partners in passion

	M elinda’s *F anciful* *S tarstudded Romantic Suspense*
		Imperfect Passion is a rollercoaster ride of real emotion with real people.

Imperfect Passion is a completed 74,000 word romantic suspense set within the rolling hills of Kentucky's Bluegrass Region. This single title contemporary is the story of a disillusioned divorcee who dares to take a gamble on an Internet date and connects with a down-to-earth construction worker who hammers away at her well insulated walls. After, that is, she rescues him from bondage.

Lucy Reese, a feisty real-estate agent, wants to bury a painful past that has left her mistrustful of men and unsure of her own ability to make the right choices. She’s determined to regain her decision-making confidence and pursue a romantic relationship without setting up roadblocks or bolting. She joins O.L.D., an on-line dating service, with the high hopes of finding the man of her dreams. Instead, she finds Jack--the beseeching eyes in her off-line, consecutive nightmares.

Heir to a fortune, Jack Beaty is a top-notch carpenter who lives a simple life and just wants to find a good woman. Instead, he winds up kidnapped and handcuffed to a bed by a woman suffering from Dissociative Identity Disorder. On the brink of escape, he’s stunned when his would-be Internet date arrives on the scene. Thrown together and on the run from his kidnapper and her psychopathic boyfriend, Jack admires Lucy's spunk and determination and begins tearing down every one of her pressure-treated walls.

Four days later, a smitten Jack finds his partner-in-passion during a relentless pursuit that takes him down the road where true love doesn’t come by finding the perfect partner but by learning to see the imperfect partner...perfectly.

As for Lucy...she rounds the bend, skids to a stop, and starts cussing up a blue streak as she's confronted by a huge fork in the road.

ROSE, a voluptuous twenty-year-old, drugs and kidnaps Jack when he refuses too respond to her emails. Suffering from Dissociative Identiy Disorder, Rose’s alter personality, Laura, sets into motion, a deadly plan of seduction and manipulation to take what isn't hers. Billy—blowing in with a violent thunderstorm—threatens everything.

BILLY, a tattooed hood from 9 Mile Road, shows up unannounced at Rose's with the intent of reigniting their sexual relationship. Furious over Jack's presence, he plots to eliminate his unwanted competition. But scheming isn’t Billy's strong suit...a surprise attack is.

SAM PATTON, a battle-tested former Marine and Jack’s buddy, receives a panicked phone call from Lucy informing him of Jack's kidnapping, escape, and of their frantic flight back to her house. Sam gears up and heads for Rising Sun to cover his buddy’s back. But when he arrives, he uncovers something quite the opposite when the door he is beating against--swings opens.

KATHERINE BONNET, a gold-star Marine-mom and Lucy's neighbor is rudely awakened by Sam pounding on the wrong front door. Hearing Lucy’s name, she opens the door and is blindsided by a tragic past that rushes in and consumes her.