Cover reveal! Yes, I have my release date and my cover. Carl did it again. Look for this on December 17!!

Here’s the first chapter to get you started –

Jeannie Teague looked at the steam rising from under the hood of her car with a sinking feeling. The battery on her phone was dead as well. At least it wasn’t dark or freezing. Taking a deep breath she stepped out of the car and lifted the hood. Oh yeah, this was not good.

She wrapped the sleeve of her too thin jacket around her hand and tried to loosen the cap on the radiator. Steam hit her wrist and she yanked her hand back, cursing. Then she looked up to see a sheriff’s car pulling up behind her.

“Problem ma’am?”

Ah a whiz kid, she thought. “Yes.”

He unfolded himself from the car and she stepped back. He was well over six feet and that seemed to be the width of his shoulders. She’d never really thought of herself as small. She topped five foot seven, but wow. Maybe it was the uniform that made him so tall.

He moved closer and using the rag she hadn’t notice in his hand, removed the cap. Steam spewed for a couple of seconds and he smiled down at her. “I think I see the problem.”

“What?”

“It’s a POS.”

She wanted to bristle at that, but it was too true. “Well, that’s one of the problems.” She started to brush the dark curly hair that had escaped the clip out of her eyes, but changed hands at the pain. He spotted the burn on her wrist.

“Steam got you. Come here.” He headed back toward his cruiser and with nothing else to do, she followed. He pulled a bottle of water from the door pocket and opened it. The cold wetness caused her to catch her breath, but it felt good. Small blisters had already formed.

The officer, she’d finally thought to look for the name on his pocket, R. Nelson had pulled out a first aid kit now. He gently smeared a blue gel over the burn and that felt even better than the water.

“How’s that?”

“Good.”

He nodded. “I don’t need to see your license, but how about your name?”

“Jeannie Teague.”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Deputy Nelson. Now, about the car. Do you have AAA?”

Jeannie shook her head. She could barely afford gas for the thing.

“Okay, I’ll take you into town and get Joe to come tow it in. I can already tell you’re not going to be back on the road tonight.”

Her heart sank. “Is there a reasonable motel around?” She meant cheap, but didn’t want to say it.

“No motels in Dalesville, but we have a nice little B&B.”

A B&B, no way could she afford that. She’d planned on pulling the car over when she got tired and taking a power nap. Dammit all.

He was watching her and no doubt had formed his own conclusions about what she could afford along with the POS car. Hell, she couldn’t afford to be proud now. “I’d appreciate a ride.”

Nelson, she still didn’t know what the R stood for, followed her around to the back of the car to get her bag.

“I only need the little one for now.”

He didn’t comment on the boxes or larger suitcase in the trunk. He slipped the gym size bag into the backseat then opened the door of his cruiser for her. She was a little surprised he let her ride up front, but things seemed a little looser around here than in Tampa. Jeannie was confident that Tony had never been up front in any squad car.

I’m over at Nancy’s place today – She wanted to know about Red Shoes and where it originated.  Stop by and say hi!

http://nancyleebadger.blogspot.com/2013/10/red-shoes-deals-with-tricky-subject.html

Okay, Michelle, what’s the earliest story you can remember writing?

I was in the fifth grade and I wrote a mystery.  It wasn’t very long but I was so proud of it.

What inspired you to write the current release?

Teachers always say, “I should write a book about all the crazy/funny things kids do.”  I was at camp with my students and a story started to form about a teacher who witnesses a murder while at camp.  The story continued to circulate through my brain until I felt like I had to attempt to write the story.  I fiddled with it over summer break and then set it aside until winter break.  When I started working on the story again, it became an obsession to finish it.  Once I finished book 1, ideas for the second book started to form and so I wrote that book also.

What book are you reading now?

Whenever I feel sad or stressed, I pull out one of my favorite Julie Garwood books and reread it.  I’m feeling stressed about the release of my first book, so I just finished The Secret and I’m now starting Ransom.  I’ve probably read them a dozen times.

What are your current projects?

I just finished book 3 in the series.  My plan was to take a few weeks off from writing but book 4 has already started to form in my mind and I’ll probably start writing it soon.

How important is the support and friendship of other writers?

I’ve found that many of the Rebel Ink Press authors have been very supportive and helpful.  When I have a question or ask for help, they’re quick to reply and offer advice.

How does your family feel about your writing career?

My family and friends have been very supportive.  My husband has been giving me the same pep-talk for the last 2 months.  He’s worried that I’ll get my feelings hurt if someone says something negative.

Say a factoid about yourself that we don’t know.

All of the main female characters have some of my personality quirks.  I exaggerate them and then make fun of myself.

 Michelle told me, “I’ve always said that I’ve got the two best jobs in the world, mother and teacher.  Now I can add a third, romance author.  My husband, Randy, and I live in Texas with our two teenagers, Jessie & Nate.  When I’m not teaching or writing, you can bet I’ve got my nose in a book.  I’ve got a serious addiction to reading all genres of romance novels.   Becoming an author is a dream come true.”

I know how that feels!  Take a look at Schooled, her premiere novel –

Schooled Book 1 in The Teacher Series

buy link –Amazon

Blurb

Feisty fourth grade teacher Emmelynne Johnson is fiercely independent and has a vocabulary that would make a sailor blush.  While hiking at an area national park, she finds herself lost and alone.  Just when she thinks she’s found her way, she unknowingly witnesses a brutal murder sanctioned by a local crime boss.

Colt Christianson, homicide detective for the Fort Worth Police Department, is known for his dedication and willingness to do whatever necessary to solve crimes.  Still grieving for his late partner, Colt is called to investigate a murder that has connections to his partner’s death.

When the killers attempt to silence the only witness, the detective switches roles to become her protector.  Together they’ll be forced to fight two battles, one against the killers and one against their burgeoning mutual attraction.

Excerpt

“This is my police car, not my personal vehicle.  I spend a lot of time in this car and I end up eating most of my meals sitting in this very seat.  I don’t know the last time it was washed because it isn’t my job to wash the car.  I solve crimes for a living.  I’m not in charge of maintenance.  If it would make you feel better, I can ask my superior for the name of the person who’s responsible for the upkeep on the vehicles.  Maybe you can chew him out.”

“I certainly doubt the city would pay for a worker who only washed cars.  That would be a complete waste of public funds.  My guess is the rest of the police force takes pride in their vehicles and cleans them out once in a while.  Based on the condition of your car, I’m not confident you’re competent to solve this crime.”  Crossing her arms in front of her chest, she turned to the front of the car and ignored the detective.

Taking a deep breath, he dropped it in gear and backed out of the drive.  “My car may not win any beauty pageants, but it’s comfortable and functional.  That’s all that matters.  Would you please give me the address of where I can drop you?  I hope its close by.”

Now she’d done it.  For some unknown reason, she always rubbed people the wrong way.  She really didn’t try to piss people off but she just couldn’t control what flew out of her mouth.

“They warned me that you were a handful but I had no idea,” the detective commented a short time later.  “And here’s a thought, how on earth can you be a teacher when your vocabulary would make a sailor blush?”

As of October 7, I have been a published author for two years. Rebel Ink Press wanted my story. Actually the book, Rth Rising, did not come out until March of 2012, but I had a signed contract then and butterflies wreaking havoc with my insides.

One of my best memories of that is going to the Hearts of the Carolina’s conference that weekend.  The incredible Cherry Adair was our speaker and I went out to dinner with the welcoming group. She asked me what I wrote and I told her about the contract—the first person besides my husband who knew. She jumped up and ran around the table and held me. I still get teary thinking about it.

I have a “shelf” now and an additional career (even a boss who’s read one of my books!). I’ve gotten over the reticence of telling people I write romance novels. I’m proud of it, why not tell everyone.

But part of me is still stunned that it’s happened. A real dream come true. At RWA in Atlanta I was as much of a fan girl meeting writers that I’ve read and whose names are household words – Heather Graham, Jade Lee, Sylvia Day, Darynda Jones and Nora – as anyone. Yes, I’m an introvert and I’d much rather sit in my corner and write (or read) than get out there, but I’m learning to do that too.

Two years . . . thank you all for helping to make this dream come true.