Hello and welcome to another round of Weekend Writing Warriors, the blog hop where writers from a wide variety of genres share from their work in excerpts of ten sentences, with maybe a few more added on for your reading pleasure.

I’ve been sharing from my upcoming release Shameless in Seattle, and I’m excited to share the cover for the first time, below the excerpt. Aaron, a reporter in Seattle, is meeting with his friend Melanie, who has a big juicy secret that has something to do with her new favorite romance series. Melanie speaks first.

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“It’s the latest in the Shameless in Seattle series.  I’m totally addicted. Hot, hot, hot.”

“It looks ridiculous.”

“Don’t let the cover throw you. The retro look is an homage to old school romances, according to the dedication. The story is luscious, and funny.  And the action happens in places we know; places we know real well, like this place.” She waved the book over her head.

“Pioneer Square?”

That’s ten. Here’s a few more to get us to Melanie’s big reveal.

“No, silly.  This bar. The Waterworks. And Martini Heaven. All the usual spots, and even unusual ones like Squid Row on Capital Hill and the offices at the courthouse.”

“Really? Do you know the author?”

“No. She’s apparently a bit of a recluse. And the name is a pseudonym, obviously.”

Aaron noted the name on the cover for the first time.  Olympia Konstantin.  He lifted his gaze to stare into Mel’s too happy green eyes.

“Are you Olympia? Are you writing this trash?”

“What? Me?”  She hooted so loud other tables of drinkers looked over.  “No! But you must know the writer.”

“Why?”

“Because this guy—” She waved her hand across the muscled torso on the cover like Vanna White displaying the wonders of a brand new mini-van. “Is you.”

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Shameless in Seattle – Coming soon! Blurb in progress:

Aaron Schafer, star reporter for the Seattle Times, is shocked to find out he’s the inspiration for a series of bodice-ripper romances written by a reclusive author no one has met.  He’s even more surprised, and disturbed, on discovering intimate secrets from his past buried in the pages of Shameless in Seattle. Who is this mystery author, who has clearly been stalking him and stealing details from his life? Are they dangerous? And worse, will they reveal Aaron’s darkest secret to the world? Aaron decides to stalk the stalker, a decision that will change his life.