Maxine Douglas Affairs of the Heart Newsletter

September 1, 2017

Grandparent’s Day is this month! We have two beautiful granddaughters who are sisters and as different as night and day. One blonde and one brunette. One in 3^rd grade and one graduating from UW-Whitewater this winter. We love, adore, and are proud of our girls.

In this Issue:

Quote of the Month: “The simplest toy, one which even the youngest child can operate, is called a grandparent.” ~~ Sam Levenson (American Author, 1911-1980)

Check This Out:

First 5 star review for SIMPLY TO DIE FOR! “I really loved this book. I have read all of Maxine's books and this one is by far my favorite. All her books are great, but the mystery and excitement in simply to die for is just amazing! I can't wait for another book in this series because I must know if Jackie gets her HEA.”

As well as this editorial review: “Maxine Douglas combines the unlikely elements of a candy store, adult films, and murder into an entertaining Romantic Suspense.” ~ Alicia Dean, Romantic Suspense Author

Maxine’s Romance Bookshelf ~~ Maxine’s Hot and Spicy Bookshelf

Featured Author: Tony-Paul de Vissage

In my novel, Absinthe, I had deliberately written an epilogue which could lead into a sequel if I ever decided to write one…and my friend didn’t let me forget.

“So…when are you going to write a sequel to Absinthe?” she asked, out of the blue one afternoon.

“Probably never,” I replied, and continued with what I was doing, which was writing a chapter of my new novel.

“But…what about all the questions left unanswered?” she demanded.

“What questions?” I tried to pretend I didn’t know what she meant.

It didn’t work.

“What questions…? Don’t play stupid. What happens when little David grows up? Are he and Rouge going to have the same relationship as Absinthe and the other Rouge? Will Étienne tell David about his father? And what about this twin sister? Where did that idea come from?” She caught my arm and shook it, jerking my hand from the keyboard which sent it nearly toppling from the typing shelf. I managed to catch it before it crashed to the floor. “Come on, don’t leave us hanging…there’s more to the story and you know it!”

I did know it…and as much as I tried to ignore it and work on something else, the idea had been buzzing around in my brain for a bit. I bowed to the inevitable and took up the threads where they’d been left hanging…and Essence of Absinthe was the result.

Essence of Absinthe may be considered mild in comparison to its predecessor. Absinthe was a tale of obessesion; Essence of Absinthe is a story of possession, and how the desire for revenge can survive and fester and wreak itself upon the innocent.

I hope those reading the story will applaud the way I handled that.

When the Marquis de Vaurien takes his family from France to escape the revolution, he places his son David in mortal danger.

David’s resemblance to Étienne’s deceased eldest son, Absinthe, means more to one person than a mere likeness of features. Geneviéve, Absinthe’s mistress has pined twenty years for her young lover. Now, she has a chance to get him back…and she isn’t going to let death stop her.

In a short time, David’s living body will house the spirit of a dead man who wants once again to live…and love.

A woman ran toward him. She might’ve once been quite beautiful but now she was

elderly, probably older than his father, perhaps in her early seventies. His attention was drawn to the fact she looked to have received a great shock if her wide, staring eyes were any indication.

“Madame.” He set down the glass, placing it carefully on a nearby lamp table. “May I assist you? Are you ill?”

She stopped in the doorway, staring at him. Slowly, she raised both hands. They trembled.

A wave of uneasiness swept over David. Is this some madwoman escaped from her keeper?

“Absinthe, my dearest.” The woman took a step toward him. “You’ve come back to me, as you said.”

David started. “I’m not Absinthe,” he answered. “My name’s…”

The woman wasn’t listening. Taking another step, she caught his face in her hands as she stared into his eyes. Briefly, David felt as if he were falling into a black and bottomless pit, where some nameless terror dwelled. He wanted to struggle, jerk away from her touch, but he couldn’t.

“Mon cher Absinthe…”

Her skin went whiter than the powder upon her face as her hands slid from his cheeks and she collapsed.

David caught her as she fell.

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New Releases This Month:

S E P T E M B E R 1 Renegade’s Rose *Book 6: Incognito* Network 5th in Command, Hunter Savage turns renegade to save his sister, kidnapped by Rex Kovac, leader of the terrorist organization R.E.D. Hunter’s only means of saving Celine? Steal Kovac’s most prized possession—his wife. Website / Facebook / Angelfire / Writers Exchange		S E P T E M B E R 5 Educating Dr. Mayfield A writing professor finds her career-long plan to establish a romantic fiction writing curriculum blocked by a department chair. Educating him on the benefits of the curriculum may also require a crash course on love. Website
S E P T E M B E R 5 The Future She Left Behind One woman's journey home gets derailed by her soon-to-be ex-mother-in-law in a novel filled with humor, small-town charm, rekindled love, and the resilient ties of family. Website / Buy / Newsletter		S E P T E M B E R 1 2 Second to None *Second Glances series* When a billionaire and a single mom get another shot at love, will the past tear them apart? Website / Amazon
S E P T E M B E R 1 5 Lord of Temptation *A Rogues to Riches Novel* When Lord Hawkridge inherits a penniless marquessate, he must abandon his courtship of the low-born girl he loves. Years later, she rises from commoner to textiles heiress. But how can he convince a woman whose trust he destroyed that he desires her far more than her money? Website		S E P T E M B E R 2 5 Hot & Sinful Nights The curtains are drawn, and the sheets are rumpled… Prepare to melt for 22 tales of lustful abandon that will fulfill your deepest, darkest, most secret desires on many hot and sinful nights. Website
S E P T E M B E R 3 0 Falling for Captain Hunk Captain Colin “Hunk” Lynch is tempted past his ability to withstand the sizzling attraction to the wrong damsel-in-distress—an undercover siren on the run from a heroin dealer out for revenge. Breaking his long-standing rule forbidding involvement with a fellow law-enforcement professional could be the mistake of his life. But more importantly, he hopes to hell it doesn’t compromise his ability to save hers… Website