By J. L. Salter
ISBN: 978-1-62135-082-2
Genres: romantic comedy
Genres: romantic comedy
Available at: Astraea Press | Amazon | B&N
Blurb:
When Kris awakens in a costume, behind wooden bars inside a pitch-black community center, her only available rescuer is the hung-over new guy in town (who’s dressed as a pirate). Problem is: she’s sworn-off men, especially buccaneers.
Badly burned four years ago by a player who ruined her financially, Kris Prima’s heart is locked down as tightly as her lifestyle is confined by those massive debts. When first assisted by recent newcomer Ryan Hazzard, Kris is resentful, slightly afraid, and determined never again to trust men. But when court-ordered community service brings them together once more, she begins to appreciate Ryan’s charm, good looks, and capable manner.
With all the rumors and assumptions which followed Ryan from a large metropolitan area, how can small-town Kris even begin to trust him? And why won’t he explain any of those situations? Through her efforts to learn Ryan’s mysterious past, they share further experiences: many comedic, one quite dangerous, and others very tender. Despite several misunderstandings, Kris’s bottled-up feelings slowly re-awaken and she finally learns enough about Ryan to know she wants him in her life somehow. Kris regains her ability to trust a man and her heart is freed from its jail.
Excerpt:
After I’d dealt with my own primary emergency, I looked into the mirror. Hmm. This witch costume did reveal a good bit of flesh. I made some quick adjustments to the girls. Still a punishing outfit. For a moment I fritzed with my short hair before I realized it was beyond hope. Also, my eye makeup had streaked. What a mess. I exited the restroom and stood at the corner of the intersecting hallways.
“Oh, I thought you’d gone.” The brigand approached from the direction of the men’s room door.
I finally got a good look at his face. Nice — under the greasepaint beard and overdone eye makeup someone likely copied from a bad pirate movie. Strong jaw, Roman nose, steel gray eyes. He was probably about six-two. The gaudy horizontal stripes of his tight shirt revealed an expansive chest. Not like a competitive body-builder, but a man who’d been physically fit most of his life. Hmm. Wondered how old he was. Hard to tell with buccaneers. Maybe a hair over thirty.
“Guess I’m heading out. Which way is the parking lot?”
I pointed over my right shoulder. “The main lot’s out there. Feeds into a ginormous overhead door they used to need for the trucks that pulled in the big space.”
The pirate rubbed his head and likely just then realized he still wore the scarf. He grinned as he pulled it off. His movement also dislodged the thin elastic strand from his ear and the eye patch fell to the thick tile.
I wondered why he hadn’t seen that in the mirror. Maybe he hadn’t even looked. Some guys don’t. Nice smile. Not movie star caliber, but just right for a real man. “You said it was your first time at the Halloween Festival. So how’d you get left here?”
“I’m still wondering that myself.” He shook his head.
Whatever. “So why'd it take you so long to come help me get out?”
“First time I heard your voice, I thought I was still asleep and just dreaming or something. My head hurt. What’d they put in that punch? I drank a lot more than I usually do. Got real tired and just kind of slumped against the wall off in a corner... not too far from where you were, apparently.” He rubbed the back of his neck.
I liked the way his mouth moved when he spoke. A bit like Sean Connery when much younger — extra mobility in his lips.
He continued. “Well, anyway, I tried to make my way over to your voice, but I couldn’t see so it took a while to reach you.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“I didn’t know who you were. Plus, you’d threatened to shoot me!” He groaned. “You’d think people cleaning up would’ve noticed at least one of us.”
“I was on the committee and everybody said the county jail convicts would clean up Monday morning. No need to do anything but turn out the lights and leave, which apparently is just what they did.” Would’ve been nice if they’d checked for live bodies first.
The buccaneer shrugged and headed toward the door. “Okay. Guess I’m outta here.”
“Hold on. You said you were new in town. Who are you anyway?”
“Just your run-of-the-mill pirate.” He grinned. “Who are you?”
“A witch who puts nasty spells on rude pirates.” I didn’t grin. Why’d he dodge my question?
He turned again to leave.
“Hey, I’m not staying here by myself.” I’d had my quota of being alone in large dark buildings near Halloween.
“Might be chilly outside in a witch costume.”
My leather jacket was something else I’d left locked in the car. I sighed heavily and followed him toward the door. It seemed like I was forgetting something...
“It’s been… interesting.” He winked clumsily and pushed open the heavy door.
Brisk night air swirled into the wide hallway and I shivered.
The newcomer stepped outside and clasped his arms around his chest; I stayed pretty close so he could be a windbreak of sorts. Right as I heard the massive door slam behind us I remembered my purse was still tucked under the bench inside the wooden cage. “My keys! My purse!” I tried the door. Locked tighter than my Aunt Tilly’s coin pouch.
“Locked?”
Before I could nod my head, I started sniffling. The new guy stepped closer, tentatively, but stopped short of hugging me. You can’t let a strange swashbuckler embrace you even if he is compassionate enough. As I shivered from the cold breeze, it made my sniffles sound even worse.
“Uh, is there something I can do to help?” He shivered also.
I’d spent the last thirty minutes being strong. “Not unless,” I sobbed, “you have a key to the armory.”
He shook his head. “But I guess I could give you a ride.” He didn’t sound like he wanted to.
And I wasn’t certain it would be a good idea anyhow. “Don’t ride with strangers” had been ingrained in me since kindergarten.
Vehicle brakes squealed in the parking lot and we both turned just as a piercing bright light temporarily blinded me. “Stop right there! Verdeville Police! Hands in the air and don’t move too fast.”
.JPG)
Author bio:
Besides The Overnighter’s Secrets (published by A.P. in May 2012), Rescued by That New Guy in Town (published by A.P. in October 2012), I’ve written five other complete unpublished novels, including a tribute to the Greatest Generation and two screwball romantic comedies.
I’m co-author of two hard-cover non-fiction monographs (dealing with aspects of librarianship) with a royalty publisher. I also co-authored a signed chapter in another book and a signed article in a specialty encyclopedia. In addition, I’ve published several articles and reviews in professional journals, some 150 bylined articles in newspapers, and over a hundred poems (mostly in small literary magazines).
I’ve been a member of RWA since 2007 (currently in PRO group) and I joined the Chick Lit Writers of the World Chapter in early 2010.
I’m a decorated veteran of the U.S. Air Force, including a year overseas at Thule AB in N.W. Greenland. Married, father of two, grandfather of six.
Author Links:
When Kris awakens in a costume, behind wooden bars inside a pitch-black community center, her only available rescuer is the hung-over new guy in town (who’s dressed as a pirate). Problem is: she’s sworn-off men, especially buccaneers.
Badly burned four years ago by a player who ruined her financially, Kris Prima’s heart is locked down as tightly as her lifestyle is confined by those massive debts. When first assisted by recent newcomer Ryan Hazzard, Kris is resentful, slightly afraid, and determined never again to trust men. But when court-ordered community service brings them together once more, she begins to appreciate Ryan’s charm, good looks, and capable manner.
With all the rumors and assumptions which followed Ryan from a large metropolitan area, how can small-town Kris even begin to trust him? And why won’t he explain any of those situations? Through her efforts to learn Ryan’s mysterious past, they share further experiences: many comedic, one quite dangerous, and others very tender. Despite several misunderstandings, Kris’s bottled-up feelings slowly re-awaken and she finally learns enough about Ryan to know she wants him in her life somehow. Kris regains her ability to trust a man and her heart is freed from its jail.
Excerpt:
After I’d dealt with my own primary emergency, I looked into the mirror. Hmm. This witch costume did reveal a good bit of flesh. I made some quick adjustments to the girls. Still a punishing outfit. For a moment I fritzed with my short hair before I realized it was beyond hope. Also, my eye makeup had streaked. What a mess. I exited the restroom and stood at the corner of the intersecting hallways.
“Oh, I thought you’d gone.” The brigand approached from the direction of the men’s room door.
I finally got a good look at his face. Nice — under the greasepaint beard and overdone eye makeup someone likely copied from a bad pirate movie. Strong jaw, Roman nose, steel gray eyes. He was probably about six-two. The gaudy horizontal stripes of his tight shirt revealed an expansive chest. Not like a competitive body-builder, but a man who’d been physically fit most of his life. Hmm. Wondered how old he was. Hard to tell with buccaneers. Maybe a hair over thirty.
“Guess I’m heading out. Which way is the parking lot?”
I pointed over my right shoulder. “The main lot’s out there. Feeds into a ginormous overhead door they used to need for the trucks that pulled in the big space.”
The pirate rubbed his head and likely just then realized he still wore the scarf. He grinned as he pulled it off. His movement also dislodged the thin elastic strand from his ear and the eye patch fell to the thick tile.
I wondered why he hadn’t seen that in the mirror. Maybe he hadn’t even looked. Some guys don’t. Nice smile. Not movie star caliber, but just right for a real man. “You said it was your first time at the Halloween Festival. So how’d you get left here?”
“I’m still wondering that myself.” He shook his head.
Whatever. “So why'd it take you so long to come help me get out?”
“First time I heard your voice, I thought I was still asleep and just dreaming or something. My head hurt. What’d they put in that punch? I drank a lot more than I usually do. Got real tired and just kind of slumped against the wall off in a corner... not too far from where you were, apparently.” He rubbed the back of his neck.
I liked the way his mouth moved when he spoke. A bit like Sean Connery when much younger — extra mobility in his lips.
He continued. “Well, anyway, I tried to make my way over to your voice, but I couldn’t see so it took a while to reach you.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“I didn’t know who you were. Plus, you’d threatened to shoot me!” He groaned. “You’d think people cleaning up would’ve noticed at least one of us.”
“I was on the committee and everybody said the county jail convicts would clean up Monday morning. No need to do anything but turn out the lights and leave, which apparently is just what they did.” Would’ve been nice if they’d checked for live bodies first.
The buccaneer shrugged and headed toward the door. “Okay. Guess I’m outta here.”
“Hold on. You said you were new in town. Who are you anyway?”
“Just your run-of-the-mill pirate.” He grinned. “Who are you?”
“A witch who puts nasty spells on rude pirates.” I didn’t grin. Why’d he dodge my question?
He turned again to leave.
“Hey, I’m not staying here by myself.” I’d had my quota of being alone in large dark buildings near Halloween.
“Might be chilly outside in a witch costume.”
My leather jacket was something else I’d left locked in the car. I sighed heavily and followed him toward the door. It seemed like I was forgetting something...
“It’s been… interesting.” He winked clumsily and pushed open the heavy door.
Brisk night air swirled into the wide hallway and I shivered.
The newcomer stepped outside and clasped his arms around his chest; I stayed pretty close so he could be a windbreak of sorts. Right as I heard the massive door slam behind us I remembered my purse was still tucked under the bench inside the wooden cage. “My keys! My purse!” I tried the door. Locked tighter than my Aunt Tilly’s coin pouch.
“Locked?”
Before I could nod my head, I started sniffling. The new guy stepped closer, tentatively, but stopped short of hugging me. You can’t let a strange swashbuckler embrace you even if he is compassionate enough. As I shivered from the cold breeze, it made my sniffles sound even worse.
“Uh, is there something I can do to help?” He shivered also.
I’d spent the last thirty minutes being strong. “Not unless,” I sobbed, “you have a key to the armory.”
He shook his head. “But I guess I could give you a ride.” He didn’t sound like he wanted to.
And I wasn’t certain it would be a good idea anyhow. “Don’t ride with strangers” had been ingrained in me since kindergarten.
Vehicle brakes squealed in the parking lot and we both turned just as a piercing bright light temporarily blinded me. “Stop right there! Verdeville Police! Hands in the air and don’t move too fast.”
.JPG)
Besides The Overnighter’s Secrets (published by A.P. in May 2012), Rescued by That New Guy in Town (published by A.P. in October 2012), I’ve written five other complete unpublished novels, including a tribute to the Greatest Generation and two screwball romantic comedies.
I’m co-author of two hard-cover non-fiction monographs (dealing with aspects of librarianship) with a royalty publisher. I also co-authored a signed chapter in another book and a signed article in a specialty encyclopedia. In addition, I’ve published several articles and reviews in professional journals, some 150 bylined articles in newspapers, and over a hundred poems (mostly in small literary magazines).
I’ve been a member of RWA since 2007 (currently in PRO group) and I joined the Chick Lit Writers of the World Chapter in early 2010.
I’m a decorated veteran of the U.S. Air Force, including a year overseas at Thule AB in N.W. Greenland. Married, father of two, grandfather of six.
Author Links:
20 comments:
Hey Jeff!!! So glad you visit with us this week. And I'm so proud of you and the continued sales you are making with your publisher. It's such a dream come true, isn't it?
Enjoy your spotlight, my dear!
Thank you, Renee.
This is my first time on your turf --- very cool site.
For those of you who may not yet know this: Renee is also a delightful and gracious young lady in person [I had the pleasure of speaking with her at a book signing near the end of 2010].
And, of course, a very talented author!
Great blog post and info for today!
Elaine
Great to see you again, Elaine. We've gotten out of touch lately.
Thanks for visiting my guest appearance here with Renee.
Great post Jeff, and your book is climbing up my wish list.
Thanks, Sherry.
hope it makes the cut.
I just love that excerpt, Jeff! Congrats and wishing you many, many sales!
I loved your excerpt. I didn't realize that you wrote poetry. I can't do that at all.
Thank you, Tiffany.
Very glad you stopped by and left a comment. It's been kinda lonely here today.
Yes, Elaine Cantrell. Until mid 2006, I had been writing poetry for over four decades and truly thought that would be what I would do in retirement (besides a few book reviews).
Imagine my surprise to learn there were (at least) seven novels stuck inside me!
Hey Jeff! Loved this book - I'm only halfway thru it, due to contest judging, but plan to finish it asap.
Keep writing comedy! It's definitely your forte. :-)
Hi Jeff,
The book sounds like a very interesting read. Can't wait to get my hands on a copy. Going to Amazon when I'm done here.
Renee, thanks for having Jeff so we could learn about his book.
All the best to you,
STephanie
Thank you, Meg!
If I'm blessed enough for my current submission to be accepted, my next submission to AP will be the first of two screwball comedies. If you liked the humor in "... New Guy ..." you'll really enjoy [[the one I can't reveal the title of]].
very glad to see you here, Stephanie. And thanks for letting me know your alter ego --- LOL, I do get confused sometimes.
Hope you enjoy my story.
Great excerpt. Congrats on the release, and I'm looking forward to reading this, as well as your WWII tribute!
Thanks, Patty.
I've still got my fingers crossed about the tribute to the Greatest Generation. Of course, it hasn't even been in the hands of the reader for two weeks yet. In fact, only about 10-11 days. But who's counting? Ha.
This was a great story! Really enjoyed it.
Thank you, Iris. As I recall, you said you lost sleep over this story ... LOL.
Thanks, Renee, for letting me visit. Sorry we didn't draw a bigger crowd.
Jeff, you're crazy. I think you did very well drawing a crowd! Well done!
I am so happy to have been able to feature you, especially after all the times you featured me on your blog. Come back any time!
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