How Charity Sunday works: for every comment made on this blog post, I will donate money to the charity named. The same promise is made for every blog site listed in the group–click the Linky Links link at the bottom of this post to see the list of participants and read/comment on any of them to see a donation go to that blogger’s charity. We’re all different! Thanks for your help and your participation!
Everyone has been affected by the COVID-19 virus, and small businesses are in the thick of it. It’s not bad enough that businesses have been shut down, but the open-close, open-close circle many have gone through in various states has made the situation even harder. Barstool Sports’ David Portnoy is a small business owner himself and has been as affected as any other business. But he hasn’t stood around scratching his head and wondering what to do, he’s taken action by raising money to distribute to others who really need help to stay afloat. I like someone who takes charge, and this month I am supporting his cause. Please comment on this blog post to help me make a generous contribution to the Barstool Sports Fund!
Today I’m highlighting my book Baer and the Three Goldilocks. Susan Baer is a small business owner who has worked hard to make her life’s work a success. She doesn’t own a bar or restaurant, but she owns a fitness center and that’s in the ballpark of businesses Dave might help if Susan were caught in the COVID trap of destruction.
Blurb:
Another erotic fairy tale with Princess Katherine and Prince Cole.
Susan Baer, founder of Baer Hugs, health centers for women, longs to find her special someone. Sadly, there are no prospects in sight. Suddenly, three men come into her life. All successful, all gorgeous, all blond. And posing their own unique problems. One is too rough and hard in his treatment, one is too soft and wants her to take charge. The last is…well, let’s just say he’s unavailable. *sigh* Can any of them turn out to be “just right?”
Buy link:
Kindle Unlimited
Excerpt:
Susan came into her office at breakneck speed, talking the whole way. “I know it’s after two and I’ve taken a longer lunch than anyone has a right to.” She threw her purse in the bottom drawer of her desk. With barely time for a breath, she spun around and slammed into Duncan’s broad, solid chest.
He grasped her shoulders to steady her. She stepped back and he dropped his hands.
“Oh! Sorry! I didn’t mean to blow through like a tornado.” Taking a deeper breath, she smoothed the French twist she’d pulled her hair into that morning, then did the same to her skirt. She hoped she didn’t look as flustered as she felt. Gesturing to the guest chair, she said, “Sit. Tell me what’s going on.”
Duncan looked at her for a few long seconds before laying her phone messages on the desk. “Did you have a good lunch?” It was quietly said, and with little inflection. So why did she get the impression he meant more than his words’ literal meaning?
“It was fine, thanks. We drove down towards Williamsburg. How was yours?” Absently, she shuffled through the call slips. Nothing important jumped out at her.
“It was good. The girls and I talked about you.”
Her head snapped up. “Me? What about me?”
He lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “Curiosity.” Narrowing his eyes, he leaned forward slightly. “Why you’d want to go out with that jerk, mostly.” He paused, and when she didn’t respond he leaned back. “We talked out of concern, not idle gossip. You know he’s made a pass at most everyone who works here.” His mouth hitched into a smile. “Except me, of course.”
That caused her to return his smile. “No, Toby has been pretty clear on that score.”
Duncan held out his hand, casually examining his nails. “You know, it’s been my experience that men who protest as much as he does sometimes have something to hide. Do you know for certain that he’s not more on my team than yours?”
She laughed. “Pretty sure.”
He put his hand down and looked intently at her. “But not certain?”
“Why does it matter to you?” She left a hint of a smile on her face. Was he fishing to find out if she and Toby had had sex? Her heart fluttered a little at the possibility that he wondered.
“Because I care for you. I’m your friend and I hate to see you waste yourself on someone like him. Why do you see him, Susan?”
Friends. Oh. She said nothing. The reasons she dated Toby were rooted so far in the past she wasn’t sure she could explain them in a few quick sentences. And she certainly didn’t want to explain them to Duncan. Her feelings for him were too complicated as it was without adding Toby into the mix.
“Susan, why?”
“Toby and I have known each other a long time. You see him at his worst. He does have good qualities.”
If Duncan had worn glasses, he’d have been staring over them in abject denial, giving her a “Yeah, right” look.
She shrugged in acknowledgement. “I know it might not be obvious, but he does. My relationship with Toby is a long story, and one that’s none of your business, Duncan.”
As though a mask dropped over his face, his expression became impassive. He pushed out of the chair. “You’re right. I’m not going to apologize for worrying about you, though. Meetings are scheduled in Lexington for all day Monday, and our reservations are confirmed for Sunday and Monday nights.” He pointed to the call slips on her desk. “It’s been quiet and that’s all you have to take care of.”
He stopped on his way out the door when she called his name.
“I appreciate the worry, but it’s all right, really.”
Shrugging, he exited, closing the door behind him.
Which left her alone to wonder to herself why she went out with Toby Williams. It was more, she hoped, than proving to Toby that she was different from the overweight girl who’d had a crush on him for three years of high school. She was certain that was how it had started.
“The question is, how did it get to where it is now?” Propping her head in her hands, she considered her situation.
Quite by accident, she’d met Toby about four weeks ago at a business function. She’d scanned the crowd and noticed a distinctive looking, tall tow-head with light blue eyes. Those eyes had met hers across the room and she’d known without doubt who he was, even after sixteen years. By the questioning look he’d given her, she guessed he was confused—as though she was someone he should know, but couldn’t place. That made her smile. And her smile practically guaranteed that he would make his way to her. Which he had, in short order.
In the four weeks since, they’d seen each other only five or six times. It had started well but reflecting on it now, she realized his attitude had worsened with each meeting. While his hands and lips had grown bolder, so had his words. Not in blatant verbal attacks but in snipes and subtle hints regarding her dress, her work, her opinions. None was very noticeable individually. But taken together, as she thought of them now, each abusive comment had worked to make her revert from who she was now, to acting like the shy, embarrassed girl she had been years ago. Wanting to capture his attention, wanting so much to belong.
Author Dee S. Knight:
A few years ago, Dee S. Knight began writing, making getting up in the morning fun. During the day, her characters killed people, fell in love, became drunk with power, or sober with responsibility. And they had sex, lots of sex.
After a while, Dee split her personality into thirds. She writes as Anne Krist for sweeter romances, and Jenna Stewart for ménage and shifter stories. All three of her personas are found on the Nomad Authors website (www.nomadauthors.com). Fortunately, Dee’s high school sweetheart is the love of her life and husband to all three ladies! Once a month, look for Dee’s Charity Sunday blog posts, where your comment can support a selected charity.
Author links:
Website: https://nomadauthors.com
Blog: http://nomadauthors.com/blog
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeeSKnight
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeeSKnight2018
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/265222.Dee_S_Knight
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B079BGZNDN
Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h8t2y6
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/dee-s-knight-0500749
Sweet ‘n Sassy Divas http://bit.ly/1ChWN3K
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Alice lives in London, UK, with her husband and son. By day she’s a compliance manager for a pharmaceutical company. By night she writes fantasy romance about shape shifting mermen, water monsters and time-travelling witches. Her first book, “A Merman’s Choice,” was published in January 2019 by Black Velvet Seductions. It is the first book in a fantasy romance trilogy inspired by the landscapes and legends of Brittany and Wales. The second book, “Music for a Merman,” is out now and the third, “Mermaids Marry in Green,” will be released on 1 November. It is on pre order now at the discount price of $0.99! Alice has also written a short story, “The Sweetest Magic of All,” included in the BVS “Mystic Desire” anthology, out now. Alice loves reading and writing stories, and sharing them with anyone who’s interested!
However, my reason for wanting to celebrate the Salvation Army is that my mom often told me that when she was small, she probably never would have had a doll if not for the one she received at Christmas from her local Salvation Army. My grandmother worked two jobs—hard jobs, like scrubbing the floors on her hands and knees in the local school and factory work—and still found time to sew all of the clothes for twin girls she was raising alone. There was no money for things little girls longed for, like dolls. In that way, the Salvation Army fed my mom’s heart and soul, if not her tummy. I salute the work they do now, during the fight against Covid-19, and every day.
Your Desire. A mysterious shop appears in town for one reason: to bring the spice of passion and the thrill of love to one special person. Magic is in more than the item purchased—it’s in the heart of the buyer, often hidden, usually surprising. And after enchantment takes hold ad the fantasy is fulfilled? The store fades from sight and memory, only to reappear somewhere else. Maybe in your town…?