Harboring visions of Gone With the Wind, she determines to use River Peace as a temporary reprieve from her troubles. Images of Tara quickly evaporate when she arrives to discover the reality of her inheritance, however.
River Peace has history, grace and style going for it. After only one night, Margaret discovers that it also has a ghost. She’s visited by a male spirit from the time of the War Between the States, who knows how to make a woman feel special. And very loved.
Aaron Belton meets Margaret when she first arrives in Virginia. He’s renowned for historic renovations on a multitude of properties, but he’s got a special place in his heart for River Peace. He and his family believe the property always should have belonged to them. In fact, Aaron will do almost anything to make that happen. When his passion for the house changes to a passion for the house’s owner, Aaron’s as surprised as anyone. Can he gain both, the woman and the house? To do so, he’ll have to face a spectral being.
And his own destiny.
If money were no object, where would you go for a Spring Break vacation and why?
Italy. Years ago, my sister-in-law asked if I would go with her to Italy. This would be her third trip but she didn’t want to go alone. I said sure and so we set up the schedule for March when it wouldn’t be too cold and yet not too crowded, either. She told me that she knew I’d want to go back again and again—like she did. As the date crept up on me, I began to have doubts about the trip. I didn’t know any of the language and I just wasn’t sure about the money or how important it was to see Rome, Florence, and Venice in the overall scheme of things. I finally practically dragged myself to the airport. Once there, I was fine. And she was right—the minute we had to come home I wished the trip could go on. I would love to go back, with hubby this time. What a beautiful place!
Why is your featured book a must-read this spring?
Spring is the time for new love, and Aaron and Margaret tiptoe through the tulips to reach that point. First as adversaries of a sort, then lovers, and finally as love-ers. Plus, to me, Margaret is such a delicious character—so naïve and yet so comfortable in her own beliefs and biases. She’s not malicious, just totally unaware that there is a world outside the one she knows. She’s fun and her acknowledgement of her ghostly resident makes the book (IMO) a must read!
Also, it was a Top Pick! In Romantic Times the year it was first published, and Paranormal Romance Guild gave it 5 stars (“A brilliant paranormal romance with plenty of hot interludes. Highly recommend!”)
He straightened, standing close to the car and effectively blocking her exit. Still looking out the window, Margaret found herself facing his belt buckle, peeking out between the edges of the wool vest he wore. Involuntarily, she moved her eyes a little lower and saw a bulge in his jeans that startled her with its size. She gulped, feeling herself blush, but couldn't seem to force her eyes away.
Fantasies assailed her. Was his member really as large as it seemed, based on that bulge? She stopped herself. Member? That was no "member," that was a cock, plain and simple. And a big one, too. God, how would it be to touch it through his rough jeans? Her hand lifted off her lap before she forced it back. Did he know how to use it? She'd bet he did. Was he married?
Wait a minute, married? Who cared? This was a fantasy.
Her panties were wet, the results of her wayward thoughts, and her nipples scraped hard against her blouse. She licked her lips, imagining his jeans pulled down around his thighs, his huge cock positioned right at her point of entry. He fit perfectly between her legs, as he slid through the moisture that betrayed her seeming disinterest, pushing into her...
She suddenly became aware that he had bent down and was speaking. Mentally shaking herself, she tried to concentrate on his words, at the same time hoping he didn't have mind reading capabilities.
"...road will narrow, and twist around. County maintenance ends after about a mile, so it deteriorates a little, but you shouldn't have any trouble in this." He patted the roof of the Ford sedan she had borrowed from her mother in exchange for her Z4 roadster. "The Rawling place is just about the only thing back that way. You'll see the sign for River Peace. Go right up the drive and the house is at the top of the rise. Got it?"
"Yes," she said tersely. She realized she sounded a bit testy, finding it difficult to focus on the directions he had just given rather than the bulge in his jeans. "Sounds simple enough. Uh... Go up the road a couple of miles until it deteriorates and then turn right up the drive."
He blew out an exasperated breath. "No, turn around and go back toward town. Take the first road to the right. That's Route 803. From there it's a couple of miles and you turn right up the drive. Do you need me to lead you?"
"There's no need to get male about this. Sounds like there are only two turns. I think I can handle that all right, thank you."
Snap! She glanced over her shoulder at the sound of the pump shutting off, then dug out her wallet as he put the pump handle back in place and screwed the gas cap on. He spoke and waved to the man behind her, who waved back before getting in his car.
"It's forty-one dollars," he told her when he came back to her window again. "They'll take it inside."
She thrust two twenty-dollar bills and a five at him. "Here. Why do I have to go inside?"
He looked at the bills in her hand and laughter lit his eyes. "Why indeed?" he murmured. He took the money and stood to leave.
"Wait!" Margaret called out. "Do you know a man named"—she picked up Ron Gibson's letter from the seat beside her—"Aaron Belton? He's supposed to be some sort of carpenter or construction guy or something. In a burg this size I figured everyone would know everyone else."
Leaning down again, he smiled, and Margaret thought her heart would stop. "Yeah, I know him. What do you want with him?"
"If you don't mind my saying so, you're awfully inquisitive. I have business with him, and that's all you need to know. Do you have any idea how I can reach him? Is he known for good work?"
"Best work you'll find in four counties. Can't vouch for anything beyond that. He's in the phone book." With that, he straightened and strode off.
She watched him go into the building, then a few minutes later come out and climb in the pickup across the island from her. Her mouth dropped open as he started the engine. When she hit her horn, he merely stuck his arm out the window, waved four dollar bills in the air, and pulled away.
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