Contemporary
Romance: Author Guest Post - Mark Love
About the Author:
Yes, my name really is Mark Love. I am a
Michigan native, who up until recently lived in the metropolitan Detroit area,
where crime and corruption always seem to be at the top of everyone’s news. So
there is always the chance to find something that can trigger a story idea and
enough interesting characters to jump start your imagination.
While I have worked in many industries and
career paths over the years, one of my passions has always been writing. I was
even able to parlay that passion for a while, working as a freelance reporter
for a couple of newspapers in the Detroit area. Writing features and hard news
helped me hone my talents. But while newspaper work was interesting and paid a
few bills, it was a far cry from the fiction writing that I enjoy the most.
I’ve always been drawn to mysteries and
thrillers, the kind of stories that have a fast pace that keep you moving and
keep you guessing as to what’s going to take place next. Mix those in with some
elements of crime, perhaps a glimpse of the seedier side and you’ve got me. So
it’s always been one of my goals to write stories like that.
Currently I have two self published mystery
novels on Amazon. With the release of “Vanishing Act”, I now have two Jamie
Richmond mysteries with Sweet Cravings Publishing. While it is a kick to have
these available as ebooks now, I’m looking forward to this fall when they will be
available in paperback.
Author Contact Links:
Book Blurb - Vanishing Act
Jamie Richmond is still discovering
her way in the romantic relationship with the mysterious Malone when her best
friend Linda Davis comes home. The
beautiful Linda suddenly finds herself swept up in a whirlwind romance of her
own with an older man, Dr. Vincent Schulte. But not everything is all champagne
and flowers for Linda. She suddenly realizes she’s become the target of a
stalker. The problem escalates. Jamie is determined to protect her friend, but
even she is at a loss when Linda suddenly disappears one cold, snowy day. The police are searching for clues. Despite
Malone’s attempts to keep Jamie on the sidelines, she is driven to find out
what happened to Linda and where she could be. Despite her best intentions,
Jamie has once again put herself in danger while trying to unravel the mystery.
Buy Link:
Excerpt:
In this scene, Jamie and her best friend Linda are
discussing Linda’s new relationship with Vince, who Jamie set her up with for
New Year’s Eve. This takes place about a
month later.
So we pulled
into a coffee shop that she likes to frequent. I got a slice of iced lemon loaf
and a cup of tea. Linda got a vanilla coffee and a raspberry muffin. I waited
until we were seated at a little table far from the doorway or anyone else.
“So are you
going to tell me what’s going on, Linda? You’ve been beaming a thousand watt
smile since you picked me up.”
I saw the
color radiate on her cheeks. She lowered her eyes and took a sip of her coffee.
I waited. Finally she drew a deep breath and raised her face.
“I think I’m
in love,” she said quietly.
I sat back
in amazement. This was the same woman, who, not three weeks ago, had sworn that
they were just getting to know each other, just going to take it slow. Suddenly
she was talking love. Before I could respond, she waved a hand at me.
“Just be
quiet and listen, Jamie. I know that’s difficult for you, but please just hear
me out.”
I tore a
corner off the pastry and popped it into my mouth, then closed my eyes to savor
the lemony sweetness, and let it dissolve on my tongue. I imagined this was how
a sunbeam would taste. When it was gone, I opened my eyes and gazed at her. I
extended my right hand and just looked at her.
“Vince came
over last night. I wanted to cook for him, so I made shrimp with angel hair
pasta. You know the way I do it, with mushrooms, red peppers and fresh parmesan
cheese.”
My stomach growled. It’s one
of her signature dishes. I started to comment but Linda waved me quiet.
“So
we had some good, Italian wine, a white one that really went well with the
pasta. I had the stereo on, something soft like Diana Krall and Van Morrison.
After dinner, we moved to the sofa. The fire was lit and we only had one light
on low. I had been in a bit of rush to get dinner ready when I came home from
work, so I hadn’t bother to change.”
She
paused to sip her coffee. I couldn’t keep quiet. “What were you wearing?”
“You
know that turquoise sweater with the cowl neck?”
I
nodded. It does magical things for her eyes.
“That
and a black, wool skirt, some stockings, and those black leather boots that
come up to mid calf.”
Linda
loves boots. She has several pairs and usually likes the ones with a two-inch
heel. I knew exactly the outfit she was describing. It could stop traffic any
time of the day or night. Like she couldn’t do that already! I waited for her
to continue. She took another taste of her coffee, and then started talking
quietly again.
“So
we’re on the sofa, sitting there, just listening to the music. He had an arm
draped over my shoulders. And I mentioned that I had to get out of my boots. My
feet were starting to cramp. That’s when things got…different.”
I
wasn’t sure I wanted to hear this, but there was no stopping her now. “What do
you mean, different?” I asked.
“Vince
told me to move to the other end of the sofa. Then he slowly unzipped my boots
and pulled them off me. My legs were in his lap. He started to massage my feet,
chasing away the aches and pains. Then he moved up to my ankles. And the whole
time, he just kept talking, keeping his voice very low and soft.”
“What
did he say?”
Linda
shuddered with the memory. “He told me all of the things he was going to do to
me, all the ways he wanted to please me.”
I
pulled back the sleeve of her jacket. Her arm was covered in goose bumps. “Do
you really want to tell me this, Linda?”
“I’ve
got to tell you, Jamie, because I still can’t believe it happened. It was like
I was hypnotized. He was in total control of me. I couldn’t even move.”
Somehow
no words found their way out of my mouth. I just stared at her so she kept
talking.
“I
swear he touched on every fantasy, no matter how dark, I have ever considered.
And the whole time, he just kept talking softly, massaging my legs. I thought I
was melting from his charms on New Year’s Eve. That was nothing compared to
last night. Jamie, by the time he finally undressed me, I was so far over the
edge, I didn’t think I’d ever make it back.”
I
would have never believed my good and kindly doctor would be capable of
fulfilling all her fantasies. And even if I had, I could never have imagined
how dark these fantasies would turn out to be.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mark, thank you for stopping by today! I wish you great success with all your future projects and hope to have you again on my blog someday.
Hi Mark & Emily,
ReplyDeleteMark, your descriptions are wonderful. Man, do you know women from the food to the foot massage. I have to say you have me hooked.
Emily, you have a great website. Throw purple at me and I'm your fan. Green works too.
Thank you, Morgan. :D Purple is one of my favorite colors too.
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