Featured Author – Jean Joachim

Welcome Jean!

In honor of the upcoming Super Bowl, here’s an excerpt of Griff Montgomery, Quarterback, first book in the First & Ten series. It’s on sale for only $0.99 for a limited time.

This scene takes place on the steps of the courthouse where Griff and Lauren battled it out for custody of a dog.
“I’ll take him during the week. You can have him on weekends,” Griff said.
“Wait a minute. That’s not fair.”
“Fair enough for someone as irresponsible as you.”
“The judge said joint custody. I get equal time.”
Griff’s lawyer shot him a warning look.
“What’s your idea?” Griff shifted his weight. She’s gonna be a pain in the ass.
“Every other week.”
“Nope. Not gonna work for me.”
“Why not?” She looked up, her mouth pouty, distracting him.
“Saturday nights are my late nights. Sometimes, I don’t get home until two or three…or not at all.” He sensed heat rising in his face as Lauren stood quietly, blushing. “Of course, if that’s your late night, too…”
“It isn’t, no. I’m home. Every Saturday night,” she blurted out.
“No social life? Hmm. I can see why.”
“What does that mean?” She fisted her hands and planted them on her hips.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing? Try again.”
“All right, every other week, but we make the exchange on the weekend.”
“Don’t want you to miss your night out whoring,” she sneered.
“If you were a man…” Griff clenched his fingers at his sides, his temper barely controlled.
“If I were a man, what? You’d punch me?”
“Damn right.”
“Bully.”
Griff laughed. His gaze swept over Lauren’s curvy body. “I take it back. It’s a shame you’re home on Saturday night. Could be making some man happy.”
“Oh?” Her tone was warmer.
“Some man who’s a glutton for punishment and likes to screw bitches.”
Her hand came up and slapped him so fast even Griff couldn’t react quickly enough.
“Holy shit. Did you just assault him in the courthouse?” his lawyer asked.
Lauren’s attorney gasped, grabbed her by the wrist, and escorted her out and down the front steps. “What are you doing?”
“He…he…he called me a bitch.”
“You can’t hit people.”
“I didn’t hurt him. He’s twice my size.”
Griff rubbed his cheek as he descended the stairs, glaring at her.
“Look, if you two can’t agree to a schedule, we will,” his lawyer said, looking at Marcy.
“Okay. I drop him off with you on Sunday afternoon. You give him back to me on Saturday morning,” Lauren said. “I’m sorry I hit you.”
“Fine,” Griff agreed, through gritted teeth.
“Can I say goodbye to Zander?”
He lowered the dog to the sidewalk. Lauren knelt down. When he wagged his tail and licked her, she buried her face in his fur. Griff saw her shoulders move. Oh, no. Shit. Don’t. Don’t cry. Please don’t cry. I can’t take it. Within seconds, Lauren was clutching the pug to her chest, sobbing. People leaving the courthouse stopped to stare. One or two came over to Griff for his autograph.
He scribbled something quickly then took her firmly by the arms and raised her to her feet. “Don’t cry. Okay? I can’t stand it.” Griff’s heart melted as he watched her cling to the canine.

A bit about the book:

He wants to find a wife. She doesn’t want to marry–ever. Not a match made in heaven. Or are they? Wary of Griff’s reputation and hiding a secret, Lauren keeps her distance. Can Griff handle the truth or will he walk away, like he always has in the past?      

Only $0.99! Available in ebook, paperback and audio book here.