Romantic Comedy/Adventure/Time Travel
Date Published: June 15, 2014
Part Two: Sex. Coffee. Time Travel. Coming Soon
Adventure-romance author, Lesley Meryn, has lived her own share of adventures. But the one thing she has never experienced is the "coupe de foudre", the Lightning-Bolt of Love. Connected by years of friendship to the sexy action-movie star, Jason Hambrey, Jax, the two really are "just friends" but the paparazzi are merciless, making their lives and their friendship almost impossible to sustain.
When Lesley's Aunt dies, leaving her a piece of property in North Yorkshire, Lesley is mystified. Her aunt kept it a secret. Lesley travels to London and learns her that her aunt leased the property twenty-five years before to an 'Historical Research Society'. The lease on the property is up for renewal. Before she makes her decision; Lesley travels to the farm to investigate
Nothing could prepare her for what she finds at the farm. Miles Sherwood is dark, devious, and desperate. He's the very last person one would consider the head of a stuffy British 'Historical Society'
Lesley finds him insufferable, yet irresistibly attractive. The two unknowingly share a deep connection. Whether they like it or not...it's Lightning-Time!
BUY LINKS
Excerpt
“UNDONE...”
Miles stared at
the computer again without seeing it. Now his brain was whirling with even more
concrete, even more disturbing images. For a man who had always taken a measure
of pride in his discipline and self-control he felt as though he were on the
verge of losing it completely. He poured another mug of coffee from the thermos
on his desk, hoping that it might help to clear his head.
The phone chirped
at his elbow. He stared at it until it stopped, then rubbed his hands over the
stubble on his face. He took another long drink of coffee.
When Miles looked
up, she was standing there in the open doorway, watching him. He flinched
slightly, wondering how she could have snuck up on him so easily. He hadn't
even heard her.
“I'm leaving,”
Lesley announced firmly and quietly and without preamble. “Now.”
“We haven't
discussed the lease.” He found himself staring at her lips.
”There's nothing
for us to discuss,” she stated flatly, trying to keep from looking at him
directly.
“And your car—”
Miles caught her eyes with his.
“I'll walk if I
need to...” Lesley stared back at him without flinching.
“Its a long
walk,” Miles replied still locking eyes with her.
“I don't care.”
Lesley swallowed, desperate to keep her resolve.
“It might rain,”
he observed.
“It might,” she
replied faintly.
Miles took a step
towards her. “Not until we finish our business.”
“Our business can
be settled by the solicitors.” Lesley took a small step away from him, her
heart thudding madly.
“Why not between
us?”
“I'd rather not.”
She pulled her gaze away from him, fixing her eyes firmly on the painting
behind him. She noted that the rapier was back in its scabbard on the wall next
to the painting.
“I think we can
settle this like two civilized people.”
Lesley gave a
short laugh. “Do you really believe that?”
“We could at
least try....” he raised a brow.
“Ahh...Don't you
think we've gotten a bit past that?”
Miles scratched
his cheek thoughtfully. “I must have missed that part.”
“Missed it? You
engineered it!” Lesley faced him, offering her bruised wrists for his
inspection.
“I believe that
you made a considerable contribution in that regard.” he replied dryly, tilting
his head to the rapier on the wall.
Lesley stared at
him a moment, then dropped herself obstinately into the beleaguered upholstered
chair.
“I thought you
were leaving,” he said.
“Oh, I am.”
“Then kindly do
it, so I can get back to work.” As if.
Miles folded his
arms against his chest and leaned back against the desk. He raised his chin to
the door. He was torn between the dread that she would do just that and the
hope that he could think of something to get her to stay.
“If you're going
to go, then go.” He thought that perhaps reverse psychology would work with
someone as seemingly perverse as she was. He smiled inwardly. She was almost as
bad as he was. “I can have Conan take you to the train station.”
Lesley stared at
him then moved her attention to behind him resting it on the painting, then on
the rapier hung on the wall beside it. After admiring it for a few seconds, she
came to a decision.
“That's yours.
then?” She turned her head to the sword.
“Yes, it is.”
“Do you know how
to use it?”
His eyes slitted
dangerously at her. “What are you getting at?
“Is that just for
decoration, or do you know how to use it?”
“Maybe.” His
mouth set into a firm line.
“Mmm...” she
paused. “Have you got another one?”
“If you're
thinking what I'm thinking, then stop thinking about it.”
“What is it you
think I'm thinking about?”
“I don't even
want to think about it.”
“You were the one
who suggested that we settle this like two civilized people.”
“You are out of
your mind...” he hissed between his teeth. “How can you even suggest—”
“I consider it a
rather civilized way of resolving our differences. Well, it used to be, in any
case.”
“I consider it
out of the question.”
“Why?” she asked.
He turned away
from her, raking back his disheveled hair, not certain just how he should
respond to her.
“I'd like to
propose a little wager.” Lesley stuck her chin out at him, the defiant eight
year old still very much a part of her.
“A what?” His head swiveled to face her.
“You heard me, a
wager. If you win, you get the lease renewed, same terms, no questions asked,
for whatever length of time you require. “
“And if I lose?”
he asked softly.
“If you lose...
you tell me what it is you're really doing here. I mean really. The absolute
truth.”
“I thought I'd
already done that,” Miles replied calmly, “told you the truth...”
Lesley offered
him a wry twisted smile. “Nah....I don't think so. There's more.”
“What makes you
think that?” Miles asked, humoring her.
“Mmm...” Lesley
raised a brow as she took stock of him again. “If there isn't, then what have
you got to worry about?”
Miles looked
down, shaking his head.
“You're afraid.”
“Of you? No.”
Miles raised his head slowly. “For you...yes.”
“I'm not. What do
you say?”
“You're very sure
of yourself, aren't you?” His brows rose.
“No more than you
appear to be,” came the response.
“I think you have
the wrong idea about me, D'Artagnan.”
“I don't think
that at all.”
Miles took her in
carefully, the set of her jaw, her flashing eyes, the determined set of her
lips. Oh God, those luscious delicious lips. He could no more set upon her with
a sword than he could willingly smash the treasure of a priceless Fabergé Egg.
No matter how much she provoked him.
“I suppose you've
changed your mind about me, then...” he replied dryly, taking yet another tack.
“What do you
mean?”
“Yesterday you
declared me a man without principles. What could possibly have happened between
then and now that would lead you to believe I would keep to the terms of any
wager you cared to propose? In a duel of honor?”
Lesley had no
response to this.
“Listen to me,
you selfish brat. You want to go, then go. For whatever reason you've chosen to
concoct, it's not enough that we fence words, now you want to use the real
thing. You have no idea what you're proposing, or who you're dealing with. And
I'm weary of playing games with you. And I adamantly refuse to be a character
in one of your self-indulgent literary exploits.” He gave her an exasperated
wave. “Ach!”
She stared at
him, speechless, for several moments. The heat of
adrenaline flashed through her. He was so devilishly handsome, those black eyes
flashing at her, and so... so...
“You're
insufferable!” she finally breathed.
“Thank you,” he
nodded. “From someone who has elevated the concept into an art form, that is
high praise indeed.”
Shaking, and
outraged beyond words, Lesley gathered herself up and started for the door.
“What? No
scathing retort?” Miles commented quietly, not able to stop himself. “No parting sarcastic remark?”
Lesley paused,
her fingers trembling on the door handle. There was everything in her that
wanted to reply, yet she held back, unwilling to allow him to succeed in his
attempt to goad her. With a deep breath of resolve, she wrenched the door open
and walked down the long tiled passageway.
Miles stared at
the open door, the sound of her boots receded down the long corridor. With each
step the haze in his head grew stronger and the roar louder, and he found that
he was having difficulty breathing. He knew he had to do something or else he
would never be able to function or think clearly again. He had so much
unresolved sexual tension, building up from the first electric moment he'd seen
her, he had to do something. And he realized then, that he would do just about
anything to keep her from leaving. He swallowed, took two deep breaths and
cursed himself for his weakness and for what he was about to do.
“Wait!” he called
from behind the door, and down the passageway her boots slowed. “Wait! I'll do
it!” He listened for a reply. There were no footsteps. He held his breath.
Carefully, he
tilted his head around the door and came face to face with her. She stood
silent, watching him, waiting. He found himself caught up, transfixed by those
hazy smoky emerald eyes, and he knew he was lost.
“I'll do it. Damn
you,” he whispered. “I'll do it...”
She smiled. And
it sent a fiery cold shiver down his spine, which was surprisingly,
frighteningly, familiar.
Elle grew up in Los Angeles, California, but has lived in San Francisco and then Jamaica when she was a Peace Corps Volunteer. At the age of twelve she became obsessed with keeping falcons in the back yard. Fortunately, for the hundreds of hapless French poodles living in the San Fernando Valley at the time, she was not allowed to do this. In the course of the following years, she took on the challenges of earlier times, learning how to fence, how to ride horses, archery skills, and she even took a "Grand Tour of Europe". Travel continues to be a passion of hers. Her father always claimed that she had been born into the wrong century. He may have been right. Elle currently lives in the central highlands of Costa Rica with her dog Pixie, and her hedgehog, Quiller.
Romantic Comedy/Adventure/Time Travel
Date Published: June 15, 2014
Part Two: Sex. Coffee. Time Travel. Coming Soon
Adventure-romance author, Lesley Meryn, has lived her own share of adventures. But the one thing she has never experienced is the "coupe de foudre", the Lightning-Bolt of Love. Connected by years of friendship to the sexy action-movie star, Jason Hambrey, Jax, the two really are "just friends" but the paparazzi are merciless, making their lives and their friendship almost impossible to sustain.
When Lesley's Aunt dies, leaving her a piece of property in North Yorkshire, Lesley is mystified. Her aunt kept it a secret. Lesley travels to London and learns her that her aunt leased the property twenty-five years before to an 'Historical Research Society'. The lease on the property is up for renewal. Before she makes her decision; Lesley travels to the farm to investigate
Nothing could prepare her for what she finds at the farm. Miles Sherwood is dark, devious, and desperate. He's the very last person one would consider the head of a stuffy British 'Historical Society'
Lesley finds him insufferable, yet irresistibly attractive. The two unknowingly share a deep connection. Whether they like it or not...it's Lightning-Time!
BUY LINKS
Excerpt
“UNDONE...”
Miles stared at
the computer again without seeing it. Now his brain was whirling with even more
concrete, even more disturbing images. For a man who had always taken a measure
of pride in his discipline and self-control he felt as though he were on the
verge of losing it completely. He poured another mug of coffee from the thermos
on his desk, hoping that it might help to clear his head.
The phone chirped
at his elbow. He stared at it until it stopped, then rubbed his hands over the
stubble on his face. He took another long drink of coffee.
When Miles looked
up, she was standing there in the open doorway, watching him. He flinched
slightly, wondering how she could have snuck up on him so easily. He hadn't
even heard her.
“I'm leaving,”
Lesley announced firmly and quietly and without preamble. “Now.”
“We haven't
discussed the lease.” He found himself staring at her lips.
”There's nothing
for us to discuss,” she stated flatly, trying to keep from looking at him
directly.
“And your car—”
Miles caught her eyes with his.
“I'll walk if I
need to...” Lesley stared back at him without flinching.
“Its a long
walk,” Miles replied still locking eyes with her.
“I don't care.”
Lesley swallowed, desperate to keep her resolve.
“It might rain,”
he observed.
“It might,” she
replied faintly.
Miles took a step
towards her. “Not until we finish our business.”
“Our business can
be settled by the solicitors.” Lesley took a small step away from him, her
heart thudding madly.
“Why not between
us?”
“I'd rather not.”
She pulled her gaze away from him, fixing her eyes firmly on the painting
behind him. She noted that the rapier was back in its scabbard on the wall next
to the painting.
“I think we can
settle this like two civilized people.”
Lesley gave a
short laugh. “Do you really believe that?”
“We could at
least try....” he raised a brow.
“Ahh...Don't you
think we've gotten a bit past that?”
Miles scratched
his cheek thoughtfully. “I must have missed that part.”
“Missed it? You
engineered it!” Lesley faced him, offering her bruised wrists for his
inspection.
“I believe that
you made a considerable contribution in that regard.” he replied dryly, tilting
his head to the rapier on the wall.
Lesley stared at
him a moment, then dropped herself obstinately into the beleaguered upholstered
chair.
“I thought you
were leaving,” he said.
“Oh, I am.”
“Then kindly do
it, so I can get back to work.” As if.
Miles folded his
arms against his chest and leaned back against the desk. He raised his chin to
the door. He was torn between the dread that she would do just that and the
hope that he could think of something to get her to stay.
“If you're going
to go, then go.” He thought that perhaps reverse psychology would work with
someone as seemingly perverse as she was. He smiled inwardly. She was almost as
bad as he was. “I can have Conan take you to the train station.”
Lesley stared at
him then moved her attention to behind him resting it on the painting, then on
the rapier hung on the wall beside it. After admiring it for a few seconds, she
came to a decision.
“That's yours.
then?” She turned her head to the sword.
“Yes, it is.”
“Do you know how
to use it?”
His eyes slitted
dangerously at her. “What are you getting at?
“Is that just for
decoration, or do you know how to use it?”
“Maybe.” His
mouth set into a firm line.
“Mmm...” she
paused. “Have you got another one?”
“If you're
thinking what I'm thinking, then stop thinking about it.”
“What is it you
think I'm thinking about?”
“I don't even
want to think about it.”
“You were the one
who suggested that we settle this like two civilized people.”
“You are out of
your mind...” he hissed between his teeth. “How can you even suggest—”
“I consider it a
rather civilized way of resolving our differences. Well, it used to be, in any
case.”
“I consider it
out of the question.”
“Why?” she asked.
He turned away
from her, raking back his disheveled hair, not certain just how he should
respond to her.
“I'd like to
propose a little wager.” Lesley stuck her chin out at him, the defiant eight
year old still very much a part of her.
“A what?” His head swiveled to face her.
“You heard me, a
wager. If you win, you get the lease renewed, same terms, no questions asked,
for whatever length of time you require. “
“And if I lose?”
he asked softly.
“If you lose...
you tell me what it is you're really doing here. I mean really. The absolute
truth.”
“I thought I'd
already done that,” Miles replied calmly, “told you the truth...”
Lesley offered
him a wry twisted smile. “Nah....I don't think so. There's more.”
“What makes you
think that?” Miles asked, humoring her.
“Mmm...” Lesley
raised a brow as she took stock of him again. “If there isn't, then what have
you got to worry about?”
Miles looked
down, shaking his head.
“You're afraid.”
“Of you? No.”
Miles raised his head slowly. “For you...yes.”
“I'm not. What do
you say?”
“You're very sure
of yourself, aren't you?” His brows rose.
“No more than you
appear to be,” came the response.
“I think you have
the wrong idea about me, D'Artagnan.”
“I don't think
that at all.”
Miles took her in
carefully, the set of her jaw, her flashing eyes, the determined set of her
lips. Oh God, those luscious delicious lips. He could no more set upon her with
a sword than he could willingly smash the treasure of a priceless Fabergé Egg.
No matter how much she provoked him.
“I suppose you've
changed your mind about me, then...” he replied dryly, taking yet another tack.
“What do you
mean?”
“Yesterday you
declared me a man without principles. What could possibly have happened between
then and now that would lead you to believe I would keep to the terms of any
wager you cared to propose? In a duel of honor?”
Lesley had no
response to this.
“Listen to me,
you selfish brat. You want to go, then go. For whatever reason you've chosen to
concoct, it's not enough that we fence words, now you want to use the real
thing. You have no idea what you're proposing, or who you're dealing with. And
I'm weary of playing games with you. And I adamantly refuse to be a character
in one of your self-indulgent literary exploits.” He gave her an exasperated
wave. “Ach!”
She stared at
him, speechless, for several moments. The heat of
adrenaline flashed through her. He was so devilishly handsome, those black eyes
flashing at her, and so... so...
“You're
insufferable!” she finally breathed.
“Thank you,” he
nodded. “From someone who has elevated the concept into an art form, that is
high praise indeed.”
Shaking, and
outraged beyond words, Lesley gathered herself up and started for the door.
“What? No
scathing retort?” Miles commented quietly, not able to stop himself. “No parting sarcastic remark?”
Lesley paused,
her fingers trembling on the door handle. There was everything in her that
wanted to reply, yet she held back, unwilling to allow him to succeed in his
attempt to goad her. With a deep breath of resolve, she wrenched the door open
and walked down the long tiled passageway.
Miles stared at
the open door, the sound of her boots receded down the long corridor. With each
step the haze in his head grew stronger and the roar louder, and he found that
he was having difficulty breathing. He knew he had to do something or else he
would never be able to function or think clearly again. He had so much
unresolved sexual tension, building up from the first electric moment he'd seen
her, he had to do something. And he realized then, that he would do just about
anything to keep her from leaving. He swallowed, took two deep breaths and
cursed himself for his weakness and for what he was about to do.
“Wait!” he called
from behind the door, and down the passageway her boots slowed. “Wait! I'll do
it!” He listened for a reply. There were no footsteps. He held his breath.
Carefully, he
tilted his head around the door and came face to face with her. She stood
silent, watching him, waiting. He found himself caught up, transfixed by those
hazy smoky emerald eyes, and he knew he was lost.
“I'll do it. Damn
you,” he whispered. “I'll do it...”
She smiled. And
it sent a fiery cold shiver down his spine, which was surprisingly,
frighteningly, familiar.
Elle grew up in Los Angeles, California, but has lived in San Francisco and then Jamaica when she was a Peace Corps Volunteer. At the age of twelve she became obsessed with keeping falcons in the back yard. Fortunately, for the hundreds of hapless French poodles living in the San Fernando Valley at the time, she was not allowed to do this. In the course of the following years, she took on the challenges of earlier times, learning how to fence, how to ride horses, archery skills, and she even took a "Grand Tour of Europe". Travel continues to be a passion of hers. Her father always claimed that she had been born into the wrong century. He may have been right. Elle currently lives in the central highlands of Costa Rica with her dog Pixie, and her hedgehog, Quiller.
