An Excerpt from SECRETS OF THE HEART by Dana Wayne
Please welcome author Dana Wayne to Books & Benches! Dana is visiting with us to share an excerpt from her debut novel, Secrets of the Heart, which has garnered many wonderful reviews.
"Secrets of the Heart is one of those compelling and suspenseful stories where the reader can't help wait to see if the two main characters can finally succeed in overcoming the obstacles in their way."
—Readers' Favorite
Enjoy an Excerpt from Secrets of the Heart
by Dana Wayne
Her face flamed as an image of McBride lathered in whipped topping and chocolate syrup formed. “Oh my God, Sasha! Where on earth do you come up with this stuff?” She extended her arm, palm up. “Never mind. I don’t want to know.”
“Trust me…one day you’ll thank me.”
“No. I won’t. Besides, he has a lot on his plate with his sister and mother both ill and the ranch. He needs a nurse, not a lover.”
“Says who?”
“Sassy, please.”
“I've said it before and I'll say it again; you were too good for Eddie.” She waved her hand back and forth to silence Tori's rebuke. “I know, I know, it's wrong to speak ill of the dead. He was a good cop, a decent father, but a crummy, cheating husband.”
Tori sat on the edge of the bed and said nothing as her friend continued. “You’ve got the kindest heart of anyone I’ve ever known.” Sassy joined her on the bed, her smile reflective. ”I guess that explains why you put up with me all these years. And you have a capacity for caring I truly envy. It’s why you are such an awesome nurse. Well, that and the reasonably intelligent thing.”
Tori snorted. Sassy would never change. Thank God.
“I know you loved Eddie. I never understood why, but I know you did. But he’s gone, Tori. You need to let him go and love again.”
“I…I don’t know if I can. Every time I think about moving on, of getting involved with someone, I feel guilty. Like I’m…betraying him. I know it sounds silly to you but it’s how I feel.”
Sasha slid an arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “I don’t think it sounds silly at all. He was your husband and you loved him. But he’s gone.” She blew out a breath. “You’re my best friend in the whole world. I want you to be happy. I want to see your eyes smile again.”
“I know you do. And I appreciate that.” She leaned her head on her friend’s shoulder. “I'm not interested in a relationship right now.” She sighed. “I don’t think I even remember how to kiss anymore so a relationship is out of the question.”
Sasha looked at the picture and grinned. “Wanna bet? Besides, kissing is like riding a bike, once you do it, you don’t forget how.” She giggled. “And if you did, I’m bettin’ this cowboy is one hell of a teacher.”
"What an awesome debut! Congrats to the first time author that hit a home run!"
—Amazon Reviewer
Secrets of the Heart
Book Synopsis
Nurse Tori Morgan needs to regroup following a personal tragedy. Seeking refuge, she accepts a position at a remote ranch in Montana. Firmly convinced love happens once in a lifetime, she resigns herself to being alone. And then she meets her new boss. Wade McBride is six feet four inches of man capped off with a potent sexuality that makes clear thinking difficult. To make matters worse, she discovers she must pretend to be his fiancé for the sake of her new patient. Wade needed a nurse for his mother but got more than he bargained for in Tori. She was a breath of fresh air in world full of crap. Pretending to be in love with her seemed like a good idea at the time. The plan starts out easy enough even as they try to ignore the instant attraction radiating between them, unaware of danger watching from the shadows. The test kiss changes everything. Once was not enough for Wade…but it isn’t real, it’s pretend. Right? Tori is convinced his mouth should be registered as a lethal weapon. Is she ready for this? Will she ever be ready? They dance around the elephant in the room until they have to ask themselves…what happens when make believe becomes real?
Get Your Copy of Secrets of the Heart
Content Rating: 4 Hearts
Print Length: 246 pages
Publisher: BookBaby; 1 edition
Publication Date: June 21, 2016
Meet the Author
Dana Wayne is a sixth generation Texan (or seventh depending on which relative you ask) and still lives there with her husband of 38 years (and counting) and a Calico cat named Katie. Three children and four grandchildren keep her life exciting and free time is devoted to classic car shows with her husband, tent camping and dutch oven cooking. She has written numerous poems, shorts stories, and newspaper articles as well as contributing to several writing group anthologies. Retiring in 2013, she focused on her first love, writing novels. Her debut novel, Secrets of the Heart, a contemporary romance, was a finalist in the 2016 ETWG First Chapter Contest and has garnered great reviews. She can be reached through her website at www.danawayne.com.
