Legend, Tennessee

2009-02-09T19:48:00.001-08:00

This is the place where women from different backgrounds find purpose, love - and their futures - in a town intent on preserving its past.

The launch book for the series, Ladies of Legend: Finding Home, shares four stories, written by four storytellers, about four women ready to start again. Different backgrounds, one town, all searching for home, in one way or another.

Come join these ladies on their journey for love. You'll meet Lilly, Midnight, Suzie and Jane. Visit their town. Walk the streets. See where they work. Meet their friends. Experience the quirks of small-town living. And most of all, feel their stories right along with them, as they fall in love.

SisterWriters - Janet Eaves, Magdalena Scott, Jan Scarbrough and Maddie James all masterfully weave the stories of these women as they find home, and their hearts, in beautiful Legend, Tennessee.

Follow up on the characters you meet in Ladies of Legend:Finding Home with new and upcoming titles in the Legend Series... Beauty and the Beast, Harvest Moon, Murder on the Mountain, and the Christmas anthologies: A Legendary Christmas and Three Decades of Love, where the authors join forces again to bring you a Christmas to remember... where love and friendship cover the town like a blanket of snow.

WELCOME TO LEGEND

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here is what one reviewer says about the Ladies of Legend anthology Finding Home.

Coffee Time Reviewer - Cherokee

Rating: 5 Cups!

CLAIMING THE LEGEND by Janet Eaves

Lilly Peach is running from something so frightening it finally takes a whole town to cover her back.

CTR: I liked the suspense that edged on in Claiming the Legend. Janet Eaves sketches two sides to Lily that gives the reader more insight to her as a person. The layer of expressions portrayed on these players is excellent.

MIDNIGHT IN LEGEND, TN by Magdalena Scott

Lovely Midnight Shelby finds Legend on the Internet after becoming tired of being one of her now ex-husband's "beautiful things."

CTR: This story had me in stitches. The minute the voodoo doll was brought up, and the reaction with Martin, was hilarious. I loved the theme of this whole storyline. Midnight in Legend by Magdalena Scott is one read I will not forget.

BED, BREAKFAST, AND YOU by Maddie James

Suzie Schul finds home only when the "fling" she had many months earlier shows up with a plan on her B&B doorstep.

CTR: I love stories by Maddie James. Bed, Breakfast, and You, is a fast-moving read that really hooks the reader. Ms. James makes me want to move to Legend.

THE REUNION GAME by Jan Scarbrough

And plain Jane Smith reunites with her long lost love by playing a game of "bait and switch" with her twin sister.

CTR: I liked The Reunion Game. Jan Scarbrough paints convincing characters that reach out and touch the reader in some way. This flowing read is really delightful. I look forward to more stories by Ms. Scarbrough.

The Ladies of Legend Series is published by Resplendence Publishing

Note: The town of Legend, Tennessee and its residents live in the imaginations of its authors. The town and all characters are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Ladies Of Legend Video

The Matchmaking Chef Series

2009-02-09T19:25:00.000-08:00

Suzie Matthews (from Bed, Breakfast and You in Finding Home) loves to cook and she’s the best darned cook in Legend, Tennessee. Everybody says so. She runs her own B&B, has published a cookbook, conducts cooking classes on Saturdays, and caters for special events and holidays.

You would think that would be enough, wouldn't you?It seems, however, that she has also discovered another talent--matchmaking! Firm in her belief that good food is a way to a man's stomach, and his heart, she is convinced she can bring her friends (and maybe foes?) together for a perfect match.After some success getting her sister back together with her old boyfriend (Home for the Holidays), she sets out to test her matchmaking ability on the one woman in Legend who no one thinks will ever get married, Mary Lou Picketts. Suzie figures if she can find the perfect match for Mary Lou, she's in business.And so, the story Perfectly Matched, was born, hooking up Mary Lou with country music star Nash Rhodes. In Hot Crossed Buns, Katie Long gets tamed by local Legend cop, Chris Marks. Dates du Jour finds Lyssa Larkin, homecoming queen of 1992, wanting to get married just so she can get a divorce. In Side Dish (August, 2009), Becca North, who has sworn off men, finds herself swept off her feet by her best friend's date. And finally, in Mate to Order (September, 2009), the producer of Suzie's Food Channel show, Patricia Plum, puts in her order for a husband.Each novella in the series stands on its own and is available first in ebook, then together in one print volume in 2010.

Perfectly Matched

Suzie Matthews is busy working on her new cookbook, Perfectly Matched, when she asks the local “wallflower” to help her with her project, in an attempt to bring the young woman out of her shell.

Mary Lou Picketts dreams of falling in love with country music star, Nash Rhodes, but knows she’d settle for Thurman Phillips down the street if she had to. But she doesn’t want to. Not really.

When Nash comes to Legend for a music benefit and stays at the lodge, Suzie wonders if she can perfectly match this miss-matched couple.

Available NOW! at Fictionwise.

Read an excerpt!

Hot Crossed Buns

Wild Katie Long, she’ll never settle down, will she?

But Chris Marks has had his eye set on her for a long time. She just doesn’t know it yet. When Chris hires Suzie to set him up with a romantic dinner for two, so he can woo Katie in style, Suzie does all she can to set the scene and the mood.

But Katie isn’t about to be wooed and she’s hotter than a hot crossed bun when she figures out what Suzie and Chris are up to.

Then Suzie turns the tables on both of them, when she switches the mood by supplying Chris with a couple of items that just might tame Katie after all – handcuffs and a leather riding crop.

Read an excerpt!

Hot Crossed Buns is now available at Resplendence Publishing.

On Fictionwise.

On Amazon Kindle.

Dates Du Jour

Speed dating? Speed eating is more like it.

When Suzie sets up lunch date after lunch date for Lyssa Larkin, Legend’s homegrown homecoming queen of 1992, she knows she’s about bit off more than she can chew. Lyssa inspects and rejects her dates in two bites and then sends them on their way. Suzie wonders if she really wants to date or just eat two lunches, and worries that soon Lyssa’s hips won’t fit on her dainty chairs.

That is, until Suzie takes a risk with a man the exact opposite of what Lyssa describes as “perfect for her.” When he won’t leave when Lyssa dismisses him, or let her get near his plate with her fork, Suzie knows she’s scored again.

Available Now! at Resplendence Publishing.

Read an excerpt!

Side Dish

Becca North doesn’t want a boyfriend but her best friend Nora certainly does. Becca is soooo off men.

But when Nora pays the Matchmaking Chef to plan her a romantic picnic date lunch—a blind date, no less—she drags Becca along all the way from Pigeon Forge for moral support, and to check out her date.

Thing is, Nora’s date would rather check out Becca instead.

Buy Now!Read an excerpt.

Mate to Order

When Suzie’s success as a matchmaker hits the national scene about the same time as her debut cooking show on the food channel, her new producer comes to her with a list of requirements—not for Suzie’s job, but for a husband.

Patricia Plum has a specific list and if Suzie really wants to make it big in New York, she’ll make every attempt to deliver, Patricia’s “Mate to Order.”

Read an excerpt

Coming to you from Resplendence Publishing

New! The Matchmaking Chef series II

Romancing the Sconeby Maddie JamesJust released at Resplendence Publishing!Also available, Amazon KindleHigh tea or sweet tea? As long as there are scones, it doesn’t matter.In fact, Sydney Schul, owner of Sydney’s Sugar High Coffee Stop and Bakery in Legend, Tennessee, makes the best damn scones east of the Mississippi and south of the Mason Dixon, and there was an article written about her in Southern’s Best magazine to prove it.And all is well and life in Legend is good, until a mysterious stranger comes to town, stalking her scones.Stone Kellerman, owner of Stone's Scones in Atlanta, has held the title of Best Scones of the South for five years now—that is, until little Sydney Schul comes into the picture, and Southern's Best Magazine awards her the coveted title. So, he can't help himself when he travels north to Tennessee to check out her scones. Thing is, he never intended to be a stalker of scones, or her scone recipe, until he got one bite of the heavenly confection...And one look at Sydney.

Read more about The Matchmaking Chef series and Suzie Matthews at www.suziecooks.com

2009-02-09T19:05:00.001-08:00

WELCOME TO LEGEND, TENNESSEE

Legend, Tennessee: Nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, the city of Legend boasts of small town pride and southern elegance. Porches are still for sitting and troubles for one family affect the entire community.

This is the place where women from different backgrounds find purpose, love - and their futures - in a town intent on preserving its past.

SisterWriters - Janet Eaves, Magdalena Scott, Jan Scarbrough and Maddie James all masterfully weave the stories of these women as they find home, and their hearts, in beautiful Legend, Tennessee.

Follow up on the characters you meet in Ladies of Legend:Finding Home with new and upcoming titles in the Legend Series... Beauty and the Beast, Harvest Moon, Murder on the Mountain, and the 2008 Christmas anthology: A Legendary Christmas where the SisterWriters join forces again to bring you a Christmas to remember... where love and friendship cover the town like a blanket of snow.

Welcome to Legend.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here is what one reviewer says about the Ladies of Legend anthology Finding Home.

Coffee Time Reviewer - Cherokee

Rating: 5 Cups!

CLAIMING THE LEGEND by Janet Eaves

Lilly Peach is running from something so frightening it finally takes a whole town to cover her back.

MIDNIGHT IN LEGEND, TN by Magdalena Scott

Lovely Midnight Shelby finds Legend on the Internet after becoming tired of being one of her now ex-husband's "beautiful things."

BED, BREAKFAST, AND YOU by Maddie James

Suzie Schul finds home only when the "fling" she had many months earlier shows up with a plan on her B&B doorstep.

CTR: I love stories by Maddie James. Bed, Breakfast, and You, is a fast-moving read that really hooks the reader. Ms. James makes me want to move to Legend.

THE REUNION GAME by Jan Scarbrough

And plain Jane Smith reunites with her long lost love by playing a game of "bait and switch" with her twin sister.

Ladies of Legend Book Reviews

2009-02-09T18:51:00.000-08:00

What Reviewers and Readers Say about the Ladies of Legend Books.

Bookstore Deb - Finding Home

Coffee Time Romance - Finding Home

Dark Angel Reviews - Harvest Moon

Dark Angel Reviews - Murder on the Mountain

Dark Angel Reviews Recommended Read - Beauty and the Beast

Dark Angel Reviews - Finding Home

Night Owl Romance Reviewer Top Pick - Murder on the Mountain

Publisher's Weekly

Tia Fanning's Amazon Review - Finding Home

2008-11-13T17:25:00.000-08:00

WELCOME TO LEGEND, TENNESSEE

SisterWriters - Janet Eaves, Magdalena Scott, Jan Scarbrough and Maddie James all masterfully weave the stories of these women as they find home, and their hearts, in beautiful Legend, Tennessee.

Follow up on the characters you meet in Ladies of Legend:Finding Home with new and upcoming titles in the Legend Series... Beauty and the Beast, Harvest Moon, Murder on the Mountain, and the 2008 Christmas anthology: A Legendary Christmas where the SisterWriters join forces again to bring you a Christmas to remember... where love and friendship cover the town like a blanket of snow.

Welcome to Legend.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here is what one reviewer says about the Ladies of Legend anthology Finding Home.

Coffee Time Reviewer - Cherokee

Rating: 5 Cups!

CLAIMING THE LEGEND by Janet Eaves

Lilly Peach is running from something so frightening it finally takes a whole town to cover her back.

MIDNIGHT IN LEGEND, TN by Magdalena Scott

Lovely Midnight Shelby finds Legend on the Internet after becoming tired of being one of her now ex-husband's "beautiful things."

BED, BREAKFAST, AND YOU by Maddie James

Suzie Schul finds home only when the "fling" she had many months earlier shows up with a plan on her B&B doorstep.

CTR: I love stories by Maddie James. Bed, Breakfast, and You, is a fast-moving read that really hooks the reader. Ms. James makes me want to move to Legend.

THE REUNION GAME by Jan Scarbrough

And plain Jane Smith reunites with her long lost love by playing a game of "bait and switch" with her twin sister.

Santa's Kiss Excerpt

2008-11-13T17:10:00.000-08:00

Santa's Kiss
by Jan Scarbrough

New Beginnings Baby Boutique
Legend, Tennessee
Three days before Christmas

“Take your hands off my wife!” Graham Winchester grabbed the shoulder of the man who had just spun his pregnant wife around and stuck a camera in her face.

“ He thinks I’m Dawn,” Jane cried, pulling away from the stranger.

“ I don’t care. The bastard needs to keep his hands to himself!” Did his wife look like her famous twin? Hardly. She never had been as glamorous and sophisticated as Dawn, and at nine months pregnant, had lost most of her resemblance to her sister.

The man didn’t seem to notice Jane wasn’t the actress. He shrugged out of Graham’s grasp and whipped around. “Keep your hands to yourself, buddy. I’m just doing my job.”

“ Paparazzi,” Jane hissed.

“ It’s a free country, lady.”

Graham barely controlled his temper. “And that gives you the right to accost a woman in public?”

In the display window, a toy train circled a stuffed Peter Rabbit and three gaily wrapped Christmas gifts. It tooted sharply.

Lilly, the boutique’s owner, peaked from behind a rack of upscale clothing for babies and toddlers. Concern clouded her eyes and she stepped toward them. “Can I help you, mister?”

“ I’m from Gossip Magazine,” the man told them. “I’m looking for Dawn Smith, and I thought you people might know where she’s hiding.”

The “you people” comment raised Jane’s dander. Graham saw annoyance flash in her eyes, tightening her lips. Lilly bristled too. Folks in Legend may be down-home and friendly, but they certainly don’t deserve the derisive label “you people.”

The former English teacher and expectant mother poked an accusatory finger at the photographer’s North Face parka. “If I knew the whereabouts of my sister, what makes you think I would tell you?”

“ We haven’t seen Dawn in a year.” Graham backed his wife.

“ Graham’s right. Dawn’s at home in Southern California.”

The reporter scowled, his body language saying what he didn’t voice aloud—stupid, Podunk hicks. “You’re behind the times, lady. Dawn Smith blew out of town after the news broke about her lover.”

“ What about her lover?” Jane asked.

His wife didn’t know about her sister’s latest heartache, and Graham was trying his hardest to keep the facts from her. Jane was already overdue, for God’s sakes, and he wanted nothing to disturb her at this crucial time.

But the photographer had no such compunction. “Don’t you read the news? It was all over the papers and the Internet. The unfortunate guy died of an overdose two weeks ago.”

“ You mean that millionaire, Chris something-or-other, is dead?” Jane sounded confused. “But Dawn only dated him a few times. Why call him her lover?”

Graham knew what his wife was thinking. They both understood dating was a way for Dawn to get her name in the paper. It helped her stalled acting career. Since her divorce almost two years earlier, she had been seen with many well-known men, never any serious relationships.

“ Lover, friend, whatever,” the man scoffed and stuffed his camera back into his carry-on. “I don’t care what you call the guy. The fact is Dawn Smith was seen with Chris Newton the night of his death. After the police questioned her, she left town. No one knows where she is.”

Jane’s hand slowly lifted to her mouth. “Oh, no.” She gave Graham a frightened glance.

He read the questions and the worry in her eyes. Damn! This was just what he didn’t want right now. Jane didn’t need to be upset. Thankfully, Dawn had understood and it was one reason she had begged off coming home for the holidays.

“ Maybe something’s happened to Dawn,” Jane said.

“ Nothing has happened to your sister.” Graham put his arm around his wife and pulled her into his comforting embrace.

“ That’s right. Don’t worry, Jane,” Lilly spoke up, turning toward the reporter. “But something’s about to happen to you, mister, if you don’t get out of my shop.”

“ Okay, sweetheart, I’m going.”

Graham tightened his hold on his wife. He didn’t want to lie to her. “You know Dawn,” he whispered. “She’s just gone to ground, hiding from the likes of this guy.”

No lie there. That’s exactly what Dawn had done, and with his help, she was closer than the interloper from Hollywood knew. But Mr. Paparazzi didn’t need that information and neither did Jane.

Graham’s male protective instincts that had kicked in some time during the first trimester burned brightly in his gut. His wife and his child were what mattered now. Dawn was a big girl. She could take care of herself. He would keep her secret as long as he could, but whatever mess Dawn was in, it was up to her to handle.

www.janscarbrough.com

Buy here.

Home for the Holidays Excerpt

2008-11-13T17:07:00.001-08:00

Home for the Holidays
by Maddie James

Coffee. The heavenly smell of coffee hit her full in the face. Oh, could she use some caffeine. The dark kind with extra octane. Looking to her left, she spied the self-serve counter and smiled. The Pig was moving up. She didn’t remember this coffee service here before.

Hesitant for only a second, she glanced about. Oh, my God, that was Betty Jo still checking at the counter. How many years had she worked here? A hundred? Another quick look back to the coffee. Yes, she would risk it.

Darting toward the counter, she was actually salivating, longing for the taste of the warm and rich liquid on her tongue. “I swear, I must be addicted,” she muttered as she reached for the largest of the foam cups.

“Okay, so where is the yellow stuff?” Searching for the artificial sweeteners, she quickly spied them and tore off the tops of three packets and dumped them into her empty cup. Next, she poured the coffee on top, the aroma wafting toward her nostrils.

“Um.” She closed her eyes and inhaled and savored a moment of pleasure.

“Ahem. You going to stand there and breathe that, or drink it?”

Her eyes popped open and she jerked her gaze to her right. Shit! “Matt?”

“Yes. Mind scooting over so I can get some of that, too?”

Chelly looked where she was standing, right in front of the burners and the carafe. “Oh. Oh!” She backed up and searched for the lids. She rounded him and they switched places. In the process, she scooted her hood up a little higher to cover her face.

“I need a lid,” she said, then edged away. She fumbled with the plastic disk, couldn’t get it on straight to save her.

“Here, let me.”

Large hands reached in front of her. She tried not to look at him. After all, she was skuzzy. Hadn’t washed her face…

She ran her tongue over her teeth.

He handed her the cup.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

He didn’t move. Just stood there. She stared at her cup. “Well, I should be going.”

“Me, too.”

Finally, she did look up. He’d not gone anywhere. Move or say something, Chelly!

“Oh, Matt. Thanks for last night. I mean, you could have given me a ticket.” She swallowed and looked into his eyes, really looked into them, the first in a long, long time. She had always thought his eyes were the most beautiful color of coppery brown…

He hesitated, looking like he wanted to say something, but couldn’t find the right words. “You weren’t going that much over the speed limit,” he finally said.

She shrugged and held her coffee cup in both hands in front of her, clamping her left arm tight against the wipes still tucked into her left side. “Well, that was nice of you.” She glanced at Betty Jo who was staring at them. “I should go.”

She turned, slightly.

“At least one of us plays nice.”

The tone of those words, as much as their implication, cut as deep as anything. She turned back. “Matt, that was a long time ago.”

“Four years, six months, seven days.”

Shit. He hadn’t…had he? “What are you saying? Are you still mad at me?”

He squared himself, stance broad, as if ready for action. The look on his face said he meant business. “I’m mad as hell.”

She had no clue. “I…” she glanced off. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Sorry, I think, is the appropriate word.”

Looking at him again, she shook her head. “Somehow I think my saying sorry still won’t cut it.” She sat her coffee down on the counter and reached for his forearm. “Matt…”

“It’s a start.” He jerked away, stepped back.

Surprised, she continued, “Matt, okay, I’m sorry. I know I hurt you. I know…”

He sat his coffee on the counter beside hers, although a little too hard. The bottom busted off the cup and hot coffee splattered everywhere. Both of them jumped. “Hurt?” He chortled. “You made me the laughing stock of this entire town.” His gaze narrowed and he leaned forward. “I don’t ever, ever, want to see you again. So if you are back in town for good, steer clear of me, you got that?”

Stunned, she jerked back and stared into his face. “Sure. Got it.”

http://www.maddiejameslifeunedited.com

Buy here.

The Christmas Gift Excerpt

2008-11-13T17:00:00.000-08:00

The Christmas Gift
by Janet Eaves

Christina bit her bottom lip, wondering if she should wake him to get him to join her for dinner. He'd been napping since chopping wood for an hour following lunch. She knew he was still weak, but he was gaining strength daily, and hadn't touched his cane since two days before. She'd already started the meal on the stove, and only had a second before she needed to return to the kitchen, but she was starting to worry about him. If he didn't stop taking those pills, she was afraid he might become dependent on them.

She approached him slowly, trying to ignore the bare, heavily muscled chest and arms, the rippling stomach, and the thin stream of black hairs that ran from his navel down a long line to his low riding boxer shorts. At the hip, there was the beginning of a tattoo, but she would have to lower his underwear to get a look at it. That, of course, was out of the question.

Johnny hadn't had any tattoos. At least not the last time she'd seen him disrobed. But that was a long time ago, and she was beginning to believe she may have been wrong about so much.

Clearing her throat loudly, she waited a beat, then cleared it again.

Nothing. The man was like the living dead. "Jack?"

Still nothing. "Jack?"

Frowning, she approached the open couch and tapped his shoulder with her index finger.

Nothing.

She tapped harder. "Jack!" she said, louder.

Blowing an exasperated breath which sent her bangs flying upward, Christina placed her hand smack-dab in the middle of that hard chest and shook. Before she knew what happened she felt a tug on her arm then she was flying over him, only to find herself under him, looking up into his face. Jack blinked slowly several times, clearly befuddled and trying to wake up. "What? What happened?"

Christina couldn’t find her voice. Not only had his quick reaction stunned her, the hard erection poking her mound completely stole her tongue. Or so she thought. Until his was capturing it, taking it hostage, as he ground the evidence of his aroused sex against her.

There was no logical way she could explain what was happening to her as she kissed him back, even if her brain would start functioning again. He tasted so good. Being touched, touching, letting it all happen instead of analyzing why it was wrong to be doing what she was doing didn't come into play. Primal urges, needs, desires that had never been a part of her before, surfaced to take over the woman she faced each morning in the mirror.

http://www.myspace.com/jantenn01

Buy here.

Christmas Collision Excerpt

2008-11-13T16:53:00.000-08:00

Novella in A Legendary Christmas anthology

Prologue

Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” began to play. By the second bar, Rebecca Mayfield had snapped open her cell phone.

“Hello?”

“Rebecca? Hey! Did I catch you at a bad time?”

“Oh, Midnight! No, it’s not a bad time.” Rebecca tried to calm her voice so Midnight wouldn’t detect her stressed-out state.

“Okay. Well, I tried your apartment and no answer, so I thought maybe you were out.”

“Hoped. You hoped I was out. On a date. With some tall, dark, handsome, eligible bachelor-type guy destined to be the next Mr. Rebecca Mayfield. Well, no way. I’ve told you that.” She began twisting the back of her diamond stud earring.

“Ugh. You’re at work, aren’t you? You need to cut your hours, my dear.”

“Midnight, I’m the boss. I set an example by working hard.”

“Right. We’ve had this conversation. You’re extremely good at what you do. I can attest to that. Without you on my side, Jeffrey and his attorney would have ruined me. But Rebecca, you need to give yourself a rest once in a while.”

“Okay. Fine. I will.” She leaned her head back, tried to relax, but the movement strained her tense shoulder muscles. “It’s the holidays, after all. I’ll be taking some time off.”

“Great! Exactly what I’m calling about. Martin and Daniel and I want you to come down to Legend and spend Christmas with us. The entire town is decorated for the holiday. There’s even a little bit of snow on the ground, which is unusual for around here. Seriously, it’s prettier than a greeting card. This is the perfect time to make your first visit. So just grab a flight and head down. The apartment over The Emporium is available, and it’s partly furnished, so you can even have your own space if you’d rather not stay with us. How does it sound?”

“Oh, Midnight, it’s sweet of you guys. Martin hasn’t even met me in person, so I can’t imagine he’d want me there. Let alone Daniel. He’s fifteen now, right? I remember Blaine at his age. An extra adult around isn’t what he wants for Christmas. And I wouldn’t want to horn in on your holiday.”

“You’re not horning in. We’re inviting you, stupid. We want you here. So, it’s all set, okay?”

“Well…”

“Why not? What could be better than a small town Christmas?”

It did sound interesting, but at the moment Rebecca felt old and tired. Not at all merry. Her doctor had recently told her she was pushing her luck on her health with the schedule she kept and the constant stress—especially since she’d turned forty this year. He’d given her a prescription for anti-depressants, told her to take some high-powered vitamins, eat healthier, exercise daily, and get more sleep. The man obviously had no clue what it took to be the divorce attorney in New York City.

Her staff and associate attorneys respected her, and wisely kept their distance. Occasionally she heard herself referred to as The Dragon-Lady, but that was part of being at the top. The firm was her livelihood, her career, and since Stephen had died and Blaine had gone to college, it had become her life. Rebecca Mayfield was respected and successful—at times, even feared. Her suite of offices was beautiful with expensive, tasteful décor. Mayfield & Associates had become the embodiment of Rebecca Mayfield.

“Midnight, you’re railroading me. This is not like you. I have work.” But work was all she had, for the first time in what seemed like forever. There was no one in the entire city she really wanted to spend Christmas with. “Um, let me think about it, okay? It sounds great, of course. Just let me think about whether or not I can manage it.”

“Well. Okay, Rebecca. The invitation is open. You come on down to Legend. We hope you want to. I’ll e-mail you the directions. And hey—I don’t mean to be pushy.”

“You’re an organizer. It’s just your way. Mine, too. That’s not a bad thing.” Rebecca absently straightened the items on her desk. Stapler here, paper clip dispenser here, two-hole punch here. “I appreciate the thought, and the fact that you really do want me there. Just let me think it through. Don’t expect me. But on the other hand, I might show up. Can we leave it at that?”

“Sure, Rebecca. No pressure. Um. One tiny thing. There’s someone we’d like you to meet.”

Rebecca’s eyes rolled. Oh no!

“It’s not a big deal, really. We haven’t said anything to him. Just a casual meeting here with lots of other people around. You like him, maybe it’ll go somewhere, you don’t, nothing’s lost. But I thought I’d mention it, because once you got here you’d figure it out, and then you’d probably rip my head off. Tactfully, of course.”

In spite of herself, Rebecca smiled. “You know me too well. But I am really not looking right now. Just had something end rather poorly, and, well, it’s definitely too soon. So please don’t get your hopes up on that, okay? It’s good of you, but still.”

“All right. Understood. But think about Christmas. No pressure. Just show up Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. Sooner if you want.”

“If I do come, what can I bring?”

“Just yourself, and a sense of adventure. Martin’s family is huge, and they love getting together at holidays. Very festive. There’s also a Christmas Eve candlelight church service we can go to in town. It’s non-denominational, and really nice. Just about everybody goes.”

Rebecca imagined it. Small town Christmas. Picturesque. Hokey. But somehow, surprisingly tempting. Midnight’s life had turned around when she moved to Legend, Tennessee from the City. Perhaps there was something special there for Rebecca too. “I’ll think about it. Thanks, Midnight. Maybe I’ll see you.”

Maybe a quaint little snow-covered mountain Christmas was just the tonic she needed.

***

www.magdalenascott.com

Buy here.

Novellas sold separately in ebook format – Available November 11, 2008

Anthology sold in print format – Available November 17, 2008

From Resplendence Publishing. http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/

2008-11-13T07:10:00.000-08:00

WELCOME TO LEGEND, TENNESSEE

SisterWriters - Janet Eaves, Magdalena Scott, Jan Scarbrough and Maddie James all masterfully weave the stories of these women as they find home, and their hearts, in beautiful Legend, Tennessee.

Follow up on the characters you meet in Ladies of Legend:Finding Home with new and upcoming titles in the Legend Series... Beauty and the Beast, Harvest Moon, Murder on the Mountain, and the 2008 Christmas anthology: A Legendary Christmas where the SisterWriters join forces again to bring you a Christmas to remember... where love and friendship cover the town like a blanket of snow.

Welcome to Legend.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here is what one reviewer says about the Ladies of Legend anthology Finding Home.

Coffee Time Reviewer - Cherokee

Rating: 5 Cups!

CLAIMING THE LEGEND by Janet Eaves

Lilly Peach is running from something so frightening it finally takes a whole town to cover her back.

MIDNIGHT IN LEGEND, TN by Magdalena Scott

Lovely Midnight Shelby finds Legend on the Internet after becoming tired of being one of her now ex-husband's "beautiful things."

BED, BREAKFAST, AND YOU by Maddie James

Suzie Schul finds home only when the "fling" she had many months earlier shows up with a plan on her B&B doorstep.

CTR: I love stories by Maddie James. Bed, Breakfast, and You, is a fast-moving read that really hooks the reader. Ms. James makes me want to move to Legend.

THE REUNION GAME by Jan Scarbrough

And plain Jane Smith reunites with her long lost love by playing a game of "bait and switch" with her twin sister.

Annual Calendar of Events

2008-10-05T06:53:00.000-07:00

City of Legend, Tennessee

Annual Calendar of Events

High School Reunions - 2nd week in July

Legend High Football

Camp - 2nd week of June

Practices - last weeks of June - Ones daily except Sundays and holidays

July and first 2 weeks of August - 2 daily, except Sundays and holidays until school starts third week of Aug.

Third Friday night 1st game of season

Legend Music Society Orchestra

June 1st - Oct 30 Music in gazebo at the park, across from Old Meeting House, every third Saturday night.

Free Movie in the Park

Every second Saturday night at sundown between June 15th and November 15th. (depending on weather)

Bingo

St. Mary's Catholic Church located at the corner of 3rd and Main - 1st Monday of every Month - year round - except holidays.

Fall Festival

October 31 @ the Legend High School gym. For fun and school related fund-raisers every year.

Main Street Christmas

December 1st annually - Shop owners decorate their stores and storefronts for the holidays.

Town New Years Eve Party held annually at Lake Lodge

January 1st Polar Bear Club meet to take a dip in Legend Lake 8:00 a.m. sharp

Second week of January through February 14 Shop Legend by Starlight

2008-10-05T06:30:00.001-07:00

A Legendary Christmas
Print Anthology

A Ladies of Legend Anthology by Janet Eaves, Maddie James, Jan Scarbrough, and Magdalena Scott

Christmas canceled?

It’s Christmas in Legend, Tennessee. The lights are hung, the town hall is decorated, and families are coming home for the holidays. But when a major winter storms sweeps through the foothills of the Smokies, everything in Legend comes to a screeching halt. A husband lost, a sister seeking forgiveness, a fallen star, and an accidental encounter all play victim to the storm.

Will Christina receive the gift she’s longed for? Or will her worst nightmare come true?

Will Rebecca's first trip to Legend be a delightful Christmas surprise for a friend, or her newest relationship disaster?

Will Chelly make it home in enough time to apologize to her sister before the holidays?

Will movie star Dawn Smith decide Legend is where her heart is and where she belongs?

The seeking heart doesn't give up easily when it's searching for home, even in a snowstorm. And there is no place like Legend, particularly at Christmastime. Canceling Christmas, under any circumstance, is just not an option.

The A Legendary Christmas print anthology includes the following stories by these Legend authors:

Janet Eaves brings us The Christmas Gift

Maddie James takes us Home for the Holidays.

Jan Scarbrough shares Santa's Kiss

And Magdalena Scott delights us with Christmas Collision.

~~~~~~~~~

Christmas Collision
Magdalena Scott

Rebecca Mayfield, the divorce lawyer in New York City, doesn't believe in "happily ever after." Why would she? Her beloved husband and law partner died of a heart attack a couple of years ago, and she spends every day of her lucrative work life ending someone's marriage.

Her friend and former client, Midnight Shelby McClain, invites Rebecca to her new "hometown" of Legend, Tennessee for the holiday. Small town Christmas—probably incredibly hokey. But Legend worked some magic in Midnight's life. What might be there for Rebecca?

Her rental car slides off the icy road and is stuck in a ditch. She hikes through the dark in the deep snow toward the only light she can see…from a little cabin on the mountain.

David keeps a vigil each Christmas Eve in a little weekend cabin on the mountain outside Legend. He needs this time alone—away from his high stress life in Knoxville. He does not appreciate the interruption of having to take care of yet another lost soul—no matter how cute and spicy the package it's wrapped in.

The power goes off, but the sparks continue to fly between these two strangers… There's something magical about this cabin. Maybe this is the Christmas to find love—and a new beginning—in Legend, Tennessee.

Read an excerpt.

The Christmas Gift
Janet Eaves

Christina Montgomery dreads another Christmas with the questions about her soldier husband, Johnny, hanging over her, and her daughter's, heads. She believes he died with his small sniper squadron a little over two years earlier even though his was the only body unaccounted for. The Marine Corp has indicated they are leaning towards calling Johnny a defector. There are even a few Legend locals who believe it, too. This is something Christina refuses to consider. Until one snowy evening two weeks before Christmas a man looking very much like Johnny arrives at her Tennessee farm with no idea of who he is.

Stunned, confused, Christina doesn't know what to do with him. Is this man's sudden appearance a Christmas miracle? Or is it Christina's worse nightmare come true?

Read an excerpt.

Santa's Kiss
Jan Scarbrough

Actress Dawn Smith’s world is crumbling. She’s always lived on the edge, seeking thrills, making herself into someone different. That’s why her success in Hollywood came so easily for a small town girl from Legend, Tennessee. But now things have changed. Dawn needs to get away from the bright lights, but it’s Christmastime and that has always meant going home to family. She can’t face family this year.

Clint Roberts, former high school football hero and current car dealership owner, is a popular fixture in Legend. Affable, fun-loving, the bachelor is everyone’s best buddy. Most people know about his infatuation for one-time Legend girl, now superstar Dawn Smith.

Dawn needs someone to turn to, but she’s rejected her family. When Clint shows up on her doorstep in a snowstorm dressed as Santa bearing gifts and food, she welcomes him. Will their night of lovemaking bring Dawn more heartache or can Clint convince the actress that it’s time for her to come home for good?

Read an excerpt.

Home for the Holidays
Maddie James

The last thing Chelly Schul wants is to go home for the holidays. She left her hometown of Legend, Tennessee on a wing and a prayer two years earlier and hasn’t returned. Her leaving humiliated her entire family, particularly her sister Suzie, since she ran off with Suzie’s (almost-ex) husband.

Legend Police Officer Matt Branson values being alone. Even during the holidays, he enjoys the solitude. Dubbed the town hermit, he tells himself he prefers his “cave” to socializing. His friends say he still pines after that lost love…although he begs to differ.

All that changes the snowy day he pulls over the older model sedan heading into Legend. His gut slams against his backbone as Chelly rolls down the car window and looks up into his eyes.

His high-school sweetheart is back in town—the woman who sent him into his cave in the first place.

Read an excerpt.

A Legendary Christmas, both print and ebook versions, will be available in November, 2008

See Publisher's Weekly review here.

2008-10-05T06:18:00.000-07:00

Murder on the Mountain
by Maddie James

In the two long years since her Tennessee state trooper husband's murder, Kate Carpenter thinks she's coped with his death, although everyone in Legend, Tennessee keeps telling her she hasn't. She can't see what the problem is, really. She has her parents, and her best friend Patti Jo, and her students. What else could a twenty-nine year old woman need?

A man, Patti Jo keeps telling her. A thought that Kara quickly puts aside.

All is fine until one hot August afternoon when Trooper Mike Lehman invades her classroom, and her life. When she can't get out of working with the trooper, assigned to teach drug abuse prevention classes, she bites the bullet and tells herself it's for the good of her students. Inside, she's fighting demons she hasn't fought in a while.

Sent to Kate's classroom on a investigation, Mike uses his drug prevention training as his cover. His mission, however, is to find out what Kate knows, if anything, about Rob Carpenter’s supposed death. Recent reports indicate he is alive and that he faked his death because of his involvement in a drug-running operation. Mike's task is to expose Carpenter, and if she's involved, Kate.

And he’ll stop at nothing, to get the answers he wants.

From the opening...

Tennessee Trooper Killed in Line of Duty

The Knoxville News Sentinel
August 17, 2006

Associated Press

Legend, TN – A Tennessee State Police Trooper was killed in the line of duty Thursday morning, presumably while answering a motorist’s distress call on Legend Mountain, in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains outside of Legend, Tennessee. Legend is approximately one hour east of Knoxville.

Trooper Robert T. Carpenter, a four-year veteran of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, responded to a *847 call from a motorist around two a.m. while working his routine shift. The female caller indicated to dispatch that her car had stalled on a secluded mountain road and that she was frightened and needed help.

Records show Carpenter radioed his arrival at the stranded motorist’s vehicle at 2:18 a.m. No further radio contact was established.

Approximately one hour later, a passing motorist discovered Carpenter’s burning body lying in the road beside his cruiser, lights flashing against the hillside, the driver’s side door open, and the engine running. Carpenter died at the scene.

A native of Florida, Trooper Carpenter relocated to Tennessee five years earlier, and was currently residing in the community of Legend, Tennessee, with his wife of one year.

An investigation is in process.

Read an excerpt.

AVAILABLE NOW at Resplendence Publishing in ebook format.

Now available in print at Resplendence Publishing, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble...

2008-10-05T06:11:00.001-07:00

Harvest Moon by Janet Eaves

A Ladies of Legend Novella...
After her sadistic husband is dead, Winifred Butler believes herself finally free of his horror. But he continues to torment her from the grave as his secrets and lies, treason and terror, bring Agent Tom Green to her door. She is as determined to keep her past a secret as Tom is committed to bringing her secrets to light. Only one of them can win. So both must fight the attraction to the other, knowing they have everything to lose...

CATEGORY: Contemporary

HEAT LEVEL: Sapphire

LENGTH: Novella

FORMAT: E-BOOK

$4.00

To buy from Fictionwise, click here

Excerpt:

The large structure had certainly seen better days. There was not only a general air of neglect with all the dusty spider-webs filling the upper and many of the lower rafters. The tin roof had large sheets missing and the support posts, as well as the exterior siding, were rotting in places. The long vertical boards enclosing the structure showed signs of water-rot at their jagged ends.

Winnie pressed her lips together, wondering just how long it had been since the barn had actually been used as intended. Not that she knew everything there was to know about farming, but she did know, after working for them one winter during her Christmas break from school, that the Casey family had farmed this land for several generations, and none of them would have allowed such disrepair. Which meant Jack, the lazy mongrel she'd known he was, hadn't been farming as she'd been led to believe.

So what had he been up to? she wondered, as she walked to the far end of the barn where the heavy oak door to the tobacco stripping room lay closed. Fortunately there was a light switch on the outside of the built-in structure so she was able to enter safely.

There were still indications that tobacco had once been stripped in the dimly lit room. The long, three section press machine with its hydraulic hose attached to an electric air-pressure device looked much as she remembered, though layers of dust now covered it. The woven-wood, flat baskets the hand-tied tobacco would be placed on were already considered old-fashioned when she'd worked for the Caseys, but Mister Casey had treated them as treasures from his past, and kept them in pristine condition. Not now. They were dirty and rotting. The man was probably spinning in his grave.

Winnie sighed, shaking her head at the complete neglect of the place as she continued to scan the room. Though filthy, nothing much had changed with the long bench that workers would stand in front of to lift the stalk, strip the tobacco leaves off, then place them in the now disintegrating burlap sacks that hung off the table's front edge.

She exhaled through pursed lips. There was a lot of cleaning up that would have to be done. The stripping room was as dusty and web infested as the rest of the barn. But the worst thing was that there was no sign of photo developing equipment. So where had Jack done his dirty work?

She crossed her arms, rubbing at the goose-bumps chilling them. At the moment, she had no idea where to search next. She started to leave the room when a hint of white caught her eye. Nestled tight in the corner between the stripping table and the wall was a picture of another woman, naked, terrified, and chained to the posts of a bed similar to the one she'd known all too well.

Shock loosened her grip and the photo floated to the dirt floor as vomit rolled up from her stomach to her throat. She turned, bent over, and let go, making the dust rise as she emptied everything inside. She ran the back of her hand over her mouth as she stumbled backwards until her bottom rested against the stripping table.

She hadn't been Jack's only victim.

Now available in print, two books in one! Harvest Moon and Beauty and the Beast.

Read an another excerpt!

2008-10-05T06:03:00.000-07:00

Beauty and the Beast by Janet Eaves

A Ladies of Legend Novella...

Special Agent Polly Chapman has multiple identities..

She is known to many as a savior. To others she is a killing machine. But all who know her, or think they know her, believe her untouchable.

Until she's injured.

Now the man sent to piece her back together when "The Agency" considers her broken has only two choices-- Catcher Stevens must fix her, or kill her.

CATEGORY: Contemporary

HEAT LEVEL: Sapphire

LENGTH: Novella

An excerpt:

“Move and you die.”

Polly Chapman remained as still as possible but her mind worked frantically for an escape that wouldn’t further rile the Powers That Be. For three months she’d followed this man – against orders -- waiting impatiently for red tape to be resolved so she’d get the go-ahead to nail his sorry ass to the wall. It didn’t come too late, it never came at all, and he’d done the unthinkable before she could save the innocent.

The mess she was in now was her own fault. She was supposed to have waited for backup, kept hidden until Ballard or Angustine arrived to take the perp down. She’d been given direct orders to keep her hands off him – to let local law enforcement collar him. Now she not only loss the advantage of surprise, she might very well lose her life to some sorry son of a bitch she could break into tiny pieces if allowed.

“Who else is out there?”

A line of heat met her throat where he held the knife. She licked her lips, refusing to whimper as heat turned to pain. “My backup,” she bluffed.

“How many?”

Inch by careful inch Polly slid her hand across her stomach until her fingertips reached the small Tazer tucked into her black slacks, but lost concentration when he ground his pelvis against her bottom.

“Don’t fuck with me, Sister.”

Feted breath caressed her cheek making her gag. As far as she could tell he hadn’t detected her movements, but was referring to her bluff. She fought taking a deep breath, certain she’d vomit from the dumpster-smell of his rotting teeth. Taking short sharp breaths through her mouth, she nearly cried in triumph when she grasped the stun-gun on her second attempt.

“Move that hand and I’ll take it off.”

Indecision was a new and unwelcome problem. She remained still; regret formulating with the certainty that she wouldn’t make it out of this alive if she followed orders. Fury simmered at the restrictions she’d been made to endure regarding this man. He was refuse, sludge, and expendable as far as she was concerned, more-so now than before, but she’d been forced to back off.

She had her orders – get counseling and leave him to others. To take him down now would spotlight her disobedience. To obey could and most certainly would cost her life - a condition she’d never given thought to before. How could she let go of life when she hadn’t even lived it yet? She’d given Uncle Sam everything. Twice-over. And he’d paid her back by letting the very people she’d sworn to protect, die.

She didn’t want to die, too. Not by this man’s hands.

****

Now available in print, along with Harvest Moon! Buy at Resplendence Publishing or Amazon.com.

Read another excerpt!

To buy from Fictionwise, click here

2008-10-05T03:55:00.000-07:00

Finding Home
Book One in the Ladies of Legend series

What happens when four writers who love romance get together and create a town, the people who live in it, and the stories of those people's lives? You get Legend, Tennessee - where four women from different backgrounds find purpose, love - and their future - in a town intent on preserving its past.

Ladies of Legend: Finding Home is an anthology including four novellas:

Claiming the Legend, by Janet Eaves... Lilly Peach is running from something so frightening it finally takes a whole town to cover her back.

Midnight in Legend, TN, by Magdalena Scott... Lovely Midnight Shelby finds Legend on the Internet after becoming tired of being one of her now ex-husband's "beautiful things."

Bed, Breakfast, and You, by Maddie James ... Suzie Schul finds home only when the "fling" she had many months earlier shows up with a plan on her B&B doorstep.

The Reunion Game, by Jan Scarbrough... Plain Jane Smith reunites with her long lost love by playing a game of "bait and switch" with her famous twin sister.

This title is also available in print. Please see our books in print section for details.

To buy on Amazon, click here

To buy on Fictionwise, click here

CATEGORY: Contemporary
HEAT LEVEL: Sapphire
LENGTH: Novel - Anthology
FORMAT: E-BOOK, $7.95

All Categories Contemporary Romance Anthologies Author - Maddie James Author - Janet Eaves Author - Magdalena Scott Author - Jan Scarbrough

Excerpt: A Groovy Christmas

2008-09-07T19:36:00.000-07:00

Legend, Tennessee

Sunday Night
December 22, 1968

“I’m a virgin, Kitty!”

At the sound of her name, the small calico cat curled up on the sofa opened a lazy eye. She blinked once, yawned and shut her eye in disinterest.

Kathleen Fields didn’t mind. The cat she had brought home from college two years earlier was the only one home, so the animal had to suffer her complaints.

“ I’m boring. My life is boring!” Kathleen opened the roll of red and green Santa Claus wrapping paper and stretched it out on the dining table. In the far end of the living-dining room, Joe and Hoss Cartright were deep in a sibling argument. Even without her father at home, Kathleen had—out of habit—turned on the television set at nine o’clock. The noise provided by Bonanza’s familiar opening music was welcome in the silent house.

“ I was twenty-one last week and I haven’t slept with anyone,” she continued her monologue. “Frank will probably propose after Christmas and then I’m in for a really boring life in this really boring town.”

Kathleen snipped a large sheet of paper from the roll. Oh, she loved Frank Smith and did plan to marry him. That wasn’t the problem. The problem was her. She’d never been anywhere except to England last summer on a six-week study tour with her college drama team. Even that had been well chaperoned. She hadn’t taken advantage of the luscious, long-haired English boys or the Guinness in the pubs. She’d kept her nose in her books, as always, coming home with the expected “A” but no real-life adventure.

That was her trouble. She didn’t take risks. She was a good girl. After high school, she’d gone to college at the University of Tennessee, where her parents had met and wanted her to go. She was on schedule to graduate this spring with an elementary education degree, just like her mother’s. She’d had one boy friend since age sixteen, and they’d never done anything but kiss and make out a little. They were “saving themselves” for marriage.

That was the way it was supposed to be, wasn’t it?

“ I wish I’d worn flowers in my hair,” Kathleen said with a sigh.

It was hard to be a good girl when so many of her contemporaries were burning bras. Sex, love, and rock ’n’ roll were the watchwords of her generation. But stuff like that didn’t happen in Legend, Tennessee. Her hometown was far removed from the reality of the modern world.

Folding the edges of the paper around the box containing her grandmother’s pink flannel bathrobe, Kathleen bit her lip more in disgust than in concentration. In her heart she knew she was a fraud.

Times were changing. Kids and clothes and music were changing. Starting with the British Invasion of the Beatles and Rolling Stones a few years earlier, life seemed to have sped up. Nothing was sacred and nothing the same.

Yet deep down the Cultural Revolution scared the heck out of her.

Her life was a terrible paradox of wishing for freedom and fear of trying it. Just because it was new, didn’t make it better.
Kathleen Fields, Magna Cum Laude, had never explored marijuana or LSD. Heck, she’d never even tried smoking regular cigarettes. She was too timid to espouse radical views and too straight to protest the Viet Nam War, because, frankly, she didn’t agree with those ideas or understand enough to know what to believe. Yet the changing world was exciting, watching it from the sidelines like she did—seeing the sit-ins on campus and attending a political rally for presidential candidate Hubert Humphrey in October.

Kathleen tied a red ribbon around the box and attached the card. Then she placed the box in a pile of gifts at the other end of the table. Her parents had wrapped their presents before leaving town, so all Kathleen needed to do was wrap hers.

She’d given Frank his cuff links and sweater before he left to spend the holiday with his roommate’s family in New York. Her gift from him, a polished mahogany jewelry box with a dark green velvet interior, was wonderful. Yet the gleam in Frank’s eyes and the slight smile on his lips had told her there was more to come, something he’d hinted about for over a year.

Kathleen sighed a big sorry-for-herself sigh and cleaned up the mess on the table. It was strange being home alone at Christmas. Frank was gone. She had promised to housesit for her parents and also keep an eye on Harriett Winchester’s house next door. Her neighbor was leading members of the Legend senior class on a two-week tour of France and Italy. Her father, the high school principal, and her mother had gone along as chaperones.

Retrieving a bottle of Coke from the refrigerator, Kathleen popped the top and tossed the cap in the trash can. She grabbed a bag of Fritos, and returning to the living room, turned up the volume on the TV before plopping cross-legged on the sofa beside the cat. Fritos were her downfall. Whenever she was lonely or depressed they were an all too easy comfort food. . . .

Buy Now!

Ladies of Legend "Christmas Past"

2008-09-06T19:17:00.000-07:00

Under the Mistletoe
by Magdalena Scott

Christmas Season, 1975

Dorothy Robbins is working hard to build up her Leaving Legend Fund. She wants to finish college, become a pharmacist, and never see her boring little hometown again. But her source of income is a meager hourly wage and tips at Jim Bob’s Saloon, where the only thing worse than the tips are the songs on the jukebox.

Charles McClain has been gone from Legend for years—first serving in Vietnam as a Marine, then finishing college and getting a job in Los Angeles. But his new life hit a snag, and suddenly he has time for a long holiday visit with his family, back in the beautiful mountains of Eastern Tennessee. Too bad there’s nothing interesting going on in Legend.

But it’s Christmas... The air is cold, hearts are warm, and mistletoe is overhead when you least expect it. Besides, sometimes the path that leads you away can also bring you home.

Read an excerpt

A Groovy Christmas

A Ladies of Legend Christmas Story

In the spring Kathleen Fields will graduate from college. By New Year’s Eve, she expects a proposal from her longtime beau. It’s 1968 and women are burning bras and freely making love. Before settling down to a boring life in boring Legend, Tennessee, Kathleen wants to experience a little of the excitement of her peers. And more than anything, she wants to do something about being a virgin.

Hippie and political activist Grant Winchester has received his draft notice. Uncertain about dodging the draft, he stops in Legend to visit his aunt before the holidays. Not finding her at home, Grant rediscovers his high school sweetheart and his plans take an unexpected turn.

Like the Hatfield’s and the McCoy’s, Kathleen and Grant’s families have been feuding for decades. Plus Kathleen is not so sure she approves of his decision to go to Canada. Yet Grant is a likely candidate to help her solve her problem. Kathleen risks her future only to discover that free sex is not so free, and sometimes the man of your dreams comes into your life when you least expect it.

REVIEW

“A Groovy Christmas” is a heartwarming story of Kathleen and Grant, former teenage sweethearts who are reunited during Christmas in their hometown of Legend, Tennessee. Jan surprised me by tackling a very tough subject. The story takes place during the time when young men were drafted into the Viet Nam war. Grant’s struggle between free will and duty to home and country was so convincing, it made me misty-eyed. Lots of personal growth in this story for both Grant and Kathleen, whose love for each other saves them both. For me, who came of age during the 60’s, this was a pleasant stroll down memory lane. Jan paints such a realistic picture of the era. I was there. Well done, Jan!"

—Romance author Devon Matthews http://www.devonmatthews.net/

Read an excerpt

The Christmas Heart

A Ladies of Legend Christmas story

Mary Ellen Chambers has learned to appreciate simple comforts in the midst of World War II: coffee rations, friends, her job at the factory and the upcoming Christmas season in Legend, TN. In her mind, anything else would be a complication she doesn’t need.

While running from the safe, civilian arms of the ‘perfect man’, she lands smack-dab in the arms of another, whose imperfections stir her in ways she could have never imagined. But she’s already lost one sweetheart to the war, and the last thing she wants is to get involved with another soldier.

Captain Austin Watkins isn't interested in forming an attachment with any of the local ladies while he's in Legend, especially when he could be called back into combat any day. But after a pretty woman crashes into him at a dance, he just can't get her out of his mind. Could she be the best Christmas gift he's ever received?

Read an excerpt.

Three Decades of Love: A Legend Christmas Anthology
Print Anthology
By Janet Eaves, Jan Scarbrough, Magdalena Scott

The Christmas Heart by Janet Eaves

Christmas 1944-Mary Ellen Chambers has learned to appreciate simple comforts in the midst of war coffee rations, her job at the factory and the upcoming Christmas season in Legend, Tennessee . She's already lost one sweetheart to the war, and the last thing she wants is to get involved with another soldier. Could Captain Austin Watkins be the best Christmas gift she's ever received?

A Groovy Christmas by Jan Scarbrough

Christmas 1968-a year where women are burning bras and men are burning draft cards. Can Kathleen Fields and Grant Winchester, from feuding families like the Hatfield's and the McCoy's, reconcile their differences and find love in Legend, Tennessee?

Under the Mistletoe by Magdalena Scott

Christmas 1975-Dorothy Robbins is working hard to build up her Leaving Legend Fund. Charles McClain escaped the small town life years ago, but is home for the holidays. No way will either of them stay in Legend, Tennessee , and no way will a brief fling turn into something complicated...like love.

Print anthology available at Resplendence Publishing and Amazon.

Individual titles also available on Amazon Kindle.

Excerpt: Mate to Order

2008-09-05T18:50:00.000-07:00

Coming in September!
www.resplendencepublishing.com

Matchmaker, Matchmaker bake me a match?

Oh, sorry, that’s make me a match.

No, really, it’s bake me a match….

Mate to Order

Blurb:

Patricia Plum has an agenda and a list. A husband list, that is.

When Suzie’s success as The Matchmaking Chef hits the national scene at the same time as her debut cooking show on The Food Channel, her new producer comes to her with a list of requirements—not for Suzie’s job, but for a husband.

Patricia Plum has a specific list and if Suzie really wants to make it big in New York City, she’ll make every attempt to deliver, Patricia’s “Mate to Order.”

Food photographer, Ames Cooper, possesses not one characteristic on that list of Patricia’s. In fact, if you could make a list of everything that Ames is not, Patricia’s list would be it. But Ames never let not being on the list stop him before, and he doesn’t intend to let it stop him, now.

Excerpt:

“And that, ladies, is how you set a cozy desert table for two, complete with a warm and gooey Double Chocolate Decadent Delight Brownie ala mode with my signature Buttered Almond Toffee Topping followed with a Bourbon Coffee chaser.” Suzie learned closer to the camera and brought a bite up to her mouth, stringing fudge from plate to spoon. “All I can say is this.” She took a bite of the gooey confection and savored it. “Yummmm. I’m Suzie Matthews and this is one way to bake you a match, girls.”

There was a second’s pause and then, “That’s a wrap.”

Suzie whooshed out a breath. “Okay, I’m officially tired.”

“Same.” Patricia swept up next to Suzie and gave her a hug. “Perfect, hon. It was classic. You are a world class pro in front of the camera now.” Glancing down at the dessert, she wanted to swoon from lack of food since she’d skipped lunch. “That brownie is absolutely sinful.”

With her pointer finger she reached to scoop up some fresh whipped cream.

“Stop!” Ames caught her wrist.

A bit flustered, she turned what she hoped was a serious-as-hell scowl on him. “Take your hand off me, Ames.”

“Don’t touch that. It’s perfect. I need a shot.”

“It’s melting, Ames.”

“No, it’s perfect. Move your ass, honey.” He crowded up to her and shoved her aside with his hip. “This will only take a—“

For the likes of her she didn’t know what possessed her to do what she did next. Maybe because it was Ames, and maybe it was because she was hungry, and maybe, just maybe, it was because she didn’t like being hipped out of the way.

She wanted like hell to pick a fight with him. Some sort of weird payback?

“Go home, Ames. We can do this tomorrow.”

He was hunched over the desert with his camera poised, snapping away.

She bumped him in mid-snap.

He turned an annoyed but wicked grin on her. “You don’t really want to do that, Plummish.”

“Do what?”

“Interrupt me while I am in pic mode.”

“Well, I’m in ala mode and I want that ice cream.”

He turned away and positioned himself again to take a shot. “You’re going to have to wait another couple of minutes.”

“By then it will be too melted.” Why was she goading him? “Even though I have to work with you doesn’t mean you call the shots, Ames. I do.”

“Not when you’re in my arena. I—”

He started to snap and Patricia shoved her hand forward and simultaneously scooted him out of the way. With two fingers, she scooped up a huge dollop of semi-melty ice cream and whipped cream topping.

“What the hell?” Ames lowered his camera and squared himself in front of her.

Uh oh, she had angered him now. For some odd reason she giggled inside. “Oh, you weren’t finished?” She brought the ice cream up to her mouth and sucked her fingers dry.

There was a distinct twinkle in Ames’ eyes. The outer corners crinkled. Without hesitation, he set his camera down, picked up the brownie plate, and took a step closer to her. “No, I wasn’t finished.”

“Hm.” She swiped her finger into fudge this time, then again, brought it to her tongue and licked. Damn, it was almost like a dare. Maybe closer to a tease.

Before she could react, Ames took a couple of fingers full of the brownie goo as well, and without words, crowded closer and smeared it down the side of Patricia’s face, raking his chocolate-covered fingers across her lips.

“Oh, now you’ve done it.”

She stood steadfast but truth be told, the act of his hand smearing chocolate over her face and lips was way too sensual. The way he lingered, smoothed....

Dammit.

She scooped up another finger of cake and ice cream and slung it. The sticky mass splatted across his nose.

Ames palmed a handful of the dish and smeared it across her chest.

Patricia dove for the table and the other dessert. Unfortunately, just as she scooped up the second plate, her heel slipped in melted ice cream on the floor and down she went. But not before she fisted Ames’ black t-shirt at his chest and pulled him down with her.

The second dish of Double Chocolate Decadent Delight Brownie ala mode with Buttered Almond Toffee Topping tumbled from her fingertips and landed on the floor between them.

Soon, cake, ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream, and topping were flying, and Ames and Patricia were rolling on the floor of Suzie’s new kitchen set, squealing and shoving and pushing, while the crew jeered and hooted, and Suzie fretted about her tablescape, until…

A deep voice, reminiscent of the voice of God, boomed out over the chaos. Patricia knew that voice and also knew that things weren’t going to bode too well for either of them.

“Ahem,” the voice said and then paused. “You know, when I was a child we used to fetch the water hose to separate dogs in heat from their rather aggressive suitors. Anyone have a hose handy?”

Patricia immediately stopped shoving cake in Ames’ face. His eyes were wide and his smile broad. He looked like a candied chocolate confection laying there on the floor opposite her. His hands were on her waist and the look in his eyes was one of…

Shit.

She pushed back and stood. Ames followed.

Excerpt: Under the Mistletoe

2008-09-04T19:31:00.000-07:00

Charles McClain is visiting his family in Legend for the holidays, and just dropped into Jim Bob’s Saloon because there’s nothing else to do in town...

Charles lowered himself onto one of the worn vinyl-covered stools and ordered a beer, expelled a long breath full of big city, and settled into the ambiance—if you could call it that—of the place. Just because I’ve been gone a while doesn’t mean I’m better than any of these people. I just need to lighten up and try to fit in while I’m in town.

The glass and oak front door opened again and a few more Legendarians blew in with the bitter cold air. The song changed—Freddy Fender launched into Wasted Days and Wasted Nights. That pretty much summed up this visit so far.

Someone bumped his elbow and he glanced around. Wow. Now here was something special. Stick straight blonde hair down to her waist, big blue eyes, very little makeup as far as he could tell, but she was beautiful. Her bell bottoms and black tee shirt fit like they’d been sewn on her.

“Hey there.”

“Hey.” She glanced at him, then away again. “Jim Bob, five more. It’s crazy in here tonight.”

Charles leaned toward her and said softly, “Holidays make people crazy. Are you too young to know that, uh...what’s your name?”

Her eyes narrowed as she turned toward him again, and he thought she might not answer. “Dorothy.”

An old-fashioned name, but somehow it suited her. “Well, Dorothy, holidays make people crazy. Especially family holidays. Brings out the worst in a lot of us.” He sipped his beer, watching her. “Are you actually old enough to work here?”

Her blue eyes snapped. “I’ll have you know I’m twenty-two years old!”

He couldn’t quite stop the chuckle. “Wow. That old?” Silky blonde hair whipped his shoulder and arm as she turned away from him again in obvious disgust. Jim Bob set the last of the mugs on her tray and she sashayed away with them to the other side of the room. Interesting girl. The total opposite of Lila Sue, except they were both pretty blondes. But this one... This one had something else.

“You not remember Dorothy Robbins?”

“No. Not really. I’ve been gone a while, Jim Bob.”

“I guess. Can’t even imagine that myself. You lose track of people, I s’pose. She’s Dale and Betty Robbins’ oldest. Lives up on the mountain.”

He shook his head. “Sorry. Still drawing a blank here.” Another swig of beer and Charles swiveled the stool to watch Dorothy move among the tables, writing down orders on a little pad, smiling.

“Dale and Betty Robbins. House full of kids, about fifteen minutes outside town. Dale carves stuff.”

“Oh! The sculptor!”

“That’s him. One of the younger kids had a real bad bike wreck, and insurance wasn’t what it shoulda been. Dorothy was in college but had to come back home.”

“So she’s supporting the family on what she earns here?”

“Oh no. That was a while ago, and I guess Dale sold one of those things he makes, so the money’s better now. Family’s taken care of, and the kid doesn’t even have a limp. It was rough on them all for a while, though.” He shrugged. “Dorothy’s a good girl. Good worker.”

“Uh huh. Looks like she works real hard.” Charles saw her cleaning a table that Lila Sue had pranced by, picking up the tip. Lila Sue seemed to stand around and visit with the customers a lot, or sit down at the tables and visit with them. Lila Sue threw her head back and laughed at something one of the guys said. Even in the noisy room her laughter was loud. Charles glanced at Dorothy, who subtly shook her head as the sound rolled over her.

Poor little Cinderella. She needs a Prince Charming. Well, he had a month here. Maybe they could have some laughs together. It would cheer Dorothy up, and give him a break from the family part of the time. Her prickly manner wasn’t fooling him. She was shy and lonely. All he had to do was get past the prickliness to the softness underneath.

Charles grinned in anticipation. Yeah, getting to the softness would be an enjoyable part of his holiday season.

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An Excerpt from Side Dish

2008-07-20T21:21:00.000-07:00

From Side Dish

An hour later, things still weren’t working. Becca truly felt sorry for Sam because he was trying, but he couldn’t act his way out of a plastic baggie. Nora, on the other hand, was acting her sweet little pea pickin’ heart out. Of course, Nora could command attention in a soup can. But Becca wasn’t sure how much of what Nora was doing was acting, or just her natural demeanor around men. It was her nature to lay it on a bit thick.

Patricia coached from the sidelines and Suzie just looked distressed.

Becca sidled up next to the author. “Not going so well, huh?”

“You can say that again.”

Patricia leaned in. “We made a mistake doing this out in the wilderness. We need something to give it some pop. Nothing out here but mountains and trees and wildflowers.”

“Sam is struggling,” Suzie added.

“He’s just not that into Nora.”

“I could have told you that.” Becca shrugged when both women stared her way. “Hey, I notice things.”

“Too bad she’s into him, though,” Patricia said.

“You think so?”

“Look.”

Becca did. Nora was giggling and trying to feed Sam a piece of cheesecake. He sat stiff as a board, his mouth open, while she tried to pop a nugget in his mouth. She missed and laughed. Sam frowned and then catching himself, half-heartedly laughed, too.

For just a second, he caught Becca’s eye.

Nora then dipped a forefinger full of strawberry glaze and brought it her mouth. Her tongue snaked out and she slowly licked and then sucked. Becca’s gaze went to Sam’s face. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, then he turned his helpless stare toward the trio standing off to the side and said, “Suzie? Isn’t this about enough?”

“Give him a break, Patricia. Certainly we have what we need now.”

Thank God, Becca thought. She was almost embarrassed for Nora.

And Sam.

Patricia studied the scene before her, then glanced to her right at Suzie and Becca, and then back to Sam. “Sure. Okay. After just one more shot.”

Everyone on the set groaned.

Everything around them went silent for a brief moment.

Abruptly, Patricia grabbed Becca by the arm and tugged. “Makeup!” She shouted. “Suzie! Get that picnic basket and fill it up with food. Anything! Just put something in it. Nora! I need you over here, sweetie. Sam? Don’t you move from that spot, do you hear me? I know we have one more shot in you.”

Suzie scurried away.

Patricia dragged Becca toward the picnic table.

Nora stood with a deer-in-the-headlight look on her face.

Becca wasn’t sure what the hell was going on.

And Sam looked like he could simply wither.

Then, before she realized it, Becca was overtaken by the make-up girl and being fluffed and buffed, while Nora was lead off by Patricia, whose lips were moving a mile a minute while Nora stood hands-on-hips, her head nodding, her eyebrows bobbing, and her nose wrinkling.

Becca looked to Sam. “I don’t have a clue what’s happening here.”

“Just go with it,” he said. “It’s out of our control.”

“Maybe we should just play and be nice and then we can take our toys and go home soon.”

“Promise?”

“One can hope.”

“I’d like to go home with you and play with your toys.”

Immediately, Becca flushed. And reddened. She was pretty darned sure. The makeup girl grimaced and buffed at her cheeks some more.

“Okay, so here is the deal.” Patricia was back. “Sam, you stay where you are. Nora, take your seat again across from him. Suzie, give Becca that picnic basket. Becca, I want you to come sashaying in from the right and interrupt their lunch. I want you to flirt like hell with Sam and Sam?” His head whipped her way. “I want you to flirt like hell back. We need some conflict in this matchmaking seduction scene and this is the only way I know how to do it.”

Conflict. Shit. Patricia Plum had no earthly idea how much conflict this was going to cause between her and best friend.

Nora looked at her with eyes round as buttered biscuits.

“Not my idea, Nora.”

“All right!” Patricia clapped her hands and the crew fell into their places. Suzie shoved the picnic basket into her hands and the next thing Becca knew was that some guy was snapping a clapper thing in front of her and shouting, “Action!”

In that instant, she knew there was only one thing left to do.

So, she did it.

She plastered a huge grin on her face, sashayed her ass over to the table, winked at Sam, and thought about one thing and one thing only—taking her toys home to play with Sam.

Coming in August, 2009!

Excerpt from Murder on the Mountain

2008-06-13T09:11:00.000-07:00

They were the longest, sexiest legs he had ever seen.

Although her frame was small, with narrow hips and wasp-like waist, her legs, as they say, went all the way up. She wore a pair of black trousers that hugged her hips and thighs tight, showing off some of her best assets. A white knit sweater clung to every curve of her upper body. And there were ample curves.

That red hair and those emerald eyes were set perfectly against the backdrop of black and white. Deep emerald eyes. He knew. He stared into them a mite too long earlier.

Mike Lehmann's heart pounded as he sat in the patrol car parked next to the school playground and examined every inch of Kate Carpenter's body while she crossed the schoolyard. His breathing deepened as he took in every movement, every hitch in her step, every expression on her face. He scowled. When he looked at her, his brain raced with thoughts of how physically attractive he found her, and how he could be incredibly interested in her—if things were different.
But things weren’t different.

Clearing up the mystery of Rob Carpenter's murder was the goal—not romancing the object of his investigation. Sure, he never thought he'd end up undercover in Carpenter’s wife’s classroom, but here he was, posing as a D.A.R.E officer to get into her life.

Somewhat.

But not in her panties.

Still, he never expected the woman to be a beautiful redhead who caused his pulse to quicken the first instant his gaze caught hers. But she was. It was all he could do, not to imagine that halo of flame unleashed from its single braid, fanning out around her on a pillow.

His pillow.

Damn. Forget it Lehmann. This you don’t need. Not now.

He watched her round the corner of the school building. His pulse raced, unable to keep his mind from wondering how her lips would feel pressed against his. How soft she was. How passionate.
And how the hell Rob Carpenter could screw over a woman like that.

Maybe Jenkins was right. Maybe Kate Carpenter's image of the widowed school marm, prim and proper, was a hoax.

“You could have made this a lot easier, lady,” he mumbled, “if you were about a hundred pounds heavier and a foot shorter. Maybe about fifteen years older. With bad teeth.”

But the fact remained, she wasn't. She was a beautiful young woman. One he hoped wasn't mixed up in the hottest drug-running operation to hit this area in years. One he hoped to hell was not hiding away a husband who was supposed to be dead.

He watched Kate Carpenter walk toward the older kid leaning against the side of the brick building and call out to him.

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Home Sweet Legend

2008-06-13T05:13:00.000-07:00

Home Sweet Legend
by Magdalena Scott

This is Chloe McClain's big chance, and she won't let Greg Andrews ruin it. All she needs Greg for is his superior skill as a building contractor. The job--renovate a vintage building into the art gallery she envisions. She's even drawn up the plans for him. Now if he could just check his considerable ego at the door, everything would be fine…

Greg can't take his eyes off Chloe, an artistic spitfire who's clueless as to what she's asking him to do. No way can he bring the run-down pile of bricks up to code in thirty days, let alone turn it into a classy art gallery for a big-deal showing of her paintings. No possible way.

But when you live in Legend, Tennessee, there are certain things to remember. People in Legend pull together. Community before self. And you never want to make a McClain angry--even the cute females.

Excerpt:

The customer is always right.

Greg Andrews looked around the interior of the derelict building and knew that was one of the stupidest sayings ever inflicted on the service profession. The customer’s got no clue would come a lot closer. He sighed, knowing that if the customer had the money, he’d likely take the job anyway. Although it made him want to hurl just thinking about the amount of work required to do the thing right, it could be an interesting project.

He would write up an estimate, present it, and see what happened.

Greg made rough notes on the yellowed paper hinged to his clipboard. He had pored over the owner’s meticulous drawings, understood what was expected, and appreciated the possibilities. Sure would be a lot easier, though, to just knock down the building and put up something new. Not that anyone besides him would consider the possibility. It hadn’t taken long to realize that people in Legend, Tennessee, weren’t much into new. A lot of them were into preservation. Since moving himself and his business here a year and a half ago, Greg had done mostly renovation work. He could build new houses—loved building new houses—and had a guy on his crew who was as talented and fast as anybody in the business on new construction. They’d had to adapt, though. He’d hired some local help with different skills. Even changed his business name from Andrews Construction to Deluxe Home Improvements when he came here. Nobody in Legend knew or cared about the Andrews name. Deluxe, though—that was the way to go. People saw Deluxe in the phone book, or on the little signs he put in the yards of satisfied customers, and they were likely to call.

Business was good. He had as much work as he and his employees could handle. Walking to the middle of the large empty room, he tried to imagine its transformation—and nearly broke his leg when part of the rotten floor gave way. Cursing fluently, he jerked his leg free and carefully moved back the way he’d come. He roughly tossed his long blond braid over his shoulder so it hung down his back.

Yeah, this is definitely looking good so far.

* * * *

“You must be kidding,” Greg said, walking carefully around the hole he’d dropped his leg into earlier. “No way can this be rehabbed in a month. No possible way. Mike said you had a time frame in mind—but thirty days is plain crazy.”

“Fine,” said Chloe McClain. “I'll get someone else.” She closed a small notebook and slid it into the back pocket of her snug jeans, then stuck the ballpoint behind her ear. The motion made the cascade of bell-shaped earrings tinkle softly. The sterling silver caught what little light came through the crud-encrusted windows. There was also a diamond stud up high in one ear. Greg had never considered ears to be particularly sexy, but on Chloe McClain, it seemed everything was sexy. At least, everything he'd seen. Her blonde-and-dark-brown streaked hair was wavy and cropped close to her head, but it grew a bit long in the back, and curls caressed her delicate neck. Her eyes were big and brown and bright as a child's. The long lashes and dusky eye shadow had him wondering what those big dark eyes would look like if Chloe were feeling passionate about something besides an ugly old building. Her mouth was generous and shaped as perfectly as any he'd seen on lipstick commercials. Even her nose intrigued him. Short and straight, but turned up on the end. It made her look spunky, and he had an idea it wasn’t false advertising. Her body wasn't runway model thin, but slender and pleasantly curvy. She looked even better once you started talking to her. Then her eyes began to snap, her head moved in emphasis to her words, the music started from her strange earrings, and that gorgeous mouth had you looking there more of the time than you probably should. Good thing she was nuts, or he might be attracted to her.

“So... You’re Mike’s sister?” he asked. Mike McClain had worked for Greg a while now, but there were so many McClains in and around Legend, Greg couldn’t keep them straight.

“Cousin.” She rolled her eyes, turned on the heel of her beat-up sandal, and headed for the door, where she flicked off the lights. Greg looked up at the half dozen bulbs hanging from the ceiling, suspended by dangerous-looking wires. Pathetic. The whole place was pathetic. He sure didn’t want to get into a situation of trying to bring this dump up to code in thirty days, let alone do the project to her unreasonable expectations.

Chloe shut the door after them, and locked it. Right. As if anybody in his right mind would actually want to go in there.

“Well. Thanks for the opportunity, Miz McClain. Sorry I can't help you with this. Good luck finding somebody else.

“Uh-huh. Thanks. Well, I've got some contacts around. I'm sure there's somebody who could take it on. I need to have the place ready to go on deadline, or else...” She let the sentence trail off.

“Or else?” Not that he cared. Just making conversation.

“Or else I can't do the exhibition I've committed to.” She pushed some round-lensed dark glasses onto her nose, and caught her lower lip between her teeth. Frown lines marred that perfect brow, below the fall of wispy dark and light bangs.

Exhibition. Whatever. He needed to move on down the street. “So what kind of exhibition is that?” He hadn’t meant to ask.

“Nothing. I need to go.” A sultry breeze came down the street, making the bells in her earlobes play again.

She turned without another word and walked away from him into the breeze. Greg shivered. Some brush-off.

Why he cared, he wasn't sure. He enjoyed watching her from behind until she turned the corner and was gone.

Oh well. Cute, but not my type. Dating a cousin of Mike's would surely be more than he wanted to deal with anyway. Might get awkward when it ended. Greg's relationships generally ended dramatically. Yelling and name-calling were sometimes part of it, and he sure didn't need Mike to be in that picture. It was complicated being a single man in Legend, Tennessee.

* * * *

“You what?” Mike McClain was clearly incredulous the next day when he heard about it.

Greg dumped the old grounds from yesterday’s coffee, and jerked a new filter out of the plastic bag on the open shelf. “Turned her down.”

“You can't do that!” Mike was in his usual spot in the Deluxe Home Improvements office. He slid way down on the worn green Naugahyde couch with his long legs crossed in front of him and his head resting on the plastic paneled wall. At least he had been in that position until Greg told him about Chloe. Now Mike sat ramrod straight, his eyes bulging a little.

“Of course I can turn down a job. Don't get weird on me, Mike. This is my business, and if you're gonna try to tell me what to do, we could have a problem.” His free hand fisted as he finished pouring water into the reservoir, concentrating on slowing his breathing so he wouldn't say something more. He didn’t appreciate being second-guessed. Especially by the help. Of course, Mike was a friend, too, but Greg couldn't let any of his guys forget who was boss.

“Greg, that's plain stupid. You can't turn her down. She's Martin's sister.”

“So?” Martin McClain owned a real estate business. He was also an occasional fishing and card-playing buddy. “What's the big deal?”

“Chloe is Martin's sister. Martin gives us referrals all the time. Remember the job at Charles and Dorothy's? The library redo? Martin’s the one who suggested you to them. That was a cherry job, Greg, and they could have hired somebody from out of town. They have the money to do it. But we got it, and I did fantastic with it, if I must say so—”

“Yeah, yeah. The place looked just the way she wanted. You did great, Mike. I told you so then.” Mike had also ended up getting his estranged wife and daughter back in the bargain, so he really didn't need to make such a big deal of throwing this into Greg's face. Mike was this perfect family man now, acting more like a newlywed than a guy with a two and a half year old daughter ought to, in Greg's opinion.

“Greg! Listen to what I'm saying! The McClains have done you some major favors since you came to town. You've had great referrals. This job of Chloe's may be a hassle, but you better rethink it. Not only is she a McClain, but this show of hers is big. She's made a name for herself with her paintings of the mountains, and lately she's doing some other kind of art... I forget, but Betsy’s all excited about it. Chloe had a chance to do a show at a gallery in Knoxville, but decided she wanted to bring Legend into the spotlight with her. That's why she needs her own gallery ASAP. The timeline on this thing is set in stone. She's promised to do it in Legend and bring in some big tourism money because of the artsy people who'll be here for it. You let Chloe down, you're letting down the entire McClain clan, which is not a good idea. More than that, you're letting down the whole town of Legend. You know Legend can use this kind of opportunity. It could even translate into more business for you in the long run.”

Mike stood up, obviously too agitated to remain still.

“You do this job and do it right, and it'll reflect great on you for years.”

Mike put his hand on the doorknob, shook his head and frowned.

“You let Chloe down when she's got her big chance and is sharing it with her hometown, and I think you might want to think about relocating.”

“People here would be that ugly about it?”

“People would be that disappointed. One thing you need to remember about Legend—we pull together. If you're not gonna pull with us, you'd just as well pull out.”

Mike left, closing the door a little louder than necessary.

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Where Her Heart Is

2008-05-31T07:36:00.000-07:00

Where Her Heart Is

Now available from Resplendence Publishing!

Two years ago, Betsy McClain gave up on her husband and her hometown. She packed up her baby daughter and moved to the City. Now she’s temporarily back in Legend, Tennessee. But when Betsy agreed to this house-sitting job, she didn’t know her favorite room was being renovated, or that her handsome almost-ex-husband was the carpenter.

After his wife and baby left him, Mike McClain was forced to grow up. Now he considers himself Mr. Responsibility. LizBeth Ann soon falls in love with her big handsome daddy, who takes her for picnics and is her “date” for little girl tea parties. But though Betsy, with her big blue eyes and cascades of golden blonde hair, looks like an angel, she seems determined to treat him like the devil. How can they let go of the past so the little family can have a future?

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Excerpt: Hot Crossed Buns

2008-04-17T08:37:00.001-07:00

From Hot Crossed Buns

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Yes, dammit, he had asked Katie to marry him. And she had flat out refused. Laughed and yelled at him. Pretty much told him it would be a cold day in hell…

“Why in God’s name did you do that?”

His gaze rose. “I love her.”

Matt cleared his throat. “Now Chris, don’t get me wrong. You know I like Katie a whole helluva lot. But she’s a wild filly, as wild as they come, and you think you’re gonna tame her?”

He lowered his head and fiddled with his napkin. “Was trying.”

“And how did you propose to do that? Katie made no bones about it when you started dating that she wanted to remain footloose and fancy free. I told you—and I won’t say that I told you so—that you were getting into deep water. You’re pretty new in town and Katie, well, she has this reputation. Katie Long can’t be tamed. Better men than you have tried. She’s such a damn contradiction, librarian by day, temptress at night. That was my biggest fear, that you’d fall head over heels in love with her and she’d break your heart.

“Dammit, I saw this coming.”

Narrowing his gaze, Chris looked at his friend. “For a man who said he wouldn’t say, ‘I told you so’, you just did a damn good job of it.”

Matt exhaled and looked away. They sat in silence for a moment. Looking back toward the library, Chris realized Katie was now gone. Shit. He’d missed her sway into the building.

“I can tame her.”

“Hm.”

“No, really. I can.”

Matt chuckled. “You’re not going to give up, are you?”

“Nope.”

“So how do you propose to tame her?”

“With the palm of my hand.”

“Excuse me?”

“She likes to be spanked.”

Silence.

Chris angled his gaze toward Matt, whose left eyebrow now sported a significant arch.

“You don’t say.”

“I do say. Now, nothing real kinky and I would never hurt her, but she seems to respond to a little hanky-spanky action in the bun area.”

Matt rubbed his chin. “I never would have thought.”

Grinning, Chris added, “and right about now, I’d like to lay my hand flat across those…”

“Hot cross buns?”

Startled at the female voice coming from his right, Chris looked first to Matt, and then to the woman standing beside them. Suzie Matthews, Sidney’s cousin and Matt’s sister-in-law, stood staring at both men while holding out a tray of some kind of rolls with a criss-cross of icing over the top.

“What?”

“Want to try my hot cross buns? It’s a new recipe and Sidney is going to give them a go here at Sugar High. I thought you might want a sample. Fresh out of the oven, they are. And hot.”

Chris was definitely thinking about hot buns. And about crossing them with the palm of his hand. But what Suzie offered up at the moment wasn’t going to do.

He rose. “No thanks, ma’am. Maybe another time. I’ve got some business to tend to.”

He tipped his head, glanced at Matt, tossed a couple of bills on the table, and left.