Monday Morsels: God Father's Day

GOD FATHER’S DAY

by Lynda Rees

 

This is an excerpt from a scene when Justin and his critically ill father go fishing. It’s time for Richard to own up to his past and tell his son, before it’s too late.

* * * * *

“I came to grips with it, determined to become the type man she rated, a better man, one she could be proud of.”

“Mom was proud of you, Dad. So am I. You’re wonderful and have been an incredible father and husband. You provided us a great life. You’re respected and have tons of friends. Why?” Justin leaned against the sofa sipping beer, dreading what sounded like a defining moment in his life.

“Let me start at the beginning, so you’ll understand. I won’t beg forgiveness because it’s too much to ask. But at least maybe you will understand.”

“Ridiculous.” Justin insisted, wiping hair from his forehead, adjusting his camouflaged cap. “You couldn’t possibly have done anything I wouldn’t forgive. I know you. You’re a good man. You couldn’t do the unforgivable.”

“We’ll find out soon enough.” Richard winced, obviously under substantial stress.

Justin worried for his condition, but the doctor advised to say the unspoken while time allowed.

“How about I tell you everything from the beginning? We’ll see.”

* * * * *

Below is a short scene giving some insight to Becky’s dilemma.

* * * * *

Adrenalin surged through Justin’s veins. Steeling himself, he reluctantly hurled from the vehicle forcing each step, surrendering to the future—whatever it held. As he strode toward the entrance, a petite woman with a mop of bouncing chocolate curls ending below her ears strolled out wearing nursing scrubs, lovely but looking fatigued.

As she exited the revolving door, a man bolted around a dark corner heading her way. Panic blanched her face. Shock registered there. Her mouth hung open and she back-stepped uncertainly. Her arms flew in front of her, as if to fend the bloke off.

A tall, bulky uniformed guard shot toward the door noticing the interaction.

The stranger reached the nurse and grabbed her arm jerking her close. Her hand slid between them, and she emitted a meek squeal, like a mouse caught in a trap.

Justin’s heart sank at the sound.

The guy pulled her toward a darkened area. She attempted to stall by bracing her feet and bending. Resistance proved ineffective. The tall, muscular fella tugged hard—no match for the large, well-honed man’s strength.

###

Handsome, successful, attorney, Justin Martin rushes home to care for his ailing father and unravels an evil past threatening to destroy Justin’s perfect life. Vulnerable at his lowest point, Becky’s strength carries him through. She keeps men at bay for her and her son’s safety, but Justin’s broken spirit penetrates armor opening her fragile heart. Neither of them believes in love, and they certainly aren’t seeking it. Becky can’t compete with his wealthy fiancé. Justin discovers what matters most—in perfect time to lose it. Certain death looms in the sleepy, lakeside town. Vicious confrontation is eminent.

Amazon


📚  Find Lynda Rees here:


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God Father's Day with Lynda Rees

The Write Way Café welcomes Lynda Rees to talk about her recent suspense novel God Father’s Day.


Thanks for joining us today, Lynda. Congratulations on your release of God Father’s Day.

Thanks for having me. It’s a pleasure being here. Yes, release of God Father’s Day is doing well.

How did you come up with the hook for the story?
It’s interesting that frequently people know very little about their parents and heritage. They’re Mom and Dad who dedicated their lives to ensuring we had wonderful childhoods, made beautiful memories and learned to become happy, productive adults. Rarely do people dig deeper to understand the person behind the parenting façade.

I have a fascination about how history impacts lives of people today. Before you existed they led lives having nothing to do with you. That tiny bit of history can be shocking. At least it can be interesting and maybe help us understand them and ourselves better. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a huge historic event. Past everyday lives of those we love come with incredible revelations, sometimes explaining how or why our own lives played out.

Why a setting in rural Kentucky at a lakeside fishing resort?
I’m a big fishing enthusiast. Anything to do with water brings a smile to my face. I set the story at this small, family resort because I’ve found these places are almost always quiet and low drama. It is the most unexpected location for a mobster hitman to make an appearance.

Why the mob hook?
I grew up in Northern Kentucky during the 1970’s when the FBI stepped in and shut down organized crime in several major cities across the country. Until that time The Cleveland Mob ran Newport, Kentucky. It was a mecca for illegal alcohol, gambling and prostitution. Famous people came from around the globe to entertain or be entertained. The town prospered. When the FBI went after gangsters in charge, they ended Newport’s shady activities.

I thought about how the unsavory business would impact descendants of those involved. How did people turn their lives around or escape wearing concrete shoes at the bottom of the Ohio or Licking River? How did their families feel about their pasts?

Your characters Justin and Becky don’t believe in love, yet you’ve thrown them together.
Justin doesn’t believe in traditional, fairy-tale, forever-type love. Love is a figment of the imagination—a trick nature plays to enable procreation and a continuation of the species. He doesn’t want or expect to engage in such a thing. He plans to marry for the right reasons—position, money and power.

Becky, on the other hand, fears males. She’s been hurt and built a protective wall around her heart shielding her and her family. She’s afraid to risk caring for any man.

It sounds like they’ve experienced loss and been hurt.
Yes, losing his mother as a teen devastated both Justin and his dad. Witnessing his father’s agony, he swore he’d never subject himself to such pain. Justin’s an attorney and has seen enough divorce to believe love never really lasts anyway.

As the oldest, Becky’s been responsible for her other siblings since her parents died when she was young. Terrified of being subjected to a guy’s anger, she avoids a personal life focusing on family.

What’s different about Justin that makes her reach out to him?
Becky is compassionate and giving to a fault. As Richard’s nurse, she witnesses Justin’s despair and vulnerability. She sees how alone he is with no one to lean on. His vulnerability and need cuts through her armor, and she offers help.

Tell me about your story—the novel God Father’s Day.
Justin returns to their lakefront home to care for his critically ill father, Richard. Secrets are revealed, and Richard's sinister past threatens to destroy Justin’s perfect life. Richard's nurse, Becky, keeps men at bay due to a brutal history and concern for her son’s safety. Justin's despair and broken spirit penetrate Becky’s armor opening her fragile heart, but she can’t compete with his wealthy fiancé. Certain death looms in shadows of the sleepy, rural town. A vicious confrontation is imminent. Second-guessing who he is and disillusioned, Justin discovers what matters most—in perfect time to lose it.

What other books has Lynda Rees written?
Two are suspense novels about descendants of past mobsters—God Father’s Day and Madam Mom. Her debut was a historical novel about a woman’s struggle during the savage 1890’s Alaskan Gold Rush called Gold Lust Conspiracy. Linda wrote The Bloodline Series, suspense novels set in rural horse-country Kentucky. The books are Parsley, Sage, Rose, Mary & Wine; Blood & Studs; Hot Blooded; Blood of Champions; Bloodlines & Lies; The Bloodline Trail; and Horseshoes & Roses. She also co-authored a middle-grade children’s book, Freckle Face & Blondie, with her ten-year-old granddaughter, Harley Nelson.


Where can the books be purchased and how can fans reach Lynda?
Lynda Rees can be reached at the links below, and her books can be purchased at the Amazon link.


Website        Facebook         Twitter

Pinterest         Amazon          BookBub

Email: lyndareesauthor@gmail.com


Or join her VIP Group by clicking here:

Thank you for joining The Write Way Café today.

Meet God Father's Day Hero - Attorney Justin Martin

The Write Way Café welcomes author Lynda Rees, who gives us a peek inside her hero's life with a revealing character interview.

Handsome, successful, attorney, Justin Martin rushes home to care for his ailing father and unravels an evil past threatening to destroy Justin’s perfect life. Vulnerable at his lowest point, Becky’s strength carries him through. She keeps men at bay for her and her son’s safety, but Justin’s broken spirit penetrates armor opening her fragile heart. Neither of them believes in love, and they certainly aren’t seeking it. Becky can’t compete with his wealthy fiancé. Justin discovers what matters most—in perfect time to lose it. Certain death looms in the sleepy, lakeside town. Vicious confrontation is eminent.

Amazon


Thanks for joining us today, Justin. I’ve heard you were a big-shot real estate attorney in Nashville, hob-knobbing with the elite, but recently returned home to your father’s lakeside resort.

JUSTIN: Thanks for having me. It’s a pleasure being here. Yes, my career has certainly taken off since I met tycoon Landon Bridges, a real estate developer. Landon took me under his wing and opened lucrative opportunities for me.

I hear you enjoy more than a business relationship with Mr. Bridges. Rumors are you’re wedding to his daughter. True?

JUSTIN: (Clear’s throat and gives small laugh.) Yancy Bridges and I have been dating for a while now. She’s a fabulous woman, gorgeous and exciting. We’ve discussed matrimony, but I can’t confirm today.

Why the leave of absence and move to your rural, lakeside, Kentucky home town?

JUSTIN: My father, Richard Martin, has developed a critical condition and is unable to manage the resort alone. I want to spend what time Dad has left enjoying his company. I’m here to make his life as comfortable and pleasurable as possible.

How are you managing a critically ill father and his business alone?

JUSTIN: I have help. Luckily Dad’s amazing cardio nurse when he was hospitalized, Becky Simms, helped us. Her sister, Sadie Watkins, also a cardio nurse, now lives at the resort as Dad’s full-time nurse. Dad adores her. Sadie Watkins is a delight. She’s extremely competent and brings needed sunshine into our home.

What’s in the cards for your future, Justin? Is there a love life you’re not talking about?

JUSTIN: That’s a complex question. I don’t believe in fairy-tale, forever-type love. It’s a figment of the imagination—a trick nature plays on us to enable procreation and continuation of the species. I don’t expect to engage in such a thing. Should I marry in the distant future, it will be for the right reasons—position, money and power.

(Interviewer gives a snide laugh.) Is that right? Does a broken heart have anything to do with your attitude?

JUSTIN: I’m not sure what you’re getting at. Losing my mom at a young age was devastating, both to me and Dad. I watched his agony. I’ll never subject myself to such pain. Why bother? I’ve been an attorney long enough to realize love never lasts.

I’m sorry you feel that way, Justin. I hope you change your mind and find true love. Tell me about nurse Becky Simms.

JUSTIN: (His face breaks into a genuine smile, engaging tiny wrinkles beside his eyes, making an already darkly handsome face appear more human and vulnerable.) Becky is a fine woman, compassionate and giving to a fault. She watched over Dad like a hawk, and helped me get through bad days with him. She convinced me I’d need professional help to care for him once I got him home, and arranged for us to meet her sister Sadie. Sadie is an answer to a prayer Dad and I didn’t realize we’d sent out. Becky and her son, Evan, visited Sadie last weekend at the resort. That little scamp was delightful. Dad enjoyed having them as guests, and he seemed to feel better with them around.

So nothing can be done for your dad? That’s very sad. You have my condolences.

JUSTIN: No, nothing. We’re taking it day-by-day. It’s rare having the opportunity to say things gone unsaid and to make memories to fondly recall later on. We’re enjoying the time and learning a lot about each other. It’s been enlightening. (A troubled look filters through Justin’s eyes, but he quickly blinks it away.)

I suppose you’re uncovering some secrets.

JUSTIN: (Justin snickers.) Indeed, we are. Things are never as they seem. Be careful what you ask. Once you learn something, there’s no going back.

Wow! That sounds eerie. What other books has Lynda Rees written?

JUSTIN: Two are suspense novels about descendants of past mobsters—God Father’s Day and Madam Mom. Her debut was a historical novel about a young widow’s struggle during the savage 1890’s Alaskan Gold Rush. It’s called Gold Lust Conspiracy. She also co-authored a middle-grade children’s book with her ten-year-old granddaughter, Harley Nelson, called Freckle Face & Blondie. Lynda has authored 9 books in The Bloodline Series, starting with Parsley, Sage, Rose, Mary & Wine. These romantic suspense novels are set in race horse country of rural Kentucky. Two of these, Real Money and The Bourbon Trail, incorporate Kentucky’s mobster heyday history into the plot. Lynda is a U. S. history buff and loves showing how history affects today’s world.

How about that cocktail you promised?

JUSTIN:   GOD FATHER’S DAY COCKTAIL: Kentucky bourbon, vodka and Coke in equal parts, shake and pour over ice.

Where can the books be purchased and how can fans reach Lynda?

Fans can find Lynda at:


Website     Facebook       Twitter       Pinterest         Bookbub

Email: lyndareesauthor@gmail.com

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Lynda Rees is a story teller and dreamer whose dreams come true.  She lives on a farm in Kentucky with her incredible husband and herd of critters watching her children and grandchildren breath—fascinating. Born in the splendid Appalachian Mountains the daughter of a coal miner and part Cherokee Indian, Lynda grew up in northern Kentucky when the Mob reigned supreme in Newport and the city prospered as a gambling, prostitution and sin mecca. She’s fascinated with how history affects today’s lives and it works its way into her written pages. After a corporate career in marketing and global transportation this free spirited adventurer with workaholic tendencies followed her passion with for writing.
 

Gold Lust Conspiracy, her award winning historical romance, launched Sept, 2017 by Sweetwater Publishing Company along with Parsley, Sage, Rose, Mary and Wine, the first of The Bloodline Series of romantic suspense set in Kentucky horse country. Books 1-5 launch before 2018 with others schedule in the spring. Stay tuned.

Lynda’s first children’s book, Freckle Face & Blondie, is co-authored with her granddaughter Harley Nelson launching early 2018. Enjoy her stories. She hopes you become life-long friends.

Tuesday Special: God Father's Day by Lynda Rees

Lynda Rees

www.lyndareesauthor.com

Justin has it all—a profitable career and a superficial affair with a wealthy heiress. Her father wants him to marry her and take over his dynasty. Justin’s dad’s illness sheds light on a dangerous history haunting him at his lovely lakeside village. Revaluating who he is and what he wants from life, Justin loses his heart to a different type woman, Becky; who brings her own set of complications and risks. A shady past endangers their lives and futures.




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     Lynda Rees is a storyteller and dreamer whose dreams come true.  She lives on a farm in Kentucky with her incredible husband and herd of critters watching her children and grandchildren breath—fascinating. Born in the splendid Appalachian Mountains the daughter of a coal miner and part Cherokee Indian, Lynda grew up in northern Kentucky when the Mob reigned supreme in Newport and the city prospered as a gambling, prostitution and sin mecca. She’s fascinated with how history affects today’s lives and it works its way into her written pages. After a corporate career in marketing and global transportation, this free-spirited adventurer with workaholic tendencies followed her passion for writing.
     Gold Lust Conspiracy, her award-winning historical romance, launched September, 2017 by Sweetwater Publishing Company along with Parsley, Sage, Rose, Mary and Wine, the first of The Bloodline Series of romantic suspense set in Kentucky horse country. Books 1-5 launched before 2018 with others scheduled in the spring. Stay tuned.
     Lynda’s first children’s book, Freckle Face & Blondie, is co-authored with her granddaughter Harley Nelson and was released early in 2018. Enjoy her stories. She hopes you become life-long friends.

To learn more about Lynda's work follow her by clicking here: