After two failed marriages and countless relationships, Sandra Holiday thinks she’s met the man to end her years of less than perfect choices; choices that not only derailed her travel-related career plans but also left her single and broke.
Carson Holiday, a Las Vegas country crooner with swoon-inducing good looks, spent his adult life pursuing a recording contract and love, never holding on to either. After eighteen years, he drops back into Sandra’s life, reigniting an attraction he can’t deny.
When Carson reappears, Sandra must choose again. Only this time, nothing’s as it seems. A secret admirer, a redheaded stalker, and an eccentric millionaire throw her on a dangerous path, with Carson her only truth.
As life confronts her with yet another turning point, will her decisions find her eternally sleeping with the lights on – or will she finally discover a way to turn them off?
EXCERPT:
“When do you go back to Vegas?”
Carson hesitated. “In a day or two.”
“You sound rather vague.” And still allusive. What could be the big secret about this charity gig he couldn’t divulge?
“I have a few more things to find out. I’ll be out of here as soon as I get all my questions answered. It’s complicated.”
We’d reached the edge of my apartment complex.
“Carson, honestly, how complicated can a gig—”
Pulling me around, we stopped, facing each other. My head said run like hell, but my legs wouldn’t respond. Mushy from wine or Carson and moonlight. I couldn’t be sure which.
“Have lunch with me tomorrow, darlin’.” His fingers slipped from mine to gingerly brush along my forearm. The moonlight caught in his eyes. “Another hour of your time with a long lost friend?”
“Yes.” My voice went all husky and come-hither. I wanted to kick myself for being so easy.
“Good.” Grasping my hand again, he led me toward the door. “What’s the address of your office?”
I struggled to shake off the moon shadows and to remember where I worked. Once inside the building, I took a scrap of paper from my purse and wrote the address.
“I’ll walk you to your door and say goodnight,” he said, tucking the scrap of paper in his pocket. “Unless you want to have me in for a goodnight drink.”
I didn’t answer. If he’d only known the extent of my uncertainty at that moment, a little persistence might have made me cave.
“Okay, then—” His mouth gaped.
I followed his bewildered look to my apartment door.
TRAMP
Carson hesitated. “In a day or two.”
“You sound rather vague.” And still allusive. What could be the big secret about this charity gig he couldn’t divulge?
“I have a few more things to find out. I’ll be out of here as soon as I get all my questions answered. It’s complicated.”
We’d reached the edge of my apartment complex.
“Carson, honestly, how complicated can a gig—”
Pulling me around, we stopped, facing each other. My head said run like hell, but my legs wouldn’t respond. Mushy from wine or Carson and moonlight. I couldn’t be sure which.
“Have lunch with me tomorrow, darlin’.” His fingers slipped from mine to gingerly brush along my forearm. The moonlight caught in his eyes. “Another hour of your time with a long lost friend?”
“Yes.” My voice went all husky and come-hither. I wanted to kick myself for being so easy.
“Good.” Grasping my hand again, he led me toward the door. “What’s the address of your office?”
I struggled to shake off the moon shadows and to remember where I worked. Once inside the building, I took a scrap of paper from my purse and wrote the address.
“I’ll walk you to your door and say goodnight,” he said, tucking the scrap of paper in his pocket. “Unless you want to have me in for a goodnight drink.”
I didn’t answer. If he’d only known the extent of my uncertainty at that moment, a little persistence might have made me cave.
“Okay, then—” His mouth gaped.
I followed his bewildered look to my apartment door.
TRAMP
9 comments:
I loved the book. Anxious to read your next book.
Love the heroine's name; my sister/best friend is named Sandra. Great excerpt. not a lot of romances are written in first person POV. it was nice to meet you!
I love reading Romance novels because most are about life with a little suspense. I am reading Brenda's book now. What i have read has me intigued and loving what has transpired so far. SLEEPING WITH THE LIGHTS ON has that genre and much more.
Brenda, I like meeting authors who like me have traveled a lot. Somehow, it shows in the books and make the setting feels real. Your heroine looks like a very interesting character. I will have to check your book.
Surprise, Brenda -- People in the Victoria, Texas area will soon be reading SLEEPING WITH THE LIGHTS ON as we've ordered a copy for our local library. This is a book that one cannot keep to themselves. And, having worked in a library, myself, once someone has read a great book, they look for more by the same author. Blessings and smiles -- Betsy E.
I like the happily ever after.
Oh I must apologize to all of you. I checked in all day and didn't look in the right place. I didn't think anyone commented. So Sorry with a capital S.
Thank you Patty. I'm anxious for the next one too!
Linda, I'm glad you like the POV. First person seems so much more personal to me.
Becky, Thanks. Glad you are enjoying it.
Mona, thank you. Travel does expand our take on life.
Betsy, You've made my day. I am very proud to have my book in your local library!
Caroline, Those happily ever endings are why we read romance, right?
Hi Brenda,
Love the story line with an older woman as the heroine. Sounds like a great read.
Cheers
Margaret
Thanks, Margaret. It's fun writing about a heroine a little older.
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