A Mother’s Day To Be Remembered

Posted on May 31st, 2009 in Short Stories by kimber

Here is a Mother’s Day story I originally wrote for Author Island.

$

“What do you mean there’s no reservation?” Leah made the call months ago. This was her Mother’s favorite restaurant.

“According to our records,” the Maitre d’ looked down his long snooty nose at the computer screen in front of him, “you cancelled the reservation this afternoon.”

“I see.” And she did. She saw how her Mom was turning rosy red the way she always did when caught in a lie. She also saw how this night could easily turn into a Mother’s Day to be remembered. And not in a good way. “Mom, lets go. We’ll find somewhere else.”

“Oh look, baby.” Her Mom perked up, waving to someone across the room. “Meryl’s here.” Imagine that. “With her son.” An even bigger shocker. Her son, Frank Jackson, handsome, single, and a successful lawyer.

“Mom…” Leah smelled set up.

“We can’t leave without saying ‘hi.’” Too late. Her Mom sailed across the room, leaving Leah no choice but to follow.

A flurry of kisses on cheeks. A poorly rehearsed explanation of the situation, overacting at its finest. The Jacksons has a table for four. No! Would wonders never cease?! And they were seated, Frank holding her Mom’s chair out, duly noted with a big eyed, pursed lipped nod to Leah.

“You don’t mind if I catch up with Meryl, do you baby?” A nervous laugh. “I’m sure you and Frank have a lot to talk about, what with the lawsuit and everything.” Leah was surprised the table didn’t crumble to dust under her Mom’s heavy hand. “Someone,” loudly announced to the entire room, “is suing my baby.”

Gasps of fake astonishment from Mrs. Jackson, bright eyed interest from Frank. “Non-compete clause.” Total embarrassment from Leah as she clarified.

“The furniture company is suing?” He remembered. Leah nodded. “But you’re in oil and gas now.” Their entire previous conversation, it seemed. “Must be desperate to get you back. They don’t have a leg to stand on.”

Her thoughts exactly but she felt better having it verified by an expert.

“See, baby.” A pat on her hand. “Frankie will fix everything.”

“He always does.” A proud beam from his own Mom.

Frank smiled, nodded like the good son he was, and leaned towards Leah, the menu raised to cover his lips. “You can blame me for this.”

Oh, she knew exactly who she should blame. The two ladies watched them intently, faces flushed with excitement, elbowing each other in the sides, twittering happily. She raised her napkin to her mouth. “How’s that?”

“I asked about you.”

Leah’s world tilted. He asked about her? The napkin fluttered in her hands. “I asked about you too” slipped out before she could think about it more.

His menu lowered and he shifted his chair closer, his shoulder brushing hers. “Concerning the lawsuit?”

She smoothed the cloth over her lap. “No.” Leah had to consciously fight the urge to touch him.

Frank didn’t fight it, placing his warm hand over hers under the concealing table top. “You know we’ll never hear the end of this.”

Leah didn’t care. Hot dang. She’d been right. It truly could be a Mother’s Day to be remembered. But in a good way. A very good way.

Excerpt From Selling Forever

Posted on May 30th, 2009 in Selling Forever by kimber

I wrote Selling Forever, my July 2009 release, especially for my dear, wonderful mom.
It is a lighter, shorter read, perfect for those lazy summer months!

Here’s an excerpt…

“Want another beer?” Cara partially opened the fridge door, concealing her collection of week old takeout.

“No thanks, two’s my limit.” He held up his empty bottle. “I’m driving.”

“Interesting.” Cara grinned at the outright lie. “The taxi driver letting you drive tonight?”

“One of the perks.” His face reddened. “How come you know so much about me?”

Cara wasn’t about to answer that loaded question. “How come there was a message from my very excited father on my machine?”

His head bent a little more over that cupcake he was mauling. “How should I know?”

“Something about a delivery of baby back ribs ring any bells?” He was thoughtful to send her dad, a complete stranger to him, the gift. He certainly didn’t deserve the stingy label smacked on him by the press. But then, she already knew that. One of the things that first…

“Sorry, Quasimodo.” He wouldn’t meet her eyes.

“Came from the account of one Richard Thompson,” Cara prodded. “Meat lover extraordinaire.”

“Damn identity thieves.”

Cara had to laugh. The goof. She concentrated on her cupcake, suppressing the wild impulse to hug him. Him. A complete stranger.

And do other things, much less innocent. The few photos Cara found on the internet, horrid candid shots, hadn’t prepared her for Richard’s subtle good looks, his long, lean body. He wasn’t movie star handsome, but somehow she found him more appealing, more virile, and more male.

Combine that with his personality. Oh, sugar. The media had it all wrong there, too. Richard Thompson wasn’t sullen and silent, but witty and engaging.

“Shit.”

Maybe not so witty. She glanced up to find him folded behind the island, that butt of his sticking in the air.

May Flowers Part 4 Of 4

Posted on May 27th, 2009 in Short Stories by kimber

“I’m going over the fence tonight,” Dan warned Henderson.

Gray eyebrows shot up in surprise. “But it’s your wedding night.”

“She says it can’t wait,” and he didn’t mind, especially now that he minimized the risks by forewarning neighbors. Her enthusiasm after his tulip bulb reconnaissance never failed to delight him.

“Stay away from my hedge trimmer. Know you have your eye on it.” The old man was proud of his new toy.

“Have to.” A grin. “It’s too heavy to heave over the fence.”

Henderson chuckled, shaking his head. “The things we do for women.”

“Indeed.” And what a woman. May shimmered as she laughed with Betty from the horticultural society, the gown framing her shoulders like petals.

He moved to her side, taking her left hand, the wedding band glistening under the greenhouse’s grow lights. “You look beautiful,” he murmured in her ear. “Like a White Duchess.” A pristine white tulip.

Glowing eyes met his. “You really think so?”

He nodded, smart enough not to ruin the moment with words.

“Would you protect me from the squirrels?” Her mouth curved into a smile.

“I’d battle them to the death.” He put up his fists in mock defense. “With Henderson’s hedge trimmer.”

“That’s one trick I haven’t tried.” She laughed. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too, May.” He kissed her and the crowd hooted and hollered. “And” Louder. “I LOVE this neighborhood.” More cheers so he kissed her again.

Hagen And Maeve Fighting Demons!! Woo hoo!

Posted on May 26th, 2009 in Short Stories by kimber

This Tuesday (today, May 26th) at 8pm, come party at the Author’s Grill at Romance at Heart. I’ll be hanging out with J.K. Coi and Leah Braemel, fab authors extraordinaire.

Warning: Only drop by if you want to laugh.
We may write ’serious’ romance but we are a trio of goofballs.

J.K. is a wonderful paranormal romance writer,
Leah is a spicy erotic romantic suspense writer,
and I am, well, myself,
so
naturally
we decided…
hey, why not write a short together!
Yep, Hagen and Maeve are going on a demon hunt!

Here is the official blurb:

Authors Leah Braemel, Kimber Chin, and J.K. Coi have joined together to combine the best of all their worlds. Three writing buddies, three romance genres, three to-die-for heroes. Throw in an ancient artifact and the possibility of the end of the world…and you’ve got one exciting short story put together just for you! Come and meet the sexy security team from Leah Braemel’s Hauberk Protection Series, the smart and sassy duo of Kimber Chin’s Invisible, and J.K. Coi’s devastating immortals and chilling demons–all in one FREE read!

Find Part One on Kimber Chin’s blog: June 1, 2009
Find Part Two on J.K. Coi’s blog: June 2, 2009
Find Part Three on Leah Braemel’s blog: June 3, 2009

J.K. Coi, author of the Immortals Series
–book 4, Forever Immortal, is to be released June 16, 2009

Blurb:

Forever becomes a lot more complicated when you’re immortal…

Immortal Series, Book 4

Eight years ago, science and reason ruled Gideon Bennett’s life. Until the death of an Immortal triggered a physical transformation, forcing him out of the laboratory and into a world of violence for which he was ill prepared. Now a seasoned warrior, he is still haunted by his one massive failure—and the face of the woman he couldn’t save.

Lyssa James wasn’t looking for trouble when she set out to enjoy a night on the town away from her dead-end job and obnoxious ex-boyfriend. Instead she got a first-class ticket to a demon hell dimension where she was trapped for eight long years.

Now she’s finally escaped…only to run into the man who failed her. Neither of them are the same people they were eight years ago, but getting reacquainted is the least of their worries.

One of the nastiest demons from the Abyss is on the loose, and it threatens not only their lives…but the future of humanity.

***

Leah Braemel, author of Private Property, and Personal Protection

Blurb:

She can cover him with one hand tied behind her back. Maybe two.

Hauberk Protection, Book 2

Sam Watson excels at keeping other people safe. Now a stalker is targeting him, but so what? A few doctored photos and a couple threatening phone calls are no big deal. He can watch his own back. Then again, the view from behind the sexy spitfire assigned to protect him isn’t so bad…

Rosalinda Ramos has managed to keep her attraction to Hauberk Security’s owner tightly under wraps. It’s just as well he doesn’t know. One slip—in the bedroom or on the job—will cost her her heart and her career, so she’s got only one thing on her mind. Protect Sam, whether he wants it or not.

The stakes—and the heat—rise exponentially when she discovers Sam belongs to an exclusive sex club—one she must investigate for potential suspects. Suddenly she finds herself immersed in a world that pushes her boundaries.

Sam delights in leading Rosie deep into his sexual shadows—until they go one game too far. Making him wonder if he can allow the woman he loves to take a bullet for him.

Next Page »