Title: Ever
& Always
Author: Anne
Carter
Blurb:
"What
if I fall?"
"I can
skate faster than you can fall," Jack whispered, and Maddie closed her
eyes against the shiver that enveloped her body…
Ice Hockey.
Strong coffee. His infant son, Duncan. Three things Jack McKenzie could not do
without. Now he was about to add a fourth. Beautiful, green-eyed Madelyn Cross
has reappeared in his life with a load of baggage and a history riddled with
emotional landmines.
They almost
hooked up in high school, but their fathers had different ideas. Now, years
later, their paths cross in a beautiful Southern California park. Each has a
son, and each has an unhappy past; both share a need for love, passion and
devotion. But can Jack solve the mysteries in Maddie's past, overcome the
specter of her dead lover and still come out the
hero?
(Sex rating
is about a 2/5)
Creating fiction
gives one the power to design other lives, filled with romance and adventure,
intrigue and passion. My own writing career began in middle school creative
writing class, inspiring me to later major in literature. All it took was one
teacher' encouragement and I was on my
way.
I'm the
author of seven published novels, including mystery, romance, paranormal,
alternative romance and even a pair of middle grade readers. As for the
personal stuff, I'm a Virgo, a procrastinator, like warm better than cold and
drink neither Coke nor Pepsi. I was born in the Midwest but migrated to
California as a child. My hobbies include doll collecting, lighthouses, photo
restoration and writing, of course. My favorite sport is ice hockey, my
favorite TV shows include Elementary, Person of Interest, NCIS, Downton Abbey,
The Blacklist, and Grey's Anatomy. I am married to my hero of 30+ years and
have 3 great kids!
Author
links:
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“You can do
this. I want you to skate alone around the rest of the
way.”
“No, I’m
scared.”
“Trust
me, Maddie. You've got to trust me. I’ll be
right behind you.”
“What if I
fall?”
“I can skate
faster than you can fall,” he whispered, and Maddie closed her eyes against the
shiver that enveloped her body. He gave her a little push and she began to
skate, dreading the moment he would let go. And of course, he did let go,
hanging back to give her room to skate
ahead.
The girls at
the window were rapt, whispering and giggling quietly as they watched their
hero skate with his new girlfriend. Even some of his teammates stopped near the
locker room door to watch the arena and the attention Jack was paying to the
pretty girl in the pink
sweater.
Maddie could
barely breathe.
God, I have
to do this. Trust Jack. Don’t let me fall!
Slowly,
carefully, Maddie took the curve at the far end of the oval rink, concentrating
on looking smooth and capable. She didn't dare wonder if Jack was still
behind her, or how far away he was. She kept her eyes on the exit
door. She was doing fine until the sound of an engine, a loud sound akin to
that of a giant lawnmower, pervaded the rink and startled Maddie from her ice
exhibition. Abruptly she turned her head in the direction of the sound, and the
break in concentration disrupted her momentum, making her off-balance and
wobbly.
Instantly
she looked down at her skates, trying to get back into rhythm, but it was too
late. She tried to remember how to drag the toe of her skate to brake, and in
doing so made herself even more insecure. Terror filled her head. Oh
no, I’m going down!
The thought
did not even fully cross her mind and Jack was with her, his arms not merely
grasping her waist but wrapped fully around her, the heat of his chest warming
her back and shoulders. Looking forward, Maddie realized they were only a few
feet away from the rink door.
They slowed
to a stop, but still he held her, his lips close to her
ear.
“Now, is
there anything more I can do to earn your trust?” he whispered before kissing
her neck briefly. He waited patiently for her to catch her breath, to calm down
from her scare.
Maddie
closed her eyes. Jack’s show of affection was not lost on her, but she
hesitated to acknowledge it for fear that she was over-reacting. Perhaps it was
only in sympathy, a consolation for her pathetic performance. Taking a deep
breath, she mentally forced aside the exhilarating feel of his lips against her
skin. But she could not begin to slow the wild flutter in her chest.
“Just tell
me, who is Sam Bony, and
what is that awful noise?”
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