The
Congressman’s Wife
by
Charlene Keel
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE:
Contemporary Romance
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
All
Eden Bancroft has ever been to her high-profile politician husband is
a trophy wife, born and bred for the part. She believes she has no
choice but to play it—until she meets a talented chef and
restaurant heir who makes her feel loved for herself alone. The more
her husband uses and belittles her, the more deeply Eden falls for
Kaleb. Even with Mitchell’s congressional campaign in full swing,
the lovers manage to find brief stolen moments together. When her
husband is wounded by a bullet from a disgruntled lobbyist, Eden must
stay by his side. What she learns can set her free, if she has the
courage to take a stand.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt
One:
Kaleb
had been standing close enough to hear it all—not that he’d
intended to eavesdrop. He only wanted to try and give her some kind
of signal—to beg, if necessary—to get a moment alone with her.
When he heard her husband’s caustic words, Kaleb wanted to punch
him. He wanted to take Eden’s hand and lead her out of there, away
from the complete jackass her husband seemed to be.
Instead,
he followed her into the room where coats were checked for the
evening. The maid who’d taken them was nowhere about, and Eden was
digging through the racks when Kaleb walked in. She looked up,
surprised.
“We
need to talk about it,” he said.
“About
what?” She found her wrap and Mitchell’s Brooks Brothers
overcoat, draped them over one arm and turned to face him.
“About
this thing between us.”
“That’s
not very original.”
“I
feel it and I know you feel it.”
“Look,
I’m very flattered,” she began but he cut her off.
“We
don’t have much time.” He moved closer, aching to touch her.
“Your husband will come looking for you any minute. Just tell me
when and where I can see you again. Alone.”
“You
can’t,” she said. “My husband is running for congress. It’s
. . . it would be impossible.”
“No,”
he insisted. “I don’t know why we met or how we’re going to
pull this off but I do know one thing.” He was speaking so softly
now that she had to move closer to hear him.
“What?”
she asked, her lips just inches from his own. They were of equal
height and he could see how well, how perfectly, they would fit
together.
“I
won’t give up. I want to make love to you.”
“At
least once?” she countered.
He moved
closer still. “Once will never be enough for us. You know that,
too.”
She
sighed, lightly, and her sweet breath lingered on his cheek for a
moment before she moved away and broke the spell.
“My
husband is waiting for me,” she said. “You’re a little crazy,
you know? You need to forget about this. I’m married. I have
kids. I don’t have time for an affair.”
“Have
lunch with me.”
“Sorry—too
busy.”
“Just
let me talk to you. Give me two hours—maybe over the weekend.
Then if you never want to hear from me again, that’ll be it. I
swear.”
She
didn’t say anything for a moment, as if she was considering it.
“As intriguing as that sounds, I’m afraid it’s impossible. I’m
going to the season opening at the Village Resort up in Hunter this
weekend, with my best friend.”
“Your
husband going too?” Kaleb persisted.
“No.
He has a previous engagement. Not that it’s any of your business.”
He
opened his mouth to answer but Mitchell’s voice rang out in the
foyer. “Edie—let’s go. Where are you?”
She
flashed Kaleb a warning look and called out softly, “Coming,
Mitchell.” Then she left, quickly, before her husband could see
Kaleb standing in the shadows.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR
Bio and Links:
Charlene
Keel has written over a dozen novels and how-to books as well as
multiple episodes of popular TV shows such as Fantasy Island and Days
of our Lives. Her Dell book, Rituals, was the basis for the first
made-for-syndication soap opera. Recently she co-authored The
Tracks, a YA supernatural trilogy. Shadow Train, the final
installment, won a Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewer’s Choice
Award. Keel has also written screen adaptations of novels by
bestselling authors, and has worked as editor or managing editor for
a few international magazines. In her spare time she ghostwrites
books and screenplays for celebrities, doctors, corporate moguls,
spies, strippers and anyone who has an interesting story to tell.
For
more information:
Arie
Pavlou is a popular chef who attended Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and
then perfected his craft at some of the top-rated Michelin
restaurants in France and New York. He has lived and worked in
France, Cyprus and the U. S. and is an avid world traveler who speaks
five languages. He enjoys all sports and has a talent for
knife-throwing, which he perfected at Le Cordon Bleu. Currently Chef
de Cuisine at the renowned Bridgehampton Inn in New York, his
specialties include Caramelized Baked Alaska, Winter Salad, Roast
Lamb Fondue, Wild Game and Poached Pears with Mint Ice Cream. The
Congressman’s Wife is his first novel, and he’s currently writing
a cookbook.
For
more information:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY
INFORMATION
Charlene
will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner
via rafflecopter during the tour.
