EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT #2!

Tricky Puck - a hockey rom-com

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Hello !

Happy spring! (Or whatever season you're enjoying where you live) 💜

I'm picking up momentum in writing Tricky Puck and happy to share another EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT with you!

Check it out below! ⬇️⬇️⬇️

In the meantime, I was looking at some old files and I don't know if you followed me back in the day, but I used to write a blog with occasional humorous pieces about a Queen/Writer and her sidekick, an extremely irrascible chauffeur, Myren--real or imaginary?

How about if I share one of those columns with you today—in case you could use a smile, maybe even a laugh.

Check out the Tongue-in-Cheek feature inspired by Myren, my pretend chauffeur below ⬇️⬇️⬇️

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At SQ's House

This week I'm suffering from March Madness Withdrawal. Yes, it's a real thing.

Here's an illustration of what it looks like if you don't believe me. ➜➜➜➜ ➜➜ ➜➜

But it's time I moved on. I have plenty of writing to catch up on do.

I won’t bore you with the details of my week, but suffice it to say that I took a lot of naps in the middle of the day.

I can’t make a habit of that or I’ll end up looking like this when I answer my door (not sure who’d be ringing my door bell since everyone texts these days, but you get the picture.).

How boring was my week, you ask?

Let’s just say that watching Jeopardy every night was the highlight.

That said, my mission for next week is to not have another week like this one.

It should be a slam dunk (sorry about the latent basketball reference) since I’m going to D.C. to visit my son.

He’s playing in a Porch Fest concert—he’s in a band and he plays guitar.

I’ll have pics.

Until then… zzzzzzz ❤️

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Me with two local reader friends ➜➜➜

I especially enjoy getting to know the members of my group personally. 💜

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My favorite review of the week!

"This book... unfolds a heartwarming sports romance between Rylee and Zak. The characters are flawed yet intense, contributing to a unique plot that makes the reading experience thoroughly enjoyable. The undeniable sizzling chemistry and strong connection between Rylee and Zak add depth as they navigate the challenging path toward their forever after. The story weaves a captivating adventure, offering a mix of drama, steam, sweetness, frustrating moments, unexpected twists, turns, and engaging secondary characters, ensuring that the reader stays thoroughly interested."

Angie Holden--Amazon reviewer

I truly appreciate everyone who takes the time to leave reviews.💜

READ THE GROUPIE FREE IN KU

for a limited time

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Tongue-in-Cheek - Myren, My Chauffeur

5 Health Tips for Super-Duper Unhealthy People (You Know Who You Are, Myren)

Let me start by saying that I’m writing this because I’ve been studying the matter of How to be Healthy for some time now. I know all about it. Positively everything. It’s not so hard.

Mostly I’m writing this article because I was inspired by one of the unhealthiest people I know—Myren, my chauffeur. 

I’ve discovered that when you live like he does, it’s a rather simple matter to make improvements to live healthier. Any change at all would make Myren healthier.  

Like if he did more walking than driving. The man sits in his darn car all day long. (I know what you’re thinking—he’s a chauffeur for pity’s sake—what do I expect him to do? …Okay, that’s a legitimate point. But still, it’s not healthy. Just sayin’) (Maybe he could get one of those bicycle driven carts and take me grocery shopping in that.)

So here are my tips for all of the Myren-like people who sit around in their cars, smoke cigars and drink a lot of coffee and sometimes a pint of whiskey when they think I’m not looking and which they sometimes put in their coffee. And who eat burgers and fried chicken and potato chips and cake and ice cream because they forget they are no longer twelve years old. 

So if that’s you—read on!. If it’s not you, I got nothing (but read on anyway because I’ve gone to all the trouble to write this and it’s the polite thing to do.)

5 Health Tips for Super Duper Unhealthy People like Myren, My Chauffeur

1.     Stop smoking those awful smelly cigars. It can’t be good for you and not to mention they stink and the rest of us don’t want to have to deal with them. Especially when you don’t open the window. How hard could it be? My uncle went to a hypnotist once—maybe you could try that.

2.     Run around a little. Stop sitting and laying around so much. Do some jumping jacks for pity’s sake. Don’t you get bored sitting in a car all day? If my Aunt Millie can walk around the mall with her old hag cronies lovely friends, I’m sure you could manage ten minutes of movement.

3.     Eat some broccoli for pity’s sake. It won’t kill you—unlike the steak and ice cream diet you tried eating too much fat and sugar.

4.     Quit drinking whiskey. Try light beer. Go back to AA so you can chauffeur me after noon. 

5.     ??? Why did I say 5 tips?

Note: Myren is a fictional character!

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Coming in May 2024

EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT #2: TRICKY PUCK

a fake relationship hockey rom-com

Link

The only thing working properly are my eyes as I take her in—and my dick.

Shit. This isn’t how I react to women. Never. Ever.

Not since my second grade teacher Miss Annie Borelli. I was in love with her for the entire school year, and for the entire school year I was tongue-tied. I couldn’t speak in her presence. 

Kind of like now. Fucking hell. This is so not good—and so not happening.

There’s a beat of silence and the matchmaker turns to go. Panic seizes me, making me reach out to stop the old woman. She turns to look at me and I don’t know what to say. I gulp down a puck-sized lump of fear.

The old woman smiles then, the first crack in her game face, and it’s a smile of triumph. Shit. She pats my hand and winks at me, reminding me of Grandma. Maybe they’re related? But that makes no sense because I know all our relatives. Maybe there’s a league of cagey old women out there who mysteriously know everything about life and occasionally they use their powers to interfere—

The wise old matchmaker, in league with Granny or not, walks away and I force myself to turn back to the woman—who’s name I still don’t know—fuck. I hope she doesn’t turn me to stone—although my dick is well on the way to granite hard.

Fuck this.

I can handle a beautiful woman. I’ve been handling them all my life. I force myself to look her in the eyes and smile.

She’s not smiling.

I cough, swallow down a lump of whatever and talk. Or rather, motion with my hand for her to have a seat. Then I sit across from her.

“Man of few words, I see,” she says, her not-smile changing to a let’s get this over with expression and move on patronizing look.

That attitude doesn’t detract from her beauty or my dick’s attraction, but it does loosen my tongue. For better or worse.

“Why are you here? You don’t look like matchmaker material.”

Her expression doesn’t change. “I could say the same about you. But I’m not rude.”

My mouth curves up but I tamp down on the prick of pleasure at her spunk. I don’t mind a good sparring partner. It could be fun for one night.

“You don’t like straight talk?”

“You say that like you’re accusing me of being a lightweight, but I’m no wimp, big boy.” She leans forward and I keep my eyes on hers though my peripheral vision—which is damn good—is good enough to see the dip of creamy cleavage she’s showing. 

“Give me your best shot. Tell me what you think.” She asks for it with way too much confidence.

“She’s capable of multi-layered sparring.” I lean forward, my blood heating up with interest because this is my kind of conversation—gloves off. 

“I’ll tell you what I think.” I keep my voice low for emphasis.. “You’re smart and hot and you don’t need a matchmaker to find a date. Which means you don’t want to date and some well-meaning family member set you up—for your own good—because you’re damaged and lonely and you don’t think you need a man to make you happy.”

She opens her mouth, doesn’t say a word for a beat, and doesn’t move her eyes from mine, not even a blink. I stare back at her bright blue eyes, concentrating hard not to be distracted, to keep sharp for the sparring. The last thing I want is to be blind sided by an uppercut. Without even a flicker in my attention, I wait for her return shot.

“Very revealing. I was wondering why you were here.”

“I notice you didn’t tell me I was wrong.” I hold back my smile, but it’s damned difficult to keep my expression blank when it should be automatic.

“Now that we have that cleared up, let’s order a drink.” She’s looking over my shoulder at the server as the young woman approaches.

“I’ll have—” she starts, but I cut her off, with good intentions of course.

“We’ll both have Pappy van Winkel, straight up.” A glance tells me she’s more impressed than shocked. “And leave the bottle.”

Now she’s shocked.

PRE-ORDER NOW!

Pre-orders are very helpful, so I'd appreciate it if you would pre-order Tricky Puck today. ❤️

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ROMANTICONN 2024

Coming July 26 - 27

Trumbull Marriott Shelton, Trumbull, CT

Of course I'll be there!

REGISTER NOW!

The Signing Authors

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More books for your reading pleasure

SQ's Featured Authors

Risky Play - Danica Flynn

New Release!

MATT

Maddie Kennedy is trouble with a capital T. As my teammate’s little sister, she is strictly off-limits. But I didn’t know that the night we met.

After safely putting her in the Friend Zone, she recruits me to be her wingman and I can’t say no. But I can say no to all the jerks she seems to be interested in.

I can’t break the code by dating my teammate’s sister. I definitely can’t go behind his back like that.

MADDIE

I don’t want to be in the Friend Zone with Matt Callahan, and I’m tired of men running away when they find out who my brother is.

So asking him to help me get rid of the V-card in my back pocket, might have been an elaborate ruse. Because he’s the only man who’s right for the job.

I’m fine with it just being one night. I know I won’t be able to convince him to break the code and date me in secret. He’s too good of a guy to do that.

The Philadelphia Bulldogs hockey team are back for a final book, in this all new-standalone novel. Books can be enjoyed in any order. If forbidden romance is your catnip, this is the book for you.

BUY NOW EVERYWHERE!

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Are you feeling romance in the air? If you are, then I hope you find a romantic book here to indulge your mood and enjoy during this refreshing season.

Please find time to read or do whatever your favorite pastime is.

I'd love to hear what you you think of the excerpt from Tricky Puck. Send me a note and let me know. 💜

Warmest Regards,