Released today: "A Change of Heart"

It's finally THE DAY! Yay! My Yellow Miniature Rose, "A Change of Heart" has been released.

This story was a challenge I made to myself. I wanted to take a cliche (the secret baby cowboy story) and set it on its ear a bit. That ear-setting was one of the first things my fantastic editor, Stacy, mentioned when she contracted the story. I hope you all enjoy it as well!



Blurb:

Returning to Wyoming after a six-year absence, Jake Langley finds more than just changes in the now run down family ranch. His warm feelings for a former girlfriend have cooled, and he finds himself drawn to her sister and his former best friend, Emily. His discovery of the sisters' well-kept secret, however, upsets his long-term plans and sets duty against his heart's desire. Now, four hearts and four lives will be changed, forever.

Excerpt:

When the bell over the ice cream shop entrance rang, Emily dried her hands on the towel hanging from her waist. She stepped through the doorway, a smile on her face. That smile froze as hard as a fresh bucket of ice cream at the sight before her.

Jacob Langley.

"Hey, Emily." He said it like it had been six days since the last time he'd seen her instead of nearly six years.

"Jake." Her throat was tight with fury and hurt and she could barely speak. "What do you want?"

"Some of that caramel peanut butter ice cream on a sugar cone if you don't mind." He flashed his best grin.

Did he think they were still best friends like they were all through school? Had he forgotten what he'd done to her? Worse, what he'd done to Casey? If he thought she'd let him stay in her place any longer, he was mistaken. "Sorry. We're all out." Emily's gaze never wavered, her smile didn't thaw.

"Funny, I'm looking at it right there in front of me." He pointed through the glass case.

She tapped a sign behind her. "Then I guess I'm exercising my rights."

He pursed his lips and read the bold, black words printed on the white board: We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason.

Even cooler? I already have TWO great reviews for this story!

Four Hearts from Maura at The Romance Studio:

The author of this story packed a lot of story into a small package and does it with great skill. The characters are very real, none of them too perfect or too evil. ... The author does a good job of reintroducing the characters to each other .... Bode is also a great character who realizes just how great Emily really is. He seems to be the one person who recognizes Em’s beauty without having it pointed out to him, making him the smartest person in the story in my opinion. The author does a wonderful job of describing small tourist town life as well.

Rated "A" and and Outstanding Read from Simply Romance Reviews:

I enjoyed reading this story right from the opening page! It’s a heart warming, moving and very enjoyable mild romance. Jake, the dashing cowboy every girl falls head over heels for, has a vulnerable side to him that makes him forgivingly lovable, no matter what his past holds. Emily, the elder sister of the two and a fiery redhead who still holds a grudge against him, keeps Jake’s feet firmly on the ground, and in more ways than one! And then there’s the lovely Casey, everything a man could wish for in a woman – but is she the one for him?

Hot without the sex? Definitely! Accuracy accounted for? Without a doubt! Wishing I had a cowboy like Jake to lie in the hay with? YES PLEASE!

A recommended read for sure with a wonderful storyline! Well done, Marianne!
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I even made a book trailer *G*



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Click here to buy your own copy of this 80 page story!

New Release Today: Don't Fence Me In

I love this story for a lot of reasons, but the biggest is that my favorite uncle served in the Korean War, and this is a little bit of a tribute to him. It's also dedictated to all the men and women in uniform who have, and still do, serve and protect our great country.



Click to buy Don't Fence Me In.

It's June, 1953 and Lizzie Scott recently lost her brother, Seb, in the Korean War. When his friend and unit buddy, Jeremy McMasters, brings her Seb's "goodbye" letter, little does she know her life is about to change forever.

You can read an excerpt here.

Want to win a copy of this, or any of my other stories? Just join up over at the LASR discussion group and respond to my post to enter. I'll do a drawing next Wednesday, January 9th. If you already have all of my stories (and why wouldn't you?) -- I'll buy you your choice of minature rose or rosette from The Wild Rose Press instead!

Good luck!

Released Today! "The Christmas Curse"

Doesn't The Wild Rose Press have the greatest covers? I love mine for "The Christmas Curse" -- released TODAY! What better way to start your Christmas shopping?

The Christmas Curse

For Molly Scott, everything bad in her life has happened during the Christmas season, from training bras in her stocking to being jilted by her fiancé. This year is no exception.

Ten days before Christmas, she arrives at work to find her department closed down and everyone laid off. Desperate, she takes a job for a singing telegram service and, dressed as Mrs. Claus, meets the man of her dreams--who turns out to be a nightmare--in a broken-down elevator. The Christmas Curse is right on track.

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WIN your own copy of this -- or your choice of ANY of my stories! It's easy... I'm giving one away today at the LASR "Let's Talk About Romance" Yahoo group! Just join, and post a message--any message--between now and Friday. I'll draw a name on Saturday from the posters to win, Win, WIN!!! If you already own all of my stories (and, hey--why wouldn't you??), I'll buy your choice of any other short story (miniature rose or rosette) from TWRP.

How's that for easy?

Just to whet your appetite, here is the excerpt from "The Christmas Curse":

Late as usual, Molly jogged toward the elevators. The one on the left was just closing, so she hollered, "Hold the door!" and leaped forward, slipping her arm inside the crack. She took a step and jammed the stiletto heel of her boot right into the crack where the elevator car met the floor. She teetered unsteadily, praying she wouldn't break a bone.

The doors lurched open and she lost any hope of staying upright when they did. She tumbled inside, heard the snap of her boot heel breaking and then tumbled onto another occupant, knocking them both to the barely padded floor.

"Oh no, I am so sorry!" She rolled to one side before sitting up to see who had cushioned her fall. The best looking man she'd ever seen lay on the floor, grinning up at her, and making no effort whatsoever to get to his feet.

"My pleasure." He propped his arms under his head. "Truly."

She jumped to her feet, forgetting she'd lost a heel in the door, lost her balance and fell again. At least she managed to land on her hands and knees above him like a bridge and didn't squash him.

"Sorry." She crawled to the door and wiggled the broken heel back and forth until it came out, wondering why the doors hadn't tried closing on her fingers. She glanced over her shoulder to find the man sitting up with his finger on the "Door Open" button.

"Thanks."

"No problem. What floor?"

"I need the penthouse, please."

"That's where I'm heading, too."

She pivoted away from his lopsided grin and nearly stepped on a rather small, ashen-faced man leaning in the corner. His body shuddered when the doors closed and the car started to move.

"Oh-kay…" She was stuck between drop-dead-handsome man and pasty-face man and had to figure out how to do her routine with a broken-heeled boot. She tucked said heel into one of the many pockets in her slicker lining and left the coat hanging open. She hoped the boot could be repaired. But because it was only a week before Christmas, she doubted she'd have any luck with that.

It was a little like the time, eight years before, when she'd performed an aria for the school Christmas program, unaware that two buttons on her dress were undone, thereby flashing the front of her ancient white bra, complete with holes and safety pins.

"So, you were invited to the party upstairs?" Handsome man broke into her thoughts. He climbed to his feet and moved beside her.

Molly nodded.

"I wasn't aware it was a costume party."

She crinkled her nose and shook her head. "I wouldn't know. I'm only the entertainment."

"Ahhh." He reached out a hand and flipped the bells on her collar. "So, Mrs. Claus, is the mister showing up tonight? Because, to be honest, I haven't been very good this year."

She had just opened her mouth to speak when the lights cut off and the elevator ground to a halt. Oh, dear heavens, she'd done it again.

Two New Stories Released Today!

It just doesn't get any better than this -- I have not one, but TWO new rosettes being released today! I'm so excited, I can keep it in!

Here are my new stories, released just this morning:

Pregnancy Cravings

Patrice would do anything for her pregnant friend, Cathy, even if "anything" includes running to the convenience store daily to indulge her cravings. On one excursion, Patrice meets Joey Sousa, the cashier at the store. Their attraction is undeniable, but awkward: he thinks she's pregnant, she thinks he's dating someone else. Will the misunderstandings keep them apart, or will their chance meeting give birth to happy ever after?

Magic

For fifteen years, seven friends have gathered for a vacation at Lake Wentworth, NH. This year is no different -- except this time, Cass Edwards has trouble looking at her best-friend-since-forever Ben Wilson as just a friend. Can two people in search of a future find it in a mutual past? Will love strengthen the bonds of their friendship or destroy them?

Thanks for letting me share my great news with you.

Contest to Celebrate My Latest Rosette!

Today, my third Wild Rose story -- Miles From You -- has been released and I'm celebrating with a giveaway at my blog!

Come on over and find out how you can win your choice of either a Wild Rose Press Commuter Mug or a $5.00 Wild Rose Press gift certificate along with a bunch of goodies to pamper yourself: Avon Naturals raspberry shower gel, a 1/2 pound Hershey's Chocolate bar and a Harlequin Romance novel, plus a few other goodies I'll throw in just for fun.

It's easy, it's fun and it's free. What more could you ask for? Hope to see you there!