Plot Monkeys

It’s Carly again, blogging for Janelle, who blogged for me on Monday. By the end of this week, you’ll be sick of me as I will have been the blogger on Wed., Thurs., and Fri. Today I am officially starting the count down to the release of HOT PROPERTY (7/08). 4 months and counting. A little less if you want to get technical.

First, here’s the back cover copy:

HOW CAN HE KEEP HIS EYE ON THE BALL WHEN SHE’S IN VIEW?
Just one short season ago, major league center fielder John Roper had it all: the looks—and personal life—of a sports hero and the public’s adoration. But this hot property’s lucky streak has run out. After a World Series disaster, fans diss him, shock jocks mock him and his dysfunctional family hassles him for money he really can’t spare. Now it’s up to him, and Hot Zone publicist Amy Stone, to get his life back on track.

Amy finds it’s easier said than done. What with the constant intrusions of his nutty family, a crazed fan playing stalker, and Roper’s refusal to put his own needs first, she’s starting to think that life in the fast lane isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. But when the two retreat to a secluded lodge, the sexy center fielder throws Amy a curveball—one she never saw coming…
*******

I thought about which excerpt to give you all … and I decided to let you revisit characters from HOT ITEM. Remember Spencer Atkins’ sisters, Rose and Darla in Florida? Rose’s daughter, Amy Stone, is the woman who gives Roper a challenge in HOT PROPERTY. For the first half of the book, she is arranging his family life and helping him carve time for himself and focus on his career. She thinks she knows just how to multitask - until HER family arrives in New York unexpectedly … giving Roper a first hand glimpse of how much family insanity they have in common …

EXCERPT

Roper managed to park and catch up with Amy before she was let in to see her relatives. A stiff man in a suit, who it turned out was a federal marshall who’d been on the plane, escorted Amy and Roper to where Darla and Rose were being held. The marshall explained that TSA was a component of the Department of Homeland Security and they were trying to assess whether Darla and Rose were terrorist risks.

More like attention seekers, Roper knew.

First, Amy introduced Roper to her family and they shook his hand, but they couldn’t wait to tell their story.

“So we were talking about how what happened with my luggage reminded us of the movie, Meet the Parents,” Amy’s mother, Rose said.

“And I said it wasn’t Meet the Parents, it was the second one, Meet the Fockers,” Darla said.

“It was Meet the Parents and the stewardess –“

“They’re called flight attendants now,” Darla interrupted her sister.

Rose rolled her eyes. “The flight attendant had taken my carry on and put it underneath. I forgot and when the plane landed in New York, I opened the top compartment to take out my luggage and Darla reminded me that they took my bag and put it underneath. So I said, I thought it was stupid. I could so have fit it on top.”

“But she wouldn’t even let her try,” Darla said. “So we were reminded of Meet the Fockers.”

“Meet the Parents,” Rose interrupted. “And I said, in a complete and perfect impersonation of Ben Stiller, it’s not like there’s a bomb in it.”

Darla and Rose both spoke with animation, hands waving in the air. “Then some woman obviously misunderstood us and yelled, that old lady said she has a bomb. Do I look old to you?” Rose asked Amy.

“No Mom,” Amy said through gritted teeth. “Go on with the story.”

Roper held back laughter because he could see how obviously stressed Amy was. But the women with their bright red lipstick, over dyed hair and deep circles of rouge on their cheeks looked more like kewpie dolls and the way they each argued their point had Roper amused.

“Of course we don’t look old to you,” Rose said, ignoring Amy’s request. “You see us all the time.” Rose then took Roper off guard by walking up to him. “You’re a young, handsome man. Do I look old to you?” She nudged him with her elbow and batted her thick eyelashes.

“No, Ma’am,” he said, holding in his laughter. “You’re beautiful.”

Amy shot him a warning look that clearly said don’t humor them. He couldn’t help it, they were so cute.

“Why thank you,” Rose said. “You see, Darla?”

“What about me? Do I look old?” Darla asked him, pushing her sister out of the way.

Roper grinned. “You’re young and pretty too,” he told her.

Pleased, both women relaxed and smiled. “So anyway,” Rose continued. “Someone yells, the old lady has a bomb! And all hell broke loose. That man who brought you in here had been sitting in front of us and he turned around and practically dove over the seat. The rest of the passengers went into utter panic.”

“There was nearly a stampede thanks to that crazy lady,” Darla said, nodding.

Amy raised an eyebrow. “You think she was a crazy lady?” Amy asked.

Both women ignored her. “Next thing you know, they evacuate the plane and coral everyone into one area, except for us. They brought us in here. Apparently they had to check all the carry on and bags underneath the plane to make sure they didn’t miss something in security the first time around. They thought we were planning to blow up the airport!”

“They can’t be too careful these days,” Roper said, seriously.

Rose and Darla nodded. “We know and we understand. If only that woman hadn’t made a scene, nobody would be detained.”

“And you don’t think you had anything to do with that little scene?” Amy perched her hands on her hips and confronted her relatives.

Roper thought they blushed though it was hard to tell beneath the heavy rouge.

“It was a misunderstanding,” Darla said. “Not that your Uncle Spencer thought so. He was furious when he left, but he promised us you’d be here to handle things.”

“Of course she’s here. My beautiful, smart girl always rescues us,” Rose said, pulling Amy into a hug. “I’ve missed you.”

Amy hugged her mother back. “I missed you too.” She turned to her aunt. “You too,” she said, wrapping her arms around the other woman as well.

For all her frustration, Amy obviously and genuinely adored the women in her family.

Roper watched the byplay with interest. This was the only real firsthand glimpse he’d gotten into Amy’s family and background and a few things jumped out at him immediately. Her home situation wasn’t much different than his. Her mother and aunt created situations and she rescued them on command.

It didn’t take a psychologist to figure out that Amy dove into handling his family so methodically not because she was used to handling her own, but because she couldn’t control them. In managing Roper’s family issues, she’d been able to take charge of her career in a way she hadn’t been able to with her own family. She saw herself in Roper and when Roper fell back into old habits, she’d backed away.

He’d gotten more insight into Amy’s emotions. But he hadn’t gotten enough. With her mother here, he hoped to gain even more.

“Mom, you really should have told me you were coming for a visit,” Amy said.

“And ruin the surprise? What fun would that be?”

“None at all,” Amy muttered. “So how do we get you two out of here?”

Rose seated herself in a metal chair. “The grumpy air marshall said he’d be back. He had to confer with his colleagues.”

“Do you think they’ll do a background check like they do on the TV show COPS?” Aunt Darla asked, walking to the small window and glancing out.

“Oh, Lord.” Amy chose the nearest chair and lowered herself into it.

Roper gave Amy’s shoulder a squeeze. “Why don’t I go outside and see what I can find out.”

Amy glanced up. “I’d appreciate it.”

“Not so fast,” Rose said. “Amy introduced you and we know you’re a professional ball player, but she didn’t say what your relationship is. What are your intentions? Because when you come to help rescue a woman’s parents from the hoosegow, then you must have some personal interest, yes?”

“Remember, my sister is like a professional lie detector,” Darla said. “If you’re lying, she’ll sniff it out.”

“Oh for God’s sake, leave him alone,” Amy said. “Roper please go check on when I can take them home,” she said, pleading with him.

Because her mother and aunt were wackier than his family, he took pity on her and agreed. “Okay. When I get back, we can discuss your questions,” he promised the women.

They reluctantly agreed.

And Roper headed to get Amy’s mother and aunt sprung. Then, he thought, the real fun could begin.
***
Amy sensed Roper had signed a few autographs and promised a few tickets to Renegades games in order to hasten the release process. He hadn’t said, but the people who’d eventually released her mother and aunt had been huge fans, shaking Roper’s hand and thanking him. He refused to say for what.

TSA and Homeland Security actually did perform a background check on the women and discovered their penchant for getting into ridiculous trouble back in Florida and they knew terrorism wasn’t an issue. Insanity was, Amy thought, wryly. But since the incident had been more of a misunderstanding than any kind of practical joke, the women were released into the general population of New York – complete with a behavioral warning for the future.

Amy was exhausted.

“So what are we doing tonight?” Aunt Darla asked from the back of Roper’s car.

Amy closed her eyes and groaned. But at least they hadn’t started asking Roper questions about his relationship with Amy again.

“I need to make some calls and find you two a hotel because my apartment is too small,” Amy said. “By the time I get you settled, it’ll be too late to do anything tonight.” Amy turned around from the passenger seat in time to see her mother wink at her Aunt. “What was that wink for?” Amy asked.

“You can go home and go to sleep. Darla and I can hit one of the clubs,” her mother said.

“Oh, no.”

“Ladies, I think I have a solution,” Roper said. “Do you want to hear it?” Roper asked Amy.

She leaned her head back and nodded. “Yes, please.” She owed him more than she could say for just being here. His presence helped her deal with the duo.

“Instead of a hotel, why don’t your mother and aunt share my guest room? It has two double beds and they’ll have their own bathroom. Plus I’ll be there.”

To make sure they didn’t get into trouble by sneaking out at night.

The rest of the thought went unsaid, but it was glaringly obvious. “I couldn’t impose like that,” Amy said. No matter how good a solution he provided. Nobody should be subjected to dealing with her family 24/7.

“We’d love to!” Rose and Darla said at the same time, ignoring Amy as usual. “That’s just so kind of you. We won’t be any trouble.”

“Are your fingers crossed behind your back?” Roper asked, laughing.

“You have a season to get ready for, remember? You can’t afford the distraction,” Amy said, her heart beating out a panicked rhythm.

Not only did Roper need the focus of solitude and serenity, Amy didn’t want her family getting close to the man she was trying to maintain distance from.

“My family is a distraction for me. Your family is not,” he assured her.

“You see? We’re not a distraction.”

Amy didn’t turn around to see which one of her relatives spoke. They sounded alike and she didn’t much care.

He leaned closer, never taking his eyes from the road. “It’s different when nobody’s pulling your emotional strings,” he said softly, so only she could hear. “I can handle them and still keep all my appointments and not lose my focus.” Roper reached out and placed his hand on her thigh.

She knew he meant to reassure her but he aroused her instead. Talk about pushing emotional buttons, this man had hers down pat.

“It’s still an imposition.”

“Not when I offer freely. Besides they want to stay with me.”

“We do,” the two chimed in from the back seat.

Amy groaned. “It looks like I’m out numbered.”

“Wait until I call home and tell everyone we’re staying with the famous John Roper. You know many of our residents are originally from New York, so they still follow the Renegades and you’re big news,” Darla said.

“I didn’t think you knew who I was when Amy introduced us,” Roper said, glancing at them from the rear view mirror.

Rose laughed. “Well, we didn’t want to embarrass you. We do have decorum and we know how to behave around a celebrity. Besides who knows if the room was bugged.”

“Oh, give me a break,” Amy said. They’d obviously been watching too much television without her there to set up activities.

“We’re almost at my apartment,” Roper said.

“Good! Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity,” Rose said. “We won’t tell a single soul about your engagement to my daughter until you’re ready to announce it publicly.”

“What engagement?” Amy practically shrieked.

“The one Roper promised the guard would be happening soon, of course,” her mother said, confident she’d had the whole situation figured out.

“Roper?” Amy asked, her head pounding hard.

He shook his head and grinned. “I promised to speak at his son’s graduation.”

Amy swirled around in her seat. “Did you hear that, Mom?”

She asked, wanting to put an end to their inaccurate assumptions once and for all.

But both women suddenly had iPod earphones on and neither one paid any attention to anything Amy or Roper just said.
#
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SO …. WHAT DID YOU THINK?

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 6th, 2008 at 6:00 am and is filed under Carly. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.