Friday, September 30, 2011

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT~SARA BROOKS!!!

Many, many thanks to Kathleen for having me here to celebrate the last day of the blog tour for my latest release, Perfect Limit. It’s the second story in the sexy Sypricon Masters series.


One of the fun things about having a series based in a BDSM club is dealing with the inevitability of exhibitionism. In that kind of place, people are going to watch. So, in my latest release from the Sypricon Masters series, a large part of the story takes place front and center. There is no hiding behind anything, the Dom in the story won’t allow that for his submissive. He wants her completely exposed and I don’t mean just physically. He’s got a point to prove to her and will do whatever it takes to make sure he drives it home.

So, my question to you is this, would you be able to endure such a thing? Not necessarily the BDSM part, but having everything inside you completely bared for all to see. Do you think it’d be cathartic or just down right frightening? Leave me your answer this week and I’ll come back and draw a winner from the comments to receive a download of either of the books in the Sypricon Masters series—Impulse Control or Perfect Limit.


Good luck!


PERFECT LIMIT


2nd book in the Sypricon Master series


Now available from Decadent Publishing www.decadentpublishing.com 


Deputy Brigade Manager Rayna Donaghy is convinced she’s imperfect. Abandoned and left for dead, Rayna now lives on Sypricon, a frontier planet known for its scarred surface. After a fatal blaze at one of the planet’s quarries, Rayna seeks an escape at the landmark BDSM club, Tawse.


Burke, a Dom at the club, is captivated with the woman who has been under his command for the past several months. However, he’s finally had enough of her self-loathing and is determined to help Rayna overcome her fears. In the center of the action, Burke lays her bare for all to see in order to show her being perfect is simply a matter of perception.


Warning: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable including but not limited to: D/s, exhibitionism

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005OMB936
~*~

Sara Brookes is an award winning author who has always been fascinated by the strange, the unusual, the twisted and the lost (tortured heroes are her personal favorite). She is an action movie junkie, addicted to coffee and has been known to stay up until the wee hours of the morning playing RPG video games. Despite all this, she is a romantic at heart and is always a sucker for an excellent love story.  To find out more about Sara and you can drop by her website here http://www.sarabrookes.net/

Enjoy your Friday!!
Kathleen

Thursday, September 29, 2011

THURSDAY FUNNY~

Awww...this is very cute and made me laugh, too!

Enjoy your Thursday, everyone!
Kathleen

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT~SARAH GRIMM!!!

I would love to introduce you all to a wonderful author I met during Six Sentence Sunday, Sarah Grimm.  I'm currently reading her second novel, After Midnight, and have fallen in love with Isabeau and Noah.  Lucky me won a free preview as it doesn't release until September 30th from The Wild Rose Press at this buy link is: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191&products_id=4650
This novel has conflict, heat, and a fantastic plot that keeps you turning the pages!

AFTER MIDNIGHT by Sarah Grimm



BLURB:September 30, 2011

Thirteen years—that's how long Isabeau Montgomery has been living a lie. After an automobile accident took her mother's life, Izzy hid herself away, surviving the only way she knew how. Now she is happy in her carefully reconstructed life. That is until he walks through the door of her bar...


Black Phoenix singer/front man Noah Clark came to Long Island City with a goal--one that doesn't include an instant, electric attraction to the dark-haired beauty behind the bar. Coaxing her into his bed won't be easy, but he can't get her pale, haunted eyes nor her skill on the piano out of his head.

Can Noah help Isabeau overcome the past? Or will her need to protect her secret force her back into hiding and destroy their chance at happiness?


EXCERPT~*~


“I’m not the type of woman men fall for.”

“I’ve fallen for you.”

Heat flooded her system. She forced herself to breathe, to keep her eyes locked with his. “No you haven’t. You …”

He pushed off the mantel and stepped in her direction. “I—what?”

“Never mind.”

“Finish the sentence, Isabeau.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Then let me.” He closed the distance between them. “You were going to say I haven’t fallen for you, weren’t you? You actually believe him? That you’re nothing more to me than convenient?”

Her pulse throbbed thick and hard. Heat radiated off his body. The scent of him filled her head. She wanted, more than anything, to press herself against him and relive the pleasure of his mouth against hers. Instead, she lifted her chin.


“Maybe.”

He leaned in close. So close his breath brushed across her lips. “You believe him, but not me?”


“You are here only temporarily.”

“Yes.”

“And I am just down the street.”

“I suppose.”


She ran her tongue over her dry lips. “So the whole thing does seem rather—”

“Don’t say it.”

“—convenient.”

Something dangerous came and went in his eyes. “Now I’m getting angry.”


His hands skimmed down her sides, slipped under her shirt and settled on her lace-covered bottom. Her breath went uneven. Searing need swarmed her.


“You want something to believe, believe this.” He pulled her into the solid ridge of his erection. She lost her concentration. “There is nothing convenient about the way I feel about you.”


“I…no?”

“You think you’re not the type to draw a man’s attention, think again. I can’t stand in the same room as you without wanting to taste you. I can’t taste you without wanting to taste all of you.”


Oh, God. Her knees turned to jelly. A hot, wet pulse came to life between her legs.

“If you can’t see in yourself what it is that I see, feel what you do to me.” Taking hold of her wrist, he placed her hand in the center of his chest.


His heart was racing. She tipped her head back and looked into his eyes. Her bones began to liquefy.

“The way you’re looking at me,” she whispered.


“How am I looking at you?”


“Like I’m important.”

“You are.”

She swallowed hard, wanting to believe him. “Like I’m beautiful.”

His lips brushed across her temple and her eyes drifted shut. “I wish you could see yourself the way I see you. Then you would know how beautiful you are.”

Her eyes snapped open as he spun her in his arms. His hands settled on her shoulders, drawing her back against his chest. She gasped at their image reflected in the trio of mirrors that hung on her wall. When had this become a seduction?


To find out more about Sarah and her books, you can check her website out at this link: http://www.sarahgrimm.com/
and her blog link is  here :  http://www.authorsarahgrimm.blogspot.com/

Thank you Sarah, for letting me showcase you today.  I look forward to more great books from you!

Have a fabulous Wednesday everyone! And don't forget that Evernight's birthday bash is still in progress!  Stop by this link for a chance to win a kindle, free books, gift certificates and more!!  http://www.evernightpublishing.blogspot.com/

Kathleen




Sunday, September 25, 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EVERNIGHT!

                                               

  October 1st is Evernight's Birthday



Come Join in our Author Blog Hop!




GRAND PRIZES
New KINDLE E-Reader
$50.00 Cash via PayPal
$40.00 Evernight Gift Certificate


To be entered in the Grand Prize draws, you will need to FOLLOW and COMMENT on the Evernight Publishing Blog at http://www.evernightpublishing.blogspot.com/. There is a list of participating authors on Evernight's Blog that is linked to each author blog that is participating.  Be sure to hit as many blogs as you can to increase your chances of winning!!!


I'll also be giving away  a $15 Evernight Gift Certificate to one commenter. Please Follow my Blog and enter your name/email in the comments.

Winners will be posted on Oct. 3rd




This is a Blog Hop! 29 entries so far...



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


1. Avery Flynn 2. Karyn Gerrard 3. Stacey Espino


4. Delilah Hunt 5. Tristram La Roche 6. Emma Shortt


7. Shannan Albright 8. Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy
9. Carolyn Rosewood


10. Double D Ranch Tales 11. CR Moss 12. Pepper Anthony


13. Renee Silvana 14. Lauren Pilla 15. Lorraine Nelson


16. Kathleen Grieve 17. Angelina Rain 18. Kelly Yeakle


19. Ashlynn Monroe 20. Elyzabeth M. VaLey
21. Alexandra OHurley


22. Shyla Colt 23. Becky Moore 24. Claire Matthews


25. Avril Ashton 26. Seleste deLaney 27. Evernight Publishing


28. London Saint James 29. Jezebel Jorge


Note: this is a private list. Only the list owner can enter links.


Have Fun Hopping!
Kathleen















SIX SENTENCE SUNDAY~32

                 
Yeah! *jumps up and down* It's Sunday! Time for another snippet! Today, a little from my wip, Temperatures Rising.  When we last left Nursing student Ann Raines she woke up with a hangover and is now late for her clinical rotation at the hospital...

"Breathe, Anne," she told herself in a stern tone, "inhale, exhale, you can get through this."



She stood there while precious moments ticked by, the sound of her own ragged exhalations filled the room, seeming louder than normal. Soon, the lightheadedness passed. Once again grounded on her feet, she stuffed her bra and panties into the back pocket of her jeans.


An unexpected male baritone erupted into a cheesy song from beyond the barrier of the bathroom door, the voice vaguely familiar. She froze even as her heart zipped into overdrive. 

Who was he?

That's it for now! Don't forget to stop by and check out awesome snippets from other SSS authors at www.sixsunday.com !!
 
Enjoy your Sunday!
Kathleen

Friday, September 23, 2011

YUMMY FRIDAY~JUST FOR GUYS TODAY~

                           
Okay...this is for all the grumblers I work with who say it's not fair I post hot, half naked men every week~You know who you are...

TGIF Peeps!
Kathleen

Thursday, September 22, 2011

THURSDAY FUNNY~INSPIRED BY CRIT PARTNER'S CURRENT WIP!!


Had a brainstorming session last week that had me in tears and my stomach hurting I laughed so hard! I had no choice but to find the video clip that made the hilarity even funnier!

Enjoy your Thursday!
Kathleen

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT~CHARLIE KENMORE~

 


"Oh, the Writer and the Editor Should Be Friends”

I’ve edited books for publishing companies and privately for authors. However, with Earth Angel, I was on the receiving end as an author. Having now lived on both sides of the fence, I believe that like the Cowboy and the Farmer in Oklahoma, the Author and the Editor should be friends. We both want the writing to shine.  So here are some thoughts as to what we should expect from each other:

I. Nuts and Bolts

A) Spelling--Writer (W): 

Your word processor went to the trouble of underlining the misspelled words (and a few extra that aren't). Scan the document and make those corrections before you send out the document.

Editor (E):  Just because a word is spelled correctly, does not mean that it is the preferred spelling. E.G. (exempli gratia - “for example”) -- “wannabe” vs. “wannabee”(both are correct alternate spellings. E needs to decide which looks better in context.);“kerb” vs. “curb” (for American target markets, E should take the American spelling every time.)

B) Word Choice--W:  1) Does the word fit?  Even if the eighth dictionary definition of a term expresses your intent, by the time you get that far down, there is

probably another word that will work better.  

2) “X” may be a marvelous and/or useful word (E.G. --"quickly"--you know who you are!).  But how many times did you use it in the sentence? The paragraph?  The chapter?  The entire work?  Get thee to a thesaurus.

3) Watch for anachronisms.  “Groovy”, “dude” and “far out, man” probably will not fit well in your Regency tale.

E: If the sentence or phrase bumps, then check for and suggest another word that will smooth the way. A well placed malapropism can blow the mood for an entire scene. Beware of homonyms! E.G.-- “bare” vs. “bear” or “to” vs. “too” (and rarely, vs. “two”). Hell, watch for assonance as well.  E.G. -- “vial” vs. “vile”.  Also, watch for any anachronistic phrases that slipped by the writer.

C) Verbs and Subjects and Numbers (Oh, my!): 

W:  1) Particularly with longer sentences that may include one or more modifiers (dangling or otherwise), be sure to identify the subject and match the verb number accordingly.  Remember, collective nouns take singular verbs, unless the intent is to describe actions taken by the individual components of the collective noun. 

2) Stay in active voice.  Damn the word count; do not use three words where one will suffice.  E.G.--“Mary had begun to feel aroused” vs.“Mary felt aroused”.

E:  See W.

D)  Quotes--

W:  1) If a quote ends in a question mark or an exclamation point, then any related descriptive language following the quote begins with lower case (proper names excepted). E.G. -- “You were at work, huh?” she asked suspiciously.  “The hell you were!“ she screamed. 

2) If a quote extends to additional paragraphs, then each paragraph opens with quotation marks, but only the last paragraph has closing quotation marks.

E.G.--      “As I said earlier, before she entered into the Veil, the Chosen traveled widely throughout the Seven Realms. She saw many things, both good and

evil. The Prophecy of the Sevens suggests that there was more evil than good.

     As you know, as part of the Second Accords, the spirits of the fallen now power the Veil.  The Chosen is now one with the Veil.  All of the power of countless fallen gods, demigods, and fey are hers to command.”(Excerpt from Earth Angel)

E: See W.

II.  The Big Picture

A) Plotting, Characterization and Time Line: 

W:  1) Does it make sense?  If Joan gets on a plane at 2:00 in Los Angeles, she cannot attend a 2:30 meeting in Boston. Worse yet, they did not have commercial cross country flights in 1865. Pay attention to continuity. If a character loses its legs in chapter two, it will probably be difficult for the character to run away from the werewolf in chapter five.  

2) Is it likely that “X” would do or say “Y”?

E:  See W.  Remember at all times, there is a reviewer lurking out there with far to much time on its bloody hands, waiting to dismember your poor, unsuspecting author‘s pride and joy.  DO NOT MAKE THE REVIEWER’S LIFE ANY EASIER! You are the last line of defense.  It is your job to protect your author.  Let the reviewer complain about the font size. But never leave either a gaping hole, or a literary Maginot Line, for the reviewer to attack your writer.  If a reader might be confused or question a character’s actions or motivations, it is your  responsibility to question the writer first.

Thanks for the opportunity to ramble.

Charlie

EARTH ANGEL By CHARLIE KENMORE

Blurb:

There are seven parallel worlds known as the Seven Realms which are separated by a Veil. Six are inhabited by all manner of entities, some natural, some not. That may not be the case for much longer. The first portion of

the High Sidhe Prophecy of the Sevens has been fulfilled. The Anarch, who is one with the Veil, has escaped. If she chooses, she can part or drop the Veil or she can lift the Veil in its entirety. The Seven Realms will converge. The laws of physics and magic will collide head on. Unless she is stopped,there will be nothing left.

Queen Amura has called for an assembly of the signatories to the High Sidhe's Second Accords, a multi-realm peace treaty to consider how to deal with the threat of the Anarch. An Earthside TechnoWitch and other dark forces also are seeking to control the Anarch. Prince Dzhok (Jack), High Sidhe Ambassador Salash (Jack's oldest friendand lover),and Valkyrie Brunhilde set out to find and befriend the Anarch before all is lost.

Purchase Links: http://www.damnationbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615724840 (you have toregister-free)




Here's a little bit more about Charlie Kenmore:

I am a 52 year old professional from St. Louis, Missouri with one very significant other(A.K.A. "Alexx Momcat"), two grown kids, and two cats.  I enjoy collecting books, art and cooking. But with my double and triple stacked bookshelves sagging,

I look forward to the new era of e-publishing.  An avid garage sale hunter, I am still searching for an oil painting by Edouard Leon Cortes (or anything from the Drip and Drool School like Pollack or Rothko that can be sold so I can buy my Cortes).

Charlie can be reached at: charliekenmore@gmail.com
And you can check out his blog over at:


Thanks so much, Charlie for stopping by today!!
Kathleen

Monday, September 19, 2011

TUESDAY TALES~4~LIPS


Morning! Welcome to another edition of Tuesday Tales where a group of authors get together to create something all to the same writing "prompt".  This week's prompt is LIPS.  I was able to fit it in the opening chapter of my wip, Temperatures Rising.

KATHLEEN GRIEVE (UNEDITED~Rated PG)

TEMPERATURES RISING


     “I need three Coors draft, a margarita, and a Bohemian Rhapsody,” a female voice shouted down the length of the bar. The wait staff knew how to make themselves heard over the buzz of music and conversation from the numerous patrons that usually frequented Jolly’s Taproom.


     While the crowd laughed and drank with obvious pleasure, Katy Perry’s sultry voice blared from the speakers announcing to anyone listening how she kissed a girl—-and liked it.


     “You got it,” Anne Raines replied.  She marked her page from the pharmacology book she’d been using to confirm the medications for her first nursing clinical experience.  Pivoting to the cooler, she retrieved the large frosted pilsner glasses for the beers.  As she stood at the tap pouring the golden, foaming liquid into the ice cold mugs, she suppressed a yawn.  Her legs hurt and her feet seemed like they were on fire within her sensible black shoes.  She wished she knew of a Swedish masseur named Sven to fulfill her aching body’s every fantasy.


     Anne chuckled and placed the beers on the tray for Liddy, and proceeded to fulfill the rest of the waitress’s order.  Despite her fatigue, excitement bubbled from deep within her.  Tomorrow morning she would take the next step toward her new career to become a nurse.  Even the thought that she had three more hours before Jolly’s closed at two AM, followed by a long night of preparing for the day ahead, couldn’t squelch her high spirits. 


     The old rock tune, Wasted Time by the Eagles began a slow beat overhead.  Anne reflected on how she’d drifted through her life so far.  Flitting from job to job.  Her inability to take anything or anyone seriously.  How she’d never accomplished a damn thing.  Always too busy having a good time, she’d thought she’d have plenty of time to make something of her life later.  Much later.  Her lips twisted.  Definitely a lot of wasted time.


     “Order up, Liddy,” she called as she placed the martini on the tray.  Her gaze swept the drinks of the current peeps closest to her, checking for anyone in need of a refill.  Most glasses were still half full.  Satisfied, she moved back to her pharm book and the short list of medications of her first patient.


     At least there weren’t a lot she’d have to memorize for her first day—only four types of pills.  This helped tremendously since she had to be out of bed and over at the hospital by 6:30 AM.  Her vision blurred on the page she’d been staring at and she blinked.  A pang of regret for a lush morning spent snuggled deep beneath her goose down comforter sprang to the forefront of her mind.  Anne shoved the notion aside.  She could sleep when clinical ended at noon.  She’d just have to suck it up.


     Working her way through college was her only option, even with the small amount of life insurance her mother had bequeathed to Anne after her death.  There would be no getting around the crazy hours she’d have to work at Jolly’s to make her dream a success.  This time, she’d be responsible.  Even if she had to choke on her obligation.  Besides, she owed herself a bright future and challenged herself not to screw up this time.


     A roar from a crowd of men stationed behind her at the mahogany bar drew her attention.  They enthusiastically slapped their hands in high fives as they greeted a newcomer to their group.  He was extremely attractive in an Ewan Macgregor kind of way with wavy brown hair, prominent brows over eyes she could easily immerse herself in, a squared jaw with a hint of five o’clock shadow, and a fantastic pair of lips.  A sigh of bliss escaped her. 


     All contemplation of the commitment she’d sworn to herself vanished from her brain as the cells sizzled.  Heart thundering between her ears, she smiled and approached where he leaned against the bar.  The buttoned down long sleeved shirt lay open at the throat and revealed smooth, tanned skin.  Sleeves rolled back to his elbows provided a great view of strong, well muscled forearms.  She swallowed, mouth suddenly dry.


     As she placed a napkin on the gleaming wood in front of him, his green gaze swept the length of her.  Anne could swear she heard the heat radiating off her skin with a crackle and hiss.  Sort of like the breakfast cereal.


     Boy, would she like to snap, crackle and pop with this guy!


     She chuckled, coming down off the momentary high that often accompanied the sight of a gorgeous hunk of man in her vicinity.  “Welcome to Jolly’s.  What can I get you?”


     A smile played about his lips.  That killer grin combined with the steamy glitter in his eyes extremely suggestive of what he’d like to order.  Sparks of heat licked a trail down her spine straight down to her toes.


     After the stress and grief of the last year, Anne welcomed the distraction.  Between classes and Jolly’s, she’d been working very hard and wishing for a teensy weensy break.  What could a little play time hurt?

That's all for now. I'd love to hear your comments. Stop by and see what the other TT authors created with the same prompt at http://tuesdaytales1.blogspot.com/ If you'd like to participate in Tuesday Tales sunnydaysbook@gmail.com
Enjoy your Tuesday!!
Kathleen

Sunday, September 18, 2011

SIX SENTENCE SUNDAY~31

                           

Yeah! It's Sunday! Here's another Six from my wip, Temperatures Rising. Last we met Nursing student Ann Raines, she had met Sexy Ewan McGregor look alike at Jolly's Taproom. It's the morning after and she's a bit hungover...

How the hell did I get here? Stomach queasy, she forced her eyelids back open; focus, damn it!

Mouth dry with the old sour taste of liquor tattooed to the inner membranes, she sat up and peered into the dimness cast by the fog through the large window that encompassed an entire wall. The movement initiated a series of painful spikes along the base of her skull that vibrated in agonizing waves to her temples. A soft moan escaped her parched lips.


God, she needed to remember she wasn’t as young as she used to be; the new and improved Anne Raines was a responsible person striving to earn her nursing degree. In fact, her first clinical was… Aww...shit!


That's it! We will continue this snippet next week! Meanwhile, stop by http://www.sixsunday.com/ to enjoy more Sixes from some awesomely talented authors!



Happy Sunday!!Kathleen

Saturday, September 17, 2011

HOOKER SATURDAY~5

Welcome back to Hooker Saturday. Thought I would share with you my opening chapter from one of my wips.  A medical romance with a paranormal twist. I will definitely be pulling this wip out and be revising it because I love this story as it has a playful ghost who has some unfinished matchmaking business. I just need the help of the plot whisperer to help me figure out how to write myself out of the corner I've crammed myself into!! :)  Here is chapter one part of which I'd shared a Six in an SSS post a while back with you all. 

Sunshine After Showers~(Unedited)

Live!


Warm tears streamed down Rachel O’Dea’s face. She pumped on Seamus Jameson’s chest and tried to swallow the pain and helplessness that formed the lump in her throat. She couldn’t even verbally call out the concise compressions to the code team anymore. It was all she could do to maintain her composure and continue to assist.


Her gaze shot to the heart monitor displaying his oxygen level, blood pressure, heartbeat.

Life.

Come on, Seamus. I need something to work with here. Give me a sign. Beat, dammit!


Flatline.

“Rachel.” She ignored the compassion in her best friend and fellow nurse Laura Parker’s voice, that tone of finality, and continued her compressions. He couldn’t be dead. He was only Sixty-five. Now who was going to teach her how to ice fish this winter?


It’s okay Rachelgirl.

She hesitated, could almost hear his voice, the pet name he called her, the impression of him giving up.


“No!” You can’t leave me now!

She renewed her compression with more vigor, felt a rib crack. Bile rose in her throat. She swallowed, hard. ”What about another amp of epinephrine? Sodium bicarb? Have his blood gases come back?” She searched the room for answers, except for Laura, everyone else was gone.


Laura’s lips moved, but it was Seamus voice Rachel heard.

Let me go, Rachelgirl.


“What? Why?" She asked.

Laura laid a hand on her arm, placed her fingers over Rachel’s and stilled her compressions. “I said, it’s over, hon. He’s gone. Dr. Morris called it.”


Rachel stopped her useless efforts. She inhaled a ragged breath. The smell of death clung to the thick air. Her eyes were drawn to Seamus’ lifeless body, ravaged by the code. Blood spattered the sheets from the multiple lab draws.  Empty syringes from the cardiac meds given intravenously, littered the bed. His skin was gray with deep purplish hues around his ears and neck. While she'd pressed down on his chest, she remembered the sensation as one of his ribs crack. She fought back the urge to gag, unable to stop staring.



An endotracheal tube, used to give him oxygen during the team's resuscitation efforts, dangled from his mouth. His blue eyes--once so full of laughter and joy--now stared sightlessly.


Rachel’s chest knotted with guilt. How could this have happened? When she'd started her shift today, he'd felt so much better. Had she missed something? Some vital sign or subtle change in his physical assessment that would've clued her in to impending death? Sixty-five-year-old Seamus Jameson hadn't even begun to enjoy the beginning of what was supposed to be his golden years.
Unable to stand the sight of him like this, she gathered fresh linens and a pink bath basin.

“Why don’t you take a break, or better yet, the day off.” Laura rubbed Rachel on the back. “We’ll cover your patients.”

“I can’t let you guys do that.  We’re short-staffed as it is.  I appreciate the offer, though.  But I need to do this myself.”

Rachel took a deep breath, and shook her head. Blinking back the tears, she shed her latex gloves, dumping them in the hazardous waste trash and walked to the sink to wash her hands. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. What had she missed?

“Stop chewing on your bottom lip,” Laura said.


Rachel popped her lip from her teeth. ”I’m not.”


“Yeah, right. You’ve done it since the first time we met. You remember?” Laura said lightly.

Rachel shook her head.

“When we were in kindergarten, Mitch Caine pulled on your pigtails and you punched him in the stomach. Then we both shoved him into the sand box.” Laura laughed.


“Oh yeah. He was so mad. The neighborhood cats had been using it for a sandbox. I’d forgotten. How do you remember that stuff?”


“He blimped my creep radar, kind of like our administrator. God that guy gives me the willies.” All mirth vanished and she rubbed her arms.


"Your creep radar was always spot on," Rachel agreed.  She should have listened to Laura's creep-o-meter when the alarm tripped when she'd started dating her ex husband, Jason.  Since she seemed to attract the wrong type of men, she paid close attention to it now.  Especially when the new hospital administrator tripped the alarm from his first day.  His pursuit of Rachel was extremely unnerving.  

She noticed Laura starting Seamus' bath.  Rachel rested a hand on Laura's arm, stopping her.  "I can do this, Laura.  I need to do this. I owe him that much.”



Rachel took several deep breaths and shed her latex gloves. Walking over to the sink, she washed her hands. “I just don’t understand it, he was fine. Today was one of his good days.”


"Well, you know how patients sometimes get better before they crash. We see it all the time. There’s nothing to explain, it was just his time," Laura reached for the box of tissues on the bedside table.


“I know you're right. This is just so hard for me.” Rachel dried her hands and took the tissues Laura offered. After wiping her tears away and blowing her nose loudly.
Her vision blurred. Covering her eyes with her hands, she fought the grief that threatened to pull her beneath a strong under toe, where everything was cold and dark.


He’s in a better place now.


He doesn’t have to suffer any more.


Rachel tried to console herself with the same words she spoke to family members who’d had loved ones pass away. The words seemed so hollow and empty. She’d never, ever speak them again. A sob escaped her and she felt Laura’s arms pull her into a hug.


“God, sometimes our job sucks. I know how much you cared for Seamus. Hell, there isn’t a nurse here who isn’t going to miss him. He was one of our favorites.” Laura gently released Rachel and peered at her closely. “Are you sure you can do this?”


Rachel nodded, and grabbed more tissues to wipe her tears away.


“Well, if you’re sure.” Laura walked to the doorway and turned back. “Do you want to contact Seamus’ son? Or do you want me to call for you?”


Rachel dragged in a calming breath and pulled on a fresh pair of latex gloves. “I’ll call him. I appreciate the offer, though. And thanks for the hug. I needed it.”


“Any time. Let me know if you need anything else. And, while you’re in here, I’ll keep an eye on your other patient.”  She glanced at Seamus.  "We'll all miss him."


****
Rachel groaned. It was a good thing Seamus couldn’t see what a mess she’d made of things. He'd surely scold her about ruining his reputation with the ladies. She pushed his dentures into his mouth for the third time. They slowly slid down, protruding farther from his gums than before. She groaned again. “That looks awful.”


She tugged on her bottom lip. Maybe she could get some super adhesive and glue his dentures into place?


A familiar voice whispered in her left ear. “At least your not thinking about using duct tape.”

She whirled, swinging her arm through a flash of light and staggered into the night stand, knocking the pink basin filled with bath water to the floor. Her gaze shot around the room. It was empty. She let out a breath. She must be losing her mind. For a brief second, she thought she'd heard . . . she shook her head. It couldn’t be. She’d always had a fertile imagination as a kid. But those were fantasy. She didn’t believe in ghosts.


She reached down to pick up the bowl and slipped on the floor, her butt landing in the soapy water.  She staggered to her feet.  “Damn.”


“Tsk, Tsk. Rachelgirl, do be careful. You might break a hip. Then whose going to help me?”


Her mouth dropped open. Seamus glowed, bathed in golden light. She blinked. He was still there, his blue eyes twinkling. She rubbed her eyes. Then looked again. This time he flashed her a smile. His teeth were. . . perfect. Slapping her hands over her face, she repeated her mantra. “I don’t believe in ghosts. I don’t believe in ghosts. You’re a figment of my imagination. An image I dreamed up brought about by denial. On the count of three, I’m going to pull my hands away from my eyes and you’ll be gone. One. . ., two. . . ”


“BOO!”


Rachel shrieked and back up against the side table, bumping her spine.


“I’m so sorry, my dear.” He flashed that perfect smile. “I couldn’t resist. Tricks of the trade, you know. I just had to try it out.”


She shook her head. “This isn’t happening.”


“Oh, I assure you my dear Rachelgirl, it is.” He looked over at his still body on the bed and frowned. “You really need to fix those dentures. I look. .. . unkept.” He peered down at his face. “I never thought I looked so old. You know, when you go through life, your body gets older, but in your mind you still have the age of a teenager.”

He turned his attention to what he wore, grasping the thin material between thumb and forefinger that draped his vibrant, glowing body. “You’d think if they were going to keep me here on earth, they could at least give me something more dashing than this open hospital gown to haunt around in.” He snapped his fingers and the hospital gown was replaced in a flash of blinding light.

She’d been so focused on his teeth, his eyes, the youthful look of his skin, the change in the color of his hair, well, his just plain being there, she hadn’t even notice what he wore. She stared for the first time. He now wore a light lavender. . . Leisure suit?

“Evie and I used to cut quite a rug in our day.” He put a finger to his chin. “Or is boogie down the correct terminology?” He cocked his head “Or is it get down?” He waved his hand.


“No matter.”


“Listen. As much as I’d like to indulge my fantasy and believe you’re here, I have work to do and you're. Not. Real.”Rachel turned back to the bed and started to straighten up. She felt the cool breath of his sigh on her neck and shivered.

“I don’t know how it’s possible, but you and I are stuck with each other." he said. "And, whether you believe it or not, I think we’re supposed to help each other."


She squeezed her eyes against the pain, the fresh tears that threatened to fall. “I didn’t think you’d. . . I mean, I knew your heart was deteriorating, but I didn’t expect you to leave so soon.” Oh God. She was actually, talking to a ghost, thinking he was real. She shook her head. “Your dead. D-E-A-D.”


She whirled around. He was gone. Relief flashed mixed with disappointment and a little bit of guilt. She hadn’t meant to be mean, but he’d deserve it. Just to be sure he was gone, she checked under the bed.


“Rachel, what are you doing under there? And what happened to your butt? You're soaking wet.” Laura asked.

Rachel jerked, banging her head on the bed rail. “Ouch.” She rubbed the sore spot. “You could have knocked you know.”

“I did, but you must not have heard me. Are you all right?” Laura looked around the room spied the spilled water. “I know you’re a perfectionist, but housekeeping will mop the floor.”


‘Funny.” Rachel walked to the cupboard and yanked clean towels to dry up the mess on the floor. “I had a little accident, no biggie.”


Laura bent to help her soak up the water. “Are you alright, you look a little. . . pale and . . .weird.”


“I’m just a little upset, that’s all.” Rachel cringed at the asperity in her tone.


“I know honey. He was one of the special ones. I’m sure he’s up in heaven having a wonderful time.” Laura said.


“If only that were true." Rachel muttered under her breath.

“What?”

“Nothing.” Rachel gathered the towels, threw them into the hamper and turned back to Seamus. His dentures hung from his mouth askew, mocking her. Maybe if she finished this grisly task, and they wheeled him down to the . . . morgue, she could mourn him properly.


Closure. That’s what she needed. “I’m having a little trouble with his dentures. They keep sliding out.”


“Hmm, I see that. He’s got that slack-jaw thing going.” She crinkled her nose. “I hate that. I’ve never figured out how to fix it, other than duct tape. Seamus wouldn’t like that.”

You have no idea.

Rachel kept that thought to herself.

Laura put a loving hand on Rachel’s back and rubbed. “Listen hon, take that break. No ifs, ands, or buts.  Out with you.  I’ll finish up here.”

Rachel could definitely use a break. And she needed to let Seamus’ son Devon know his father had passed. “Okay.”


At the door, she grasped the knob and turned back.  Rachel pointed a finger at Laura. “No duct tape.”


That's all for now!
Enjoy your weekend!
Kathleen