Swimming Naked — the sequel to A White Picket Fence
The draft of Swimming Naked is now in the hands of my editor. I should have it back in about four weeks.
Opening scene of Swimming Naked…
“Dadda…Dadda…up…up”
“Just a second, buddy.” Phil was at the sink, screwing the top onto a baby bottle.
Lina watched Liam’s small hands yank at Phil’s pant leg, his demands to be picked up increasingly loud. She rubbed her hand across her forehead. “I think I’m going to go upstairs.”
“What?” Phil scooped up his son, handing him the bottle he’d just prepared as he turned to Lina.
“I have a headache. I’m going to go lie down for a minute.” Her eyes were on the almost one-year old sucking on a bottle as his head rested on her husband’s chest. She swallowed down the lump in her throat.
“Do you need me to get you anything?”
“No. I just…I can’t,” Lina whispered before rushing from the room.
“Katie?” Phil called out as walked toward the family room. “Katie?”
“What?” Katie paused the television screen.
“I need you to watch Liam.” He set him on the couch beside her.
“What?” Katie retreated to the corner of the couch, her eyes widening. “No way. I’m not watching him.”
“I’m not asking.”
“You said it wouldn’t affect us if you brought him here. I don’t want to be a baby sitter. I don’t even like kids.”
“Watch him,” he said firmly, pointing at Liam. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Lina was sitting on the edge of the bed when she heard the bedroom door open. “I can’t do it,” she said. “I thought I could but I can’t. I’m sorry.”
The mattress shifted as Phil sat down beside her. “It hasn’t even been an hour.”
“I can’t look at him. I know it’s not his fault, but he’s the result of what you did—a living, breathing reminder.”
“Lina.” Phil stroked his hand up her back. “It’ll get easier. Once you get to know him, you—“
“I don’t want to know him.” She came to her feet and headed toward her wardrobe. “I’ll go to Adele’s or my mom’s for the night.”
Phil cursed softly, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees as he gripped his head. “You said you would try. Forty-five minutes isn’t trying.”
Lina finished packing a small bag with pajamas and clothes for the following day before leaving the wardrobe and crossing to the bathroom. “I tried,” she said when she felt Phil’s presence in the doorway. “You have no idea how hard.” She began to toss toiletries into the bag.
“One night. All I’m asking for is one night.”
“I can’t.” Lina shook her head. She’d thought she could. She’d even picked out a crib and decorated a nursery for Phil’s son, but the reality of him was so different than the imagined.
“I’ll leave,” he said, his voice sounding defeated. “I’ll take him to a hotel.”
“No. All his things are here. It’ll be easier if I just go to Adele’s.” Lina lifted the bag and turned from the sink.
“You shouldn’t be the one leaving.”
“This is the best solution, Phil. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
Hi ladies,
It’s school holidays here is Melb.. with a pre teen and a 12 month old it’s just so hard to check in on line.. anyways I’ve been reading all the posts.. great outfits!
Tracie, speedy recovery!
Going to check out ann’s bone from Laura now haha..
Cheers
I started a new thread with a bone for Ann…
Glad you’re feeling better Tracie.
I think we’re going through a little withdrawal from Phil and Lina. We haven’t heard anything about them in a few days. So, I agree with you Tracie that I wish Laura would give you some scoop on how Lina answered Phil.
Throw us a bone, Laura.
Excellent Tracie!! I glad you could breath easily again!
Good Morning Girls,
Feeling better today, instead of worrying about what’s on my desk, I’m able to put hands on it and get it done…..
Today is also marks the second SN has been with the editor…yay!!! It won’t be long now…
Laura what do you think Lina’s answer was to Phil on how many men….I swear I couldn’t help it…. When you throw a snippet you know exactly where to cut it off, so that I’m straining against my chain…LOL
Carrie thank you it worked I popped my own rib back in place…
I loved Mr masters. I’m halfway through The Mill House and I like it so far. It’s over 500 Pages!
Tracie take care of yourself!
Hey, all 3 of us in the football pool lost today and we were the last remaining. I just read the rules and there is a tiebreaker that has something to do with teams going to playoffs. So I won’t be splitting any money but I’m still in the running. Lol
Ann I hope you are still in the running…both games were so close… Kbabe I hope Lina thinks Liam looks like Logan and Phil…
I’m dying to know what Lina said to Phil. when he said how many men came on to you? I’m changing my way of thinking on Phil and Lina’s dynamics in SN! I’m thinking Lina might lean back, while Phil still has the back of her thighs in his hands, taking his face on her hands and says…”does it matter, when they don’t stand a chance, because they’re not you!” Swoon.
What do you girls think she said?
“I lost count”
I lost count….LOL….My possessive Phil would pay Katie premium pay to babysit after that answer…..
“I lost count” and an eye roll. And then the hanky panky shall commence.
I know right…I can see him pulling her in to straddle his lap, then a little couch play…Wowza
Tracie I have popped mine back in place twice!! Definitely works! Hope you are better soon!
Thank you Carrie we have some in the shop, definitely doing it tonight..When my husband gets home he go get me the chair…I promised no more lifting or dragging ?
Sorry if this posts twice. TL Swan is good. Pay attention to subtleties, like the gravestone script, for example.
Liam was definitely cuter. Nearly black hair, blue eyes- just like Phil. Cutie pie. Brian was just like I imagine his dad, kind of cute, mostly a dork. ?♀️
Tracie- popping ribs doesn’t sound normal…I agree with J on the collagen and tumeric. My husband gets a protein mix with those from Costco.
Ann, I haven’t been following the games today. How did it work out for you?
Katie read my post above under Tracie. Buffalo lost but I still have a slight chance if the other 2 people’s teams lose.
Logan not Liam.
Lol. Liam will look like Logan when he grows up so they are both cuter. But Brian is not a dork! He’s a complete jock remember? I just read the prologue of Mr Masters. Read the therapist part twice! So far so good.
Tracie when I pop a rib I have problems taking a breath. Do you? I sit in a folding chair then raise my arms over my head and lean back. The rib goes back in place!! Sorry you are having so many issues!
Carrie I posted above you message….
Thank you. I have a real good husband Ann…Sorry about the ballgames I was watching them both rooting for you….Ugh!
Wait. You popped a rib??!! Did you tell us this? Omg. What is going on? You need dr axe collagen, bi flex osteo, tumeric, and glucosamine all together like me. I squeak but how do you pop a rib from dragging stuff. Take care Sweet! At least for another week.
Ravens played a great game even though they lost. I’m out of the pool because Buffalo lost but the other 2 people picked Steelers and broncos and if both of those teams were to lose then all 3 of us would split the money. Lol
I’m missing out SN snippets
Hi Carrie yes it is hard to breath thank you for the tip I’m going to go find me a folding chair…
Trace you’ve got a good hubby. I’m sweating bullets right now. Ravens are tied and so is Buffalo. Ugh!!!
We had some great good though. My girlfriend made shrimp tetrazzini and a homemade apple cake. So good
Hi girls. Having a spa/shopping day with my mom today for her birthday.
But I wanted to tell you my funny story from last night. Went to dinner with my little family and saw two HS boys having dinner. I thought, omg, that’s Logan and Drayton’s son (spacing on his name right now). Luckily, I didn’t say this out loud because my husband already thinks I’m nuts for having all of you virtual besties. These people are not fucking real. But they are!
Hahahahaha that is funny!
That’s funny as shit! I’m the same way. I don’t dare say things out loud but they are real! Who was cuter? Logan or Brian, Kbabe? I just looked around the restaurant we are at now. Nobody like WPF characters. Too bad.
Have fun Ann and Laura. Go ravens! Lol. I must watch a ravens game to see the hoopla on this blog. I hope you win big.
Tracie, you OK?
Kbabe that cracks me up…I can just hear your husband saying that, because that is the way my family thinks too…Lol.. Rooting for Buffalo to win Ann….Go Ravens!
I’m fine J-Girl I popped a damn rib out of place going to got to get it snapped back In before surgery …Only using one crutch instead of two and me dragging, lifting and leaning popped a rib….Hubby has had just about enough of my heroics and can do attitude….Lol
Good Morning Tracie and Ladies,
I was rereading some of the earlier snippets because I just can’t get enough of these people.
The one in particular that I read today was the argument between Phil and Lina when he was in NY and he threw his phone against the wall.
That’s when he went to the bar and fell from grace. I was just wondering how this will be played out in SN. I’m guessing a flashback in Phil’s mind. I’m sure Laura mentioned it earlier, but there is so much to read in this blog that you forget sometimes. This book is going to be so awesome with Phil just making Lina #1. I want to hear his inner thoughts when he thinks of Lina and how much she means to him.
Well, we’re off to our friends house for a Ravens party. If the Ravens can win today it will be a huge upset. I love it when our Ravens are underdogs.
I’m still in my Survivors Pool too. It’s just 3 of us left. If Buffalo wins today, I’m still in the pool. Wish me luck ladies.
It’s cold and cloudy here today.
Tracie, hope you’re hanging in there with that hip. Take it easy.
Good afternoon!.
I’m off to friends to watch the Ravens game! I only last twenty-five minutes at the dog park.
Swimming Naked is currently 172 scenes plus an epilogue (yet to be written). Current chapter count is five more than WPF.
I’ll check back later.
Laura that’s wonderful news I’m excited because it’s just more to read!!
Go Ravens!
Good Morning Girls, Sweet Laura I’ve been thinking about you this morning doll…Imagining your dining room table looking like Snowageddon with all the printed pages. You shuffling those papers like an experienced Vegas card dealer. You said yesterday, you wanted to make sure all the questions were answered…don’t pull your hair out over the questions…take on the Frank Sinatra mantra which is “I did it my way.” We will be thrilled angel. If I could answer every question asked of me, I’d put google out of business…..Lol.
?
Right! Before we thought it would be up to Phil to protect Lina and the kids but Laura has told us numerous times they work as a team in SN… I am bit thrown too.
One team one fight mentality….I’m going to have to start wearing my glasses all the time…Lol
I knew you would go all Giddy over no scenes being cut…Lol…I’m glad too….poor Laura is wore out with SN….I know how emotional we get, I can’t imagine writing it…I’m starting to think I’m off a little where Lina and Phil are concerned…I think they are going to be more of a team where Kim is concerned than what I originally would have expected…but I like the one time one fight mentality with Lina and Phil…
Thank you Jesus, Laura, and Jordan! Hallelujah!
I thought disconnecting the phone was all for Lina. I remember when Laura asked us if Phil would let Katie babysit Liam at Kim’s place and we all said no! Now I’m wondering when the kids meet kim(bound to happen) and how that comfrotarion is handled. it’s going to be messy…
I don’t know if I mentioned this one, but I was going through my favorite books last night..Without You Here by Carter Ashby was really good. It’s technically taboo but doesn’t read that way. Girl picks up older man in a bar after a breakup with her bf, turns out he’s forbidden…but there’s a great understory about him and his widow and about her and her past. Highly recommend!
I read this book it was good….
I was thinking about Phil today. There are so many things he did right that get overlooked. Like how he never backed away from the kids after the affair. So many times the adulterer avoids the kids- out of shame, guilt, etc. He was surprisingly candid with them about all of it.
I agree Kbabe, there was several comments that said he told because he got caught…He told Lina and his kids because he’s a good man and didn’t want to lie to them anymore..that’s another reason I know he loves his wife and kids and will do right by them all…..
I don’t think he would’ve told without the pregnancy. What’s more important to me is that he was losing interest in the affair before getting caught. That’s one huge thing that’s different from the other infidelity themes I’ve read- he drops Kim like a sack of potatoes and never looks back. It’s not like he struggled to let her go.
I read a book and the H was a little insulted by the h saying the were just fucking…He corrected her immediately and said no we are dating and there is a big difference in dating and just fucking…Which made me think of Phil and Kim….they were not dating…You are right, I doubt Phil would have intentionally hurt Lina by telling her…Like I’ve said before he didn’t think Kim had made a documentary out of their affair, especially for Lina to see…
She already knew in her heart he had an affair anyway. They didn’t need to have a conversation about it. Until baby…
She really didn’t want to hear what she already knew…she just wanted it to stop and Phil was making strides in that direction by transitioning her to Wayne…but Liam did throw a kink in the plan…So did Kim with the text messages and pictures…..I made myself read chapters 28, 29 and 30 again and Phil was vicious with Lina because he was hurt too, but loves her so very much..I keep saying this, but I can’t imagine how he’ll treat Kim not loving or having respect for her, after the way he blocked Lina out…
Hi all. Checking in. Love all the convo here. Tracie, I’m sorry you are going through this. Kbabe is right. Your positive attitude is sexy! LOL.
Ann, you truly need to host a phil and Lina event in Elliot city. You know they probably went to the lighting ceremony. Lina loves Christmas!
My attitude is starting to get a little pissy…I had to drag my laundry hamper down the hall by the handle and I’m fixing to unload my dishwasher, which takes me a while….I use to look like the damn roadrunner, now I feel like a sloth….I’m really sorry about being a blog hog…I check about every 20 to 30 minutes…I get so bored….
Who do you girls think disconnects their home phone Lina or Phil? It would probably be a mutual decision…but it would be kind of hot if Phil came home and she threw in…you need to let the office know we no longer have a home phone, I had it disconnected today! Phil would be like huh???
Lina could say: Phil I’m through being the source of her entertainment, therefore, she can call you cell phone if she needs you!!! Pass the rolls please….
I think Phil would disconnect…it would be even better if Lina said, “I don’t care, Phil. She can’t hurt us.”
You are right Kbabe that shows the unified front against Kim, we are looking for between Lina and Phil…..
I’m sorry too Tracie. I’m sure it’s torture but now the end is is near. In the mean time, I’ll do my best to entertain you. I’ve been messing with SN all day. Looking at every scene and making sure everything is said that needs to be said. My dining room table is a mess. I am ready to be done with this novel. Can’t wait to get it back from the editor.
Disconnecting the phone was more about the children not having to speak to Kim than Phil or Lina.
Laura you and these girls entertain me everyday…I can only imagine what you are going through…my emotions are pulled thin in anticipation and I don’t even know what’s going to happen….
Jordan won’t let me delete any scenes. Some aren’t necessary but she thinks they are fun so regardless of what the editor says I won’t cut anything out. I’ve moved some scenes around though which really is going to be a nightmare. Such is life. Have you found any good movies to watch?
Oh and I love them disconnecting because of the kids…Phil sure doesn’t want her around his kids……
You know J-Girl is going to send out mega hugs and kisses to Jordan for no scene cuts…Hugs from me too Jordan…so glad you trump the editor angel…..
No movies…I watch some TV, read and blog with you girls…I have so much going on at work and I’m stressing that I’m not going to get it all done and I have several people relying on me for promotions and I don’t want to disappoint them. I’m going to see if my boss will sign off on me teleworking from home….Tom (my husband) says only after I’m feeling better…
Laura I’m wondering after Kim moves to Ellicott Ciry, does Phil worry (before it actually happens), that Lina nd Kim will run into each other?
I can see him expressing his concerns to Wayne or Mike on the subject and worrying what Kim would say to Lina….Ir gives me shivers thinking what the witch would say to Lina
Yes, of course.
Tracie I’m with you! I was skimming through the beginning of WPF today. I always pick up something new too. Especially the way Phil gets pissed off every time Lina mentions dr. Drayton and he hasn’t even met him yet!!
I don’t care what I’m doing Lol…When SN comes out I’m deep diving from Prologue to Epilogue…Then I’ll probably go back to Prologue and start a surface swim to Epilogue again…I pick up something every time a read a Chapter of WPF or I see it from a different angle…Then we will have our after the swim discussion….that will be so fun!
Hey maybe while you’re recuperating SN will be out!!
Tracie is your husband going to be taking care of you after the surgery?
Yes him and my daughter….but I tend to be a bit headstrong and want to do things on my own..but I want to get well so I’m going to swallow my pride a little and do what the doctor tells me to do…
Ann what you just described to Laura sounds like something out of a Hallmark movie…that would be awesome to walk around and look….My hip is there…my thigh is twice it’s normal size because of the inflammation..I actually felt sorry for my doctor yesterday..He didn’t have an opening for surgery until February, but he said it would be cruel for me to be in pain that long, so he changed his schedule and added me on to a light surgery day. He apologized again for the drill bit breaking off in my leg….But he is busting his ass to take care of me and being honest…So I told him don’t worry about it, just fix me….I only have to spend one night in the hospital…I’m ready to get it done and over with, been fighting this since August….
I love your personality, Tracie. Some would raise hell over a drill bit. “No drill bits left behind!” I feel like there was a similar quote from the movie Trolls. I swear my mind is mush since becoming a mom. I don’t know where kids’ movies end and reality begins.
ANYWAY,
I’m over here in SD trying to decide which pair of sandals to wear to take the dog for a walk. High 60s and sunny here today. ?
Ann, Hampden sounds idyllic!!
Katie, it’s unique. Lol. I just started reading the Mill House. Didn’t you say that was good?
I thought it was good. The OW is narcissistic like Kim- maybe even worse if that’s possible.
Thanks Kbabe no since in bitching about it…Accidents happen….now what do we do to fix it….onward and upward..Lol
Morning ladies. We sure made merry last night too. I was feeling pretty rough this morning and just got back from the airport to drop Meg off. I miss her already.
Laura, Hampden does have all the Christmas lights on 34th street. Every house is decorated like crazy. These are old row homes built in the 1800’s. Meg lived in Hampden during her last 2 years at Towson. You should visit The Avenue where all the shops and cafes are located. This area has gotten very trendy and it’s close to Johns Hopkins university.
Anything new with the Hunters? I miss them. Lol.
Tracie how is the hip today?
That was Janet that wanted to know about calling Logan buddy, but I knew Phil did….I went back and read the pool scene in WPF and Lina did reflect back to when Logan was little with Phil…..
Phil loves his kids no doubt and I can see that when Liam is with them, Phil wanting to give him his full attention since that time is limited…There may even be a time in SN where Logan has to have a knot jerked in his butt, because he’s being unreasonable about Liam….in fact, Liam will probably work it out with Logan on his own, just by being cute and invading Logan’s space…
Do you run with Chandler at the dog park or just sit and watch? Because I’m wondering how you can sit in 20 degreeweather for 2 hours without generating heat…You need to get those little heat packets you can put in your gloves or socks…
I don’t run. I walk around and I dress for the weather. I could never sit.
Good morning!
I was out being merry last night and this morning I spent two hours at the dog park – my fingers are still frozen. It’s in the low 20s and sunny. Every time I tried to leave someone new would show up — all of Chandler’s girlfriends. Anyway, he should be tired now.
Tracie — yes to Phil calling Logan Buddy — I actually had a scene where that was mentioned but it didn’t make the cut. And there is no mention or ornaments but that would have been a cute idea.
Ann — I’ve never been to Hampden — I just looked it up. I will definitely go. Is that where they have the Christmas lights everyone talks about?
Good Morning Girls, Cold and rainy today in Oklahoma…I’m getting in the Christmas Spirit….drum roll please….I bought wrapping paper….Lol.
After the angel tree topper, I wonder if Lina bought special ornaments for her kids that go on the tree with their names…I wonder if Liam would get a special ornament for his first Christmas with the family?? Lina would get him an ornament even if the witch doesn’t allow him to visit them on Christmas Eve….
Ok ladies, here are my next few books- tell me if I should skip any.
Only Love by Melanie Harlow
Summer’s Edge by Noel Cades (professor-student)
Good by S. Walden (professor-student)
The Forbidden by Jodi Ellen Malpas (taboo)
I thought forbidden was bit boring. I liked her this man series more but too much sex. Good in ott way. S Walden was ok. Never finished one book I started by M Harlow. Is she good? I need a book recommendation till SN comes out too.
I really liked Only You by Melanie Harlow
I tried a few others by her and wasn’t into them.
Ok I will read it. I looked up Noel cades. Sounds good. I do like Jodi Ellen and you will probably like forbidden Kbabe. I just got annoyed with the heroine here and there but I love this theme
Oh and Mr. Masters by TL Swan is my top 3 of all-time, if you haven’t read that. I just made Laura read it, and, she’s either just being nice, or she loves it too!
Oh yes! I will buy that now. Thank you. Lol. I do the same-make people read it.
I liked Mr. Masters….
Laura you out with friends getting the Christmas season started? I’m setting in a recliner with my leg elevated and a blanket on my lap…I look like I need to be at the home waiting on the next game of Bingo to start…
If it wasn’t for your hip I would say that’s a perfect Friday night. Curled up in a recliner reading a book. I can see you in front of a fireplace with your dogs next to your recliner.
I’m sure he would have…I think I remember Lina thinking about when Phil swam in the pool with Logan on his back….I may be wrong but I think it was the pool scene….when all the kids were trying to take Phil down…
I think we all felt sorry for Logan in WPF and we are fearing that Phil has a new toy in Liam and Logan will be pushed to the wayside by Phil. Not have much tolerance for Logan and go above and beyond for Liam… I think Phil has intolerance for anyone that may be impeding his progress..but he loves Logan dearly and they will have to heal just like Lina and Phil….There will be good scenes between Logan and Phil and bad scenes between the two, but that is to be expected…I think when Logan accepts Liam that will probably mean more to Phil than when Lina does it, because at the point he knows his family is complete…
Laura is my car scene still in play? Does it ever come up about Lina’s disappointment on the retiremwnt plans? I’m hoping that is why Phil planned a weekend with her….I can here Phil tell Lina now, baby we have him every other weekend, we can still take trips and do things as a couple….Liam is not a prison sentence baby, we can still enjoy our lives..
Do you girls think Phil’s chest kind of puffs out knowing older girls are after Logan? Remember Katie thinking in WPF that her friend Emma had started noticing him…..I can see Phil saying he looks like his dad what would you expect…..
I don’t think he puffs his chest out but sounds like something Megan would say or do. What I’m wondering is did Phil call Logan buddy when he was Liam’s age?
I just finished a sloooow book but the MC carried a drawing of the heroine when they were apart. Thought that was sweet. Do you think Phil carried a memento while they were apart? I don’t think so but maybe there’s a sweet mushy side when it comes to Lina. Lol
My grandma use to use so much Aqua Net the beads of hairspray on her hair use to look like those 1980 oil lamps…Remember those Ann where the oil ran down the fishing line and recirculated itself…So glad you and your girls are having so much fun…Add some raunchy for me doll…
Thanks Tracie. Our get together is starting to gear up. The wine and food is flowing. Lol.
Love you ladies!!! Team Phil!
Hey girls, just checking in. Tracie I’m so sorry about your hip. Once you recover from the surgery you will be back to normal.
I’m hosting an all girls dinner tonight. Since Meg is home, I’m having my sister and niece and meg’s girlfriends here tonight. My husband can eat but then he has to go somewhere LOL. Our conversations can get pretty raunchy. My daughters went to Hamden today for shopping and lunch. Laura have you ever been to Hampden for Hon Fest? It is a real experience. It’s held second weekend in June. They have contests for the biggest beehive hairdo and an Aqua net hairspray booth.
I’m still thinking about the Hunters and Phil. No book has ever consumed me like this one.
Nice Ann – your happiness comes through in your message!
Sweet. Have fun!
Good afternoon girls, my hip is collapsing so I’m getting a new hip for Christmas…Surgery on Dec 18th, so glad I got you guys and the Hunter’s while I recoop!
I’m so sorry, that sounds awful.
Oh boy! The day after your birthday! You’ll be up and walking the next day! Sorry you’re having to go through this but you’ll be fine. My dad doesn’t even use his cane all the time and he’s old. I suppose this means you don’t have to go to a rehab facility?
No rehab Lol…they will send a physical therapist to my house for 2 weeks and then PT for 2 more and I should be good to go…They said my hip would be good for 20 years…Lol
How are my Hunters today? I’m wondering if Phil’s and Kim are going to go to court over custody? I can’t see her giving Lina and Phil a break anywhere!
I was thinking today. Why was Diane so non-chalant about the affair? I understood Alice- it’s her personality. What about Diane though? Maybe she or Wayne had cheated…
Okay girls I’m at the mall minding my own business, I was standing by the entrance waiting on Hailee. She went to get the car…This really tall big boned lady approached me and said are you alone…I said no I’m waiting on my car to be brought around why? She said well you look so little on these crutches and I just wanted to escort you to your car…Well thank you but that’s not necessary thank you….She said do you see this jacket I’m wearing and I said yes (it said Apollo Karate)…she said I don’t just wear the jacket, I take the classes…
How’s your cold? Did you get a flu shot? I don’t know why I’m obsessed with people getting flu shots every winter but when i am.. I think it’s becasue Diane is older. She also loves Lina and Phil together and must know Phil loves Lina. They’ve been bffs for so long and I have a feeling Diane would forgive Wayne if he cheated.
I don’t think either one cheated, Diane wanted to act nonchalant about the fair so their marriage would stay intact….
A stranger wants you to take karate classes? You crack me up. Standing there minding your own business…
No she wanted me to know she took karate classes…She also told me her and her husband had got a divorce and then got remarried and he bought her a Mercedes…All I said was Cool and have a good one…Hailee had pulled up out front by then…
Tracie, I think she (mall lady) wanted to fur trade.
The only fur trade she would get is if her cat shared a hair ball…LOL
Tracie, that’s quite a come on…let me walk you to your car, I have moves under this jacket…
Lol that was my take too. Trying to impress Tracie
Not impressed Lol…
Man oh man Tracie! You hang in there. Not the present you were hoping but it’ll be good as new by end of Dec! What’s the down time?
Lots of porch pirates going around. The drama this morning was the security patrol
Caught the bicycle thief. Some
Sephora stuff.
I’ll be off work for a month and then probably half days for two more….
Do you think Kim and Phil will have a court battle? I do…
For full custody they would have to go to court. How wil Phil get full? Kim screws up big time if Phil gets full. I hope he rips her head apart
You are in one of your Kim violent moods today me too! The mall just in itself has made me that one…I’m going to have to go read the scene where Phil has to put Liam in the crib…that’s a good Kim hate scene…I’m excited about the 8 scenes she is writing…Now I wouldn’t mind having a Kim getting flushed snippet…Lol
With all the security cameras on people’s home? People can’t get away with this any more
Someone stole my father’s credit card number and had $6,000 worth of clothes from Saks delivered to him and must have been watching the house because they took it off the porch
Omg but they do this a lot. Send it to billing address and swipe it. It happened to me too! Target.com and charged 3 drones shipped it to my house and stole 2. I only found out becasue the 3rd one came while I was home. Couple years back.
My daughter had an amazon order a couple of weeks ago delivered and it was stolen off her porch too…Last year my daughter-in-law has ordered a Coach purse and it was stolen…Coach replaced it….I’m so sorry that happen s to your dad….
See this is where I’m not sure. Does Lina need all of the kids to accept Liam before she can or do the kids (especially Logan) need Lina to accept Liam before they can?
I guess if Logan is last to fall, he needed Lina to be ok with it before he could be.
Okay girls I have a think question, I’m at Toby Keith’s in OKC and it’s getting crowded so I told my husband I was going to the bathroom he always says where is it and keeps an eye on me and the door, until I’m back to my seat… So in a crowded bar or restaurant would Phil do the same or would he go with Lina?
He would do the same thing, I think.
I do too sister…this place has three bars in it and crowded so my husband has to know my whereabouts..I’m not hard to find I’m the midget with the crutches .We are going to watch T-Raw..Shes playing basketball in the city tonight, so excited to see my baby play live.
That sound so fun!
Did you come to a conclusion on my Logan?I know he is going to be fine…and my Phil loves him….just like with all things SN…him and Phil have to heal…
I would lose my whole family. When I find them two hours later they would just ask where were you?
What the hell you talking about J, I’m two pomegranate margaritas in?
Lol. I was posting to your alpha possessive husband scenario.
Hailee was like well that connected a and b for me…Lol. They better look for you Salt, you are precious…
I don’t think Logan would become rebellious, he has to much love and respect for his mother….I think he might try to segregate himself to punish Phil for having another son…but like I said above Phil won’t have it…he loves Logan….
Children have a way of infiltrating the heart. I know I could accept the child and raise him as my own for that reason. The baby mama would be my issue. Does Lina have a harder time with Liam or with Kim?
Good question — she’ll never like Kim
I’m really hoping after the fight there is a scene with Phil, Logan and Liam that is happy…I can see Phil and Logan in the yard throwing the Lacrosse Ball and Lina coming out with Liam…Liam gets excited and runs into the yard screaming LoLo. Logan picks him up and says…Little man you might as well start learning the game early, its a must being born into this family. Logan squats with Liam, putting the lacrosse ball in his hand and tells him to throw the ball back to dad….Phil is watching with absolute love and adoration for both his sons as Liam throws the ball in his direction….I don’t know how Laura does it, that made me feel weepy….
I need to clarify, I don’t think there will be a fight per say, but an emotional event between the two or three if Lina is included where hurts and concerns will be addressed…
Poor Logan. Phil will be an asshole. But he’ll rein it in for Lina, to keep her happy. Logan will act out, stay away from the house. There will be a climatic fight. Then a coming to Jesus moment for everyone. Phil really needs to works this out- a child should never be left to feel like they are a disappointment.
Phil told Logan in WPF “you will always be my first-born son”
Katie — wouldn’t that be convenient. Logan becoming rebellious and then the ‘come to Jesus moment’? That’s a cliche
Perhaps.
I don’t see him being rebellious with drugs or anything. Just trying to separate from the family a little. Staying out with the gf.
I’m no writer. I don’t know anything!
Don’t you think a lot of Logan’s trust issue revolve around Lina?
Logan always felt like he didn’t measure up to Phil’s standard in WPF…Remember when he told Lina, maybe his new son won’t be such a disappointment…Logan has some jealousy issues that only Phil will be able to put to rest…
Can you tell us if it’s mostly Phil and Lina scenes? 8!!!!! Yay!!!
Get over it. He isn’t Nick. but phil will try harder because he knows he cant make the same mistake he did with Katie. But first Phil needs to earn Logan’s respect and regain his trust.
across the board. Lina and Kim. Lina and Phil. family. Phil and Mike
Omg Lina and Kim!! So good!!!
Lair, I’m going over today’s posts. Do you think Lina and Kim need closure? For you to add these extra scenes in. 2 became 8! No complaints from me(I’m really hoping for the 500 pages) but curious why they need a scene together.
Laura! Not Lair
No, none of these are critical scenes. Just things I thought would add to the story. I normally finish a story and then reread it a couple of weeks later, add or subtract and then send to editor. I didn’t have time before I sent to the editor so this is normal except I’ll have to add them in myself. And I don’t think Lina and Kim need closure.
Thank you! I agree unless Lina wants to cough up a loogie.
Laura it depends on the situation for me…I don’t think Phil would tolerate Logan pulling to far away from the family…I believe Phil when he said he wouldn’t lose Logan in WPF….If Phil is growing, he will be hurt by Logan’s snub, but will not tolerate disrespect.. I’m hoping Phil takes extra time with Logan, to reassure him of his place in his life….Lina not happy, there is nobody going to be happy…
Does Logan give Phil a wide berth in SN?
Think about this…until Logan feels comfortable and fully accepts Liam, that is going to keep Lina upset…Phil doesn’t want Lina upset, so does that mean Phil will put more pressure on Logan? Phil will either feel like shit or he’ll turn disgruntle if Logan doesn’t want to be around when Liam is there, because Lina would feel like her son is being run out of his own home….
Logan is going to turn to this new girlfriend and stay away from the house, especially when Liam is there…I can just see the Hunter’s setting down to dinner and Phil saying where is Logan..Lina saying he wasn’t hungry he’s in his room…Phil saying he’s not doing this Lina, he is going to eat with this family…Lina says, Please Phil don’t push the issue…I am going to push the issue Lina, Logan cannot checkout of this family, because of Liam. This is our new realty and he needs to accept Liam as part of this family….Phil heads for the stairs…Dammit…Lol
I read through the entire manuscript and am adding eight scenes. I’ll just slip them in when I get it back from the editor.
How do you feel Phil will handle Logan’s snub of Liam?
I too would vote Megan and she does present as a narcissistic personality. My next choice would be Logan.
Good morning ladies. Finally caught up with all the posts. I love reading the scenarios on here, gets the ol heartbeat revved up. The visuals do help the imagination. You gals are so talented.
Trace, wishing for the best on your hip and hoping it doesn’t end up a replacement. I do remember your funny posts while on meds, just too funny.
Ann I hope your time with your daughters is as enjoyable as my son’s visit has been for me. He visits so many places and the stories he tells are funny in retrospect though he assures me not so at the time.
I do have a question about Bruce and Susan Hunter. Did either of them reach out to Lina after they became aware of the affair and Liam, offer her support? Mike and Jeanie? Will this be covered in SN? Diane didn’t offer Lina any support in WPF. More like ‘it happened, get over it.’ Wonder what her reaction would have have been had it been Wayne that strayed.
I think it was implied in WPF that both Phil’s parent reached out to Lina. She had them at her home on Christmas. She thinks of them as parents. I also mentioned that Lina talks on the phone to Susan almost weekly. And as far as Phil’s brother and wife, I mentioned in WPF that Jeanie didn’t reach out to Lina but Lina didn’t care because they’ve never been close
Now that we’ve all checked in with an answer, are you going to tell us, who the most stubborn Hunter actually is? You know it will slay me if you don’t….Lol
Logan!
So what was going on with that emotional Megan scene? Is Megan the first to accept Liam then since she asked Lina to just forgive Phil. I so think a reveal is warranted here Laura. Lol
Omg i should of went with my gut….Dammit…I hate to lose…Lol
No big reveals J until the book…
Laura now that Logan is the most stubborn and I might add sweet, does Phil resent Logan for not accepting Liam? When Logan finally does accept Liam does Phil feel thankful?
You know what? This tells me Megan thinks the sun rises and sets with Phil. He can do no wrong. Lina will have to be the first one to fully accept Liam so the kids can follow in her direction. You don’t want a snippet Tracie?
I can do a snippet if Laura wants to share, but I don’t want a big reveal..You know I am like you, I will have to flip back and forth on big reveals and read again…
I missed the scenarios last night, T and J- amazing!
I say Lina- no one is as hurt by the affair as she is. Kids are resilient, busy, self-absorbed…I think the whole book will be about pulling back the layers of Lina’s pain, resentment, insecurity, etc. to allow her to fully accept Liam. I imagine the ending with Lina saying she has 4 children, or maybe something symbolic- like adding an L charm for Liam to her necklace with M, K, and L charms.
Thanks Ann…I hope you are your daughters are having a great time…
Megan will gravitate toward her mom more with Liam around and resent her dad if she’s not the center of his world. This is where the whole Hunter family has to grow with the inclusion of Liam. Phil can’t just stop being a dad to the other three, because it is his weekend with Liam. The teenagers are still going to have problems and activities that require daddy Phil. The kids have to accept the fact that Liam is a baby and Phil doesn’t have near the expectations of him (yet) that he does of the other three…There will be jealousy…but Phil has to prove to them and Lina that he can shift from a father of teenagers, to a daddy of a toddler and meet everyone’s needs….
Hi Tracie, Yes we are having fun. My husband and I and the daughter who is visiting are on our way to the movies and late lunch. We are going to see The Green Book.
Check in with you ladies later today.
Good Morning Ladies.
First off I would like to compliment Tracie and Janet for their great scenarios. You two ladies have missed your calling. Your Kim theories are wild and so entertaining. You ladies have Phil down to a T.
As far as which Hunter will take longest to accept Liam. I’m going with Megan. Logan has a good heart and Katie has really changed since Matt came into her life. Plus I think Katie was always in Megan’s shadow since Megan is mini Phil, the overachiever! Katie knows how it feels to be left out and I think she will want to take care of Liam, even if she won’t admit it. When Megan comes home from school for breaks, Phil will be tied up some weekends when Liam is at the house and might not be able to run with her like they used to.
Ok me too Megan now. She’s an attention monger. She will be the most jealous one. Maybe she has narcissistic tendencies… never thought of that.
Ok I’m going to Krispy Kreme today and get a proper fritter. Oink
Okay it is going to be Megan….I’ve thought about it..Logan is going to be around Liam the most because he’s the youngest of the three and will fall for the cutie, because a toddler will not leave you alone if they want attention….Megan is use to Phil stopping everything to give her full attention, just like when Lina was kissing him in the kitchen and Megan walked in and it was like Lina who…..It is Megan….no doubt
Now I’m on the fence again…since there was an emotional scene with Megan, it could be her too!!!!
Oh I forgot about that. She’s was barely in WPF.
I would say Logan, because of his jealousy….does Phil’s parents come into play?
Good morning — so which Hunter will take the longest to accept Liam?
Logan. He looks for his dads approval and then comes new baby who doesn’t require Phil’s approval. Phil May even miss a lax game because of Liam. Also his age-15 is hard. It’s an awkward age with hormonal changes and sex on the brain. Megan is a girl and older. She’s too wrapped up in herself to feel the insecurities she doesn’t have unlike Logan. Katie has Matt and Alice.
Good Morning, I just saw the blond scene, Janet it was awesome….That’s like her saying “we are just having fun, Phil.” Ewww..I’m wondering how she is going to draw attention to herself, since Phil told Mike she still wanted Phil to fuck her….Lol….
Janet what about Lina taking Liam to the grocery store with her because Phil was having to work on a brief and Katie wasn’t home. Kim is at the store and notices Lina with Liam without Phil and nuts out on Lina in the produce section….
Shits going to hit the fan and a bystander will call 911. For sure. Did you read my blonde hair up there? You can see her saying this? Sometimes I hate Phil when I imagine stuff like that.
I think Kim would be a creeper don’t you?
yes she is a schemer. She will see and store in her head and use it to her benefit. But if she saw them in the grocery store she will march up and cause a scene with Lina. Like how dare Lina play with her toys/ possession/ baby? No sharing for kimmy. Oh let’s call her Kimmy. aww kimmy what do you see? Daddy and mommy and baby? You arent included?
Bahahaha that was hilarious….She needs a string pull on her back, pull the string and hear…..Hi I’m Kimmy and I’m a sleeve bag! Lol
sleeze bag….damn auto correct constantly killing the punch line
Lina that’s why we are here tonight baby, so we aren’t in earshot of the kids…Phil that bitch is like a thorn in my fucking side…How close does she live to us Phil? Lina she lives about a mile and half from us on ?….Oh my God Phil are you kidding me.. Phil let’s out a deep sigh I wish I was baby…I can’t control where the fuck she lives…I don’t want her near me or my kids do you understand me? I’ll see her everywhere now…Baby please don’t let this drive a wedge between us, I promise we’ll work this out. I didn’t know Phil, that accepting Liam I had to accept her too! Lina you don’t! Phil i guess my forgiveness for what you did has ensured my life will always be hindered by her bitterness this is my fate. Oh baby, no it’s not, everything will calm down, she’s just a jealous bitch trying to cause havoc in our marriage, please don’t let her baby…
I love it! Ugh! Let’s beat her up. Oh my god are you kidding me Phil? I loved that. Poor Phil.
LOL. Way to go, Tracie
Way to many babies, but I do love it when he calls her baby…Lol
Me too. I don’t think he calls her anything else that we know of.
Think about this one..Lina and Phil take Liam to an outdoor park with baby swings and slides…Lina has Liam on her lap as she slides down the slide with Phil waiting to catch them both.. They are all three laughing.Phil leans over and kisses Liam’s head and then gives Lina a quick peck on the lips….Standing across the street in the grocery store parking lot is Kim…watching with fury the family that should be hers head for Phil’s car….
The witch will be sipping a smoothie and planning at night. Laura, does Phil take Liam to the park? When Linas busy and Phil has Liam alone where do they go?
I know who Phil is! Bruce Springsteen!! Yes? No? He even has that growl when he talks.
Janet think about when Phil and Lina are in a social environment and Kim shows up now that she lives in the hood….Phil could probably bite nails…
Yes! Like at the restaurant we keep putting them in. If Laura actually has a scene like that in SN we will scream.
Lina will get upset. Why didn’t you tell me she’s still here? She’s sitting right across from us
Baby I just found out yesterday she was moving
That’s 24 hours too late Phil. You said no more secrets…. Dun dun dun. You take over Tracie.
I loved the song it was beautiful J-Girl
Oh ok. I don’t know what popped up. Just read your scene. Content is right on. But again, I accuse you of being too nice. Lol. You need to drop some f bombs when he’s with Kim and take out some verbs. you are the one who says Phil growls. And I think Phil grunts here and there too. Sorry!!!
Add to the dialogue…put your spin on it
You are so right Phil would say I don’t give a fuck what you want, I have rights as his father and I intend on invoking those rights…
Lord you know it’ll be like a few lines because he doesn’t want to talk to her but I saw a pretty lady at the salon with gorgeous blonde hair yesterday….
Where’s Liam. I’m running late,” he mutters as he drops a pile of papers on her end table.
What’s this? Did you forget I no longer work for you Phil? Btw, do you like my new haircut? I had the stylist cut it the way you told me you liked it.
What the hell are you talking about? This is the revised visitation rights. I told Tim I would drop it off. He emailed you the copy.
Phil, I told you you could see Liam anytime. You are his father. His name is Liam Hunter. You chose that name for him at the hospital remember? Don’t you also remember how you loved my hair at the Larson trial in ny and you wanted to see it spread out on our pillow? I remember everything Phil. How good we were together.
You know nothing. Remember something that doesn’t exist? You delusional bitch go get my son. (Imagine this part with a guttural voice/growl or however
Phil talks to Kim). All this because I saw pretty hair.
LOL — great job Janet. You’re right about him having limited conversations.
Watching this newer version of band aid 30 on repeat. Sinead and bono still got it. Sorry. Nothing to do with hunters but maybe Logan and Katie have heard.
https://youtu.be/aUzHVIDCbMM
Shoot. I may have shared something else. Laura, can you delete?
Ann I did a tell Kim theory for you…everyone is going to kill me but unless Laura just cant wait to share something with us, I’m like her and don’t want anymore scenes from SN, until I can read the book! I can’t control my imagination Lol
Laura can read fun scenarios now that she is through writing the book! Let’s entertain her for awhile, she deserves it!
I think Phil will bring Liam home from an afternoon visit and tell Kim he has some changes to discuss with her in his visitation, that he is going to want to start having full weekends and overnight stays…Kim will say, Phil I think that’s great…Do you have a crib at your rental? That’s what we need to discuss, Lina and I have reconciled.. I want Liam and my other children to have more time to bond and for Liam to become comfortable around my family….Kim says I don’t see that happening, our custody agreement only allows for several hours of visitation per week, not overnight visits, nor do I want my son around her! Kim our custody agreement has only afternoon visits because of his age. .There is still the clause where we both agreed the visitation could be modified once he reach 9 months old and I’m going through my attorney to exercise that option…Kim looks at Phil and says That is our son and I do not want him confused about who his mother is…Phil looks at Kim and says with a clipped tone, Liam won’t be confused and Liam will be a part of my family, you’ll being hearing from my lawyer, so we can negotiate a new custody agreement. Kim says I won’t agree to my son being exposed to her or her children, do you hear me! Then Laura scene kicks in where he takes Liam to his nursery…Thata the way I imagine it
Katie said men are so helpless regarding Phil and the diaper…I was worried he was going to treat Logan to nonchalant in SN because of Liam. Now with the snippets Laura shared I think they are on an even playing field…Lol God Bless Katie she really is Phil’s cross to bare…I love how she runs her dad through the ringer…
Katie like our Kbabe here has street creds. Lol. I thought charge him the $20. You don’t know what’s in that thing. My kids try and get $20 just answering the front door when I can’t. Get the door! It’s fedex with signature required.
$20!
Get the door now. He can’t leave.
$20
Get….
$10
Fine just sign. I’ll kill you later.
Katie is more like Phil with her attitude…Lina is right she should be a lawyer..
I can’t wait for the scene where Kim finds out that Phil and Lina are back together.
You know I think about the Hunters all the time, am I sick? Another reason I think I’m hooked on Phil is because of his personality. He’s hot, smart, great career and a major ass!
BTW my sister showed up at my father’s with Dunkin Coffee and chocolate munchkins. I’ve basically eaten them all day.
So funny! I stopped by at an inferior donut place today and got an apple fritter. It was rancid and gross. Lucky ducky you!
What are chocolate munchkins?
Laura does your sister still read our blog?
Cake donut holes. Vanilla not as yummy. Do you have Dunkin’ Donuts there? Also their ham and Swiss is really good surprisingly. You wouldn’t think so. Gosh I’m hungry. Gonna eat my leftover curry and think of drowning Kim in my sauce. Tracie guess what I made in my toaster oven today? Kale chips! It worked. Lol
No Dunkin’ Donuts here. We have them in bigger cities and also Krispy Creamand Daylight donuts…
This sister doesn’t which is why it was such a coincidence. My brother texted me today. Haven’t spoken to him in a while but he was up on the blog. He said he checks in a couple of times a week lol
You know that cracks me up…I love that he does it though…
I must be thinking about Tracie’s post again bc I read BMW instead of BTW. I don’t think I’ve seen his car in real life. Is his car gunmetal grey? Lina drives a black Mercedes suv? Matt drives a dodge? I remember Katie’s board.
Matt drives a mustang — that’s a Ford. I never said the color of the others but I think dark
It was Ann that wanted theory’s on the pictures…I honestly don’t have any…
I have been thinking about the scene with Phil telling Kim about the reconciliation though…
Lord only Laura’s family knows answers to that and this week I’m not obsessed with those pictures. Next week I’ll be on the bandwagon again.
Today I thought about if Phil ever feels anxiety when he sees Kim’s phone number lighting up his cell. I feel like he has to keep his guard up since she can always strike. It shouldn’t be, why the hell is this woman calling me now but rather, shit, the bitch better not have called Lina before contacting me. Does it ruin his whole day when Kim reaches out or at least half a day? What kind of impact does Kim have on Phil and Linas daily life? None?
Hi sisters. I’ve been hanging with my daughter today, the one who lives in Michigan. My youngest daughter, the teacher, turned 28 today and we all just got back from dinner to celebrate her birthday. My girls are here and they both talk so much and they’re loud but I love it.
SN, The pictures are driving me crazy. I can’t wait to hear Phil’s explanation and I hope it gives us closure. The fact that Jordan was satisfied gives me hope. Steamboat is the one that I need to understand. I want to know why Phil decided to take that bitch to their vacation home in their bed. I know men think differently but still! Phil and Lina just consume my life now!
Laura I can relate to your Dad getting upset over President Bush’s funeral. Bush was a good person even if you didn’t agree with his political views.
I just read Tracie’s comment to the pictures. I don’t remember us talking about them yesterday. Wasn’t Liana on with us yesterday?
Sorry! Had to drop car off in the am and when it rains here nobody remembers how to drive! Was refreshing but when I didn’t see post I thought it was my phone acting up again. I have horrible coverage. Lol about diaper. I noticed same in the other snippet how Phil held Liam out so Kim could change his diaper. Phil is Phil. Thank god you didn’t completely redeem him. Bahaha.
President Bush’s eulogy to his father was beautiful.
I was down for 2 days from a cold and my screen. My excuse today is I’m catching up on all the domestic things that fall apart in 2 days.
But I did think of my Phil today I saw a car like Phil’s in gunmetal gray today….I can so see my hunk of burning love driving that sleek ride…..
not Lina and Phil but it will have to do…
Phil was late to pick up Liam and then forgot to pick up food on the way home. “Just order a pizza,” he told Katie, handing off Liam to her. “I think he needs a diaper change.”
“No way.”
“I’ll give you ten dollars.”
“Twenty.”
“Fifteen and make sure he’s completely clean and dry.”
Bahahaha. I love that…Lina would of said are you kidding me, you are not paying her a dime, give me that baby…Lol……
It is hard to get old…but I’m happy he can walk with a cane…Sounds like me and him are hip buddies….
Katie has to order dinner and change the diaper…Yes Phil is lost when Lina is not home…Lol….Supper would of been on the table and a diaper change would of been free…You can see right there how much Lina does in the home, and I hope Phil is realizing it too….
Lina must be in NY?
Men can be so helpless.
I spent the day with my dad — watched the Bush funeral (my dad cried). That’s my excuse for being gone all day. What happened to everyone else?
Sorry about your dad getting upset… how is he feeling? My husband had a doctors appointment in Muskogee so we went shopping afterwards and ate a late lunch…Just got home.
He’s able to walk with a cane now. It’s just hard to get old — that’s the bottom line.
Laura, when you said give descriptions of outfits for Lina you are planning to add them into scenes after editor?
Omg Tracie, it’s your birthday month. I just remembered. Laura, I feel like she would appreciate a scene from SN? Haha. Used you again Tracie but it’s your ?! Maybe tomorrow you will get a surprise! Phil in his custom made brooks and Lina in a high slit work skirt?
Do you get the day off tomorrow?
Hasta luego Ladies. Homework time.
Yes but I won’t put brands – just descriptions. An editor told me not to put brands. Let people imagine what they want. Tracie how close are we to the bday?
Right. No brands. I agree. Jr ward did this in her vampire series and it threw me off. Just color and fabric is good enough on Linas swan neck. For Xmas, white cashmere dress with bateau neck and stockings works for me. And red stilettos. I wonder what Kim will wear for her office Christmas party. Is her lover at the party?!
My birthday is the 17th. I’ll be 55 or double nickel as my daddy would of said….Lol
I love all of my old friends!!
This old hen loves you you young chicks too!
Ann as yesterday
what our theory was on the pictures…I have no idea what they could be….The picture of him in her bed, the only thing I can rationalize is he left Lina on Sunday nights because he didn’t want to fight with Lina and that was an easy way out for him… The picture of them at the bar no earthly idea. Steamboat no idea either…..He had an affair and he’s going to have to take the lumps…If Lina is still bitter after his answers then it is what it is…He had an affair…and acted very selfishly……
Laura did you cheat on the Hunters today? How much of Lucas Roe do you have left to write? Noah and kelly I will have to wait till summer to read. Otherwise it may depress me.
No cheating today. Focuses on SN again. I’m going to write a couple of romance novels before the next family drama. I have about 75 pages of Nick Prossi and about the same for Lucas Roe
Every bit Lina Hunter! Good eye Katie!
Thank you. I think I knew them in another life.
I love the fitted suit coats, but no way would Phil wear a skinny pant leg…any thing that’s looks like Lina’s pants he’s not wearing…maybe a tapered leg but not a skinny pant leg…
Agree. Brooks has several fits. More traditional for our Philly.
He strikes me as traditional….My Phil is a MANMAL…growl growl…..he is not skinny pants nor does he drink latte’s…..
This is a funny story Kbabe you will appreciate it…because you husband is a fireman…Well I work very closely with the Fire Chief (which my son hates). I’m over Law Enforcement and Security….So our programs overlap, and we went to the Fire
Chiefs Connference together in Kansas
City…Chief is an old cranky dude that I just love and I talked him in to going to Starbucks on one of our breaks. I go up to the counter and ordered my White Chocolate Mocha and move aside for him to order and he says black coffee and the barista says would you like to try this and that with froth and flavoring…etc…Chief says coffee black only! He rings it up and it’s like five bucks, well you would of thought the guy told him his dog died…We get our coffees and go out the front door, Chief takes a drink of that coffee and spits it out like a fish fountain and says that overpriced shit taste like panther piss….I busted out laughing, he threw it in the trash…I said are you kidding me, he said Kid Fire house coffee puts that shit to shame…..He is hard of hearing and he says, he’s that way because of the perpetual whining of young firefighters….He treats this boys like gold though…..
I love it! He’s a cranky alpha. Can I ask what is that you do Tracie? If too personal then just disregard my question. It sounds like you are part of anti terrorism task force? You are above fire and police chief in rank? You are hot too! Lol
I’m the chief of LE and Securiry… I oversee the security forces and manage the various security programs dictated by regulatory requirements ….
LOL funny Tracie — so do you work for Homeland Security?
No I work for the Army…
You are a tough cookie. How you can read romance novels…. lol. But me too. You are a treasure.
? Firehouse coffee gives me ulcers.
Because it’s tar? You all are so interesting.
Yes! So strong!!
I think they make it that way to ensure they go to the bathroom.
?. I read in books. Didn’t think it was in real life. I thought they all drank nespresso or keurig.
My security patrols say they keep it strong so it puts hair on their chests….
Both groups where I work have the huge industrial Double BUN coffee makers…
Starbucks is too strong for me. I like Dunkin Donuts coffee
Yes Dunkin’ Donuts coffee with milk and chocolate munchkins. That’s perfect breakfast for me. I wish I can have an apple fritter right now.
Me too. That sounds so good
That’s what I drink at home is Dunkin Donuts…Put a package of hot chocolate in your cup and then pour coffee over that and you have a Mocha and it’s really good, I was surprised when a friend told me about it…
I would drink Dunkin if it was nearby. And apple fritters are my favorite!!! Mmmmm.
I’m a sour cream filled donut…with coffee…hubby is all about the apple fritter
https://pin.it/x7yexwwqwwiyau
Thank you! I should have done this a long time ago. I hate describing outfits and you don’t need to do it often but you should a couple of times to give readers an idea.
Yes. I gobbled up the way you described Lina in the dress at the wedding. Loved the spa treatment she and Diane had together. Since Lina is working now maybe she can do this once a month? I was reading a book by an unknown author(to me) and it wasn’t till 80 percent that the hero I was reading about was black. Maybe I skimmed when she said mocha complexion but it threw me off. No way I’m a racist but it was MC novel and he was the pres. anyway I love it when you describe Phil’s black boxer briefs, Linas jean shorts, and nicks White linen shirt.
Brooks brothers.
https://www.google.com/search?q=brooks+brothers.suit&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=sinv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjm4u_Zn4ffAhVS7lQKHeiaAIIQ_AUoAnoECBMQAg&biw=414&bih=622#imgrc=8kSxa504_KMjtM
Nick! Lol
https://www.google.com/search?q=armani+suits&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=simvn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiHjuShnoffAhVdJjQIHTQ7DuQQ_AUoAnoECA0QAg&biw=414&bih=622#imgrc=xEA8-K3Wg1vXNM
definitely Nick!
Brooks Brothers for Phil’s suit.
I’ll look up Lina work outfit ideas later.
Why can’t he wear Tom Ford or Ralph Lauren or Hermes or YSL or Armani? Brooks brothers may be too cheap for Phil no? Ugh you are right. Phil is conservative so no metro. Still..
Maybe for court he can wear Armani for Tracie. My husband loves j crew suits. My dad wears Brioni and Valentino. Lots of options for Phil.
I’m just basing this off of my perception of the characters. Brooks Brothers suits presidents. 2-5k for a custom suit. Very conservative. Same with the brands Lina might wear. I see her in a lot of Elie Tahari for work, and only fine jewelry, no costume jewelry.
Party pooper. Let’s just put her in DVF silk dress with leopard print heels. And some Theory suits are fine. How about clean high rise dark jeans, white frilly blouse with Ralph Lauren blazer with lots of gold bracelets? She can have messy bun at work and then takes off the band as she walks in the door and Phil smells her finesse shampoo and her gardenia she spritzed in the am. Lol.
I know. I suck!
But I’m no one. It’s whatever Laura thinks.
That all sounds good. Fekkai shampoo. And jasmine essential oil as perfume- a trick passed down from Alice.
I like the description!
That’s sounds hot and would definitely lead to steamy….
perfect! I meant jasmine not gardenia and passed down from Alice. Perfect. I bet she layers her perfume too with your ylang ylang!
You are special is what you are Kbabe…You are definitely someone sweet girl…
?
Daniel Craig in Tom Ford
https://www.google.com/search?q=tom+ford+suits&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=sinv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjZ7fvqnIffAhVYFzQIHWexD9sQ_AUoAnoECBMQAg&biw=414&bih=622#imgrc=bJxGLepzNf_0PM
nice!!!
I love Daniel Craig
I typed in Tom Ford suits and Jon haam came up. I don’t love this one but you guys might.
https://www.google.com/search?q=tom+ford+suits&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=sinv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjZ7fvqnIffAhVYFzQIHWexD9sQ_AUoAnoECBMQAg&biw=414&bih=622#imgrc=_Fb73yZTa6hLcM
I found Tracie’s picture. It could be either Kim or Lina but let’s put Kim in bubblegum pink and give Lina the black head to toe
https://www.google.com/search?q=rosie+huntington+running&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=inv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi-m8jnm4ffAhUTIDQIHcKrDu0Q_AUoAXoECAwQAQ&biw=414&bih=622#imgrc=NbSOo5si_ZjcrM
What brand of suit would you put Phil in girls? Would he go to a tailor to get a fitted Armani or would he buy an Armani and go get it tailored specifically for him?
Now about this one when Lina is brainstorming with William?
https://www.google.com/search?q=aerin+lauder+at+work&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=niv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjP2qXFmYffAhVKrlQKHas2CUQQ_AUoAnoECA0QAg&biw=414&bih=622#imgrc=94cty0vYEOiAfM
That’s casual but it needs to have a little more edge…maybe accessories…
I see Lina coming home with the family spread out between the kitchen and family…She’s wearing red Slim ankle pant with a black silk shell and fitted short jacket to match pants…she has plain black stilettos on…She comes through the door and Phil very much appreciates the view…her clothes are as fitted as his suit…Phil is making a beeline toward her for a kiss, but Liam is closer and comes running…she literally squats to his level (in stilettos) wrapping him in a big exaggerated hug saying I missed you….Phil helps her stand with Liam in her arms and Logan says mom can we eat now I’m starving…Lol. Phil doesn’t let Lina go until he gets that kiss…Swoon…
perfect, Tracie — you brought that scene to life.
I actually saw your scene like a clip in a commercial.. perfect!
Thanks girls…That’s the way I see the Hunter family….
Love it!
So Katie said St. John eceningwear Loved it. Tracie said Rosie Huntington love that too. I say for work clothes Kelly Wearstler who is a famous LA designer and Aerin Lauder for more NYC chic. What do you think Jordan?
Anything aerin launder wears. She’s my style icon along with Sarah Jessica Parker
https://www.google.com/search?q=aerin+lauder+at+work&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=niv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjP2qXFmYffAhVKrlQKHas2CUQQ_AUoAnoECA0QAg&biw=414&bih=622#imgrc=B2SM6TAtUSjriM
https://www.google.com/search?q=jessica+alba+at+work&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=ivn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiX-vPkmIffAhUTL3wKHWcODd8Q_AUoAXoECA0QAQ&biw=414&bih=622&dpr=3#imgrc=7tXOoXPC3Z6PKM
Girls look up pictures of Rosie Huntington Whiteley on the workout gear. I can see Lina dressing like her….Do you think Lina would wear a ball cap with her ponytail pulled through the hole in the back? I do…she wears jean shorts and tanks…she’s got class and swag when she needs it and laid back home girl when she’s relaxing….
I love that look J-Girl…I thought Laura said workout gear Lol…Long day…a guy tried to have an hour talk with me on buying rubber guns for training. I finally just had to cut him off and said send me the requisition for approval…I couldn’t stand it anymore…I was digging my nails into my palms….I would of called NASA and asked if I could name a planet after him, if that’s what he wanted just to get him out of my office LOL…
Thanks for my laugh of the day. That was so funny. Rubber guns!! Your job is never boring. I thought at first you said rubber bands!
Okay girls — yesterday you gave me evening wear for Lina — how about a few work outfits. She’s an interior designer so just nice casual I think
I thought I gave uou a couple last night. Katie approved but not the heels nor blue nail polish. I’ll go look at more outfits
Tracie I love Rosie and Jason Statham. Remember I said can Jason be Phil and Kbabe said her husband shaves/ bics(new word for me). I love anything and everything Rosie wears. I too think Lina is this slim
Kbabe. Big smooch for approving my Asian marge Simpson moment 6 yrs ago. It was a dark few months. I smelled of coconut oil for 3 months because I had to grease down the friZz. My sister said man you could be one of those korean mob wives.
Hi ladies.
Tracie take care of yourself sister! Laura glad to here your knee is better. Liana I just reread posts from today and you make some good points about Phil. I think all of us want some closure.
Katie Muriel’s Wedding is one of my favorite movies! I love Toni Colette.
If Lina gets closure about the pictures, what explanation does Phil give her? Tracie I want to hear your theory.
My daughter from Michigan is flying in tonight for a few days. This is a great week for us.
Nice Ann!
I love Muriel’s wedding too! There’s s big musical on it going on in Melb now
All of these exotic bloggers make me think of all of my favorite movies. Muriel’s Wedding! So funny!
Liana, Australia is my number 1 place to go. I was set to study abroad there in college but some shit happened, and I couldn’t.
My husband is a firefighter and we’ve talked about doing an “exchange” for a season there. We would never come back!
Firefighters can do that? You definitely should. It’ll be great for Yoru daughter too. We did that in Seoul when the kids were younger. Forgot Toni Colette is Australian…
Well if you do decide to visit please let me know!
Okay, I actual have the turmeric pills…I’ll check amazon for the collagen…..
I double posted one to Liana and asked you to delete the duplication but it’s gone now…sometimes you will post and it takes you back to your main page. Then after a couple of refreshes it shows up, then sometimes you just have to retype it in its entirety….
Thanks guys…I’m trying to will myself better!!! I told my husband, that my ass was getting as big as my mouth! I’m so tired of being inactive….
Poor thing. What a pain. Let’s be careful. I have a bit of osteo. Try dr axe collagen and mix in coffee. It helps. Also tumeric pills. If I forget these two for a day I hear the squeaks in my bones.
Jordan said one of the most significant scenes to her in SN (at least in terms of unanswered questions in WPF) was when Phil and Lina discussed the pictures. She said that brought her closure on the affair. That happens in the first 20 percent of the novel.
As far as how much Nick — he has a few scenes — more in the beginning as we wind down open issue from WPF
Yes I need closure
Thank God! Praise the lord I need closure. Thank You Laura. Happy to hear you’re knees are better.
The closure is great!!!! Phil will absorb Lina’s hurt in that scene like a sponge….you’ve even said Laura that he wrestles with himself after that scene…I bet his own guilt and his hate for Kim in that moment almost consumes him….
I just worked out for the first time in six weeks and the knee felt fine!!! So happy.
Congrats on the Knee sister….I’m back on the crutches, leg collapsed day before yesterday….Going back to Tulsa Friday to determine if therapy is an option or hip replacement…ugh!!!!
Oh no! I’m sorry. That’s awful.
Oh no!!! Damn it Tracie.
Tracie I hope you get well soon… and get the best option for treatment..
Yay! You deleted my post Laura. Lol. Is it too early in the am to discuss about Kim? Have a good day ladies. Gonna cover my grey roots today and get a root perm. Sadly I am loosing hair so Katie’s theory with my thick hair is false! Keep posting ladies so I can read during the perm/color.
I didn’t delete a post. What post?
I don’t know what happened. I was replying to Liana and Tracie. Maybe my phone. Nobody hacked into your site right? You know I get paranoid..
I can’t imagine why anyone would want to hack this site lol. I think Go Daddy is pretty secure
a root perm — what kind of perm do you have?
Oh it’s an Asian thing. You actually use a straightening iron to do it. Gives a tiny oomph to the roots. Not a curl or anything. I go to a Japanese stylist and she and I talked about Phil and Lina last time. I will tell her today SN will be out soon. I did try giving myself a big Afro once. Like solange knowles(Beyoncé’s sister). O.M.G. Whatever you visualized would be probably be correct.
Omg I love you. Are you ever in SD? Meet me for drinks!
Laura, yay!
Tracie, Ugh! Good luck.
Phil is charming, for one. And, at that time, he was enjoying having sex with Kim and didn’t want to stop…so he probably just strategically didn’t stop flirtatious touches, comments, etc. Knowing Kim and Phil better now, I can’t imagine they joined running group together or arrived together, but it wouldn’t be a far stretch for an outsider to assume they were together, especially since he wore his wedding ring. It’s hard to imagine Phil ever having an affair, but he did, and it’s painful. Every time we talk about these things, I lose my appetite. Imagine Lina and how she felt as these details kept emerging. Ugh!
Gotta focus on moving forward…
Yup! Agree.
I’m so passed the affair…Kim doesn’t deserve that much attention…
Katie, yes they say (what I read in books anywayd
) the forgiving is easier than the forgetting… and the scene Laura writes about Lina not able to look at Liam.. I could understand Lina’s conflict… she wants to move forward but there is a constant living reminder… it’s tougj.. but in a way Liam is also a constant reminder to Phil if he’s insanity and to not hurt Lina again.. ever..
Oh my goodness. It would be so hard. Anyone who calls Lina weak is sadly mistaken, because dealing with that kind of pain is STRENGTH!
God… do we all have some kind of experience here with infidelity… my close friend’s husband of 25 years also left her for another “love” their kids are all grown up… they migrated to Australia as a family.. just got their PR and suddenly said hubby is in love with someone else he works with…
I get it now why we all kind of love Phil.. sure he had a temporary insanity thing but he chose his family not the new thrill
I mean pda from Kim not Phil. She would have done it with handing him a bottle of water or squeezing his shoulders for encouragement or wiping his sweat off and giving him a side hug. I don’t mean full on tongue down Phil’s esophagus. Those little touches will give off signs that they are a couple. However those 2 pictures with Phil touching Kim and the texts(no matter that Kim mainipulated) was Phil and not a body double. You can forgive him but you can’t excuse how he acted those four months. He loved Lina but he did want Kim and “enjoyed” his time with her. If we didn’t love Phil we wouldn’t care as much. All this will be explained in SN and Lina forgave him so that’s it. We are all just dissecting the sections that were hard for all of us to read and harder for Laura to write.
Liana Scroll up…could you assume they were a couple if he handed her his towel to wipe her face or gave her a bottle of water? He didn’t have to touch her for Emily to assume….There was a couple at work that were having an affair and we figured it out, because they signed in at the gym everyday within a few minutes of each other and walked the track together, but they never touched…you can assume and we were right, but there was no PDA….
True Tracy.. I’m so excited to see how it is in SN!
And btw good morning! Having breakky? Or off to do your daily activities?
Emily didn’t say wife (she may have assumed)…she said “I had no idea.” I thought you and…..then she trailed off with the rest of her response….Then Lina said “Kim”….I think the group probably ran at a certain time and maybe Megan couldn’t always participate. Phil never got to explain…..them arriving together is also stretching it for me, but I may be to protective over my Phil too!!! Lol….Now they may have seen him follow her from the parking lot in separate cars and assumed they were having an affair or a couple…
Tracy what your saying got me thinking… so if I were Emily and I was to have a conclusion that a man and woman is a couple it should not only because of words but also seeing a certain level of intimacy right? I mean they were having sex… surely the touches and famimiarity they give each other are different… so that was what I assumed… and thinking Kim was the wife maybe because Phil had his wedding ring on? I would think (if I was Emily) well he has a wedding ring and he is giving this woman touches or heated looks.. surely she is said wife..
Gosh what time is it where you ladies are at? It’s actually 3am here in Melbourne Australia… hahaha
The thesis thing made me a temporary (I hope) night owl
It is 9:46am here in Oklahoma….
Morning Ladies.
Continuing on with Phil, it still irks me that he took her to Steamboat and the bar scene of them dancing. That show’s more than sex to me, and I hope we get some explanations in SN. I’m Team Phil, but I seem to go back and forth somewhat when I read other bloggers’ views on here.
Laura, I know you’ve answered this before, but how much of Nick do we see in SN? He’s still a thorn in Phil’s side too!
Ann I believe he explains in the picture scene…but he had the affair yes, was it a slap in the face to Lina, yes! However, Lina sees more in her soulmate, than a man that betrayed her, she sees her life and her happiness…Remember in Chapter 48, when she is remembering the trauma and Phil’s supporting role in the most tragic time of her young life? He put his life on hold for her, to help her heal…he helped take care of her family and held Lina up when she was going under….How could she not sacrifice a little of her pride, when the man she loved, suddenly wasn’t perfect anymore??? I personally took a spoonful of sugar to help that bitter pill go down and I feel much better…Lol
I need to add this…but I guarantee they didn’t show up holding hands and skipping…she may have given the impression to others that they were a couple with subtle touches or running beside him, and talking at his car with him after the run…but Phil would not have kissed her in the parking lot with all to see, etc, and I doubt they showed up together to run, if they did, to me that would be out of character for Phil, especially the group being in Baltimore….
I think he went and picked her up. I think this from what Emily said. Didn’t she think Kim was Phil’s wife? If they came in separate cars I don’t think she would assume that. Also what’s the point of running together if they weren’t going to fuck before or after since that was the point of Phil letting not Kim run with him and not Megan. I just have to think of it as checking out for four months.
Janet… maybe (I hope) Kim was the one whispering to everyone that she’s Phil’s partner? instead of Phil being all touchy feely towards Kim (I hope)… I’m doing a lot of hoping here…
Ladies I can say with confidence, Phil would not have been touchy and affectionate with Kim in that running group..He may have handed her his towel to wipe her sweaty face or a bottle of water…but he would not have kissed her or leaned in for hugs and phone selfies…if he had, Lina would of got a 5th picture on her birthday….
Good point! Maybe Kim sprang some PDA on him… but he didn’t shove her away? It doesn’t have to be a man in love to react kind of stunned and not rejecting being ambushed by a young attractive female…
Liana if she would of sprung it, he would of shut that shit down quick….
Yep totally what I meant about getting these clarifications in SN about the “misunderstandings” in AWPF. I mean If I was Lina I would be imagining them holding hands etc etc.. after all the beating down of my confidence with the affair…
I literally felt Lina’s heart broke when she saw how Nick’s girlfriend was confused of who is Lina to Phil… and then Lina had doubts on her physical appearance thinking men her age aren’t attracted to women her age, but will probably go for women Kim’s and said girlfriend’s age (something Lina also asked Nick if I’m not mistaken).
This group is totally a repreive during the waiting period of SN.. can’t wait to read it Laura!
@Janet, I did read all the snipets… that was my first priority after I was done with the thesis haha..
Hahaha. Perfect!
Girls I may be way out in left field, but I don’t see Phil joining the running club with her (maybe wrong). I also don’t see him voicing out loud to a group of runners that they are a couple, etc…that would be way to close to home for Phil, my opinion only…he may have joined to up the level of his training and she invaded his space…who knows…but that would give him more access to her during the four months and he probably took advantage of the opportunity…..
Ok. I don’t think Liana meant voicing but letting the group think they are. Probably because he didn’t want to correct them when Kim was showing PDA. Laura tells us temporary insanity.
Tracie is right. Kim invaded his space and he didn’t stop her.
J-Girl even open PDA with her in public (Maybe in NYC), would be a stretch for me, especially it being in Baltimore, where people could recognize him or know Lina somehow…you know the old saying small world….
Sorry Liana….I said Linda in above post….
No worries there… I knew you ment me ;).
Laura, what really makes so excited about reading SN is actually finding out what is going on in Phil’s head… to do all the stupid things he did with Kim.. I mean he didn’t love her but he went all the trouble of joining running club not correcting other people’s assumption that Kim is his wife (for example)? in some aspect I don’t blame Kim if she thought she’s got him.. he sure made it seem like Kim is worth something for him…
I kept searching for the psychological facts of why people cheat and would they leave their respective long term partners… it’s interesting what you can find :).
Question: how do you actually get the scenes words feelings? I would have thought that you actually experienced it or someone you know has… in words of a researcher: you totally nailed the points of human research analysis.. hahaha
Hi Liana welcome back! Were you able to read all the snippets? Laura wrote more than a few since we last saw you.
I didn’t know Phil and Kim joined the running group together. It I think you are right. Lina said Phil joined a new group few months ago. That means during Kim fiasco. Damn it phil.
You take care. Good luck on your studies!!
I think writing is similar to acting. You immerse yourself into the character and feel what they feel. I’m 53 so yes I’ve personally dealt with heartbreak, betrayal etc. has a partner ever got another woman pregnant? No. But it isn’t hard to put yourself in Lina’s position. I also dealt with divorce as a teenager and know first hand the impact of seeing the destruction of the family unit.
Oh my goodness.. you should make a biography too… I’d read it Laura… xoxo
I love your writing
Good Morning Girls, Congrats on finishing Linda that’s a major accomplishment no matter how mature…..Keep up the good work.
Laura can I please have a short snippet from Chapter 47? Lina said she was surprised that Phil hadn’t reached out after their kiss on the Lacrosse Field…What were his thoughts when he walked away…Then when she texted him…I can see him setting in the Farside house missing Lina after that kiss and then BAM her text comes in…his text seemed eager about picking her up…then picking her up and Logan up…Lina leaning into him at the couples house, he could maybe notice other men looking at her too….Then the dinner scene, wow his thoughts on that…I’m just saying…….
I thought about Noah and Kelly too….Since we are in the gut Wrench Trench we might as well finish….I also see Noah changing his strategy with Kelly’s son, and Kelly needing to step up without causing her son to resent Noah even more….Noah could also play the hand…you are going to be gone before long to college and you don’t want your mother to be alone, me and my son are in no way trying to replace you…..but her son needs to feel included…they can work on a car together or some manly scene to help them bond….He is fixing to turn 16….Take him to a Ravens Game……Lol
Good morning! I’m not too fond of writing long passages of inner dialogue for characters, especially males but I’ll think about this
As far as the other story – much more complicated story line than just a rebellious teenage boy
Also it’s easier with Lina because she is going to discuss feelings with Adele or Diane. Phil isn’t going to call someone and tell them he knows Lina’s coming back to him.
I didn’t think about dialogue… I just think about HOT…. Another reason I couldn’t be an author…Lol…Whatever you pick to do I will enjoy it…I always do…
Phil will tell Kim that is all that matters to me…
Hello ladies! My goodness I just finished catching up reading the posts. I have been missing in action finishing up my thesis (yes.. I am a mature graduate student LOL) so that I could indulge reading SN once it’s published!
My emotions are all over the place reading everything in the discussions.
Praying to the editing Gods to give your editors the speed of light!
Another one at work. Look at the heels. Phil is a dead man.
https://www.google.com/search?q=kelly+wearstler&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=isnv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi4h-TNkIXfAhVkqVQKHQzqB-gQ_AUoAXoECBIQAQ&biw=414&bih=696#imgrc=5Ge8STPI9fafEM
Love it. Not sure about Lina and the bold nails, shoes and jewelry, but everything else is perfect.
Yeah I’m jumping on your train but I love her. And that is more Kim shoes anyway. Maybe Kim ate extra spicy curry and tried to seduce Phil wearing those shoes but when she got into Phil’s car she stunk so much he kicked her out. Ok. Good job Kbabe. I hope Laura can use a few of the pics in the book.
I agree about Kim in a Herve Leger bandage dress. She’s a herpe that needs a bandaid, for sure.
I love the work looks girls..can’t wait to see our Lina strut her stuff and our Phil grow….
Lina at work ala kelly wearstler
https://www.google.com/search?q=kelly+wearstler&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=isnv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi4h-TNkIXfAhVkqVQKHQzqB-gQ_AUoAXoECBIQAQ&biw=414&bih=696#imgrc=QDnWNvPDasYOCM
Yes!! The blazer, jeans, stilettos. ?
That dress was hot Kbabe, I could so see Lina wearing that dress….also that’s how I picture her being built as well… can you imagine if she walked down the stairs dressed in that gold dress and he couldn’t go with her…that earthquake in Alaska wouldn’t have nothing on Phil
This is what I imagine. This dress by St. John. Subtle chic, high slit. What we see versus what Phil sees. I think Phil likes suggestive sexy. He could still touch her sensitive areas under a fine dining table via the slit.
https://pin.it/p72n3cotciwf67
Gurrrrl. You got this. Who knew st John is this sexy! It could be runway Versace but you should put that on SN. Love the lingerie pick. How did Lina dress before you think? More simple and down to earth. And now because of her career and her field she can be little more suggestive than a lawyer perhaps. Let me find a picture of Kelly wearstler. Shes a interior designer.
I like that dress J-Girl…If the dress was a bit longer it would be perfect…I wonder if Lina had a dress on when Phil was running his palms up the back of her thighs and when he got up there if she was wearing a thong..Phil would of loved that….
Yes. I read it as Lina wear a dress. I picked more risqué ones because I want Phil’s eyes to pop out and take her to the nearest hotel rather than the party. Lol. Black lace looks good on Lina!
Also if you guys are ever in a mood for a historical, Lisa kleypas’ Midnight Angel has similar theme to Laura’s Noah story. Super good. She’s right up there with Laura. The guy loses his right hand trying save his wife in a fire. He’s an earl. He has a hook for his hand and falls in love with a 18 year old governess. Omg it’s so good you guys. I’ve been a fan of hers since my teens.
How about this one for Lina. Too short?
I can also see her in silk wrap dresses by DVF like Katie said
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/258112622364610298/#details?amp_client_id=KKcrVPmfrBgCEu8Jw9uYtNZHNfAws2ehguBL2PFUOFsvGP7387nWTI3RNQ8Z4atf&mweb_unauth_id=705135888132c3fbad93c93c0aa7baf4
Laura don’t know if I can read the book with that scene in it. It hits too close to home. But I will give it a try, maybe just scim. If a book has your name on it I’ll read.
Is this the family drama you mentioned? Which book will you publish next or is that a toss up?
I really don’t know which one I’ll finish next
Oh Laura that scene you just shared with us about Noah and Kelly was so heartbreaking and so good. Now you’ve got my interest spiked. Finish that one next. This story sounds damn good.
You are truly a gifted author. I’m serious you are the best.
Getting back to the Hunters is going to be bitter sweet for Phil. Growing pains for him with his Lina breaking free into a career and him with a baby. I think they will both grow and be stronger. Love me some Phil.
Me too Ann he is hot…I just hope there is enough of them both to go around…The have teenage kids and a toddler, so hard to switch gears between worlds…it’s like having two different families….
What about Phil all by himself at the office Christmas Party…Kim shows up or had she already left? I would love to know how he feels at the party, on display without Lina, especially if Kim is there and pregnant…
They weren’t involved during the office Christmas party — the affair started in February and Kim was at another law firm the following Christmas
Today I’ve been cheating on the Hunters…
What do you think?
Muse: “a person who causes someone else to have ideas about creating a work of art : a person who inspires an artist, writer, etc.” Webster
In the early afternoon of December 23, 2017 as Kelly Donovan sat in her jeep cursing those responsible for the gridlock on GW parkway less than a half mile from her exit, she had no idea a quarter mile up the road in a heap of crumpled medal a pregnant mother and eighteen month old girl lay dying, a two-and-a-half-year-old boy barely clung to life, and the tragedies unfolding were bringing her closer to her muse.
“Unbelievable!” She slapped her hands on the steering wheel, staring at the sea of brake lights before her. Of all the days to get stuck in traffic, why did it have to be this one? She was going to miss the meeting and she needed this job. She didn’t want it, but she needed it.
“Openness, patience, receptivity, solitude is everything,” the words from Rainer Maria Wilke quoted by her yoga instructor that morning arose in her mind. The very words which sounded so inspirational and uplifting as she sat in the lotus position hours earlier now shot her current annoyance level up and notch.
“Fuck!” She yanked on the steering wheel. Her eyes focused on the shoulder, the empty lane of pavement that could take her to the exit. It was only half a mile, less than a minute, but what if a cop came, what if—“Fuck it,” she said taking her foot off the brake. It was worth the risk.
The first two hundred yards went smoothly, her speed teetering between twenty five and thirty miles an hour, and she was mentally congratulating herself for her guts and fortitude when she heard the distinct wailing of sirens. A glance in her rearview mirror confirmed a vehicle with flashing lights approaching, but not the police car she feared, but an ambulance.
She pressed the gas pedal harder, deciding she needed to remove herself from his path as quickly as possible, but after another fifty yards, with the ambulance now just feet behind she ran out of available asphalt. The shoulder was now as gridlocked as the road beside it, filled with vehicles like Kelly’s, whose owners chose to ignore the clearly posted signs, “Shoulder for Emergency Vehicles Only,” and try to reach the next available exit. And then she saw it, up ahead another fifty yards, a dump truck on its side, another vehicle pinned beneath it.
A desperate search around confirmed what she already knew. There was nowhere to go. With a guardrail on her left and vehicles on all other sides of her, she was completely boxed in. She and the line of vehicles in front of her were blocking an emergency vehicle from reaching people who were in dire need of assistance. She felt sick.
Dr. Noah Shaw hummed along to the chords of Nirvana’s Come as You Are playing in his operating room, his hands deftly untwisting the intestines of a four-week old girl suffering from a malrotation. “A Christmas miracle,” he announced moments later, the intestines turning from black to pink before their eyes. Cheers erupted in the room, the others understanding the baby, near death seconds earlier, would not only survive, but would survive with her intestines intact. “Go tell the parents she’s going to be fine,” he said to one of the nurses. “I’ll come out to speak them after we’re done.”
“Why aren’t we listening to holiday music?” One of the residences asked. “It’s two days until Christmas.”
“Aren’t you Jewish, Goldstein?” another asked.
“So? It doesn’t mean I don’t like Santa Clause.”
“If someone has a Christmas CD, put it on,” Dr. Shaw said. “Goldstein, switch places with me – your about to remove an appendix.”
“Oh, yeah! Crank up that Christmas music darlin,” he said to a nurse who was changing out the CD.
“Nice choice people,” Dr. Shaw chuckled as Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer began playing from the stereo speakers.
“Noah, I’ve got this,” another surgeon said from behind him. “You’re needed outside.”
“What is it?”
“I’ve got this,” the surgeon repeated. “Just go.”
The solemn face of another colleague greeted him as soon as he stepped out of the operating room. “What do you have for me?” he asked as he began to remove his gloves.
“There’s been an accident.”
“An accident?” He tossed the gloves in the biohazard can and began to wash his hands. I’m not on call this weekend. I’m taking Beth to dinner and then to see the Nutcracker at the Kennedy Center. She’s been looking forward to it for weeks. If I try to –.”
“Noah, Beth and the kids were in an accident.”
“What?” He spun around, pulling his mask from his face. “Where are they?”
“We’re prepping Nathan for surgery. We need your signature. There’s a grade five laceration to his liver – they have to stop the bleeding.”
“Beth?”
“I’m sorry, Noah.” The other man shook his head, tears in his eyes. “Beth and Charlotte didn’t survive.”
Outstanding…Lord I hope Kelly’s impulsive move didn’t stop the mother and daughter from being saved…Laura is this one of the five? This will be so good…
Holy moly! This is the second chance one you spoke about? The wife and kids died?!! I can’t. Shit shoot shit Noah is HOT listening to nirvana but man….
There will be some really hard feelings in this book…Wow…That gave me the shivers…so so good….
Yes this is one of the five — I’ve already written over 60,000 words. It’s an emotional roller coaster. I was almost done with it and my computer crashed and I lost 75 pages — and I had no other backup. I was so sick I stopped writing for about 9 months. Then I wrote WPF
No way! 75 pages?? No way. You can’t replicate that either. Damn it. that subject matter is a hard one especially if the guy loved the wife. But if anyone can write it it’s you. I remember reading Linda Howard’s sarah’s Child. The guys wife and 2 sons die in a car wreck and he falls in love with the wife’s friend who has been in love with him forever. It was heart and gut and brain and muscle wrenching. Lord. I’m too old Laura go through that now.
They meet two years later — the biggest issue becomes her spoiled 16-year-old son
It’s hard to imagine having to rewrite some fairly gut-wrenching scenes — which is why I haven’t. I really love this book though. So I have to finish it (again)
Lord I hate the spoiled ones….That act horrible….But his son would only be 4 or 5…so how old are the characters…
She’s 32
He’s 42
His son is 4
Her son is 15 – she had him before she was out of high school (a whole sordid tale) but she raised him by herself and is very protective of him. He’s a difficult boy and clashes with the H
I’ve never read Sarah’s child…
Oh man, but with we believe in HEA’s maybe they can have a baby together and it can be a little girl…..Is he mean to the H’s little boy…
No not at all. But he a partier and he uses bad language, watches inappropriate movies. He isn’t used to rules. She (kelly) was raised in a strict house and wants her son to be happy
That’s not gong to fly, but maybe he will start to appreciate Noah’s attention since he doesn’t have a father…Is he protective of his mother and jealous of her with another man
Yes exactly and doesn’t want another man telling him what to do. Plus his mother lets him talk to her any way he wants. Doesn’t sit well with a man that’s in love with her
Sounds like to me Kelly is going to have to step up and take the reins and he’s going to have to like it, because he’s 15…..
Omg!
I can’t give you girls anymore scenes from the SN — you’re becoming too clever at piecing things together. I’ll only give you knew scenes I write from WPF
Lol. St. John makes form fitting dresses. I can see Lina in this gold lamé type even if it’s on sale.
I think Kim wears Versace or those bandage wrap dreasss like Herve leger while in nyc for dinner. Bitch.
Lina would wear Carolina Herrera for work. My moms going to her alum dinner on Sunday and she found a beautiful holiday white suit from there. Good for 30 plus. Just hits the knee on my short mom so on Lina it’ll be an inch above knee. I love white this season. I can see Lina wearing a white cashmere dress with red or gold 4 in heels too. That’ll bring her up to 5’10”. Her lips will meet Phil’s neck and jaw.
I only like St. John for evening gowns for her. Very chic. The suits and everyday dresses are matronly, I agree.
I’m looking up Carolina Herrera….You know Phil has a kissable neck, those are so hot…..Any man that has an adams apple that sticks out like an extra elbow that is a no go……
Lord I think that’s my husband. The elbow stick out. I will tell him you said that! Bahaaa
Why do you want to do that…Lol…man works 18 hours a day…
hahaha! I love chicken curry! Love it!
https://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/victoria-beckham-sleeveless-crewneck-fitted-crepe-dress-prod212430062?childItemId=NMB4F5A_
https://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/valentino-long-sleeve-starburst-sequin-crepe-couture-mini-dress-prod210070067?childItemId=NMB4BC2_
This one is a fun one!
Love the first two! Can’t imagine what Phil would do if she wore the third one out without him
I see her in a lot of elie tahari, theory, and a few DvF dresses for work.
This is great! Describe a couple of outfits and I’ll put them in SN
https://m.saks.com/pd.jsp?site_refer=CSE_GGLPLA:Womens_Dresses:St.+John&gclid=Cj0KCQiAxZPgBRCmARIsAOrTHSY_5Qqv8A8x90BtkSq7fKGnFWHvGNnuB-z7K5w-0RMT6rwjHIU0ikYaAjfSEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&productCode=0400098023045
Loved this dress….
Hi girls, all is well with me. I do feel like I’m constantly being poked and prodded in the name of prevention, but I should be grateful. Laura, a snippet would really help my recovery today. ?
Ooh good one Kbabe. Poor you. You must be starving. For food as well as a snippet. Hint. I’m making chicken curry. Yummmo. But I feel weak from just sitting down for 8 hrs yesterday too. Lol. Hint hint. Poor Tracie. Nothing to do on her day off but wait for Laura’s snippet so she can imagine Phil and Lina in evening wear. I wonder who Lina will wear? Stella?
St.John!
Omg. Isn’t she too young for that? That’s my moms go to for weddings. and she’s 75. Maybe they changed designers. Let me go look at St. John. I was thinking more like Tom Ford or even marchese becasues she’s so feminine. You guys wear Sanuk? Their chill collection is 40 percent off just for today. I got the puff and chill.
Girls whatever you put Lina in make sure it is hot….Also J and k pick her out a power suit…Like Chanel J…I wonder what Kim wears? I can solve one mystery it’s not a chastity belt…Lol…I cracked my own self up on that one….
How do you make chicken curry in a toaster oven and you will sweat that curry out of your pores…We had a girl at work she was into Indian food and she put curry powder on everything and lots of it…I finally had to tell she smelled like a nasty Urinal and she needed to switch to Mrs. Dash it was bad…
Yes it does come out of your pores. You are right. I make Japanese curry though but I burp up same curry stink. For this I busted out my cast iron pot that I reserve for Kim. You know it’s good for you. Lol. That and turmeric. I love tumeric potatoes and peas together.
I might eat a little, but I’m not eating so much that I smell like a piss field of wild onions…..not happening…
Well then I hope Kim ate lots and lots of curry. Phil is disgusted with that smell.
Laura, any chance of a sneak peek into one of the office party scene? Omg that would get us going for the next 48 hrs I would think. Tracie alone could probably whip up 48 in an hour. Lol. Sorry to use you again Tracie but you are Laura’s favorite and if it works today I’ll use you again tomorrow. Hahaha
Regarding Phil being insecure, I never thought so but maybe after what Nick tells Phil, it makes him think what if she does outgrow me now that she’s working for Damien/William? Is Damien attracted to Lina?
LOL we new some original material for SN! No Damien Lina sparks.
Girls knowing how awesome Lina is at everything, don’t you think she will probably become a sought after interior designer? I wonder if her career takes off in SN?
Can’t you see Lina coming through the kitchen door dressed to kill in a power suit and stiletto heels carrying a high dollar brief case…Phil and all the kids around the table….Maybe her assistant on the phone with her working through a major design dilemma and her holding up her finger to tell the crew, to hold one and her looking the Wonder Woman of all that is interior design….
I’m also wondering how William and his brother found her???
I guess you’ll find out…
Janet WPF was 398 and it is 10,000 words more so that should put SN at about 435…..
Laura do Adele or Alice watch Liam when Phil and Lina are in a bind for a babysitter? Even on Phil’s weekends there will be times when Lina and Phil have to be somewhere or Katie or Logan may have a school function that they have to go to, so what do they do? Did this come up in SN?
Sure it comes up.
In WPF Lina noted how busy she usually was between Thanksgiving and Christmas and all the Holiday parties her and Phil had to attend, with his business associates, etc…If Liam is incorporated by Christmas…that will be some social engineering going on with the Hunter Calendar…then throw in Lina’s business parties….They will have to divide and conquer no choice….
You and Jordan had 5 places to go to at Thanksgiving, and with all you friends…your party schedule should be kicking off before long…..I have two I have to attend…..we are pretty low key….
Guys! I just got Price of Mason. It’s the sequel from Masons PoV(forbidden men series). Its 494 pages. Just saying Laura…. hint.
You are too cute with your hints. We’re right there with ya J.
You always pick white because you said it would be awesome with her coloring Lol….
Ann, you are on your way to win! And yay yay you will put yourself in the book when the ravens scene pops up. So cool!
Kbabe, what’s wrong Coz? Are you OK?
Deighj, you are a sister everyone needs. I will trade you for mine. She’s always bossing me around and telling me what to do even though she’s the baby in our family. Lol. With trump at the helm something is always going on so you wouldn’t have known unless you opened up your news feed this am.
Tracie, I cannot wait to see which color cheekstee Lina is wearing? Maybe it’ll be white to contrast Phil’s black. Lol.
Laura is there a scene where Lina goes to Neiman Marcus with Adele and sees that pink tie the witch gave Phil? Probably not but who else would hassle you in the morning about Kim?
Linda, hope you had a good weekend and post this week!
Unlike Lina I do have some sale returns at neimans today so I will probably be thinking of Kim while I’m there. Have a great day everyone!
I’m OK. Just preventative screening. I’m here now. Talk to you girls in a few hours. After I eat of course.
Glad to hear it Kbabe….
I’ll just say this — Phil is a man that likes to be in control. He has Lina back but things have changed. She’s working full-time and he now has a son he has to spend time with — growing pains.
Add in his other kids and Logans Lacrosse and his life has really changed….
Dang! How out of the loop can you get? I’m going to go catch up, sorry for the dumb ass questions.
Deighj no need to apologize ask away sweet girl…
Hi Ania, everything I viewed via the links puts my imagination to shame; Poland is much more beautiful. I don’t want to be just a visitor, I want to immerse myself in living in a small town for a year or so. I want to get to know the people, their outlook on life, the culture of small town Poland.
No it’s the shutdown for the funeral of President Bush that died Friday…He will be in viewed on Wednesday and a lot of the DC offices want to attend so he is shutting down Washington, but he will extend it government wide out of respect for the Bush family…
Morning Trace, how long do you think this shut down will last? Is it b/c of the border wall funding? An unexpected day off is always welcomed, whatever the reason.
Been out for a day enjoying family and season even though my mind kept straying back here wondering what you girls were up to.
The government is closed to honor Bush
Laura is there a scene in SN where Phil describes what Lina looks like naked, in her underwear or clothed…Lina did that several times in WPF regarding Phil and I just wondered if he would return the favor in SN….I can see her getting ready in the morning leaning over the sink putting on her mascara and him standing in the door way watching her in a pair of black boy cut cheekies with matching bra and him thinking how hot she was and if she could be late for work….Being a runner she has good muscle tone in the thighs and ass….Just saying…
Actually there is
That is so flippin hot…Ann will like that too….J-Girl and I were always tit for tat, where we wanted Phil noticing men looking at Lina and how hot she was…Just like she did with him Lol
Oh holy crap I will love it. I want to see Phil so crazy in love with Lina, period. Then I want to see him put Kim in her place for good!
So is Phil worried Lina will realize how much baggage he has and leave him? I find that hard to believe (Lina would never…). His jealousy is sure making him seem insecure.
Katie…Have you had your procedure?
I think Nick saying she would outgrow him might weigh on his mind…The antics I’m sure Kim is going to pull would also add fuel to Phil’s worries that Lina could reach her limit…Like Laura said she’s out in the world and the kids had the 6 months of separation to get use to that and he hasn’t…
Laura does it bother Phil that Lina thought she needed that independence because of the separation…I remember the scene where she took half the money out of the checking account…I bet he felt bad, knowing she would think she needed to do that to protect herself…
Did I say that? If I did, I didn’t mean to. Phil is possessive — I would never call him insecure
Phil would never be insecure, but his marriage almost got destroyed once, him being protective and possessive over Lina, to me is keeping her close, secure and loving her like the world ends tomorrow.. Her being out in the world, with men like Nick easily falling for her and Kim circling like a buzzard to roadkill has the brother on high alert…
Not even insecure about losing her after what happened with Nick?
Did you think he was insecure in WPF?
I meant Nick Prossi
Oh Lordy Laura, I feel so honored. Thank you! Is it a happy scene at the Ravens game with the Hunters? Oh, I hope so. I miss the Hunters too. I’ve reread WPF several times now. I just love those characters so much. I think everyone on this blog feels the same way.
Are you taking a little break now or have you started back with the Tony Prossi book?
I’m happy our Ravens won yesterday too!
Yes, it’s a really nice day here for a change. I walked this morning with my retired ladies of the neighborhood.
Laura, if you have already answered this question, please excuse me, but any estimate on when SN will be released?
I won’t start back on my Nick Prossi novel until SN is published. The editor can take anywhere from 3-6 weeks and then depending on what she says it’s done or I need to make revisions. Maybe another week — the act of turning it into an ebook is about three days. Given all that my estimate for when it will be ready would have to be between 3-6 weeks.
Thanks Laura.
I miss them too Laura…I hope the scene is with Logan…after Chapter 38 Phil took him to a Ravens game the following Saturday….Lol…….
Is Nick’s you don’t deserve her scene still in play? When you give us a snippet or scene I wear myself out making up my own finale or beginning of each one, sometimes both…my imagination is killing me and leaving dark circles under my eyes…Lol
What will be the ultimate is reading SN and seeing how far off our imagination actually took us, we may need aftercare therapy when we get through the Swim….
Tracie, I know you are consumed with the Hunters and so am I. I just can’t get enough of Phil.
I am once I get to read the book I will feel so much better, but they will always be my favorites…WPF is still #1 in my Library and like you girls, I’m having trouble finding books to compare…..Now we know that Laura has 5 books setting out there with no endings all she has to do is throw a scene and give us a little background and we will be back in another ball game…Lol. But until I know the Hunter’s are happy and Phil has absorbed Lina I’m in a delay of game and can’t move on until we are through….
Ann you are the only one that thought how Phil was setting was hot in that scene…it was smoking…I can see his arm on the arm rest of the couch and him holding the bottle by the neck….Sweet….
Yes the Nick scene remains intact — it’s important. It isn’t going anywhere.
LOL — yes, it’s interesting for me to read your theories too.
Good Morning Girls….It’s a great morning, just found out President Trump is shutting the government down Wednesday so that is a day off I wasn’t expecting, but I’m glad to be getting.
After our Team Phil scene I’m even more fired up about SN…can’t wait to see what this week holds for us…the editor has had it a week today….#TeamPhil…..
Good morning ladies!
Beautiful day here in the east. Lots of sunshine. I wrote a little scene for Ann yesterday that takes place at a Ravens game. I’ll just add it to SN when I get it back from the editor. I miss the Hunters.
Laura I need one question answered it shouldn’t give anything away or at least I think it won’t…Lol….I’ve read the team Phil scene like 12 times but is the reason he asked how many men, because he was wallowing a little bit because he couldn’t be with her, wherever she was……
I wondered about this too. How it sounded like he was tired from taking care of Liam. And when Lina asked about Liam, Phil just watched her and asked that question without answering. He had football on but was thinking about Lina.
You know Salt we talked about his consequences before and how Lina would probably make Phil responsible for Liam’s care, etc…He would be the one to give up his free time now instead of her, like when she was raising their kids…
Janet’s right. He was a little down
Laura you made a comment when we talking about the NYC trip that Phil feels a little out of control with Lina away from him….I guess he feels the same way no matter where she is, especially in social environment without him….He knows she is beautiful and a ring on her finger, but that doesn’t men won’t try if he’s not there….Poor Phil
It’s worse when she’s traveling
Is it because of his own guilt or he just can’t stand the thought of not being close to her???
It has nothing to do with his guilt
That’s reassuring how it has nothing to do with guilt and everything to do with his possessiveness. Certainly will give him chest pains for sure.
Sorry for late questions but was Phil aware of other men attracted to Lina before Nick?
Yes but she wasn’t really out there in the world
Phils growing is going to give him heart failure….
Imagine Logan and Katie…they have to spend more time alone with Phil and he’s amped because Lina is out in the world…
Also LD Davis accidentally purpose and also LJ Shen defy are both really good. Defy is more of a novella but it’s an older woman teacher and her student story. Again both really good but I don’t recommend any other LD Davis books
Thanks guys! Ok I’m back to Phil and Linas world.
K, I read it while ago. She’s a good writer but it’s angsty. They both have different partners when they break up over something dumb. There’s an age gap so you may like it. I liked it more than the Moore series.
Thanks I think I’ll check it out
Has anyone read KA Linde’s Off the Record? It was on Ania’s list and looks a little bit like Sense of Belonging (?).
That’s awesome J-Girl…tell him to quit being so humble that’s an incredible accomplishment…
We just got to the restaurant. Sorry Kbabe. I’m exhausted and I didn’t do anything other than sit there. My baby placed second and will go to junior Olympics in January. Woohoo! He didn’t want me posting but I am proud of the sacrifices he made to get here. I’ll check back once I get home.
That’s amazing!!!
Wow! That’s incredible. How exciting! Congratulations to him!
It’s been quite today J-Girl…How did the tournament go?
I have to do this every few years. I’m drinking black coffee and having chicken broth for lunch; I’m pissy. I like to eat. Feel sorry for me.
I feel sorry for you Kbabe, I’ve had to have procedures like that and sometimes I had to drink some nasty tasting liquid that locked my jaws from the salty sweet taste…I told the doctor I just love the party favors you boys throw out for “procedures” what’s next thumb screws…..I have the feels for you angel….
Hey there. Just think of the 4 lbs you will lose! I haven’t eaten yet either. I’ll try to stick it out with you till dinner time. Anything happen today? I’m scrolling now.
Well, I’ll catch up with you ladies later today. We’re hosting a Ravens party today, lots of food (sorry Katie) and laughs. I hope these Ravens can pull out a win today.
Enjoy your day ladies.
No she didn’t say who was with Megan. It must have been a good scene because Jordan cried. Can’t wait.
Maybe Megan gets a boyfriend who cheats on her and then she gets a glimpse of how hurtful it is and then has a coming to Jesus moment with mom.
I think it will be with Phil…I agree with Katie on the content. She’s so much like Phil, so Phil turning on Phil, so to speak should be a sight to see….
Did she say who Megan is talking to in the scene?
What’s everyone’s thoughts on the emotional scene with Meghan? Do you think at has to do with Phil, or Lina? I think Meghan was self-centered and took advantage of Lina. All she thought about was how her parent’s separation would affect her. Like she said I don’t want to have to go to two different houses on holidays. Maybe Phil lit into her a little for the way she treated Lina.
Any thoughts?
I really think the fog of her hero worship dissipates and she acknowdges how much her dad’s betrayal has hurt her mother and family. A redemption scene of sorts.
Good luck tomorrow Katie!!
Thank you Ann. Have a nice day.
Ok, no mention of food on here today, girls. I’m on a clear diet today in prep for a procedure tomorrow. Even Kimchi is going to start sounding good.
Hi Ania. Love hearing your thoughts on the Hunters, and Phil! I agree that most women probably would never be able to move past the affair and the new baby. Takes a special woman, like our Lina, to be able to forgive. I also loved Alice’s character. I just laughed out loud at some of her dialogue.
The recommended books you have listed, well I have read half of them. I especially liked Julie Richman’s Needing Moore Series. That was an angst fest.
Stay warm on the dark rainy day over in Poland. It’s rainy here in Maryland too.
I think most women like to think they wouldn’t forgive their husband. Including the dog park woman I now know of four women this has happened to. Two stayed with their husband (one got full custody of the child, the other never incorporated the child into the existing family but saw the child) and the other two would have forgiven their husbands but their husbands left to be with the other women.
I read a book once where the husband didn’t incorporate the child, because the wife just couldn’t get over what her husband had done and the child resented her dad and his wife when she was an adult….I think you would have to incorporate the child for the marriage to work and the family to be happy….
I tell you what girls, my 2 year old spent the night with me last night and he has been up 30 minutes and has asked me at least 20 times “ Wha ya doin Mimi.” He sounds like The Godfather’s grandson instead of mine…Lol Of course everytime he ask me I come up with something different and he says “you punny Mimi.” I squeeze him much…Hes so cute!
I bet you are an awesome Mimi! Lucky boy.
Good morning Ania…and yes it’s a beautiful mornin….Lol…Poland sounds not only beautiful but mysterious with the castles and probably some white knights on big black horses…That sounds hot doesn’t it…Lol. Some people can’t forgive affairs and that’s fine, we each have our own moral compass …You are right in that life is way to short to be unhappy… Lina just couldn’t be happy without Phil…I would of thought her weak for taking him back, if I had felt his devastation in what he had done…People say I can’t get past how he just said I made a mistake, I love you and let’s move on…In all reality, what else could he say…he did it..he had no defense…..But he paid and will still be paying in SN for his betrayal he is just fortunate enough to have Lina by his side….I hope the rain stops and you have a little sunshine today Ania….Thanks for blogging with us. I love hearing your views and all about Poland it’s beautiful…
Hello Lovely Ladies and thank you for your kind words.
It is Sunday morning 6 °C (42,8°F). It is dark and rainy outside – I am at the computer drinking my fovourite coffee (with coconut oil + cardamom powder + cloves powder – Yes I am unique 🙂 and life is wonderful 🙂
Hi Tracie!
Right now I signing for you ‘Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin’
Here is a list of books on the Countdown to SN 🙂
– L D Davis – Accidentally on Purpose (Accidentally on Purpose, #1)
– Julie A Richman – Needing Moore Series Boxed Set
-Whitney G – Turbulence
-Whitney G – Reasonable Doubt
– Alessandra Torre – Blindfolded innocence
-A L Zaun – It’s Not Over (The Do Over, #2)
– KA Linde – Off the Record (Record, #1)
-Stylo Fantome -My Time in the Affair
-Stylo Fantome – Neighbors (Twin Estates #1)
-L J Shen – Defy (Sinners of Saint)
-Mhairi McFarkane – You Had Me At Hello
– D W Cee – Unlikely Attraction – Delaney’s Story
Hi Laura!
It is amazing we can interact with you and this blog has such a good vibe.
”The question for each of us is — can you ever forgive an affair”
I dont know but at the moment my answer is No, this is completely unacceptable. Honesty is very important to me and it’s one of the most important aspects of a relationship in general. Because we are together, you are my best friend, the biggest supporter, nothing make you happier that seeing my smile so why on earth have you done this ? That’s my view. However, everyone has their own story and I would understand if somebody wants to forgive infidelity.
I asked my husband about this topic: His words: ” Are 5 minutes of amazing time worth good life with your partner ? Because afterwards it won’t be the same. But if you stuck in the miserable relationship you should end this because life is not a punishment – we were born to be happy.”
Also, on a different note -I just thought I’d share that with you – In A White Picket Fence I liked Alice’s thoughts, which made me pause and contemplate on life.
To Jordan the very first biggest fan!
I like your relationship with your mom.
Hi Janet!
– I love kimchi – is easy to make, is yummy and super healthy like all fermented vegetables. Although, I know the salty, stinky and sour taste is hard to be embraced by others:)
Hi Linda! Como Estas ?
Your English is perfect !
Hi Katie!
You so nice 🙂
I’m the same after YEARS of schooling I only remember few sentences and counting to ten in German & how to read Russian Cyrillic alphabet.
Hi Deighj!
Thank you, that’s so nice to hear! It is a land of magic and legends with about 2800 castles scattered all over Poland.
Like Malbork Castle, it’s one of the world’s largest brick castle in the world measured by land area. The construction began in 1275.
Then, have you heard about Wieliczka Salt Mine ? -The world’s biggest church built underground made entirely out of rock salt and is located at the depth of 101 meters. Officially opened in the 13th century.
And most cities have medieval market squares, which usually filled with cafes, shops and restaurants etc.
If you fancy I have attached three links for you to check out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekz6i58kVpI
http://www.roamingrequired.com/exploring-polands-famous-wieliczka-salt-mine/
https://discovercracow.com/poland-beautiful-places/
Deighj you have no choice you have to visit Poland xx
Love from Ania!
Ania — what a wonderful message to wake up too. I had no idea about Wieliczka — amazing! Poland sounds so beautiful — I have to go! I’ve been to Ukraine — I wish I had stopped in Poland.
Your husband sounds like a smart man!
Hi Ania! I too want to visit your country. I did a study abroad program in college 30 years ago and was able to visit Czech Republic and Croatia but the city I wanted to visit (Krowkow)in your country was 8 hrs away from Prague…. It will definitely be on my list now and I will ask for your advice when the time comes. I will look at your YouTube suggestions now.
Are you in your 30s like our Kate here? Also thank you for the book recommendation. There are two books on your list I’ve never heard of so I will check those out.
Which chapters of WPF were your favorites? Have you read Laura’s other books? Who is your favorite hero?
I am impressed that you can make kimchi and embarrassed that I haven’t tried. My mother in law uses Japanese pears for acidity and to cut the garlic stink a bit. Maybe Linda will ask for the recipe! Lol. have a great day. Loved what your husband said about we were born to be happy.
Have a happy day ladies! Off to another competition.
You know J-Girl if your were a battery I’d only buy your brand…you never stop sister…Hope you win…
Poland is gorgeous! Definitely on my bucket list…
I love what your husband said about infidelity, and I love your comment about life not being a punishment. I guess the moral of the story is- not all relationships last, but there’s a respectful way to exit one. Respect and honesty, that’s all anyone wants.
Talk of Poland reminds me of one of my favorite movies of all time- Polish Wedding, with Claire Danes.
Much love right back at you, Ania!
And thank you for the book list!
I like how Phil is all manly sitting there drinking a beer watching football and then his eyes roam all over Lina!!
Give us more of Lina and Phil, please!
Ann you are like me the build up is as hot as the actual sex…I can just imagine him setting there like that…Yum….
Girls do you think that Phil may feel disconnected a little in SN…Like Adele and William wanting Lina to join them after work and normally Phil would join meet Lina as well, but can’t bexause he has to go pickup Liam …Lina goes because it’s work related, so that leaves her at the restaurant or bar without an escort…I bet it eats him up…he has to sit there and wait….
Consequences
Kbabe, one word says it all…I would say Poor Phil, but you guys would throw virtual daggers at me…Lol
Did everyone notice in the hot snippet Laura shared today that Phil didn’t even let Lina know how long Liam had been a sleep he just wanted to make sure no one trespassed with his woman…Liam was the furthest thing from his mind….Phil is Phil
And Lina was concerned she didn’t see Liam before bedtime. Always a mother. ?
Lina is a class act…I can’t wait to see what her answer is to his question on the men!
Night Deighj.
Tracie/Janet, I just read Admissions of Guilt. I think you two recommended it. I know katie didn’t like it but I didn’t think it was too bad. Of course it can’t compare to WPF. It did go through the heartache of the husband who had an affair (sex only) got the secretary pregnant, realized he made a huge mistake. The husband winds up with custody of the baby and him and the wife try to move on together.
Laura that story you shared about the woman from the dog park was heartbreaking. I can’t imagine what she went through. People can be so cruel. It seems like in this day and age couples don’t want to try and work through the problems that come up in marriages, they get bored and want someone younger, more exciting. It’s sad.
I didn’t mind it either Ann. The writing was choppy and K was looking or rationalizing the cheater but there wasn’t one in this case. It was just pure lust. I didnt like him because he only breaks up with OW when she tells him she’s pregnant and he got scared. I also hated him saying he never had sex that good before. So then what? He loves his wife with ok sex and he doesn’t like the secretary but has mind blowing sex with her?
I just didn’t like the writing. And you’re probably right, I want to be able to rationalize the cheating. Lust isn’t a good reason.
Replying to Janet first-
I’m not talking about the swinging thing. I’m more thinking about the park lady today. Shame on that OW, and she has kids! So let’s say two people have an affair and believe it’s true love…a person can still end the marriage in a respectful way to his partner of several DECADES who raised his children. At least explain and give some closure.
As far couple swapping. It’s not something I could ever do, but I respect people’s choices, and more power to them if it works for them. But this book series (The Ground Rules) is headed in the direction I would expect. I find it unrealistic to think all 4 people could stay detached emotionally. Maybe I’ll be surprised. So far it hasn’t turned my stomach, but I assume it’ll end with some heartache.
Yes. Who knows why they do what they do? Logically Deighj makes sense. Have a discussion before and either end the marriage or work it out. But it never ever works out like that. With Phil he was mad and it happened in the heat of the moment. And once he slept with Kim, Tracie said it became easier because he got away with it. He never thought things through. For this OW at the park. She must be another Kim or a selfish person who put herself first. She wanted the guy and didn’t want to or couldn’t put herself in the wife’s shoes.
Ann you checked in just as I’m gonna say good night.
Trace and J thanks for setting me straight. I want to read a while before turning in. Sweet dreams whatever time ya’ll call it a night.
So while back one of us asked Laura when Phil noticed Kim. Oh I think it was me who asked if Kim came onto Phil at the office Xmas. Laura told us Phil doesn’t notice Kim until he notices Kim which meant in nyc bar the first time. So the first nyc trip Kim accompanied Phil with other associates since this was a big case. After their nights spent together there Phil personally requested Kim for the trips. Gawd. Makes me ill talking about it now. I want to hurt him.
J, I missed where Laura explained about Kim and the initial NYC trip. What went down on that trip that made Phil request her continued ‘expertise’ just her being familiar with the case? You know Kim wouldn’t let an opportunity like that slip by without making Phil aware of her interest.
Trace, thanks ever so much for dating the affair for me. Phil had to be super aware of Kim’s nefarious intentions by then.
Laura that snippet you just posted, what section of SN does that show up? When Phil says how many men came onto you, is that after the New York weekend?
Hi ladies! Love you all!
He’s not mad, but he’s stuck at home with Liam and can’t go with her…So I wonder if he has been setting there stewing about who’s looking at her or touching her. I love that he is so territorial…Since Nick got close enough to bite, I bet he is hyper aware of anyone near her…
J, I don’t want to go back either. I am so dang grateful Phil is going to explain that Sunday night desertion to us. We need it as badly as Lina.
K, I don’t understand cheating at all, compartmentalized or not. If such a thought enters your mind repeatedly you need to have a sit down with your partner. Discuss your relationship and why you’re feeling the need to f*ck someone other than your partner. If still focusing on that cheating then separate. But at least be up front and honest. Don’t blindside your partner.
Deighj, your son sounds hot! You are such a good mama.
The affair dates were Feb-May Deighj….
Whoopee!!! Thanks Laura. Saw your post after my last.
Deighj. I like you calling sugar Trace! Kim started the job in November but Phil never knew she was chasing him till February when the affair started in nyc. Remember, Laura told us the first time Kim went to nyc wasn’t due to Phil requesting her personally. It’s when Phil singled Kim out for following trips to nyc that Wayne noticed and warned him but he didn’t heed it. So that’s another thing. Why put that kind of relationship in jeopardy? Wayne is
Phil’s mentor and best friend. How can a girl who means nothing to Phil come between a strong friendship?
Because Phil doesn’t need another mans permission to do anything he’s an Alpha and Wayne could show his disapproval, but Phil was on his on course of destruction and there was no slowing him down…
Trace, he didn’t know about Nick at that time. He was turning away from Lina as well. That was a disconnect felt by both of them. The disconnect started what, a year ago? If so Lina’s connection with Nick was well established by the time of Phil’s affair.
The affair started in February, ended in June? In chapter three Phil stated it had been close to a year since Katie had gone out socially. I’m reading random chapters of WPF so need to find if there’s a stated date for when Phil started the New York trial. Kim was all out chasing Phil from the start so he was well aware of her attention. Playing devil’s advocate and I’m still so riled up about Laura’s story from the dog park some of that might be coming through.
Girls, what I have a hard time understanding, more than cheating men, is the women they cheat with. Especially a mother. It goes against all maternal instinct to destroy a family that way. And women aren’t like men, we can’t compartmentalize the same way (gross generalization, of course).
Maybe for true love? And I agree women and men are different but people are people and we all do crazy stuff. Are you talking about the swinger thing? I don’t think I can read a love triangle. That’s one theme I won’t pick up willingly.
Men in high powered positions they usually want the status and they just don’t care who they hurt to get what they want…..that’s what makes them ugly on the inside…
MORE, Laura more…like the whole of SN.
Smoking hotttt….damn how many men came on to you…I hope she said not to many…Yum A.
I hope he had anxiety waiting up for her and hope no less than 6 men came on to her burn of course Lina doesn’t really know because she didn’t notice any of them. Laura, nick and Lina are still friends? They shouldn’t be because it’s not fair to Phil but too too bad.
J-Girl, remember how Laura said it was like their roles had reversed and Phil was having to grow…Can you imagine him setting there wondering, who is there, who’s looking at her, trying to touch her..men that cheat sometimes become suspicious of their wives because they are afraid they will do like Adele suggest revenge sex……..it’s their own guilt…
Yes and I love that the roles are reversed and Phil is home waiting for Lina to come home.
Hey Laura, my son is in his late twenties and is a CTO with a start up company so travels a lot. When he comes home I feel like Cinderella. As for the lady and her cheating husband that had my scorched earth tendencies coming out. I cursed that son of a bitch out and had to stop and laugh cause I was making up words that made no sense. And just after you and Trace got me turned around.
I’m reading WPF again and I do see things a bit differently. Before it was all on Phil, Lina was the innocent. To me an emotional affair is worse than a physical one. Even though I think the reason for that emotional connection was the disconnect with Phil. I cannot imagine being as weak as Lina but then I haven’t gone through the trauma Lina experienced. The one thing, even now, I can’t get over is Phil leaving Lina on Sunday nights to be with Kim. He knew she couldn’t sleep without him. After all he spent the nights in New York with Kim so why put Lina through that if he loved her as much as he stated. HELP me Sugar, cold wind blowing here.
Linda, thanks for the author name. I read this book ages ago as well as Admissions of Guilt. It’s been so long since I read both of them that I downloaded them again.
Deighj he was wrong leaving her…he admits that’s…there is no justification, except for the fact she was emotionally turning to Nick for her support and away from Phil…
Remember in Chapter 1 Deighj when Lina said she had missed Phil and he said did you? Lina saw the doubt in Phil’s eyes…he pretty much though she didn’t want or need him….
He does explain why in SN
Will we like the explaination? This was a hard limit for me too. The Sunday nights before the trips. If he’s going to be with her the whole week, why couldn’t he spend the night with Lina even if they are just sleeping. why did he need to leave at 8 for? If Lina was going on about Drayton he could just say hush I need my sleep. God do not let me go there again. I forget for a week then I think of the details. Groundhog. Deighj!
Here is a nice one for team Phil…
The sound of the television greeted Lina when she came into the kitchen. She found Phil in the family room, leaned back on the couch with his knees spread wide and a beer in his hand watching a college football game. He shifted his gaze away from the television when she came around the couch, his eyes roaming over her.
“Come here,” he said deeply. He set his beer on the end table before holding his hand out to her.
“How long has he been asleep?” She let him pull her between his legs, clasping his shoulders when he pressed his face into her stomach. She kissed the top of his head, stroking her hands down his back. “I’m sorry I missed him. I didn’t realize how late it was.” She breathed in when she felt his warm palms sliding up the back of her thighs.
“How many men came on to you?”
She could also say well I had two drinks sent to the table….wow…my Phil would die….she was dressed hot wasn’t she? There he is setting at home waiting on her to come home..love that fact she wished she would of got to see Liam…I hope my Phil knows how awesome she is…ugh…
Laura has the car scene be cut from SN or is it still in play? I don’t even know the content of the scene but I think it will be hot, especially if Phil has a hold of Lina in some way or Lina has her hand on Phil’s thigh as a sign of possession…Cam she reach his thigh in the M6?
it’s still there lol
Plus he has to raise her other two kids…I hope the wife finds a nice man to enjoy his money with, while he is all bogged down with kids and working to fund their excursions…..
Lots of alimony. He told the kids she’s the reason he can never retire LOL. He has a place at the beach and a huge house. He isn’t hurting. The OW is an attorney.
How’s old is the woman? I got news for miss young thing…what goes around comes around….She’ll wake up one day and he may be telling her to not touch him again…
The woman that was left was 53 — the other woman was 31 and apparently beautiful. She said her beauty didn’t bother her because she knew how rotten she was on the inside
Was OW married?
Dang, what happened in those two weeks to make him so cold?
OW was separated. I’m not sure where his anger came from. Not getting closure would kill me
How do you reconcile with never touch me again after 22 yrs or marriage. Did the lady ever remarry?
I wonder if he ever ask his kids how their mother is doing…I guarantee the OW doesn’t allow him to talk to his ex or give her the closure she needs…He is a vagina….
she doesn’t really date. She’d like to but just hasn’t met anyone. She’s really a nice person and very out going. She’ll probably meet someone
Yeah little shit eating vagina.
I just called drum teacher Phil instead of Pete.
If she never worked he is probably paying her alimony….when the younger siblings graduate he’ll be in his 70’s….I wonder how they will do their grandchildren’s BD…They have 4 kids together they will have a few grand babies….
I was talking to a woman at the dog park and we were discussing my book and she told me her husband had an affair (they had four children at the time — two in college and two in high school). They’s been together twenty-six years. They were Catholic. He sat the family down and told them all at the same time that he was leaving. She said she followed him back to the bedroom and touched his arm and said ‘what are you doing’ and he yanked his arm out of her reach and said ‘never touch me again’. He left. Showed up to church that Sunday with his mistress and her two and four year old. He’s a VP in a national company and this woman worked for him. A number of people in my neighborhood talked to the priest and tried to get him to ban him from coming to church but the priest didn’t want to be involved so they left the church.
Fast forward three months — this woman goes to her son’s football game and her husband shows up with his girlfriend who now has a baby bump — twenty-two years younger than him btw. Anyway she told me her ex told her kids to get over it and accept what happened.
She said they all did. It’s been six years. She had never worked — anyway it has a happy ending. This woman is happy now — still hates losing her children to her ex and his wife (they now have two babies)
I feel sick just writing this.
saddest part is that she never got closure. He blocked her from her phone and has only spoken to her through lawyers. She said they were having sex up until two weeks before he left. Now that’s a pig!
Disgusting excuse for a human
Interesting part of the discussion was that she said she was really mad at Lina at first for taking Phil back but then after really thinking about it she said she would have taken hers back. She said it was until he wasn’t married and had gotten his new wife pregnant for the second time that she lost hope and began to heal.
She said if she had been asked before he had an affair if she could ever forgive one she would have said no.
You can’t say what you would do until you are put in that situation…Do her kids still see her? He probably cut off all communication because he’s a coward and can’t face her…I probably would of made an office visit…
Yes she’s close to all her children but they are also still close to their dad and new siblings
Now that’s a bastard…Makes me sick for her……
Wow wow wow. Why so hostile when he made the mistake? He loves the mistress and had already checked out with the wife. I believe it. It’s much harder to stay together and work it out. Usually the person who is financially dependent wants to make it work. My mom told me always work so you aren’t dependent on the husband and always have a separate bank account. What a story and what a day.
I always tell young women to work at least part time. You never what life will bring.
Amen to that…my mama also said to never work and put a damn man through school either..they will start thinking they have outgrown you…. I just thought about something my mom could of been a female Nick Drayton that’s what he told Phil about Lina…She will outgrow you…Lol
The Ground Rules — Roya Carmen — that’s the book Katie’s talking about. The couples swap so… Great writer though and you have to read all three book.
Also one other thing, Lina always refers to Logan as sensiative…She said the same thing about Liam in the scene Laura shared with us where he wouldn’t go to sleep. I wander if Phil thinks…are my sons really sensitive or does my wife make them that way…
he thinks… my wife is making them that way haha
I agree Lol…Phil wants rough and tough, where Lina wants to love up on them no matter how old they are…
I don’t know if Phil has the ability to put himself in other people’s shoes. I think he lives by the slogan Just Do It and be done with it. Of course he loves Logan but but doesn’t understand teenage angst. I mean he saw Lina, conquered her with one look and pretty much has gotten everything he set his mind on in life. He doesn’t blame Lina but probably is puzzled by Logan’s sensitivity. Maybe mike is more sensitive than Phil.
that would be a big No.
Hi girls, J-Girl did you notice the comment on Megan…It was a scene with her in it, that made Jordan cry…Do you think maybe something happened where Megan found out about the running club?
No. Let me scroll up.
I don’t think so
Okay Laura Girl, now we have to wonder why Megan is all fired up and emotional….It has to be with her dad..ugh…I need that book….
I missed the whole thread! I didn’t see Linda and Laura’s back and forth till now. Thank you. I wonder! It’s definetely Phil and Megan if Megan’s crying? It has something to do with her because she’s so self involved. But is the running group that big of a betrayal to Megan? Wah wah wah dad, you chose to run with her instead of your own flesh and blood? Maybe it’s on top of that where she finds something out that involves her. Maybe Phil prefers Liam over Meagan. That’ll make her sob her heart out. Megan didn’t bother me too much in WPF. We weren’t exposed to her as much as Katie but i just saw her as Phil’s clone.
Phil is going to have to be careful with Liam and putting him above his other children or they will resent Liam and Phil…but I don’t think that is the way this going to roll…Lina will push for a healthy balance with integrating Liam…Phil would be Love all you kids, here is your brother deal …Lol…as Laura’s says ..Phil is Phil
I bet Megan finally realizes how much her perfect father’s mistake has hurt her mom and brother.
I hope that’s right….I like the kid scenes in WPF. Megan did have good things to say in those scenes….I just think all the kids will have to find peace with Phil for Liam to be fully accepted and their family healed…
Hey J, I love persimmons. I have a large tree in my back garden in Florida. The lower branches almost touch the ground and my dog eats every one she can reach. I did check out the link you provided, I didn’t realize you can freeze persimmons. Gotta pass that tidbit on to my sister since she’s the one that cares for them.
You’re reading ‘Mistakes’ who is the author? Tried looking up with just the name and 304 pages came up.
Hi Deighj! Mistakes author is Amanda Wilhelm
Yes sorry. We talk about the same book list over and over so it’s not anything you all haven’t read. I have 3 books I’m reading at the same time. One other one is night circus by erin morgenstern. So far really good but more because of writing. also, Sara ney is good but not cheating theme. She writes about jocks
Good morning all. My son is back in town and it’s always a whirlwind when that happens. He travels a lot so time spent with him is precious.
Jordan, I enjoyed reading your comments, you sound as lovely as I pictured. Tracie is always trying for tidbits from your mom. Perhaps she will have more success with you though I doubt that. I’ve never anticipated a book more than Swimming NAKED. your mom is truly a gifted writer.
Sugar, you and Phil don’t really need a coat to keep out the cold. You’re fierce enough it’s not needed. Remember you turned my butt around.
Deighj I’m telling you babe, me and Phil got a little bit of the chilly Willies last night….Somebody hollered all board and everyone was jumping on the Phil’s a Bastard Train…Lol….Hope you have a great visit with your son doll….
that’s okay, Tracie. There is more of him for us
That’s right I love his cocky attitude…I ask my husband about talking to Logan about being in love and he said no, he’s only 15……you women worry to much LOL…..
Nice Deighj! Enjoy your son. How old is he?
https://www.davidlebovitz.com/persimmon-bread/
I hope this posts. I’ve used his recipe before. Also for thanksgiving my cousin made kale with sliced firm persimmon salad. It was yummy.
Thank you. I knew you old fogies could help.
What errand had you jetsetting to SF?
My husband was in zurich this week and was headed back to Seoul. He needed his meds but was in SF for the day(work) and didn’t have time to stop by. It was basically for that. He’s 53 but still pretty much works 18 hr days and doesn’t mind flying. Said it’s the only time when people leave him alone. Go figure.
You’re a good wife and your husband has lots of energy. It makes me tired just ready this.
Lol you know I remember watching Happy Days and they used the word fogie. Never thought it would one day apply to me. I still go to Chris rock concerts but now I start yawning at 9. Waaah
Lol. I don’t go to Chris Rock concerts, and I’m usually asleep on the couch by 10. Age is just a number.
Your hubby travels a lot?
A lot. What are you making the bread for? Not to waste persimmon? Oh meant to tell you my nieces are into poopsie unicorn? It’s a lol doll? Is hailey into this?
I get produce boxes from a local farm here, and sometimes they have items I’m not familiar with (that’s the fun). This week it’s persimmons.
We haven’t seen the poopsie unicorn! She’s still on a mission to have every LOL doll there is- I think there are a few hundred. ?
Laura got me hooked on a book series about couple swapping. It’s good!
It’s odd to me persimmons are not as popular in the western culture. It’s such a highly coveted fruit in Asia. So another way to eat them is dry. If you have firm ones peel the skin and Put it outside so the fruit dries up over time with cheesecloth over it. The fruit will soften and skin will darken in color to black and white sugar powder will form on the outside. So it’s badically dehydrated fruit but lord my dad gets them shipped from Korea and Japan every year. Well that and mushrooms. Try that if you think uoj can handle dried squeesh fruit.
Reading mistakes. The husband cheats and tells wife I never bought her lunch and I never bought her jewelry. We just had a lot of sex! What wife swapping are you reading?
Roya Carmen. I just got to the good stuff, and I’ll busy til tonight.
Those dried persimmons sound awesome. I might try that.
My husband says make a pie out of them just like you would with any raw fruit, skin them and add a little extra sugar to the filling…his frannybuae to make persimmon pie
I have no idea what frannybuae is and where the hell it came from that should have been Granny…
That sounds great too. Thank you.
Hi Jordan!! You are lovely! I hope when my daughter is your age she feels the way you do about your mom. I laughed out loud about the Sunday SAT practice test. You mean that wasn’t the norm at your house?
Aren’t we a bunch of old fogies(except for Katie) stalking your mom here? Since you approve we will keep at it! She is truly gifted in what she does and I know you are as well. Take care and I can’t wait to read about you in her future book. I’m sure you will be engaged to Joseph by then!
No persimmon recipe but if you need some Pear sauce for Alligator I’m your girl….Lol
Random question- any recipes (easy) that you have for persimmons?
No Kbabe, but I have my grandmothers old 1940’s cookbook I bet there’s one in there…I’ll look doll
I have recipe for persimmon bread but it has to be the soft kind. You want the link? It’s like pumpkin bread but you need like 4 persimmons
Yes perfect!
Oh also I liked Rachel robinson’s crazy good. Not really cheating but he is navy seal. I forget what you said about them but it’s angsty.
Laura is there any scenes in SN with just the three Hunter kids? I wondered if they would have a pow wow about Liam at some point….I enjoyed the ones in SN…Megan was even likable in those! If something bad happens to Megan in SN I’m going to feel bad talking like that….
No because we are only in Phil or Lina’s POV — can’t be without either of them
Aww Jordan you are a great daughter! I have 2 daughters myself and omg they are the best thing that ever happened to me. They are my best friends. Your mom is a true gift.
I read When I Saw You first and fell in love with Joseph’s character. I also agree with you on Phil.
Recommend some books here. No cheating. I haven’t found anything good in awhile.
HEY could someone throw me and Phil a coat…it is starting to feel cold out here…LOL
LOL — I’m here! Logan is in love. He’s fine!
I’m glad I was fearing me and my Phil was on our own LOL…Logan’s too young to be in love Lol…but then it could be his great love like Lina and Phil….
You sound like Lina, Tracie…
“You need to talk to him and tell him he doesn’t love her,” Lina told Phil later that evening. “He’s going to get hurt.”
“He’s fifteen-years old. If he gets hurt, he gets hurt. He’ll survive.” Phil reached around her and turned out her bedside lamp.
“He isn’t tough like you. He’s sensitive and introspective.”
She is right Phil….he is in lust…talk to him…he turned out her light because it’s fixing to get steamy…Right?
Haha yes Logan is okay- just a classic 15 year old boy albeit more sensitive than most. I have a lot of compassion for Logan cause 15 is a hard enough time without your dad fathering a second son with another woman
I know Jordan…I hope him and his dad mend their relationship in SN….
Hi Jordan! Double thanks for your post ? Me/Janet/Deb need you!!! I have similar conflict towards Phil, I also get it he and Lina fit. Sometimes I’am devils advocates but always appreciate your mom writing and time for us. Super exciting for SN.
Annyoung Linda! What did you think about the telenovela snippet today? If Kim threw a glass of scotch at Phil’s face and scratched his neck it would have definitely been an en episode in channel 34 for me! Lol
Yep!!! She will have red lipstick and nails and will tell “Bastard how can you not love me… l’m your sex goddess” ?
Yessss. Kim needs red lipstick. Lol
What an awesome girl…good job mom….You may want to print that and have it framed and matted…Lol
Hey Jordan…How do you think Logan faired in SN? Your reply probably won’t make it through, but if I did give a good old school try at least twice a week, your mom might think I’m sick or something…?
Lol how could I not approve such a complimentary ego stroking post? One I approve the first a person can post freely.
Jordan you are a doll honey…What a great tribute to your mom….She has been a blessing to us as well and we can’t wait to read more from her. Five books half done….well that is an agenda item we will all have to discuss…Glad you made it through to post doll, we have our fingers crossed for you on getting into the program you interviewed for….
Helloooo Ladies of the blog. I’m Laura’s daughter, Jordan. I still consider myself her biggest fan, but based on the things I’ve read on here, you guys are very close seconds 😉 I’m not going to be posting much, mainly because I think my mom will continually block me from sharing the truth about her (jk) but I will give a few of my views:
Laura as a mom- suuuper super type A. Yes, she made me do five math problems for every one I did wrong, which one time led to me doing about 40 problems total. She also woke me up on a random Sunday when I was in hs to make me do a full practice SAT out of the blue.. still one of my worst days.
Laura as a person: definitely my best friend and confidante and always gives her honest opinion (sometimes to my chagrin) but very loyal and selfless in all ways.
The novels ranked: 1. When I Saw You 2. A Sense of Belonging 3. WPF/SN (in my opinion). This all has to do with the leading man. Joseph forever- I love him so much. This leads me to my next view…
Phil: Not a big fan of his. Though I see the appeal of the alpha male, the actions of one kind of butt heads with my general feminist views, so I find myself getting easily annoyed at his possessive tone and caveman behavior. With that said, I think he and Lina are perfect for each other. They complete one another in a way that cannot be described, though Alice does a good job of trying to explain it cosmically. I’m not the forgiving type, so I’ll be mad at Phil forever, but what’s most important is that Lina is happy, so I can set aside my ire if Lina can get her HEA.
SWIMMING NAKED: Wow. Just wow. I finished it last night and it is truly another wonderful book. So many emotions were drawn out of me and I stayed up way too late and cried and wanted to punch Kim through my computer screen. There is so much character development and growth, and Liam is so adorable. I don’t want to say too much but I’m so excited for it to be officially published soon!
All of You: Thank you for seeing the brilliance that is in my mom. You have been so inspiring to her. You’ve kept her writing on days when she was discouraged and may have otherwise left it for a later day. Please keep encouraging her this way because there are about five other half books that I’m obsessed with, but they have no endings and it kills me. I need her to finish them!! Especially one where the main character is named Jordan, went to Penn, and has a physical description very close to mine 🙂 Anyway, this was a very long-winded post, but it has been a joy to read what you post every day, and I’m glad there are people out there who are just as obsessed with these books as I am. Happy Weekend!
Hi Jordan. You’re a sweetheart.
I harass your mom beyond this blog on a daily basis. I don’t plan to stop. And she tells me your secrets, so how could I ever stop?!
I’m glad you can post. Janet needs backup.
??
Phil takes full responsibility for his actions the Christmas scene when he said I put myself here…said it all….:..When he belly’s up I want to see him walk the walk when he told Lina in WPF I will put you before anyone else…..I love you more than anything in this world…I thought about a comment J-Girl or Kbabe said he is begging Kim in the baseball scene and he doesn’t beg….He did beg Lina in WPF in Chapter 29, when he said Lina I’m begging you don’t do this….I’m overcome with sympathy for my Phil and the book is still at the editor…Lol
I think Phil was damn stupid to believe Kim when she said she was on the pill. Clearly we all know that Phil has an amped up sex drive and wasn’t thinking with the head upstairs. I think he needed attention from something because of the wall between him and Lina. Still no excuses. Phil can be one cold bastard though. I know Kim is evil and slutty, etc. but Phil used her and then discarded her like nothing. I’m not taking up for Kim because she knew he was married, but all I’m saying is that I would not want to get on the bad side of Phil. I love him though! LOL
I just need more of Phil sucking up to Lina and I’m sure we will get that in SN.
Exactly — He has to be belly up with Lina
Yes. Phil in bottom.
If he had been any nicer to her, we would be discussing how it seemed like Kim and Phil had more of a relationship than a fling. At least he gave her a conversation and didn’t call her what she is. You can’t be mad when you’re hired as a temp and not offered a full-time position. It just is.
I believe Lina takes some blame for the whole situation- her emotional retreat opened the door for this perfect storm. The only ones blameless are the kids, and Liam.
Honestly, I don’t feel sorry for either of them. Kim pursued a married man. Phil cheated on his wife and didn’t protect himself. Any consequences that came their way are on them 100%. Maybe Kim got mixed messages and thought it was more. Maybe Phil got duped into getting Kim pregnant, but any personal or professional consequences that come from deceit don’t get sympathy from me. Lina took Phil back, and I completely understand it, and I was and am hopeful for them, but I still don’t feel sympathy.
fair — we are always responsible for our actions — this didn’t just happen to them.
Lina may have had an emotional bond with Nick but that slowly developed, probably without her even thinking about it
So did he have sex with Kim on Friday morning and Lina that night? ?
Must have…ewww, but he did take a shower when he got home and remember he didn’t initiate sex that night Lina did and then they were righted…
He was already getting tired of Kim, but when Lina said I love you…he melted…its what he was waiting for to be needed, just to feel her love and sincerity knowing he was the only thing on her mind…Her reaching out to him with the I love you and missed you was his undoing he wanted to make love to HIS woman….Not be Fucked….Kim at that point was long gone….
No I said four days. Thursday. And then Lina Friday Saturday and Sunday. Bastard
Bahahaha…but losing himself in his woman all weekend brought him out of the fog…Just saying…..
If I would of been that secretary, when Kim came out, I would of said that is what you call getting fucked more ways than one…Get your ass back to those General Admission seats…you just got kicked out of the box….
Haha. Thank you nexxxt, thank you next… the song. No nyc just SF for errand of sorts. Coming back today
I love how he stays in control. When did she scratch him?
She defaults to sex to try to keep him. Of course. I love that when he’s done, he’s done, and he’s clear. In so many cheating stories, the dude has a hard time letting go of the OW. She says she doesn’t believe him…had he tried to end it before?
If I had to guess he doesn’t get an erection when touches him. Because he’s done and in control, finally. I hope.
So she was giving him BJs at the office? So classy.
She had to resort to sex to keep him, because that’s the only fallback she had…they have nothing in common, just like my research said, no emotional connection….
She scratches him after she calls the house and he confronts her at the office. In WPF she calls his cell and home phone and Phil tells Lina it’s a wrong number
Yes she does and then Lina says don’t you think that’s odd? He knows then he needs to shut Kim down permanently.
Omg!! On my way to airport. I’ll post once I check in. LOVED and hated a tiny bit. Loved: Phil’s callousness towards Kim and loved the secretary disapproving. The blush which was a smack to her ego. She couldn’t mask that. Hated: Kim knowing her way around Phil’s office. feeling comfortable enough to just stroll right up to bar which makes me question how many times did they burn the candle in the office. the secretary knowing what was going on and Kim walking in without secretary notifying her. That couldn’t be helped.
Nobody felt sorry for Kim a tiny bit?
Thank you Laura! That was awesome even though high on the anxiety meter!!
Not a damn bit J-Girl…I guess she thiught that her disapproving of his secretary would get a reaction. Like her opinion mattered…Liar Whore that what she is….you going to NYC?
I feel sorry for her a little bit… He used her and even Phill said it was just sex the responsibility of his marriage was on him not her. Sorry but that is how I feel. I still hate her
She did go after a married man so I don’t feel sorry for her — He is the one that hurt Lina though — that’s on him.
Yes she is not a saint (and I do not like her) although she really is an excellent villain. I’m just saying it takes two for a Tango ?
Also Phil is angry at himself and taking it out on Kim — cold as ice.
Phil did fall, but she planned what she did, so when you barrel into a well laid plan, one or two things are going to happen…you’re are going to get the prize or no cigar…She flipped the coin and lost! Lina and Liam are on Phil…yes he’s at fault for crossing so many lines, but he’s man enough to step back across those lines and make amends…He’s owes Kim absolutely nothing…..
The fact that kim says “how about a blowjob” just makes it so clear that it was all about sex for Phil. He’s still wrong in what he did but getting this conversation helps a lot. I guess when Phil and Lina were at Wayne and Diane’s for the cookout and Phil and Wayne disappeared that’s when Phil asked for Kim to be taken off his cases.
I cannot wait for SN.
He dismisses her like she was a worn out shoe…She strutted in that office like he was hers for the taking…..Left like the rejected hooker she was….he could care less about her…Yay…the fog had lifted…..he didn’t know Lina suspected…he ended it before….Yes my Phil.
Yes
But she did suspect after the tie and Kim’s text on Friday…it all kind of happened at the same time.
true
OMG, Laura you are the best! You sure can write like there’s no tomorrow!
So Phil finally comes out of the fog, LOL. So this has been four days since he came home from New York? WOW. She says, oh we’re just having fun! What a manipulative bitch she is! I hate her. I love it when Phil acts like a cocky dick!!! OMG he just threw the trash away! I love it.
I hope he didn’t get hard when she touched him…I don’t want you….This was a mistake aka you were a mistake…We are good together….in her opinion…She sure was comfortable strolling in their…blowjob…yuck….now he probably has penis warts….I love that she’s out….Oh yeah…….Love his secretary was disapproving…It was just amazing Laura. I bet he feels dirty in that scene…now that he’s back in Lina’s arms….Had he had his appointment with Nick Drayton yet?
This is way before he meets Drayton the first time. This is in the beginning of WPF
When he does meet him though, he’ll realize being lost in the fog cost him more than he thought…Poor Phil
You are right Ann she’s was making him feel comfortable, pulling him in with this nonchalant let’s fuck and blow routine…He blew her right out of the water…Poor Phil though…what a costly mistake…
Exactly. WPF starts on a Friday and this is the following Monday
The breakup scene…
Phil was at his desk working on a brief when he heard Kim’s voice just outside his office asking his secretary if he was in. He lifted his gaze from his computer screen as she came through the door.
“I’m really tired of her looks of disapproval.” She closed the door and turned the lock on the knob. “Have you been ignoring me intentionally today or have you been busy?” She crossed to the bar in the corner of his office. “Scotch?”
It had been four days since he’d last fucked her. As he watched her across the room, pouring him a drink, her tight dress clinging to the curve of her hips, he felt nothing but regret. It was like he’d stepped out of a fog and he could now see the world clearly again.
“I don’t want a scotch.”
“No?” She looked back at him over her shoulder. “How about a blowjob?”
“No.”
“Are you serious?” She laughed. “What’s wrong. Why are you looking at me like that?”
“This was a mistake.”
“Excuse me?” Her eye’s widened. “What are you talking about.”
“I’m talking about what we’ve been doing. It’s over. It’s done.”
“What?” She blushed. “What’s wrong? I don’t–.”
“It was a huge fucking mistake,” he interrupted. He rose from his chair. “I’m not making it again. I’ve already talked to Wayne. You’ll be transitioning off my cases and–.”
“Oh, so you’re just dismissing me? You no longer need my services? I’m not a fucking whore, Phil. You can’t just toss me to someone else.”
“I don’t expect you to fuck Wayne. I expect you to work for him.”
“I don’t want to work for Wayne.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I like working for you. You’re who I want to work for.”
He rounded his desk and strode to the door. “That’s not an option. I’m sorry.” He unlocked the knob and pulled open the door. “You’re reporting to him effective immediately.”
“You’re sorry? Are you fucking kidding me?”
He slowly closed the door before turning back to her. “Let’s not make this more difficult than it has to be,” he said coolly. “You knew I was married. You knew I was never leaving my wife. I was very clear about that.”
“I don’t understand.” She walked across the room, joining him at the door. “We’re good together.” She stroked her hand over his crotch.
He clenched her wrist, pushing her hand off of him. “Don’t!”
“We’re just having fun.” She reached for him again, sliding her hand over his chest. “I would never tell her. Why do you want to stop?”
“I don’t want you anymore.” He clasped both her wrists. “Okay?” He raised his eyes brows. “Is that clear enough for you?”
“I don’t believe you.” She shook her head.
“You should. Because it’s the truth.” He released her wrists and opened the door. “Good night.”
I’m headed off to volunteer at my daughter’s school. I expect to see a scene and some good dialogue when I return. Something with Kim. ? We all seem to agree about her.
Aww have fun with your daughter and cherish these moments because they grow up so fast!
I’m anxious to see how Phil includes Lina…Like Baby this is my custody agreement, this is how much child support we provide, etc….I feel for her though, when she says what’s his name, etc…
I’m telling you girls Kim is going to go ballistic when she finds out Phil and Lina are together…I’m so giddy to see that pigs ear wallowing…..
I can’t wait for that either. The scene where Phil tells Kim that she was just an easy fuck, is that a flashback in SN or was it cut out of WPF. I start getting mixed up.
I have a think question…We’ve discussed Kim using Lina as a babysitter….what if it’s just the opposite, what if Kim tries to get Phil to pick Liam over Lina? Since they have no custody agreement at first, what if Kim plays the get rid of the wife or you don’t see the kid card?
She might try but luckily the law protects him from that. I anticipate there’s a point when a custody agreement is necessary because of Kim’s antics.
Actually, when the SN starts a custody agreement is in place — just didn’t ring realistic for an attorney (Phil) not to want things spelled out. Without one, she could just leave the area with Liam.
So before him and Lina are back together he has one?
Phil would have wanted to start providing for his child immediately, so yes it would make since to have the agreement in place…
Like Jordan, I would’ve never read WPF if you hadn’t been the author, but I’ve never been so emotionally impacted by a book. To successfully take a reader out of their preferred genre is a testament to your talent. That’s why we all come here day after day.
?
I tried to read Admissions of Guilt last night but I can’t get into it. I should’ve known because that cover is awful.
It was choppy and not well written, but the man did the same thing as Phil, I don’t love you, etc to the OW…I was trying to prove the point that the wife can forgive and accept the baby and an affair where the man still loves the wife is only physical even though it’s a betrayal….
Yeah and I was intrigued by the common storyline. I only made it to 40%, but I didn’t get a good idea about why he cheated. He didn’t seem to have a reason I could understand. The writing made it impossible for me to continue. But I am glad Alexa got her baby, since she couldn’t have any.
But that’s what I like you are not going by the standard outline…How can you be creative, when you are expected to work within the perimeters of a box or what someone else thinks should happen when??? I love your your curve balls as I call them…I can follow the standard outline by the percentage read in a book…I hope the editor you are working with is not standard, you need someone that takes your leaps of faith and is excited to come along for the ride…
they just make suggestions — I only take the ones I agree with.
And like I said previously, the editor that read A Sense of Belonging said “this shouldn’t work but it does”
Very much so….it all works
Not romance, but it is an epic love story.
There are rules to romance novels — for instance, I received criticism for When I Saw You because Joseph continued to sleep with Kathy after meeting Lia — Heroes are never supposed to have sex with another woman after seeing ‘the one’.
That wouldn’t have been realistic. What I love about your stories is the real-ness.
Romances are great I love them…but I also think people gravitate toward family drama as well because it’s real life…I doubt a billionaire would ever fall at my feet in Oklahoma and when he touches me I feel like I’ve stuck my finger in a light socket…but could my husband cheat, most definitely…I can honestly say WPF pulled more emotion out of me than any book I have ever read…We have all been looking at books with similar subject matter, trying to get the same emotional pull of WPF…I think you are on to something with the Family drama or Women’s fiction…however you want to classify the story…
Thanks Tracie — Writing a WPF type book definitely takes a lot more out of me — I have to dig much deeper and feel what the characters feel. It’s why I can’t go back to Phil’s POV for Chapter 28, 29 or 30 — too gut wrenching. It would wreck me for a full day.
Sometimes I read to escape life and sometimes I read to feel and I guess I write the same way — what I don’t like and will never write is a book without a HEA
responding to Katie above.
I agree with you Katie and I don’t think all cheaters are assholes. Maybe in books I expect more from the hero because that’s part of reading a romance novel. I want to be swooned as Tracie puts it and be taken to a place I can’t visit in real life. Yeah, I do think Phil can act like an asshole but he isn’t one in character. I too think he is a good person who loves Lina more than himself and messed up without thinking about it. Most often than not, authors don’t have the ability to flesh their characters out to a depth where we can sympathize with a cheating hero. I think because Laura was able to do so we are all over Phil one way or another kinda as if we know him in real life.
My kids have been attending the same school since they were three. In the ensuing years, I kid you not, at least a dozen couples have split up and more than several were due to cheating. I’m still friends with some of those dads who have cheated. French people aren’t quiet about these things. But in books I do judge because I expect more. For me it’s not so much about forgiving Phil but emphasis on Phil redeeming himself worthy of Lina’s love.
I guess the question is whether or not this is really a ‘romance novel’. I struggled with that and ended up calling it Women’s fiction. If I pick up a romance novel for an escape, I don’t want the hero or heroine to cheat.
Jordan finished Swimming Naked (the rough draft) yesterday and said if I hadn’t written it she never would have chosen to read it because she prefers romance. She said the same thing about WPF.
So is it a romance or not?
I would say no…We as women romanticize Phil and Lina’s relationship….Wanting to see the love and connection that every human craves and wants in a healthy relationship….They are already a couple and have a family….We want them to survive the storm and see Liam seamlessly integrated into their family unit, with all hearts healed and a HEA….
Yes Janet you are correct. When I think of 4 months I think about sending my daughter to college and before I know it shes back home for Christmas break!
I see. That makes sense!
Goodnight all. Shopping whipped my butt and I’m off to bed. Sweet dreams.
Thanks Laura, I do hope Megan has some empathy for her mother and not a meltdown because she was denied something she wanted. But in thinking about it I think all three of the Hunter children have grown emotionally during the aftermath. Megan is a gifted child who’s every wish has pretty much been granted. I hope her emotional growth will come to match her intellect.
Sugar, In the book Admissions of Guilt I wondered why Alexa represented Rachel. If she had gone to the managing partner(s) and explained the situation there is no way in hell she would’ve been allowed to represent Rachel. Why didn’t she recuse herself. The husband didn’t grovel enough for me. In the scene where the nanny couldn’t care for the baby I would have called the hubby and told him he had X amount of time brfore I called Children’s Services to pick it up and take it away. They were just sharing the house at that time. I would have told him in no uncertain terms that he better make sure my sleep went undisturbed or holy hell would be raised.
So you can now see how much I’ve changed my viewpoint from scorched earth. You had a part in the doing of that. Thank you.
I wonder what the rest of the gang thinks about this book.
Okay the 4 month thing keeps coming up so I did a little research on them….A doctor said there are like 6 different kinds…Phil and Kim’s was “A Lust Only Affair”…He said they burn hot and seem intense but they burn out pretty quickly…It’s usually based on an underlying emotional issue at home…But the reason they burn hot, then fizzle is because they found during the study that the couples having the affair had nothing to talk about they didn’t have much in common except for work related issues and sex it was all physical…So they burned hot 4 months, but is was fizzling when Lina found out…..most of these affairs are work associates, because it’s convenient and their is a physical attraction….
Very interesting Tracie! I think just about everything is researched now a days ?
Give me the facts nothing but the facts…Lol
Hey Sugar pie! That tequila and Mountain Dew didn’t go over. After those two sips I kept the MD but trashed the tequila. The tequila and the moonshine belongs to my daughter. There weren’t any mixers so MD it was. I prefer a glass or two of wine if I drink at all.
I’ve been shopping and getting my hair cut today. Crazy out there. I vote with J on the online shopping but there are a few things I wanted to get for my daughter that required a look see. I have never paid so much for so little, seemed the smaller the more expensive. I’ve never before paid as much for a pair of drawers and a tiny boob shelf. But my daughter is a clothes horse and it’s all my fault which she’s quick to remind me.
What’s a boob shelf Deighj? I’m a clothes horse too, but the older I’m getting…I’m learning the more stuff you have the more you tie yourself down…Stuff has to be maintained, cleaned, moved, stored..the list is endless…
Have you heard the question ‘If your house was burning what five things would you attempt to save, not counting children?’ That’s paraphrased BTW. It surely wouldn’t be clothing for me. Pictures for sure, legal papers, have to think long and hard about other keepsakes. I did lose my home in a fire and lost everything. It was summer and we were all in Florida. All that was left was the barn with my husband’s business paraphernalia.
Sugar a boob shelf is what it looks like to me. There are cups for the boobs covered in lace so not really a shelf. Lace isn’t soft enough for me, too scratchy. Give me satin.
There is one person in WPF I really didn’t like other than Kim. That was Megan and the disrespect shown to Lina. Though she’s in college now so not at home except on break. I felt that Phil backed her up, going around Lina to do so. Would any of you allow that kind of behavior from your children? I hope with Lina’s growing confidence in not only her marriage but in business that she will well and truly give Megan to understand her place within the family. I want Phil to underscore that with Megan. What do you ladies think.
Deighj remember what Laura said…She got so disgusted with Megan she sent her back to school…LOL
the scene that had my daughter crying last night included Megan.
I wonder if she finds out about Phil and the running club????
Deighj I like the idea of giant stockings. Tell your daughter that is a smart idea.
Deighj I did get my tree decorated last night. The reason it takes me so long to do it is because I don’t stick with it. I keep getting on this blog than I go internet shopping etc. then I go back to the tree.
With the scene Laura gave us yesterday with Kim and the damn pregnancy test got me all fired up. Then today we got such a nice scene with sweet Phil on Xmas eve. I’m so ready to read SN .
Ania, Poland is one of the top countries I want to visit. I remember my parents and grandparents discussing the country and the political situation there. In their descriptions they made it sound so beautiful. I no longer remember the details but, I romanticized your country and still feel that lingering romance.
Ann, did you ever get your Christmas tree decorated? Finally got mine finished it gets more involved every year. My daughter came up with the idea of having giant stockings instead of all the wrapping of gifts so that’s what we’re gonna do this year. Of course that reminded me of Sugar’s big gift sacks and her family sitting outside around a tree. Had to laugh cause that scenario reminded me of Charlie Brown’s tree.
Ok. Caught up. Carrie pointed out something that made me think. She said 4 months isn’t a long time so is there a time limit where we can all let go of the affair? Carrie, I think you would forgive Phil because you love him and it’s not conditional upon the length of the affair.
Everyone is going to have different criteria for forgiveness. I think you’re just not convinced Phil is the loving husband depicted in Laura’s scene today…because how could the guy from that scene lie and cheat for 4 months. I also think your forgiveness depends on the nature of the affair (romantic vs. strictly sex), which hasn’t been fully explained. You don’t trust Phil yet…
You know what made me so quick to forgive….He cared that she was hurt and it crushed him that it was by his own hand… ..he said in the scene today…I can’t feel sorry for my self, because I put myself here…….
Are you saying a man that would buy his wife an angel on their honeymoon wouldn’t have an affair seventeen years later? or that he can’t feel true remorse because he cheated for four months? What part doesn’t ring true?
This isn’t about my opinion. I forgive Phil. Every case is different, and, in his case, I believe he had reasons I can understand to cheat. He’s a good guy who royally fucked up because of his situation and opportunity. I believe he loves Lina and won’t cheat again. He was redeemed for me when he stayed faithful during the separation. Any additional clarification will only serve as icing for me. With that said, I think I understand what Janet was saying earlier. I don’t want to speak for her, so J, clarify if I’m wrong…but it seems you are like many who believe that cheaters are assholes (yes!), and only assholes who must not love their wives cheat. So it’s hard for you to connect the Phil in the scene being so in love with Lina on Christmas Eve as being the same Phil who cheated and lied to her nearly everyday for 4 months. I hope that made sense.
The guest room scene is great Laura – thanks for putting that in 🙂
Glad you liked it!
Now if I could have Phil’s POV…Starting at that page that says Chapter 47 and continues to the page that says Chapter 48…Can you imagine how giddy he was when she kissed him on the lips at the lacrosse field, then the text about the dance, Her leaning into his touch at the pre-dance party…Lord have mercy on the dinner scene….Wow….
J-Girl you posted something either yesterday or the day before, that surprised me. Gave me a new insight into Phil.
Because of you I took my hard copy off the shelf and am now rereading WPF, switching between with the e-book. The odd thing is I can’t remember what your comment was. Whatever, it was insightful and I decided this close to getting our hot little hands on SN I’d be okay. After all this time I’m picking up new thoughts along the way.
If you remember when Laura introduced me to you and Sugar she placed me somewhere between your two viewpoints. I have always been team Phil but boy was I pissed at him, telling Lina to leave it behind. I wanted complete disclosure. Laura’s going to give us that with Swimming NAKED. Wish I could remember that comment though.
Deighj I was wondering where you were my little Georgia Doll…when you said you mixed vodka with Mt. Dew I was wondering how that turned out for you!
Can we all just sit in a virtual circle and sing Kumbaya?
You made me laugh out loud!
You all like virtual now don’t you…Lol admit it….
Lord, we are melodramtic! bring it on teamphils! I was out picking up my faucet replacement and had lunch with my sister. I was going to lay low a bit and take a break from our marathon coffeetalk sessions. I’m back and no hard feelings with anyone. I’m glad Carrie is on Phil’s side 100% because he needs all the support he can get. haha. Let me catch up and I’ll post soon. I’m not going anywhere.
I love you J-Girl I was so going to have to drink tonight if you didn’t post…
? ditto to everyone.
I had you at knock off Coach purse didn’t I, you so hate those knock off’s or was it the old Indian trick of Lina setting on the bank of the inner harbor long enough that the died bloated body of her enemy Kim would float by…I’m just saying….Lol
Thank you!!!
You girl pearls I too love the way my Phil’s POV reflected his sexual prowess…He had me at OH, BABY….Then I would of looked liked the Samsonite Gorilla on a piece of hot luggage…I would of jumped all over that….I hoping I’m SN Kbabe that Lina’s shoulder blades are sore because he has frantically pushed her against a wall…can’t wait!
Shower wall?
Oh yes…desperate sex…shower wall is awesome!
Hello Ladies ?????
Czesc Dziewczny??
Greetings from Europe??
I’m from Wroclaw(south west of Poland, located on 12 islands on Odra river and having about 200 bridges is so often called ‘the Polish Venice”?Since2005 England became my home ?
I’m off to bed now 23:37
Goodnight everybody x
I love how you did that Ania, talking in different languages…Poland Wow…..
Sleep well…Nee Night from Oklahoma
What an interesting day … Janet I understand what you mean by boring, if I like something when reading a good book is to immerse myself in the story and each one will interpret it in their own way. Being able to read and share your opinions in a healthy debate is key, I love it! I am pro diversity, open mind even when I do not share that opinion. So Janet I hope to continue reading your post here you give it spicy?
Yes Phil! I loved that guest room scene. Phil seemed so humble and when Lina came into the bedroom he was so crazy about her. He thought he was dreaming and never wanted to wake up! I can’t wait to read SN. I’m obsessed like the rest of you. Tracie said it best about the sponge thing. Love me some Phil!
Janet where are you sister???
Btw, that preacher is a douche of the worst kind. Why did he have to humiliate his wife publicly like that? Adios, fucker.
And I thought it was pretty hot how Phil pushed Lina onto the bed and basically told her yes, you love me, you’re mine, and you’re going to let me screw your brains out right now.
Janet LaRae…I don know your middle name so I made one up…meaning “LaRae of Sunshine”……You will not dump me after 9 months of our bittersweet love-in..You are making me feel cheap, like a knock of Coach purse with my C’s going in the wrong direction…Fight for me Stella….Come Back Shane….Whistle for me Dixie…
Post tonight my dear friend so our minds will be eased that you are back in our happy place, drinking that funky diet tea and choking on twizzler’s….
Janet, you better not stop posting. You have no idea how much I refresh to see what you say!!
Thank Ann! I have never been accused of being boring!! I spent my entire career working with men. I’m a retired investigator. I knew all the details of all the guys lives. Which ones cheated and who didn’t. I heard them talk to their wives on the phone. I have known a Phil or two. Laura is spot on in her descriptions of our Phil based on my experience.
Carrie you are not boring and I’m far from it too…I am a broken record when it comes to Phil, the others find that comforting…Lol However, being a retired investigator you also know that their are two sides to every story and to give Phil and the entire story a well rounded view all opinions need to be appreciated and accepted…#TeamPhil
Of course we aren’t going anywhere Lol…when we first started I remember anxiously awaiting my Salt to log on to discuss our questions, so we could ease our anxiety together..There would be no Kettle corn if Salt and Sweet didn’t mix together…
J-Girl made me see many scenes from a different perspective, that I was honestly to jaded not to realize the true meaning……
Janet and I both love all the interaction with all you bloggers…and admire the fact that you love and appreciate our Laura like we do….
Now I need you to refocus on a book that Janet and I read back in the summer…It was called Admissions of Guilt…it was the book about a prominent doctor and his attorney wife that were in the same situation that Lina and Phil are in…pregnancy and all..He had an office affair, she was pregnant and he had the very same reaction Phil had…I don’t love you, never did, love my wife. The OW asked the Hero…what is this and he said nothing but unadulterated lust. The wife won’t have nothing to do with the baby, stays out of the room when its around, won’t even go into his room…The mother ends up signing over custody to the father and the wife raises the baby…Even though the wife was enraged by her husbands actions she still loved him and loved his son..just like Phil the Hero in this book gave her time to adjust to the baby and he worked diligently to heal the harm he had inflicted…the writing is nothing like Laura’s but it gave me a little insight on how a couple works through the issues….Also, showed that men are like birds of a feather that flock together…similar traits when having an affair…
Janet and Tracie are the original members of this blog — it wouldn’t be here without them ? No one is going anywhere!
That is so true. Plus the two of them bantering back and forth is so entertaining. They make me laugh out loud!
Tracie, I just realized that the preacher was also stepping down. Good.
Hey girls, everyone doing okey? I’m just thankful I woke up another day! LOL
First off, Tracie that preacher who broke up with his wife in front of his congregation is no man of the cloth but a major asshole, in my opinion. I hope the people of that church can fire him, or stop supporting him. You did say it was a non-denominational church?
Secondly, Laura dear you just put my heart back together with that guest room scene on Christmas Eve. It was very touching and was so so needed after that brutal scene at Kim’s apartment. Yes, Phil can be so sweet and alpha at the same time. Like I’ve said before I was always Team Phil, but I do agree with Janet on some things. It just irks me that he kept the affair going for 4 months. That is what has always bothered me about Phil and the fact that once he confessed his sins to Lina, he seemed frustrated that she couldn’t get over it. He needed to put himself in Lina’s shoes, and I don’t think Phil could ever accept a baby that Lina had through an affair.
I am so anxious to read SN, along with all of you amazing ladies. Then we can dissect and rehash all the new scenes.
Carrie and Tracie, you guys are not sweet and boring because you’re Team Phil 100%. I love reading other opinions because it just opens my eyes with a different view.
Katie I meant to thank you yesterday for straightening out the blog issue.
Hi Deighj.
Laura, what’s the status of SN with your editor?
I won’t hear back for a few weeks. She’s doing her thing.
BAHAHAH…Kbabe…no blame or penalty for anyone….
White Flag! White Flag!! Blame me for everything!!!
Thank you Carrie…Remember with out Salt, we really would just be sweet and boring….Love both you girls…
No Janet I’m not attacking you personally. I believe Laura is a masterful storyteller. These people reside in her head which is why they stay so true to character. As Laura said there is no black and white. Team Phil!!
She didn’t write that scene this morning for me, Laura was showing Phil’s POV on one of the pivotal moments in the book when Phil realizes that Lina hadn’t slept with Nick….It was a turning point for Phil, he realized had that point he still had a shot with Lina…Chapter 43 is one of my favorites, but not my absolute favorite that would be Chapter 47….simmer down sweeties…..
Ok I’ll stay off for a bit and read Laura’s snippets. It’s all in good fun!
My Salt…you know its all in good fun and I love our banter and your opinions…keep them coming…I feel like you are teaching me to virtual fence… Have you noticed I’m all about that word virtual????
You better not stay off of this Janet. I love reading your views.
J-Girl..I want to hear from you…come on now…think of good things like Chanel purses and Kim being bloated and floating in the inner harbor…..I needs my salt..sweet girl…
I think that was one of Ann’s favorite scenes.
Carrie don’t be offended doll….we may be boring but we are right!!! LOL Take it all in stride and our back and forth is what makes it fun…as long as we aren’t derogatory and respect each others opinion then we have a good gig going…Lighten up my little pit…..
I’m right here…what are you girls fussing over???
Our Carrie is a bit of a pit bull in defending Phil and I deleted her post to Janet
Janet certainly implied it
Just as we all interpret scenes differently, I suppose we interpret message differently as well. Sorry for deleting your post
I’m offended my post was deleted!
Ugh! Where’s Tracie when I need her. Janet didn’t ask if I wrote that scene for Tracie.
Carrie, are you attacking me personally for my inability to forgive Phil or are we having a healthy discussion about cheating? We all agree that we are on the blog to escape. We don’t need bad energy from either of us. I can try and curb my thoughts on Phil and you can all be boring team Phil but it’s fun to see hear all views from everyone imo
Good point!
Uh, what was that and where did that come from?
I have the ability to delete posts ?
Janet — are you talking about the comment I deleted?
Yes! I wasn’t offended. She’s right to her opinions as I am to mine. Maybe a riot would ensue here and it’ll be Tracie side vs Janet’s though. Poor Katie, she will try to mediate. Imagine. Lol.
I never said that. I asked if this scene was in SN or if she wrote for this blog
Exactly! He never stopped loving her…He told her that one bad year didn’t negate 25 years of their love and lives together. A man that doesn’t love his wife and has an emotional connection with their lover, walks away without looking back, and is absorbed in the flesh of the other woman…Phil dropped Kim like a hot potato and tried his best to fix his marriage and would have if Kim, wouldn’t have shredded Lina….He told Lina there is NO choice….
I’m just torn. I read this scene and I see his love for Lina but I see those pictures in my head and what he did with kim physically for four months and it’s still hard for me to let that go. Emotional cheating, physical cheating, just all equally bad. The thing is if a husband confessed to his wife that he has cheated but loves only the wife I can see her forgiving him. If the scenario differs and the wife catches the husband in the act and she was exposed to that visual i think it’s much harder to forgive. With Lina, she was trying to forgive until the pictures came up. At that point, she couldn’t. My biggest issue is for me to understand Phil for the four months.
temporary insanity!
Laura, did you write this scene for us or it’s in SN. I know it was Tracie’s favorite chapter in the book. I love reading anything with Phil’s POV but like Katie, it feels as if he is two different people. I guess we really see another side of phil when he was with Kim.
I wrote it this morning. People aren’t black and white.
It’s not that he’s two different people. That’s not what I was saying. It’s more that this is the Phil I can forgive. One who truly, deeply loves his wife, but had a brief moment of insanity. We don’t get to see enough of this Phil in WPF.
Yes! Yes! He loves her so much…thank you Laura for cleansing my mind as well…no matter what I will not give up on our Phil….
Girls, he screwed up royally, but can you really turn down your soulmate when he loves you this much???? I could also accept the the baby, because he is the extension of the man I love…You go Lina….bring your man back in the fold…
Or, the folds, so to say
I needed this to cleanse yesterday’s scene from my head — This is Christmas from Phil’s POV…
It was almost 2:00 a.m. before the kids were in their bedrooms and Lina and Phil were able to bring the gifts up from the basement, where they were stowed away.
“You outdid yourself,” Phil said as he admired the large assortment of wrapped packages beneath the Christmas tree. “It will take them half the day to open those.”
“It’s no more than normal. And some are for you.”
“I’m teasing you. It’s late. I’m going to set the alarm and head downstairs.”
“Okay.” She touched his hand. “Thanks.”
“Good night.” He leaned in and brushed his lips over her cheek, breathing in her familiar scent. It took everything in him not to pull her into his arms. “Sleep well.” He watched her until she disappeared up the stairs.
He poured himself another glass of Scotch before lowering himself onto the couch in the living room, staring at the Christmas tree. It was the first time in twenty-five years they hadn’t decorated a tree together. His eyes focused on the angel on top of the tree. They’d been in Paris on their honeymoon when Lina found it at a little shop on avenue of Montaigne. It had been ridiculously expensive so she’d decided not to buy it. He remembered the excitement in her eyes when he presented it to her that Christmas. It had always been his job to place it on top of the tree. He wondered if Logan had done it this year. He swallowed down the lump in his throat. He wasn’t going to feel sorry for himself. He’d put himself here. He finished the drink in two swallows before heading down to the basement.
* * *
Phil was lying on his back in the guestroom with his hands clasped together behind his head, staring up at the ceiling and wondering if he’d ever fall asleep when the door opened. He sat up in the bed. Words died in his throat when he saw Lina.
She crossed to the bed and slipped off her nightgown. His gaze moved over her naked body before she crawled under the comforter beside him. She ran her hand over his chest and began to kiss his jaw.
He closed his eyes. If he was dreaming, he didn’t want to wake up. He turned to face her, stroking his hand down her back. “Oh, Baby.” He felt her entire body stiffen.
“What are you doing here?” She scrambled back from him.
“You came to me.”
“What?” She sat up, clutching the sheet against her chest as she looked around. “Oh my God. I can’t believe this.”
He slid his hand up her arm. “Look at me.”
“No.”
“Lina.” He clasped her shoulder, pushing her back down on the bed. “Look at me.”
“Don’t,” she whispered, shaking her head.
“Shh.” He brushed his lips over hers. “Don’t think. Just feel.” He took the kiss deeper, his warm tongue stroking hers.
Her hands moved over his shoulders and around his neck. He moaned deeply when she opened her thighs to him. He drove into her, claiming her. She was still his. She would always be his.
“Do you know why you came to me?” he asked as he thrust his body into hers. “Because you’re mine, Lina,” he said, driving into her again. “You were made for me. You know that’s true, don’t you?” He paused, his body deep in hers, the muscles of his arms and shoulders straining as he held himself over her. “Tell me.”
“No,” she whispered.
Regardless of her words he could see the truth in her eyes. She belonged to him. “Why are you fighting this?”
“Stop talking.”
“I know I hurt you, but I promise, if you’ll let me, I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I love you.” He lowered his mouth over hers as his body again began to move.
They were almost asleep, her body draped over his, when Nick Drayton came into his mind. “Were you with him?”
“No.”
He released a breath.
It’s hard to reconcile this Phil with cheating Phil. He really was out of his mind those 4 months. Like his body was a robot. It’s the only explanation.
Phil tells you in Chapter 43, that the stress with Katie and he stopped himself, but you can read between the lines why he then said we had a bad year…Their connection wasn’t there and she was turning/depending on Nick more than Phil. He was basically feeding his physical needs without having to fight with Lina..Janet made me see that light in the first part of Chapter 1…
I agree Carrie…I’m still Team Phil all the way…I saw no emotional bonding with Kim and Phil in yesterdays scene. Physical yes, that’s obvious because of the pregnancy and the four months of sex, but he made it quite clear he didn’t love her. Phil and Kim both used each other in an arrogant and selfish way.
I agree with you 100% Tracie!!
Deb, so your husband agreed that 4 months was a bit long? Smart man agreeing with his wife!! I don’t really have an issue with the 4 months. A friends husband said it best: women have affairs with their heart but men have affairs with their body!
Girls, I have to tell you what happened in our little town, this past week..talk about a gut punch…A preacher from a large non-denominational church stood in front of his congregation Sunday and said he would be stepping down from the pulpit, his wife was standing beside him and he turned to her and said I will also be stepping away from my marriage….She had no idea, that he had been having an affair with the church secretary. She was mortified, she walked off the stage and out the emergency exit beside the stage…Who does that….I felt sick for her…He had just bought her a new BMW for their 20th wedding anniversary in May, took her on a romantic vacation, etc…..They have two teenage daughters…what a mess…
Class act
It made me sick, can you imagine standing there and not having a clue..and he does that in front of 300+ people. What a flipping coward..Rumor on the street is the young secretary is pregnant She’s in her late twenties and he is early forties…
That really is a horrible!!
Wow!! A pastor told the whole congregation that he was divorcing the wife? I never heard of this. Why did he need to tell everyone. Isn’t that more embarrassing for the wife? Just wow.
Good Morning Girls,
I was thinking about this scene last night and about Phil…Phil has probably always been a top notch student growing up, star athlete and excelled in any and everything he ever touched. I think Katie said it best in Chapter 32, while talking with Logan, he is no longer perfect and he can’t hold any of us to that standard anymore…Also, his brothers Mike’s reaction “I just can’t believe it..” For the first time in Phil’s life, he is going to experience people feeling disappointment where he is concerned…I think this is what Laura means by Phil’s going to grow…he has too…he fell from grace…Phil is a good guy, he loves his family. He’s a man that thought he could control all things in his life, except for the one thing he couldn’t..Kim… Yesterday’s scene was a gutting and maddening scene, but it opened my eyes to what Phil and Lina are going to have to deal with where Kim is concerned…Phil was out of control yesterday, lets see what happens when he is in control….I hope you have eyes in the back of your head Kim, he is coming for you….
Good morning!
Tracie asked if there were any really emotional scenes in Swimming Naked — just woke up to this 12:42 am text from Jordan “It’s your fault that I’m awake and crying. This whole damn scene is wrecking me.”
Oh my gosh…Jordan tell me who????
I just don’t want it to be Lina…….
Not Lina or logan
Laura, Thank you for adding Logan, you knew I would need that…:) Poor Phil then….
Is it with Phil and Lina. Gosh we will really need each other to get through SN!!!
Deb, you are absolutely correct! The go to line is “How do I know its mine?” Followed by “you are going to take care of it, right?” Then “how can You do this to me?”
Just had another thought – did anyone notice the way Phil said “it’s been over six weeks since WE WERE TOGETHER”…not “it’s been over six months since we fucked…or had sex…or since I fucked you…or just leaving it as simply “it’s been over six weeks”…
Interesting use of terminology…kinda hints at intimacy…but I’m probably reading too much into it…
Well at that point he still had respect for her and wouldn’t have used the word fucked…IMHO
In my opinion too
Oh my God, I also felt sick reading that scene – yes, Kim is a complete devious biarch (rolling eyes at firstly “Do you think I want to be pregnant?” swiftly followed by “I’m not good at remembering to take my pills”!!!!) but sorry Team Phil – I know this will come as a complete surprise to you all haha – but I like him even LESS after reading that!! The part that actually annoyed me the most was him leaving Lina hanging like that…I get that he was panicked but still…he deserved to be!! I love how his first reaction to Kim was “how do I know it’s mine?”… haha such a male response 🙂 The player got played…
Once again awesome writing Laura, to spark such a response from us all about these characters:) Think I also need top shelf alcohol now…
P.S. I am 39 and 14 months so Katie, nice to have another 30-something on the blog 🙂
stay tuned this week.Debs. Laura will write a Phil destroying Kim scene next. She said today made her sick.
Yes! Looking forward to that one…this book intrigues me so much! I just read out the “Phil is busted” scene to my husband…just so he can get a taste of what’s been taking up so much of my time lately lol…he agreed that 4 months was a long time for a casual, “doesn’t mean anything” affair…but then the cheeky bugger asks; “But 3 months would be ok right??”
That made me laugh hard. 39 and 14
Months! Lol. I may have to use that one day. 39 and 120 months. ?
I have a goodreads account, but Laura’s books are the only ones I follow…Lol. I read so many books no way I could keep up….
Laura will we get to see the scenes where Phil lit into Kim after she sent the text messages and pictures to Lina?
Girls You may think I’m crazy, but what I want to see most in SN is Phil absorbing Lina like a sponge! Loving, touching, squeezing….I look forward to hearing their Thursday night conversation while she’s in NYC….Kim getting put in her place will be awesome…but I’m going to key on the healing part the most.
The angry interactions will decline as they heal as a family. Kim will become nothing. That’s the ultimate HEA- a family coming together after a huge betrayal.
Kbabe I love your outlook on things…you are not only an old soul, but a sweet beautiful one as well….
The connection and forgiveness within the Hunter family as a whole will be awesome….Laura correct me if I’m wrong, but Phil’s parents will also be included in that healing and forgiveness process…I liked Susan in WPF!
You sound just like Tracie. Lol. I agree with everything but Kim’s fun to hate. And I say fun because we can guess where she ends up. No HEA for Kim.
Oh I want her to get the worst case of crabs known that it disfigures her vagina. Take that, you filthy slut bitch.
A vagina flesh-eating disease.
OMG LOL funny!
Oh that would be epic! Lol. I will take any stds. Not so classy now Kim with a big open sore on your mouth and on your tongue never mind your big fat oozing cantaloupe.
LOL LOL I hope she didn’t use the same towel on her face, that she used on that festered oozing cantaloupe…
No way — I am not going back to that day — never again. Today was hard enough.
Okay…It was hard…I can’t read certain chapters in WPF because it just makes my gut sink….I get the same feelings I did when I originally read them…
Laura, will there be any big traumatic events like chapt 22, 25, and 28 in SN? Just to prepare us?
I’m gonna apply some CBD balm on my chest before I read those scenes. Lol
There is one really traumatic scene and then a couple of traumatic scenes
OOMMGG.
Oh gawd I hate to know we are going through traumatic….Chapter 9, 10, 28, 29 and 30 are Chapters that are hard to read for me…
Crazy? You’ve been a broken record since April. Every other day you tell me you want Phils hands on Lina at all times and one side stuck to her like glue. Then there’s me with the other piece of the broken record asking Phil to abuse Kim. I think Laura knows.
Kim was milking her 2 min of power today. I hated seeing Phil pleading and hated Kim dismissing Lina. She completely dismissed her and she’s done this before.
Okay this broken record is a romantic and wants Lina and Phil to find their happy at the end of this perfect storm Salt Lol…
Kim was trying to get another awww moment with him…We need to do this together, our baby Phil, let’s not talk about her, etc…He jumped off that bed when she sat down beside him like his ass was on fire…Let her know I don’t love you…..Not the romantic moment she envisioned…The hospital scene will set her back too, I can just feel it…
I know sweet. I agree and I’m on everyone’s side. I just want justice is all. God I don’t know if I can handle Phil being nice to Kim at the hospital. I think I will be mad again.
Ok I have to babysit my nieces for a bit so my sister can go to dinner with her mom friends. She said she will talk about today’s scene with her mom friends.
Laura correct me if I’m wrong, but you said Phil wasn’t mean? That doesn’t mean he was overly friendly or they had a loved fest….He just wasn’t brutal because she gave birth and he was bonding with his son, not her….ewwww
God no! He tolerates her
Lord tolerate is what I say about my husband. Maybe there are different levels of tolerance. Phil’s and mine are totally different.
Ok checking out for tonight. Today was crazy. I told the kids mommy had a special day(I know. I treat them like they are 5 still)!
Yes! You just saved Janet some chest rub!
Laura thank you for being so patient with us…Your interaction with us has made this blog so fun and has been pure joy to me…
Tracie those chapters you said are hard for me too but since I am a masochist they were also the most interesting.
Broken record alert! How was the internal dilemma of Phill in the church in the cap 30? OMG dying of curiosity!!
IMO Phil was feeling desperate and scared…hurting Lina was the last thing he wanted to do and he knew this would crush her.. he probably wondered if he would be packing….
omg i just gave you a whole list of the people I follow and it disappeared. Laura did you get it?
I got it– thank you! I don’t think the site will let someone put more then two links
Ok thank god. They should be honored.
Okay I finally made it home…Hailee was reading WPF on the way home and she’s on the
J-Girl/Jordan train…Lol…I can’t wait for the breakup scene that will be my favorite….todays scene just made me feel yuck…Kim’s demeanor was smug, but Phil setting on her bed is not what through me, what through me was when she said I don’t want to talk about her now…..HER has a big stake in this spaz ass crazy game you are playing Reaper…..It was like she just flipped a switch to we’re having a baby Phil Gush Gush and he’s having an absolute breakdown….Like no big deal…I’m surprised she didn’t say hey babe you think my HOA fees will cover fixing that hole in that sheetrock….
I made Laura send them to me and followed the ones I could find on our fan instagram. I’ll start harassing them.
Kbabe where is the fan page?
Laurabranchflowerfan on Instagram
Yes I will Pm them too. I just read your posts Kbabe. What is your goodreads account? I am friends with Veronica McKenna and Cindy Wilkerson. I don’t know how to follow you. I have not posted any reviews.
I don’t really do anything on goodreads
I only follow for the book recommendations and to keep track of the ones I want to read. That’s how I discovered NA genre.
I take screenshots of TBR and put them in a folder in my photos
The next scene I’m going to write is Phil telling Kim it’s over. I’m looking forward to it! I’m still feeling sick about today’s scene.
HOLY MOLY CANNOLI. Tomorrow????????!!!!!
Laura’s peeps where are you?
Thank you. Can’t wait to read all deleted
Scenes Goodnight
You’ve been in Puerto Rico?
Yes! I haven’t been in several years but I’ve been to some of your beach resorts.
My best friend’s (who is currently on a hiking adventure)father is from Puerto Rico
Glad you enjoyed it. I’m beach girl too ?!
Spanish! I’m from Puerto Rico
Love Puerto Rico!
Oooh. Awesome! Te quiero Linda! Katie and I can get by in Spanish in restaurants. I think. We are in southern CA. I learned Spanish watching my Mexican soap operas. Love them to this day.
Ha ha that funny, my mom is obsessed with the Korean novels. She told me the other day that she wanted to learn how to make kimchi. Janet you have korean decency?
korean novels or korean dramas on TV? I can’t watch those but I have friends who love them. Kinda like what telenovelas used to be for me. I don’t know how to make kimchi but just watch youtube. I can find the name of the lady I watch on youtube if you want Linda. Has your mom read WPF?
Correction Korean TV drama, she is like a teenager in love Lol. Who read WPF was one of my best friend. She was more annoyed with Phill than me, for the moment I was defending Phill as much as Tracie
Hi Ania! English is my second language also so we are the same …. I hope I have not made many mistakes. I’s cool we were from so many different places ?
Did we know this? What is your first language, Linda?
What is your first language Linda? Lol United Colors of Laura is what we are.
Laura, I was thinking about what you said about reviews making or breaking you. Do you have good reviewers with big following that you send out ARCs too? I follow some on goodreads that may love your books. It’s harder because WPF contains a cheating theme. As we know, there are those who seek them out and give automatic low rating because of this. Let us know if you want us to give you some names that we follow. I can think of two off the bat who will be good candidates.
yes but it’s really hard to get these reviewers to read your novel or at least it was for me. Of course I had no history. I just published all three novels on the same day.
Ok. I will post a few names later. One is Gerireads. She has a huge following and reads this theme. She’s a fair judge. Several others love alpha heroes and give mature good reviews. I had no idea you published 3 in one day!! If it just gets into that one big reviewer I feel like you would be a household name. Damn it. I also follow cyndi and I have notified her before via goodreads(first time I pm’ed anyone) that you have a sequel coming out. She will read SN. We should all get the word out to the big reviewers!! Let’s do this!
good — thanks. I just like to write — reaching out to people is necessary but I haven’t done a good job of it.
That’s what I’m saying. Laura needs to be famous. I started an IG (laurabranchflowerfan) and post on there. I follow our favorite authors and reviewers. Give me your reviewers to follow. I don’t know a lot about the reviewer/blogger game when it comes to boosting ratings.
Well you and Ania are the most interesting here. I can only order burritos in Spanish, even after YEARS of schooling. Although I can read quite a bit in Spanish.
Jared Reynolds -You are Faintfull.
This song Phil was listening to thousands of times while waiting for Lina?
Hey there Ania. We speak Phil and Lina here so English isn’t necessary. ?
Beautiful song!
Hey J, I look up every book recommended on here, open a window just so I can look them up. The last books I’ve read were found because of those mentioned on here. We all agree there isn’t a book out that compares to WPF and Swimming NAKED.
I remember when moonshine was illegal but no longer, it’s produced by name brand distilleries now.
Goodnight, don’t let the bedbugs bite.
Helloladies
English is not my first language so please forgive me my writing ?. It is lovely to hear that others share the same passion about Laura’s books. l have been trying to catch up on my reading ( with the blog )for 2 days and learned more about the their characters ( a White Picket fence)
Since A sense of Belongings you became my my favourite author, who hug my soul ?
Phil is very religious and he richly deserved punishment – as oprah winfrey said “there is nothing worse than betraying yourself ” and he had done this to himself.On the contrary in his mind he didn’t betray Lina as she still his soulmate and always will be, where Kim was always insignificant other- temporary distraction.
One random question – what did Brian think of Lina in the scene? CHAPTER 25 “Hat Mrs Hunter – Brian offered her a lopsided smile before jogging off towards the hose? ” Did he know that his dad found her attractive? Or maybe he thought she was a hot Milf (well he is teenager)?
Love
Ania
Yes Yes Yes. I couldn’t have said it better!
And Brian thinks Lina’s hot. In the original he said that to his dad but it was deleted out because I wasn’t suppose to show Nicks POV
Where are you from, Ania?
Sugar just started on tequila with Mountain Dew. Only thing left other than moonshine. Two sips and I already feel It in my shoulders. By the time I finish this glass I won’t be able to type anything coherent. You haven’t any idea how much I wish all of us were clinking glasses. Together.
Moonshine!??. We all need some today. Deighj I just read your previous post. I did read torn up marriage and I really liked that book. I felt bad for the guy and forgave him. Good to know about Mistakes. Right now there’s so much in we dialogue I can’t get into it. I’ll look for the other author tonight. Thanks for the recommendation! Enjoy your tequila
My son just texted my daughter and said leave mom’s book club alone…LOL.
Nooo. The more, the merrier!
my son is on shift Kbabe and his wife sent him a screen shot of their conversation and Hailee said mom is on to something I’m sucked into this blog…So my son text her to leave us alone LOL. She’s 31 so she’s in your age group
Yes!
Talk to me Deighj I’m on my second Top Shelf…Hailee is like I’m reading this book…Lol…
Laura, are you not allowing your daughter to post here?
Will you notify us before you push publish so we can switch over and one click? I’m on Amazon and wondering how long before it will show up there after you publish. Don’t know the rules of the game.
A margarita sounds heavenly right about now. I’ve calmed down or I was until I read everyone’s posts. One scene, one. Imagine what reading the book is going to do to us. Laura is going to be inundated with our posts. Hopefully it won’t be at night because it would be an all-nighter for her. Going to check the freezer for whatever alcohol is in there and I rarely drink. I promise not to post cause with sinners juice in me anything could happen. I got in trouble with J-Girl the last time that happened. Funny story there J if I only knew how to tell you.
Sinner juice lol. You make me laugh
Somewhere you mentioned posting other book titles. I love it. I’ll alwaus looking for new novels.
This blog will be the first to know exactly when the novel is ready
Eventually I’ll let jordan post. She said she didn’t get anything done at work today because she was too busy reading it lol
Ladies, your comments on this blog are fucking awesome. I’m still fooling around with that damn tree. I’ve got some wine in me now. (see the language is coming out). That’s what retirement does to you. You don’t give a shit, because you can. LOL
I’m so pumped up now on damn Phil, even though I’m team Phil, I just want to punch him in the face and not let up. Why did he have to cave and go buy that bitch a pregnancy test and sit with her while she took it. Yuck!! Phil, you are letting me down. Then Phil expects Lina just to forgive him and move on.
Laura, you are the best. We wouldn’t be having these conversations, if it wasn’t for you.
You’ve been decorating all day Ann how damn big is this tree? My husband is retired and works some on the side…He says having a working wife is better than a pumping oil well LOL…I told my boss yesterday that I could retire before he could fire me so I’ll do what I want…he said since you are our only female director you pretty much can ..Lol
Kbabe Hailee is setting across from me saying she’s a gold digger wanting a guaranteed 18 years of being on his payroll Lol.. She said Kim did what she did to make her life easier… I told Hailee she was mesmerized Phil and she said the whore needs to understand he was mesmerized by her vagina… she’s giving this analysis While she is sucking down a Horny Toad Margarita…
Ok. I see what you and Hailee are saying but Laura is all about authentic. She took MY/Linda/Debs scotch scene out bc it felt forced. If Phil wrapped up every single time for 4 months even I would say that is a lie. Yes he should have never trusted the snake but Phil putting on condom is not realistic. I think he was on autopilot until he reconnected with Lina.
You’re right. But hate and judgment are so easy to throw out there.
I was looking forward to feeling compassion for Phil. Oh well.
Hailee, I don’t think Kim cares about money. Or I should say she cares more about Phil. Kim is financially independent. Plus she has beauty and brains to marry a cold hearted billionaire. In her twisted way I really believe she thinks Phil is it for her and she wanted him at any cost because that selfishness is in her competive nature.
Im only curious about the first time regarding condom. I almost wish Phil was so drunk he didn’t even think of it and we see Kim flusing the rest of her 18 pills down the toilet while he is sleeping. Then comes back to bed and wakes him up for round two. Phil is thinking about Lina and doesn’t even realize it’s Kim till the next morning.
No he knew where he was and he got away with it the first time, so it got easier over the next four months..no harm no foul…Hailee just said if it would have been Lina stepping out on Phil she would of had her partner wear a condom…She said Laura is right in that men shut their emotions off and just roll with their selfish pleasure….but a woman thinks about consequences
Yeah you are right. Barf.
Laura what the hell is with our kids…Hailee had to read the scene to me because I was driving and she literally said what an ass, he trusted that a whore going after a married man would take her pill…be a man, wrap that shit up and protect your WIFE ass wipe…Her exact words…
That’s how I feel! He’s a moron to have trusted her. But you know what, this experience from having an affair will ensure he never does it again.
My daughter is trying to post messages again LOL. I would call her team Deb and Janet
She’s perfect! Jordan I hope you marry Nick and cure cancer together. I mean that.
Let her post!! She needs to help me reduce the average age on here.
Haha. True though. You are the only one I know here who is under 40.
Hailee asked me about your website and I told her when I saw a post from Jordan then I’d think about telling her…Lol…
I know it’s only 2:30 but I’m so spun up I’m having a Top Shelf Sangria/Margarita Swirl to calm my anxiety
Omg
Sounds so good. I just got iced coffee. Wrong choice.
Lord I can’t even type. I said he needed to say it out loud not just to Kim but to himself as well.
Phil must have said stop talking. this ends here. Im telling my wife everything. Don’t contact me again.
Yes, I like what Janet said better. That’s what he says!
I love you Laura…yes what Janet said I like that better…you are a doll sweet girl….Girls this is good for us, let’s see the whole dirty mess and get ourselves righted for the remorse and redemption…It’s okay to be pissed and mad over what Phil did…he’s human…he was wrong and YES it’s a shame Lina and her kids have to go along for the whole heartbreaking ride…but Kim is going to get hers in SN…”There will be no sympathy for the bitch.” This should be our new mantra…
The bitch got the upper hand in this scene with Phil….wait until the scene where he tells the Kim, that he and Lina are back together and the welcome sign is hung out for Liam to join the Hunter family…..Munch on that one you crotch rash…..
Yes let’s regroup. Right. No sympathy. Lol Katie said she’s ready to brawl and Tracie’s ready to get her leathers out. Lol. Boy! We had a adrenaline rushed morning.
FYI. I totally get Phil shutting down. My husband doesn’t swear(he is so straitlaced) but he completely shuts down. When he gets mad he says stop talking and ignores everyone for hours and sometimes days. It’s the most maddening thing.
He remembers the drive home that night because his life flashed before his godammed sinning eyes! He better have kneeled on that bench with purple bruises on his knees and ask every single angel above to forgive his cheating ass! Really, he was begging because he didn’t want to hurt Lina? Maybe couple hours later but at that moment, sitting on the Leper’s embroidered comforter he was trying to save his bubble butt! He saw HIS life being destroyed. And yea that means losing Lina. I’m mad! He did this to himself. He trusted the leper to take her pills. proclaiming his love for Lina then? It’s comes off very defensive and he needed to say it not justness to Kim but or himself too. Tracie, Soren but Phil was stoooopid! I’m mad!! Mad!!!!
In the original he said ‘I can’t do this to Lina’ but he isn’t stupid enough to say that to Kim. So yes, he was thinking about Lina.
I’m ready to brawl.
Laura did Phil tell Kim that he would be telling Lina…or he told her nothing? I would think he would tell Kim so couldn’t hold it over his head….
no he doesn’t tell her anything.
Laura in that scene did Phil know he had been had?…I’m on the pill and sometimes miss…I’m hitting the BS Button on that one! I’m spun up…that bitch is a leech! I begged for that scene but now I know….Phil left Lina that note that he had taken the kids to church sleep in Love P….ugh….Geez I bet his prayer bench was wore out that morning…I can feel his desperation, I bet he doesn’t even remember the drive home that night…
Sorry I’m waiting on lab work and typing in between filling out paperwork and answering questions…ugh…I need to concentrate on this scene…
tracie, come on I want to hear you girl! I’ve got to go back to me tree. ugh
You also notice how Kim informed Phil he didn’t want to talk about Lina…Almost in her mind this was their time to bond over the news she was having his baby…This birch has nothing on Norman Bates…..
I don’t think there was any thought behind sitting on her bed. It just came naturally to him. Phil was in shock mode to think anytjing through. Instinctively though he did want to make sure he was there when she took the test. If I were Lina or any other female, I would have checked the drawers for the many used up sticks.
I also have two friends and my sister who read WPF. One reads this blog and all will buy SN. They all read it in one day too.
Customer reviews are the best marketing tool out there on goodreads and amazon.
very true. They make or break you.
Laura, my niece just texted me that she just read WPF and couldn’t put it down. She was the one that hosted our Thanksgiving. We talked and shared our book preferences that day, and of course I told her all about you Laura. So you have another fan.
Awe — thanks Ann.
Laura, was he clear with Kim that the affair was only sex and that he wouldn’t leave his wife? Or did he just assume Kim knew that?
Good question Katie. I’m interested in this answer too.
at the bar. And she laughed and said she just wanted to fuck him.
OMG, the whole time she probably took herself off the pill!! Plotting to have a baby Hunter. Makes me sick.
Ugh, I hope she gets ghonarrea.
Laura that makes me sick too…she wanted to fuck his life up and destroy his marriage…
But they never discussed it again, and as time went on, she must’ve thought she was getting somewhere with him and the baby would seal the deal.
Hi Laura and girls! First of all thanks for Phill POV. He intrigues me so much!!! To your question, can you ever forgive an affair? Your novel is an example of this, as many here I felt the pain of Lina and although I am not a big fan of Phill I can understand why she chose to forgive. Laura you have an advantage over us, Phill is in your mind and your heart, He is your husband LOL. It may seem crazy but my problem with him was not so much the infidelity (I think it was an escape to the lack of control and if that had not happened there would not be your novel) my annoyance with him was his reaction to Lina when the affair was exposed. Another question we can ask ourselves is how to react after another woman is pregnant? Hard to know. That I would like to know his remorse and his process that led him to be so distant with Lina? Definitely! But I also know that you have to be authentic with your story. So I’m grateful for what you can let us see from Phill POV of WPF, not to judge him but to know his mind.
that’s a good point — forgive a pregnancy.
The distance/coldness Phil displayed to Lina was based on a few males I’ve witnessed over the years — they basically shut down.
Yes makes sense … is that Phill is so contradictory ?. Laura you have in mind write Phill’s POV about what happened in chapters 30 and 39 I think they are key to understanding him. You would make my year ?! I just want to understand him.
I have to admit, as much as I love Phil, this just made me sick. The whole scene with him sitting on the bed, even though he’s traumatized, makes my blood boil. When I think of the nights he was screwing that skank while Lina was home in bed dealing with her issues of being alone.
Laura, any way we could get some kind of swoon worthy scene with him and Lina.
I made it to Tulsa in record time….yes following her into the bedroom pissed me off too, but he probably wanted to make sure she took the damn test…She was so pleased with her self, but he declared his love for Lina to the smug bitch……can you imagine his drive home….ugh!..
Oh man I would have loved to be inside Phil’s head on the drive home.
She is so sly. Do you think I want to be pregnant?….. then, we are going to have a baby and she whispers. What bullshit is this. Kim is creepy with her whispers and soft laughing. You know she’s a shriller when she’s not putting on this act for Phil. I hope she shows her true ugly colors in SN!
Doesn’t this get you all riled up again about Phil?
Are you done shopping Ann? I’m so mad! He was begging her. I wonder how many times in Phil’s life he had to beg. Not many. This was completely out of his control and Kim loved this power over him. Liam is definitely used here as Kim’s weapon and this is just the beginning. I hated seeing Phil this desperate that Lina wasn’t part of. Also I don’t think he told Kim he loved Lina as much as he should have. I mean when is the right time to say that when you are having an affair? I’m sure he said this at the bar scene or even the day after but then he let it go after that. He was with her 6 out of 7 days with this bitch. He did not tell Kim he loved Lina once a week. I agree with Deb that Kim thought it was more than a fling. God this is a dark scene.
He was begging, because he also knew what it would do Lina, he was fixing to break her and it killed him….
Yes Janet, I’m home trimming the tree. LOL. But I can’t stay off my phone so I’m not getting anything done.
Just the whole I love my wife thing. And Kim knew she was pregnant for months. Ugh. Phil, you couldn’t have just blown your loads in your hand for awhile, started gambling, drinking excessively?
Double ugh.
I’m driving and can’t type nothing. Ugb
Oh God have mercy. I’m so mad at both of them. So mad at the bitch. Omg I can’t even sputter. And I noticed that Phil just went into the bedroom and plopped down on Kim’s bed. It’s familiar to him and that wrecked me. God I want her to die and I want to castrate Phil!…… I don’t want to do it alone? Bitch, you took that test each week for the last 6 weeks…….. I’ll take you wherever you want. You don’t have to be alone? Ugh Phil, I would have looked the other way if you wanted to push her down the stairs or used Kim’s head as the fist that punched the drywall. Omg I feel so violent right now.
I’m mad too! Sitting on the couch just didn’t seem realistic. I hated that he followed her to the bedroom — ugh I feel sick.
I thought the same thing. He knew right where that bed was.
Laura it was perfect in a sense it was very real. I visualized Jon following the white dress into the room and it was so life like as if It was happening in front of me. The kitchen and the couch would not have that effect. I’m seeing Phil just sitting there with his hands shoved into his hair. Gawd. I’m going to be a testy middle aged bitch today.
Thank you so much for the scene. I got to see the turmoil and panic Phil was experiencing
Holy Shit!
Omg I’m sitting in my car outside JCpenny’s reading that. Holy shit! That was intense! I loved it. Poor Phil.
Loved having Phil’s POV too
Damn, I don’t know what to say. The emotions that scene brings, my heart is pounding. Shit I’m shaking that never happens.
Deighj — I actually felt sick writing it. Still do
Here is the baseball scene (Phil finding out Kim is pregnant) from his POV…italics don’t work here so it’s hard to tell but they are texting.
I told you to stop texting me. I’m not sure how many different ways I have to tell you that’s it’s over
I think I’m pregnant
Phil’s hand tightened on the phone. What in the fuck are you talking about?
My period is late. It’s never late.
You told me you were on the pill.
I wasn’t always great about remembering.
“Who are you talking to?” Lina asked.
He darkened the display. “Work,” he answered, staring unfocused at the field. His heart was pounding in his chest. She couldn’t be pregnant. There was no way. He looked back down at his phone
It’s been over six weeks since we were together. What about last month?
I barely had one last month. I didn’t think anything of it until now. You can get a light period when you’re pregnant.
Have you taken a test?
I don’t want to do it alone
He took a deep breath. Just take a fucking test
I’m not going to do it alone. I want you to come over. If I’m pregnant we’re going to need to talk
“Still work?” Lina asked from beside him.
He darkened the display and pushed the phone back into his pocket. “Work.” His jaw was clenched.
“Dad? Could I have some money? We want to get ice cream,” Logan said.
Phil took out his wallet and handed Logan two twenties before once again taking out his cellphone. You’re not pregnant. Just give it a couple of days
Lina laughed beside him. “Why did you make me come if all you’re going to do is text work?”
He lifted his gaze to hers. “Sorry.”
“What’s wrong?” Her eyes were narrowed in concern.
“Nothing.”
“What is going on at five-thirty on a Saturday that is so urgent?”
He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it. “I’m done working I promise.” He shoved his phone back into his pocket.
When he stopped in the restroom after the game, he took out his phone. There were three new messages from Kim.
I’m not going to give it a couple of days
What happened to you?
If you don’t come to me, I’m coming to you.
He ploughed his hand back through his hair. Fuck. I’ll be over by 9:00.
It was close to 8:30 when Phil pulled his car into the garage. He’d been wracking his brain for an hour about what to say to Lina. He remained in the car as Lina followed Logan toward the house. He rolled down the car window when Lina paused at the door to the house, looking back at him with confusion in her eyes.
“What are you doing?”
“I have to go out for a little while. Someone screwed up at work and I need to deal with it.”
“Was it Kim?”
His heart stopped. “I shouldn’t be longer than an hour or so.”
“Answer my question, Phil.”
“I have to go.” He pulled out of the garage, unable to look at her. Moments later his cellphone was bringing. “Lina,” he answered, “please just let me deal with this.”
“What’s going on? Are you on your way to the office?”
He didn’t want to lie to her, not anymore. “I need you to just let me handle it.”
“Is it work related? Just tell me that.”
“I’m not prepared to answer any questions right now.”
“Not prepared?” she spit out. “I’m your wife.”
“You’re going to have to trust me.”
“Trust you to what? Do I have to call Wayne to find out what’s going on?”
“Don’t do this, Lina. I’m about at my limit right now.”
“Oh, you’re at your limit? At least you know what’s going on.”
He ended the call. “Fuck!”
Thirty minutes later he was outside Kim’s condo holding a plastic bag with the pregnancy test inside. He barely looked at her when she opened the door, brushing past her into the foyer. “Take it,” he said shortly, holding out the bag.
“I’m as upset as you are,” she said. “Do you think I want to be pregnant.”
“Just take it.”
He followed her back toward her bedroom, sitting on the edge of her bed while she went into the bathroom. He leaned forward, his elbows pressing into his knees as her gripped his head. He felt like he was in the middle of a nightmare and he was going to wake up at any moment.
“It said five minutes but it’s already a yes. It turned right away.”
Blood rushed to Phil’s head. He could barely focus on the plus sign she was showing him in the test window. “No.” He shook his head.
“I can’t believe it either,” she whispered. She sat down beside him. “We’re going to have a baby.”
“No!” Phil jumped to his feet. “How do you know it’s mine?”
“I haven’t been with anyone else. It’s yours.”
“You can’t have it. I’ll take you wherever you want to go. You don’t have to go through this alone.”
“I’m not getting rid of our child,” she said. “There’s no way.”
“I’m married. I have a wife and family. I can’t have a child with you.”
“I love you.”
“No.” Phil shook his head, backing away from the bed. “I don’t love you. I’ve never loved you. I love my wife. I’ve always loved my wife. You know that.”
“I don’t really want to talk about her right now,” Kim said. “I’m having this baby. You can’t stop me.”
“Don’t do this, Kim. I’m begging you. Please don’t do this. If you care about me at all, you won’t do this. This will fucking destroy my life.” He ploughed his fingers back through his hair.
“I’m having it.”
“Fuck!” He pounded his fist into the wall, breaking through the drywall. “Fuck!”
?
“Our baby” over and over. Shut the fuck up, Kim.
Yeah shut the fuck up. Omg my heart. I feel so ghetto jerry springer right now.
I woke up this morning with my empty hands propped on a pillow and curved as if I was holding my cell phone. I was checking this blog in my sleep. ?
Debs, always good to hear your views on Phil. My issue has always been that I think Phil “liked” Kim as a person and liked hanging out with her more than his family for the 4 months the affair was going on. I realize that he needed a distraction to keep his sanity but the things he did with Kim are more than what you do with a mistress or someone you just sleep with. I may be the only one but I definitely picked up on the salaciousness of the affair after chapter 22 and for a long time afterwards, I resented Phil for never truly asking Lina for her forgiveness and sitting down with her and explaining whys of the affair. Phil is 100 percent redeemable but I would like to see how he changes and deals with the consequences of the mess he created.
Laura, the scotch scene was the remorse scene? It didn’t fit in with Phil’s character? I don’t want him crying into the scotch because that would be forced but why no remorse?….
The scene — scotch drinking in the morning didn’t flow with the rest of the scene. Yes, he feels plenty of remorse — but that came across as feeling sorry for himself to me.
Got it! And you are of course right. That is not Phil.
Ladies, I’ve lived the nightmare and the dream.. I can tell you I would definitely forgive Phil for the affair…I gave my first husband a second chance and he betrayed me again…I saw what I would have liked to have seen in my own life, in Chapter 47 of WPF, their love for each other and their destined HEA. I knew Phil was redeemable and I don’t need all the questions answered, I just need Phil to love Lina and give her the security she needs to combat the betrayal she felt….
Laura you know from an earlier post I said Scorched Earth. I would never accept my husband’s bastard. Immediately filed for divorce. But in taking this trip with the Hunters and exchanging views here I’ve changed my mind. Even had I experienced the four month betrayal Lina did I would still say yes to reconciliation. If my husband tried as hard as Phil did to show his love and became as involved with family life and our children how could I say goodbye to my soul mate?
Congratulations ladies, you have changed a life long conviction I’ve held since mid teens. The question caught me by surprise but my answer even more so.
I keep thinking I could forgive, but I wonder if I’d be stuck for eternity in my own private hell not able to move on. Mention of the slightest details of this fictional affair makes my stomach turn, and it’s not my life. I guess we wouldn’t really know what we’d do unless it happened.
With that said, if my suspicions are correct, and Phil’s affair isn’t as bad as Kim made it look to Lina, he had the optimal (hate to use that word) affair. He did it. He ended it. He’ll never do it again. In so many novels or even real-life stories I hear, I never believe the guy is really done cheating.
Deb, it’s interesting that you brought up the trauma from Lina’s past. I was thinking about that this morning. Wondering if that plays a part in Phil’s overbearing-at-times attitude toward his family. He was traumatized as well.
The question for each of us is — can you ever forgive an affair?
Many readers couldn’t see any of the good in Phil after the affair was revealed — the fact that he took care of Shiloh, Alice, never deserted his children, didn’t sleep with or date anyone else during their six months apart, gave Lina financial security for the rest of her life, etc. All they saw was an asshole that cheated.
When I started writing SN I was trying to answer everyone’s question and because of that some of the scenes read like they were forced to me (they ultimately didn’t make the cut)– I had to stay authentic to the story and the story took on a life of it’s own.
This is a novel about a family finding their way after an affair that results in a child. Will you get all the answers you want? I doubt it, but you’ll get plenty.
Ann, Janet says I’m stubborn where Phil is concerned, especially when I say that Phil lived up to everything, I thought about him in Chapter 47 of WPF….Phil is guilty of the affair and he will swoon us all in taking care of and loving Lina..Phil is devastated knowing what he put Lina through.. Remember when Phil looked into Lina’s eyes and said he wished he didn’t have to hurt her, when he told her about the pregnancy? I read the full force of his guilt in that one line..Deb was also right when she said their marriage was in a hold pattern, they are soulmates, that may have become stalemates…but their love wasn’t up for debate, they are still very much in love….Lina telling Phil to leave and him being in the Farside house for 6 months without her, was his own living Hell..you see that in the nightmare scene. Like I said above, I feel for Lina, but Phil will bend over backwards in SN to earn her trust and give her back the security he took from her, no doubt..I’d bet the farm on it….
Tracie I think there was more to those text messages too. Kim probably did leave out the ones where Phil was negative towards her, etc. I think Laura said we would find out about those in SN, I think I read that.
I love Phil and he is redeemable. I just hope he lives up to our idea of him making it up to Lina big time! I think he will.
It does take two to tango girls and I’ve said that from the start, however Phil never promised her a rose garden…He gave her his time and body and she fell like a rock.. Kim wanted a part of Phil, so getting pregnant was a logistical move on her part to keep him in her life. I wonder if Kim felt that the affair was losing its momentum? Deb you are exactly right it did back fire and that in itself proves Phil had no true feelings for Kim…We saw only the text messages Kim wanted Lina to see, maybe there was text messages from Kim, where Phil turned her down???
Good Morning Girls,
Laura I was wondering if the Scotch Scene with Phil at 1100am is in the first 25% of SN?
I have “Feel” think questions that I don’t know how to really express. It is funny as a reader how your own personality wants to meld with the character…Lina’s character is more laid back and she allowed Phil to take the lead in most things, and when she took the lead with Katie, that is where their power struggle started….
I think about the scene where Phil wants to move Logan to another school….
Would Lina ever say to Phil…”What about my son and his feelings?” Is Logan feelings to be discounted now that you have a new son?”
Would Lina ever say to Phil….You don’t want to see Nick, but I have a woman and baby in my face, for the rest of my life…She is in love with you Phil?
I feel for Lina…..
The scotch scene didn’t make the cut!
And yes to your other questions…
Hi Deb. I’ve always been team Phil however there has always been a part of me that agrees with part of what you just said. You’re absolutely correct it does take 2 to tango and the fact that he kept it going for 4 months!! I’m sure we will get more incite into Phil’s mind set in SN.
From Deb this morning (I moved it from the other thread)
Hi ladies, I really wish this blog was in audio so I could catch up during my commute to work each day…! Ha, I can imagine all these American accents and then the awful Kiwi (NZ) accent thrown in amongst it!!!
Well done Laura on finishing SN – that must feel amazing and I so can’t wait to read it!!!
While I personally still think that Phil is a massive prick, it will be interesting to see if my opinion changes after reading SN…I’m sure it will…
Dare I say it but I also sympathise slightly (just a tiny, tiny, wee bit) with Kim’s character…don’t get me wrong – I despise her – but the guy slept with her (including over night stays) for FOUR FREAKING MONTHS!!!!…I think she could be a tiny bit justified in thinking it was more than just a casual fling…I think in her mind, getting pregnant was just a way to give him the impetus to actually leave his wife – too bad it back fired on her and too bad for him that he believed he was actually safe from impregnating her!!! Her reaction by being a massive bitch, while not endearing, is kind of understandable…she clearly thought that giving him a baby would be her trump card…but she was wrong…
I’m sure SN will answer a lot of gaps I had about the true nature of their “relationship”…
Also it’s apparent the Hunters needed a shake up in their marriage even though Phil clearly took it too far…Lina was hanging on to the trauma of her past and I can see how that would be taxing to any partner, particularly when he’s bent over backwards to give her a relatively easy life…she needed this to move past that and get a backbone…Phil also needed to stop treating her as the submissive wife and not take her for granted…
So thanks Laura again for bringing us something REAL, something to tug at the heartstrings and to reflect – there’s no way I’ve been compelled to blog on any other author’s books…
Bring on the release of SN!!!!
P.S. disappointed about the change in name for Liam – my eldest is named Liam ?
P.P.S. I really don’t like Kim’s character!!!! But just playing devil’s advocate here…it takes two to tango (or make a baby) and all that…
P.P.P.S. I still like Nick – I think he’s hot – just saying… ?
Hi Deb,
The four months bother all of us, I think. I’m not convinced he was clear about what the affair was either. Not saying you’d leave your wife isn’t the same as actually saying you won’t leave your wife. But Kim got pregnant the first month- she couldn’t possibly have expected him to be in love with her and leave his wife and family that early on. I believe the pregnancy was a calculated move to try to lock him in. Laura assures us he didn’t give her mixed signs, like calling her pet names, going on dates, giving her presents. But isn’t it so common for one participant in an affair to think it’s more than sex, fall in love, etc.? And, she’s Kim, so it’s a whole different level of delusion.
Not sure what I’m trying to get at with this rambling, but I still don’t I can feel sorry for him. No woman who knowingly breaks up or tries to break up a family gets sympathy from me.
I don’t feel sorry for Kim, I meant
Not him
Let’s discuss tomorrow who Kim will end up with. Too bad she can’t go to jail. I liked your back and forth with deighj today Tracie. I just caught up with the scenarios and your Armani rating.
You could so name brand for me J-Girl…….I bet you could spot a warehouse buy a mile away..Lol…
I’ll be more focused tomorrow..I had so much going on today…
So many guys are metro these days. It’ll be easy to spot a Phil but where is he? Not here! Maybe a few nicks but Phil is harder to find with his Hercules body. Lol.
I think LA and Miami are very similar (metro types)– There are still some Phil types in New York (except Brooklyn) and Washington, DC.
I don’t know but what about at least a fling with Ned from When I Saw You? He cheats on his pregnant wife, the one he cheated on Lia with. Kim gets pregnant again. Ned has to ask Lia for money because of all of these baby mamas.
Ned is to weak for Kim…it will be something or someone we never expected….
Right. Laura said Kim is too classy for Ned before. While back I was watching Amarosa doing her book tour interviews and I thought she was a black Kim. Laura said no! Can you see the model you put up on Pinterest having a fling with Ned? I wouldnt mind seeing that though. I wonder if Laura will somehow pair Kim up with Damien and he rejects her after using her. Lol. That would be sweet.
What about Kevin Stuart from Prossi’s firm?
was he the bald headed one? the other partner? Maybe if he’s more powerful than Phil because he didn’t sound physically attractive in the book. Kim has to end up with another narcissist. If they are alike they can coexist. Do you guys watch Chris Rock? He said in his act that two coke heads can stay together forever.
started Mistakes by Amanda Wilhelm. I’ll let you know if any good.
Just finished White Lillies. It was good!!
Did you read purple orchids. I liked that more.
Mornin J, read Mistakes a year or so ago and enjoyed it. You’ve read Torn Up Marriage by Carolyn Roberts? Now that was a guy that was unredeemable. I’ve read several of Shari Low’s books and enjoyed.
We all feel guilty in recommending other books but know Laura understands these recommendations are just a ‘filler’ until January.
That would be so funny. Maybe I’ll have to go back in and change some things up
Lord! My friend who is recently divorced and has narcissistic tendencies is on tinder. She is driving me crazy with her texts. Why isn’t he texting. How can he disappear on me? Me me me. Yada yada. I had to mute the phone. With her last guy she asked why can’t you just love me? he replied it is so hard to love you and dumped her. I was imagining Kim texting Phil non stop and thinking he is so disgusted with her. Maybe my friend is more Neds level but she always blames the other person and cannot see any fault in herself.
OMG — what a cold response ‘it is so hard to love you’ wow — I may have to use that in a novel one day.
Yes that’s what he said after 6 months of dating her. But she’s selfish. She once called him at 1am telling him to kill a mouse behind her refrigerator.
Wow — super high maintenance! Did he come to kill the mouse?
If he came to kill that mouse he is dumb as a box of rocks…I’m just saying…Lol
Yes he came and killed it. He wrote a long text the next day giving her the number of an exterminator and that he would not be at her beck and call and she can not control him this way. She’s very attractive. 45 but looks 28 with some help and smart too. That’s why I said a tiny bit like Kim. I think he took it as long as he could but just couldn’t love her. He said you make it so hard couple more times. Am I going to hell for this? I better stop.
Maybe she thought she was being cute and just really wanted to see him? Play a little cat and mouse?
I like that romantic answer Kbabe…but if she wanted to play cat and mouse couldn’t she have laid out the cheese before 1am…Lol
Hahahahaha
Lol. Too funny!
Goodnight ladies…and Sugar. Hahaha. Love ya tater.
Love you too Deighj….
I’m glad the blog is up and running again. I missed you girls today. I hope everyone had a nice day. ?
Just watched lea walk the Victoria secret runway on YouTube 10 years ago. She was glowing!
Lea?
Joseph’s Lea. Her real name is Caitrona Belfe?
You are awesome for fixing the blog. I thought something was wrong with my cell.
Catriona Balfe?
Oh, yeah. She’s gorgeous. I didn’t even know who she was when I made her Joseph’s Lia.
Thank you, Katie! In addition to making storyboards, Katie can fix websites!
Haha. I just recovered your blog. No big deal. ?
You are awesome Kbabe…
I’m here too. I couldn’t refresh from my phone but my laptop seems to be working fine.
I am here
Aww bless you Laura. You know how addicted we’ve become on this blog! LOL
Can’t wait for the scenes!!!!
Just as an FYI — I have everyone’s email address. If this site went down I’d figure it out and get us all talking again
I’m on it now Laura. Sorry to have had to email you.
I was stressing out thinking I couldn’t get back onto this Blog. I’m good now.
I had problems, but I kept double clicking and was able to log in to blog….you have to manipulate if for it to work…
My sites is experiencing some technical difficulties — I think because I was messing with things. If you’re unable to blog just email me and let me know [email protected]
LOL me too Deighj, my daughter and I were in a restaurant and I was looking around and she said what are you doing???? I said looking for Phil in a fitted Armani…She said you do realize mom those men don’t exist??? I said they may not exist in this restaurant, but it doesn’t stop me from looking LOL….
If I ever get to NYC, I’m going straight to the Manhattan business district, finding a bench and waiting to see Phil, Tony or Joseph walk by……Who needs a picture of the Empire State Building??? I may even have 10 pieces of 8.5X11 card stock with numbers 1-10 printed and let them know their rating when they walk by….1-7 says you have gone to Men’s Warehouse for that ugly suit…8-10+ Calvin Klein..Armani, etc….I have a dream LOL
I think you have your cities confused. — go to DC for Tony and Joseph.
And how does your daughter know they don’t exist? ?
Manhattan is where all the really hot rich dudes are in most romance novels…I’m going to look at Alpha Males that you write about..The Phil’s, Tony’s and Joseph’s types…I know right…my kid is a bubble popper….
So SN will explain where Phil took Liam on his days with him, if not at home? I don’t see him as being able to stomach being around Kim at that time.
I read WPF last year and hammered Laura restlessly until May. She was going on little sleep because she was working on another book. My guilt got to be too much because I wasn’t getting any sleep either. I talked endlessly about WPF to anyone who’d listen. Dinner talk was all about Phil and Lina and my absolute hatred of Kim. I wouldn’t even use her name, just called her the OW. I was obsessed. Once I put my book away i swore not to pick it up again until the sequel came out. And then I found the thread on Goodreads. Heaven sent, My virtual sisters.
Did I get that wrong? This IS the opening scene?
No you didn’t get it wrong, we had just talked about it in the comments..remember Kim even said in the snippet Laura shared, you barely see your son and once a week isn’t enough…When he got back with Lina he still saw Liam once a week…He had full disclosure with Lina, she knew where Phil was…
Hi Deighj…wondered where you where doll…Laura said that Phil only saw him once a week before he and Lina got back together and there was no overnight visits until she became comfortable with Liam and was ready to welcome him into their home…
Liam is a toddler. Where has Phil taken him for his weekend visitation since this is the first time Phil’s brought him home? For Phil be so familiar and at ease in taking care of Liam it shows that he has spent considerable time with him. Does Phil disappear from home for those visitations. Alice, his parents or Wayne’s house? As this is a deleted scene it shouldn’t matter, just questions that popped up.
Good afternoon everyone.
My pad ran out of juice a coupla days ago and wasn’t recharging. I FINALLY found the cord had frayed at the base so borrowed a cord and am now typing while charging. I am so glad I’m back! Missed you gals.
FYI: I responded to a couple of messages on the prior feed.
Laura I love the scene, it depicts Phil, Lina and Katie’s reactions perfectly. SN should be in our hot little hands around New Years?
Unless the editor sends it back with a big black X lol
I was reading the opening scene and thinking how comfortable Phil is with Liam and how Lina is watching the interaction and hurting, as I’ve said a million times before standing on the outside of Phil’s life looking in….
Do you think Lina wonders how much time Phil has spent with Kim and Liam, to know his routine so well and what he wants?????
So hard to read. Their closeness is very hurtful I’m sure, but also highlights why she loves Phil so much. I bet she’s looking at Liam analyzing his every feature, and not seeing herself. So heartbreaking.
The love for Phil, will have her opening her heart to Liam..Also, even though she is not in the DNA chain, her kids are and she’ll want them to accept their brother….
I need Phil to love Lina openly and wholeheartedly and make her a part of decision making where Liam is concerned..so important to me…I know this is eating Phil up too…thinking Lina doesn’t know her role and how he can make her feel comfortable with Liam and a part of his life…
Sugar, so Phil kept him at his apartment before he moved back home? Dirty diapers and all? Now that would be an LOL scene, Phil changing diapers! When exactly did Phil move back home? At the end of WPF it was a foregone that he was moving back, what month?
Another LOL thought about changing diapers, my son showered my face several times while in the midst of. It’s a rite of passage for mothers of baby boys. Sure you’ve had to wash your face a time or three.
Withdrawal, that’s what I’m suffering Sugar. I think we’d all feel that if cut off. Just as you stated, we are all virtually connected, sisters! Not being able to connect, for some unexplainable reason was the pits. Even thought of buying a new pad. I was getting desperate.
Phil moved back home the first part of April, remember him and Lina leaving the restaurant in Chapter 47, stepping out in the cool evening of early April…Laura said he saw Liam once a week, now where he saw him has never been mentioned…I bet at first Lina makes Phil responsible for all of Liam’s care while at the house, but once she starts opening up to Liam, Phil let’s out one of this big sighs because Lina will take on more of Liam’s care and will become a shared responsibility, which is the way it should be…
Emotional day girls, we had a send off for one of my dearest friends and one of my best team mates today…I literally shook as I discussed her and told stories, which is not like me at all…I think I may be getting soft in my old age…Even though I’ve never laid eyes on you girls, it is like I have a virtual girlfriend world that I can share my thoughts and feelings with….and I also love the fashion,cooking and book recommendations…Score……
I hate good byes! Feeling for you.
Woohoo
Awesome!! Thank you!
Oh I can’t wait to read those scenes either!! This made my day!!
I just love your books – a white picket fence I have read twice since Saturday – love you ❤
So looking forward to read your sequel xxxx
Thank you, Ania!
Hi Ania, glad you joined us. We’re on the count down now. Just think, another month? Swimming NAKED is the only thing on my ‘can’t live without’ Christmas list. It’s in top place for all of us.
Look forward to those scenes being posted….Happy Chandler gave you a break…Lol Get caught up and rest…..