Don't Look Back Out Today!

YEARS ago, I had a dream about Jack Bauer. Terrorists were coming and we needed Jack and he wanted no part of it. (Who could blame him?) In my dream, a kick-butt heroine kidnapped him and convinced him he was needed.

Then I woke up. And for a couple of years I tried to work that dream into a story. I don’t remember where I came up with the idea for Africa, except that it seemed dark and mysterious. Two movies provided me with my character backstories: Clive Owen’s Beyond Borders, about a doctor who ended up providing intelligence (among other things) to the CIA while working in dangerous parts of the world, and Bruce Willis’s Tears of the Sun, where an Army Ranger (I think) tries to rescue a village from warlords in Africa. I gave my heroine Clive’s backstory, with a lot more motivation, and Del has Bruce’s, with a less cheery ending.

Instead of Jack Bauer, I used Gerard Delaney, circa Reign of Fire, as the model for Del, and Evangeline Lilly (Kate from LOST) as the model for Liv.

This book took a long time to come together, and was inspired by many different things, but I’m very pleased with the final result.

If you write, where does your inspiration come from? If you’re a reader, do you like hearing about how inspiration strikes?

I'm having a contest on my Facebook Fan Page--come play!

Release Day for Sweet Redemption

My latest release, Sweet Redemption is available today at The Wild Rose Press.

And Dariel Raye is interviewing my hero, Jonathan Hackett, on her blog today. If you leave a comment on the interview post, you'll be entered in a drawing to win a pdf copy of the anthology.

On a cold December night, Union infantry captain, Jonathan Hackett is pinned down on the Fredericksburg battlefield trying to escape Confederate fire. But a creature of the night, more dangerous than any enemy soldier, stalks him. Jon must fight for his life as well as his soul. Maddie Emery has lost everything dear to her. Her husband and parents had passed on and her brothers are off fighting in the Confederate Army. She's alone, trying single-handedly to hold onto her family's farm, when a Yankee soldier collapses across her stoop. Maddie and Jon form and bond of love and desire, but as Jon exhibits signs of becoming the creature he fears most, is their love enough to fight off the evil of a centuries old vampire bent on destroying them?

Excerpt:

Those knocks were not made by a wolf, but he suspected the wolf had something to do with Reverend Arnwolf. "Is the wolf his minion, or can he transform himself?" he said, under his breath.

"What?" Mrs. Emery moved close. Her scent invaded his thoughts. "Please, tell me what’s going on?"

Jon sighed. "When I said I was attacked by a wild dog, I lied." He moved back to the settee and sat, his hands dangling between his knees.

She sat beside him, but held herself ramrod straight. "What or who attacked you?"

"I was pinned down on the battlefield. Spent the night in the freezing cold. All of my men had died. A man appeared. Claimed to be a minister from Austria." Jon grimaced as he recalled Arnwolf's blood-red eyes and the sharp pierce of his fangs as they entered Jon’s throat. "He offered to help me, but...instead he led me to an abandoned barn and attacked me."

Mrs. Emery gasped. "You're not saying this man--"

"He bit me on the throat." Jon pushed his hand through his hair. "I don't know exactly what he is, but he's not human."

"That's who you believe was at the door?"Jon nodded. "I don't know how, but I now have a connection to him." He fingered the bumps on his throat. "I know things about him I shouldn't possibly know."

NEW RELEASE - CHASING SHADOWS!!

Hi fellow WRP friends,

CHASING SHADOWS, the sequel to my first novel, HIDDEN SHADOWS, has been released!! I'd appreciate if you all would take a look, and if you're interested, you can get a copy, or refer it to friends!! HIDDEN SHADOWS, released in Oct. 2008 debuted to great reviews, and CHASING SHADOWS is now gaining the same attention, with one reviewer saying, "Lauren Hope has done it again!"

I'm including a little peek at CHASING SHADOWS and the trailer. Heidi and Joseph's story is an interesting, intense one with a lot of suspense and a little love to spice things up. Enjoy, and I appreciate any support!!


Heidi Aston is as surprised as anyone when her husband, who’s been mysteriously gone for months, shows up in the delivery room—just as she’s giving birth to their baby. A baby he didn’t even know existed.

When newborn Lilly is brutally kidnapped days later, Heidi is given no choice but to join forces with her estranged husband, Joseph, in a wild and terrifying journey to find their baby. In time, Heidi learns that Joseph’s absence is not only mysterious, but suspicious as well. And to top it all off, they are dealing with one unorthodox kidnapper.

As two lost hearts and souls search for each other’s love again, and their newborn child, their journey will take all the courage they can muster for there to be any hope of reigniting their romance, or getting their four-day old infant back—alive.





You can also visit my website for more info.

Lauren Hope

An April to Remember

I received the release date for An April to Remember. Both the e-book and print version will become available on April 3, 2009.

This book came about in October of 2006 when we went to Memphis to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Graceland was wonderful, Sun Studios, unforgettable, but if anyone travels to Memphis, I would highly recommend taking a river boat ride. During our trip on the Island Queen, the tour guide, “Rooster,” shared the remarkable story of the Sultana, a river boat which exploded near Memphis in 1865. More passengers perished in this accident than any other maritime disaster including the Titanic. However, due to the time of its demise, (the same month Lee surrendered and President Lincoln was assassinated) the story of this remarkable ship was swept into history along with many other Civil War tragedies.

Upon our return home, I couldn’t get the ship out of my mind, and began to research the Sultana. I was amazed and somewhat overwhelmed by all the information. While trying to hold as much history as possible, I began to create a romance story around the ship’s fatal voyage. It was my son Dallas, who gave me the title. He’s a history buff, and while discussing the story he suggested I change the name of my heroine to April and title the story An April to Remember.

The actual demise of the ship remains in controversy even today—some claim it was a coal torpedo, and some claim it was a faulty boiler. (You’ll have to read the story to see what happens in my version.)

I’ll be blogging at The Wild Rose Press Cactus Rose blog this Thursday, so please stop by and leave a comment to be entered in a contest for an e-book of Shotgun Bride that I will give away on November 14th.

Informally Yours - Released Today

Yeah! I'm happy to announce Informally Yours released today. This is my 3rd short story with The Wild Rose Press and my first Black Rosette. And given it's Paranormal month at the TWRP store, you can get it on sale. (And my two other stories since they are Faery rosettes.)

Blurb

Everyday Melinda Jenson goes to work at Formally Yours, a high-end formal wear store, unaware the customers and owner are members of the local supernatural community. On Halloween night, Melinda's boss asks her to make a simple delivery. Unwilling to disappoint her niece and nephew, she arrives late and has an unexpected encounter with a wolf. Now she’s chasing cute, furry forest creatures, and mated to a man she barely knows. “May you live in interesting times,” just took on a whole new meaning.

PASSION AT AN EXHIBITION - my Debut Released Today!

PASSION AT AN EXHIBITION – Released today!

My debut novella is NOW AVAILABLE in the American Rose Line!

I’m ever-so-thrilled to report that my spicy historical novella, Passion at an Exhibition, is now available for download here at The Wild Rose Press!


“Rosalyn Abbett, a spirited young suffragette in 1890’s New York City, has just received news that turns her world upside down. Anthony Simms, whom she’s met only through letters, will be arriving tomorrow night. A junior curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she and Mr. Simms will prepare an exhibition of royal jewelry from around the world. Together. Without a chaperone. Scorching dreams of this stranger have plagued her for ages… but what will happen in the flesh?”

Passion at an Exhibition is short, sweet and spicy! (As well as a very affordable download! Just $3!) It’s a Miniature Rose here in our American Rose Line.

Be sure to visit me at www.myspace.com/v_torianne

and tell me what you think!

I’m trying to carve out my niche in sensual Victorian Era stories with a bold kick, so if this sounds up your alley, please come support me!

Cheers!

Tori Anne

One Enchanted Summer is now out & I'm guest blogging at Marianne Arkin's blog.

I'm so giddy that the wait is over and now is finally out and available here. I adore Tristan and Deana and decided to run a little contest to go along with the release. I'm always interested in comments and reviews on my work so ... I'm running a review contest. All you have to do is purchase One Enchanted Summer, e-mail me @ dana @ ozak.net (but remove the spaces) a review by July 25th, and the one I like the best I'll choose as the winner. The winner will recieve an enchanted summer fun pack filled with toys and goodies to make your summer fun ;-).

In honor of my release date, I'm also guest blogging at Marianne's Arkin's site. Hope you'll drop by :-).

And congrats to all the other talented authors at TWRP who share a release date with me. I look forward to reading your stuff too.

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!
===========================
I even made a book trailer *G*



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

New Releases From Bronwyn Storm

Hello everyone!!

Just wanted to update everyone on my latest releases:

Ethan's Chase is coming out on May 16th. It's a full length Champagne:

From downed networks to binary coding, Chase Logan can handle just about anything. Except her sexy new client, Ethan Phillips. His sculpted looks have Chase’s libido spinning faster than a Pentium 4 processor, but his aloof attitude freezes her in an instant. Five years after charging his ex-fiancée with fraud and sending her to jail, advertising executive Ethan Phillips’s emotions remain in the ‘off’ position. But Chase’s laugh, her candor and delicious figure, are booting up his feelings and turning on his heart. Though both Chase and Ethan believe their emotions are safe behind their respective firewalls, their mutual attraction renders their logical programming inactive, and they're about to find out that when it comes to love, there are no defenses that can protect the heart.

This is what people are saying about it:

I liked this story, it had my attention until the end, and made me think that what Chase experienced could happen to anyone of us at any time. Ms. Storm did an excellent job with the characters of this story. The plot and scenes were well done, a nice love story. (from Margo Arthur, reviewer for The Romance Studio, who gave Ethan's Chase 4.5/5).

To view the trailer, go to this link.*

My second release is The Genie's Curse, a short Faery romance:

Agnes Frump has spent every moment of her thirty-one years outrunning her horrendous moniker. But push-up bras and hip music producing jobs can't undo her orphan Annie red hair and Alfalfa freckles--nor can they make her best friend, Dillon McKenzie see her as anything but his buddy.
A midnight walk, a fateful fall, the discovery of a magic lamp, and Aggie's priorities shift. In her efforts to help Ebony, the kitten-genie and undo the curse of Aladdin's lamp, she makes a fateful mistake--an inadvertent, "I wish I was in Dillon's arms," and Aggie wakes up in his arms, all right--as a stray dog.
Will Aggie and her genie figure out how to undo a wish gone wrong, or is she doomed to a life of Milk Bones, flea baths and loving Dillon from the foot of her doggy bed?

You can view the trailer here.*

I'll be holding two contests on my blog, one from May 1-16th for Ethan's Chase and the other from June 1-18. You can enter to win a copy of the respective story, as well as other goodies from authors like Kat Henry Doran, Stacy Dawn and Johanna Riley.

*If you have trouble viewing the trailers, they're also available on You Tube and my blog.

Publishing Limbo

I'm Melissa Blue and I just received the best news today; my book How Much You Want to Bet? will be released on February 15th, 2008. I'm so excited...so you ask, what's with the title?

Technically I'm still an unpublished author.

I have a cover. I have the final, final copy of my book. I have a release date. The technicality is my book isn't out yet. Semantics, I know, but there you have it. Right now I'm still in the fuzzy state of unpubbed and pubbed author. (What most would call the gray area.) I started this book almost two years ago. It's gone through many changes, but now I'm done. No more revisions. No more adding a little here or there. No more polishing.

Done.

*sigh*

And now it's ready to go out in that big unknown world called publication. Can you smell the fear laced with excitement.

*sigh*

So let me stop dawdling and start promoting. Let me introduce Neil and Gib:

She straightened, knowing, just knowing, he
was about to back out. Her lips curved into a smile.
“Want to make one last speech? Go ahead.”

The bar quieted, every motion stilled, waiting.
The tension in Neil’s shoulders built as Gib
rounded the sea of green to her. His gait, slow and
sure, exuded the confidence of a man who had
traveled this particular path many times before.
Naive of her, but Neil wasn’t wary of the grin. He
always grinned.

“Wanted to give you a good-luck charm before
you win.”

She laughed and put out her hand. He
grabbed it and like a backwards sucker punch
pulled her to his lips. Those lips turned hot as they
moved over hers. The taunting quip fell from her
mind. There was no way to think beyond his mouth
on hers. He nipped at the corners of her mouth and
Neil forgot she was in a smoky bar full of her
neighbors and coworkers. It had been close to a
year since she’d let a man touch her. The hard
body pressed against hers was not that of someone
she disliked but that of a man, and she, a woman,
was more than willing to take the passion offered.

Neil fisted her hands in his hair. More. More.
More. More. The word sounded like a chant in her
head as his taste teased. She needed more. Their
tongues mated, hers darting in and out, lapping at
the spicy tendrils that clung to the taste of him—
beer, peanuts, and temptation. The thought flitted
through her head, the only one able to seep
through, that there was more to this man than
starched white business shirts. Neil was on the
edge of a moan when she felt the corners of his
mouth lift.

Then he damned her in one breath. “Good
luck.”


Okay, what have we learned here? That there is such a thing called Publishing Limbo. Also this wonderful book will be available the day after Valentine's Day, Feb. 15.

The Dragon is Loose

New Release: THE DRAGON OF CROATIA


Click to buy
THE DRAGON OF CROATIA

Gavriel Dimitrios, the dragon of Croatia, is loose and with vengeance on his mind. Stubborn Callie Stewart, the woman responsible for his release from the ancient stone tablet may be too cozy with the smugglers Gavriel has vowed to capture. She becomes entangled in a web of supernatural intrigue when she stumbles over an ancient stone tablet and unleashes the dragon of Croatia, who appears every 100 years to aid the island’s inhabitants in their fight against smugglers to protect their heritage. He came to her in a dark cave, a dragon within a man-strength and power define his features.

Their shared passion and deceit has the Adriatic Sea at a boiling point as they delve into caves and race across islands, into the very heart of danger.



You can read an excerpt here.


EXCITING NEWS!!!!

Hey. . . Want to win a copy of this story?
Just join up over at the The Wild Rose Press discussion group and starting Sunday, January 6th, I’ll be the Guest Moderator--hosting that week. All you have to do is respond to any of the posts at anytime during that week to enter. I'll do a drawing next Monday, January 14th, from everyone who joins the discussion during that week.

And just like Marianne Arkins did for her exciting contest for
DON"T FENCE ME IN . . . which is released this week also!!! If you already have my story, ‘cause you didn’t want to wait 'til my moderating week to happen, LOL --
I'll buy you your choice of miniature rose or rosette from
The Wild Rose Press instead!


Good luck and look forward to 'seeing' you next week!

BTW. . . Thanks goes to Rae Monet for the great cover art . . . and she designed my new website--check it out when you get a chance! I can't help but feel so proud, LOL!

Valerie Everhart
http://www.valerieeverhart.com/
http://valerie-everhart.blogspot.com/
Don't tickle the dragon if you can't take the heat

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!

"Sundial" On Sale Today

Hello! Just stopping by to announce that my short story "Sundial" is on sale! "Sundial" is the fourth of the four "Through the Garden Gate" winners to be published here at The Wild Rose Press. It's a Vintage miniature and a steal at only $3. Cute boy from the 80s, Vespas, a gorgeous Italian setting, and a to-die-for romantic ending--can't ask for more! I hope you treat yourself today!

"...Well done and inventive and the very end is quite romantic." ~ Historical Romance Club

And if you haven't voted for my cover, please do.

All the best, and happy holidays!
Carrie

***

"Megan!"

Terror balled Amber's nerves, tying her stomach into a nauseous knot. She turned in a circle, one foot stuck to the cobblestones and the other chop, chopping around. Eyes wide, she searched for familiar sights but found a panorama of Mediterranean architecture, palm trees, and awnings colored like bright, exotic fish.

"Megan!" Her sister's name clawed from her throat. "Where are you? Answer me!"

Some people ignored her. Most stared as if she stood there naked. She dipped her chin but found everything in place. Jeans. A faded Pearl Jam t-shirt. She looked the same, felt the same, but this--this place was a dream. A nightmare dressed up as a village paradise.

"Megan!"

"She's not here," said a bored voice. An American.

She twirled. The soles of her trainers squeaked. Although the air scarcely moved, a young man stood hunched as if battling a fierce wind. The shade of a canvas awning jaundiced his skin and made a ripe peach of his pale linen suit. His posture revealed a crippling shyness, but his gaze thrust into hers, diving, diving deeper.

Amber bundled her chaos and aimed it at him. "Where's Megan? Where am I?"

"Shut up. Right now."

She recoiled. His hard words injected her tongue with Novocain.

The Yank pulled his hands free of his trouser pockets. Straightening, stepping clear of the awning, he gained three inches and something like a decade of maturity. His sharp face blanked, then assumed the amiable friendliness he used to address curious passersby. "Non importa, gente."

Italian? She grasped at the vocabulary, cranking old gears despite the rust.

"Queste ragazze Americane," he said, his grin nonchalant. "Sono matte!"

"I'm not American. And I'm not crazy."

He did a double take but quickly masked the reaction. "I know. But if you keep spazzing, you'll get us in trouble."

Curious stares waned as people lost interest. The stranger lit a cigarette and watched them disperse, his expression one of pleasant apology.

"Let's go." He turned and didn't bother to look back. Amber stared after him, noticing the odd set of his shoulders--cocky, but stiff too. Fatigued. Helpless to do otherwise, she followed him. The need for answers dragged her like a phantom hand at the scruff of her neck.

They walked down a steep path toward a marina. Sharp cliffs plunged several hundred feet to the sea's bottomless blue. The confusion, the sudden vertigo of the cliffs--her stomach twisted. Amber gripped a handrail, doubled over, threw up. Her bones evaporated like steam. She staggered clear of her mess and crumpled along the footpath.

The stranger ignored her nausea and the view. He knelt, propping a lean shoulder against the railing. "I'm Mark Lacey. Who're you?"

"Amber Schulman," she said weakly.

"What's the last thing you remember?"

She smeared trembling fingers over her mouth. "I was with my sister, visiting a cottage in Lancashire County. In England. I went to the gardens, and--here I am. How's that possible?"

"When? What year?"

"What year?" She gave him a bright but careful smile, a mother indulging a child's make-believe. "Right."

"I'm serious." His voice rumbled with the low menace of a storm.

"No, you're mad. It's 2007."

His hand stalled midway to his mouth. A frown sliced between his dark brows. She enjoyed rumpling the smug confidence he wore like a tailored jacket, although she had no idea how she'd managed it.

Gathering hysteria amped her voice to ten. "Now tell me where we are."

"Sorrento, Italy."

"Impossible."

"That's not the hard part." He took a deep drag, the steel blue smoke riding on breezes fat with salt. "The year is 1958."

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.

================================

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.