Whatcha doin?

It's been a weird week writing-wise. 

Story number one:  We have our hero finally solving the stalking case he's been working on.  The only problem is that he's fallen in love with his client but thinks that he's not good enough for her.  Now that the case is over, he has to face whether or not he can live his life without her. 

And beside that, he's about to go into a meeting where he'll find out if he's actually responsible for the death of one of his best friends.

Deep.

Story number two:  Our hero (who owns a chain of luxury, private resorts) is walking around having an informal meeting with his wine distributor.  Along the way as they walk through some pretty beautifully landscaped paths, he notices a big hot pink suitcase being thrown from a second story window.  He waits to see if anything else follows, but it doesn't.  He's torn between wanting to find out who the suitcase belongs to and securing some of the most opulent wines available.

His mind continues to wander from his important business conversation to all the possibilities behind the tossed suitcase.

Curiouser and curiouser.

Story number three:  Well, story number three is actually going to be a re-write of my
third book, "Ever After".  Not really a full-blown re-write, but we are doing some major editing and tweaking and it has me wondering how it's all going to turn out. 

When I originally released this story, readers complained about not liking the heroine - Ava - because she was high-maintenance and kind of annoying.  Now in the re-writes, we're finding that it's our hero - Brian - who we need to deal with.  Who is going to get the most fine-tuning?  No one knows!

Not even me!

As I was driving to pick my son up from school today, I started re-thinking the titles of my next series - The Shaughnessy's.  Not the family name, but the titles that we came up with.  Nothing has gone into production as of yet, and really, it shouldn't be that big of a deal, except suddenly, it is.  To me.  I don't know why.  Why can't I just leave well-enough alone!

Because I spend too much time in my own head!

And then there's this:  All of a sudden today, a story came to mind that - even if I go with it - wouldn't see the light of day (or bookshelves) until 2018!  Do I dare?  Do I explore it?   Do I start writing what's in my head just to have it there just in case I CAN do something with it???

So many stories, so little time!  This is why I don't sleep enough.  Too many characters are fighting for space in my brain! 

What keeps you awake?

The Protectors Series

So I'm not sure if everyone is aware of this, but I have been doing this series with the fabulous Noelle Adams for about a year now.  The fourth and final book in the series will be coming out late February/early March.  Our heroes are all Marines who are now back living a civilian life after the death of one of their own and how they are each handling that loss.  And of course, being that we are romance writers, they are all going to find love as well!

Coming home, they open up their own security firm and each book focuses on one case/one relationship while the story unfolds as to how their friend died in combat.

Duty Bound (Book One):   
I used to think I could be a hero, but one deadly night destroyed that delusion. So I’ve come home defeated. My military career, my best friend, my purpose—all of it is lost.

What I find is her.

She’s my best friend’s sister, and she’s everything I shouldn’t want. She’s on a hopeless quest for answers about her brother’s death, but those are secrets that can never come to light. She’s always been a fighter, and she desperately wants the truth.

I desperately want her.

Someone is trying to kill her now, and she won’t let me keep her safe. I have to do it anyway, even if she doesn’t trust me, even if she hates me for it. A man protects what’s precious to him, whether or not he can ever claim her for his own. So she becomes my purpose.

I’ll become a hero for her.

Honor Bound (Book Two): 
My life was just like any other girl’s until the Maxwell corporate empire ruined my family and stole my future. I’d given up hoping to see justice done, but then the way to right this wrong was dropped in my lap. My job with an event planner can get me into the home of one of Maxwell’s business partners. I can find evidence of what they did to my father. I can make sure they pay.

I wasn’t expecting Sebastian.

Sebastian has been hired for security, but he is also the son of the man I despise. I should hate Sebastian purely on principle. I shouldn’t care that he’s sweet and funny and sexy as hell. He’ll always be a Maxwell, and that means he’s my enemy.

I can’t help but want him anyway.

He seems to want me too, but only for a good time. He’s the son of privilege, and he’ll never be serious about me. He’ll also never betray his family. If he finds out what I’m really doing here, he’ll turn on me in an instant. He’ll keep me from finding justice.

It’s just that I keep finding him instead.

Forever Bound (Book Three):  
I’ve been a lot of things in my life. Marine. Bodyguard. Security expert. Player. Heart-breaker. Occasionally an asshole.

Never a first-grade teacher. Until now.

It’s the most ridiculous undercover security job I’ve ever had to deal with. Corralling a bunch of six-year-olds while I try to do my job and keep anyone from knowing how clueless I really am.

I manage to fool everyone. Except her.

She’s an actual teacher, and she’s determined to find out what I’m really doing here. She doesn’t trust me, and her daughter doesn’t like me.

And the worst part is that I’m starting to like them. A lot.

So now, instead of being the tough guy, I’m stuck with rowdy children and Christmas pageants and falling in love.

It’s not the way I thought I’d spend Christmas.

Keep watching here for updates on the fourth and final book in the series, "Home Bound".  Coming soon!!