TITLE – Christmas Confusion
SERIES – Bailey’s Chaotic Life
AUTHOR – Monica Garry-Allen
GENRE – New Adult/Romantic Comedy
PUBLICATION DATE – 11-3-14
LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 50,000
PUBLISHER – Indie
COVER ARTIST – Sweet Simplicity
Summary:
Bailey Cooper has fallen in love – sadly the man she’s in love with already has a man. Sounds complicated doesn’t it? ~
Bailey Cooper is very much attracted to her neighbor, Max Davis. Unfortunately for Bailey, Greg – Max’s lover, is slowly becoming one of Bailey’s best friends. Bailey’s emotions are torn. She adores Greg’s friendship while at the same time she craves Max’s touch.
What’s a girl to do when she ‘thinks’ the man she’s in love with is in love with someone else?
Max Davis and his baby brother Greg Davis are co-owners of the apartment building they live in. Max has fallen for his tenant, Bailey, but she avoid and ignore all of his advances. It doesn’t take long for him to become suspicious of the friendship blooming between her and Greg. He believes Bailey has a crush on his brother, but Max wants his shy little neighbor all to himself. Now he has to think of ways to keep Bailey and Greg apart, which is ridiculous since Greg isn’t even in to women. Time to break that news to his neighbor and hope it causes her attention to swing his way.
Will a holiday weekend full of chaos, confusion and a little bit of charm finally get Bailey and Max on the right track? Or will a few innocent caresses lead to more Christmas confusion?
TITLE – The Makeover
SERIES – Nerd Girls Love Hard
AUTHOR – Monica Garry-Allen
GENRE – New Adult/Romantic Comedy
PUBLICATION DATE – 09/29/14
LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 60k
PUBLISHER – Indie
COVER ARTIST – Sweet Simplicity
Summary:
Revenge is a dish best served cold… while wearing heels.
April has just learned the real reason behind her boss’ impromptu dinner invitation. He only invited her to dinner with his colleagues to prove a point: that he can show up at an event with a plain Jane and still be considered ‘the man’. She expected better from him and had secretly hoped that one day their friendship would grow into something deeper. Now she knows she will always just be his 'nerdy secretary' to him.
But her two best friends won’t let her wallow in her pain. They convince her to give Dr. Stewart a dose of his own medicine. The plan: show up at the dinner looking irresistible and prove to her boss that even nerd girls can be sexy. But first she has to replace her unattractive business suits with something sexier and more revealing. It’s time for a makeover.
Dr. Chad Stewart would never ‘really’ date his secretary. She was too good, to pure for someone as jaded as himself. It didn’t matter that he was half in love with her. But when he needed an ‘average date’ for a dinner party she was the first person he turned to. He thought his secretary was the perfect choice until he arrived to find her looking like his wildest fantasy. But now she knows the real reason for his invite and he can see in her eyes how hurt she is.
Can Chad convince her to forgive him for hurting her or will she walk out of his life… taking his heart with her?
Christmas Confusion
“You’re in love with her, aren’t you?” Greg said in awe.
Max snorted at the incredulity of Greg’s question.
“I just met her. I’ve only known her for three weeks. How can I possibly be in love with her?”
Greg sat up on the couch, same shocked expression on his face.
“Stop looking at me like that,” Max told his brother. “There is no way I’m in love with my neighbor.”
“I can’t believe I’ve been so blind,” Greg sighed. “I’m supposed to be the Christmas Cupid, how did I miss this? My pupils have fallen in love and I didn’t even realize it. I’m slipping.”
“What are you talking about?”
He was not in love with Bailey. There were a lot of things he loved about her but he wasn’t in love with her. He loved the way she walked, the sound of her voice, hell he even loved watching her walk away from him, because the view was to die for.
He loved that she didn’t balk at the kind of car he drove. He loved the way she smiled shyly whenever he told her good morning. But that didn’t mean that he loved her, he didn’t know her well enough to love her. But he could see himself falling in love with her, if she would give him a chance. If he could just figure out what she wanted, he would give it to her.
“It all makes so much sense now,” Greg whispered.
“Really dude, what are you mumbling about?”
“The waitress at the Pancake Shack, she was cute, but you didn’t pay her any attention. Last week there was the gas station cashier, who asked you what your name was. She was hitting on you and you didn’t even notice. The only woman you seem to have eyes for is your brown-haired neighbor.” Greg tapped his finger against his chin. “I think I’ve just figured out what’s wrong with you.”
“There’s nothing wrong with me, doofus.”
“See, that right there. You called me doofus, you haven’t called me that in years.”
“Because you haven’t acted like one in years.”
“I’ve never acted like one, but you only called me that after I’d gone through your stuff and found out something that you didn’t want me to know.”
Max stopped pacing. “I’m completely lost. I have no idea what we’re even talking about now.”
“Let me bring you up to speed, dear brother. You calling me doofus means you know that I am on to you, and I am. I know what’s wrong with you. I know why you’re so cranky.”
“Please, feel free to enlighten me.”
“I shall, but first, name one other woman that you’ve been this crazy about,” Greg said.
He started pacing again, searching his mind for a name. The names of every woman he’d ever dated and or slept with raced through his head.
“There was Bethany…”
“She doesn’t count,” Greg chimed in. “She cheated. You dumped her and never looked back. If you were crazy about her, you would have been heartbroken, but you weren’t. So name someone else.”
He tried to come up with another name, but no other woman came to mind, only Bailey. There was no point in denying it any longer.
“There isn’t anyone else, only Bailey.”
Greg began grinning from ear to ear.
“You love Bailey. I can see it in your eyes. Case solved.”
Max returned to his recliner and plopped down, defeated. He loved Bailey, everything about her. There was no denying it or fighting it, He was in love with Bailey Cooper.
The Makeover
#1
“That’s right. Your plan was to use me to advance yourself.”
“That was my plan. I admit it. I was wrong. What can I do to make you forgive me?”
He sounded sincere. The fact that his eyes seemed to be watering as he stared at her longingly confirmed the sincerity she heard in his voice. But she wouldn’t fall for it. She wouldn’t let him in, only to be hurt by him again in the future.
“There is nothing I want from you. There is nothing I want you to do other than to take me home, right now.” Those blasted tears were threatening to fall again. “Please just take me home.” Her voice broke on the last word. Chad held his hands up, surrendering to her demand.
“If you really want to go home, I will take you home. Just please answer one question for me?’
She didn’t want to answer any questions, but if it would get her home sooner she would.
“What is the question?”
“When I touch you, do you feel anything?”
Where had that question come from?
“Um…”
“I’m not finished. When we sip coffee together each morning, do you ever get the feeling that maybe we’re meant to be together? I know it sounds crazy, but even tonight, with everything that is going on, does a part of you feel the need to hold me and never let me go?”
Yes, yes, yes, that was exactly how she felt. How did he know? A sob escaped her lips. She put her hands over her face. She didn’t want to look at him. She didn’t want to hope that maybe he really felt those things he’d just said. Hope led to disappointment and she’d had enough disappointment in her life already. She couldn’t risk placing her hope in Chad. He’d already let her down once.
The sound of gravel crunching let her know he was taking a step closer to her. She took a step back, suddenly very aware of his presence. Sobbing into her hands, afraid to look up, she continued to walk backward and he continued to follow her.
Her back connected with something hard. She leaned back and felt the rough touch of tree bark against her exposed shoulders. Chad wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her forward. His hand settled at the small of her back. He used his other hand to massage her shoulders. The feel of his hands on her bare skin made her tremble. Why did she want him so much?
“I messed up, April. If you give me another chance, I promise to never do anything like this again. Forgive me, please.”
#2
He stepped forward and pressed his lips against hers. Damn, he was never going to get tired of feeling her against him.
“Do I really have to let you go,” he whispered against her lips.
“Yes, but you’ll see me again soon, promise.” She pushed against his chest. Chad allowed her to wiggle out of his embrace.
“See you tonight, April.”
“See you tonight, Chad.” She turned and left the room. He stepped into the hallway and watched her go.
His lips lifted in a slight smile as he watched her hips sway from side to side while she walked down the corridor. Right before she made it to the end of the hallway she stopped and turned to stare at him from over her shoulder. Her glasses slid down and she pushed them back up.
“Just making sure you’re watching,” she said before walking away and disappearing around the corner.
Chad burst out laughing. She was full of surprises.
Oh he was watching, watching and wishing he could close the clinic for a few hours so he could spend the day with her. Chad shook his head. He was actually looking forward to this stupid convention – not because he wanted to hang around a bunch of larping Luke Skywalker fans. But because this was something April was excited about and being around her excited him.
Christmas Confusion Meet the Character
Bailey – My name is Bailey Cooper and I’ve just moved into my first apartment. Living on my own is kind of scary. But not as bad as I thought it would be thanks to the big hunk of a man living next door to. His name is Max and he’s extra yummy. He’s also extra gay and his boyfriend, Greg, looks better in skinny jeans than I do.
How unfair!
Anyway, one interesting fact about me is, I play in stool, urine, blood and any other fluid the body can excrete, on a daily basis. I’m a Medical Technologist, so I get paid to be gross. Oh, one more fact: I’m in love with my neighbor, yeah, the gay one.
Have I mentioned how unfair life is?
Max - I’m Max Davis. My two brothers and I own and are currently renovating, Lake Teresa apartment complex. It needs a lot of work but we are managing to get it done in a timely manner. I have a new tenant, Bailey Cooper. She’s the most frustratingly sexy woman I’ve ever met in my life. And she keeps ignoring my advances.
My brother, Greg, is driving me crazy with his attempts to get Bailey and I together. Maybe we just aren’t meant to be. Damn shame though, because I know I could make her happy if she would give me a chance.
Krista – Hi, my name is Krista. I’m Bailey’s best friend and play cousin. There are a ton of interesting facts about me. But if I have to pick one to share I will share this one, I have always been and will always be a daddy’s girl.
I love my dad with all my heart and I think there is nothing more special than the bond between a father and his daughter. Can I give one more? I’ll be quick. Another fun fact about me is that when I’m tipsy I like to dance, but who doesn’t?
Greg – Hey, Y’all. I’m Greg. The youngest and most fabulous of the Davis brothers. One interesting fact about me… hmm let me think. I’m a great listener…. I bet you thought I was going to say something else.
Okay, I’ll say it. I am homosexual and I’m proud of it. Oh and I’m also a part-time deejay. Just ask my new tenants and besties, Krista and Bailey. My goal this Christmas is to get Bailey and my brother together.
I swear, straight people can be so obtuse sometimes. Just call me the Christmas Cupid.
The Makeover Meet the Characters
April:
My name is April Parson and I’m a big fan of social media. I’ve gotten into hashtag wars with the best of them. On the Internet I can be whoever I want to be. I can be confident and exciting. The people I chat with, my fellow nerds, think I’m awesome. And they should, because I am awesome… online.
In reality I’m just a middle class girl who is too shy to talk to people face to face. But I’m working on that. I’m also working on how to deal with love and heart break. I’m a work in progress. And until I conquer my insecurities I am going to remain the ‘hashtag queen of the nerds’.
Nicole:
I admit, sometimes my head is in the clouds and sometimes my ideas are a little out there. My friends come to me for advice then get mad if the ideas I come up with could involve a little jail time. I’ve watched enough forensic shows to know how to get in and out of sticky situations.
No matter what my friends say, I still think the best way to get rid of an ex-girlfriend is to scare her away. There’s nothing wrong with instilling a little fear into lying women who think they’re better than you.
But if you must handle things the legal way, then you should…. maybe you can… perhaps… forget it, fear is the only thing I can come up with.
Robyn:
I admit that sometimes I can be a bit much. Sometimes I say exactly what’s on my mind and what’s on my mind is sometimes the wrong thing for me to say.
For instance, I agree with Nicole that if your boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend won’t leave the picture, then maybe she needs a not so gentle shove out of the picture. On the other hand, I also feel like if your man can’t handle his ex-women on his own, then maybe you need to let him go. (I sang that last part in my Elsa voice.) Maybe the man in question isn’t the man for you… hint hint April!
Hey, someone has to be the one who helps everyone else realize they’re making a mistake.
-I volunteer as tribute.-
Chad:
I learned the hard way that love isn’t for everyone. Now that I’ve found love, I don’t know how to handle it. On one hand, I want to be the perfect prince charming that April deserves. On the other hand, I feel like she will eventually prove herself to be like all the other women I’ve encountered: fickle and destructive.
But my personal feelings isn’t the only thing affecting the relationship April and I could possibly have. My past just won’t stay buried. It’s hard living and loving in the present when your past keeps popping up out the blue.
Monica Garry-Allen has loved reading for as long as she can remember. As a child her mother always purchased books for her at her school’s book fair. Back then her favorite book was The Little Mermaid. Now days she reads and tells stories to her nieces and nephews during her weekend sleepovers.
Monica is a full time Clinical Laboratory Technician. When she is not working in the lab she’s writing humorous love stories and steamy romances. She recently married the man of her dreams, Dempsey Allen, who motivates her to be the best writer she can be. She has a loving family who supports her one hundred percent and friends who can’t wait to read her next story. She resides in the southern part of Mississippi where she enjoys shopping, reading, writing and spending time with her family.
Christmas Confusion
The Makeover
Makeover swag pack: makeup, jewelry and more swag.
Book cover Christmas Ornament. (US only)
The Makeover Key Chain. (US only)
Christmas Confusion key chain. (US only)
$5.00 Amazon gift card
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