The Lords of Avalon Series is completed. Lords of Atonement, the final installment, was released in September.

Currently, I am working on a Contemporary Paranormal Romance Series. Book 1 of The Decker Brothers Trilogy, It's in the Cards, while I am researching the next series in the continuing adventures of the Avalon Society, The Avalon Society Chronicles.

I hope to release It's in the Cards by late spring of 2015, and Book 1 of the Avalon Society Chronicles in late 2015.

 

Excerpt from Book 1 of the Decker Brothers Trilogy,

It's in the Cards



 

“Here comes Hot Cop and two equally hot men!” Harper sidled up to Jade at the counter, flashing her a broad grin.

“Really?” Jade looked up. She was instantly aware of the tingles of excitement she felt when she saw him. It frightened her, but made her happy at the same time.

“Oh, yes! He’s not a cop today, just filling out a pair of khaki shorts and a blue t-shirt ever so fine. The other two guys aren’t bad either, in fact, they’re pretty hot too.”

Jade rolled her eyes at Harper. The copper bells tinkled as the door opened.

She watched a tall, lean man with golden brown, shoulder-length hair breeze in. He wore an easy, relaxed smile. Decker, holding a cup in each hand, followed him. Trailing behind them was the tallest of the three. He was fit and well muscled. She noticed he limped, and wore jeans unlike his brothers who were dressed in shorts. His black hair was short and mussed, looking like he had just run a hand through it. They all had blue eyes, strong, angular facial features, square jaws, and they all favored one another.

“Are you brothers?” Jade smiled.

“Yeah. These are my brothers,” Decker said with a smile as he approached the counter. “Jade, this is Liam,” he gestured to the taller, more serious one, “and Brody. I picked up a green tea for you next door.”

Jade smiled as she accepted the tea and napkin from him. Their fingers brushed as she took it from him. She felt a jolt of energy – good energy. She turned to his brothers. “Hello Liam, Brody. It’s nice to meet you.”

“So, ah, my brother says you work here.” Brody gave her a lopsided grin.

“And she’s one of the owners,” Decker supplied, earning a smile from Jade.

“It’s an awesome place,” Brody said as he looked around.

“There is some great energy in here,” Liam said as he limped toward the bookshelves.

“Thanks. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished so far,” Jade said.

“Go look around.” As Brody still stood behind him, Decker turned to give him a meaningful look.

“Oh.” Brody shrugged. “Sure,” he said as he walked off smiling.

“Thanks for the tea, Decker.”

“You’re welcome. I made the mistake of telling Liam that I met a nice, beautiful woman yesterday. I mentioned that we met at Connor’s and that you worked here. Liam told Brody this morning when he dropped in for breakfast. If I didn’t come with them, they would have come without me. I’d rather be here so they don’t cause you, or me, too much embarrassment. So the tea is a peace offering in advance.” He flashed her that gorgeous smile.

Jade blushed.

“No blushing, Jade,” he whispered. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

“I’m not embarrassed, I’m flattered.” She was. He said she was beautiful and nice. It had been a long time since a man had complimented her that way. She realized it felt good to know a man that she was seriously attracted to thought she was beautiful. She shrugged and gave him a smile. She took a sip of her tea.

She noticed Harper was talking to his brother, Brody, about the Kirlian camera that they used for their aura photos.

“Would you like to sit where it’s comfortable,” Jade gestured to the sitting area as she moved around the counter.

He followed her to the plush sofas and chairs near the rows of bookshelves. He chose to sit beside her, so maybe they could have something of a semi-private conversation.

“You don’t have any reading appointments today? It seems quiet in here.”

“It is exceptionally quiet for a Saturday. I had two appointments scheduled this morning. They cancelled,” she shrugged. “It happens sometimes.”

“That’s too bad.”

“No, I think it’s a good thing today. You’ve come by, and it gives us a chance to talk.”

“Well, I’m sorry your clients didn’t show up, but I am glad we can hang out. You want to give me that reading we talked about yesterday?”

“Sure, come on back.”

Decker rose and looked to Liam, “I’m getting a reading. You guys okay to hang out for awhile?”

“Yeah, sure,” Liam said with a wide grin as he made his way to the sitting area with several books. Decker saw Brody grinning like an idiot at him too. Brothers!

 

“Is there anything in particular you want to know, or do you just want a general reading?” Jade asked after they sat down at her table.

“Just general is fine. Are you intuitive?”

“Yes, I am a medium.”

“Great, that’s even better.” Decker gave her an easy smile.

He watched Jade shuffle her cards to clear them. She handed him the deck. Decker shuffled until they felt right then handed them back to her.

He watched her cut the deck in three stacks then pick up them up. She laid the cards out in the Celtic cross pattern.

He grinned when he saw the first two cards, the King of Cups, or Hearts, crossed by the Queen of Cups.

Jade was a little disappointed with the feeling she got from the King and Queen of Cups. Cups didn’t always signify a romantic relationship, but in this case, she knew it did. She could feel it. They were definitely about romance. Hot Cop had a Queen of Cups somewhere. Darn it! The good ones were always taken it seemed.

“It appears this is about a relationship.”

“I’m not in a relationship…yet.” He shook his head.

She pulled two cards to clarify. The page of cups and the two of swords. “You’re definitely thinking about it. There is someone in particular, in the picture…but you hesitate for some reason, or there is something keeping you from her.”

“I am thinking of pursuing a relationship with a particular someone, but I don’t know how she feels about me. I don’t really know her that well.”

Lucky girl! Whoever she was, she’d be an idiot to say no to him.

Jade drew the ace of swords as he was speaking. Action. She could feel energy dance across her back and shoulders.

“This card is about taking action. The feeling I’m getting, is that you should definitely let her know you’re interested.” She pulled the moon card. “Yeah, she doesn’t know you are interested in her that way.”

“She doesn’t?” he asked. “Huh.” He paused after several seconds of what appeared to be deep thought. He nodded.

God his eyes were beautiful. Brilliant, striking blue.

“Like I said, I don’t know her well. I’m a boring, old-fashioned, monogamous relationship kind of guy. I only date when I’m interested in having a relationship with someone. I take things very slowly. I’ve learned from past-relationships not to rush in.”

“I agree with you there. Rushing isn’t the best way. But maybe just let her know you like her.” Oh, she had the rottenest luck. She hadn’t been interested in a man like this since she had recovered from Austin’s death. If she were ever going to enter into a relationship again, it would definitely be with an old-fashioned, monogamous relationship kind of guy, and even better if he looked like Decker. Apparently, Decker was interested in someone else.

“Just tell her I like her?” He narrowed those gorgeous eyes.

Jade nodded. “Or show her.”

“Like bringing her favorite beverage to her while she’s at work?” He grinned at her. He guessed it was probably a goofy grin too. Surely, she would get it this time.

Jade was dumbstruck. Was he…? She didn’t know. She would play it safe.

Ah, she faltered just a little there. He was still grinning at her.

“Sure, I thought it was really sweet that you brought me an iced tea today.”

“Good.” He studied her for several long seconds. “Okay, I’m going to step out of my comfort zone and take your advice, because like you told me, this girl may not have any idea I’m interested in her. I normally take things slower than this, but…” he held up his hands. “I’m determined to make sure she knows how I feel.”

He continued to watch her intently.

Jade lifted a brow. “And? What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to tell her I like her. That I’m interested in her.”

“Good.” Jade forced a smile. Darn it. He did have his eye on another woman. It wasn’t her.  

“Yeah, I’m going to do it.” He reached across the round table and took her hand as he said, “I like you Jade Murphy. I’m interested.”

She sat in stunned silence for a few seconds then smiled at him. “You’re not teasing me are you?”

“No, I wouldn’t tease about something like that. I like you. I’m interested in you. Will you go out with me?” He caressed her fingers lightly with the pad of his thumb.

“Yes,” she breathed a sigh of relief. “I would like to go out with you, Decker.” She squeezed his hand and smiled.

“Good. We’re on the same page.”

She laughed. “We are.”

He reached over, gathered up the cards, and placed them in a stack. “You can’t finish the reading since it’s about you too.”

“You read Tarot?”

“Not as good as you can, I’m sure. My mother read cards. She taught me a long time ago. I haven’t picked up a deck in years, though.”

“That’s so awesome.” Jade grinned happily. A gorgeous, sweet, old-fashioned kind of guy who understood what she did and wasn’t freaked out by it. It couldn’t get any better than this!