but safe, until his wife Christine sneaks past his staunch decorum. With tender devotion she coaxes him beyond his wretched childhood memories to a place where trust and love grows.

 

The fragile bond shatters when Francis’ family intervenes and he must decide if hate will rule his heart. Christine promises forgiveness will make him whole, but Francis aches for revenge. He’s determined to kill his uncle and be done.

 

Christine’s brother, Joe Douglas, has plans of his own that include asking his wife Annie to face her troubled past. But to help Christine, Joe agrees to go after Francis and bring him home. Taking his young son and nephew with him unhinges them all. Joe doesn’t know if the love Francis has for his son is stronger than the hate he harbors for his uncle. Or perhaps Francis despises himself most of all. Joe fears the wrong person may end up dead.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt:

 

A reminder ~ this is a family saga with several POV!

Excerpt from Chapter 3:

 

Once they reached the Douglas farm, Francis refused to stay for the evening meal.

 

“For damns sake, come in,” her father, Will, ventured.  But Francis stood stiffly at the entrance as she and her children shifted uneasily beside him.  The dangling lanterns above the table and others on the mantel lit up their expectant faces.

 

“There’s plenty left,” her mama said.

 

Elizabeth opened her arms, and Jimmy and Crystal stepped into her embrace.  Christine eyed her children snuggling safe in her mother’s arms and her throat tightened.

 

Will Jr. stood, looking as dark and tall as her father.  He didn’t extend a handshake to Francis or offer her a hug, and that just wasn’t done in her family.  Hugs were as numerous and hearty as the horses in the pastures.  Instead, her brother’s usual friendly grin tightened and his gaze hardened as Christine fumbled with their trunks and gestured for her children to greet their aunt and uncle.  Their watching made her self-conscious and her fingers inched toward her face to hide the scratch.

 

Her chest tightened all the more when her parents gaze moved from Francis to her, neither voicing their worry, even as it filled their faces.

 

Francis opened the door and the crisp dampness of the on-coming night cooled her hot cheeks.  His eyes touched hers only for a moment, and they were much too guarded for her to question his decision to leave.

 

“Good to see you all,” his voice cracked as he gripped the door.

 

Elizabeth stepped forward, her hand reaching out for him, but Francis swept across the threshold and pounded across the shadow-filled porch.

 

No one moved to stop him and moments later Christine heard the carriage careen down the lane. She eased the door shut, unable to answer the question in her mother’s gaze.  Her mama turned to the kids and urged them to the benches at the table and to the remains of a peach cobbler, her smile warm and reassuring.  Will’s three daughters stepped toward the table too and Christine smiled to each, struggling to recall their names.

 

The room was too quiet to be her family.  Her father and brother settled in rockers by the hearth and Tess fussed over Jimmy and Crystal, commenting on how much they’d grown.

 

Her parents home had always made her feel secure and Christine tried to smile, venture into conversation.  She fooled no one.  Apprehension made her voice shake.  Nothing was secure now, and she wondered if she should have tried once more to stop her husband.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AuthorPic (2)AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

 

DL Larson always thought she’d be a city girl, but instead, she has spent the last 40 years surrounded by corn fields.  She lives in northern Illinois and enjoys the outdoors, especially gardening, boating and bike riding with her family.

 

Reading is a big part of DL’s life, both professionally as a writer and as a Children’s Librarian.

She likes being in the know, seeing firsthand what folks like to read.  Going back to school as an adult rejuvenated her desire to become a novelist.  The writing awards she received lifted her up and reinforced her drive to tell the best story she could.  Her second novel, Promises To Keep was a 2008 Reader’s Choice Recipient.

 

DL is a WindyCity member of RWA. She blogs each Thursday at http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/

 

Visit DL Larson at www.dllarson.co

 

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/deb.larson.73?fref=ts

 

Buy Link:

 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Promises-My-Love-ebook/dp/B00CZFGMEQ

 

 

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Interview and GIveaway with Allie Boniface, author of Beacon of Love

By Barb Drozdowich 29 Comments

Welcome to Sugarbeat’s Books – The Home of the Romance Novel!

NBtM Beacon of Love Banner

Today we are welcoming Allie Boniface to the blog! She is the author of Beacon of Love and is here to answer some of our questions and to share some information about her book!

Allie will be awarding a $10 Amazon OR B&N Gift Card AND an e-copy of any title of her backlist (winner’s choice) to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

You know how to increase your chances of winning! Leave a comment to be entered. Just click HERE and find more blogs to leave comments on! I hope you enjoy learning more about Allie and her book, Beacon of Love!

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Barb – How would you describe your book in 20 words or less without using the blurb?

 

Allie – Haunted lighthouse + spunky travel show host + sexy local cameraman = mystery on the beach and steam between the sheets!

Barb –  Where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world?

 

Allie – I found my dream location last summer on a trip around the Mediterranean: the Amalfi Coast of Italy. Not only is it absolutely gorgeous, with an ocean and mountain view that would inspire the most writers’-blocked author, it’s remote enough that I could escape from the rat race of my life in America (insert incessant news stories, cell phones, social media, and a full-time teaching job here). If I won the lottery and didn’t have to work for the rest of my life, I’d buy a villa in Ravello or Sorrento tomorrow.

Barb –  What’s your current guilty pleasure?

 

Allie – Chocolate and martinis. Not necessarily together, though that never hurts 😉

 

Barb – If you wouldn’t be a writer, what you would be?

 

Allie – I already have the best job in the world, aside from being a writer: I’m a teacher. And while yes, it would be nice to escape to Italy, that’s only because of the loads of paperwork (and testing, with all the new educational changes going on). Working with young people and having an influence in their lives is the most rewarding thing I could imagine doing with my life.

Barb –  What were the challenges in bringing this book to life?

 

Allie – Adding the sub-plot, without a doubt. After I finished the first draft of Beacon of Love, I went back and realized there was something missing, emotion, grittiness, something compelling about the story. I spent a lot of time brainstorming, talking to other writers, and using agent Donald Maass’ advice from Writing the Breakout Novel. After all that, the story of the haunted lighthouse took a backseat to the true haunting in the novel: that of Lucas, the hero, and the rest of the town, who lose 6 teenagers in a tragic plane crash 10 years before the story opens. Gave me a whole lot more messy and powerful emotions to deal with.

Barb –  Where do you get your inspiration?

 

Allie – Everywhere! From news articles and events, from songs on the radio, from things that happen to people I know, from my own dreams. (Speaking of news articles, did anyone see the recent story on the 95-year old woman who admitted to being a “food tester” for Hitler in the 1940s? All I could think was “Now there’s a story to tell!”)

 

Barb –  What is the one book that you think everyone should read?

 

Allie – The Fault in our Stars by John Green. It’s a Young Adult novel that is brilliantly written, a terrific portrayal of real people (he’s so good at creating characters). It’s the story of 2 teenagers who experience their first true love – while battling cancer. It’s not a cancer story, though, so much as a love story, but it’s real and messy and the teens are smarter and more in tune with their feelings than the adults in the book. Just fabulous.

Barb –  Where can your fans find you ?

 

 

Allie – I’m most reliably on Facebook, and I update my blog three times a week: Monday Mentionables, Writers’ Wednesday, and Friday Fun Facts. I’m also on Twitter, though I don’t check in there as regularly.

 

Barb – If you could write outside your genre what would that be?

 

Allie – I’d love to write a Young Adult novel, and I’m actually working on one right now! I think it’s a terrific genre, so great for creating protagonists who develop in profound and meaningful ways. Plus I teach teenagers, so I see and hear their angst and drama almost every day. Stay tuned! There might be a YA book listed on my “New Releases” page one day!

 

Barb – Are you working on anything new and if so when can we expect to see it?

 

Allie – I’m currently revising the sequel to this book, another contemporary romance set in Lindsey Point, called Inferno to Love. That will be Finn the bartender’s story 🙂 By the time I finished Beacon of Love I knew Finn had to get his happy-ever-after as well. So if you enjoy Beacon of Love, look for the sequel sometime next year!

Barb –  Is there anything else you’d like to share to your followers and readers?

 

Allie – Thanks so much for having me here today! Loved all the fun questions!!

 

Beacon of Love

by Allie Boniface

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Cover_BeaconOfLoveBLURB:

 

Welcome to Lindsey Point, Connecticut: suspicious of outsiders, loyal to tradition, and absolutely devoted to its local legends.

 

Enter Sophie Smithwaite, feisty travel show host, in town to film an episode about Lindsey Point’s haunted lighthouse. But digging into the story of a tragic murder-suicide and love gone wrong reveals startling connections to Sophie’s own past. When a gorgeous local handyman fills in behind the camera, Sophie’s life gets complicated by more than just her family history.

 

Part-time paramedic, handyman, seasonal Santa-Lucas Oakes does it all–except get attached. He’s still reeling from the death of his best friend ten years ago and the more recent infidelity of his ex-fiancee. Yet despite Sophie’s big-city nosiness and her insistence on chasing long-dead ghosts, he’s drawn to her.

 

But mixing with an outsider means questioning people and traditions Lucas has always defended. When a series of attacks seem to be connected to Sophie’s investigation, both Sophie and Lucas must decide if they are willing to risk everything to uncover the town’s secrets…and their own.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Excerpt:

 

“Want something to drink? Water?”

Sophie shook her head.

“Not thirsty?”

“Lucas.”

He set the glasses down on the counter. “What?”

 

“Come over here and kiss me.”

 

His smile crooked. “Or what?”

 

She took two steps toward the kitchen, and he took one toward the living room, and they met in the middle. “Or I’m going to go crazy.”

 

He placed his hands on her cheeks and kissed her forehead.

 

Sophie closed her eyes, waiting for the slow, inevitable slip of his mouth down her neck. To her curve of her collarbone. Maybe lower.

 

“There you go,” he said. His hands went away.

 

Her eyes flew open. “That’s it?”

 

“You said you wanted a kiss.”

 

Her fists landed on her hips. “Ha ha. Funny guy. So funny, in fact, I think I’m gonna recommend that comedy special you were talking about to Lon. He’s looking for a new show, you know. Maybe you’re the next big thing.”

 

Lucas swung her off the ground. Her arms went around his neck and her mouth ended up a fraction of an inch below his. “Maybe I am.” He kissed her again, this time not on the forehead. And not sweetly. “What do you think?”

 

But she couldn’t answer, couldn’t think of anything at all except his tongue teasing hers, her legs wrapping themselves around his waist and holding on like she’d never held onto a man in her life. Fire sizzled up her spine, and the air in the room went hot. Her hands–God, her hands couldn’t get enough of him. They wanted to be everywhere, in his hair and on his face and unbuttoning that damn shirt and taking off her own dress that was so in the way right now.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Allie_AuthorPhotoAUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Allie Boniface is a small-town girl at heart who’s traveled around the world and still finds that the magic and the mystery of small towns make them the best places to fall in love and find adventure. From the New England coast to Rocky Mountain hotels to tiny European bars, she’s found more character and plot inspirations than she could ever count. Currently, she’s lucky enough to live in New York’s beautiful Hudson Valley with her own “Hometown Hero,” a guy who can fix, build, drive, and grill anything and is the epitome of the strong and silent type.

 

When she isn’t writing love stories, Allie is a full-time high school English teacher who gets a kick out of helping her teenagers negotiate the ups and downs of writing along with the ups and downs of life (because, really, she’s still trying to do the same thing!). And while she’ll continue to travel far and wide, Allie knows there’s really nothing like coming back to the place where the people who have known you forever welcome you home with open arms.

 

ALLIE BONIFACE  can be found:

 

www.allieboniface.com

 

www.allieboniface.blogspot.com

 

Twitter: AllieBoniface1

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Allie-Boniface/213522468685926?ref=hl

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Interview & Review with Jessica Scott, author of Anything For You

By Barb Drozdowich 30 Comments

Welcome to Sugarbeat’s Books – The Home of the Romance Novel!

Today we are visited by Jessica Scott.  She’s the author of several books that I’ve read and loved, but is here today to answer some of my questions, and share about her book, Anything For You.  I also have to add my two cents to this post!  If this sounds like something you would enjoy reading, please find some buy links and pick up a copy or two.

 

Barb –  How would you describe your book in 20 words or less without using the blurb?

 

Jess – What’s the biggest thing you would give up for the person you love? For Shane, loving Jen means sacrificing something both of them want.

 

Barb – Do you keep track or write reviews for books you read?

Jess – I won’t say I keep track of reviews but I do keep an eye on them. If I’ve requested a review from a blogger and they do the review, I feel like I have an obligation to share that review because it was a time investment from the blogger, you know? And when I spot a reader review that’s really great, I pass it along to my followers. But I try not to skulk reviews and I avoid negative reviews simply because they get stuck in my head and its really hard for me to get it out once it’s in there.

 

Barb – Do you read reviews written about your book?

Jess – Only if I’ve requested the review from someone. Otherwise, I stay off amazon and goodreads if they’re negative reviews.

 

Barb – Do you have a day job?

Jess – I’m an active duty army officer. I’m currently stationed at Fort Hood but that’s getting ready to change as I’m prepping to move at the beginning of March.

 

Barb – Do you have any advice for unpublished authors?

Jess – Learn your craft, pay attention to the industry news, follow writers and industry peeps on twitter but don’t pitch on these platforms unless requested. Don’t be in a hurry to publish (advice I freely ignored) because then you’re writing on someone else’s schedule and its really tough to learn.

 

Barb – What’s your favorite part of writing a book?

Jess – Revising. I love revising and editing because its so great to see that rough draft start to change into something readers will enjoy. I’m a terrible self editor so when I have editor who really gets me and helps make my books stronger, I couldn’t be happier.

Barb – Are you a plotter or a pantzer?

Jess – I used to write by the seat of my pants but I often found that I had to chunk massive parts of my manuscript and start over essentially from scratch. Over time, I learned to storyboard and figure out what my characters want. Doing prep work at the outset saves me tons of rewriting time on the back side and it keeps my story tighter. I don’t mind deleting but I’d rather strategically delete than chunk the whole manuscript, you know?

 

Barb – How did you come up with your premise for your books?

Jess – Learning to figure out my premise before I  started working on specific projects has made a huge difference to my process. I’m a big fan of Alexandra Sokoloff’s Screenwriting Tricks for Writers. Reading that book was a major lightbulb for me. I sold shortly after I started applying her advice.

 

Barb – Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

Jess – Shawntelle Madison (full disclosure she’s a friend of mine). Her urban fantasies are a really great mix of humor, family angst finding your place in the world. I really love Nat’s story in Coveted and Kept. She’s got a novella out currently Bitten by Deceit and there’s an excerpt from it in the back of Anything for You.

 

Barb –  How important do you find the communication between you and your readers? Do you reply to their messages or read their reviews?

Jess – I wouldn’t have a job if it wasn’t for readers and fans so they’re very important to what I do. I do my very best to respond to all emails, comments etc but sometimes I can’t and I hope readers understand. I’m most often on twitter and Facebook.

 

Barb – Vampires or werewolves?

Jess – Werewolves. I’m a sucker for a hairy chest and werewolves are very rough and rugged creatures aren’t they?

Barb –  How many more books can we expect in this series?

Jess – There are at least two more books in the Coming Home series. Back to You is Laura & Trent’s story. Reza’s story is probably my favorite story after Evan & Claire in Until The Was You and his story is Come Home to Me. I love a tortured hero and Reza is completely tortured. Emily is a great match for him. Both Come Home to Me and Back To You are already written, we’re just waiting on the publishing gods to determine their fate, lol!

 

I’m giving away a digital copy of ANYTHING FOR YOU as well as Shane & Jen’s first story BECAUSE OF YOU to one lucky commenter!

 

 

From the author of Because of You comes an all new Coming Home short story.

 

Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison has spent a year recovering from his combat injuries. A year spent in the arms of the woman of his dreams.  But loving Jen comes with a price: every time he touches her, he faces the uncertain fear that loving her might mean losing her forever.

 

Jen is a breast cancer survivor and with Shane, she’s found a man who loves her despite her scars. But her scars may be too much for their love to survive.

 

As their love grows, so does the risk to Jen’s life. And Shane must make the toughest decision any man can make to save the woman he loves.

 

You can buy  ANYTHING FOR YOU at the following ebookstores

 Amazon   *   Smashwords   *   Barnes & Noble

*The links for  iBooks & others should be live soon!*

Excerpt:

Fort Hood, late 2008

“Jen is going to kill you. You know that, right?” Vic Carponti took a long pull off his ever-present Dr Pepper. “I think she has first dibs on your balls. You don’t have exclusive use over them any more.”

Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison glanced over at Carponti and fought the urge to use the physical therapy ropes to strangle the younger sergeant. No matter how much time they’d spent together training Army privates at Benning or blowing shit up downrange, Carponti still managed to push all the right buttons. “You’re not helping, you know.” Shane was already having a hard enough time trying to find the nerve to talk to his fiancée about his desire for a vasectomy.
“Jen wants kids.”
“I know that,” Shane growled. He leaned down to stretch, barely suppressing a groan as the muscles in his thighs protested the daily pain his physical therapist insisted on. He’d have thought that six months after being blown up in Iraq, physical therapy would stop being a morning torture session. Guess not.
“Why are you so adamant about this?” Carponti held up his hand at Shane’s fierce look.
“I’m an expert in amputations, not women and babies, okay?”
“She had breast cancer. A really aggressive version. If she gets pregnant and the cancer comes back, the choice comes down to her life or the baby’s life…and I don’t want to have to make that choice with her. I don’t want her to have to make that choice. Granted, it might all be fine. She might never get sick again, or the hormones from pregnancy might not do anything to her.” Shane walked over to the free weights. His legs protested each step, so his next words came out slowly, one with each step. “I can’t risk it. No matter how much I might want a kid with her, I’m not going to risk her life for some selfish need to feel my baby growing inside her.”
“I realize that,” Carponti said, “but why on earth are you looking at this without talking to her first?”
“I’m going to talk to her.” Shane sighed hard. “I just haven’t yet.” He didn’t want to admit he was afraid. Not to Carponti. He’d never hear the end of it.
“Did you ever think you’re overreacting?” Carponti asked, following him.
“No,” Shane snapped. “Because I’m not.”
“You just said there’s no rule that if a woman gets pregnant after cancer, she’s going to die.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve also talked to the brigade surgeon. There’s a higher risk of the cancer coming back for younger women like Jen who had aggressive cancers. There’s a higher risk that if she does get pregnant and the cancer comes back, it could come back even more aggressive.”
Shane looked at Carponti seriously. “I want kids with her. I just don’t want to kill her.”
“So you’re going to get unmanned and tell her later?”
“This isn’t funny.”
“Vasectomies are always funny. Especially watching a big guy like you squirm over the fact.”
“It is my balls we’re talking about,” Shane snapped, grabbing the fifty-pound dumbbells.
It was one of those times he’d rather not have Carponti chirping in his ear.

“If a vasectomy is such a big deal, then why do it?” Carponti placed the bottle in his prosthetic hand. “There’s other ways of preventing pregnancy, you know.”
“We’ve talked about all of those. She had a bad reaction to an IUD. Anything hormone-based is out. And condoms scare the shit out of me.”
“Did we have a bad experience with a condom?”
Shane groaned, wishing he hadn’t said anything. “When I was seventeen, I had a condom break on me. The girl and I spent the rest of the month terrified she was pregnant.” He glanced at Carponti. “So while I appreciate that you think me getting my balls clipped is amusing, this isn’t all that funny.”
“Maybe not, but watching you freak out about it certainly is.”
“You’re so good for morale.”
“You can bitch all you want, but I still don’t see why there aren’t other options.”
Why? Shane ground his teeth and counted as he curled the weights. He’d read the literature about Jen’s specific cancer. Everything he read created a little more fear that he could lose her. Shane did not do well with fear. If the only thing he could control in the equation was his sperm, he was doing that.
Sometimes, at night, when the nightmares came, it was no longer his soldiers who’d died in the war haunting his sleep. Sometimes, it was Jen, bleeding out in his arms. He didn’t tell her that. Every time he tried, the emotion got jammed up halfway between his throat and his mouth. Jen wasn’t a random number in a study. She was his heart and soul, and while she was determined to live a normal life and not let the cancer define her, every time they made love, he was aware of the risk.
The worst part about it all? He wanted kids with her, too. But the risk was too great.
“Hello? Candyass who’s stressing about getting his balls chopped off? Why is a vasectomy the only option for you not to get her pregnant?”
Shane finished his set. “Because it’s the smart thing to do. Condoms break. Birth control fails.” Carponti was probably about to accuse him of writing country songs again. “This is the only one-hundred-percent sure option.”
“You could always be in a celibate marriage with her,” Carponti said dryly.
“Yeah, and then she bangs the FedEx guy when I’m in the field.”
Carponti snorted and coughed. “That’s just wrong.”
Shane dropped the weights, the muscles in his left arm screaming. He was nearly back to his previous strength in his upper body, but sometimes his bones liked to remind him that no, he was never going to be as good as he’d been before. It frustrated him that there were more aches and pains now. More stiffness just getting out of bed in the morning. But he was determined to heal, so he could get back to leading soldiers.
Because that’s what he did.
Beside him, Carponti finished not choking on his drink. “You’re serious about this.
You’re really going to let a doctor near your nutsack with a scalpel?”
“Will you just drop it? I shouldn’t have said anything to you, damn it.”
“What? I just want to be sure you’re making the best, most informed decision.” Carponti grinned. “You’re going to let me see the cut, right?”
Shane just shot him a baleful glare and Carponti held up both hands, the soda in one.
Funny, Shane was used to the prosthetic now. It no longer caught his eye like it once had.
Carponti was just…Carponti. The missing hand didn’t really matter.
“Hey, so have you heard what’s going on back at battalion?” Carponti asked.

Shane picked up his water bottle and flipped open the cap. “I haven’t been in to see Sarn’t Major in a while. I’ve got a meeting with him later today. Why?”
“There’s a ton of bad shit going on. Iaconelli got in a bunch of trouble up in Colorado on a mission.”
“That’s nothing new. Ike’s always in trouble.” Shane and Sergeant First Class Reza Iaconelli had never really gotten along, which was a shame, because Ike was a damn fine infantryman.
“Yeah, well, apparently there’s a whole bunch of crap going on down there. Maybe that’s why Sarn’t Major wants to see you. See how much longer before you’re back at work?”
“Maybe.” Sarn’t Major would no doubt fill him in when he saw him later. Shane wanted to get back to work. Badly. But if Ike was screwing up again, Shane damn sure didn’t want to get back just to clean up after him.
Carponti grinned. “So, back to the more pressing matters, are you going to gift wrap your nuts and put a little bow on them and say, ‘Here baby, for Valentine’s Day, I’ve sacrificed my manhood’?”
Shane shook his head and tried not to laugh. “There’s something the matter with you.
You know that, right?”
“Sure. My traumatic brain injury is acting up again.” Carponti turned toward the door as it opened. “Speaking of nuts, here’s my wife. I need to get mine out of her purse.”
Shane turned to see Nicole Carponti walking onto the physical therapy floor, looking polished and perfect. No one ever looked at her and thought she was a cop. It made her a perfect investigator.
It also made everyone wonder what the hell she was doing with a scruffy, red-headed sergeant like Vic Carponti, but hey, she’d stuck with him after he’d gotten blown up. And worse, through his incessant bad tricks with his prosthetic. Shane watched as Carponti kissed his wife on the cheek, then slung his good arm around her shoulders as they walked out. Shane was reasonably certain Carponti tried to pinch Nicole’s ass with his prosthetic.
Life was never dull around Carponti, that was for damn sure.
Shane finished his therapy in blessed silence and headed to the locker room to change back into his duty uniform. He took a deep breath, running his hand over his jaw. Last week, Jen had slipped her body over his, her slick heat caressing his bare erection, and Shane had almost died from the pleasure of skin on skin. No barriers. He didn’t know which one of them wanted it more—the desire painting her features had been beautiful. And she’d gotten bolder since then, driving him toward a little death each time he touched her. No matter how much he was tempted to make love to her without a goddamned condom, he would not risk her life for a few moments of pleasure.
He loved Jen. More than life itself. The vasectomy was a very real discussion he was going to have with her very soon.

 

 

 

About Jess

 

Jessica Scott is a career army officer, mother of two daughters, three cats and three dogs, wife to a career NCO and wrangler of all things stuffed and fluffy. She is a terrible cook and even worse housekeeper, but she’s a pretty good shot with her assigned weapon and someone liked some of the stuff she wrote. Somehow, her children are pretty well adjusted and her husband still loves her, despite burned water and a messy house.

 

Oprah has called her. True story.

 

Her debut novel BECAUSE OF YOU launched Loveswept, the first Random House digital imprint.

 

She’s written for the New York Times At War Blog, PBS Point of View Regarding War, and IAVA. She deployed to Iraq in 2009 as part of OIF/New Dawn and is currently a company commander stationed at Fort Hood.

 

Most recently, she’s been featured as one of Esquire Magazine’s Americans of the Year for 2012.

 

Connect with Jessica at

 Website   *   Twitter   *   Facebook   *   Goodreads

 

My thoughts:

All the readers of this blog know that I’m a bit of a sucker for anything that resembles a “man in uniform” romance. Because of this, Jessica’s series is right down my alley!

I deliberately included the excerpt above as it gives a great look at Jessica’s writing style. The story line is funny and endearing. The characters are real. The have real conversations, and at times are irreverent.  When Vic Carponti said “Speaking of nuts, here’s my wife. I need to get mine out of her purse.” I was laughing so hard, I couldn’t catch my breath to explain to my husband what was so funny.

I highly recommend Anything For You. It has humor, it has romance and it had me in tears. The perfect combination for me! The fact that Jessica Scott accomplished this in 35 pages is a testament to her skill.

 

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