WHEELS by Michelle L. Levigne

WHEELS by Michelle L. Levigne 

Tabor Heights Year Two

Natalie was the little girl across the street who adored Tommy and planned to marry him when they grew up. In the wake of Tommy's broken back and the disintegration of his family, Natalie's family left town.

She never thought she would see him again, until she was assigned to cover the Mission's handicap awareness campaign -- led by Tommy. He didn't seem to recognize her, and she didn't want to embarrass him by bringing up the past, but she had to warn him before the past found Tommy in the shape of his estranged father.

Just when was the right time, in the middle of the campaign and threats from petty criminals who were blackmailing one of Tommy's friends?

BUY THE eBOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

Excerpt

"And you are?" Tommy leaned forward. His eyebrows rose a little when she just stared into his big, chocolate eyes. "Sorry, but nobody told me a reporter was coming. I don't know who you are."

"Oh." She wished she had taken him up on that drink -- she could have splashed it on her face, and maybe generated enough steam to hide behind. "Sorry. Natalie Schaeffer."

"Right!" He leaned back, twisting sideways in his chair so he hooked his right arm over and behind the push-handle.

"You know who I am?"

"Gee, you look so young." He snorted when she shook her head, completely lost. "Natalie Schaffer. She played Mrs. Howell on 'Gilligan's Island.'"

"You are the only person in the whole world who would remember something like that. But it is a different spelling, I must point out."

"Picky, picky. There was this girl I knew when I was a kid. She made the same argument. I used to call her 'Lovey,' and sing the bars about the millionaire and his wife, and she would run away in terror. Gee, give a guy a complex. I was just a dumb kid -- how could I tell her I was passionately in love with her? It just wasn't cool for guys my age." Tommy chuckled. "That's off the record, right?"

"Oh, absolutely. Why would I want to mortally embarrass you in front of half the country?" Natalie bent her head over her notepad, thankful she had written down a list of questions she wanted to ask him. Please, please, please, don't let him recognize me now, after he said all that.

A warm glow shot through her. Tommy had been in love with her, all those years ago? She had been pleased and mortified when he teased her about her name. Maybe if she hadn't run away, she might have known? Then again, what good would it have done either of them, after her father took them to a new church, a new town, and a new state?

LIKED THE EXCERPT??  CLICK HERE TO BUY THE eBOOK

COOKING UP TROUBLE by Michelle Levigne

COOKING UP TROUBLE by  Michelle Levigne 

Tabor Heights Year Two

Audrey lives for cooking and acting. When the Randolphs experiment with dinner theater, they turn to her to head the kitchen.

Steve returns to Tabor Heights to get to know his new sister, Max. Creating a dinner theater fascinates him, and soon so does Audrey.

As Max and Tony's wedding draws near, so do paparazzi spies. After all, Max is the daughter of celebrities. When Audrey discovers a spy in her kitchen, she spins lies to protect her friends, but finds she needs protection when she is cast opposite Steve in Romeo and Juliet -- and the media speculates she's auditioning to join the celebrity family. Steve becomes her defender and partner in thwarting the paparazzi. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend," is more than true for them, but past difficulties and shameful secrets may be building a wall too thick for even friendship to endure.

BUY THE eBOOK   ***   READ THE EXCERPT

Excerpt:

"Who is this incredibly creative lady?" Carlo said, after they had laughed together and made wagers on which of their most-loathed gossip papers would release the false story first.

"Actually... She's my Juliet." Steve held his breath, and counted to eight.

"Come again?"

"I got cast as Romeo, and Audrey is Juliet."

"Oh ho." Carlo's chuckle rolled over him, warm and rich, with a touch of something that made Steve writhe a little. "Be careful to keep reality separate from the fantasy you'll create."

"Dad..."

"Tell me about her. Your mother and I have the right to know the truth about the girl we'll find out you're engaged to by the end of the run."

Steve groaned. He hadn't considered that aspect of getting up on the stage again. Working behind the scenes for eight years now, he had been able to forget what happened the last time he had a leading lady. The sad part was that the girl was so new to the limelight -- winner of a talent search competition -- she actually believed some of the stories she read, pairing her with Steve. For a short while. Fortunately, her awakening came painlessly. When one gossip sheet gave a fictitious biography for her, she realized nothing could be believed just because it was in print.

"Well... okay, she's a baker. I think I heard Max say she went to culinary school. And she's doing pastry for the wedding. She's going to be part of some experiment Joel wants to do with dinner theater..." He groaned again, silently, as he realized he didn't know much else about Audrey, other than where she lived, Max liked her, and she was a loyal member of the cast at Homespun Theater.

"Well, then, I suggest you get to know her better," Carlo said, when Steve related this. "Your leading lady holds your life in her hands, as you hold hers."

LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE eBOOK

INVITATION TO A WEDDING by Michelle L. Levigne

INVITATION TO A WEDDING by Michelle L. Levigne

A Tabor Heights, Ohio Story

Stacy Belmont was "just" the housekeeper's granddaughter, according to the social snobs in Tabor Heights, and all during their school years, Gretchen Crenshaw fought to "put her in her place" and away from Dinah Ashcroft.

Time, careers, and distance created silence between Stacy and Dinah, who had once vowed to be each other's maid of honor. When Dinah eloped with her Marine hero, Gretchen took over to help plan the blow-out reception of the decade -- and keep Stacy out in the cold.

Drake came home from seminary for the party and knew something was wrong when Stacy left Dinah's present on the back step. When he set out to right a wrong -- Stacy was practically family, after all -- he discovered how important she was to him, and not just as his sister's best friend.

BUY THE eBOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

EXCERPT

"Gretchen never called me." Stacy stopped at the head of the stairs.

"You just said you heard from her--"

"No, I overheard her in the store, loudly telling her cronies how she's the maid of honor and Dinah is depending on her for everything."

"That's only in her really warped imagination." He caught hold of her hands between his, and she realized how much her hands shook and felt icy. "Just this morning, Di said if this was her wedding, you'd still be her maid of honor."

"Really?" No way was she going to let those tears come, but it was a close battle.

"Yeah, and she's been wishing she never hooked up with Gretchen down in Virginia. You should have heard the fight they had over the favors. Di insisted on peach candy sticks and doves, but Gretchen kept saying bells and almonds are in. What doesn't she get that this is Di's party and not hers?"

"She's using the peach sticks and doves?"

Stacy lost the fight with the tears. The next thing she knew, Drake had his arms around her and she was soaking his shoulder.

"Hey, it's okay, I'm here to make sure everything works out." He sighed and tipped his head so his cheek pressed against her temple. "I know everything's a big mess right now, but honest, Stace, it's all a big mistake. We didn't mean to leave you out. Mom put your name at the top of the guest list and Di swears your name was the first one on the sheet of address labels."

"I guess I was kind of stupid, just sitting and waiting. I could have asked." She sniffled and thought about stepping out of Drake's arms, but she was afraid her wobbly knees might just fold underneath her. Besides, he smelled heavenly, spicy and warm and clean, and she would probably never again have a chance to be held tight against him like this. "I should have known your family wouldn't just shove me out in the cold, like Gre--"

"Like Gretchen has been saying we should do since you guys were in fourth grade? Yeah, like we'd let her tell us what's right and wrong?" Drake chuckled, and the sensation of his chest vibrating against her was delightful.

"Come on, Stace, you gotta come to the party. I mean, if not for Di, then for me."

"You?" A giggle burst out of her. She nearly lifted her head from his shoulder to look at him, positive he was teasing her.

"Yeah, you gotta save me. Gretchen is trying to make sure I'm her date, and I'd rather get the plague than spend the evening with her. Do it for me?"

"Oh, of course, I have to defend your honor." Stacy sniffed and raised her head. She knew better than to look into his eyes as she reluctantly stepped out of his arms. Wiping her eyes, she managed a smile. "Don't you know I'd do anything for you, Drake Ashcroft?"

LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE eBOOK

 

ACCIDENTAL HEARTS by Michelle Levigne

ACCIDENTAL HEARTS by Michelle Levigne

A Tabor Heights, Ohio Novel

Tyler Sloane's sister and her children came to live with him when her marriage exploded. A summer of carting children to activities brought him into Abby Morgan's path, and friendship grew between her niece and nephew and his.

Abby was busy with her air courier service and helping her widowed brother raise his children. Common sense said she didn't have time for a relationship -- especially with a man as accident-prone as Tyler. But there comes a time in every woman's life when she has to throw out common sense and take a chance on love. That is, if accidents would stop plaguing her and Tyler, and four mischief-makers could agree that romance isn't "gross," and they should help Aunt Abby and Uncle Ty get together.

BUY THE eBOOK *** BUY IN KINDLE *** READ THE EXCERPT *** WATCH THE VIDEO

EXCERPT

"Oh, yuck." Abby slowly stood. Strings of bright pink marred with dirty black streaks dripped from her fingers.

"What is it?" Tyler asked with that horrified expression that said he suspected what the answer would be.

"Looks like bubble gum." She turned to hide her grin. Her shoulders shook as she fought giggles.

"Did it ruin anything?"

"Well..." She scraped at the pink and black mess remaining on the cable ends. "Looks like someone was trying to make some repairs, actually."

"What?"

"These connections were snapped. Looks like someone tried to do a patch job with the bubble gum, but the heat melted it."

"Danny. And Pam. They're a matched set." He looked tired, but he grinned. "Too many MacGyver re-runs."

"This sounds good." She returned his grin. If this man had enemies, she suspected they were amusing, cute, and he had just dumped them at the camp hidden in the trees behind them. "Kids?"

"Kids." He sighed. "They broke my cell phone yesterday, otherwise I'd call for a tow. I can't fix anything."

Abby pulled her cell phone from her pocket to call Al. Why not? Her brother's kids had brought her here, so his towing business should profit.

"I'm going to kill him," Tyler said with a crooked grin that made Abby suspect he was proud of the little monster. She just nodded encouragement as she punched in Al's number. "Danny. I can't decide if he's inherited my mechanical ineptitude or not."

"How old?"

"Eight. And ten. Pam ought to know better, but that's her gum. Danny won't chew anything but grape."

"My monsters are ten and nine."

"That's right!" He slapped his thigh and gave her that crooked grin particular to men when they didn't want to admit they had done something stupid.

"Right?"

"I saw you at church a few weeks ago with your kids. You go to Tabor Christian, right?" He barely waited for her to nod she was feeling a little stunned at this point -- and gestured in the general direction of the registration pavilion, through the woods. "They looked so excited about whatever you were signing up for, I decided to check it out. That's how mine are here." He shrugged, his grin widening. "That's how I'm here, too, I guess."
LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE eBOOK

ONCE MORE LOVE by

ONCE MORE LOVE by Jean Reiner

With three adult children and 50 plus years under her belt, Liz Liner has had her share of heartache. A year was not long enough to mourn her beloved husband Larry. But loneliness is a hard burden to shoulder, even when she has her faith to comfort her, and Philip is an attractive man.

Even after seven years of being alone, Philip still misses his wife Trish. He’s dated a number of women since her death, but none of them touched him deeply like Trish. Now that he’s approaching his sixtieth birthday, he’s nearly given up on love. But then he meets Liz, and he’s instantly attracted. Perhaps there’s still a chance for him.

It should be simple, but Liz and Philip are from different faiths. From their friends and family to the clergy, everyone seems to be against their relationship.

Can their love stand strong against the disappointments and trials that lay ahead of them? Or will other’s prejudices prevent them from finding happily ever after?

BUY THE eBOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

An Excerpt from: Once More Love

Copyright © 2012 Jean Reiner

All rights reserved, Wild Child Publishing.

Liz walked back to the window. “Here you are and thank you,” she said to the two women as she handed them their tickets. She blew a loose hair on her forehead. She looked through the stack again, wishing all the tickets would be gone. Unfortunately, there were still a few left.

“Hey, don’t stop there,” Mary said. “Tell me more about Margo.”

“I was thinking of watching the play tonight, but I don’t think I want to see it with someone else in the role of Margo. I loved doing her so much.”

Clapping her hands together, she laughed and said, “I loved saying, ‘Fasten your seat belts, it’s going to be a bumpy night!’ I was so excited when I won the Best Actress in a Musical award for that role. I’ll always cherish having been given the opportunity to play that part. Larry said he was so proud of me.” The smile died on her lips. Here I am working box office tonight, and Larry isn’t...No don’t go there again. She lowered her eyelids trying to hide the hurt she felt. It was so hard to accept the fact that he was gone. I miss Larry as much today as when it first happened. Why did it have to happen? She clenched her hands into tight fists. Her chin dropped to her chest.

She was so lost in her thoughts that a light rapping on the ledge of the window startled her. The rapping was followed by a deep, icy voice. “Sorry, I don’t mean to disturb you, but we do need our tickets.”

Liz turned to look at Mary who shrugged in helplessness since she was busy handling a complaint about seating. Liz blushed as she rushed to rifle through the tickets. “I beg your pardon. I am so sorry.” Her voice took on a crisp, business-like edge. “Your name, please?” She looked up at the intruder. She saw a very distinguished looking gentleman. He had beautiful grey hair and blue eyes that seemed to be smiling at her. How could that be after he’d just been so sarcastic? He was quite a bit taller than she. Liz decided he must be close to six feet. Their eyes met and locked. There appeared to be a challenge in his look. Liz had the strangest feeling.

Have we met before? I think I would have remembered.

“The name is Philip McCaffery,” he said.

Liz looked through the ticket tray twice. “I’m sorry Mr. Caffery, but I don’t

see your tickets.” She tried to keep him from seeing her shaking hands.

“I said McCaffery,” he replied, “Caffery the way you said it but with a Mac in front.” He laughed.

Liz’s embarrassment grew. “I didn’t understand. I’m sorry. I had a feeling that I shouldn’t be here tonight.” A sigh of relief escaped her when she located his tickets. “Oh, yes, I’m sorry, here they are.” She handed him the envelope with the two tickets in it just as a tall, pretty blonde woman joined him.

“This had better be good,” Philip said to his companion in a joking yet threatening way. The lights in the lobby flickered a warning causing the noise in the lobby to dim as the crowd moved toward the theater area. Liz watched as the woman settled her arm in the crook of his elbow.

With a bemused shake of her head, the blonde looked at Liz. “I can’t take him anywhere.” A warm smile lit her face. Extracting her arm from Philip’s, she said, “Well, hello, Liz. I’m Betty Pollard. It’s been such a long time since I’ve seen you.” Her hand came to rest on her companion’s shoulder.

Liz’s eyes followed her every move. She’d had that wonderful kind of familiarity with Larry. There was that jealousy again. She returned the smile, but not with the same warmth. Her hands and eyes returned to the ticket tray.

Betty’s smile grew broader. “I was in Applause with you. I know you don’t remember me. I was one of the chorus girls.” She laughed. “I don’t think you could tell that by looking at me today.” She frowned as she looked down at herself.

Liz looked at Betty’s still well-proportioned, albeit heavier body, and broadened her smile. “You still look pretty to me.”

A smile replaced her frown as Betty continued, “You may not remember me but I remember how wonderful you were as Margo.”

All this flattery caused Liz to be a little nervous and more than slightly self-conscious. Liz pushed her hand through her hair. “Thank you. Thanks for the compliment. I do remember you,” she fibbed. “I’m surprised and pleased you remembered me after all this time.” Liz smiled naturally now. Meeting someone who had been in a play with her brought back all the pleasures of the play. She was relaxed and in a better mood.

Philip’s gaze never left Liz’s flushed, smiling, animated face. She could feel him staring at her. She felt her blush deepen. Her face and hands felt warm. She blotted her lip again. She talked to Betty, but she knew he was staring at her. Why is he looking at me that way? Why do I like the fact that he’s looking at me?

LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE eBOOK

THE MISSION by Michelle L. Levigne

THE MISSION by Michelle Levigne

A Tabor Heights, Ohio Novel

Thanks to the Arc Foundation, the renovations Claire wanted for the Mission could now become reality. First on the list was a new head custodian to oversee the repairs. She welcomed Paul Hunter and his 5-year-old daughter Sammy, and was thankful for his wholehearted dedication to the Mission -- until she realized one of her deepest fears was having someone take over. Was Paul an ally, or a threat?

Paul welcomed a chance to take his daughter away from his hometown with its painful past and people who preferred to believe the lies about him and his dead wife. Tabor and the Mission were the fresh start and the ministry he had been looking for. He didn't even mind when Sammy took one look at Claire and asked if she was her new mother -- at least, not too much. He wasn't quite sure if he was ready to fall in love again, but if he ever did, Claire would be at the top of his list.

When painful remnants of their pasts followed both Claire and Paul to Tabor Heights, their growing, changing relationship and their faith in God were put to the test. Could they open up their hearts to each other enough to survive, and possibly make the new family that Sammy wanted?

BUY THE eBOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

EXCERPT

Paul pulled the truck into the Holwoods' driveway and climbed out. Brock started making introductions. Paul stepped forward to shake Nikki's hand and the movement revealed a little figure curled up on the bench seat, just starting to stir. Claire barely heard Brock introduce her to Paul, who saw the direction of her gaze and turned back to the cab.

"Hey, sleepy." He reached in and gathered up a bundle of platinum curls, bare feet, and faded denim. Claire felt her face heat up. Proven wrong twice in less than ten minutes. This was not the rebellious adolescent she had envisioned. Sammy Hunter couldn't be more than five years old. An adorable, sleepy five years old. Paul cuddled her close, rubbed her back, and whispered to her as she scrubbed her eyes. When the child finally had both eyes open, her father introduced her to the three adults. Claire couldn't help comparing Paul Hunter with Rich Thomas, his obvious tenderness for his child versus the casual affection the fugitive custodian had sometimes spattered on his adoring little girl.

No doubt about it: Sammy Hunter was wanted long before she was born. Not an accident and burden like poor little Aurora Thomas.

"And this lady is Miss Donnelly. She's Daddy's new boss, too," Paul said, turning Sammy to face her.

"Miss Claire," she responded with a smile. "All the children call me that. I'm so glad to finally meet you, Sammy."

Claire felt her heart twist when the little girl's face lit up slowly, like sunrise. She sat up straight in her father's arms.

"Is she my new mommy?"

"Sammy--" Paul blushed a red so intense it was almost neon. "Miss Donnelly--"

"I prayed really hard," the child continued. "I asked God for a new mommy. I want you."

"Why?" Claire had to ask. She could barely speak, caught between an onslaught of tears, laughter, panic and hunger. Her arms actually ached with the need to cuddle Sammy close.

LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE eBOOK

WHITE ROSES by Michelle Levigne

WHITE ROSES by Michelle Levigne

A Tabor Heights, Ohio Novel

Twenty years ago, Toni's sister, Angel, was killed by her secret boyfriend. Now, the White Rose Killer is stalking and killing young women, searching for his true love. Toni is sure this is the same boy who killed Angel, grown to be a dangerous man.

Curt, assistant editor at the Tabor Picayune, has the same theory. They team up in a race against time to dig through the past to identify Angel's killer, before he chooses, terrorizes, and kills another victim.

To protect Toni from being chosen as the White Rose's next 'true love,' Curt and Toni pretend to be involved. Reluctant partnership turns to friendship and then to something more, but will it last beyond the unmasking of the killer?

BUY THE eBOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

EXCERPT

"Donovan said he'd get somebody started checking places that supply greenhouses, and places that would provide building materials. But wouldn't they report something like that being stolen?" She brought the pot over to the table, shoved aside a stack of papers, and put it on a trivet in the center of the table.

Curt inhaled deeply of the fragrant steam rising out of the pot and groaned. "That is not jar sauce. Please tell me you made it."

"Gotta have something to do when you're frustrated and you can't get to the gym." Toni blushed and grinned and stepped over to the refrigerator to pull out a big bowl of salad. "With a name like Napolitano, I better be able to make a decent pot of sauce."

"You are the perfect woman. Marry me."

Curt held his breath and went stone still, afraid to look at Toni. She, on the other hand, started dishing up the spaghetti as if she hadn't heard what he said. If she did hear, she didn't react. He slowly, cautiously released his breath, and congratulated himself that Toni knew him so well, she knew he was joking.

That was good, wasn't it?

"What if Donovan doesn't find any report of that greenhouse panel being stolen?" Toni continued, as she dished up her own spaghetti.

"How much surplus do you think anyone has sitting around?" he countered, and concentrated on twirling strands around his fork. He flinched when Toni reached over and slapped his hand.

"Bless the mess before you eat, okay?" She grinned at him when he looked up at her, startled and half-guilty.

Curt nearly took hold of her hands before he bowed his head to pray, just like he had seen dating couples do at Singles outings for church. That urge scared him, so he ended up clasping his hands together tightly in his lap. What was wrong with him lately?

For a few minutes after he said 'amen,' neither one said anything, busy with scooping up salad and putting dressing on it. He groaned at the first spicy, rich taste of the dark red spaghetti sauce. In college, he had lived on spaghetti and other inexpensive food, but instead of getting sick of it, Curt had turned himself into a connoisseur. Toni's creation ranked up there with the best he had ever tasted. She laughed when he told her so.

"Flattery will get you a quart to take home, if you really like it that much."

"Forget about taking it home. I'll drink it instead of coffee."

"Low blood sugar. Definitely. You're getting loopy." She picked through her salad bowl for a moment. "Okay, the greenhouse panel. What if it was never reported stolen because the White Rose owns a greenhouse?"

"That'd make sense. They've been trying to use the roses as a lead, but no luck." Curt chewed for a minute or two while he thought it over. "He grows roses for himself, to give his victims."

"I didn't see anything about greenhouses or even belonging to a garden club, when I looked through the list. Did you?" Toni sighed and shrugged when Curt thought a moment and shook his head. "Got the feeling we'll spend the whole evening looking through the disks Baxter gave us?"

"Just keep the spaghetti coming."

Toni laughed, and that suited Curt just fine.

LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE eBOOK

EMBRACING THE LEMONADE LIFE by Sandra Sookoo

EMBRACING THE LEMONADE LIFE by Sandra Sookoo

When life gives you lemons, use them for lemonade or let them sour your life.

Clara Tildon, a cancer survivor, has no time for defeatism. She's opened up the Cute as a Button B & B in Bridgewater, Indiana, and along with her guinea pig, is embracing the lemonade lifestyle. It was always how she wanted to live. Everything is perfect, except for the nagging sensation that she would still like to fall in love.

Jake Yates has returned to Bridgewater, the town he grew up in, for his friend's wedding and he's not happy about it. He got out once and coming back, even for a visit, is not on his agenda. The people of Bridgewater can keep their small town life, it's in his past and that's where he intends it to stay. Even loneliness can't make him reconsider his decisions.

A chance meeting. A fleeting kiss. Suddenly two polar opposites get a unique chance at love. But can Clara give up living in the moment long enough to see Jake as an opportunity she needs to plan for? Can Jake alter his well-laid plans to fit Clara in his life? Or will they both let love get away?

BUY THE eBOOK ***   BUY IN KINDLE   ***   READ THE EXCERPT   ***   WATCH THE TRAILER

EXCERPT

She held up a hand, palm outward. "Let me finish. However long I have, I have, okay? I intend to live that time to the fullest. If you can't deal with this fact, you need to go. I'm full up on pity." How would he react? Would he indeed leave, feeling rebuffed and reprimanded? Her stomach churned. This was one of the things she hated about being sick. The wondering, the reworking of relationships because you never knew why people were being nice to you.

"That'll be a little hard to do." He fiddled with a few hollowed out lemon halves, refusing to meet her gaze.

"Why?" He'd caught her off guard. She burned with curiosity to know what he meant. The detritus from making lemonade still lay scattered on the tabletop. Needing something to occupy her hands, she whisked the pitcher away, carrying it to the faucet and began to add cold water to the lemon juice and sugar already inside.

"I've cleared my schedule for the rest of the week. You'd better let me know if you're planning on tossing me out. If you are, I'm temporarily homeless."

Surprised at his announcement, she shut off the water, spinning around with the pitcher still clutched in her fingers, and crashed right into Jake's chest. Lemonade sloshed all over him, her and the floor. Everything smelled like a lemon grove. "You did what?" She brushed a bit of peel from the front of his red sweatshirt. "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay. I said I wanted to taste the famous lemonade. You interpreted that as bathing me in it. No big deal but I'd much rather share a soak in a bathtub with you instead."

Tiny fires licked at her insides as her chest tightened from his teasing. No words sprang to mind to answer him.

"Listen, Clara." He stepped into her flight path. Sincerity and humor lit his eyes. "I'm taking the week off. To stay here -- with you." Gently, he tugged the empty pitcher from her and dropped it into the sink where it bounced against the stainless steel with a clatter.

"Why?" She could hardly think when her heart raced so fast. A drop of lemonade clung heroically from his chin.

Jake shrugged. "A lot of reasons but mainly you and this town have a hold on me I can't shake. It's best I investigate the reason, don't you think, unless you want me to clear out so you can have your house all to yourself again?"

"Uh, no. Please stay." Oh my God, wishing on the star worked! Now what do I do? Pinned between him and the sink, she ducked out of his grasp and gathered the used lemon halves. She couldn't very well leap across the room and hug him, right? Well, I could but I'd look even crazier than I already do. She bit the inside of her lip. Crud. The trouble with living life in the moment was sometimes, you either needed more than that one moment or you became trapped in it. There wasn't an easy escape and she didn't know if she wanted to run from what hovered on the outskirts. Might as well make the best of it and see what happens. "Actually, I'm glad because you're not ready to go back to the big city. You're not a cynic at heart, I think." Before he could say anything, she lobbed a lemon shell at him, snorting when it bounced off his shoulder.

His expression went from sincere to downright mischievous in the blink of an eye. "Is that right?" Darting to the table, he scooped up a few rinds and chucked them her way in rapid precision.

Clara screeched, taking cover behind a small, wheeled work cart. "That's not fair!" She threw another shell. This one missed him to plop in the lemonade lake on the floor.

"Nothing's fair when there's a kitchen war." He hurled a new rind. This one glanced off the top of her head.

LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE BOOK

FORGIVEN by Michelle Levigne

FORGIVEN by Michelle Levigne
A Tabor Heights, Ohio Novel

Four years ago, Nikki James ran away from home to be with Brock Pierson. She was 17, and he was 25. They both thought they were in love, but Brock had dangerous secrets that nearly killed Nikki -- and did kill their baby shortly after she was born.

Now, Nikki works for the Arc Foundation, a philanthropic organization. She has her life back on track, and her spiritual life as well. Arc sends her home to Tabor Heights, to assess the Mission and determine if Arc should partner with Nikki's home chuch to fund the Mission and expand its outreach.

Nikki has to face the people who watched her grow up and who know the mess she made of her life. She has to face the boy who broke her heart in high school -- and drove her into Brock's arms.

And she has to face Brock, because he is out of jail and determined to make up for his past crimes -- and win her heart back.

The only problem is that some dangerous men from Brock's past have followed him to Tabor Heights as well.

BUY THE eBOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

EXCERPT

"Could I see her grave?" he asked, getting up slowly, like a creaky old grandfather, from the bench against the wall parallel to the stairs. It was a good guess that he had been waiting for her to come downstairs again.

Nikki was just too tired to argue. This wasn't like all the times she swallowed misgivings to make Brock happy. She wasn't scalding her conscience and building a callous that let her do stupid things. She would never throw aside what she knew was right to make someone else happy, ever again. No matter how much she thought she loved him. No matter how much she thought he loved her.

This was keeping the peace, so he would leave as quickly and quietly as possible. Still, she couldn't help resisting a little bit.

"Why? She's not really there."

"I know that. It's just... I was getting all geared up to learn how to be a daddy... and now I'll never know."

"If I had aborted her like you ordered me, there wouldn't even be a marker."

"Nikki!" He stomped away a few steps, whirled and spread his arms as if he would lunge at her. Or hug her. Nikki held her ground, stunned to realize she hoped he would hit her so she could fight back. Vincent and Joan had taught her to hold her ground and defend herself -- but never to provoke arguments, never trick someone into attacking her. What was wrong with her?

Arguing and deliberately baiting someone wasn't approved behavior for a representative of the Arc Foundation. Nikki knew Joan and the Carters would be disappointed, at the very least.

Worse, Jesus would be disappointed. She worked for the Arc Foundation to do good in the world, to heal wounds -- and here she was picking at her own wounds, and Brock's, deliberately making them worse. What was wrong with her? Was it just fatigue? Or hadn't she healed as much as she thought?

LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE BOOK

FIRESONG by Michelle Levigne

FIRESONG - A Tabor Heights, Ohio Story From Michelle Levigne

Dani Paul's parents died when she was eleven. She threw herself into her brother and cousins' fledgling band and devoted herself to ministry. Nine years later, Firesong was ready to break into the big-time.

Kurt Green came back to Tabor Heights to prepare for a crusade and celebrate his cousin Katie's marriage to Dani's brother, Andy. As the summer wore on, he found more and more in common with Dani -- music, dedication to ministry, love for Katie and Andy, pain and faith during tragedy, and a belief that ministry and marriage didn't mix. But Kurt realized he might be wrong, especially where Dani was concerned.

Now he just had to convince her that two could handle a traveling ministry just as well, if not better, than one.

BUY THE BOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

EXCERPT

Kurt stood in the back of the auditorium with his mouth hanging open and didn't care if anyone saw him. He had been impressed at the Mission, but that had been Firesong having fun with friends. Here, this was Firesong polished and sparkling, professional without being slick. Dani glowed, even when the spotlight didn't track her as the lead.

He wished he had a dozen roses to give her when she walked off the stage. He wished he had the right to kiss her when he told her how wonderfully the band performed.

"Hot stuff," the bass player for the White Knights said, with a chuckle just loud enough for Kurt to hear. The only reason they had come to the opening meeting of the conference was because there was nothing else to do on campus. "Think we can get her to quit those dweebs and sing with us?"

"Wonder which one she belongs to?" the drummer said.

"Three are her cousins," Kurt said, leaning over the back of the seats, close enough to smell the musky perfume someone had bathed in. "The one at the keyboard is her big brother. Lay one hand on her, and they'll break more than your drumsticks."

For once, he saw something like respect in the snot's face. Kurt wished he could have made stronger threats. He felt soiled, as if it were his fault these immature hypocrites ogled Dani.

Still, how could anyone not want to get close enough to look in her eyes and hold her hand, put an arm around her and even dare to taste the sweetness of her kiss? Dani was the epitome of the inner beauty Paul had praised in his epistle. It wasn't her fault that it made cretins want to own her.

"Please, Lord," Kurt whispered as Firesong slid into their third number of the evening, "keep her safe."

He fully intended to hand the White Knights over to a conference worker at the end of the opening ceremonies and hurry backstage to congratulate Firesong and warn them, but his cell phone rang. The crusade team in Tabor Heights had an emergency -- the fairgrounds had been booked for the crusade for eight months now, but now the administrators suddenly claimed someone else had priority. A one-day event in the middle of the crusade week. Kurt wished he could simply pass the task of straightening things out to someone else, but he was the leader of the team for another month, until his superiors came to town and took over. He also knew who to call and what buttons to push and strings to pull.

He handed the White Knights over to another guard and hurried off to do his most important job. He would have to trust God to keep Dani safe.

LIKED THE EXCERPT??  CLICK HERE TO BUY THE BOOK

BEHIND THE SCENES by Michelle Levigne

BEHIND THE SCENES - A Tabor Heights, Ohio Novel by Michelle Levigne

Max Randolph and Tony Martin were best friends and writing partners. She had moments of wishing for something more, something warmer, closer, in their relationship, but with the specter of her mother's mistakes when she had been a Hollywood starlet -- resulting in Max's birth -- she wasn't about to risk what she had by reaching for something that Tony probably wasn't interested in at all.

It took a writer-in-residence job and an extended stay away from Tabor Heights to make Tony realize what he wanted most -- Max, in every part of his life.

Then Max's parents were involved in a brutal accident and Tony rushed home to Tabor Heights to support her and her brothers. He promised Max she would never be alone again -- but with a Shakespearean production and book deadlines and stolen identities to deal with, when would things calm down enough for him to tell her everything that was part of that promise?

BUY THE BOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT


EXCERPT

Brenda stayed after rehearsal that night to get Tony's opinion on her latest short story. She and Max hung up costumes while he read. Max knew better than to watch him and try to predict his opinion from his face. Brenda hadn't learned that lesson yet, and she kept running into Max because she didn't watch where she went.

To make matters worse, every time they ran into each other, Brenda contorted her face, obviously trying to communicate something without speaking. Finally, Max caught her by the arm and led her around the shelving to give them a little privacy.

"What?" she whispered.

"He loves you." Brenda smirked and crossed her arms and leaned back against the shelving full of glassware.

"What?" Max barely remembered to keep her voice down, instead of shrieking it.

"You said that if Tony really loved you, he would jump on the next plane and come back from California. And he did that, didn't he?"

"He drove. No plane."

"Details, details." She slid an arm around Max's shoulders, drawing her closer. "So? How was it?"

"How was what?" She felt a little breathless, and about two steps behind. Nothing else. She couldn't seem to get her brain to keep up with Brenda. Maybe that was a good thing?

"The kiss." Brenda groaned and shook her twice. "I figure when a guy confesses his all-consuming passion, that demands a great kiss. So, was it great?"

"He didn't confess anything. And the way he smelled after driving all that way without stopping... no way was I going to offer." Max shivered, remembering how close she had come to kissing Tony. If her brothers and Rose hadn't been there, she suspected even the aroma of dirty clothes and hair wouldn't have stopped her.

"He didn't..." She scowled. "Well, did you confess to him?"

"Are you nuts?"

"No, but I think both of you are hopeless." Brenda sniffed, turned sharply on her heel, and stalked back to where Tony read and waited.

LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE BOOK

A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER by Kay Stockham

MARLEY ENTERED her parents’ house and listened intently. How could anyone be that quiet?

“Mama, you home?” She walked through the foyer and into the kitchen, carrying the miniature sunflower she’d bought at the nursery.

It had been a successful trip, not as expensive as she’d thought it would be, so she hummed as she searched the cabinets for a plastic plate to go underneath the pot. She found what she needed in her mother’s old entertaining stash gathering dust in the pantry. At the sink, a quick flip of the tap watered the dry soil.

Marley smiled down at the bright flower, amazed how something so simple could cheer her up on just about any given day. There was something about growing things, nurturing them from seeds and watching them blossom into something beautiful.

Please let her like it.

“What are you doing?”

At the edge she heard in the softly spoken query Marley froze, then pasted a smile back on her lips before turning to face her mother. She was still in her housecoat, the burgundy and black colors fading her already pale complexion to ghostlike extremes. At forty-five, Donna Pierce appeared older, the lines and grooves around her mouth and eyes telling a traumatic story.

“I, um, dropped by to bring you this.” She forced into her tone a cheeriness she didn’t feel. “Isn’t it beautiful? I thought you’d like the reds and oranges, and the pot matches the kitchen. Can’t beat that, right?”

Her mother didn’t move, much less look at the pot. “It’s very nice, Marley, but you shouldn’t have bothered.”

“Oh, it was no bother. I thought you’d like it so I--”

“You know how forgetful I am these days. It won’t get watered properly and then you’ll have wasted your money.”

So much for being appreciative. Strained, Marley glanced around the immaculate kitchen and noted that the housekeeper had come recently to clean. “Um... Have you eaten lunch? I thought we could--”

“Roberta is dropping by soon,” her mother said with a glance at her watch. “I need to get dressed and... She said we have a lot to talk about.”

“Oh. Well, maybe I could get lunch and bring it back for u--” She broke off when she spied the look of utter panic flickering across her mother’s face. “I guess not.” Marley wet her dry lips. “Mama, are you ever going to feel comfortable having me around your friends again?”

Her mother wrung her hands. “I don’t know what you mean. If you want to stay, Marley, stay.”

Now that was a warm invitation. Marley shook her head, an attempt to fend off the hurt threatening her. Dwelling on it only made it worse. “You know what, forget it. I’ve got a lot of work to do today and you don’t see your friends that often. Just forget I asked.”

Her mother padded over to the cabinet and after retrieving a glass, she poured herself some water. Her hands trembled as she pulled a small, brown bottle from her pocket and shook out a tiny white pill.

Marley stepped closer, watching her. “Are you sick?”

“No. It’s just—it’s just something Dr. Bourke gave me to calm my nerves when... when I get upset.”

Like when I’m around? Marley fisted her hands and refused to give in to the tears stinging her eyes. She had to stop reading things into her mother’s comments, but how could she not after “the incident”? “Dr. Myners was your doctor for years. Why did you switch?”

Casual conversation was good. They needed to stick with it. Build a bridge over the past since they couldn’t seem to wade through it no matter how hard she tried to make up for embarrassing her mother with a teenage pregnancy.

“I still see him.” Her mother placed the pill on her tongue with the delicateness of a Duchess at tea and swallowed, taking a drink before setting the cup aside.

Desperate, Marley stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her mom, but the moment she did she felt the tension, the awkwardness, and her hopes fell as they always did. Five years and counting and her mother still hadn’t forgiven her. “I love you, Ma.”
Order A Christmas To Remember

From the book A Christmas To Remember by Kay Stockham Harlequin Superromance ® November 2007, ISBN 978-0373714537, ©2007 Dorma Kay Stockham.
Cover Copyright ©2007 Harlequin Enterprises Limited ® and T are trademarks of the publisher. The excerpt published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A. For more romance information surf to: http://www.eHarlequin.com

HIS PERFECT WOMAN by Kay Stockham

His small-town practice would be heaven if it weren't for the women hounding Dr. Bryan Booker. Tired of playing games and dodging passes, the handsome doctor is resigned to staying single. Until he's guilted into hiring a new office assistant, and she makes him consider changing his mind.

Melissa York is a big surprise. Despite all she's been through, she's tough, bold and beautiful. But can the town's most-sought-after bachelor persuade the survivor who thinks she's damaged goods that when he looks at her he sees his perfect wife?

A beauiful, touching story about life after cancer by Kay Stockham.

BUY THE BOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

Excerpt:

Melissa locked the front door to the practice that evening and forced herself not to drop her head to the surface with a groan.

“It wasn’t what you thought.”

Tensing, she squared her shoulders. Smiling was more difficult, but she managed a weak attempt. “Your sex life is none of my business.”

“I didn’t have sex with her in the exam room.”

“Sneak her into your office instead?” Shut up, shut up, shut up! “Sorry. It’s been a long day.” She didn’t look at him as she stalked over to the desk.

“For the record, I didn’t invite her into my office or anywhere else in the practice for a quickie. I don’t sleep with married women.”

Relief poured through her at his words. “Good for you. Especially if you’re serious about this fund-raiser. A big no-no is sleeping with the mayor’s wife. People have a tendency to frown on such things, and he won by a landslide.”

“Amanda was a mistake I made when I first moved here. I ended it right afterward, but she hasn’t taken the hint and comes back periodically to try again.”

“I’m sure the mayor appreciates that.” Melissa yanked open the drawer that held her purse. She was going home. Then maybe to the B and B. Some time spent baby snuggling would surely lower her BP, and right now it had to be sky-high. Not woman enough?

It didn’t take a woman to sleep around or cheat on a husband. In her opinion, it took one not to.

“Melissa.” Bryan turned her to face him. “I’m sorry she took her anger with me out on you.”

“Forget it.” She pulled away. “I know exactly what I am, and she’s right.”

“Right in what way?”

“Oh, please, isn’t it obvious? You practically made a puddle right there on the floor when she flashed her cleavage at you! And that remark about being woman enough? It takes more than playing the sex kitten to be ‘woman enough.’”

“Then we agree, but how is she right?”

“Because it’s also normal to think a female with bib boobs and a decent set of features is attractive, married or not, and that’s how she’s right—because men have brainwashed women to measure their worth through the size of their breasts, and regardless of my history and what people know about me, I’m woman enough to realize that isn’t true.”

“What if I told you it’s not just women who can make the distinction?” he argued. “What if I said guys like more than breasts in a woman?”

She raised her brows high and her arms crossed over her front—her flat front. “I’d say you’re wrong. There’s no need to lie or sugarcoat the obvious. Guys like breasts. Her comment didn’t hurt me, what hurts is the fact that the general population thinks the same way she does.”

“Why do you think that?”

Swallowing, she rolled her eyes, her anger surging up with tidal-wave strength and gushing out of her. “The first thing guys notice is a woman’s breasts, the bounce, the jiggle, whether or not their shirt is see-through. But if a woman doesn’t have the necessary body parts or, let’s say she does and they’re not to the guy’s satisfaction, then lo and behold, he suggests augmentation. It comes down to this—guys can be less than impressive, but heaven forbid a woman doesn’t have a body like a model, the breasts of a porn star or the sex drive of a teenaged boy because that upsets them! Men have no idea what real women are like—and neither does Amanda Warner.”

His mouth turned down at the corners. “You can’t lump men into a single category. Not all of us are obsessed with breasts.”

She snorted. What did he know about not being perfect? “Yeah, well, argue all you want, but when faced with someone like me in bed I’d bet you’d be all talk and no action.”

Silence.

Melissa stared up into Bryan’s face, her heart pounding so rapidly she actually saw spots in front of her eyes. Had she really just gone off on Bryan like a bitter, breastless shrew? He was her boss! Her words had come out like a challenge. Like she begged him to–

Whirling, breathless, Melissa grabbed her purse and ran for the back door, well aware Bryan’s eyes bored a whole into her back. What had she done? What had she said?

She’d never be able to face Bryan again.

LIKED THE EXCERPT?? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE BOOK

DETOURS by Michelle Levigne

DETOURS: A Tabor Heights, Ohio Novel from Michelle Levigne

A year in the life: Bekka, Kat and Amy share an apartment and each other's ups and downs, tragedies and dramas and dreams. Bekka doesn't envy her roommates' various romances, considering herself too busy with work, school, and writing for a relationship, but she can't help wishing when Shane shows up - to date Kat. Shane is busy with work and school and some relationship problems of his own. He can't seem to catch a break, or catch up with Bekka long enough to get to know her better. One way or another, he's going to ask her out, if she'll sit still long enough for him to ask her.


BUY THE BOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

EXCERPT

Amy and Kat went grocery shopping that evening, leaving Bekka totally alone in the apartment for the first time in what felt like days. She had just pulled out her cover slick and the letter from Chuck Winters, her first real chance to study the packet he had sent, when the doorbell rang. It was Shane.

"Kat's not here," slipped out before Bekka could really think.

"I know." He tipped back his Stetson off his forehead and lounged against the doorframe. "Where have you been hiding?"

"Me? Hiding?" Bekka blushed when her voice squeaked.

"Yeah. I never see you anywhere."

"I'm usually somewhere in Kat's shadow."

"Oh." Now it was his turn to color a little. "Sorry about that. Hey, I was thinking about you and those swords..." He looked over her shoulder into the apartment, but the piles of costumes and props had finally vanished after a long afternoon of sorting and folding and ridding. "A lot of things, actually. They're having a silent movie festival at the Cinematique at the Cleveland Institute of Art tonight. All the swashbucklers, mostly Fairbanks. Want to go?"

"What about parasailing at the islands?"

"Just said that to rile up Kat. You think I want to spend the day with some guy who wears a stupid pancake hat and uses a fake accent to pick up girls?"

"I wondered," she admitted, a tiny snort of laughter escaping her.

"So, what do you say?"

"Well... I'm tempted."

"Hey, don't ever let it be said I try to tempt girls... not that I mind." He grinned and leaned a little closer. Bekka felt something melt inside when she noticed the crystalline gray rings around his pupils. "So, what do you say?"

"I'm sorry. I'm probably going to kick myself in the morning, but I don't date guys on the rebound and I especially don't take my roommates' leavings. It's a stupid pride thing, I know, but that's the way I am."

"Not on the rebound." Shane straightened up. There was a definite hurt look in his eyes, but a moment later that sparkle of laughter returned. "Came back too quick, huh? Would you believe me when I said I'm not upset about Kat at all? I heard about her two-date rule and..." He sighed. "I actually was trying to talk to you for a long time, but with all the trouble over at Homespun and Mr. Randolph, and then everything else going on..." He tipped his Stetson back a little further on his head. "I kept calling here to talk to you, but somehow I kept ending up with Kat."

Bekka felt fluttery and hollow inside. Was Shane saying what she thought he was saying?

"Anyway, I was asking her what everybody was doing once the play was over, and she got all upset about canceling our date, and the next thing I knew, we were set for this morning." He grinned. "Can't tell you how relieved I was to see that bozo standing there, expecting to go on a date with her."

"Then why did you argue with him?" Bekka's mouth actually hurt from fighting not to grin. Her throat felt stiff with the effort of holding back her laughter.

"Total macho stupidity, y'know?" "Uh huh." She felt her self-control slipping, and that grin slipped out.

"Tell me something, would you?"

"Why does Kat only go on two dates?"

"Kat who?" Shane stretched out his arms, bracing himself in the doorframe instead of leaning against it.

Okay, she decided. That was exactly the right answer. She took a step backwards into the apartment, feeling her heart beating a little harder, a little faster, though she wasn't quite sure why.

LIKED THE EXCERPT??? CLICK HERE TO BUY THE BOOK