Writing into the Sunset: Sweet Misbehavin' by Christine Young

I'm pleased to welcome an author I met when I first joined a RWA(Romance writers of America) chapter in the Willamette Valley. She was warm, welcoming, and already a published author. At the time I thought published authors wouldn't have a thing to do with a newbie like me. Was I ever wrong! RWA has taught me that no matter how many books a romance author has written they are still willing to help out another romance writer.

So give a warm welcome to Christine Young!

Born in Medford, Oregon, novelist Christine Young has lived in Oregon all of her life. After graduating from Oregon State University with a BS in science, she spent another year at Southern Oregon State University working on her teaching certificate, and a few years later received her Master's degree in secondary education and counseling. Now the long, hot days of summer provide the perfect setting for creating romance. She sold her first book, Dakota's Bride, the summer of 1998 and her second book, My Angel to Kensington. Her teaching and writing careers have intertwined with raising three children. Christine's newest venture is the creation of Rogue Phoenix Press. Christine is the founder, editor and co-owner with her husband. They live in Salem, Oregon.

Blurb for Sweet Misbehavin'

Cast adrift after fleeing the home of Jokul, the ice demon, Atantsi, a firestarter, grew to womanhood as she moved through time to keep the demon from finding her. Though stubborn and courageous, she was ill prepared to use powers she had not been taught. Her first sight of the intoxicating Carr McKenna left her breathless, and her second encounter gave her hope for a future she never thought she had.

A playboy, a second son and a shifter, a man who thought his life would be carefree, Carr McKenna was shocked to discover the woman he’d paid as an escort is a firestarter who is running for her life. He is the leader of all the McKennas around the world and that he has multiple powers. His passion for Margo and the need to defend her might cost him his life as well as hers.

Excerpt:

Two days later and in a rage, Margo swept through the lobby of the hotel. A funnel cloud of heat swirled around her. The inferno penetrating her body simmered soul deep.

Calm yourself.

Breathe.

Calm yourself.

She stopped at a drinking fountain to drink the cooling water. Breathe... Think of the summer blue sky and cool mountain breezes.

Believing she had her emotions under control, she quickly made her way to the elevator. The shiny silver gray metal caught images behind her as the people went about their business.

He paid my rent—bought my contract at the agency—paid off my nanny. How dare he! An inferno of wrath swept through her. Inside she felt as if she boiled.

Suddenly a garbage can outside the hotel burst into flames. The elevator metal caught the reflection. She turned, her breath catching in her throat. The attendant at the desk grabbed a fire extinguisher and rushed outside. In minutes the fire had died to embers, but the one inside Margo simmered, waiting for release.

She punched the elevator button then pushed it again and again.

Damn him. Damn, damn and double damn. I'm not going to let Carr McKenna wreak havoc with my life.

Doors in front of her opened. She stepped inside and punched the number four circle. Stepping back, she clasped and unclasped her hands, closed her eyes, inhaled long and deep. Nothing seemed to cool her body or quiet her rollercoaster emotions.

A few minutes later, she raised her hand to knock on Carr's door. Before she saw him, she needed to tamp down the rising anger. She needed to think of something else. Sophie, so pretty when she left her playing with the nanny. She'd dumped the crayons out of the box and was drawing pictures of their house.

Stay cool, stay calm, you have to do this.

By the time Carr opened the door, she was shaking from head to toe. On wobbly legs, she stepped inside.

"You look beautiful."

She whirled around, her hands clenching into tight fists. His smile and his dimples infuriated her more, her breathing quick and shallow. Unable to regulate what she was feeling and before she could stop herself, she swung as hard as she could, slapping Carr on the cheek.

"I hate you." But she didn't hate him. She abhorred what he'd done.

Silence lingered for a few seconds. His smile vanished as he put his hand on his cheek. One eyebrow rose a fraction.

"A... What did I do?" He rubbed his face, his eyes wide with seeming curiosity. His dimples had vanished for a moment but now they were back.

"I will not be your mistress or your whore." She jabbed a finger at his chest, hoping the violence against him would make her feel better.

His arms went out in a gesture that seemed to say confusion. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"I won't be kept." She didn't think the heat inside would evaporate. The inferno grew out of proportion.

"You need to explain to me..."

She stepped up to him, her hands on his chest. "You bought my contract and ended it. You paid my rent and the nanny. I will not be bought."

"I was just trying to help." Once again, he spread his arms wide, a gesture that seemed to question.

"That's not…”

The receipts in the ashtray flamed. “Oh my, God.”

Sweet Misbehavin'