Check out my interviews, a few reviews, and excerpts below:
* My interview with Ms. Fiona Mcvie ~ tinyurl.com/y9td32dz
* Read about "Keyed Up" in my interview with D. Lieber:
https://www.dlieber.com/…/2017/08/04/Laura-M-Baird-Interview
* A 5 star review for "Keyed Up"
tinyurl.com/y9gk3q2b
* A 4 star review for "Second Time Love"
thetbrpile.weebly.com/reviews/review-second-time-love-by-laura-m-baird
* My interview with Ms. Fiona Mcvie ~ tinyurl.com/y9td32dz
* Read about "Keyed Up" in my interview with D. Lieber:
https://www.dlieber.com/…/2017/08/04/Laura-M-Baird-Interview
* A 5 star review for "Keyed Up"
tinyurl.com/y9gk3q2b
* A 4 star review for "Second Time Love"
thetbrpile.weebly.com/reviews/review-second-time-love-by-laura-m-baird
Excerpt from "Keyed Up"
Penelope tried to control her body’s tremor at Sebastian’s request. She
took a deep breath and his scent filled her; crisp and clean, with a hint
of mint. She remembered that he loved to keep gum in his mouth, not
necessarily chewing it the entire time, but mostly rolling it around to
keep his mouth moist. That memory and his nearness sent a
delightful zing through her body. Before said body could further
betray her, she breathed again, relaxed, and silently thanked her yoga
instructor for the many sessions over the years.
Smiling before leaning forward, Penelope placed the music sheets
on the piano. Sebastian waited for her to be seated before sitting next
to her. The brush of his wide shoulders sent a heated frisson along her
nerve endings, and once again her control was at risk of being lost.
She nearly leapt off the bench, desperately wanting more space
between them. In the next thought she desperately wanted him to
surround her with his strong arms and reignite what started so many
years ago.
Don’t be a fool. He ended it and never contacted you again. He obviously
moved on.
Penelope wasn’t given any more time for self-reflection as LaPelle
struck the podium with three short taps. He nodded to Sebastian who
began his intro without the orchestra. Penelope followed the music as
Sebastian expertly worked the keys for a haunting opening that lasted
nearly five minutes. One by one, sections of the symphony joined in
as instructed, and the piece quickened to a livelier tempo. The
orchestra did remarkably well considering they had just laid eyes on
the music.
For nearly thirty minutes it went and Penelope felt the joy and the
uplifting spirit of the piece. Her heart raced, her skin tingled; she felt
her cheeks tighten with her broad smile.
Until the end.
The piece came to a crashing, tumultuous halt that startled
Penelope. The final strikes to the piano sounded as if broken glass
was raining down. The hall became deadly silent as Penelope felt
Sebastian’s gaze on her. She turned to look at him, her eyes moist,
threatening to spill over. Try as she might, she couldn’t ascertain his
emotions.
His eyes seemed to soften with sadness, sympathy… regret?
Excerpt from "Second Time Love"
The calmness of the beach was like a balm on her soul, the
beautifully clear ocean water hypnotic and inviting. She walked its
edge, allowing the small surf to roll over her feet and ankles, and
earning her a glimpse of shells and starfish along the way. When she
had walked so far as to round the small peninsula and catch sight of
another resort, she decided to turn around and make her way back.
The sound of laughter had her turning again. She saw a little
girl in a pink bathing suit running her way, long, blonde hair
billowing behind her. As well as a shirtless man who was giving
chase. Grace watched as the man would get close enough to playfully
swipe the girl’s behind, then feign fatigue before catching up to her
again. Her antics of darting left and right, and the giggling brought a
smile to Grace’s face. Before she realized she had remained rooted to
her spot, watching the delightful scene, the little girl was suddenly in
front of Grace, running around her like they were old friends.
She smiled down upon the girl who decided to clutch Grace’s
legs and hide behind her.
“Don’t let him find me,” she whispered before giggling.
When Grace looked up, a strikingly handsome man stood
before her. He wore only swim trunks that showed off his tanned and
muscular body. His gaze was uncertain as it roamed her face, almost
as if he’d been stunned. He opened his mouth, hesitated, and then
finally spoke. “You, uh, you wouldn’t happen to have seen a little girl
running around here? She’s about this high,” he continued, holding
his hand close to his waist, “with long, blonde hair.”
Grace’s gaze was drawn to his defined abs and those delicious
dips running toward his hips that his low-slung shorts revealed. She
suddenly blushed when she realized where her concentration had
been. As she peered back to his face, his eyes held such intrigue that
something compelled her to play along.
“I’m sorry, but no little girls around here. Just me.” She
smiled. And was rewarded with a knee-weakening smile in return.
The man before her seemed about her age, with short, black hair that
was graying at the temples and deep-blue eyes that held both maturity
and mischief. Mostly black hair dusted his chest and limbs with
perfection. He was absolutely swoon-worthy.
“Well, that’s a shame.” A playful pout formed on his lips. Full
lips that would no doubt make a woman sigh when they landed on
hers. “Because I promised that little girl a piggy-back ride to the lodge
for ice cream. I guess if she’s not here I’ll have to eat ice cream all by
myself.”
As he began to turn away, the little girl squealed, deciding ice
cream was a far better option than playing hide-and-seek. She ran
around Grace and squealed, “Grandpa! I’m right here!”
Grandpa?
“Oh my goodness, there you are!”
Grace couldn’t help but chuckle at the fun these two were
having. The little girl flew at the man who scooped her up in his arms,
swinging her onto his shoulders with ease. As they continued to
laugh, the man’s gaze landed on Grace again.
“I’m sorry. We seemed to have corralled you into our little
game. I hope we aren’t keeping you from anything?”
“Oh no, I was just out for a walk by myself. You’re a pretty
good runner there, missy,” Grace said to the little girl.
“I beat Grandpa every time!” She beamed, causing Grace to
laugh.
“I’m Cole,” the man said. “And this little speed demon is my
granddaughter, Eliza.”
“Nice to meet you both. I’m Grace.”
Penelope tried to control her body’s tremor at Sebastian’s request. She
took a deep breath and his scent filled her; crisp and clean, with a hint
of mint. She remembered that he loved to keep gum in his mouth, not
necessarily chewing it the entire time, but mostly rolling it around to
keep his mouth moist. That memory and his nearness sent a
delightful zing through her body. Before said body could further
betray her, she breathed again, relaxed, and silently thanked her yoga
instructor for the many sessions over the years.
Smiling before leaning forward, Penelope placed the music sheets
on the piano. Sebastian waited for her to be seated before sitting next
to her. The brush of his wide shoulders sent a heated frisson along her
nerve endings, and once again her control was at risk of being lost.
She nearly leapt off the bench, desperately wanting more space
between them. In the next thought she desperately wanted him to
surround her with his strong arms and reignite what started so many
years ago.
Don’t be a fool. He ended it and never contacted you again. He obviously
moved on.
Penelope wasn’t given any more time for self-reflection as LaPelle
struck the podium with three short taps. He nodded to Sebastian who
began his intro without the orchestra. Penelope followed the music as
Sebastian expertly worked the keys for a haunting opening that lasted
nearly five minutes. One by one, sections of the symphony joined in
as instructed, and the piece quickened to a livelier tempo. The
orchestra did remarkably well considering they had just laid eyes on
the music.
For nearly thirty minutes it went and Penelope felt the joy and the
uplifting spirit of the piece. Her heart raced, her skin tingled; she felt
her cheeks tighten with her broad smile.
Until the end.
The piece came to a crashing, tumultuous halt that startled
Penelope. The final strikes to the piano sounded as if broken glass
was raining down. The hall became deadly silent as Penelope felt
Sebastian’s gaze on her. She turned to look at him, her eyes moist,
threatening to spill over. Try as she might, she couldn’t ascertain his
emotions.
His eyes seemed to soften with sadness, sympathy… regret?
Excerpt from "Second Time Love"
The calmness of the beach was like a balm on her soul, the
beautifully clear ocean water hypnotic and inviting. She walked its
edge, allowing the small surf to roll over her feet and ankles, and
earning her a glimpse of shells and starfish along the way. When she
had walked so far as to round the small peninsula and catch sight of
another resort, she decided to turn around and make her way back.
The sound of laughter had her turning again. She saw a little
girl in a pink bathing suit running her way, long, blonde hair
billowing behind her. As well as a shirtless man who was giving
chase. Grace watched as the man would get close enough to playfully
swipe the girl’s behind, then feign fatigue before catching up to her
again. Her antics of darting left and right, and the giggling brought a
smile to Grace’s face. Before she realized she had remained rooted to
her spot, watching the delightful scene, the little girl was suddenly in
front of Grace, running around her like they were old friends.
She smiled down upon the girl who decided to clutch Grace’s
legs and hide behind her.
“Don’t let him find me,” she whispered before giggling.
When Grace looked up, a strikingly handsome man stood
before her. He wore only swim trunks that showed off his tanned and
muscular body. His gaze was uncertain as it roamed her face, almost
as if he’d been stunned. He opened his mouth, hesitated, and then
finally spoke. “You, uh, you wouldn’t happen to have seen a little girl
running around here? She’s about this high,” he continued, holding
his hand close to his waist, “with long, blonde hair.”
Grace’s gaze was drawn to his defined abs and those delicious
dips running toward his hips that his low-slung shorts revealed. She
suddenly blushed when she realized where her concentration had
been. As she peered back to his face, his eyes held such intrigue that
something compelled her to play along.
“I’m sorry, but no little girls around here. Just me.” She
smiled. And was rewarded with a knee-weakening smile in return.
The man before her seemed about her age, with short, black hair that
was graying at the temples and deep-blue eyes that held both maturity
and mischief. Mostly black hair dusted his chest and limbs with
perfection. He was absolutely swoon-worthy.
“Well, that’s a shame.” A playful pout formed on his lips. Full
lips that would no doubt make a woman sigh when they landed on
hers. “Because I promised that little girl a piggy-back ride to the lodge
for ice cream. I guess if she’s not here I’ll have to eat ice cream all by
myself.”
As he began to turn away, the little girl squealed, deciding ice
cream was a far better option than playing hide-and-seek. She ran
around Grace and squealed, “Grandpa! I’m right here!”
Grandpa?
“Oh my goodness, there you are!”
Grace couldn’t help but chuckle at the fun these two were
having. The little girl flew at the man who scooped her up in his arms,
swinging her onto his shoulders with ease. As they continued to
laugh, the man’s gaze landed on Grace again.
“I’m sorry. We seemed to have corralled you into our little
game. I hope we aren’t keeping you from anything?”
“Oh no, I was just out for a walk by myself. You’re a pretty
good runner there, missy,” Grace said to the little girl.
“I beat Grandpa every time!” She beamed, causing Grace to
laugh.
“I’m Cole,” the man said. “And this little speed demon is my
granddaughter, Eliza.”
“Nice to meet you both. I’m Grace.”
