Over the years Mike, a young handsome Captain of a UN cargo plane has earned a reputation of being a callous heartbreaker. His passion for aviation, shared by his friends, brothers Tom and John, looks to be the only important matter in his life.
But is everything what it seems on the surface with Mike?
John, Tom’s younger and carefree brother works as a bodyguard for a rich, old business tycoon. When his employer is mysteriously murdered John is cast into a most unexpected position.
Both younger men are about to meet the one person who could change their lives, and both face the same question. Are they ready to give love a chance?
Excerpt
First part of chapter 1.
"Carolyn." Lisa lowered her voice as she leaned closer to her friend. "Please, just ignore him. He's not a nice man. He is a good friend of ours but, trust me, he's not nice with women."
The immaculate, large living room with a glass wall made of small paned windows, opening to a view of the back garden, was full of couples; friends and neighbors, gathered to celebrate her husband’s fortieth birthday. The soft chatter of people was broken here and there with bursts of laughter, the quiet background music deepening the mood. Her guests were enjoying the party and Lisa felt pleased for that. What she didn't feel pleased about was Carolyn's sudden interest in Mike.
Her friend gazed at the tall, dark haired, handsome man across the room. His outfit was casual. Black dress pants and a gray cotton shirt, worn with the top button open. He was involved in a conversation with Lisa's husband Tom, and as Carolyn watched him, he laughed at something Tom said. He had a stunning smile, and Lisa noticed the gleam in her friend’s eyes. She obviously thought he was a good catch.
"Oh come on, Lisa! He can't be that bad, and he's really cute." Carolyn touched her blond hair lightly as if to make sure it was in order. Her deep cut, ebony silk evening dress was elegant, and a simple diamond necklace, a leftover from her previous conquest, sparkled on her neck.
Lisa sighed. "How's your work these days, Carolyn?"
"Don't even try to change the subject." She glanced playfully at Lisa. "Tell me about him. What does he do for a living?"
"He's a pilot. He works as a Flight Captain for the UN, in Africa."
"Really? He looks quite young to be a Captain. Young, but cute.” She smiled and took hold of Lisa's arm. “You just have to introduce me to him."
"No, please, Carolyn. Just ignore him. Please." Her pleading had no affect. Carolyn had obviously decided to go after him, and Lisa was forced to follow her. Carolyn held on to her arm as she crossed the room to meet the men. Lisa's dress brushed against the big, soft couch that faced a stone fireplace. Two of her closest friends sat in the adjoining lush armchairs, and beckoned her to join them. She returned an apologetic smile as Carolyn pulled her along.
Lisa noted the adoring smile that spread across Tom's face as his gaze connected with hers. Her long, blond hair was tied up in curls, and she knew the stunning deep blue dress she wore fitted her perfectly. She smiled back at him, but then shot a quick warning glance at Carolyn, knowing Tom would get her meaning. He looked at Mike, who was busy talking to him as though there was no one else in the room, and smiled back at her knowingly.
"...we'd just touched down on the ice and I managed to make it sit on the snow really smoothly when suddenly the whole plane sunk to the left." Mike acted out the scene with his hands, leaning his body sideways as if he was at the controls of the aircraft, willing it to fly. "I had prepared for it since the guy who usually flies there warned me about it. So, because we were still hurtling along about a hundred and twenty knots, I simply pushed the throttles forward, leveled the wings and flew it along the ground onto safer ice."
"A crevice underneath?"
"Yeah. You can't tell from the air. It all looks absolutely smooth, and when you touch down it may be the last thing you do. That obviously counts only during the first flight of the season. The ground-crew check the ice fields regularly once they are there, but the first landing of the year can be a bit unnerving."
Mike still paid no heed to the women standing next to them. Lisa received a loving kiss on the cheek from Tom.
"Everything alright?"
"Yes, everything's fine. How are you, Mike?" Lisa fixed her eyes on his as if to bring him back to Earth, away from his aircrafts.
"Hi, Lisa. I'm fine. Good to see you again. You've arranged a great birthday party for this old man." He shoved Tom's arm playfully, who shot a feigned look of dismay back at Mike.
"Tom's not old, Mike." She touched her husband’s arm lovingly, and then turned her attention back to Mike. "It's good to see you though. Where have you been this time?"
A wide grin lit Mike’s face. "All over the place. Antarctica, Africa, South America. You name it."
"You were gone for a long time. The children have been asking about you, Jack especially."
"They have? How's Jack, anyway?"
"The same," she sighed. Jack was her eldest son, and the wildest of her children.
"So he's still getting on your nerves." Mike laughed.
"That's an understatement," Tom interjected with a deep sigh.
"Mike, I want you to meet a good friend of mine. Carolyn Hughes, Michael Lewis. " Lisa gestured toward her friend.
Mike gave Carolyn a quick glance and offered his hand. "Nice to meet you, Carolyn." His posture reflected a cool politeness.
She clasped his hand, then placed her other hand on top of his. "It's very nice to meet you, Mister Lewis."
The sudden flash of annoyance that flared in Mike’s eyes as he pulled his hand away told Lisa it was time to divert her friend away from him, that very second.
"I hope you're enjoying the party." His voice sounded indifferent. He turned back to Tom, dismissing Carolyn completely.
She was about to say something when Lisa took hold of her arm and ushered her away. "Lisa!" she whispered, but Lisa was determined to get her away from Mike.
"No, you come with me. Forget him, he's nothing but trouble," she said sternly, once she was sure Mike couldn’t hear her.
***
Professional Reviews
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ENTIRELY YOURS
E. R. HAZE
ISBN: (10)1877546305 / (13) 978-1877546303
Feb 2010
Bluewood Publishing
http://www.bluewoodpublishing.com
Trade Paperback / Ebook
$16.99 / $6.99
342 pages
Contemporary Romance
Rating: 3 Cups
Mike Lewis first meets Katie at his buddy’s hanger where she is taking her first solo glider flight. Her smile and vivacious personality attract him, but he has a contract to honor and must leave for Africa. Besides, for Mike, any type of involvement just is not in the forecast.
Katie immediately feels a connection to Mike. She finds his nervousness and flustered attempts to make conversation charming. It seems so at odds with the skilled, professional pilot she knows him to be – he is intriguing. She delights in his company and always saves a special smile for him.
During his absence, Katie makes her planned move to Boston and in the process becomes friends with Tom and Lisa. The pair is probably Mike’s closest friends. They, especially, recognize that Mike has unresolved issues from his past, and warn Katie to guard her heart.
I like this book. There are numerous characters and several sub-plots that are deftly handled. Personally, I am disconcerted when the speaker in a dialogue is not readily identified. I would have preferred to have seen improved differentiation in that area. I was also, a time or two, jarred out of the generally smooth story rendition by an unexpected transition to another storyline. However, the overall sequence of events is well-planned so that there are unexpected twists, adding depth and interest to the narrative. As a bonus, I learned a few interesting factoids about airplanes and gliders, but I will confess I have no desire to be a passenger when stunts are being performed – I will gladly pass. Just reading the descriptions of the maneuvers is enough to scare me! At times while reading, the limits of my credibility were tested but when I reached the end I found I was sorry to let the story go.
The Matchmaker:
Angela Calminetti, mother of five, New Age practitioner and gifted psychic and telepath, is proud of her family ties and does everything she can to make sure that all of her younger siblings are as happy in love and marriage
When Miranda Nolan inherits a house she soon discovers a need to solve the mysteries surrounding the late owner along with resolving the strong attraction she feels for a co-claimant who lost his hearing and faces a world of silence.
