Kat Henry Doran - Mad Dog and the Archangel - Guest Post

Guest Post

“Mad Dog and the Archangel” is one of the last attendees to the twenty-fifth reunion of the Class of '85 out of the Wild Rose Press. It features Rafe Archangeli, formerly known as the Scourge of Summerville, and Grace Dunavan, formerly known as Sister Mary Assumpta [to those who loved her] or Mad Dog [to those who felt otherwise].

The main plot idea is redemption. Rafe Archangeli returns to the town which scorned him as a youth to bury his best friend. Within hours of meeting Grace Dunavan he knows in his heart he must return to the only life he knows—scamming wealthy women out of their money—before he makes the biggest mistake if his life and pursues this unique woman, Rafe learns he's been left an inheritance worth a king's ransom. Leaving is the easier, softer way, a route Rafe has taken all his life. Accepting the gift could become a way to make amends to his dead friend, the man who saved his life. And then there's Grace—who can dance the Samba better than any Ipanema girl—and makes him want things he has no right to have.

“Mad Dog” is a short contemporary romance which takes place in the fictional town of Summerville on the shores of Lake Ontario in Western New York State.

Several years ago I was privileged to be part of a group of four authors who developed interrelated story lines for an anthology based on four high school friends, called the Sons of Summerville, who return to Summerville after their friend dies suddenly. Sadly, the anthology never came to fruition but it easily morphed into a reunion series. The other authors graciously granted us permission to use the town of Summerville as the basis of the series. Each of the authors who contributed to the series were given free reign as long as they included the pre-arranged invitation to the reunion. And, we kept in close contact so we didn't end up with five captains of the baseball team or eight prom queens.

When it came to writing “Mad Dog and the Archangel”, I kept in mind the kid we all knew in high school, the guy most likely to spend time in a maximum security cage. Rafe's background was an easy one to develop; I simply recalled kids I grew up with. It was writing his exact opposite for a heroine who couldn't be too good and who needed to present something to keep Rafe in one spot long enough to fall in love and want to stay in Summerville. You can't get much more good than a nun so it worked for me. I hope it does for readers also.

To purchase “Mad Dog and the Archangel”, go to www.thewildrosepress.com and click on Mad Dog and the Archangel or author search Kat Henry Doran. At 109 pages the digital price for this contemporary romance is $2.25.

buy link: www.KatHenry.com

Thanks for inviting me to your blog!!
Kat Doran

Blurb

Rafael Archangeli returns home to Summerville to bury an old friend, collect his inheritance, and then return to the only life he knows—conning wealthy women out of their money. In Rafe's world, money not only equals success, it goes a long way to obliterate the stigma of his past.

Grace Dunavan, former nun turned community activist, gave up worldly goods a long time ago with no regrets. But she's never known a man with the raw appeal of the Scourge of Summerville: Rafael Archangeli.

Their first meeting is like an errant strike of lightning, fierce and stunning in intensity, and takes both by surprise. Has Grace turned Rafe into a changed man? Or is he using his inheritance to pull off the biggest scam of his life?

Excerpt #1

Safety First.

A personal motto that served Grace Dunavan well for the past thirty-something years. She never picked up strange men. In fact, she rarely dated men, strange or otherwise. And wasn't she the first to preach the wisdom of obtaining a detailed history—family, medical and sexual before contemplating a walk on the wild side? With any man, including the brother of her best friend.

Especially one whose thick mop of jet colored hair, hooded black eyes and razor-sharp cheekbones, all of which held undeniable appeal for a good girl who always did what the nuns and her parents dictated. With a name like Archangeli he should be a protector, not a walking advertisement that proclaimed: I've Been There, Done That; Let Me Tell You All About It.

As he helped her into her coat, Grace heard Gaby murmur something about an attorney who was trying to track down Rafe. None of it made sense. What woman in her right mind could think straight when faced with a man who redefined potency?

It was a night of firsts for Grace: leaving a party with a man she'd never met before; admitting how and where she'd learned to drive; breaking the land speed record for contemplating her first one night stand.

Excerpt #2

“For the last time, Arch, how long do you plan on sticking around?”

It dawned on him that Rory was only doing his job. Christ only knew how this scene would have turned out if it was Dickhead standing here, though blood and gore likely would be involved.

More for dramatic effect, Rafe heaved a deep sigh. “For old time's sake, Sheriff, I'll answer your questions. I came back for Deege's funeral and to spend quality time with my sister. I saw Ryder Burke this morning who told me I was left something in the will. I'll be gone by the weekend.”

The sheriff nodded, just once. “A couple weeks ago, Burke asked me to run a list of names for wants and warrants. Your name took the top spot. Didn't take a rocket scientist to deduce it had something to do with Deege's will. I suggest you keep your word on your travel plans.”

“My record is clean.”

“Save that song for some other numb nuts, Arch. Just because the New York City courts haven't seen fit to convict your ass on grand larceny and other assorted grifts does not make you citizen of the year.”

That pretty much summed up the life and times of Rafael Archangeli. “As I said, Sheriff, I'll be out of your hair inside forty-eight hours.”

“After you’re gone, I'd hate to learn you've worked a scam on a fine woman like Grace Dunavan.”

“That a threat?”

“Leave it at a warning—for now.”

Bio

Over the years I've had the honor to work at a number of occupations: operating room nurse, malpractice insurance investigator, forensic nurse examiner, victim advocate, wife and mother. Five years ago I became Nana for the first time and, believe me, it’s the best job ever!

Even if I sometimes wish they'd remain in the closet, the years I spent in the OR and labor floor, and later advocating for victims of sexual violence, contribute significantly to the voice of my writing. You don’t spend thirty years playing loyal serving maid and mind reader to egotistical surgeons, then twelve years haunting police stations, Emergency Rooms, and criminal courts without developing an internal alarm system for covert misogyny, rampant apathy, and overwhelming bigotry.

I retired my stethoscope and speculum a few years ago but continue to advocate quietly for marginalized populations through Amnesty International and Doctors Without Borders.

I like hearing from readers. You can contact me through my website: www.KatHenry.com, or blog: www.WildWomanAuthor.blogspot.com

Giveaway:

PLEASE MENTION THE PRIZE THAT THE AUTHOR WILL BE GIVING AWAY: a Funky Bag and a Toiletries Bag from Kats Kustom KarryAlls, filled with author swag to one random commenter on the tour as well as to the host with the most comments (excluding the host's and Kat's). US and Canada only, please.