Sweet Sacrifice Grandmothers
Incorporated Sin

SINFUL INTENTIONS
Sin’s eyes fluttered open as the early
morning sunlight filtered through the skylight onto his face. It took a
moment for him to gather his senses and to remember where he was—burrowed
on the luxuriously plush carpet on the floor of the huge master bathroom
in their home. A sleeping Nedra lay in his arms.
He shifted carefully, trying not to disturb
her. He felt absolutely great. The love he and Nedra had made last night
had reached levels he hadn’t known possible. If someone had told him
that making love to the same woman after four years of marriage could get
better he wouldn’t have believed it, but it was true. Completely
satisfied, that’s what he was feeling. Could it get any better than
this?
He and Nedra had come home around two in
the morning, giggling like a couple of teenagers as they stole up the
stairs. They took care not to awaken the household.
As soon as the bedroom door was closed and
locked behind them Sin took Nedra into his arms. They made love propped
against the door, not willing to wait any longer to extinguish the
smothering embers that had threatened to ignite out of control all
evening. The sensuous salsa dancing had sparked a fire that had been
doused not only against the door, but on the sitting room sofa, in the
shower and eventually on the bathroom floor where they now lay.
Sighing, Sin closed his eyes, enjoying the
feel of Nedra’s moist body against his own. How many times had he
marveled at his good fortune? Being the object of this woman’s love was
something about which he had daydreamed, but never expected in his life.
He had never done anything to earn such devotion. Much of his earlier life
had been spent engaged in endeavors less noble. He had confessed all and
she still loved him.
Nedra—forever the preacher—had called
their union a blessing. She gave all credit for their good fortune to God.
Personally, he had never believed in anything he couldn’t see.
Orphaned when he was ten, bounced from one
foster home to another he had no reason to believe in any invisible force
about which he had seen no credible evidence in his life. Living by his
wits, he had learned to believe in very little other than his own ability
to survive. He hadn’t expected to become the wealthy, respected
businessman he had become. Actually, he hadn’t expected to live long
enough to achieve any level of success. Some of the activities in which he
had engaged as a young man nearly guaranteed his early demise. Sin touched
the scar on his chest that was a permanent reminder as to how close he had
come to death. No, he had never expected to live long enough to marry or
to become a father, but Nedra’s presence in his life had changed
everything. She brought with her love, hope, caring, loyalty and even a
degree of faith.
He had been slow to respond to the latter,
refusing to go inside a church except to be married and that was only
because that was what Nedra wanted. The ceremony was small and private,
held in her mother’s church and performed by her. Their closest friends
and the boys were the only ones in attendance. It was the happiest day of
his life.
It was a feeling that only intensified
after their marriage. The good fortune that reigned on the Reasoner family
was abundant. The finalization of the boys’ adoption and later Gillian
coming into their lives were the highlights. The foundation he initially
funded prospered and his import business grew by leaps and bounds. His net
worth was considerable, but it wasn’t the latter that mattered. It was
the looks of adoration that he saw in the eyes of his wife and children
that meant more to him than anything else in the world. He wondered at
such good fortune everyday.
Carrying his sleeping wife to their bed, he
planted butterfly kisses on her face in an attempt to awaken her. As tired
as he was he was still willing to go for another round of lovemaking, but
despite his efforts, Nedra barely responded and rolled onto her stomach in
her favorite position when he placed her in the bed. It was obvious that
she was down for the count. Covering her with the down comforter, he began
the task of preparing for bed.
Slipping into a robe, he exited the room
and went to check on the children. With that accomplished, Sin returned to
the bedroom where evidence of their amorous evening was scattered from the
door to the bathroom. Sin followed the trail of clothes and under garments
retrieving some for deposit in the dirty laundry and others for padded
hangers. He had finished that task and was headed for bed when he spotted
the suit jacket he had worn yesterday. It was draped neatly across the
back of a chair. Without thought, he snatched it up and headed for the
closet, but was stopped by an envelope that fell from the inside pocket to
the floor. Picking it up, he glanced at it briefly and placed it on a
table. He would open it tomorrow.
After hanging up the jacket, Sin dragged
his exhausted body across the room and crawled into bed next to Nedra.
Folding her in his arms, he cuddled against her and instantly drifted to
sleep. The couple slept soundly as the sun crept higher in the dawn sky.
Neither was aware that it was to be the last peaceful sleep that they
would enjoy for quite sometime.
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ISBN: 0-9719586-2-9
(CRYSTAL INK Publishing)
When a former high
school classmates dies, three “sixty-something” widows are
determined to prove that the cause was nothing less than foul play.
Certain that they know the culprit, the ladies turn the lives of
everyone around them upside down in their hilarious quest for justice.
GRANDMOTHERS, INC.
In the balcony tables were placed close to the railing so that occupants
could easily see the floor below. There weren’t many people up there and
none that she recognized, but she continued walking around until she ended up
in a section of the balcony just left of the stage. There were no tables in
this darkened corner. She was alone, so she stopped to listen to the music.
Another band had replaced the previous one and was just about to play. She
leaned on the balcony railing to watch as the couples spilled
onto the dance floor below as the band struck up a tune.
“It would be a shame to let that great music go to waste.”
Bea froze at the sound of the familiar voice.
“Care to dance?”
Slowly she turned to face the only person whose voice could make her quiver
inside. In the muted shadows of this deserted area of the balcony she could
barely discern the handsome features of the man’s coca brown face, but she
knew every line and plane. She took her time as she raised her eyes to the
wide shoulders that filled his tuxedo perfectly, up pass the slightly dimpled
chin to the still dazzling smile.
Frank Shaffer still possessed all of the animal magnetism that Bea
remembered. Oh, there were changes. Slight age lines teased the corners of his
eyes. His wavy hair was generously sprinkled with gray, as was his mustache.
He wasn’t quite as muscular as he had been in high school but it was obvious
by his long, lean physique that he worked out to keep his body in the best
possible shape. She noticed that his mouth still titled up at the corners when
he smiled which he did now as she stood flustered by his sudden appearance.
Bea exhaled. She opened her mouth to answer this question but nothing came
out. She was glad because to shout out “Damn, you look good!” would have
left her completely mortified.
Frank chuckled. “I’ll take it that the answer to my
question is yes.” With that he took her hand and in one smooth movement
pulled her gently into his arms.
They swayed rhythmically to the band’s melodious tones. The section of
the balcony where they stood blocked the view of the ballroom’s famous
ceiling. Gracefully, Frank led them to a more open area where they danced
beneath the crescent moon and glittering stars. Bea glanced up at the domed
ceiling and was transported back to a time when she was a young girl dancing
with the handsomest boy in school. She stopped herself from laying her head on
Frank’s shoulder, reminding herself that he had not only been the love of
her life but he was the man who had practically left her at the alter. This
is also the man who was married to Charlie Mae Crenshaw! The last thought
sobered her like a slap in the face.
As the last notes of the brass section faded she firmly extracted herself
from Frank’s embrace and took a step backward. His eyes scorched her from
her head to her feet.
“How are you, Bea? You look beautiful. You have no idea how great it is
to see you again.”
“It’s good to see you, too, Frank.” She was formal. “Thank you for
the compliment. You’re looking pretty good yourself.”
An awkward silence followed but his smile continued to warm her. Bea could
feel her face become flush. She dropped her eyes, no longer able to hold his
gaze. Frank spoke.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to stare but I can’t get over how little
you’ve changed. The same eyes.” He brushed a fingertip down her cheek. “The
same soft, lovely skin.”
To cover her discomfort, Bea changed the subject. “I’ve heard through
the grapevine that you’re doing fine. Your realty company is thriving. The
talk here is that you and Charlie Mae are very happy and doing well.”
“Really?” He looked surprised. “That’s interesting, but let’s not
talk about me. I heard about your husband’s death years ago. I wanted to
call with my condolences, then thought it best that I didn’t.” He paused,
knowing that she understood the reason why, and she did. He continued. “I
trust that your children are doing well.”
“Bryant is doing quite well. He’s a police officer here in
Indianapolis.” Bea hesitated, then added, “My son, James Jr., died about
three years ago.”
“Your son? Dead? I had no idea! I’m sorry. Charmaine and I never had
children so I can’t imagine what it must be like to lose one.”
Frank took both her hands in his. His look of sympathy was so sincere that
Bea had to resist bursting into tears.
“Thank you Frank.” Struggling to maintain control of her emotions she
cleared her throat and once again changed the subject. “You know, for a
second there I had no idea who the woman named Charmaine was. I mean Charlie
Mae.”
“Okay, Bea, don’t start.” Frank gave her a warning look.
She feigned innocence. “What? I’m trying to be nice and dispel what
they say about a woman scorned.”
“Scorned?” Frank was incredulous. “You’re saying that’s
what happened?” He shook his head. “ I know about women scorned, but ones
with selective memories are a different matter.”
Bea was taken aback. Selective memory! She ought to knock his
lights out.
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ISBN 0-9719586-1-0 $11.95
(CRYSTAL INK Publishing)
Bold and brassy, Sash Adams
is an unemployed recent law school graduate struggling to raise her
young brother alone. Why would anyone target her brother, Sweet, as a
kidnap victim? Even more baffling is why would the kidnappers demand the
ransom for her brother from a complete stranger? Desperate, Sash is
willing to do almost anything to get her brother back. Reluctantly, she is
forced to form a dangerous alliance with arrogant, media mogul Brandon
Plaine. As personalities clash, tempers flare and passions ignite, both
Sash and Brandon are faced with the question of just how much each is
willing to sacrifice to assure her brother's safe return.
SWEET SACRIFICE
Taking advantage of the limo having stopped at a red light, Sash
reached for the door handle. Once again, Brandon made a move to stop
her, but this time his tactic was different. Grabbing her by the
shoulders, he turned her around, pulled her to him and stopped her
actions with a kiss.
Sash stiffened, shocked and surprised by the sudden contact. Clamping
her lips together tightly, she refused him entrance; but Brandon was
persistent. His insistent tongue toyed with her determined lips. Slowly,
steadily her eyes drifted close and her lips allowed him entrance. Once
inside Brandon took control. His tongue teased and taunted Sash with a
kiss so thoroughly erotic that it left her weak. Then as suddenly as it
had begun, the kiss was over. Brandon pulled away.
Dazed, Sash's eyes fluttered open. She looked up at Brandon, stunned.
He sat back in his seat looking much too pleased with himself, waiting
for her reaction. She wiped the kiss from her lips with the back of her
hand as her anger flared anew. "You had no right to do that!"
"Yes, you're right, I didn't. But you liked it."
Brandon's reply was delivered with so much arrogance that Sash wanted
to slap him. Instead, she fought fire with fire. "So did you."
Brandon blinked, caught off guard by her perspective comeback.
"You think so, do you?"
Sash looked at him with a confidence so absolute that it left Brandon
feeling unsteady, much as their kiss had. Sash was much too sure of
herself. He was a man whose wealth and power had made grown men tremble.
In some situations he could snap his fingers and have people jump to his
command, but Sash didn't seem to be intimidated by him in any way. All
day she had challenged him, defied him, affected and, yes, attracted him
in ways that left him feeling uneasy. He had known Sash Adams less than
twenty-four hours and during this time she had left his body hot and
bothered, his mind muddled and confused. She threatened to invade
forbidden places inside his heart and he couldn't allow that. So he
lied.
"Nope, I didn't like it." His tone was frosty. "I just
took advantage of an opportunity. Sort of like what you're doing with
me."
Overlooking his veiled insult, once again Sash called his bluff.
"You're lying and you know it." To emphasize her point she
glanced down briefly at the telltale bulge in his pants, then back up at
him. She smiled knowingly.
Brandon turned away from her, and stared out of the window not
wanting her to see the truth in his eyes. This woman was
conceited...incorrigible... He had been a happy man this morning-young
successful, rich and in control of his world. He hadn't asked for Sash
Adams to enter his life and make him feel guilty about her brother, make
him feel... What? Her voice snapped him out of his reverie.
"I'm still getting out of this limo if you called the police. So
don't think that some little smooch is going to change that." Sash
frowned. "So, did you call them or not?"
"No," Brandon answered half listening as his eyes stayed
riveted to the driver's exterior rearview mirror. Suddenly, he leaned
forward and pressed the intercom.
"Driver, hit the next exit and don't signal when you exit."
Brandon leaned back in his seat. He was tense. Sash sat straight up.
"What's going on?" She looked out the back window to see
what had caught his attention.
"I think we're being followed."
In the distance she could see the headlights behind them. Sash closed
her eyes and prepared herself for what was to come next. It looked as
though there would be no peace for either of them tonight.
The driver took the exit as instructed, then a sharp right turn that
had the tires squealing and set Sash's heart beating like a tom-tom.
Brandon continued to rattle off directions while she kept watch out the
back window. The headlights disappeared for a few seconds, then
reappeared without warning.
"I'm not sure but I think that they're still behind us,"
Sash's voice was strong, determined, unwavering.
Brandon took a quick look over his shoulder to observe two tiny
points of light in motion. "It could be, but..." He returned
his attention to what lay ahead. They were coming to a four-way
intersection where a yellow light was turning red. There were no other
cars on the street. "Driver, keep going until you get to the
Monterey airport. Park anywhere there for fifteen minutes, then drive
back to the garage."
When the limo stopped, without warning Sash found herself being
jerked from the limo and running unceremoniously through the city
streets. The sound of their heavy breathing and the click clack of her
high heels beating against the sidewalk echoed loudly in the quiet
night. Along the way, she shed the heels, giving her a better running
advantage. Gripping the shoes in one hand and Brandon's large hand with
the other, she kept pace as he pulled her through the well-lit streets
until they took a detour into a dark alleyway.
"Where are we going?" Her breath came in painful gasps as
Sash silently berated herself for having abandoned her workout routine.
"Through here." Brandon was noncommittal as he tried to
find his bearings. He really wasn't sure where they were or where they
were going, but an instinct for survival was compelling him to go
forward.
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Want to read more of Sweet Sacrifice?
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AND DON'T FORGET ABOUT

ISBN 1-58571-017-2 $8.95
(Genesis Press)
SIN (Synopsis)
"My mother was a junkie." These startling words are
Reverend Nedra Davis' introduction to the handsome, mysterious stranger
named Sinclair Reasoner, who goes by the name, Sin. It is a name that
will prove to be prophetic.
When he turns to the Reverend Nedra Davis with a request for help
with two boys abandoned by their mother, it becomes obvious that more
than charity could forge a bond between them. But a dangerous secret
lurks behind Sin's seductive smile-a secret that threatens to destroy
not only their fledging relationship, but could cost Nedra her life.
Unknown to her, or anyone else, Sinclair Reasoner launders money for the
biggest drug dealer in Oakland.
To order SIN go to www.amazon.com
and type in my name, Crystal Rhodes. At Amazon.com you can read an
excerpt and after you read the book, don't forget to go back to
Amazon.com and write a review.
You can also order SIN by going to the
Publisher's website at www.genesis-press.com
or contact them by e-mail at
books@genesis-press.com
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