FRIDAY WITH FRIENDS #2

I love hosting other authors. It's a fun way to meet new people and get a taste of what's out there in the way of fun books. I'm so excited to extend a warm welcome to M. Lee Prescott. Take it away, Lee!

A woman is the last thing on Ben Morgan's mind as he comes home to Morgan's Run, his family's ranch in Saguaro Valley. Doctor's orders, he's home to heal, but the sooner he can get back to Santa Barbara, the better. Then he runs into Maggie Williams on Main Street, prompting vivid memories of a magical night, and Ben's ailing heart skips a beat.

Father of her beloved five year old daughter, the eldest of the Morgan son's is the last person Maggie expects to have crash into her car and back into her life. For years, she struggled to forget him and to make a life for herself and her daughter, Emma, the mirror image of a father, who is unaware of her existence. Now, here he is, looking more gorgeous than the day he ran out of town. Maggie swears Ben Morgan will never break her heart again.

This first book in the brand new Morgan's Run Romance series, Emma's Dream will be published in print and e-book on August 25, 2015. Book two, Lang's Return debuts in early October (hoping for a 10/15/15 release!) and book three, Jeb's Promise will be published in early December. Spending time with the incredible Morgan family and their friends and neighbors is always a pleasure for this author!

EXCERPT:

This is a huge mistake. Ben Morgan's chest tightened as he steered the Range Rover over the Arizona mountain pass. Maybe the biggest one I've made in five years.

Then he remembered it wasn't his decision. Doctor's orders propelled him eastward, away from his gorgeous new home in Santa Barbara and a rapidly expanding business, which needed his attention 24-7. On the Coast Highway, halfway home, the pain now excruciating, he called 911 and told the operator he was having a heart attack.

The young whippersnapper cardiologist had smiled. "Fascinating diagnosis, Mr. Morgan, but totally incorrect. You've had a panic attack. I'm not sure what's going on in your life right now, but whatever it is, you'd better see that it stops now, or you'll be dead before your next birthday. Thirty-two is too young to die, don't you think?"

Now, six days later, he was headed to his family's ranch in Arizona, Morgan's run, and his enforced R & R in Saguaro Valley. As he turned right on Main and headed toward Gracie's Diner, a horn blared and the clunker in front of him screeched to a stop. Ben braked, but not in time to stop the Rover before it tapped the rear of the clunker. Ben swore under his breath and backed up, pulling over to park at the curb. As he did, the clunker's driver leaped from her car, screaming and waving her arms. He shook his head. Foolish woman had left her heap in the middle of the street. Tall and slender, she wore Jackie. O. sunglasses, a baseball cap pulled low on her forehead, a faded cotton shirt over blue jeans, and cowboy boots, the uniform for nearly every female rancher in the valley. Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore.

As she approached the Rover, Ben noticed her jeans hugged every curve, full breasts not quite obscured by the baggy shirt. He couldn't see her face, but he had to admit the rest of the package was intriguing and also vaguely familiar.

"What's the matter with you?" she screamed, walking in circles, arms still flailing. "Oh my God, oh my God, what am I going to do?"

Ben stared at her back, astounded at what was clearly a huge overreaction. The clunker was fine, hardly a scratch on it, although it would be hard to tell with all the other dings. Then, just as quickly as it started, the fire went out and she flopped down to sit on the curb, head between her legs, sobbing.

"Hey, hey, it's not that bad, is it? We hardly touched each other. No harm done." He sat beside her, wondering whether he should pat her on the shoulder.

Immediately she quieted and looked up at him "Oh my God. This just gets better and better" Ben Morgan, the one person she never expected to see again, sitting beside her in the middle of Main Street. Could things get any worse? She leaned forward, hiding her face, wondering whether he'd go away if she sat there long enough.

"Maggie? Is that little Maggie Williams? After five years, I'm in town less than a minute and the first person I bump into is you."

Maggie groaned and buried her head deeper, praying this was all a bad dream. If she hadn't had to make a quick run to the bank, she'd be at work in the cool, dark stables. "Please just go. I'm fine."

She could fee his heat, his nearness rattling her to her core. A part of her longed to lean against him and draw comfort and strength from his warmth, but the wiser half screamed danger. She kept still, hoping he would disappear.

"You don't seem fine. Look, I'm sorry." Ben placed a hand on her shoulder. It sent shivers of warmth all the way to her toes. "And I'm not leaving until I'm sure you're okay."

Oh, no you don't. Maggie stood and shook herself, stepping away from his electric touch. She put on her sunglasses. Another second near him and she feared she might actually swoon. His soft chestnut eyes regarded her with obvious concern. Although he looked tired and thin, Ben Morgan was still drop-dead gorgeous, in faded jeans and sneakers, his broad shoulders straining the seams of a worn Stanford tee shirt.

"I'm fine, really. It's been a crazy day and you caught me at a gad time. I'm sorry I overreacted."

Ben watched her, wondering why a fender kiss had caused so much distress. "Can I give you a lift somewhere?"

"No, of course not! I mean, thanks, but I'm okay now. Got to get back to work."

"Where's that?"

"Sorry, I'm really late. Good to see you again. Take care."

She hopped into her car and drove away before he could utter another word.

What the hell was that? Ben thought back to his one memorable night with Maggie Williams. they had both left Saguaro shortly after that night, but a part of him always wondered if there was something more to explore with his brother Kyle's beautiful classmate. While he had pushed thoughts of her and their one night of passionate sex from his mind, as he watched her drive away, Ben realized that he had spent five years comparing every woman he met to Maggie Williams.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

M. Lee Prescott is the author of dozens of works of fiction for adults, young adults and children, among them the Ricky Steele Mysteries (Prepped to Kill, Gadfly, Lost in Spindle City), The Roger and Bess Mysteries (A Friend in Silence, In the Name of Silence and The Silence of Memory) Jigsaw, Song of the Spirit, and her newest contemporary romance series, Morgan's Run Romances.

Three of her nonfiction titles have been published by Heinemann and she has published numerous articles in her field of literacy education. Lee is a professor of education at a small New England liberal arts college where she teaches reading and writing pedagogy. Her current research focuses on mindfulness and connections to reading and writing. She regularly teaches abroad, most recently in Singapore.

Lee has lived in southern California (loved those Laguna nights!), Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and various spots in New England. Currently, she resides in Massachusetts on a beautiful river, where she canoes, swims, and watches an incredible variety of wildlife pass by. She is the mother of two grown sons and spends lots of time with them, their beautiful wives, and her amazing grandchildren. When not teaching or writing, Lee's passions revolve around family, yoga (Kripalu is a second home), swimming, sharing mindfulness with children and adults, and walking.

Lee loves to hear from readers. Email her anytime and visit her website to hear the latest and sign up for her newsletters!

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