SARAH GRIMM IS HERE!!

I have Sarah Grimm and you don't! Neener, neener, NEE-NER! Can you tell I'm excited? That's because I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of After Midnight, and I CANNOT tell you how great this book is. YOU'VE GOTTA READ IT! And in case you think I'm a little biased because Sarah and I are friends (that's right people, go ahead and bask in your jealousy) keep reading, because I'm not the only one who feels this way about her incredible story.

Without further ado, I give you the talented, AWARD WINNING, Sarah Grimm...

 

I thought long and hard about today’s post. In all honesty, blog topics have never been my strong suit. Then I went about cleaning out my email inbox, choosing which messages to keep and which to delete, when I spotted a few that made me smile. I mean SMILE – as in corners of my mouth darn near touched my ears.

Yeah, like that.

Why? I’m glad you asked. As an author, I have favorite parts of my stories, scenes that are important to me because I felt I ‘got it just right’ or because I had an emotional response to the scene as I was writing it.  Then, once book is completed, I send it out into the world and prepare for readers to either love or hate it.

What happens to a man when
He spills his heart on a page and
He watches words flow away then
His feelings lie on the page alone
There waiting

Sorry. Lost myself in song for a minute. But that’s a totally different blog….

Back to my cheeky grin. Go ahead, scroll up and check out that smile again, I’ll wait. Done? Great!

A few weeks ago I began sending After Midnight out for review. While I was at it, I also gave away a few eARC copies on Twitter, my blog and to a few friends. And those emails?  Well, they were some of the very first reader reactions:

“Holy SHIT!”

Sorry. I had to throw that one in as it makes me laugh hysterically every time I read it. The reader went on to say:

“Oh my GGGGOOOODDD! I'm loving this book, Sarah. I love the conflict you set up here. With Izzy and the piano...and now no matter what he does, Noah screwed up!”

Hmmm, I wonder if I can give you a look at what this reader was referring to without giving too much away…

His need to touch her, to comfort was so overwhelming, he reached for her, only to have her jerk away. She turned to face him after shifting out of his reach. Her eyes were shadowed. Overflowing with pain.

His stomach clutched. “Why did you do it? Why play if you knew how this was going to affect you?”

“It’s what you wanted,” she replied simply. “You’ve made that pretty clear right from the beginning.”

He opened his mouth, but with nothing to say in his defense, closed it again. There was no denying the truth of her words. He hadn’t kept his desire for her to play again a secret. It had been his goal from the beginning. At least until he realized what he was asking of her. By then, it was too late.

Another email said:

The first chapter grabs you and doesn’t let go…

And

Just finished After Midnight. Wow. I gave Not Without Risk a 5. If I could, I’d give After Midnight a 5 plus, plus, plus.

*insert another large grin here*

These are the type of comments every author longs to receive. Seriously, we really do spill our hearts onto the page, just like 3 Doors Down sings. Receiving positive feedback just makes it all worthwhile. Sure, I understand I can’t please everybody – there’s just no way – but when I hear back from the people who are pleased with something I’ve written = nirvana.

I’ve been having a tough week (long story, doesn’t matter) and I was having trouble concentrating today. I knew I should be writing, but I just couldn’t focus. So I sat down and opened After Midnight. Well, it’s after midnight and I’m finished. I couldn’t stop! It’s wonderful! Once I started reading I had to finish it! I can’t wait until Dom’s story.

This one has multiple points to smile about, but one that mirrored the previous email:

This story really touched me. I will anxiously be awaiting the next installment. You’ve got me totally hooked on the characters and I CAN’T WAIT to find out what happens with Dominic.

I admit, I experienced a strong connection with Dominic when I wrote him. Strong enough I decided he needed his own book and happily-ever-after, which I am currently writing.  So now, because readers seem to have connected with him as much as me, and because it’s one of AJ’s favorite scenes from After Midnight - she’s been so damn good to me how could I refuse – I leave you today with a look at Dominic.

The instant Dominic strolled through the double doors, Isabeau felt a strange sense of déjà vu. He smiled in greeting as he eased onto his stool, but for the second day in a row, the usual glint was missing from his eyes.

“What’s the matter?” she asked, automatically wiping a cloth across the bar before placing a napkin before him.

He sighed while he spun the napkin with his fingers. “I could use a beer right about now, Isabeau.”

“Sure.” She turned to the cooler, retrieved a bottle and removed its cap. Hands unsteady, she settled the bottle atop the napkin. “I thought you would look a little happier than yesterday. Noah’s doing better, isn’t he?”

“Noah’s fine,” he replied, then took a long swallow of beer.

She breathed a sigh of relief and filled two more orders. It was only two o’clock, and already they were at half capacity. She got the feeling it was going to be a long, busy night, and she didn’t need the extra strain that worrying about Noah would bring. While she waited for Dominic to say more, she did a quick survey of the patrons, making certain that no one appeared to need anything.

Assured that she could take the time to talk, she glanced at Clint. He nodded at her, his signal that he would watch things, then went back to his own conversation with a customer.

She took up her customary position directly across from Dominic. “Spit it out, Dom, you’re beginning to worry me.”

“We need your help.”

She couldn’t begin to imagine what he was talking about. “What kind of help?”

His intense blue eyes locked onto her as he took another drink. Apprehension filled her. “Help with the demo.”

“How could I possibly help with the demo?”

As he turned his head, she followed his gaze to the opposite side of the bar where two businessmen stood talking, ties loosened, shirtsleeves rolled up. They’d been here for thirty minutes and both were on their second beer. But she knew it wasn’t the men Dom was focused on. It was the upright piano against the wall at their back.

The tight clenching of her stomach was automatic and instinctive. “No,” she said softly, adamantly.

As he reached for her hand where it rested atop the bar, she snatched it away and straightened. He didn’t need to know that she was shaking. That her stomach had soured and bile was already working its way up the back of her throat.

“We need you, Isabeau. Without you, our chance of getting this contract…it won’t happen.”

“That’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?” This couldn’t be happening. Even more painful for her to consider, it couldn’t be a coincidence. “Did Noah put you up to this?”

“He said you’d think that.”

“He was right.” Her heart crawled into her throat. The knot in her stomach tightened. “You go back there and tell him his ruse won’t work. Try again.”

Dominic’s eyes held hers, but he didn’t move. Didn’t slide off the stool and out the door now that she’d figured out the game, and called an end to it.

A customer walked up to the bar to place an order, providing her with the perfect distraction. She leaned in to catch the man’s order.

Dom still didn’t move.

Pulled down a pitcher and started to fill it.

Nope.

Was it possible he was telling the truth?

Momentarily distracted, she turned her attention back to Dominic. She noted his body language, the lack of spark in his eyes and the thin set of his mouth. The dread inside her built.

The pitcher overflowed, causing beer to flood the drip tray beneath it and spill down the front of her jeans. She cursed under her breath and grabbed for the cloth at her right. Eyes burning, she swiped at the mess, but only succeeded in making it worse.

“Let me do it.”

Clint’s voice, directly beside her, caused her to startle. She looked at his hand outstretched before him then the concern in his eyes. He’d obviously picked up on the fact that she was upset.

“Go get cleaned up,” he said, taking the cloth from her. “Take a break.”

She needed a break.

Turning, she headed for the kitchen and the staircase to the apartment. On her way, she stopped alongside Dominic. She dragged in a jagged breath. “It is a ruse, isn’t it?”

“It’s not a ruse,” he replied softly. “We need you.”

~*~

 

Sometimes the moment that changes everything comes After Midnight

Thirteen years—that's how long Isabeau Montgomery has been living a lie. After an automobile accident took her mother's life, Izzy hid herself away, surviving the only way she knew how. Now she is happy in her carefully reconstructed life. That is until he walks through the door of her bar...

Black Phoenix singer/front man Noah Clark came to Long Island City with a goal--one that doesn't include an instant, electric attraction to the dark-haired beauty behind the bar. Coaxing her into his bed won't be easy, but he can't get her pale, haunted eyes nor her skill on the piano out of his head.

Can Noah help Isabeau overcome the past? Or will her need to protect her secret force her back into hiding and destroy their chance at happiness?

 

Sarah Grimm is an award winning author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. She lives in West Michigan with her husband, two sons and three miniature schnauzers. Between mom's taxi service, parts runs, and answering the phone for the family marine repair business, Sarah can be found curled in her favorite chair, crafting her next novel.

Find Sarah here:

Website:  http://www.sarahgrimm.com

Blog:  http://www.authorsarahgrimm.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SarahGrimm.Author

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/SGrimmAuthor