I do a lot of my reading with my Kindle now, but the second I step foot inside a bookstore, I realize how much I miss the feel and smell of books. Yesterday, I spent a couple of hours browsing in Books a Million. I haven't been in that store in well over a year, but once I got inside, I got lost.  And I started buying. Four of the books I picked up are below: 

Then I saw a friend's book, and though I know her books are in the bookstores, it still thrilled me to see it.

I've known Lisa for years, and I was so proud of her when her Inside Out series made her a New York Times Bestselling Author. You can find out more about her at www.lisareneejones.com. She's a fabulous writer!

So before I left the store, I ended up buying the four books above, a jigsaw puzzle, and two crossword puzzle books, and I spent about $40. Not too bad when you factor in how much entertainment I'll get from my haul. 

At any rate, after buying a vanilla cafe latte and perusing the store some more, I finally left around eight-thirty. But all four of the books I bought are part of a series so if I like them, I know I'll be back. I could buy the follow up books on my Kindle, but it just wouldn't be the same. I wonder if paperbacks are reeling me back in. 

I've been published since 2002, and for Throwback Thursday I wanted to share a brief excerpt from the very first book I ever got published. It's entitled Heart First, and it's a contemporary romance. 

Excerpt


Sticking the key in the ignition, he started the engine and put the truck in drive. Then, pausing, he turned to her. “You might want to give me directions.”

Kylie flushed again. “Oh. Yes. I’m sorry. Take the next right at the light and it’s two streets down on the left.” She folded her hands primly in her lap. “I’m sorry you have to go out of your way.”

He gave a short laugh. “Geneva isn’t exactly a bustling city, Ms. Hutton. I could drive the whole town in about five minutes.”

She crossed her legs. “I guess you could. Have you always lived here?”

“I grew up here. Moved away when I turned eighteen to go to college. Came back about five years ago.”

“I wonder…” she broke off, directing her gaze out the window.

“Why we’ve never met before now?” He finished her question and her eyes whipped back to his. “I don’t know. Sometimes the smallest towns can be the biggest places to hide in.”

Before she could catch herself, Kylie asked. “Are you hiding?”

Mac’s fingers tapped against the steering wheel, waiting for the red light to change. “It wouldn’t make a difference if I was. My mother would find me. She always finds me. She killed at hide and seek.”

“You’re close to your mother?”

“I’m close to my family. Mom is, well, Mom. She’s there whether you want her to be or not, offering advice and giving a good whack on the head when she thinks you need it.” His grin broadened. “She thinks I need it a lot.”

“She sounds like she loves you.”

“Of that, there’s no doubt.” Mac didn’t elaborate as he turned down the street leading to Kylie’s house. “Which one?”

“Two ten, the white one on the corner.”

Mac pulled into the driveway and turned off the engine. “I built this house.”

“Really? When?”

“When I first moved back here. I own a construction company. We started out building residential houses. We’ve moved into more commercial opportunities now, but sometimes,” dark, blue eyes took in the familiar layout, “I miss the feel of this. Do you like it?”

“I love it. I loved it when I first saw it.” Kylie had to get out of the truck before she said or did something incredibly stupid. Her hand curled around the door handle, but Mac caught her wrist. Her eyes widened as she watched him lean toward her.

Dear God, was he going to kiss her? He barely knew her!