 The big day has arrived and I've been busy preparing my romantic hero, Dylan Bond from In Love and War to meet his challenger, Aidan Gael, the shape-shifting wolf from Fated Souls by Becky Flade. Dylan's been a good sport, obviously. He knows how to roll with the punches. He's also got a terrific sense of humor, which helps. I don't see him storming out when asked intimate or indelicate questions. He'll answer, with a twinkle in his eye, and a little innuendo to boot. So join us today, all day, at the Hot Hero Face-Off on Facebook. The first question is up. Here it is.
 Dylan - How are you feeling after taking Round 2 and defeating Chago?
“Wiped out. Ariela’s been merciless. She’s taking this next round far more seriously than I am, fussing over my clothes — the woman took me shopping! She made me trim up the beard AND get a haircut. And she went through my dresser and got rid of a bunch of my favorite shirts and jeans. Everything that was soft and comfortable, perfectly broken in — she bagged it all up and took it out to the curb. I’m thinking going back into a combat zone is looking pretty good about now. She did love the celebratory dinner I made her after the second round, but this time, I think she’s going to owe me. I’ve been dropping some pretty strong hints, usually while I’m doing push-ups. She’s got me doing push-ups! And she puts her foot on my back to make it harder. If I didn’t already know how unpleasant it is to take a bullet, I’d say, just shoot me. Shoot me now.”
 I always wanted to be a mom when I grew up. My other ambitions -- writer, artist, singer, architect -- were a lot more fluid. Motherhood stuck.
I was carrying a newborn on our first anniversary. He was two years ahead of our agreed upon schedule. The deal was, my husband had to finish college first but accidents happen and you adapt.
Just when everyone assumed we were done, I decided it was time to try for a girl. Two kids sounded perfect, one of each. To this day I still can't believe how powerful the pull of motherhood was at the time. I had babies on the brain. We had another beautiful boy followed swiftly by a third. You can see me, eight months pregnant with my 9 pounder while holding our birthday boy. Poor little guy didn't have the limelight to himself for long.
Do you want to know something? I'd do it again. No question. My kids are great. I gained so much in watching them grow, explore, and pull away from me. That's the most important and heartbreaking part of parenting though, knowing that your job is to prepare them for an independent life and the world beyond your protective walls.
Some of my best memories, the best laughs, are centered on my boys. Parenting isn't easy. It's expensive, exhausting--both emotionally and physically--and often thankless. There are battles and hugs, tears and belly laughs, playful shenanigans and serious talks. There's always love. No matter what the crisis or how angry you get, there's always love.
Happy Mother's Day.
 It's Friday and as you know, I like to invite other authors to visit on Fridays. The weekend is the perfect opportunity to introduce new books and writers and hopefully make your reading decision easier for you. I just finished, In The Shadow of Greed last weekend and I have to say, for a debut author, Nancy C. Weeks knocked it out of the park. I'll include my review here, but her blurb and excerpt come first. Oh, lest I forget, she sent along a fabulous trailer as well. You're going to want to watch that at the end. In The Shadow of GreedBrilliant cryptologist Dr. Sarah Tu races against time to block the most dangerous Internet malware ever created, a botnet called QUALNTO. While Sarah is closed off in her computer lab, her sister, Hanna, is brutally attacked and left in a coma. As Sarah reels with guilt over not being there for her sister, a web of deception closes in threatening her and everyone she loves.
Hanna’s condition is misleading. In her coma state, she is able to build a psychic bridge with FBI Special Agent Jason McNeil. Her cryptic messages plague Jason to keep Sarah safe.
Tough and street-smart Jason McNeil doesn't believe in visions or telepathic messages, and he fights the voice inside his head. His first impression of Dr. Sarah Tu is another stiletto wearing ice-dragon on the war path―until he witnesses her façade crumble after seeing her sister’s bloody, tortured body. Jason’s protective instinct kicks in. He falls for Sarah―hard.
When an extremely dangerous arms dealer and cyber criminal discovers that Sarah blocked his botnet, he kidnaps Sarah. Placed in an impossible position, will she destroy the botnet to protect national security or release it to save the man she loves?Here's an excerpt.He thinks I’m dead. Sarah’s coming. Help her! The voice quivered inside Jason’s head. He pushed away from the pillar and froze. No one was there. His gaze fell back to the woman in the bed. His eyes narrowed and he clenched his jaw, biting down so hard, pain shot up his inner ear. The next instant, a petite woman with long, straight, raven hair and the most beautiful, hazel eyes he had ever seen charged through the trauma unit. A security officer followed close behind and grabbed her arm, stopping her from moving any farther into the restricted area. Jason stared at the woman in the bed and back to the woman by the door. He knew, without a doubt, her name was Sarah. His mind raced for an explanation. “Ma’am, you can’t be back here.” The guard tried to pull Sarah back through the doors. Sarah yanked out of his hold. The expression on her face was intense, unyielding. “Like hell I can’t. My sister is here. She needs me.” The charge nurse moved from behind a counter of the nurse’s station and stood next to the security officer. “How can I help you?” The nurse’s low, gentle voice seemed to have a soothing effect on Sarah. “Hanna Tu.” Her voice shuddered. Jason couldn’t take his eyes off Hanna’s sister. In an instant, she transformed from a stiletto wearing, ice-dragon on the war path—just the kind of woman he disliked—into a frightened, desperate woman whose vulnerabilities brought out his protective instinct. As her eyes wildly searched the trauma unit, the nurse reached for Sarah’s arm and guided her toward the doors. “We’re still assessing your sister’s condition. I’ll have one of the doctors come talk to you in the waiting room as soon as they can. She’s in good hands, I promise you.” “I need to see her. I need to know she’s okay. The police wouldn't allow me into her apartment. No one has told me anything. There was so much blood.” She sucked in a deep breath as tears clouded her eyes. “Please let me see her for a moment.” Her eyes narrowed on the cubicle surrounded by a curtain. One of the nurses moved the fabric aside and left carrying a tray of vials. Sarah’s gaze fell on her sister. “Oh God! Hanna!” She took a step toward her sister, but her body began to tremble and her knees buckled. Jason rushed forward and caught her as her body collapsed. With one arm wrapped around her waist, he used his other hand to lift the badge that hung around his neck and flashed it at the nurse. “She’s with me.” He then found an empty chair away from a direct view of the cubicle and lowered Sarah into it. He knelt, keeping his arm around her. Her body shook violently and she gasped for air. The charge nurse brought over a cup of water and handed it to Jason. He brought it to Sarah’s lips. “Drink, Sarah, it will help.” She sipped the water and closed her eyes, taking in several deep breaths. “W-who hurt her? W-why?” “We don’t know, but we’ll find out. He’ll pay for this.” Sarah finally glanced up at him and pulled away. “Who are you?” And the ice-dragon’s back. Jason clenched his jaw to keep a smile from spreading across his face. He couldn't put his finger on the why, but this woman intrigued him. “Detective Jason McNeil.” “Why are you here and not out finding the person who hurt my sister?” Don’t let her push you away. She needs you, we need you. Jason was taken aback by the weak, small voice in his head. What the hell was going on? Finding his voice, he said, “Someone tried to kill your sister.” He glanced toward Hanna’s cubicle. A crushing anger boiled up from deep within his gut. “The guy who attacked her has killed at least three other times we know about and he didn't mean to leave Hanna alive. I’m not giving him a chance to finish the job.” Oh God, he’s here… He’s here! Don’t let him near Sarah! In the Shadow of Greed can be purchased here:Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Google ebooks | Kobo and moreMy review:I really liked this book. It was a well written, suspenseful, mind teaser with interesting protagonists and plot twists that held my interest. As steeped in modern cyber-crime and advanced technology as it was, it still managed to layer a little paranormal into the fiber optics of the story line.
Well done, Ms. Weeks. Well done.
About the Author:Nancy C. Weeks has loved happy-ever-after romances since she was in her early teens. While still in college, she met and married her hero and spent the next several years honeymooning and working overseas. Today, she lives in suburban Maryland with her husband of more than thirty years. Her two children are in college and she spends her days out on her deck writing as the local bird population keeps her company. She loves to hear from her readers. Find out more about Nancy C. Weeks on her Website, Blog, and Facebook
 Who doesn't love a sexy cop and a gutsy, caring heroine? I haven't met anyone yet. So it's Wednesday, May 8th, the third day of my Tasty Reads Review Tour. I've decided to share each of the reviews Friends and Lovers has received so far. Monday: Readaholic's ReviewsTara Mills’ Friends and Lovers was an excellent romance. I read it quickly and thoroughly enjoyed Wes & Lauren’s tale. Tuesday: Crazy Four BooksFriends and Lovers was hugely enjoyable. I really liked the characters. Wes was wonderful and sweet, Lauren was strong and courageous, and Sherry was the fun girl that everyone would want to be around. Lauren had a thing for her best friend Sherry's brother Wes during high school. He was a bit of a playboy back then but there was just something about him. At the time, Sherry despised the way he behaved and because of this, Lauren never told her how she felt about him. Unbeknownst to her, Wes wanted Lauren but Sherry threatened him and told him to leave her be. Flash forward fifteen years, she still has a thing for him that she's never gotten over. Imagine her surprise when she sees him at the shelter she runs. The attraction is still there big time! This book had romance, some danger, and action (especially the steamy kind). There were some scenarios that were very thought provoking. Tara Mills writes about the the abuse the women suffered in a way that is objectively realistic but not overdone. These elements and the romance were blended together seamlessly. If you like your romance with some meaningful subject matter thrown in to the mix, then this is a must read! Wednesday: I am a book addict ... and proud of it I had the chance to read this wonderful story a few weeks ago. What a great book...it has romance, humor, lost loves, old friendships renewed, & of course a rescue of the heroine by the hero!I think most of us can relate in some way to Lauren. She severed her relationship with her best friend because she was in love with her brother. Later in life, she has the chance to renew that friendship and she is so unsure of herself and that friendship, that you can feel her trepidation while reading. Now, that is the sign of a great storyteller! When Lauren comes in contact with her former crush, Wes, again you can feel the tension between them as you read. I always love a story that puts my emotions on the line while reading. Tara Mills' writing put you right in the story, she makes you feel like a part of what is happening. Overall, it's been a great week for reviews for Friends and Lovers, In Love and War, and Accidents Make the Heart Grow Fonder. I'm relieved my heroes don't have to face off against each other. I honestly can't say which would come out on top. Wes and Dylan have both won high praise from the ladies this week. Feels good. I know they'd be modestly surprised and pleased at the same time. Thank you, everyone. Don't forget to follow those links to register comments to be entered to win the giveaway! Good luck.
 Being a sappy soppy romantic, I've probably done more than my fair share of thinking about marriage proposals. Gentlemen, here are my thoughts. Take 'em, leave 'em, but hear me out.
I think a discreet, intimate proposal is generally best. It's a stressful moment as it is. Why make a big production out of it? This is not the time for bells and whistles. Your intended is going to be focused on your eyes, the pitch of your voice, and the words you speak -- not to mention the rock you're holding out to her. You know I'm right. Everything else is just distracting, maybe even a little overwhelming. Make your proposal beautiful, personal, private, and sincere.
Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to say aww, and touch my heart when I see a 'will you marry me?' message in bright lights scrolling across the scoreboard during a game. I'm always going to be pulling for the guy with the big matzo ball hanging out there. But grand gestures can be embarrassing. Not every woman wants that kind of attention. I wouldn't. Be sure you choose wisely, because you're asking her to do the same. Know her, before you throw her.
When I think of proposals happening in very public places, or when there are lots of friends and family gathered for something else, I really feel sorry for the woman. If she has a heart at all, she's not going to want to hurt the guy, but maybe she's not sure about her answer -- yet. Perhaps they still have some important issues to work out first. Maybe there are things they haven't even discussed yet; her new job offer across country, the kid question is still up in the air. Who knows what's going on in her mind? Allow her to have a natural and honest reaction to your very important question without putting the added stress of an audience on her. This is a very big question, She shouldn't feel coerced into accepting just so you can save face, when in reality, she'd like to discuss a few things before sliding that ring onto her finger. I'm not saying she doesn't love you, but don't put her in that awkward position.
I've seen the fun and incredible videos posted of creative engagements, and those are great. But I've also seen that 'will you marry me?' message scrolling in bright lights in an arena and witnessed the shock and alarm of the poor young woman and the wounded anger that her distressed, "No," provoked in the embarrassed guy.
Be sure of your answer before you pose the question. That's all I'm saying.
 I'm pleased to welcome fellow Beachwalk Babe, Tamaria Soana to my blog to share a little with us about her new release, Southern Embrace. Hello, and thank you for stopping by. I’m Tamaria Soana a contemporary romance author. My stories tend to be on the steamy side and always end with a happily ever after. Southern Embrace my newest release was a very different story line for me to tackle. The story opens with Savannah, my heroine, trying to pick up the pieces of the broken heart her high school sweetheart, Lance left her with when his family moved away the summer after graduation and he cuts her out of his life. With some prompting from her best friend Nikki, Van (Savannah) goes out with the girls to a club and meets the handsome older Stephan. He sweeps her off her feet and she begins to heal. The story's over and they live happily ever after, right? WRONG. The story is just beginning. In chapter 1 we learn that Stephan was killed in a car accident (I hated doing that). Savannah is twenty-three and the grief consumes her. Nikki steps in once again and arranges for Lance to run into Van at the mall. Will Savannah give Lance a chance to explain and let him back into her life? Southern Embrace is an emotional story about overcoming grief, forgiveness, and second chances. I hope you’ll fall in love with Savannah and Lance as much as I have. Southern Embrace is from Savannah’s POV. I’m currently writing Southern Desire, the story from Lance’s POV. Here's the blurb for Southern Embrace.Can a long lost love mend a grieving heart? Widowed at twenty-three, Savannah Grant is devastated and consumed with grief, a grief that she can't seem to move past. When her high school sweetheart, Lance Peterson, re-enters her life, Savannah struggles with the feeling that she would be betraying her deceased husband by moving on. Plus, she can't forget the way Lance broke her heart all those years ago. Lance never stopped loving Savannah. He wants a second chance, and he's willing to do anything it takes to convince her to give him one. Will she give in and let Lance love her, showing her a passion beyond anything she thought possible? Excerpt:It was a beautiful Friday afternoon. Van grabbed her purse and headed out to the mall. Nikki's shower was the following weekend, and Nikki had been on her to get a new dress for days, threatening to drag her shopping kicking and screaming if she didn't go herself. Once at the mall, Van picked up some last minute gifts for Nikki. After trying on a few dresses, she found a knee-length, strapless coral dress. She purchased it and was off in search of a pair of shoes. When she found the perfect pair of coral and silver heels, Van concluded the trip to the mall a complete success. Her cellphone rang as she was leaving the shoe store. She dug around in her bag to find it. With her head down and her steps brisk, she ran right into someone. "I'm so sorry. I'm such a klutz," she said as she looked up into the brown eyes of her first love. She gasped and took a step back, surveying him. His light brown hair was a little shorter and he was built like a man now, not the boy she used to know. She stood frozen in place, staring at him. This can't be happening. A tidal wave of emotions rushed through her at once. Anger, resentment, hatred, but mainly pain…so much pain. "Van." "Lance? Oh my God!" She took another step back. "How?" "I-I talked to Nikki. She told me you would be here. I needed to see you. When I heard what happened…" He paused. "I knew I couldn't stay away any longer. I'm so sorry." The more he talked, the more Van's anger flared. Who does he think he is? He left me! Turned his back on me when he cut all ties! "What exactly are you sorry for, Lance? That my husband died or that you broke my heart all those years ago?" The words she spoke were full of acid. "You have a lot of nerve just showing up here like nothing ever happened. Go away." She turned to leave. "Please, Van, just talk to me. Give me a chance to explain," he begged as he reached for her hand. "Don't you dare touch me," she said through gritted teeth, yanking her hand away. "What do you want from me?" She stared at him while plotting all the ways she was going to torture Nikki for her betrayal. She seethed as he looked around. "Calm down, Van. People are starting to stare. Please, can we go somewhere more private and talk? There is so much I need to tell you." "What could you possibly have to say to me that would make up for what you did? I mean, I know you had to move, but you cut all ties with me. Like the three years we spent together meant nothing to you, like I meant nothing to you. Damn you, Lance, you didn't even try to make it work." "Please, Savannah. Give me a chance to explain." "Give me one reason why I should." "Because I still love you. I. Never. Stopped. I cut all ties with you because I had to. Long distance relationships never work out. I was afraid you would wake up one day and resent me. Being apart from you was killing me. I thought this way we would both be able to move on. But I was wrong, I never was able to move on. I let the love I have for you consume me. I wanted to come back sooner, but then I heard you'd gotten married. When I found out what had happened, I wanted to rush here and be by your side, but I figured you would need some time." His words shocked and confused her. After she took a few moments to process everything, she shook her head. "I can't do this." She turned and walked away, then stopped. "Go back to wherever it was you came from and leave me alone." "I won't give up on you. I won't stop trying, and I most definitely won't ever leave you again." "Just go away, Lance. You're good at that," she snarled before she walked away. She didn't dare turn around because looking at him as he begged her to give him a chance to explain would certainly weaken her. Van needed to focus on how she was going to kill her so-called best friend. Buy links: Beachwalk Press Barnes & Noble Amazon
About the Author:
Tamaria Soana is middle aged, but just feels her life has begun. She writes
sexy contemporary romance stories that always end with a ‘happily ever after’.
Growing up she loved to read and make up new places in her head to escape
to. In her late teens she began writing short stories and poetry; it wasn’t until
her late thirties before she began to spin a full story.
 Slowly but surely, I'm meeting more of my fellow roses from The Wild Rose Press. I'm so excited. What a warm bunch of women! Sharon Buchbinder is one who's already had me over to visit on her blog and I've been chomping at the bit, impatient to return the favor. Well, this is my lucky day.
Welcome Sharon. So glad to see you here. Let's get this party started with the questions I sent you.
Tell us about yourself.
I have always been a story-teller. As a child, I got into a lot of trouble for "making things up." Now, I get rewarded for making things up. I love being able create heroes and heroines readers can relate to—even crazy cat ladies. I've been writing fiction since I was in middle school and have the rejection slips to prove it. In high school, I even submitted a script to "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." on yellow-lined paper in pencil. Not surprisingly, that was rejected, too.
As an academic (I have a PhD in Public Health), prior to publishing fiction, I published numerous non-fiction articles and two textbooks. However, I found the road to publication in fiction to be much harder. After I published some short stories in horror and mystery, a friend recommended I join the Maryland Romance Writers (MRW). I joined in 2005 and found friendship, support and the opportunity to develop as an author with MRW and the Romance Writers of America (RWA). I published my first short story in romance in 2007, and I've been pecking away at the keyboard ever since, like one of Skinner's rats, going after the pellet of publication, blending my love of mystery, suspense, and the supernatural with romance.
 Your friend gave you excellent advice. Can you tell us a little about your book, Obsession? A desperate mother... A Mexican drug lord... A dangerous match. A recovering addict must work with a Mexican drug lord to rescue her son from the clutches of a cult leader who believes the child is the Chosen One. A year after a barbaric childbirth, complete with a near-death experience and an encounter with her guardian angel, Angie Edmonds is just happy she and her son, Jake, are alive. She's finally in a good place: clean, sober, and employed as a defense attorney. But at the end of a long work day, she finds herself in a parent's worst nightmare: Jake has been kidnapped and taken across the Mexican border by a cult leader who believes the child is the "Chosen One." Stymied by the US and Mexican legal systems, Angie is forced to ask the head of a Mexican crime syndicate for help. Much to her chagrin, she must work with Alejandro Torres, a dangerously attractive criminal and the drug lord's right-hand man. Little does she know Alejandro is an undercover federal agent, equally terrified of blowing his cover—and falling in love with her. Wow, that sounds awesome! So what inspired you to write something as meaty as this? I'm intrigued.I have been fascinated by good versus evil and the supernatural since childhood. As a child, I wondered why so called "good" people could be so mean to me, and so called "bad" people could be so nice to me? I also wondered why there seemed to be so little justice in my world. Where were the angels when I needed them? As I grew older, I realized there are gradations of good and evil in the real world and in well-written fiction. A villain may love his family; a hero may have a fatal flaw. Even religious leaders can go off the rails, as we've seen in the past decade with the revelations of church scandals and cults that kill. Now we receive more in-depth coverage of these so-called "good" people and their failings on a daily basis. On the other hand, our news coverage of gang-bangers and cartel bosses is one dimensional. I'm not defending the murders and violence, but I had to ask myself, if I grew up in that world, who and what would I be? Like many authors, my story grew out of "What if?" I put myself in the shoes of the people in the story and added a paranormal element to satisfy my need for justice. That symmetry gives readers what I hope is a satisfying ending. It sounds beautifully complicated. Care to talk a little about your current work in progress?I'm currently working on Kiss of the Virgin Queen, another paranormal romantic suspense, which is the story of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba and the impact of their epic romance on their descendant, Homeland Security Special Agent Eliana Solomon, the Jinn Hunter. There are actually two stories in this book. Inspired by the structure of The Eight, I structured the story with chapters alternating between Biblical times (the 10th century BCE) and the present. I've been researching this book for three years, across four major religions. It's my magnum opus, if you will. I'm at 30,000 words, with 60,000 left to go!That sounds absolutely fascinating. You'll have to come back and share more of that when it comes out. Okay, back to the questions. Where would you choose to travel if you had to research an area?I would love to visit Ethiopia and Israel so I could have firsthand experience with the settings for Kiss of the Virgin Queen.I could see the allure of absorbing a setting like that. Tell us what you consider the best and worst parts about being a writer.Best part: the research and world building, pulling the story together, sometimes finding my dead ends open because of a tidbit I've found in my research. Worst part: waiting to let the story cool down before I go back and revise. I get so excited I want to share it immediately. I've learned to wait and go back. It's an important part of the rewriting process. Good advice. I tend to share things too early. I totally understand the excitement. Next question. Name three books you’d want to have along if you were stranded on a deserted isle? One of my favorite books of all time, my desert island book is The Eight by Katherine Neville. That book is really two books in one and has it all: mystery, romance, suspense, conspiracy, a story that starts in the French Revolution and continues in contemporary times, and a supernatural chess board from King Charlemagne that could destroy the world if all the pieces come together. Whoa and hey, she had me at hello. I've read that book at least eight times. When I met her at a Mystery Writers of America conference, I had a horrible fan girl panic attack. She is an incredibly gracious lady. The other book I love is The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. I love the detail, rich history, character development and plot lines. I never wanted it to end. Plus his suspense novels are great teaching tools for aspiring suspense/thriller writers like me. His website is chock full of great information for writers. He is generous with his talent. I have never met Ken Follett. That is on my bucket list. LOL! Two excellent suggestions for anyone's to-be-read list. Do you have a favorite line from one of your books? I have two favorite lines!Alejandro to Angie when they meet in extraordinary circumstances: "You could call me your hero, because I'm taking you to the woman who can help you find your son...but most people call me Alejandro." Angie to Alejandro after she makes a gruesome discovery: "After we rescue Jake, I want you to kill my father. Kill them all." I like his cocky attitude. What do you do when you're not writing? I have the best of all worlds! I love my day job as Professor and Program Coordinator for an MS in Healthcare Management Program at Stevenson University's School of Graduate and Professional Studies in Owings Mills, MD. I'm also blessed with a wonderful family, and now a grandson, grand-niece and grand-nephew, all close to my home. Holidays are a hoot with the babies! When not attempting to make students, colleagues, and babies laugh, I can be found herding cats, waiting on a large gray dog, fishing, dining out with good friends or reading. I have a new grandson too! Love him! Be sure to check out the book trailers Sharon brought along. You can find Sharon Buchbinder at:Sharon Buchbinder Website/Blog Sharon Buchbinder on Amazon Goodreads Facebook Twitter @sbuchbinder The Wild Rose Press Obsession on sale now on Amazon
 "Welcome to Coming Attractions. I’m Betty Bliss. You aren’t going to believe who we landed as a guest today! It’s a coup, I tell you, an actual coup! We’ve been trying to lure him on for so long — and he didn’t come alone. I have no doubt you’re going to know who I’m talking about as soon as I say her name. Shall I end the suspense? I should? My producer, Mandy seems to think so. She’s nodding violently at me through the glass. Those girls in the booth are having way too much fun without me. Time to break up the party. Jordie Spagnato, won’t you join me?” BB: Laughing. “Oh boy. I see the lights on the console are blazing away. Lots of callers dying to talk to you. If there’s time, we might be able to take a few questions, if my guests are okay with that. Jordie, welcome! So nice to meet you. That chair’s just fine. All settled? Good. Wow, I imagine the celebrity buzz must have taken you by complete surprise, am I right?” JS: “There’s celebrity buzz? Where ?” Jordie looks around playfully and laughs. “It really did, Betty. I honestly had no idea what was happening that first day. Talk about blinded by love! I didn’t see all the obvious signs because I couldn’t get past that sexy-as-hell crooked grin of his!” BB: “That grin is something special, I’ll grant you that. Well Jordie, your moxie precedes you. Still, it must be a challenge to maintain a private life, run your business, and keep your daughter out of the limelight. You’re holding up beautifully under the pressure of being one of the most envied women in America. The paparazzi love to follow you two, though Mr. Nate Harper’s been dealing with it a lot longer. Why don’t you tell our audience about how you met? What was your first impressions of him, and is this rumor actually true – you honestly didn’t know who Nate Harper was?” JS: “That was a night I’ll never forget. Not only because I met Nathan, but also I had just tossed some guys out of the bar for fighting and the hooligan came back and popped me one right in the mouth. Hard. So, I did what any other self-respecting lady would do. I picked myself up off the sidewalk and went back at the guy.” Jordie grins at Nathan, who’s watching from the booth. “He grabbed me around the waist and held me back. That drunken loser was so lucky I couldn’t get at him.” She breaks into a laugh. “My first impression of Nathan is pretty funny. I thought he was strange! He would stare at me, like he was waiting for me to say something, but I had no clue what he wanted me to say. It was really bizarre behavior. Then when he walked me home, I decided to nickname him, Nut Job.” Betty bursts out laughing with her. “Once I got past that, he became the gorgeous nut job because I couldn’t take my eyes off of him.” BB: Dabbing the inside corner of her eye, she shakes her head, a big smile on her face. “Incredible.” Picking up her notes, she fans herself with the pages. “Oh my. If our audience had witnessed the look Nate just gave Jordie through the window, they’d probably be fanning themselves, too. There’s definite heat in those beautiful blue eyes.” Frowning sternly at him through the glass. “Nate, stop that. You’re distracting both of us.” With a wink at Jordie. “Ignore him for a minute. Let’s get back to you. How has your life changed since you two went public with your relationship?” JS: I feel like a fish in a fishbowl. You know at first you have to get used to the water, but then after a while you just continue swimming around blissfully unaware of your surroundings as everyone watches you. Everything has changed, but it’s that mind bending I-am-so-happy sort of change.” BB: “A fishbowl, huh? That makes perfect sense. I have to say, you’ve got a great attitude in a tough situation. But I suppose that fits, doesn’t it?” Betty chuckles. “Okay, I think Nate’s suffered long enough. He looks impatient to get in here with us.” Betty motions him into the studio. “Nate Harper, everyone!” Glancing at the blazing console, Betty balks. “Hold your calls! Hold your calls! You’re locking up our switchboard. Mandy, you okay out there?” She sighs with relief at seeing her producer’s two thumbs up. “Okay, whew, we’re all good. Everybody calm?” Turns and admires their addition as he clips on a mic and takes the chair beside Jordie. “Nate, I have to say, I’ve never seen you looking more relaxed. Or should I say, Nathan? Being separated from Jordie when you’re off filming must be difficult for you.” NH: “It is. This last shoot was rough. It was the first time I’d been away from her for more than a day or two here and there. I was filming in Australia.” He rakes his fingers through his hair and with a deep exhale, looks at Jordie and gives her a tender smile. “Yeah, it was rough, especially because Jordie resists technology. So her turning on an iPad or laptop to try and Skype took a small act of God. Plus the time difference was a factor as well.” BB: “I’d imagine. I’m not a fan of technology myself, and it changes so fast. Now look what you’ve done. You distracted me. Getting back to my questions. Jordie’s so down to earth, so feisty, not exactly like the starlets you’ve been linked with in the past. Tell me what you found so refreshing about her. What appealed to you most when you met Jordie? We’re all dying to know. There’d been so much speculation about your love life before you went to New York.” NH: “I was linked with a starlet? Who?” He laughs and turns to consider the woman beside him. “What did I find refreshing about you?” He grabs his chin and playfully purses his lips at Jordie. His crooked smile returns. “The fact that she had no idea who I was. None. I felt like I could breathe around her. I could be myself. I had no expectations to uphold. And as far as the speculation of my love life goes, well, they just move along to the next rumor. Honestly, it’s exhausting trying to keep up with it all. Although, I do wish they’d come up with something more original than catching me in mid-sneeze, and then writing that I’m pissed off. The paparazzi need a new angle. This ol’ dog and pony show with them is wearing thin.” Nathan chuckles ruefully. BB: “You’re a funny man. Maybe you should try comedy next. But seriously, I can see the love is genuine. I only wish our listeners could see you both too. It’s so sweet. His whole face lights up when he smiles at Jordie.” Speaking to the audience specifically, she adds, “You think Nate Harper is handsome normally — you have no idea, my friends. My heart is racing. Okay, Nate. What sort of compromises and adjustments have you had to make in your life since Finding Jordie?” NH: “There’s no compromising when it comes to my family. They always come first: before any role; before any PR; before anything. If I’m offered a role where I’ll be required to go on location, we discuss it as a family. Those are the only adjustments that have been made. The only person it really affects though is my agent.” He laughs. “Trust me —he hasn’t been happy with me lately.” Nathan smirks and gives Jordie’s hand a squeeze. JS: Chimes in. “Wait, what? You didn’t tell me Harvey was upset. Sorry Harv! I just don’t share well!” She laughs and the other two join in. BB: “I’m sure everything you two have been through together has been worth it. Even the mysterious threats on your lives. I can see it’s brought you closer than ever. I don’t want to say anything more about that and spoil it for our audience. All I will say is, if you don’t know the full story, you really must pick up, Finding Jordie. It’s an exciting, passionate, and tender look at how superstar, Nate Harper literally picked up the love of his life on the sidewalk outside her bar. Here’s to a serendipitous meeting and a love story as fascinating as the two people caught up in it. Now, I don’t think we have time for all the questions, but is there something that either of you would like to add before we close? Jordie?” JS: “Only, thank you for having us here today. It was so much fun and I love, love, love, your boots! I’ve been eyeing them up since I saw you come in earlier.” Jordie laughs. BB: “Why, thank you! Aren’t they fabulous? There’s nothing like fine leather. I’ll tell you where I got ‘em after this. Nate? Anything you’d like to say to all of your fans listening?” NH: “Thank you for all of your support and for having us on today. It’s always nice to see you.” BB: “Aw, thank you both. It’s been a real pleasure having you in the studio. I hope you come back when the sequel is out. Promise me. Now I’d like to thank our audience for joining us today on, Coming Attractions. This is Betty Bliss. Good afternoon.”
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