Tour Stop: I Have People by Taylor Dean

Title: I Have People by Taylor Dean

Author: Taylor Dean

Genre: Contemporary

Book Description:

Missing any memories?

Holly Sinclair is happily married to the love of her life, Gabriel. Young and in love, Holly hopes to have their first child soon. Of course, Gabriel wants to wait till Holly’s health is restored, much to Holly’s dismay. She feels perfectly fine. So what if she just woke up from an eight-month coma? So what if some of her memories are missing? She remembers Gabe and that’s all that matters, right?

That is, until HE enters her life again . . . she forgot about HIM.

About the Author:

Taylor Dean lives in Texas and is the mother of four grown children. Upon finding herself with an empty nest, she began to write the stories that were always wandering around in her head, quickly finding that she had a passion for writing, specifically romance. Whether it’s paranormal, contemporary, or suspense-you’ll find all sub-genres of romance in her line-up.

Check out Taylor’s website here.

Guest Post:

What does my office look like?

I like to have a designated ‘writing spot,’ my own special place where I can imagine to my heart’s content.  It helps me to stay focused and concentrated. Hence, I prefer a desktop. When I use my laptop and can plop myself anywhere I desire, I’m too easily distracted—and much too comfortable. Drifting off to sleep is not conducive to writing a novel!

That being said, I LOVE my office!  It’s painted in a soft relaxing blue that helps me feel peaceful. It’s a small room, designed specifically to be an office nook. There are no windows, but I like it that way—otherwise, I’d stare out the window and daydream all the time. (It’s what writers are good at, after all!)

All of my framed book covers grace one wall of my office.  Having the ability to glance at the wall and see my book covers gives me a sense of accomplishment. They are a constant reminder that ‘I can do this’ when I’m struggling with a scene or a paragraph.

One of my favorite things about my office is a little trivet that says, “Romance Writers Have Heart.” It was given to me by my sister-in-law for Christmas one year, long before I’d ever published my novels. It was such a thoughtful gift, chosen with me—and my interests—in mind. My sister-in-law has since passed on, very unexpectedly at a young age, making the gift even more meaningful. I glance at it and am reminded that she believed in me.

I also keep framed pictures of my grandchildren close by. They are a reminder to me that, in the end, my family is the most important thing to me in the world. As long as I have them, a bad review doesn’t matter, now does it? They put everything in perspective.

My hubby convinced me that I needed TWO computer screens. I didn’t think I did. Now that I have them, I can’t live without them! I can keep my email up on one screen, and write on the other. OR I can have a manuscript up on one screen and edits on the other. I LOVE it! It makes life so much easier.  When my grandson is visiting, I can have Elmo videos on one screen, and work on the other while he sits happily on my lap! Life just doesn’t get better than that! (Have you seen the Elmo videos? What a riot!)

For me, writing is an escape from everyday life. Hence, my little office is one of my favorite places to be!

Excerpt:

As the knocking  became  insistent.  Maybe  he  couldn’t  wait  to  see  her,  maybe  he  was  just  as excited about  tonight  as  she  was.  Maybe.  She opened the  door  eagerly,  a  mid-October  chill meeting her skin.

Her smile died on her face. It wasn’t who she was expecting. In her excitement, she’d let her guard down.

“Hello, Holly Noel.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Aw, c’mon, I just want to see you, baby.”

Holly  began  to  slam  the  door  shut,  to  close  him  out  of  her  life,  to  remove  him  from sight, to push him into non-existence. If only it could be so. The edge of the door bounced against his  foot  and  slammed  backwards,  hitting  her  directly  in  the  face.  She felt  her  lip  swell  as  blood trickled down her chin.

Oddly, she thought about the mess it would make on the carpet.

“See what  you  made  me  do?  If  you  wouldn’t  be  so  unreasonable,  these  things  wouldn’t happen.”

“Please leave. You’re violating the restraining order. I’ll call the police.”

“You and I both know you won’t do that. You love me, I know you do.” He pushed his way into the apartment. She didn’t follow. “I don’t want to fight with you, baby. Why do you always have to make things difficult?”

Holly knew  she  was  in  trouble.  She’d known  it  since  the  moment  she’d  stupidly  opened  the door without checking to see who it was. It wasn’t a luxury she could afford. Ever.

“Don’t  do  this,  it  will  only  make  things  worse.  If you  leave  now,  I  won’t  press  charges.  Just leave, peacefully and quietly . . . please,” she begged.

His lips formed a wicked leer as he scoffed. “You’ll always be mine, Holly. Why can’t you see that?”

Holly stepped outside the apartment door and he followed, standing too close. If she made a mad dash for the stairs, could she escape him? She wasn’t sure, but she doubted it.

“Stay back! It’s over. I want nothing to do with you. Just let it go.” Where is he? He should behere by now.

The expression on his face turned stricken. “How can you say that? After all we meant to each other. I know you don’t mean it.”

“I mean it. I hate you. I want you out of my life,” she told him with steely determination.

“Don’t say that.”

“I hate you! Leave me alone!” she said, this time louder, hoping to attract attention.

He walked closer and  shoved  her,  making  her  stumble.  “Stop it,” she warned.  They were making a scene on the landing of her second story apartment and she knew he was very aware of the neighbors opening their doors and peeking out with curiosity.

A mask of twisted rage contorted his features. She knew that look all too well.

“I can’t believe you would say that,” he said through gritted teeth, his face red with anger.

He shoved her again, but she maintained her footing. “It’s over,” she reiterated bravely. “Leave me alone.”

Another shove, this time hard. Her back hit the railing with surprising force. Holly knew in that moment he’d finally done it.

He’d finally killed her.

She felt the railing give way and knew she was going down and there was nothing to stop her fall.  Even though a blood curdling scream rent the air, even though her hands flailed wildly in an attempt to grab hold of anything that might save her from this outcome, a strange feeling of peace washed over her. In that moment, time stood still. She seemed to fall in slow motion as her life passed before her eyes.

This wasn’t her fate. It couldn’t be. Where is he?

“Holly!” he screamed  when  he  realized  what  was happening.  His remorse  over  his  actions always came too late. The damage was done. And this time it was irreparable. Really, it always had been. He attempted to catch her, desperately groping the air for any piece of her that might stop her descent.

It was too late.

He didn’t mean to do it.

He never meant to do it.