Excerpts

A single wrong assumption can be costly…

I’m so excited for this new release! Embracing Passion been a long labor of love – the finale to the Passion series, set in a fictional center for sex studies and sexuality.

Welcome to MFRW Hooks, where the authors of Marketing for Romance Writers
share snippets from their stories to entice you into wanting more.
Be sure to click on the links at the end to travel!

EXCERPT

Set Up: Having checked out the Center’s website from Rosanne’s business card, the detective has decided to drop in on a lecture at a college campus… 

New York, New York 2014

Sitting in the back row of the small lecture hall, Tom Walker had a difficult time believing that the conservatively dressed, articulate, non-threatening woman explaining the hazards of sexually transmitted diseases was the same provocative woman he’d confronted at the rest area parking lot.

The hall was half-filled, with possibly two thirds of the audience female. Initially it had held a distinct air of tension, but Rosanne Falcon’s quick wit and sense of humor had helped relax the mood of the crowd. Clearly, Falcon and her co-presenter, Anna Jackson, were quite experienced at working a crowd. Jackson, with a nursing background, had been reassuring about how women and men could protect themselves and obtain treatment if they failed to do so. She came across very matter-of-fact, almost motherly.

He figured Jackson had to be in her forties. Taller than Falcon, the brunette was somewhat larger in build—not overweight, but leaning that way a little. She looked like money. The rings on her fingers reflected in the light, and he knew enough about women’s fashion to be aware the pantsuit she wore was probably tailored. All in all, pleasant looking, and knew how to dress for her size.

But Anna Jackson didn’t catch his imagination like Rosanne Falcon did. Hardly anything about Rosanne’s simple one-piece blue dress was sexy, yet she was the sexiest woman in the room. Was it her poise? It wasn’t her oversized loop earrings. Maybe it was her confident smile. She knew she had everyone’s attention.

Even his presence had only caused a momentary blip. He’d purposely come into the hall after he heard her begin to introduce herself and Anna. She hadn’t appeared shocked when he took his seat. By then she was already on cruise control. She had no doubt put him aside as a problem to deal with later.

Along with everyone else, he’d laughed when she’d informed them that the slide presentation was PG rated; if they’d been expecting X-rated materials, they’d be disappointed. She and Jackson shared several slides loaded with data on sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. There’d been a brief overview of the Center and its mission with a few slides of staff sitting around tables and working at computers. A couple slides of instructional DVD covers were at least suggestive. The slide that brought the biggest gasp of surprise, then titters and whispers, showed a table with a vast array of sex toys.

Clearly amused by the audience’s response, Falcon had quipped, “Don’t laugh. Some of those can be a woman or man’s second-best friend. Ladies, how many of you own at least one vibrator?”

A few hands went up, then many more. She’d laughed and clapped her hands. “Our research data suggests that the percentage is probably a little higher than that. Sorry if I embarrassed anyone.”

BLURB

Now in her late twenties, Rosanne Falcon’s life has finally come together—a Ph.D., a prestigious research job, and two exquisite lovers, one of each gender, to complete the package. The intense bond she shares with Simone Stone was augmented rather than broken when Simone met and married Boyd Roberts, and the three have forged a fulfilling polyamory relationship. More would only be trouble.

Widowed by a tragic accident several years earlier, Detective Thomas Walker is nearing retirement after twenty years on the police force and ready to change careers. Fully convinced the hot redhead who meets truckers at the rest area he’s staked out is a prostitute, he sets out to build his case against her. He is dead wrong, but each layer he uncovers of what she really does for a living challenges long held assumptions. Can he overcome his deep-seated bias to make room for what’s possible?

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UNIVERSAL LINK

https://books2read.com/u/bpYaYX

Be sure to click on the links to travel to the rest of today’s exciting excerpts!

A single wrong assumption can be costly…

I’m so excited for this new release! Embracing Passion been a long labor of love – the finale to the Passion series, set in a fictional center for sex studies and sexuality.

Welcome to MFRW Hooks, where the authors of Marketing for Romance Writers
share snippets from their stories to entice you into wanting more.
Be sure to click on the links at the end to travel!

EXCERPT

Set Up: Rosanne has shared her concern about the detective’s investigation with the Center staff.

New York, New York 2014

“I don’t care what you say,” Center Co-Director Harry Gage grumbled, “I don’t like the idea of a cop nosing around. Nothing good comes from that.”

Melissa Hopkins-Gage, the other co-director, shook her head at her husband, who sat on the opposite side of the office round table, with Simone Stone and Rosanne on either side of her. She knew he was only expressing his concern for their staff.

She was pleased that Anna Jackson, the Center’s part-time community education director and board member, had been able to join them this morning. In her early forties, Anna brought a certain wisdom to the Center as well as strong commitment to the Center’s broad educational mission. That she probably colored her raven hair and that her body had matured with age, displaying a slightly thicker waist and wider hips than Anna preferred, made her an asset, particularly in fantasy videos depicting a middle-aged woman’s role. Her enthusiasm in front of the camera rivaled that of her younger colleagues.

“We don’t have anything to hide, Harry,” Melissa reminded her husband. “You know that.”

Melissa glanced at Rosanne, who was uncharacteristically antsy. She’d seldom seen her friend so out of sorts. This detective must’ve shaken her up more than she was admitting. “If your detective comes to the Center, we’ll show him around. If he thinks we’re trying to hide something, then he’ll probably hang around a lot longer.”

Rosanne nodded, looking less than convinced.

“I haven’t liked this damn project you two are working on from the beginning.” Harry raked his graying hair. “It’s not safe. And it makes you look like…”

“Harry,” Rosanne interrupted, “we’ve discussed this ad nauseum. Simone and I are careful. We back each other up. We’ve nearly completed our sample selection. Simone’s already finished with her part of the data collection.”

“Right,” Harry huffed. “Because Boyd finally put his foot down. At least her husband has some sense.”

Simone thrust out her chin defiantly. “I agreed to quit because I didn’t have any more data to gain. My preliminary analysis suggests we’re developing a fairly complete picture of the trucker who seeks a liaison while on the road. Don’t make it sound like Boyd has me on a leash.”

Melissa smiled at the spunky woman, who was only two years older than Rosanne. Both women had their doctorates. Both were avid advocates for the Center and its mission. And both could twist Harry Gage around their fingers. She should know. She’d been doing that since before they married. “You know they’re not going to be satisfied until their research is done, Harry. If things were reversed, you’d feel just as strongly.”

Giving up, Harry scrunched his mouth. “That doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

“No, I suppose it doesn’t. So,” Melissa said, taking charge, “if this detective shows up, we’ll be nice to him, answer his questions, and show him around.”

“You won’t show him around,” Rosanne protested, “if we’re working on camera.”

“Of course not,” Melissa agreed. “We can show him the stages and sets when they’re not in use, which is most of the time. Do you really think he’ll track you down?”

Rosanne took a long time to respond.

Melissa knew Max’s granddaughter better than most. That flicker of emotion wasn’t exactly fear. So she was more than a little curious about the man who’d apparently stalked her from the rest area to the rental car agency. Melissa smiled to herself. She’d tuck that bit of information away, just in case.

Rosanne flexed her fingers and wet her lips. “I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t,” she said at last. “Detective Walker strikes me as a man who won’t be satisfied until he has all the pieces of the puzzle in place.”

“And you’re his puzzle for the moment.”

BLURB

Now in her late twenties, Rosanne Falcon’s life has finally come together—a Ph.D., a prestigious research job, and two exquisite lovers, one of each gender, to complete the package. The intense bond she shares with Simone Stone was augmented rather than broken when Simone met and married Boyd Roberts, and the three have forged a fulfilling polyamory relationship. More would only be trouble.

Widowed by a tragic accident several years earlier, Detective Thomas Walker is nearing retirement after twenty years on the police force and ready to change careers. Fully convinced the hot redhead who meets truckers at the rest area he’s staked out is a prostitute, he sets out to build his case against her. He is dead wrong, but each layer he uncovers of what she really does for a living challenges long held assumptions. Can he overcome his deep-seated bias to make room for what’s possible?

BUY LINK

Now available at all ebook stores!

UNIVERSAL LINK

https://books2read.com/u/bpYaYX

Be sure to click on the links to travel to the rest of today’s exciting excerpts!