5 Stars Reader Rating at Barnes and Nobles
Louisiana's lushness is the setting for my
mainstream contemporary love story, BayouBabe99er. The story takes place after
the disastrous Gulf oil spill that threatens to eliminate the communities
scattered along the coast. What can a forty-four year-old laid-off banker, and
an oil company liaison, closer to the ages of her daughters than hers, have in
common? Desire! The desire—to right a wrong—and for each other.
BayouBabe99er (2012)
Genre:
Mainstream/IR Romance
Word
Count: 25,980
Price: $2.99
Excerpt:
The
rumbling sound vibrated the wooden dock behind the store. A tri-horn blasted
the quiet and brought Clyde out on the run. He admired the cut of the sleek
white racer with the bold red stripes. Clyde hustled his arthritic body back
inside with a yell.
“Sha, come
see!”
Drake,
who’d changed into casual wear, jumped to the dock just as Sharlene came
rushing outside. She faltered, he supposed, at what met her eyes. But she
acknowledged him with a slow, sad smile. The act caused his heart to go ca-boom.
“Let’s go.”
He ushered
her up the walkway by the hand and onto the deck, making introductions as they
took the center aisle to the cockpit. His companion merely smiled and nodded as
he brought the throttle down to reverse. Drake helped Sharlene into her life
vest as the boat eased away.
Clyde
saluted their departure.
Soon they
cruised the open water, their bodies rocking to the motion as they cut through
the waves. Drake positioned himself at Sharlene’s back. His hands held the rail
on either side of her body as a deterrent to her tumbling from the jerky
gyration. A fine spray misted them as they sailed along.
The
constant swaying bumped Sharlene and Drake’s bodies together continuously.
Passionate thoughts stayed at bay because of the serious nature of the
expedition. They sped into the gray day on a mission of mercy. Drake did what
he did for Sharlene, because he suspected it would do her good to escort her
uncle’s pride and joy back to port. For him? Well, he drew satisfaction knowing
he provided her that small bit of relief.
“There they
are!” Sharlene exclaimed.
Drake saw
the faint black spots dotting the surface of the water, way in the distance. He
also felt the sporadic tremors she attempted to hide. The tight grip she had on
the iron rail was another giveaway. “Relax, Sharlene. We have quite a while to
go.”
Sharlene
looked at him over her shoulder. “Thank you so much, Drake. I can’t explain
it…I mean…”
“You’re
welcome.” He kissed the side of her face exposed to him, continuing in a somber
voice. “I think I understand.”
They rode
in silence as the boat bounced and bumped over the choppy water. The minutes
ticked down to seconds with the flotilla enlarging in size. The BayouBabe
lurched along, pulled by a tow. Trawlers flanked her on all sides.
The captain
of the speedboat slowed to maneuver a wide arc around the group, doing an
observation lap. Sharlene’s posture stiffened. Drake felt her heart racing so
fast the beat competed with the thundering motor. A shaky hand wiped moisture
from her unbelieving eyes.
“Uncle
Moot!” she screamed while scrambling to be free of Drake’s shielding embrace.
He held tight. “He’s alive, Drake!”
“I see
him.”
Moot stood
at the wheel as big as day. Pausing from the strenuous steering job, he
gestured to Sharlene by tipping the brim of his cap. The use of one hand nearly
cost him control of his hobbling craft. The quick recovery brought a smile to
his lips.
Sharlene
escaped Drake’s hold and darted to the narrow foot ledge rimming the boat. The
going was risky for the surface glistened with water. The deck shoes she wore
hardly mattered for she slid a time or two before arriving safely on the
forward platform. Drake closed in on her sporting a not-so-pleased look.
“You’re
going to get yourself killed!”
The bite of
his words stung. Sharlene was just about to retaliate when she recognized that
mournful look in his eyes. Her ire deflated. She refused to blast him after
realizing he only had her best interest at heart.
Besides,
she was elated with the turn of events. Her world revolved from tragedy to
triumph. Her uncle survived a horrific ordeal. Thanks to the stabilizing effect
of the man next to her, Sharlene had reasons to smile again.
Mickie Sherwood
~~Sweet,
spicy romance – a heartbeat away~~
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