Behind every simple man is an unsung hero waiting to be loved.
Months after Shane Martin’s sister vanishes, life crashes down and he finds himself the guardian of a nephew he never knew existed. Blissfully ignorant, Shane trades in his musician status, full of late nights and fast women, for midnight feedings and lullabies. But when Kate McAlister, his prissy, stuck up caseworker, arrives unexpectedly, he realizes he could lose everything.
Kate isn’t impressed by Shane’s messy bachelor pad, rocker image, or sexy tattoos. As a matter of fact she finds it all very sophomoric. The sooner she’s off the case the better. Everything from his long hair to his sarcastic attitude threatens her professionalism. But when he lowers his guard and asks for help, she discovers a side to this tattooed musician she can’t resist. Behind this simple man is an unsung hero.
********************
Simple Man is a book I’m really looking forward to reading. After reading the blurb and then reading this excerpt, I wanted to read the book. However, after interviewing Shane and Kate, I REALLY want to read the book. 
Hi Shane and Kate. Thank you for joining me today. I have to say your story is one I really want to read. Let’s go ahead and get the tough question out of the way, shall we? Please tell me about Logan's name. I get a feeling that family is something that you probably don't take for granted and I'm sure there's a story there.
Kate grips Shane’s hand in a show of emotional support.)
Shane:
(Sighs)
“Noel, my sister… I don’t think I can talk about her. The story of my family is long. I can tell you, Logan is my nephew. See… he’s named after myself and my father, making his name Shane Logan Martin. When he first came to live with me it was difficult enough to get used to calling him a him, not an it. We weren’t around babies much and I was totally out of my element. Once we started adjusting to having a baby around it got more confusing having two Shanes, so we decided it would be easier if he went by his middle name, my father’s name, Logan. Family is definitely something I’ll never take for granted. And while Logan is my nephew and was not born my son, I know without a doubt, that I was born to be his father.”
Wow. I have a feeling I’m going to need some tissue. Did you ever think you would get the hang of what to do with Logan?
Shane:
(Bounces Logan on his knee as Kate digs out a cookie from the diaper bag and hands it to Logan. Shane laughs nervously.)
“Honestly? No. There were days I thought I made the biggest mistake of my life, days I feared I might irrevocably mess up something so perfect.”
Kate:
(Smiles affectionately at Logan and Shane.)
“I think every parent’s faced that fear. No one knows for sure what the right choices are and every situations different.”
Shane:
(Grins at Kate.)
“I couldn’t have done it without Katie. She’s…all women seem to have an innate gift with babies that I sometimes wished I could tap into, but Katie’s what kept me going. She had faith in me even when I lost faith in myself.”
When Shane finally asked you for help, what was your first reaction and why?
Kate:
“Well, Logan was sick and I don’t think I really thought about what I was doing. I simply reacted. He needed help and there was something in this man that I needed to see succeed. We didn’t get off to the best start, but it didn’t take long for me to understand how important being a good parent to Logan was to Shane. I jumped in my car, ran to the pharmacy, and got to Shane’s a quickly as possible.”
Shane:
(Sends Kate a knowing look.)
“I think it’s boobs. As soon as Kate held Logan he calmed. I was totally jealous.”
Kate:
(Elbows Shane in the side.)
“Shut up.” She giggles and blushes. “It has nothing to do with boobs. You were terrified. Babies sense anxiety. Once I was there you both calmed down and we got the situation under control. You’ve handled plenty of fevers and projectile moments since then on your own—without breasts.”
Shane:
(Laughs and squeezes Logan a little tighter on his lap.)
“Yeah…” Nods. “But I needed you that first time. You’re always there when I need you.”
(Kate leans in and kisses Shane’s cheek.)
So Shane, how is life for you these days? Are you still the rock star by night or a twenty-four Mr. Mom?
Shane:
(Laughs…hard.)
“I don’t think I was ever a ‘rock star’, but now…I kind of feel like…yeah. To Logan, I’m definitely a rock star in his eyes and that’s good enough for me.”
Kate:
(Beams with pride.)
“Logan loves when his daddy plays for him. So do I. Shane’s so talented he still manages to take my breath away on a daily basis.”
Shane:
(Scratches the back of his neck where there is suddenly a flush.)
“She’s just saying that because she wants me to unload the car when we get home, which I will, because I love her. But aside from that…yeah, you could say life’s pretty great these days. Makes no difference if we’re dining on lobster or mac n’ cheese, I feel like a king almost every day of my life. Doesn’t matter what stage I’m on or who I’m singing for, these guys are the music to my soul.”
You know Shane, women love when guys talk like that. Kate, you’re a very lucky woman. When did you guys realize that you wanted to have a relationship with each other?
Kate:
“Well…”
Shane:
“Kate wanted me from day one. I had to pretty much fight her off with a stick. I would constantly have to say stuff like, ‘Kate, be a professional. I’m your client. Please… there’s a child present. Put your clothes back on.”
(Grunts as Kate smacks him in the back of the head.)
Kate:
(Rolls eyes)
“That is so not how it happened. Shane was very annoying when I met him. His house was a pigsty and there was nothing in his cabinets aside from Wild Turkey and dust bunnies.”
Shane:
(Holds up finger)
“Not true. There was also Chinese food.”
Kate:
“That take out was from 1994.” Shakes head. “He was a walking disaster, but there was something about him, once he dropped the attitude, something that just… Did you ever see someone and you aren’t sure what it is about them, but you know you’re attracted to them beyond what’s normal? It was like that. Then I think he started feeling it too and that’s when he really turned on the romance.”
Shane:
(Shrugs)
“I give the little guy a lot of credit too. He’s a master of seduction and a shameless flirt with the ladies.”
(Logan babbles in what seems to be agreement.)
What does the future hold for you three?
Kate:
(Sends Shane a sidelong glance.)
“You wanna take this one, babe?”
Shane:
(Entwines fingers with Kate.)
“I think what we have is probably to coolest little family in the world. Katie’s an awesome chick and I’m not sure who loves her more, Logan or me. Without these two, I don’t know where I’d be right now, but it probably wouldn’t be good. Katie saved me in more ways than I could ever say. She’s my best friend, my lover, my muse, my…everything. She’s my family and when you go so long without family you realize how monumental that is.”
Kate:
(Smiles tightly and blinks back tears.)
“I never thought I’d find a guy like Shane or the happiness he brings me. He’s all those wonderful things to me too. When I first met him, he told me he was just a simple man, but the truth is…he’s the most extraordinary man I know.”
Oh my gosh. You guys are really trying to make me cry! Shane, Kate and of course Logan, thank you guys for joining me today.
Shane:
“Thank you! This is some pretty fancy stuff here. Feel pretty important, like a celebrity.”
Kate:
(Takes Logan and hoists the diaper bag over her shoulder.)
“Thank you so much for having us.”
Shane:
“Do you want our autographs or anything?”
Kate:
“Shane, get in the car.”
Shane:
“I’m just saying… we’re famous. This is what dreams are made of, this and Poptarts, the strawberry kind. Not that whole wheat stuff you’ve been sneaking in the cabinets.”
Kate:
(Smiles and waves as she walks out the door.)
“Come on, Shane.”
Shane:
“That’s her serious tone. I gotta run, but thanks again for having us.” Turns and races out the door. “I want my real Poptarts back!”
Kate:
“Get in the car!”
********************
You know...I probably should have taken Shane up on the autograph thing. I have a feeling that everyone is really going to fall in love with this story. ~ I REALLY have to thank Lydia for agreeing to do this live interview with me. It was really one of the best and coolest interviews I’ve ever done.
Purchase Simple Man from:
Award winning author, Lydia Michaels, writes all forms of hot romance. She presses the bounds of love and surprises readers just when they assume they have her stories figured out. From Amish vampyres, to wild Irishmen, to broken heroes, and heroines no man can match, Lydia takes readers on an emotional journey of the heart, mind, and soul with every story she pens. Her books are intellectual, erotic, haunting, always centered on love.Lydia Michaels loves to hear from readers!
Places to find Lydia Michaels:
LOL Shane sounds like a keeper. Too cute :)
ReplyDeleteI KNOW!!!!
DeleteIt was super fun doing the interview live.