PHANTASM FRIDAY

The Moonlighters Welcome Cherie De Sues

Please welcome Cherie De Sues into the Moonlight. Cherie De Sues is the author of Dangerous Curves which was recently released by Noble Romance Publishing. Other books published in 2010 by Cherie are The Seduction of Simone, Triage, Lacy: A Bad Girl's Revenge, Lacy: A Bad Girl's Romance, Tales of the Red Moon Clan, South of the Border and soon to be released, To Love A Thief.

Now, it's time to create a little mayhem and get to the good stuff and reveal all of Cherie's deepest darkest secrets in the moonlight. LOL So, grab your favorite wicked drink, sink your teeth into something decadent, sit back, relax and enjoy getting to know Cherie De Sues.


MLM: The holidays are fast approaching and things always seem to get busier during this time of year. Do you have a relaxing technique that helps you de-stress? If so, please share, because this is advice we all need!

CHERIE: My technique to distress is to do something creative. Whether I'm working on a new page for Irish Gypsy's Parlor or adding a chapter onto my latest novel. Losing myself in another world takes me away from car problems, visiting relatives and cooking for a large group. This is my way of taking a "time out" from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, especially during the holidays.


MLM: What, if any, Thanksgiving traditions (decorating, gathering with friends and family for a meal, etc.) do you have?

CHERIE: Wow, until recently I would have said zero. Now, I'm facing a long drive to visit my aging father, getting a hotel, bringing my dog Reilly, my son and still manage to stay sane! Organizing an unforeseen trip is a real pain, but seeing family is important. Tradition changes as families grow, shrink then grow again. I love sit-down dinners with twenty adults all talking at once.


MLM: What was your most memorable Thanksgiving and why?

CHERIE: Probably the last time I was seated with my mother and father. My mom passed on and my father remarried. I will always remember the care and love my mother put into every holiday for her family. She was a special lady.


MLM: What is a must have food at your Thanksgiving dinner table?

CHERIE: I couldn't imagine a dinner without Turkey. I really don't care about the other holidays, but Thanksgiving has to be about the Turkey. Stuffed with cranberry, apple stuffing and served falling off the bone makes my mouth water. My grandfather used to make mashed rootabaga, mine just doesn't taste the same. I miss the food that I remember during my childhood.


MLM: Tell us 3 things you are thankful for this year, please.

CHERIE: I'm very thankful for my son, Scott. He's an exceptional man, straight A smart, and is finishing up his second degree in computers. I'm thankful for my dog, Reilly. He plays and walks me often when I would just keep typing my novels. I'm grateful I have the opportunity to do what I most enjoy in life, write. Not everyone has that in their life and for a long time neither did I as I worked in the operating room for years. Now I'm enjoying every minute of every day with the three things that make me the happiest.


MLM: Just for fun, if you could be among any of the original members of that first Thanksgiving, who would it be, the Pilgrims or the Wampanoag (Native Americans)? Why?

CHERIE: Definitely the Wampanoag. The Native Americans were advanced in planting techniques, hunting food and living in the frigid climate of Massachusetts. Those hunky Native American men were so hot and the Pilgrims were so uptight! Yeah, I'd want to be a member of the Wampanoag!


MLM: NaNo is popular among authors each November. Maybe it's so popular because it helps self-motivate so many of us during the encroaching holidays. Did you commit to NaNo this year? If yes, do you have any advice how to make NaNo a success? If no, what was your driving motivation to stay strong and avoid the month I've deemed "crazy NaNo"?

CHERIE: I am participating and am in the San Diego writers group who has a wager with the Australian group this year for the most words written. I wrote The Seduction of Simone last year and it was released three months ago by Noble Romance Publishing. I look forward to winning again this year and writing another award-winning romance. My advice to anyone who is participating in NaNoWriMo is to stay on track with 1,500 words a day. 50,000 words is a lot if you try to do it all at the end. Get a partner who will encourage you to finish your 50,000 words!


MLM: Swashbuckling pirates like Johnny Depp are sexy—Argh!—but e-pirates are not! How do you handle e-pirates in your writing world? Do you have any advice or wish to share any experience with other writers? Anything you wish to say to e-pirates in general?

CHERIE: E-pirates makes stealing sound sexy. Let's call them thieves. Unfortunately, the digital age has created a group of individuals who see nothing wrong in downloading stolen property. The best way to handle the websites that allow stolen novels to be downloaded is to use the form from Romance Writers of America and fill it out for the website who has stolen your story. There are groups who are actively seeking legal action against website thieves. The US government has compiled a list of these sites and plans to shut them down AND make them accountable for loss revenue. Let's not forget the uninformed readers who frequent places like this…I figure they will never buy an ebook anyway and I haven't really lost a sale. I just don't want my novels to be seen on these sites full of leeches. Bad juju!



MLM: Now, let’s get to know a little more about your writing, Cherie De Sues...What genre do you write and what’s the draw for you?

CHERIE: I write thrillers, paranormal and contemporary suspense novels in sensual to sizzling heat levels. I really enjoy suspense and thrillers more than a standard contemporary novel. I need action, excitement and edge-of-your-seat thrills to entertain me. So that's what I write.


MLM: If you could describe your writing with a word or phrase, what would it be? Riveting. What do you want readers to take with them when they've finished reading your story?

CHERIE: I hope readers feel as though they've taken a journey full of action, romance and thrills. A ride that takes them through all of a human beings emotions with a satisfying ending.


MLM: Imagine for a moment you're granted ONE wish with regard to your writing. It can be anything you want—besides becoming a national bestseller, because what author doesn't want that, right?—your imagination is your only limit here! What would you wish for?

CHERIE: I'd wish for a better understanding of editing techniques…I mean really, by the time I finish a novel I'd like to move on to the next novel. Instead I do line-by-line edits that can take as long as the book did to write.


MLM: What do you dislike the most about being an author?

CHERIE: Editing for long periods of time, very frustrating, but necessary.


MLM: What do you like the most about being an author?

CHERIE: Chatting with readers, promoting, book signings, and getting the next big idea for the new novel.


MLM: Who decides what you write about, you or your muse? What kind of influence do you have over your story, or is the muse always the one basting the turkey?

CHERIE: Good question. I like to think the muse and I have a mutual understanding about where I want to go in the story. Sometimes I'm taken into directions I wasn't prepared for, but I rarely backtrack. I found that letting my muse take me away from my planned novel keeps the writing fresh. Some of my best work came when I deviated from the original structure of the story.


MLM: Have you ever based a character on a real-life person? If so, why? Was it simply to immortalize them or was there more to it than that? If you can, tell us who this person was without revealing their identity! We’re all curious here!

CHERIE: A friend lost her mother recently and I had the opportunity to meet her a couple of times. Though old and frail, she had a mischievous glint in her eye. I've created a character in "West Salem", the novel I'm working on now that incorporates her personality and sassy manner. I like the idea of immortalizing such a grand dame.


MLM: What character did you have the most fun creating and why?

CHERIE: In "Tales of the Red Moon Clan", the hero is a bounty hunter shapeshifter from the Navajo tribe. This character was fully fleshed out in every way. Sexy, strong, vulnerable, and with a great sense of humor. Doing extensive research then writing about the Native American traditions surrounding shapeshifting and medicine men was great. I really liked creating Neol and readers adore him.


MLM: If you had the opportunity to meet just one of your characters in real life, who would it be and why? Which of your characters would you never want to meet under any circumstance and why?

CHERIE: Neol is such a warm and strong willed man that he would be my first choice. All of my male characters are strong-willed and confident…gee whiz, so are the women. The character I would not want to meet is the budding serial killer in "The Seduction of Simone". The man is devious and insane.


MLM: Thanks so much for joining us, Cherie, it's been a treat getting to know you better!

BLURB:

Selena Russo has won the coveted spot as a full-figured spokesmodel for the Rubenesque Romantix clothing line in Paris. When Selena starts getting hate mail, she ignores the warnings—models aren't known for their congeniality when they lose a big modeling gig. Especially a three-year, multimillion-dollar contract in the biggest ad campaign ever for curvy women.

Logan’s a recent ex-Navy SEAL with a war injury, and his ex CO asks him to protect Selena as her photographer. When the death threats heat up with a dead pooch and bullets flying, Logan focuses hard on the sensual violet-eyed beauty. It’s Logan’s pleasure to cover the body of a seductive curvy temptress, both in and out of the bedroom as their romance burns up the sheets.

EXCERPT:

Gigi appraised her in the floor length mirror and shook her head. "You need a prop, but I don't know, maybe an umbrella?"

"Let me see what Logan thinks."

Selena walked out of the tent and a picnic blanket lay on the grass. Charming. As she came closer, Logan held a golden retriever puppy. The pup looked adorable and wagged his tail in pleasure as she approached.

"Aw." The pup licked her palm and she immediately fell in love with the little guy. "What a great idea."

She took her shoes off and Gigi caught on quick, laying the pumps out on the blanket at a great angle. Logan chuckled, as Selena kneeled taking the puppy, and at once, he started shooting. She cuddled, played, and had a little tug of war with one of the shoes as she giggled hysterically. The antics were too much fun until the puppy went for her scarf and she tumbled down on the blanket with the puppy licking her face.

"Uh oh, I think I need a touch up." She went back to her knees and brought the puppy up in her arms. "I'd forgotten how much fun puppies can be."

Gabrielle took out some products, touched up the cheek, and put some of Selena's curls back in place.

"If I knew you were going to be rolling around with a dog, I'd have put in more pins." She laughed and put in extra bobby pins to hold the hair in place.

Logan reviewed the film on his laptop on the table and turned to them. "You know, I think we've got this one."

"Really, so fast?" Disappointed, she handed the puppy to Gigi and walked over to look. "Do you mind if I see the shots?"

He moved and let her step in front of the screen, pleasantly surprised by the warmth and depth of the photos. The light had filtered through the red highlights in her hair and glowed as the puppy filled her arms. The clothing looked lived in, instead of modeled.

"These are wonderful Logan—you've shown how the clothes move." His face came close to hers as he touched the pad and showed her one after another of better and better shots. "I'm thrilled—I think the DuPont's and Mrs. Belladonna are going to flip out." Filled with excitement, she gave him a kiss on the cheek. He grinned looking pleased.

"Then let's do more. Go get dressed; I have another surprise."

His eyes held a challenging look, and she flashed him a devilish smile. "You're on hot shot."



Website: http://www.cheriedesues2.com and http://www.cheriedesues.com
Buy Link: https://www.nobleromance.com/BrowseListing.aspx?author=75&p=0
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cheriedesuesnovels

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/writtenbycherie

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00311U2C6

Twilight Thursday

Please welcome author, Cherie De Sues, into the moonlight. Cherie has prepared a special treat for us about Halloween. Hope you enjoy!

~~~~~

Pagan Pumpkins for Samhain…Halloween.

Samhain, pronounced (sow-in) is the ancient time on October 31st when the veil between the living and the dead is the thinnest. The new pagan wheel calendar has started and the Goddess' time has passed, the Greenman God has awakened for the winter months.

Not all ghosts are friendly or from your own family. Pagans carve gourds, squash and other late harvest fruits to appease the dead who search for Summerlands (Pagan heaven). The angry faces carved into the skin of a pumpkin or other gourds is to send away the evil spirits, the demons and negative energy from their door.

The candle on the inside of a pagan-carved pumpkin can be various colors that represent luck, passion or purity. Using a white candle is always safe and displaying your carved pumpkin on your doorstep will keep your home safe and free of spectral hauntings. If you do pick up a ghost or two on this night, here's a spell for ridding yourself of the pests. Use a pungent incense and black candles to ward them off.

The presence that stands upon the stairs
The unseen hands that move the chairs.
The lights that play across the wall,
The stains that stay, the plates that fall,
The mist, the chill, the wandering scents
This gentle spell must speed them hence.
At midnight, set a table neat,
With cup and plate, and wine and meat,
Invite the ghost to sit and feast,
As any host should urge a guest.
Presently, clear the meal away,
Then open the door and softly say-
"Quick or dead, thou art fed,
Cease to grieve and take thy leave"
Bid him depart but should he remain
Be calm, take heart and feast him again.

If you want to live with the spirits in your home, honor them with frankincense incense, candles and say this chant three times in a mirror with candles reflecting on your face.
Spirits of my home, you shall live,
In every chamber my light I give,
To every corner my breath I send,
This home I share you may attend.

If you enjoy paranormal suspense and ghosts, witches and gypsy's, read the first chapter of my new release. "The Seduction of Simone". Come visit Irish Gypsy's Parlor for pagan articles and first chapters of all my novels and novellas.

Blessings on Samhain,
Blessed Be,
Cherie De Sues
My Websites
http://www.cheriedesues.com/ Irish Gypsy's Parlor
http://www.cheriedesues2.com/ Main Author Website
Read first chapter and buy "The Seduction of Simone" at Noble Romance Publishing
https://www.nobleromance.com/ItemDisplay.aspx?i=157

OR AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/The-Seduction-of-Simone-ebook/dp/B00433TF5G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1287606040&sr=1-1



Seduction of Simone Blurb:

Simone Devereaux has inherited an estate on the Northern California coast after her Aunt Celeste meets with a sudden, mysterious death. The hot neighbor, Trent Grayson, insists Celeste was murdered, and wants to be more than the man-next-door. When clients arrive to pose for their nude portraits over the weekend, Simone realizes she's inherited more than an estate. Two randy poltergeists enter her dreams for a lusty menage, and a budding serial killer threatens her sanity.

Now her Wiccan mother and gypsy father are coming for a visit, just in time to watch Simone lose her heart . . . and possibly her life.

Read the first chapter here: https://www.nobleromance.com/ItemDisplay.aspx?i=157

Tantalizing Tuesday

Please welcome fellow Noble author, Cherie DeSues. She's a busy woman with a couple of new releases out and another coming in a couple of weeks. Cherie is receiving great reviews for Lacy: A Bad Girl's Revenge and Tales of a Red Moon Clan. To read more about these two already released books, visit Cherie's website: http://www.cheriedesues2.com/

Now, let's get to the good stuff…dragging all of Cherie's deep, dark secrets out of her. *wicked grin* So, sit back, relax, get your favorite drink or even your favorite snack and enjoy getting to know Cherie.

~~~~~

GRACEN: August has few holidays and observances, but one stands out as interesting – Friendship Day. As the 1st is Friendship Day, what will you do (have you done) to celebrate the friendships in your life?

CHERIE: For me, a friendship goes beyond a lunch or quick drink in between my writing and promotions of my work. I try to support the bad days and good days as well. Whether I'm online or face-to-face, I try to support my friends.

GRACEN: Anyone special you’d like to recognize here and now?

CHERIE: Torri is a special friend who acts as my beta readers and gives me more support in my writing than I would have asked. She just lost her very aged mother, who was a sweet and tough soul. I liked her a lot.


GRACEN: Aww…we'll keep Torri in our thoughts as well. Speaking of friends, not all of our friends are human. Many of us have furry friends that enrich our lives in ways we don’t always notice. These friends don’t have to have fur, either, but scales or feathers. We’re talking about our pets, and writers tend to have pets. How many pets do you have, what kinds of pets are they and what are their names?

CHERIE: I devote all my time and energy into Reilly, my Irish terrier who walks me every two hours. Currently he has an interesting summer cut with lines across his furs that make him look like a lion instead of a dog. He loves it, and struts when we're outside. Too funny, but he's a people magnet. I've met some wonderful people in San Diego because of Reilly.

GRACEN: We all need a best friend like this! Before the Dog Whisperer, there was Geena Davis in, The Accidental Tourist, teaching a dog owner how to use positive and negative reinforcement to train his dog. How would you classify your animal handling skills? Are you the whisperer, the challenged animal handler in need of help or are you somewhere in between?

CHERIE: Reilly has the intelligence of an 8-9 year old kid for most things. He acts independently, gets his point across for food, water, trips outside and attention. He's loving and we negotiate for special treats, like longer walks, more cookies, and trips to the dog park/dog store. He prefers people food like veggies, sugar-free cookies and lean meat. I think he trained me.


GRACEN: They’re everywhere, on the Internet, in stores and in catalogues – costumes and pet clothing. How fanatical are you when it comes to clothing your pet? Do you dress your pet in clothing? How about kitty wigs (yes, these apparently do exist)? Any fun or interesting pet accessory or amenity you’d like to share with us?

CHERIE: I used a doggy raincoat on Reilly when San Diego was having some tough weather. But I soon learned that my lack of fear of the water was quickly imitated and he'll dance around in the rain and do his business in the water, thank you very much. I put a wrangler scarf around his neck and he gave me that look…the pathetic one with his head held down in shame when he looked in my full-length wardrobe mirror. I took it off and haven't messed with his natural charm since. We understand one another.


GRACEN: With all the different types of pet foods out there, it’s hard to know what’s really good for your pet or not. Purina has been around forever and continues to produce feed for all kinds of pets and livestock for roughly 100 years. Hill’s Science Diet came along a bit later and others have been popping up ever since. What brand do you use, and how did you come to that decision? (If you don’t have pets, what brand would you feed your pet and why?)

CHERIE: Reilly get a vitamin, and eats pretty much what I do. If I make a tuna fish sandwich, I make one up just for him. He likes variety and taste, dog food has neither in his opinion, he'd rather go without than eat dried nuggets or wet chunks of mystery meat. I've tried and he laid down staring at his bowl for hours. It was really pathetic.


GRACEN: What is the oddest pet you’ve ever had? Why did you choose that pet?

CHERIE: I've had a snake, fish, cats, dogs, horse, wolves, rats, ducks, and birds. They find me and I care for them until they move on or pass on to the next life. All animals have the capacity to touch you in such interesting ways with their humor and charm.


GRACEN: We’ve had our fun now, so let’s put the focus on your writing, Cherie…While there are many genres to choose from, what specifically brought you to romance? Why this genre over the others?

CHERIE: To write a book with sex or romance is incomplete. People have sex, want to have sex, or remember great sex. I write about real people between the ages of twenty-something and older. That's a time where romance is a big part of our lives and I bring in the suspense element to challenge my characters. I enjoy writing paranormal romance because I believe there are things in our world that are strange and unusual. Letting my characters fall in love while they discover the supernatural is a real kick.


GRACEN: I agree! There's nothing like a fantastic paranormal romance! Even though the popularity of the romance genre continues to grow, it’s still not always a highly respected genre. In fact, the recent movie, Letters to Juliet, just received only 2 stars from reviewers even though it’s a heart warming and enjoyable tale about a young woman who finds a note addressed to Juliet and responds to it, 50 years later! It’s worth at least 4/5 stars. What, in your opinion, is the reason for the continued interest in the genre and for the lack of respect it receives?

CHERIE: Fifty years ago, romance was a dime-store book for stay-at-home wives. The "bad rep" comes from a generation that believed these novels were a silly waste of time. With the deep characterization, deep point-of-view and scintillating plots, that's just not true any longer. But the old fossils of romance from the 50's and 60's are still breathing and condemning the genre. I think with the trend of spicier sex, thrillers, paranormal and sci-fi suspense romances, things are turning around. Young women are setting new standards for their choice in reading material and the big five publishers are listening!


GRACEN: A holiday mentioned above is Women’s Equality Day. While it took some tough ladies to endure some pretty crappy situations to get us here, there is still some work to go as women still struggle with equality in the work place. Do these struggles find their ways into your stories, or is equality something that just exists and is accepted? Give us some examples, please!

CHERIE: I'm old enough to remember when men tried to "put me in my place" as a woman. I'm ex-Navy, a doctor and an opinionated woman, and you'll find spit-fire women in my novels. I don't take any crap from a man and neither do my heroines. Men need to prove they are equal to woman in my eyes, not the other way around. When a man is allowed to bed one of my female characters, he's worthy…trust me.


GRACEN: For a writer, inspiration can be found everywhere and in almost anyone, but sometimes specific people, places and events can inspire certain characters, personality traits, events or situations that happen in our stories. In your current story that we’re promoting here today, The Seduction of Simone, did any one particular person, place or event inspire you? If so who/what was it (were they), how did it/they inspire you and how is this inspiration reflected in your story?

CHERIE: Wow, great question. I like the northern part of California and Oregon along the coast and many of my books will be centered there. Sequoia trees, a hundred feet in the air and a turbulent ocean churning ruthlessly on the shoreline. There are many isolated areas along the sea as you drive on the coast, so many things can happen. People interest me, whether they are arguing in public or laughing hysterically at lunch during a girl's day out. I use parts of what I experience and parts of my own personal experiences with people to create characters. My parents can be seen very clearly in "The Seduction of Simone". One is Wiccan the other Gypsy, so pulling them into the novel made sense and gave a realistic view of what living with them during my life was like.


GRACEN: Without giving away anything pertinent to the story, tell us about the hero and heroine (s) of your story. What do they look like? How do they meet (or “did” if this is not the first book with these same characters)? What are their personalities – Are they comical cut-ups, are they serious or are they a mix of the two? Please give us a little bit of dialogue from the story that can illustrate this. (Not much, but just a few lines and from a different section than the main excerpt – Thanks!)

CHERIE: Simone is a younger version of her aunt who's just died tragically by falling over the cliff near her estate. The man-next-door, Trent, is stunned by Simone's presence and her determination to start a new bed and breakfast business to facilitate her art of painting nudes. Two randy Irish ghosts are coming into Simone's dreamstate and the menage's are memorable. Here's a bit of dialogue:

"So question for question—what do you do, Simone?" He picked up his glass and waited for the information, as if her answer would be important.

She could give him the gritty truth or wrap her occupation up in some artsy and glamorous package. Simone decided to hit him between the eyes.

"I paint nudes, couples or single individuals who want art to reflect their love or immortalize their bodies." She kept her gaze on his, and he didn't even a blink. No gasp. Nothing.

"What an interesting vocation. Are your paintings lucrative?" His smile seemed indulgent.

She narrowed her eyes. "I get by. My clients fly in from all over the country, and sometimes I book international clients."

He rolled the wine in his glass and watched the deep-ruby liquid swirl. He was obviously thinking. She sat riveted to hear what he'd say next.

"I'd like to pose. Do you have any openings?"

Trent could have grown horns and a tail and Simone wouldn't have been more shocked. Why would he do this?

The skin rose hot on her cheeks. "I'll . . . um, check my schedule; my clients will start coming next week, but I may be able to fit you in later this month." She chewed her bottom lip and looked at her plate. Her hand trembled as she set the glass down. Maybe she wasn't as worldly as she thought.

GRACEN: The main characters are usually great, but sometimes, secondary and tertiary characters are known to steal the scenes, even if the author did not intend this to happen. Who are the secondary/tertiary characters in your story and what do they look like? What’s unique about them? What is their relationship to the hero/heroine? Have any of these characters gone on to become scene-stealers? If so, who and how did they do it? Is there the possibility for them to get their own story? (Again, please give us a small bit of dialogue to illustrate this – thanks!)

CHERIE: Simone's mother is Wiccan/witch and her father is a gypsy which in "The Seduction of Simone". Both are very useful to help Simone with two randy Irish Poltergeists and a serial killer.

Her father pointed to her mother as Simone slipped her cell back into her pocket.

"Well . . . Mom?"

Her mother handed a journal to her father and he walked to the copier. "I'm going to call the girls, dear."

"What? Are you talking about calling up the spirit world?"

Her mother smiled brazenly.

Simone winced. "Don't we have enough dead people in the house?"

"That's just rude, young lady. Your Great Aunts Agatha and Rose don't like the word dead; they prefer, the living challenged."

Thanks so much for joining us, Cherie! It's a pleasure and a joy to have you here. Best of continued success with your releases and upcoming releases!





BUY LINK

BLURB:

Simone Devereux has inherited an estate on the Northern California coast after her Aunt Celeste meets with a sudden mysterious death. The hot neighbor, Trent Grayson, insists Celeste was murdered and wants to be more than the man-next-door.

When clients arrive to pose for their nude portrait over the weekend, Simone realizes she's inherited more than an estate. As two randy poltergeists enter her dreams for a lusty ménage and a budding serial killer threatens her sanity.

Now her Wiccan mother and Gypsy father are coming for a visit, just in time to watch her lose her heart and quite possibly . . . her life.


EXCERPT:

Simone took a deep breath and blew out slowly, before picking up her fork. The plate he'd prepared for her held homemade ravioli and thick pieces of garlic bread on the edges. The pasta smelled delicious; she couldn't wait for the first bite. She speared a tender piece of ravioli, then brought the cheesy-garlic to her mouth and chewed. She couldn't help the spontaneous hum of pleasure.

Simone chased the remarkable morsel with a sip of wine. The combination curled her toes. "Wow, this is good. What did you say the name of the restaurant was again?" She raised her eyes and found Trent watching her with a lazy smile.

Had he known she'd love the pasta?

"Luigi's, I'll make sure you have a delivery menu next time I'm in town."

He put a forkful in his mouth, then followed with the wine. With a quiet reverence, she proceeded to make a dent in the meal. She hadn't eaten for hours. To be fair to her guest, the food and Cabernet had been a wonderful gesture.

"Thank you for bringing dinner; I didn't realize I was so hungry." The way he gazed at her seemed familiar somehow, as if he may be very comfortable in her presence. "If you hadn't come, I would have been eating a granola bar and drinking bottled water."

Too true, she would have just eaten and gone to bed; there were so many things to do in the morning before the truck arrived.

"I'm grateful you were open to the suggestion; I really didn't know what kind of reception I'd receive. Celeste spoke of you but never mentioned you were her sole heir." He cleared his throat. "All of her photos and papers are in the library. She kept them in a cabinet close to her desk. I can show you after dinner, if you like." His gaze briefly left hers, as he cast a glance toward the library. Simone could feel his sudden grief, then a frown creased the middle of his forehead. "She kept a journal, and I know it's hidden around here somewhere, but I couldn't tell you where to begin looking."

Why would Celeste discuss her will with him? Was he an attorney?

"I'll take you up on that, thank you." Simone sipped more wine to bolster her courage. "So, what do you do for a living, Trent?"

He put his wine glass down and speared ravioli on his fork before answering. "I'm a security consultant for the government. There's an Army base close by where I work on occasion." He paused, put down his fork, then met her eyes. "I mainly use my computers in my office at home."

What did a security consultant and a gypsy tarot-card reader have in common?

"So question for question—what do you do, Simone?" He picked up his glass and waited for the information, as if her answer would be important.

She could give him the gritty truth or wrap her occupation up in some artsy and glamorous package. Simone decided to hit him between the eyes.

"I paint nudes, couples or single individuals who want art to reflect their love or immortalize their bodies." She kept her gaze on his, and he didn't even a blink. No gasp. Nothing.

"What an interesting vocation. Are your paintings lucrative?" His smile seemed indulgent.

She narrowed her eyes. "I get by. My clients fly in from all over the country, and sometimes I book international clients."

He rolled the wine in his glass and watched the deep-ruby liquid swirl. He was obviously thinking. She sat riveted to hear what he'd say next.

"I'd like to pose. Do you have any openings?"

Trent could have grown horns and a tail and Simone wouldn't have been more shocked. Why would he do this?

The skin rose hot on her cheeks. "I'll . . . um, check my schedule; my clients will start coming next week, but I may be able to fit you in later this month." She chewed her bottom lip and looked at her plate. Her hand trembled as she set the glass down. Maybe she wasn't as worldly as she thought.

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