Hello
there. I’m still busy with edits for Heartstrings,
the first book in the Johnsons of Junova
series.
Developing
Tyler Johnson’s character has been real fun, and I’d personally love to meet
the guy in person! Not only is he
gorgeous, he’s also very kind and caring. Being human, though, he does have his
flaws. His confident and happy-go-lucky attitude allows me to add a little
humor to his personality, but it can be a little misplaced if he’s not careful.
Here’s an excerpt which I hope shows more of his character, as his kiss with
Sasha is rudely interrupted by another man…
Sasha
tore away from the kiss and spun her head round to see a familiar face staring
back at her. Her heart sank.
“Vincent?
What are you doing here?”
It
wasn’t the man she used to know at all. Not in appearance, anyway. Nor
demeanor. The Vincent Jennings who she’d dated for two years before he’d dumped
her wore expensive clothes, had expensive haircuts and always smelled of
expensive after-shave. This guy looked—and smelled—like he was living on the
streets.
“I
could ask you the same thing,” he growled back.
He
didn’t look as angry as she’d first thought, more… horrified. He didn’t have
the confidence of the guy she remembered, and seemed confused and hurt.
Something must have gone terribly wrong in his life for him to end up like
this. But it made no sense that he’d suddenly show up in Brightside.
“I
live here,” she replied, aware of the other customers going quiet as they
listened to their conversation. “I moved out here a couple of years ago, after
we broke up.”
“You left me?” His saggy, red eyes now
looked wide with devastation.
She
shook her head. “No, you left me, if you recall? For that other girl.
Lacey, wasn’t it?”
His
face clouded over as he was clearly trying to compute what she was saying.
“You
know this guy?” Tyler asked, clearly bemused.
She
nodded. “This is my ex, Vincent Jennings. He’s from Sundown.” She turned back
to the guy standing in front of them. “Vincent, this is Tyler Johnson, my
boyfriend.”
Vincent’s
jaw dropped. “Your boyfriend?”
“That’s
right, buddy,” Tyler stood up, towering over the other man. “So what brings you
to Brightside?”
As
if his height wasn’t intimidating enough, Tyler stared at the guy, who appeared
to be trying to take it all in. Tyler put his hands on his hips during the few
minutes of silence that passed before saying, “I believe I asked you a question.”
Vincent
frowned. “I was looking for Sasha. She’s my girl.”
Tyler
snorted. “Not any more she ain’t, buddy. She’s mine now. So why don’t you take
your bag full of mixed-up memories and leave us alone? You have no business
here.”
Sasha
put her hand to her mouth. She certainly hadn’t expected that sort of reaction
from him. “Tyler… I think…”
He
turned back to her, his eyebrows raised in disbelief. “You want him around here?”
“Well…
no… but…”
“You
heard the lady,” Tyler said, facing Vincent again. “She doesn’t want you here.
Now I suggest you…”
“I
suggest you mind your own damn business,” Vincent snapped. “This is nothing to
do with you.”
“Oh,
I’d say it’s got everything to do with me when you’re here to stir up trouble
for my girl.” Tyler spoke through gritted teeth. “Now, are you gonna go or do I
have to call the sheriff?”
“No
need, Tyler.” Doug Sandler’s voice could be heard as he made his way through
the crowd that had gathered to watch the spectacle. “I was here anyhow.”
“Great.”
Tyler gave a satisfied smirk which shocked Sasha to the core. He folded his
arms, staring at Vincent.
“You
new in town, son?” the sheriff asked, eying Vincent curiously. “I don’t reckon
I’ve seen you before.”
Vincent
looked panic-stricken and Sasha’s heart went out to him. He nodded silently.
“Sheriff,
this is Vincent Jennings. He’s from Sundown. We went out together a few years
ago. I think he came to see me,” she offered.
“You
invited him here?” Doug asked with a frown.
“No.
We haven’t been in touch for years. But he wasn’t causing any trouble. We were
just talking.”
The
sheriff raised his eyebrows, then turned back to Vincent. “You got some ID on
you, son?”
Vincent
frowned. “No.”
“Any
money?”
Vincent
shook his head slowly.
“Then
how were you planning to get back to Sundown?”
Vincent
shrugged.
“You’ve
been drinking, and you’ve got nowhere to go for the night. I think it’s best
you come with me, son.” Doug immediately cuffed him, much to Vincent’s dismay.
“Sheriff,
I don’t think you need to do that.” Sasha was appalled, her heart thumping
hard.
“Anyone
who’s been drinking is unpredictable,” Doug told her, firmly. “I’m not taking
any chances. He’ll be safer in the cell than on the streets in that state. We
can sort out the whys and wherefores in the morning.” With that he led Vincent
through the bar to where his car was waiting outside.
Sasha
sat down, her mind whirling.
“That was your ex?” Tyler sat next to
her, chuckling. “Well, I have to say, I’m glad your taste in men’s changed. The
guy’s a wreck.”
Sasha
bristled. “He wasn’t like that back then.”
“Well,
I’m glad to hear it, darlin’. You had me worried for second there.” He grinned,
shaking his head as he reached for his beer.
“I’m
going home.” Sasha picked up her purse and stood up.
Tyler
shot to his feet, staring at her. “What? Why?”
“If
you don’t know, then you’re definitely not the man I thought you were, Tyler
Johnson.” Her lips were tight as she spoke. “In fact, I’m beginning to wonder
if I really know you at all.”
She
took a step but he rounded on her.
“Now,
look, darlin’, I don’t know what I’ve done wrong here, but we can’t sort it out
unless we talk about it, can we? Why don’t you sit down and I’ll get you
another drink? Then you can tell me what’s on your mind?” His voice was calm
and more than a little patronizing to her ears.
“No,
thank you. I’d rather go home. Alone. Now, if you’ll please move out of my way,
it would be good not to cause another scene around here. I think these good
folks have had enough drama for one night, don’t you?” She took the opportunity
to take a step past him as he gawped in surprise.
It’s
never all plain sailing in the Johnson household, but you’ll have to read the
book to see how Tyler gets out of that one! I’m hoping to release it around
Christmas time if I possibly can. I hope you’ll enjoy the rest of the series in
the meantime.
Take care,
Raine
Don’t forget that The Billionaires of Brightside Ranch
series is currently FREE in Kindle Unlimited
.png)
.png)
