Melanie sighed. "Yes, Richard is based loosely on someone I knew who had an impact on my life. It was therapeutic to write about him. I think the best part of Richard, though, is that while he is aggressive in his business-marketing-he learns that work isn't his entire life. That love, and family have a big place, if he allows it."
Maddox perked up and asked, "If this Richard guy is for real, maybe we should consider looking up his firm for our next project."
Melanie smirked. "Good idea."
"Oh my god, try this oatmeal raisin. Melanie, are you married? Would you like a third in your relationship? I think I'm in love with you," I exclaimed.
Giggles came out of Melanie and she blushed. She was cute when embarrassed. "Thanks Aiden, but Matthew is plenty of man for me. He's a huge supporter of my work. He proofreads for me, accompanies me to signings. He's the reason I'm able to be a full-time writer."
She poured me another coffee. I noticed she took care of me first. Because-favorite.
"What got you started writing? Were you always a writer? Did you study in college?"
Bentley glared at me and whisper-growled, "Aiden, one question at a time. We have a list!"
I shrugged, biting into some sort of chocolate peanut butter cookie. What a baker. I could fall in love with this woman.
Another giggle escaped Melanie, and I remembered she could hear my thoughts since she created me and all. I threw her a wink.
"It's okay Bentley. And no, I wasn't always a writer. I did it for fun and posted to forums, fan fiction. I had a wonderful friend who encouraged me to self-publish. I dedicated my first novel, Into the Storm, to her."
I grinned. "Does that mean everyone you meet goes in your book as a character?"
Melanie let loose a full-blown laugh. "I always tell my friends be careful or you'll be killed off. Not everyone I know is in one of my books, but I have featured parts of personalities that have graced my life. I have one book, It Started with A Kiss, which features a good friend and her husband. Everyone who knows her laughs because I nailed her character perfectly." She picked up her coffee and sipped. It was her second cup too. No wonder I was her favorite. We were so similar. "To answer your other question, I used to work for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Football Club. There's a whole room downstairs with memorabilia-I even have a Grey Cup ring from when they won the National Championship."
I almost knocked over my chair in my haste to stand up. "Can I see?"
Bentley cleared this throat. "No, Aiden. We have taken up enough of Melanie's time." Bentley turned to Melanie, "Thank you for allowing us to take up your afternoon." He leaned forward, whispering. "And thank you for Emmy."
She blushed. "I wanted you happy. You deserved that."
"I am," he assured her. "Now it's their turn." He jerked his thumb toward Maddox and me.
A bright smile graced her face. "No problem at all. Let me bag up some cookies."
She handed us each a bag-mine was the largest. I brushed a kiss to her cheek. "Thank you. I'll enjoy these on our trip back.
Anything else you want to say about your writing? Or in general about our awesomeness? I mean aside from the handsome, fun guys we are?"
With a wink, Melanie replied, "Oh, I think there is a lot more to you than handsome faces in well-tailored suits. I think there are layers of complication under all that fun. My readers need to check out your book available May 7th. If they loved Bentley, they will adore you."
"What about me?" Maddox asked.
"Well, if you'd get out of here, maybe I could get back to writing your story. I'm thinking July might be your month, Mad Dog."
He grinned. "We're out."
Melanie waved and disappeared into the kitchen.
I glanced around one last time, hoping to see Karen. She was my biggest fan. But she was nowhere to be found.
Maybe next time.
You’ve met the men of BAM…
Now Get To Know The Rebel
Reid— Available NOW!
Who is Reid Matthews?
A child, abandoned and unloved.
A teen, adrift and disregarded, using his superior tech skills for the wrong intentions.
A young adult, his future overshadowed by his prison record, his life an endless loop of loneliness.
Until he is given a second chance and a new life emerges.
A career he once thought he could only dream of, surrounded by people who show him that family and home aren’t simply words.
And a girl who shows him the greatest, most complex code he could ever write.
Love.
Vested Interest Series
BAM - The Beginning (Prequel)
Bentley (Vested Interest #1)
Aiden (Vested Interest #2)
Maddox (Vested Interest #3)
Reid (Vested Interest #4)
Van (Vested Interest #5)
Halton (Vested Interest #6)
Sandy (Vested Interest #7)
Insta-Spark Collection
It Started with a Kiss
Christmas Sugar
An Instant Connection
An Unexpected Gift
The Contract Series
The Contract (Contract #1)
The Baby Clause (Contract #2)
The Amendment (Contract #3)
Standalones
Into the Storm
Beneath the Scars
Over the Fence
My Image of You (Random House/Loveswept)
Depression, anxiety, and other thoughts can make someone feel isolated.
Know that you are not alone. If you are struggling, reach out to a mental health professional.
Someone is ready to listen.
Call : 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Visit:
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
www.afsp.org
https://letstalk.bell.ca/en
~A Word of Thanks~
There are always so many people behind the scenes when writing a book. They inspire, suggest, encourage, and often lift you up when the words don’t come.
Thank you to Lisa for everything-the editing, the laughter, and the support. Hugs my friend!
Eli, thanks for your help and friendship. You rock. Sws to you!
Denise, for your input and encouragement, I thank you. You are an inspiration to me in so many ways, and I am so honored to be part of the journey you are on.
Caroline, thank you—your keen eyes and support mean so much.
Deb, your skills and suggestions make my books better. You smooth out the rough edges, and make my words work. Thank you for everything.
To Beth, Shelly, Janett, Darlene, Carrie, Jeanne, Claudia—I cannot even begin to thank you. All your encouragement and the love you have shown to me and my work is beyond words. The friendships we have formed enrich my life.
Flavia, thank you for your support and belief in my work. You rock it for me.
Karen, my wonderful PA, and friend. You make my author life easier, and my real life brighter. I love our hour-long daily phone calls, your snarky orders, and the care and attention to detail you show to whatever task you set your mind to. The compassion and love you heap on me is so amazing. I am beyond grateful for you in both worlds. Love you loads, my friend.
To all the bloggers, readers, and especially my new review team. Thank you for everything you do. Shouting your love of books, posting, sharing—your recommendations keep my TBR list full, and the support you have shown me is so appreciated.
To my fellow authors who have shown me such kindness, thank you. I will follow your example and pay it forward.
My reader group, Melanie’s Minions—love you all.
Finally – Matthew. I can’t begin to list or thank you for all the countless ways you make my life better. How can a heart expand every day to love someone more? I can’t answer that question, except to know it is true. Love you to infinity and beyond.
About the Author
New York Times/USA Today bestselling author Melani
e Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of twenty-nine-plus years and their rescue cat, Amber. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.
While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and enjoys travelling, here and abroad, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.
Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet). She's learned happily ever afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story.
Melanie is represented by Flavia Viotti at Bookcase Literary Agency. For any questions regarding subsidiary or translation rights please contact her at [email protected]
Connect with Melanie
Like reader groups? Lots of fun and giveaways! Check it out Melanie Moreland’s Minions
Join my newsletter for up-to-date news, sales, book announcements and excerpts (no spam): Melanie Moreland’s newsletter
Visit my website www.melaniemoreland.com
Vested Interest Box Set Books 1-3 Page 73
