How to romance your Lady

I thought it would be fun to create a post about all the Alpha’s, the cops, the cowboys and the military captain that I write about, and how each one of them would put together a romantic dinner for his special lady.

Let’s start with sexy Joe Wilde from The One. A man tucked away on his rural acreage in Post Falls Idaho a cowboy barely getting by, and the one woman who he realized is The One, Margaret Tanner a former surgeon who has a gift with horses. Since Joe, is the backyard barbeque type, beers and burgers, and no love for fancy restaurants, he is more likely to try and whip up a dinner, something simple a meatloaf or burgers with a couple beers. This man is not a wine drinker. Then he’d take his girl out on the deck perched on his lap and take in the stars and keep her warm his way.

Now sexy big brother Brad Friessen who you met in The Forgotten Child, has grown up from his days of being a fast talking hot sexy rancher who appreciates beauty vs brains hanging off his arm. No with Emily, the first woman to ever show him what true love meant. He’d hire a sitter and take his sweet wife out to a nice steak dinner in Hoquiam, and maybe finish the evening off with some ballroom dancing, before taking her home and surprising her with whatever new lacy negligee he bought her from Victoria Secret.

Neil Friessen the extravagant middle brother is all class with his million dollar deals and not a hair out of place. No he’d insist on the finest dining experience with no expense spared. He’d whisk his sweet Candy off to Paris to one of the finest dining experiences then on to the theatre for a musical or play or something that’s received a lot of praise, and finish off the evening with an eight thousand dollar bottle of wine. Rose petals scattered to the bedroom and candlelight in the background.

Now baby brother Jed Friessen walked away from his family fortune. A cowboy who insists on doing things his way with no help from anyone. You met him in Fallen Hero and again in Secrets with his sweet wife Diana, the woman he loves more than his next breath. The mother of his children, and a woman he’ll go to his grave protecting. No Jed, would saddle up their horses and whisk Diana off for a picnic in the meadow. Hold hands and lay with her on a blanket under the deep blue sky. With no one around them to interrupt them.

Their wealthy cousin Andy Friessen is a man with a dark side that you first saw in Fallen Hero, but when he rescued his wife Laura this alpha is definitely a force to be reckoned with. You saw this in The Awakening, and then again in Runaway, he’s a man who doesn’t give his heart easily. Andy is a man every woman wants, but few could handle. For his romantic evening he’d make all the arrangements to surprise Laura, including ordering her a stunning cocktail dress that she’d find laid across the bed for her to slip on. He’d arrange for a limo to whisk them away to some out of the way dining experience, a four course meal, and then later dancing would be Salsa and something slow and sexy where he could have his hands all over his wife.

And then there is Eric Hamilton a US Navy Captain from Saved and Vanished, a man who fills many woman dreams of taming. A difficult, strong willed and opinionated man. He’s a military man in the blood, and loves Abby deeply. He’d surprise her with dinner. And it would be something special and creative some cuisine he’d learned from one of the many ports he’d been stationed around the world. He’d cook at home where the kids would be tucked in bed for the night and he’d slip on some romantic music something low and soft and he’d take her in his arms after dinner and dance with her.

Now, let’s move on to Sam Carre the cop and DEA agent you met in, The Choice. He pined for his dead wife for years even though she’d been a dishonest woman on the take. But when he met Marcie she stirred something in him he never dreamed he’d feel. With Marcie, he’d plan a romantic beach getaway, somewhere hot, sandy and exotic where she’d be in a bikini and he could appreciate the view.

Richard McCafferty from Lost And Found, a dark haired sexy man who could turn every woman’s head. A man in partnership with a dishonest scumbag, and really walks a fine line between truth and lies. Richard only has eyes for Maggie, his dark haired wife. Richard is a difficult man to read and you really wouldn’t know what he’d plan, but it would be somewhere private, where he could have his wife alone and his hands all over her. Dinner would be romantic a dark private booth in a restaurant a bottle of red wine and maybe a hotel room for the night.

Now last but not least, Zac, the gorgeous sexy scarred trauma surgeon who carries his own secrets and baggage from his years in the military. Diane’s new man you met in Bounty. He’d keep Diane at home where he could have her all to himself. He wouldn’t take her to his place, he’d cook dinner for her at her place and then he’d put on some soft music and he’d listen to Diane, let her talk and then show her how special she is to him.

There is only one thing all these strong Alpa’s have in common and that is they are strong willed men who are by no means a pushover for anyone. But each one of these sexy complex men has their own story, their own baggage, and each one of them is fiercely protective of his lady.

Danger ~ Deception ~ Devotion

In my new romantic suspense series, Walk the Right Road, I've introduced some interesting characters one of which is Dan McKenzie, a man who is not as he seems. But as a man he is in fact a predator. If you've read The Choice you may identify with how Marcie was preyed upon and maybe you too had at one time in your life been the victim of a predator? Or could you be now?

There are many species of predators. Do you understand the difference? A predator is something that hunts prey. Prey is something that is attacked. A predator feeds off his prey.

There’s a particular predator that has the ability to slip in under the radar and prey on women’s vulnerability. With an ability to cloud the invisible barrier of right and wrong. From my novel, The Choice, Dan McKenzie is the epitome of this type of predator.

This is a moral dilemma, a social problem. At which point does it become criminal? Who holds these predators who flood society accountable? How does society fuel a predators power? Would you recognize the signs? Predators have the ability to focus solely on you with that intense charm, charisma--that gifted ability in an instant to transfer all their attention on you.

Who’s their target?

The special needs, smart educated women, professionals, single mothers, married women, children, a specific race. No one’s immune. And they choose their victims carefully going after the weak that lack self esteem and are filled with self doubt. They read your thoughts. They know how to feed your ego with compliments. The attention is bewitching. They feign interest in everything you do. But make no mistake this an illusion.

They seem to understand and completely get you. They reel you into their web of lies with a gift to make you want to do anything for them. What would you do for someone you love?

Who are they and where are they? Don’t be fooled they’re everywhere, and they can present themselves as respectable members of society. They can be careworkers, politicians, teachers, contractors, church workers, and police officers. They are gifted with an ability to mimic emotions without feeling them. They have an explosive charm that seduces you. Reeling you in.

Then they hurt you. And this can be done in any subtle form. Physical, emotional or spiritual. And remember, after, their genuinely sorry. They do this to keep you off balance for what they truly are. Someone with no remorse--no conscience, and no sense of responsibility.

They’ll take the credit; but never the blame. And when they hurt you again, it was your fault, or you made him do it. They truly believe you are fortunate to be given their time and attention.

Why do they need to hurt you? It is their sole purpose. To them it is pleasure to create much emotional turmoil, guilt, self-doubt and depression. They practice this trickery--honing their skill.

Similar to darkness, the only way for it to survive is to destroy the light. The goal is to destroy you emotionally.

Ask yourself if you have what it takes to stand up to a predator?

Remember Rosa Parks? She is known as the woman who refused to give up her seat to a white man. Her quotes:

The only tired I was, was tired of giving in.

I knew someone had to take the first step and I made up my mind not to move.

At the time I was arrested I had no idea it would turn into this. It was a day like any other day. The only thing that made it significant was that the masses of people joined in.

As times change so do predators. They come in many forms and not always the same skin.

And remember a predator will come again and repeat the performance.

So what is a predator? Someone whose sole purpose is to eliminate your power. Like Marcie in The Choice, have you ever had to stand up to a Predator?

 "From the Pacific Northwest to New Orleans, with its rich Cajun heritage, dialect, food...and voodoo, comes this spellbinder from Ms Eckhart. From drugs to the DEA, all combines into a masterful book of suspense...you cannot put down, or look away from." Elysabeth Fasland

A Freak Accident.
A Drug Bust Gone Bad. 

One Haunting Question. What would you do for someone you love?

Walk the Right Road Series - Short Story - Running Late

For those of you who’ve read my new release The Choice, Book 1 of the Walk the Right Road Series. Running Late is a short story when Marcie and Dan met.

Running Late

Marcie frowned as she hurried to stuff the last of the rosemary in a small plastic bag. Scribbling a price on a white, sticky tag, pasting it to the bag, and arranging it with the other herbs displayed on the small rectangular table at this Saturday’s Farmers Market, this early spring morning. She brushed her fingers lightly over the three dozen small bags of herbs that only filled half the table. She was late, she’d forgotten the peppermint, the lemongrass her homemade soap; her biggest sellers. “Well crap.” She closed her eyes for a second picturing the full dark blue Tupperware container, sitting beside the door. She cursed under her breath and shuffled around the sparse table. Her Granny would’ve made sure she’d brought everything. She was an organized woman, who’d protected Marcie, loved her, and raised her. But it’d been a little over a month since she’d buried her Granny, which sucked Marcie into her head, to relive her agonizing loss over and over.  

Shivering, she yanked on her Granny’s light brown sweater, over her green cotton dress just as her handwritten sign was picked up by a sudden breeze. Her wooden sign was at home, most likely beside the box of herbs, all forgotten, as she’d raced late to the morning ferry that shuttled her from her Island home, Las Seta, to the mainland.  

“Oh no, what else could possibly go wrong?” She darted after the hand written sign as it fluttered across the dirt path over to the lettuce lady who decorated her table with a bright red and orange tablecloth. That was just one more thing forgotten, her blue checkered tablecloth. “Stop it.” She swept back her long wavy hair that blew in her face. Could today get any worse? 

So focused on that sign and her self-consuming frustration Marcie didn’t see the long, lanky legs step in front of her just as she bumped into the solid thigh with the top of her head. She landed on her bum in the dirt, and for a minute, she’d swear she saw stars. 

“Are you okay?” He was in her face. She blinked. And he had the most spectacular hazel eyes. She felt her face heat as his dimpled smile widened over his perfectly straight white teeth. He was a magnificent looking man, just as she’d remembered. Dan McKenzie ran his hands over her shoulder and grasped her elbow, as he pulled her up. Oh crap was he tall. And looking up at him, she was sucked in by this nice wave of comfort. There was something so surreal about him that sent all those butterflies pounding in her stomach. And man he smelled good.

She brushed her hand over her swirly green dress, and looked down at her bare toes that popped out of her red flip-flops. She wanted to hide her dingy feet, as she looked around at all the other gorgeous women, with their painted, pedicured and manicured fingernails and toes. 

“I’m good. I’m so sorry; I can’t believe what a klutz I am. I didn’t see you. I was ... oh my sign.” Her face was burning. She wanted to hide. 

Dan looked behind him, and bent over so elegantly, picking up her paper sign stuck under the lettuce ladies table. He brushed the dirt smudged over the childlike handwriting. His fingers brushed her hand as he handed it back. And this time when he looked at her, she’d swear he could read her every thought. And for a second, it was almost a comfort not having to speak.

But then it happened again, her face heated, she knew damn well she was blushing. Every day she prayed she’d be able to shed this awkward stage of blushing at the drop of a hat.

Dan chuckled and glanced away, before giving her his entire focus. He stepped closer and touched her arm in such a kind tender way. “Marcie right?” This time when his caring eyes washed over her, they were filled with such gentle support as if he was preparing to be her knight in shining armor.

He always was a charmer; so nice. She’d remembered him from High School. They never hung out, but he was always the King of his people, but that was ten years ago. All the kids flocked to him. But even then, he was the life of a party. Everyone wanted him around. So did Marcie. She’d always worshipped him from afar, never fitting in to his circle.

“Yah.” Marcie turned to walk away. 

“So I didn’t know you had a table here? What do you sell?”

He was following her. He seemed interested. He was so close she could feel his warmth. But how could he be interested in someone as unsophisticated and boring as her? She was nothing like the gorgeous blondes she’d always seen draped around him.

She scurried behind her table. Safe at last, now she could focus on her herbs. “I sell herbs, rosemary, oregano, sage, lavender. I’ve even bottled some essential oils. I’m sorry it’s so sparse today. I just wasn’t organized this morning, and I almost missed the ferry. And I forgot the peppermint, lemongrass... and I’m rambling. I’m sorry.” She didn’t know where the giggle came from. She covered her mouth, as Dan crossed his solid arms over his broad chest. His short reddish hair seemed to glow under the glistening sun. And this time she saw humor shine down from his mesmerizing eyes, not in a ridiculing way, but in a supportive captivating loving way.

“Well Miss Marcie. It was good to see you. I’ll be seeing you around I think.” 

“You too Dan. Thanks for your help.” He saluted her in a casual fun way, as he strode away. And Marcie couldn’t help admiring the fine package that he was, hoping he would truly stop by and see her again.

Now Available ~ Book 2 of the Walk the Right Road Series ~ Lost and Found

How Does A Man Discredit A Woman?

The man was so charming. Remember the warning your mother or grandmother gave you about the way of charming men? Well it’s all about Power and Control.

Except we expect him stand out and be flashy and easily identifiable. The reason these suave sophisticated predators do so well in society is because of their skill. They are in fact some of the most respected members of the community.Underneath that you’ll find a trail of women and sometimes men they’ve used to make their way to the top.

Are all men predators? No, but the ones that are do considerable damage. They can be movers and shakers with positions of power in your community. They can be handsome and charismatic, and they attract women as bees to honey. Are they players? Some are some aren’t. But they are the guy—women/girls want to have in their life. Like the socially skilled predator they know how to fit into polite society. They hold really great positions, jobs, high profile, public, or working with the needy. They can be with the Fire Department, Police. Contractors who build homes, politicians, care workers, doctors, social workers. They seek positions where they’re in control like the property owner who rents homes to single mothers. They're masters at clouding a woman's judgment, and there isn’t a woman around that hasn’t at one time in her life been touched by one.

These charming predators can have fronts like the guy next door. They can also be the guy who parades women through his house like a revolving door, not choosy on who or their age. But unfortunately the latter is what we expect and is why so many women are deceived. How about the drop dead gorgeous forty year old living in a resort hotspot who preys on those hot teens sixteen, seventeen, eighteen...doesn’t really matter the age. And they do it in a way community members don’t know, or community members choose to look away. They’re suave, sophisticated, know how to maneuver a young girl, even an older woman into a situation for their benefit. And many of them, their motto is what can I take from her and what can I get for free.

They’ve practiced this skill secretly. This guy is that upstanding community member who donates his property for community events, helps the less fortunate, or the wealthy neighbor everyone thinks so highly of. And what’s really sad is he’s taken advantage of neighbors, those without a voice. Will those in your community know? Most will, but unfortunately what the predator counts on, no one will say a word. No one will stand up to them. And you know who pays for it? Their next prey.

The charm and power they exude attracts women. Because they know how to deceive community members, other women and men into believing their upstanding citizens.

But wait what if a woman was ever to stand up to one of these predators? They’ve already planned a way to discredit that woman or teenagers character. And remember these guys are believable in the story they can spin off their tongue, the lie. Because they live, breathe and practice lies. Deception is who they are. And what happens is women refuse to stand up to these predators, so do men, and instead they do what society expects. Don’t make waves, don’t cause trouble, keep quiet, and go away.

Because if you do stand up to one what happens next is he’ll discredit you. And how he’ll do it will leave you speechless. The well practiced predator will use another woman to spread his lies because he knows how to manipulate women. And women know how to talk down a perceived enemy, to spread gossip that will and can ruin another woman’s credibility, and destroy everything she’s worked for.

Community gossip is poison. There is a difference between warning others about a predator who will harm them, and destroying someone’s credibility. Ask yourself this the next time you hear someone’s poison. Who and what is really behind it?

A Freak Accident. A Drug Bust Gone Bad. One Haunting Question.
What would you do for someone you love?
 

What Happens When Someone Takes Your Child From School?

Stranger danger. What we teach our children—don’t ever go with a stranger or anyone without your parent knowing whom you’re with—where you’re going. You’ve pounded this information into your children, every scenario you can think of.

But what happens when your child is on a school bus. This is after school, and the bus is still on school grounds. The bus drivers on the bus too, waiting for the rest of the kids who are still filing out of school. A fellow parent steps on the bus with their child. This parent stands beside the bus driver and says to your child, “Do you want to come over and play with Jane today?” Of course, your child says yes, because they’re with safe people or so they thought. The bus driver has seen this parent around. Maybe this parent works in the school. And the bus driver lets your child off the bus with a smile and a wave to go with this other parent.

At this point, let me ask you has the hair raised on the back of your neck? Well it should have. Because at what point were you consulted? Were you asked? And did you even know?

This parent then takes your child to their home, and its then you get a phone call from your child—from this parents’ house. You’re speechless. You ask the other parent to be put on the phone. You know her, but cannot believe she’d take your child off the school bus—take her home without speaking with you first—without your permission, no matter how small the community. Add to that the bus driver, who smiled and let her go.

After a sleepless night you address the matter, because your gut, those instincts that have saved you time and again are warning you to not let this matter go, no matter how innocent everyone is playing it up to be.

You speak with the bus driver first thing in the morning. His response—he has seen this parent around school. Thought she was nice and that a play date had been arranged with you. Of course he apologies profusely and assures you it will not happen again. But this is your child so how assured are you going to be?

You show up at the school and speak with the fellow parent who works at the school. Her response, she didn’t realize there was a protocol and sees nothing wrong. Your child has been at her house many times. It’s her—she’s not a stranger. After all the bus driver let her go. And when they went back in the school to call you, the lineup for the telephone was too long.

Maybe it’s time for a refresher. For every school— every community— every parent and child. Ask yourself this question. Would your child go with someone they know? Your child your school and local police have been far too slack. Don’t listen to lip service from the school, or your local police, especially if you’re a single mom. I’ve seen way too many single mothers not given the respect they deserve. Find out how the school, police would respond? Check it out—how vigilant are they? Ask your local police, and yourself, how many abductions happen from someone the family knows?

A Valentine's Story - I Matter to Him

A Valentines Day short story about Marcie and Sam, two characters from my new release, The Choice, Walk the Right Road Series, Book 1

I Matter to Him

“Candles, wine, and what’s this?” Marcie lifted a silver plate warmer.

A light breeze drifted in the open patio doors fluttering the thin gauze of her white swimsuit cover. She peered up at Sam when he didn’t answer. He never failed to take her breath away. The way he looked in his white cotton shirt, his khaki shorts as he lit the candles on the small table in their beachfront suite in Mazatlan.

“What’s the occasion?”  Marcie touched the pink roses with sprigs of baby’s breath in the center glass vase. She leaned over and breathed in the perfume and glanced shyly up at Sam. His wavy hair had lightened from the two weeks they’d spent in the bright Mexican sun. His tanned face appeared relaxed as if he’d left all his worries behind. But then she still couldn’t believe he resigned from the DEA. And after the investigation collapsed, he whisked her away protecting her as if he could shelter her from everything. 

“Valentine’s Day, did you forget?” 

Maybe it was the way she stood so still and watched him that had him striding around the table and lifting her long windswept hair over her tanned shoulder. She leaned into his touch and needed to breathe. He was so damn good-looking, and still turned every woman’s head. But Sam was faithful to her. So it shouldn’t surprise her he’d plan something like this, but old wounds were hard to shake. With Dan, the one who fooled her, she’d told herself a hundred times it didn’t matter each time he ignored her on those special days. And she’d let him. 

“Hey babe are you crying?” She reached for his wrist after he wiped away her tears.

“Will I ever get used to what an amazing man you are, I matter to you. And I can’t help this. Because I can’t believe I found you. That you love me. And you never turned your back on me—not once. Even after you found out what I’d done.”  

He didn’t smile but the heat from his mesmerizing blue eyes left no doubt he’d move heaven and earth to be with her. Marcie kissed his palm when he cupped her cheek. And she allowed him to pull her into his solid arms as he rested his chin on top of her head.  

“So what’s for dinner?” She linked her fingers with his. He slid out her chair— helped her sit, and rested his hand possessively—protectively on her bare shoulder, when the wide neckline of the soft cotton slipped down, exposing the thin purple bikini strap.

“Maybe I should change.” Marcie started to get up, but Sam leaned down and touched his lips with hers. 

“No. You look fabulous, all sexy under that sheer dress you got going on there over that band aid you call a bathing suit. It’ll be less to peel off that sexy body of yours.” His smile was intoxicating as he lifted the metal plate warmer. “Rack of lamb, asparagus with hollandaise.”

“Mm” Marcie scooped back her hair and breathed in the fragrant aroma. “I’m starving. Thank you for doing this. I should have thought of it.” The truth was she had but a lingering fear of rejection poked its ugly head, like an unwelcome guest. Take a chance and believe was something she worked on with Sam—every day. Not once had he used her. He was the genuine knight she’d always asked for. And she loved every moment they spent together, whether sleeping, talking, sitting or just holding hands.

The candles flickered in the dim room as the sun lingered at the edge of the ocean—the perfect horizon—the perfect romantic setting with her Mr. Right. 

Sam uncorked the light blush wine and filled her glass. The fruity aroma she’d loved the first few times in Mexico, but lately turned her stomach. Sam held up his glass. “To the most beautiful honest woman who turned my life upside down and made me believe once again that truelove’s possible.” 

Her throat thickened and she tried to swallow past the lump wedged in her throat. She’d barely shed a tear her entire life, but since meeting Sam it felt as if she constantly blinked back that endless sting of tears burning her eyes. She wasn’t one of those weepy women, so why? Maybe, for the first time in her life she had a man who truly loved her—who truly believed in her.

“I love you. Damn you—look what you do to me.” Her hand trembled as she raised her glass and touched his. When he took a drink she didn’t. She set down her glass, and dropped her gaze to her plate. Picking up her fork and knife she cut into the lamb, took a bite and nearly groaned as the savory tender lamb melted in her mouth. All the while she could feel his eyes burning into her. 

She swallowed as she looked up. Sam tilted his head and swirled the light peachy colored wine in his glass. “Something up?”

Marcie blinked and wiped her mouth with the blue cloth napkin. 

“You’ve not had a sip of wine in a week. And don’t think I haven’t noticed you turned two shades of gray each time you get a whiff of that Mexican food wafting in from those outdoor stands. And you’ve been tired, unusually so. But then again, after what you’ve been through I just thought…” He shoved an index finger at her glass. “And you’re not drinking again. You feeling okay?”

She bit her lip. Set down her fork and rested her napkin in her lap. Marcie warmed as she met the gaze of the man she loved, who didn’t have a dishonest bone his gorgeous body. “Sam how do you feel about kids?”