Don’t Drop the Baby – Nomad Authors Blog

New! Don’t Forget the Dog: Linda O’Connor

I’m so excited to celebrate my latest release!

DOn't Forget the Dog by Linda O'Connor

Don’t Forget the Dog (Dr. Brogan Corkie Matchmaking Doctor, Book 2)
Medical Romantic Comedy
Sweet Romance

Read about the first in Linda’s series, Don’t Drop the Baby!

Blurb:
Dr. Brogan Corkie is happily semi-retired from medicine and now has time for other hobbies. Her passion for food is second only to her skill at matchmaking!

Blaine McKinnon, owner and executive chef of an upscale restaurant in Mapleton, has an adorable Old English sheepdog named Tacos. Brogan is roped into dog-sitting Tacos at Blaine’s house. The upside is the spectacular kitchen at her disposal.

Dr. Sabrina Langfield, a newly minted doctor, is in a bind when her mom, Rue, falls and fractures her wrist. Brogan offers to help and does double-duty looking after Tacos and Rue.

Blaine and Sabrina were high school sweethearts but parted ways when Blaine pushed Sabrina to pursue a career. Sabrina hasn’t seen him since, but Rue is a huge fan and frequents his restaurant. Rue’s biggest regret is her part in Sabrina and Blaine’s break-up, and with Brogan’s help, she’s determined to get them back together. It might not be that easy – Sabrina is wary of Tacos and, more pressing, she’s decided to move a four-hour flight away to do five more years of training in emergency medicine.

Will meddlesome matchmaking, Blaine’s persuasiveness, and – don’t forget the dog – Tacos’ sweet nature be enough to convince Sabrina to stay?

Excerpt:
Rue stepped inside. She brushed a hand down Blaine’s arm and then opened her arms for a hug. “You’re so sweet to welcome me into your home.” She squeezed him tight with her left arm. Her casted arm fell to her side.

“Not even a question.” Blaine closed his eyes briefly as Rue held him. “I was sorry to hear about your accident.”

“A bit of a busted wing, but no worries, I’ll fly again.” Tacos nudged against them and Rue broke contact. She held out her hand for Tacos to sniff and then rubbed him behind the ears. “Look how you’ve grown, Tacos. Do you remember me? Still so cute.” She bent and put her face in Tacos’s fur when Tacos tried to lick her.

Blaine turned to Sabrina. “Are you going to hover on the doorstep or come inside? You’re letting all the heat out.”

Sabrina stamped her feet to knock the snow off her brown suede boots and then stepped inside and shut the door, avoiding eye contact with him. She brushed at the snow on her tailored wool coat.

Blaine watched her with a half smile on his face. “Looks like you missed a snowflake.”

Sabrina’s jaw clenched. She held out a bag. “My mom’s things.”

He raised an eyebrow. Rue reached around him and took the bag. “Thanks heaps, dear.”

Tacos skipped over to sniff Sabrina.

Sabrina took a step back to avoid him. “Don’t forget to take your pain pills regularly today, Mom. Don’t wait for the pain to become intolerable. And get some rest.”

Blaine pulled Tacos away from Sabrina and interjected. “Rue, have you met Brogan Corkie? Brogan, Rue Langfield.”

Brogan stepped forward. “Hello. I’m pleased to meet you.”

“Sorry, I should have introduced you,” Sabrina mumbled. She loosened the belt and undid the top buttons of her coat. Underneath she wore a crisp white blouse and a navy blue pencil skirt.

Rue held out her hand to shake and then smiled crookedly and waved it instead. “I’m delighted to meet you, too. Sabrina told me that you work with her at the clinic.”

Blaine’s head swivelled between them. “Is that so?”

Brogan smiled. “I do, or rather I did. I’m semi-retired now, so I’m not there as often.” She turned back to Rue. “My new passion is cooking, and I’m hoping you like to eat.”

Rue removed her knitted wrap and matching cap and tossed them on a chair. The loose-fitting caftan she had on flowed to her ankles and covered her cast in a tie-dye rainbow of colours. Her dark hair, with wisps of grey, fell in a long braid down her back. “I love to eat. We should get along famously.”

Brogan smiled. “Have you seen Blaine’s kitchen? It’s to die for.”

“Show me.” Rue put her arm around Brogan’s waist as they walked down the hall. Tacos trotted happily beside them. “You’re not one of those New Age, plant-based, vegan, health food nuts, are you?” Rue asked as they moved out of earshot.

Sabrina didn’t catch Brogan’s answer, but she winced when their laughter filled the air.

Blaine leaned against the wall. “I take it you’re still a plant-based, vegan, health food nut.”

Sabrina raised her chin. “There’s nothing wrong with choosing foods wisely to optimize health, despite what my mother thinks – or you, for that matter.”

He stepped closer and brushed at the snow melting on her neat ponytail. He could smell the perfume she wore. It took him back eleven years, and he almost lost his train of thought. “Eating for pleasure is just as important.”
Sabrina stiffened at his touch. Her back was ramrod straight. “Proper nutrition gives you the energy to enjoy what gives you pleasure.”

Her message and her body language read prim and proper, but her husky voice was pure sex. His body responded, and he leaned closer. “What gives you pleasure these days?”

She stopped him with a pointed finger jabbed into his chest and raised her chin. “Shouldn’t the question be who is giving me pleasure?”

Blaine jerked back, her words stopping him more effectively than a slap. He’d been fairly confident she hadn’t been dating anyone. He had a front seat window to the ticker tape of her life through Sabrina’s mom, who was a regular at Fire and Ice. There hadn’t even been a whisper of Sabrina dating, and even though two people couldn’t be any more different, Sabrina and her mom were still tight. There was no way Mrs. L wouldn’t know. He glanced at Sabrina’s left hand. No ring. She was baiting him, but he couldn’t deny the relief that coursed through him. He narrowed his eyes at her sublime expression and had to ask. “Who is giving you pleasure?”

Sabrina smiled slowly, her emerald eyes silently mocking him. “I would say that’s none of your business.”

She buttoned her coat. “I’ll pick my mom up after work at six.” She opened the door. “See ya.” She pulled the door shut behind her.

Blaine stood in the foyer and, with a shake of his head, smiled reluctantly. Round one to Sabrina. She was still sassy, sexy, and smart – exactly why he loved her. Game on.

Buy link:
e-book

Linda:
Linda O'Connor Award-winning author Linda O’Connor started writing romantic comedies when she needed a creative outlet other than subtly rearranging the displays at a local home décor store. Her books have enjoyed bestseller status. When not writing, she’s a physician at an Urgent Care Clinic. She shares her medical knowledge in fast-paced, well-written, sexy romances – with an unexpected twist. Her favourite prescription to write? Laugh every day. Love every minute.

Website https://www.lindaoconnor.net
Newsletter Sign-up: https://www.lindaoconnor.net/contact/
Twitter https://twitter.com/LindaOConnor98
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LindaOConnorAuthor
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Linda-OConnor/e/B00S7CNLEA

Don’t Drop the Baby! (Sounds like good advice) by Linda O’Connor

Don’t Drop the Baby (Dr. Brogan Corkie Matchmaking Doctor Book 1)
Genre Medical Romantic Comedy — PG

Blurb
Dr. Brogan Corkie is happily semi-retired from medicine and now has time for other hobbies. Her passion for food is only second to her skill at matchmaking!

Ross Skye, owner of BabyCare, a high-end line of baby merchandise, is injured in an accident, and Brogan uses her cooking, medical – and matchmaking – skills to help him out. Dr. Lauren Kane is taking care of her nephew for two weeks, and Brogan agrees to babysit while Lauren is at work.

Two years ago, Ross and Lauren dated. At that time, Lauren wanted kids, but Ross wasn’t keen. Now the tables have turned, and Ross is trying to convince Lauren that they’d make an awesome parenting team. Brogan suggests they test drive parenthood by looking after a simulated baby for a week – a computerized version that eats, sleeps, wets, and cries. Ross and Lauren experience the “joy” of having a newborn firsthand, and the bar is set pretty low. Their first goal is: don’t drop the baby. The second goal is to find out if their love for each other will survive the test of…parenting.

Excerpt from Don’t Drop the Baby
Her phone rang and she picked it up eagerly when she saw her daughter’s name on the call display. “Hi love, how are you?”

“On a scale of one to ten, I’d have to say ten.”

Brogan smiled. When the kids were teenagers, they’d roll their eyes when Brogan switched hats from mom to doctor and asked them to rate their pain or mood on a scale of one to ten. Later on it became a running family joke and everything from the weather to vegetables to their opinion of their sibling’s date was fair game.

“How are things with you, Mom? How’s the retirement test going?”

“Also a ten out of ten. I’ve slipped into my new career like a fish to water. I couldn’t be happier.”

“Nice. I’m sure a lot of patients are missing you, but you’ve earned the break. Are you managing to keep busy?”

“Yes. My freezer was overflowing, but I’ve got my very first customer.”

“Good gracious. Someone’s paying you to cook?”

“Mae honey, have a little faith. Some people enjoy my cooking.”

Mae laughed. “I guess the bright side is you can treat them if something goes wrong. Not many chefs can boast that.”

Brogan chuckled reluctantly. “The advantage of keeping my license up.”

“What are you catering?”

“I’m the in-house chef for a young man.”

Silence. “Excuse me?”

“Jess’s nephew was in an accident and fractured his arm and leg. I’m getting his meals and keeping an eye on him.”

“Jess’s nephew? You’re telling me that you’re living with multi-millionaire Ross Skye, CEO of BabyCare, who recently walked away from the crash of his private helicopter with a broken arm and leg?”

Brogan frowned. “Helicopter? I didn’t realize. I’d assumed it was his car. But either way, yes.” She paused. “Although I highly doubt he walked away from it.”

“He’s an experienced pilot. Apparently there was some mechanical problem, and his skill saved him. The crash was pretty spectacular. It was caught on video and plastered all over social media. He’s lucky to be alive.”
That might explain the trouble sleeping.

“He could afford the best of the best,” Mae continued. “How did you get involved?”

Brogan pursed her lips and tried to overlook the insult. “Jess asked me to drop off a few meals for his freezer, and I offered to help.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that.”

“Does he know you’re a doctor? Has he asked you to prescribe something illegal for him? Narcotics? Benzos?”

Brogan sighed audibly. “Relax, Mae. I do know what I’m doing.”

“The fact that you’re staying at his house seems a little sketchy. A one out of ten, Mom,” Mae said with a grunt. “Does Finn know about this?”

“Something tells me he will shortly,” Brogan said wryly. “I appreciate your concern, but there’s no need for it. I’m having fun.”

“That’s what concerns me!”

Brogan laughed. “I love you, dear. Say hello to Lori for me and don’t worry.”
Mae sighed. “Love you, Mom. Be careful.”

Brogan smiled and hung up the phone. Kids – can’t live with ’em, can’t live without ’em.

Buy link Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0847SFBFV

Let’s find out about Linda and Don’t Drop the Baby

NA: How did you come up with the idea for your book/A fun fact about writing your book.
LO’C: I’m so excited to introduce a new series – Dr. Brogan Corkie, Matchmaking Doctor. I’ve been busy working on this series for the past year. I originally had the idea for this story two years ago. I’m a physician, and I work at an Urgent Care Clinic. I frequently see patients with infectious illnesses and advise them to stay home from school or work until they’re no longer contagious. Sometimes it’s difficult for working parents to find care for their sick children – often they just can’t take a day off and it’s nearly impossible to find a caregiver willing to look after a child who is ill. It also isn’t easy for someone living on their own to cope when they don’t feel well. I thought caring for the sick when they are temporarily ill would make a great job for a retired doctor, since a doctor wouldn’t be daunted by the illness. That’s how Dr. Brogan Corkie’s character was born.

Initially, I was going to have her look after the sick in their homes and then bring two people together in that context. But when I started writing, I ended up giving Brogan a hobby – she enjoys cooking and catering for people and that became her second career. She uses her cooking know-how, her medical knowledge – and her matchmaking skills – to care for other people. I “upgraded” her M.D. from Medical Doctor to Matchmaking Doctor. Brogan is the romantic catalyst – she brings couples together and then through good advice and a warm heart she weaves her magic to make love happen. And throughout the series, Brogan’s own heart gets tangled up in romance, too! Medicine – it truly is a work of heart.

NA: What sort of research did you do to write this book?
LO’C: I don’t usually do much research for my books – the medicine part is easy for me, and I write contemporary romances, so I don’t need to check history facts. I can focus on writing!

NA: What started you on the path to writing?
LO’C: I’m a physician, and I started writing because I wanted to find a fun way to disseminate medical information and to educate and empower readers to take ownership of their health. Targeting a female audience with romance novels seemed like a good idea because women are usually the ones who see a doctor. (Males typically only go when a girlfriend/partner/spouse/mom encourages them to do so. :D)

I write romantic comedies because I love being in a fun headspace when I’m writing, and I weave the best parts of medicine into my stories. Laughter is essential to great health and nothing is better than a happily-ever-after ending!

NA: What do your friends and family think about your writing?
LO’C: My family supports me in the sweetest ways – helping me promote with social media or buying thoughtful writing gifts for my birthday. The funniest thing with respect to my family was my choice of characters for the first book. I wanted the female character to deliver a baby unexpectedly, out of the hospital setting, so I knew she was going to be an obstetrician-gynecologist. I was trying to write what I know – and my husband is an ophthalmologist. I know the medical terminology related to the eye specialty and have a good sense of the job through him, so naturally, it made sense to make the male character an ophthalmologist. It wasn’t until I hosted a release party for my book that I realized how much ribbing he was getting as a result of that (and the sexy scenes in the book). Oops!

NA: Do you outline books ahead of time or are you more of a by-the-seat-of-your-pants writer?
LO’C: Before I start to write a story I have a rough idea of the beginning, middle, and the ending, but I don’t plot out the whole thing. I do make a detailed description of the characters. And I can’t start writing until I’ve nailed down the characters’ names. The male names are the hardest because I have 3 sons, and they have a lot of friends. The name can’t remind me of anyone I know.

NA: What has been one of your most rewarding experiences as an author?
LO’C: The most rewarding experience has been meeting new people – in person and online. It has been so much fun talking to other writers and readers, and I’ve been invited to a few book club meetings, which I love!

NA: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
LO’C: I love to dance. I’ve been doing Zumba for years, and I recently started Scottish Country dancing. It is so much fun!

NA: A pet peeve
LO’C: People who take up two spots when they parallel park. I always wish I had a super strength superpower to fix them.

NA: Why did you choose the shirt you have on?
LO’C: I’m wearing a cozy sweater – because it’s cold outside and it keeps me toasty warm inside.

NA: First thought when the alarm goes off in the in the morning?
LO’C: I’m glad I set that alarm ten minutes early, so I can stay under the covers for another few minutes.

NA: What are you working on now?
LO’C: I’m editing the third book and writing the fourth book of the Dr. Brogan Corkie Matchmaking Doctor series. The fourth book will be a Christmas romantic comedy!

NA: What books will we see from you in coming months?
LO’C: I’ll be releasing Don’t Forget the Dog, Book 2, and Don’t Unravel the Past, Book 3 of the Dr. Brogan Corkie Matchmaking Doctor series in May 2020 and August 2020 respectively. And I’ll release Book 4 in November. Can’t wait!

Bio
Linda O'Connor Award-winning author Linda O’Connor started writing romantic comedies when she needed a creative outlet other than subtly rearranging the displays at a local home décor store. Her books have enjoyed bestseller status. When not writing, she’s a physician at an Urgent Care Clinic. She shares her medical knowledge in fast-paced, well-written, sexy romances – with an unexpected twist. Her favourite prescription to write? Laugh every day. Love every minute.