Grudge - Three Reasons Not to Date

Sunday, December 14, 2014



Please support my Thunderclap campaign for Grudge. In essence, what I’m asking you to do is send out a tweet on December 30, in support of what will be my latest novel, Grudge. Other than clicking through to the Thunderclap link, you don’t have to do anything else as the tweet is automated. Thanks a million! https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/20446-releasing-grudge






He slouched on the sofa, relaxed and yet keenly attuned to her every movement and the micro-expressions flitting across her face. Annoyance. Curiosity. Confusion. As if she thought he was playing games, but that was the furthest thing from his mind.

"Why aren't you in a relationship?"

"If you must know. He cheated. Our relationship ended."

"How long ago?"

She stared across the room and then said, "None of your business."
Knowing he had to give something to get a little something back, he said, "I'm not with anyone because work eats up most of my time."

"Nearly a year. Ten months to be exact."

It took him a moment to process the answer to his earlier question. So it was selfish to be happy over the fact that she wasn't seeing anybody, but he smiled anyway. To hell with how it looked. A man was free to express himself. Looking deep into her eyes, he said, "That's a long time to be mourning the loss of a lover."

One of her brows lifted. "You?"

Without asking for any further explanation, he knew what she wanted to find out. "Eight months."
Opening his hands, he added, "My work."

She curled a lock of hair around her finger in a sensuous motion that had him swallowing hard.

"So you, Phillip Denham, are a workaholic."

"My job is demanding."

A smiled captured her lips and tugged at something in his chest. "And you want me to be crazy enough to take a chance on you?"

He could have asked her why she believed he was asking any such thing, but didn't think it wise to insult her intelligence. This woman had somehow read more into his words than he was saying and it made him uncomfortable. Yet, without a doubt, he was ready to explore the attraction between them.

"What would stop you?" he asked.

Counting on her fingers, she made a list. "One. I've told you I don't like police. Two. You lied to me and three, you're just too ... "

He let his confusion show by wrinkling his forehead. "What did I lie about and I'm too what?"

"You told me you were on Xantrope for vacation and that wasn't true."

"Yes, it was. I had other business, but half my reason for visiting was that I needed time off."

"Okay, I give you that, but ... " She shook her head, subjecting him to a full-body scan. "You're too attractive."

"What? Now this is a first. There are penalties for not looking like Frankenstein?"

Corra put a hand to her chest. "Don't get me wrong. It's just that in my experience, men like you spread themselves around too much."

He tried, but couldn't hold back laughter. "Are you serious? I don't have a chance with you because of my job and the fact that I'm not ugly?"

"When you put it like that, it sounds bad, but I know what I'm talking about."

He shook his head. "No, Corra, you don't. That is just a bunch of crap you've been feeding yourself to soothe your hurt and avoid being in another relationship."

"It is not."

"Then how would you explain what sounds like flimsy excuses?"

 "Your job is risky. You can't tell me that isn't a real concern."

"I give you that, but looks, Corra? That is so shallow, it makes no sense to me."

"Whatever, but I choose not to be romantically involved with any police officer.
Knowing she'd probably find his next statement outrageous, he waited until she folded her arms with a 'deal-with-that' attitude.

"Well, Miss Coretta, despite your objections, I choose you.

Coming December 22, 2014

28 comments:

  1. Ooooo, playing hard to get and he likes it!

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  2. I clicked over to thunderclap and signed up, but I'm not sure it worked...

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    1. It did, Lynda. Thanks a million. You don't have to do anything else.

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  3. Replies
    1. Thanks, Lee! The work is done for you. I like that about Thunderclap.

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  4. Great, great excerpt! I'll definitely help spread the word about Grudge! Congrats Joy. :)

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  5. I wish I had a Twitter account so I could tweet for you! :( I loved your excerpt!

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    1. Hi, Chrys, the good thing about Thunderclap is that it works though Facebook and Tumblr as well.

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  6. Great excerpt! I had to laugh that his being too attractive is a con. In some ways, it can be.

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    1. Thanks, Cherie. I had a laugh too over that. Thanks for your support with Thunderclap!

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  7. I'm saying "oh snap" to the ending. congrats joy!!

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  8. I'll tweet, Please send me a reminder. An assertive character.

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  9. Great excerpt. Very tense. I signed up for Thunderclap. Good luck!

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  10. Nice work. I'm taking a moment to let my heart slow down *fanning face*

    Anna from Shout with Emaginette

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    1. Thanks for dropping in, Anna. Glad you enjoyed that sample.

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  11. Nice piece. I look forward to reading this.

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