Luke by Jennifer Blake Read Free Book Online Page A

I’ve lost my taste for it. Just like I’ve lost all real idea of what romance is about. It’s affecting my writing—and my reviews.”
    â€œI saw the review you got in the local paper. I was livid, I can tell you, just couldn’t imagine who would write such drivel about your work. I called up and asked for the name of the reviewer, and I couldn’t believe it when they told me. Muriel Potts, of all people.”
    April met Julianne’s gaze a long moment. They both knew why Muriel might have written a less than positive review. “It was nice of you to bother,” April said, trying to smile, “but it doesn’t matter. I know myself that the book wasn’t as strong as some of my others.”
    â€œIt was a wonderful book! Never believe your press, April. That’s always fatal whether what they’re saying is good or bad, biased or unbiased.”
    â€œI don’t know, Julianne. I just feel so numb. Ithink I’ve lost it, lost all ability to make a reader believe in anything, much less mad, passionate sexual attraction to a noble hero. How can I, when I don’t believe it myself?”
    â€œOh, right,” Julianne said dryly. “Tell me you felt nothing for this Adonis of the swamp who came pounding on your door. Tell me he didn’t bring your blood to a simmer, if not to a boil.”
    April gave her a scathing look. “That’s different. I was furious with him.”
    â€œYes, but you felt something. And you might feel more, given half the chance.”
    â€œI don’t think so,” she said with finality.
    â€œNow why not? What’s wrong with a nice affair with a willing man, especially one with a moniker like Luke-de-la-Nuit? Might do you a world of good.”
    â€œAnd it might be a disaster!”
    â€œHow? If you fall in love with him, you’ll know what love is about again. Heartbreak is an emotion you need to have felt in order to write convincingly about it. At least you won’t be numb any more.”
    â€œNo, I’ll be devastated.”
    â€œWill you now?” Julianne said with speculation in her dark blue eyes.
    April’s lips tightened before she said, “I don’t mean that way. If I have an affair and still feel nothing, it will just prove that I’ve lost it. Sex as the glue for an affair or a marriage doesn’t last long. I found that out with Martin.”
    â€œHe was a clod with all the sensitivity of mud. Forget Martin.”
    â€œI’d like to, but I think he wants to come back.”
    â€œYou don’t intend to let him!” Incredulity strained Julianne’s voice.
    â€œNot a chance. Not if he got down on his knees and begged.”
    â€œGood. Is he begging?”
    â€œThe same thing as. Also promising he’ll be faithful forever and that we’ll be good together, whatever that means.” April gave a short laugh. “Actually, I think he’s running short of cash and wants to dip into my royalties again.”
    â€œYou didn’t have to pay him alimony?”
    â€œNo, though he got half my pension plan. He did like being able to write checks on my bank account, though—almost as much as he likes his toys such as boats and cars. What’s more, he always had the odd idea that the advances I got for the books were my payment while royalties were lagniappe, something I got for doing nothing. He convinced himself without too much trouble that he deserved that money as much as I did.”
    â€œFor what?” The words held shocked amazement.
    â€œAll his promotional efforts, of course. Talking up my books in the bars at conferences. He was good at that. I just hope he doesn’t show up at the conference this weekend to take up where he left off.”
    Julianne muttered something extremely uncomplimentary about the mental powers and antecedents of ex-husbands in general and Martin in particular. Then she added, “So, have