Title: THE THEATRE
Author: Marsha R. West
Genre: Second Chance Romantic Suspense
Book Blurb:
When Kelly Lawson, New York TV actress returns home to Texas to choreograph and direct for her local theatre, she accuses a Glenview police officer of harassing two of their gay actors. Police Chief Josh Kincaid, the most recent man her mother has selected to be Kelly’s love interest, investigates causing upsets in town politics as he fights falling under the actress’ spell.
Excerpt:
“Kelly. Kelly.” A voice she’d recognize in the middle of a bazaar in India. The low tones of the Texas twang said you’re loved. Kelly Lawson pivoted. A short, blonde woman made her way through the crowd. Her soft voice requested people step aside. Jane Lawson, the epitome of politeness. In good shape at sixty-five, wearing her signature navy blue, red and white, seemed unaware of the admiring glances a few of the male passengers cast her way while they waited for their bags. An effect her mother always had on men. Once as a teenager, Kelly had asked her father how he handled everyone staring at his wife, and with a smug smile on his face, he’d replied, “No big deal. She chose to spend her life with me, which must mean I’m something special.” Then he’d laughed.
Kelly had hoped to have someone care for her the way her father did her mom. However, she’d chosen a life filled with obstacles to a long-term relationship. Steven’s face flashed across her mind. Her hands clutched the handle of her carry-on bag as the horror of her discovery spiked through her system. He was supposed to be the one, but he’d taken his own life rather than deal with the insecurities her success caused him. Two years and yet the pain and guilt still bubbled to the surface. She shoved down the cold emptiness to focus on the approaching woman.
“Hey, lady. You look great.” Kelly wrapped arms around her mother.
“Ah, that famous smile is much better in person than on the TV screen.” Jane stepped away, casting a glance up and down before she gave Kelly an approving pat on the back. “I’m glad Phillip convinced you to come home.”
Kelly scooped her suitcases off the baggage carousel, stacking the smaller one on top of the larger. “I got the Nikki Stevenson part because of him. How could I tell him no?”
“Some people might’ve. I’m not surprised you didn’t. I have a cooler with cold water in the car for you, dear. Let’s go home.” Her mother looped her fingers around the extended handle of Kelly’s computer carry-on bag, turned, and strode toward the exit. “Thank you.” Jane’s soft voice carried as people stepped aside for her.
Kelly blinked moisture from her eyes, grabbed a handle for the two stacked bags, and followed. When she stepped through the exit doors, the heat took her breath and brought her up short. The Texas summer oven. She brushed at the prickles of perspiration, which popped out along her hairline and hurried to catch up with her mother. “How’s Dad?”
“He’s okay. Perhaps fuzzier than when you were here last, but he manages.”
“I’m sorry, Mom.” Kelly took her mother’s free hand, squeezed. An ache filled her middle. After a while, Kelly continued, “Was the traffic bad?”
“The drive was a snap, because at the end I found you.”
The lump forced its way back into Kelly’s throat. She’d needed this after Steven’s death, but she hadn’t taken time to come home then. Losing the soap opera role might prove to be good after all. They got in the car, and Kelly took a swallow of the cool water.
The trip from the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport to Glenview took right at an hour-and-a-half. “Let me see if I have this straight,” her mother glanced at Kelly.
“You play the leads in and choreograph Hello, Dolly! and Anything Goes, but you only direct and choreograph West Side Story and State Fair.”
“That’s right.”
“It’ll be a busy summer. I’m happy your father will get to watch you perform again.” Jane pulled off Highway 377 toward the old square. Kelly silently congratulated herself. Wow, her mom hadn’t mentioned men at all. Apparently, Kelly had been wrong to suspect her of ulterior motives for telling Phillip about her schedule change, which made her available to work in Glenview during the summer. Maybe Kelly could come home more now without the fear of her Mom’s matchmaking schemes. Now, of course, she had time.
“You remember me talking about Cindy Kincaid in the Alzheimer’s support group?”
“Uh huh. Having someone to share your concerns with must help.”
“We’d been acquainted with each other for several years before we had the opportunity to compare notes and share tricks to help our husbands. Now we’ve grown close.” She braked for people jaywalking across the street. “Cindy’s son is named Josh.” Her mother paused to concentrate on making the turn. “Have I mentioned he’s the new police chief? Johnson retired, and the city council jumped at the opportunity to hire Josh when he moved from Houston where he’d been a homicide detective.”
Geez. Only moments before, Kelly had taken a guilt trip, believing she’d misjudged her. Jane Lawson hadn’t changed after all.
“He’s a big help with his father, and Cindy couldn’t be more pleased about Josh’s new job. She worried about him down in Houston. He’s divorced with a college age son.”
Kelly’s hands twisted in her lap. Here it comes. Wait for it….
“He’s a nice man, dear, very tall, a handsome blond, and if I do say so, built.”
“Mo-om.” The two-syllable word flew from Kelly’s mouth, and heat flowed up her face. Nobody could embarrass like her mother. Better derail this train. “Can we stop by Millie’s first? I’d like to check in before going home.”
“Sure.” She circled around the square toward the B & B. “I’ve had the Kincaids over to the house for supper several times. I’m sure you’ll like Josh.”
“Mother.” The name Kelly used only when she had to make a point. “I have no reason to meet their son. Thank you for thinking of me, and while I appreciate your good intentions, I’m not looking for anyone. Maybe I won’t ever be. But I’m not going to be interested in the Glenview Chief of Police.”
“We’ll see, dear.”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Universal Link https://books2read.com/u/mKyG2V
99 Cent Sale: April 11-18
If money were no object, where would you go for a Spring Break vacation and why?
I normally respond to questions about trips by saying I want to go to any place in Maine. However, spring in Maine can be a bit iffy weather-wise, so I think I will choose to go to Napa Valley and stay in a beautiful B & B with an outside patio. I’d spend the days walking around and shopping in the small towns and touring the vineyards. In the evenings I’d sit on that patio sipping wine I have purchased at one of the vineyards chatting with the other guests staying in the B & B. Gosh, I just may have to write a book set in a vineyard, though I’ve never been to Napa Valley, we do have vineyards in Texas. 😊
Why is your featured book a must-read this spring?
For me a spring read must have a happily ever after, which THE THEATRE has, though it looks very iffy, and you will wonder if the H & H can get it together. I’m not giving anything away with the story, but this is why so many of us read romance in whatever shape it may take. We crave that HEA.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $25 Amazon gift card.
Open internationally.
Runs April 1 – 30, 2024
Drawing will be held on May 1, 2024.
Author Biography:
I’m a retired elementary school principal, a former school board member, and theatre arts teacher, and write Romance, Suspense, and Second Chances. Experience Required. I live in Texas with my supportive lawyer husband and Charley, a deaf, Chihuahua/Jack Russell Terrier. Our two daughters presented us with three delightful grandchildren all who live nearby.
The theme of my eight books is always second chances. I even named my four-part series The Second Chances Series. I believe in Happily Ever Afters. My husband picked up a plaque for me on one of our several trips to Maine that states my philosophy exactly. Everything will be all right in the end. If it’s not all right, it’s not the end. The Heroines and Heroes in my books range in age from 40 to late 50s and their parents and children often playing supporting roles.
I am member of North Texas Romance Writers, Texas Authors Institute, and the WORD BY WORD Blog. I send out a monthly newsletter and give away an e-book to some lucky commenter with each issue. I enjoy making presentations to groups, and I’ve twice taught a Silver Frogs class on Indie Publishing for Texas Christian University. My books can be found on Books to Read, AMAZON, B & N, KOBO, and iTunes. Print books are also at Indie Lector Stores and Amazon. You can find the blurbs and buy links for each of my books on my website.
Social Media Links:
Web site: https://authormarsharwest.wordpress.com/ Where you can also sign up for NEWSLETTER MRW Press LLC (list-manage.com)
https://www.twitter.com/Marsharwest @Marsharwest
Trailer Links Marsha R. West books
TAINTED https://youtu.be/URl5DnN3w4c
COMPROMISE https://youtu.be/KM0ACQn5Bzs
VULNERABLE https://youtu.be/Q2uaEusbZtI