Seventh Heaven an EPIC Award finalist!

Woo hoo! I nearly didn't enter this story, because I'd re-released it after the rights returned to me from The Wild Rose Press. But Seventh Heaven's a wonderful little story, set in the Sixties in my hometown of Lambertville/New Hope. And now it's a 2012 EPIC Award finalist! I'm so proud of it! 

Reviewers have called it “a wonderful story”; “an uplifting romance set in a turbulent, unique time period. I did not want it to end”; “a read that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The deep and powerful setting of this story had me wiping away tears while cheering James on”;  and “This book brought about emotions that I found refreshing. Cate Masters is a gifted writer who wrote this book with talent and marvelous imagery. I could almost see, taste, hear and touch what was occurring in "Seventh Heaven." If you are looking for a book with a wonderful plot that is very well written as well as being entertaining, "Seventh Heaven" is the book for you.”

For the trailer, I photographed my hometown of Lambertville, NJ and New Hope, PA (twin towns, separated by the Delaware) because that’s the setting for the story. A cool place, even before the Sixties. :) 

The image on the new book cover, above, is also a light from the bridge spanning Lambertville and New Hope.

Seventh Heaven now available on Smashwords

My Sixties-era romance, Seventh Heaven, is now available on Smashwords for just 99 cents! Soon it will be available for Kindle too. Just waiting on the Amazon conversion.

While published with The Wild Rose Press, it topped the bestseller list. I'm grateful to this publisher for believing in my work. Seventh Heaven was my first published ebook.

Fallen Angel Reviews rated it a Recommended Read. Other reviewers have called it “a wonderful story”; “an uplifting romance set in a turbulent, unique time period. I did not want it to end”; “a read that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The deep and powerful setting of this story had me wiping away tears while cheering James on”; and “This book brought about emotions that I found refreshing. Cate Masters is a gifted writer who wrote this book with talent and marvelous imagery. I could almost see, taste, hear and touch what was occurring in "Seventh Heaven." If you are looking for a book with a wonderful plot that is very well written as well as being entertaining, "Seventh Heaven" is the book for you.”

Here’s the story blurb:

Lilah owns the New Hope Record and Crafts Shop with her friend, Val. Independent and free-spirited, they sell their handmade jewelry and pottery to tourists in their Delaware River town. Lilah’s only hangup is James, who bartends down the street. She’s crazy about him, but lately he’s been cold and distant. Turns out he has reason to be down--he’s had his ticket punched for Vietnam. Lilah makes him a lucky leather-string choker using a silver ankh--the Egyptian symbol of eternity.James is skeptical about its lucky charms, but warms to her again. For seven months, James is in Vietnam. He comes home changed, in more ways than one. Can Lilah show him that her love is all the luck he needs?

And an excerpt:
James stood in the open doorway. The choker gleamed from his neck. “I came by to say thanks.”
The distance she’d felt between them last night was gone. His warm eyes searched hers, reaching again for a connection.
“I didn’t know it was you.” She stepped from behind the counter. No more barriers between them.
He closed the door. “So. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. It looks good. It’s an–”
“An ankh. I know.” Something seemed to be holding him back, but somehow she knew she must be patient, and let him come to her.
“The Egyptian symbol of eternity.” She didn’t know what to do with her hands, and her breath was jagged. “Sorry. I mean, Ben told us. It really stinks you’re leaving.”
He ran a finger across a glazed jug. “Bad timing.”
She clasped her hands in front of her. “I guess it’s never a good time…”
He glanced up and flashed a switchblade smile. “I mean, I wish we had more time.” His soft voice rushed at her like the wind and billowed the sails of her heart’s rocky boat.
The air thinned, seemed rarified. “Me, too.”
He stepped closer. Time felt maddeningly slow. She wanted to run to him, fill her arms with him.
Instead, she crossed her arms. “I hope you’ll write me, if you get a chance.”
“Yeah?”
He was within arm’s reach. His gaze flowed over her inch by inch, over every curve and hollow.
The floor needed sweeping. And needed to be smaller. Or his steps needed to be more expansive. “Sure, I’ll keep you up on the local gossip. Send you goodie packages.” A lock of her hair. A photo of herself so he’d think of her every day. And night.
His eyes locked on hers. “That’d be nice.”
“We’re going to miss you around here.”
“You will?” The timbre of his voice rumbled inside her like an earthquake.
With his last step, he was so close her skin tingled with his heat. “No one can make a margarita like you.”
He fingered her hair, tucked a strand behind her shoulder. “Come back tonight. I’ll make you all the margaritas you can drink.”
In her head she was already there, sipping at a wide-rimmed glass, serenaded by Dylan in the background, James attending to her alone. “OK.”
“See you about seven, then?”
She smiled. “Seven it is.”
He backed toward the door, slowly, as if still taking her in. The silver ankh winked in the light as he turned to leave.

More links to reviews and the trailer (another old one I need to update!) are here. Thanks, as always, for checking it out! :)

Lucky seven

Do you believe in luck? According to legend, seven is a powerful number.

It's been pretty lucky for me. I'm the seventh child of two parents of families of seven each. Among ancients, the seventh son of a seventh son was believed to be born with supernatural powers, a boy who would become a wizard when he grew to manhood. Likewise, the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter was believed to be born with gifts of prophecy and healing. Hopefully, in my case, it bestowed great writing powers upon me. :)

So it's no wonder I named my TWRP Vintage Rose Seventh Heaven. Set in my hometown of Lambertville, NJ and New Hope, Pa., the story follows Lilah and James through good luck and bad. Like me, Lilah believes in making her own good luck.

(Actually, I named this story after a 1937 Jimmy Stewart film called Seventh Heaven, a really romantic old movie.)

Please leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Seventh Heaven. I'll announce a winner tomorrow night.

The legends continue...

Breaking a mirror, everyone knows, brings seven years of bad luck, a belief dating back to the Romans.

Seven years of bad luck will plague anyone who kills a black cat on Halloween.

Superstition holds that if you sing before seven, you will cry before eleven.

To some, seven represents the day on which success will greet any special venture.

Believing seven to be the perfect number, the ancient Greeks considered seven lucky.

Goths worshiped seven deities, and the Japanese have seven gods.

In olden times, many lovesick would practice certain tricks on Halloween to aid them in divining who their true love would be, or end their search for love:

The first guest at a Halloween party to find a burr on a chestnut-hunt would be the first to marry.

The first successful apple-bobber would be the first down the aisle.

Single girls who scatter hempseed in a field on Halloween night will dream of their future husband.

Women could also bring a lantern to a fresh spring at midnight and see their true love's face in the reflection.

I can't help you see into the future, but I can give you a glimpse into the real Lambertville/New Hope area with the Seventh Heaven trailer:

Three reasons to be excited today!

First, I woke up to find a great review from LASR - 4.5 books for Going with Gravity! Here's part of what the review said:
"If you are looking for a romance story which can make you believe that love is real, that it can sneak up on you when you least expect it and thrill to its force as a powerful whirlwind for change, then you are going enjoy reading Going with Gravity."
Thanks, Xeranthemum!

Second, my interview with Dionysus is now up at You Gotta Read Reviews. I hope you'll check it out. He's a very interesting guy... er, god! Kinda looks like Antonio Banderas, too. Dionysus is pushing for a rewrite of The Lure of the Vine - not possible now, though I'm kinda likin' the sequel idea.

Third, when I checked The Wild Rose Press site this morning, Seventh Heaven was still the number one bestseller! For the fourth straight week! I'm afraid to let it sink in for fear it will go away then. :)

Oh, and Freya's Bower posted their inaugural author interview with... guess who!

Hope everyone's having as happy a hump day as me!

On top of the world!

Or something just as good!
I'm so thrilled - Seventh Heaven has been at the number 1 spot on The Wild Rose Press's Bestseller List for a week now! Woot!

Less than a week left in the Sony ereader contest!

Time's running out!
On Tuesday, June 9, some lucky person will win a Sony eReader. But first, s/he must buy an ebook from The Wild Rose Press by one of the participating authors (hopefully me!) Details are here.
Choose from either Seventh Heaven or The Duende and the Muse - each only $2.00. Such a small cost for a great reward.
Both stories have received excellent reviews:
Seventh Heaven
WDRF's "Memorable Good" review concluded: This is a read that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The deep and powerful setting of this story had me wiping away tears while cheering James on. Cate has a great story on her hands with this.
LASR's 4-book review concluded: Cate Masters is a gifted writer who wrote this book with talent and marvelous imagery. I could almost see, taste, hear and touch what was occurring in "Seventh Heaven." If you are looking for a book with a wonderful plot that is very well written as well as being entertaining, "Seventh Heaven" is the book for you. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Masters' work.
The Duende and the Muse
Author Hywela Lyn's 5-star review: This little gem is an absolute delight. It's quite unusual in that it's a first person, present tense narrative, and this gives it an wonderful immediacy. I felt I was right there with Melinda, sharing her frustration that her student doesn't seem to hear her, her anxiety that if she doesn't succeed with him she might lose her muse status – and the heat she feels when a certain duende is near her. Cate Masters puts words together in a way that is almost poetic, and brings the magic of her world to life. It's a delightful, quick and fun read and I can thoroughly recommend it.

Memorable Good rating for Seventh Heaven!

Tabitha Franc of WDRF Reviews gave Seventh Heaven a "Memorable Good" rating!

"Cate Masters blows me away with this spicy-sweet story. Lilah and Val are our very complimenting female roles, while the handsome bartender James takes up out male lead. Lilah and Val seem like the kind of friends that can argue and still laugh about it later. They are both very relatable. Lilah is our main character but seems so real you feel like you have known her for ages. As James tries to cut off ties with the people around him Lilah finds her way into his heart. This is a read that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The deep and powerful setting of this story had me wiping away tears while cheering James on. Cate has a great story on her hands with this."

Woot! Thanks so much, Tabitha!

LASR's review of Seventh Heaven!

I couldn't wait to share! I've been waiting and waiting (and waiting) for a review. This one was worth waiting for!


"The characters in this book were very relatable with emotions that are very real and strike at your deeper emotions. Lilah's character wanted something more than she wanted to breathe at times and that something was James. How do you take the hurt away from someone when at first they don't want you to pity them? It wasn't pity she felt for James, it was a forever kind of love.

I don't want to give away anything in this book but I can say that the situations that arose were brilliant on the writer’s behalf. This book brought about emotions that I found refreshing. I almost cried a time or two. Don't get me wrong, I would not classify this as a sad book as they were tears of joy! I would have loved to see this book as a longer version or, perhaps, we could talk Ms. Masters into a sequel that takes us a bit further into the relationship of Lilah and James. I also would love to see Val have her own story.

Cate Masters is a gifted writer who wrote this book with talent and marvelous imagery. I could almost see, taste, hear and touch what was occurring in "Seventh Heaven." If you are looking for a book with a wonderful plot that is very well written as well as being entertaining, "Seventh Heaven" is the book for you. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Masters' work."

Yes, I'll be doing a happy dance tonight!

Release Day for The Duende and the Muse!

To celebrate the release of The Duende and the Muse, my short Faery (fantasy) story from The Wild Rose Press, I’m giving away a PDF copy to a random commenter. I'll announce the winner tomorrow night at 9 p.m. (Eastern). Just share something about your muse – or duende, as the case may be. Does inspiration light upon you like a butterfly? Or strike like a bolt of lightning, sizzling along your nerve endings, burning your fingertips until they’re forced to pound it out on paper or a keyboard? Sometimes the best stories come out like that, jumping from our head to the page almost fully formed.
The Duende and The Muse was a little of both. It started as a lightning strike, and I tweaked it a bit later, after it had cooled off a bit.
And if you don’t win today, if you purchase it (or Seventh Heaven, my Vintage Rosette), you can enter The Wild Rose Press’ contest to win a Sony eReader. Details are here.
Here’s the excerpt:
Melinda is startled when she notices a dark figure leaning against a booth across the aisle. He stands out like a charcoal etching against the background of clouds—harsh outlines, jagged features. Menacing yet compelling. He smiles, and lightning flashes from his dazzling white teeth, zinging through her.
She’s never seen a muse like him, but he must be one—otherwise, he wouldn’t be here. He wouldn’t be stepping toward her with the intensity of a jaguar, a laserlight in his eye, teeth bared in a hungry smile.
This guy looks like a Vanity Fair ad—layered hair mussed just so, sandals with a jacket and jeans that fit really well. She runs her hand across her belly to quell the tiny pinpricks. She’s been so busy with work lately, she hasn’t met anyone new.
“Who’s that?” Her wings can’t beat fast enough to cool the heat rising from deep inside her.
Calliope turns to Euterpe. “Oh my. How did he get in here?”
Euterpe squints in his direction, then furrows her brow. “A duende. They’ll let anyone in these days.”
That explains it. She’s heard of them—said to be a combination of charm, magic, inspiration, fire, magnetism—and demon. Muses were warned at an early age not to take up with duendes. Tales of muse-duende liaisons were fraught with disaster and downfall—for the muse. Duendes managed to carry on unscathed, though their methods of inspiration could be deadly for their students. The thought vanishes quicker than a flicker of sunlight on water as he moves toward her and says hello in a voice whose timbre resounds within her.
“Hi.” She stares, entranced by his dark beauty.
His smile envelops her. “I’m Devon.”
She extends her hand. “I’m Melinda. So nice to meet you.” Fire sparks in her fingers as he takes her hand in his, then leans to kiss it. A tingling crawls up her arms and neck and into her head, where it scrambles her thoughts. His gaze lingers on her lips, and they quiver open like a rosebud blooming in sunlight.
His voice is like a hot wind in the desert. “The pleasure’s all mine.”
Oh, she doubts it.

Lily Stone interviewed me

Come on over to Lily Stone's blog today - she very graciously invited me to be her guest.
I'm giving away a copy of Seventh Heaven too!

Enter to win a Sony eReader!

Beginning today, The Wild Rose Press is holding a Sony eReader contest, and I’m one of the participating authors. This means that if you purchase Seventh Heaven from The Wild Rose Press, you can be in the running to win. To enter, email your order number to sonyreader@thewildrosepress.com.

SONY recently announced that they will include $25 worth of free downloads from their site with every reader The Wild Rose Press gives away. That’s a great prize package for only $2 (if you purchase my story).

The Wild Rose Press will verify your order and enter you into the drawing. If you purchase more than one title, you can enter more than one time. Be sure to check the list of participating authors. More details are online.

For questions on this contest, please contact Rhonda Penders at rpenders@thewildrosepress.com. Please put the words SONY eReader contest in the subject line. Click on each author's name to link to their books in our bookstore. If there is no link next to the author; the book may not be released yet, and you can check back at a later time to find her link.

Winners will be announced in a chat this spring (date TBD), and on The Wild Rose Press web site.

I'm over at Popculturedivas today

Come on over to Popculturedivas (formerly MissMakeAMovie) and let me know your take on e-books!
You could win a copy of Seventh Heaven, too!

Seventh Heaven contest today!

As promised, today I'm holding another contest to give away a PDF copy of my Vintage Rosette (short story), Seventh Heaven, set during the 1960s. Here's some info on the story's authentic details and a bit more story background.
For a chance to win, simply leave a comment and I'll pick a random winner at 9 pm EST. Be sure to leave your email address so I can notify you if you win.
If you'd like to purchase Seventh Heaven, it's available now from The Wild Rose Press. Feel free to leave a story review on the site!
Thanks for stopping by!

Here again is the story blurb:
Lilah owns the New Hope Record and Crafts Shop with her friend, Val. Independent and free-spirited, they sell their handmade jewelry and pottery to tourists in their Delaware River town. Lilah’s only hangup is James, who bartends down the street. She’s crazy about him, but lately he’s been cold and distant. Turns out he has reason to be down--he’s had his ticket punched for Vietnam. Lilah makes him a lucky leather-string choker using a silver ankh--the Egyptian symbol of eternity. James is skeptical about its lucky charms, but warms to her again. For seven months, James is in Vietnam. He comes home changed, in more ways than one. Can Lilah show him that her love is all the luck he needs?

Seventh Heaven's release day today!

Woo hoo! Finally - today is release day for my Vintage Rosette, Seventh Heaven!
I’m over at Yankee Romance Reviewers today, so pop on over! Leave a comment for your chance to win a copy of Seventh Heaven.
If you miss your chance today, stop back here tomorrow. I’ll be giving away a copy here, too.
The story blurb and excerpt are two posts below.

Countdown to Seventh Heaven's release!

Only three more days until Seventh Heaven is released by The Wild Rose Press! Yay!
On Wednesday, I'll be holding a contest at Yankee Romance Reviewers and giving away one PDF copy. I'll post a link here on Wednesday so you can pop on over for a visit.

Here again is the blurb and excerpt for Seventh Heaven:

Blurb
Lilah owns the New Hope Record and Crafts Shop with her friend, Val. Independent and free-spirited, they sell their handmade jewelry and pottery to tourists in their Delaware River town. Lilah’s only hangup is James, who bartends down the street. She’s crazy about him, but lately he’s been cold and distant. Turns out he has reason to be down--he’s had his ticket punched for Vietnam. Lilah makes him a lucky leather-string choker using a silver ankh--the Egyptian symbol of eternity.James is skeptical about its lucky charms, but warms to her again. For seven months, James is in Vietnam. He comes home changed, in more ways than one. Can Lilah show him that her love is all the luck he needs?

Excerpt
James stands in the open doorway. The choker gleams from his neck. “I came by to say thanks.”
The distance she’d felt between them last night is gone. His warm eyes search hers, reaching again for a connection.
“I didn’t know it was you.” She steps from behind the counter. No more barriers between them.
He closes the door. “So. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. It looks good. It’s an--”
“An ankh. I know.” Something seems to be holding him back, but somehow she knows she must be patient, let him come to her.
“The Egyptian symbol of eternity.” She doesn’t know what to do with her hands, and her breath is jagged. “Sorry. I mean, Ben told us. It really stinks you’re leaving.”
He runs a finger across a glazed jug. “Bad timing.”
She clasps her hands in front of her. “I guess it’s never a good time…”
He glances up and flashes a switchblade smile. “I mean, I wish we had more time.” His soft voice rushes at her like the wind and billows the sails of her heart’s rocky boat.
The air thins, seems rarified. “Me, too.”
He takes a step closer. Time feels maddeningly slow. She wants to run to him, fill her arms with him.
She folds her arms. “I hope you’ll write me, if you get a chance.”
“Yeah?”
He’s within arm’s reach. His gaze flows over her inch by inch, over every curve and hollow.
The floor needs sweeping. And needs to be smaller. Or his steps need to be more expansive. “Sure, I’ll keep you up on the local gossip. Send you goodie packages.” A lock of her hair. A photo of herself so he’ll think of her every day. And night.
His eyes lock on hers. “That’d be nice.”
“We’re going to miss you around here.”
“You will?” The timbre of his voice rumbles inside her like an earthquake.
With his last step, he is so close her skin tingles with his heat. “No one can make a margarita like you.”
He fingers her hair, tucks a strand behind her shoulder. “Come back tonight. I’ll make you all the margaritas you can drink.”
In her head she is already there, sipping at a wide-rimmed glass, serenaded by Dylan in the background, James attending to her alone. “OK.”
“See you about seven, then?”
She smiles. “Seven it is.”
He backs toward the door, slowly, as if still taking her in. The silver ankh winks in the light as he turns to leave.

In celebration of e-books

March 8-14 is Read an E-Book Week. More new epresses appear every week, and readers are embracing e-books. While readership has fallen for print books, ebooks have enjoyed a growing number of readers. I have a growing cache of e-stories myself.
Although a little late, I’ll help celebrate Read an E-Book Week on March 19. On that day, The Wild Rose Press will release my short story, Seventh Heaven. I’ll hold a contest and give away one PDF copy.
As a child of the 1960s, I incorporated the music I loved while growing up in the Lambertville/New Hope area, where the story is set. James is named for James Paul McCartney (pardon me, I should say “Sir” these days), my idol as one of the youngest Beatlemaniacs (I was five when they first appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, and I vividly remember falling in love with him that night). The Music Circus existed until the late Seventies, and Judy Collins did perform there, and makes a cameo appearance in my story. But I won’t give too much away – you’ll have to come back on the 19th to try to win a copy, or go to the Wild Rose Press site and purchase one (only a few dollars – for a good cause, to help a struggling author).
The trailer is below. I took all the photos of New Hope and Lambertville on a trip home last fall. It was nearly sunset, so the light was perfect - rich color hues, deep shadows, brilliant rays of sunshine. My extraordinarily talented son wrote the music. Hope you like it.

The value of authenticating details

This morning, I received the final galleys for my “Rosette” story, Seventh Heaven. I’m still waiting to hear when The Wild Rose Press will release it.
As it is set in my hometown of Lambertville, New Jersey, and New Hope, Pennsylvania, proofing it brought back many memories.
Several story details originated with my family. My oldest brother Joe (aka Boo) is a Vietnam vet who told us the story about the young Vietnamese boy throwing a grenade into the back of a truck, so that, in fact, was the catalyst for this story. My sister Claudia used to wear a flag T-shirt. When I was a teenager, one of my favorite things to do was walk across the bridge linking the twin towns to New Hope with my good friends Nora, Winnie and Mary Louise, and browse through the many shops, especially the record store near the bridge. Like Lambertville, New Hope is famous for its cultural diversity, including the Bucks County Playhouse, where my sisters Claudia and Annette to this day usher at plays. Fran’s Pub was a favorite hangout of my husband Gary’s in the seventies and hence earns a special place in the story.
While growing up, I vividly recall hearing musicians perform at The Music Circus. My mother once brought me to see Robert Goulet, but I was a young teen at the time and sadly, unappreciative of her gesture, as I would much rather have seen The Young Rascals, or even Chicago – I remember hearing their brass section clearly through the woods. The Music Circus drew many famous musicians and performers. As in my story, Judy Collins was there in 1967. And no story about the Sixties would be complete without musical references – Dylan, Hendrix, Donovan and especially the Beatles were such a deep-rooted part of my youth, they provide the soundtrack to my adolescence.
I had done loads of research on the Sixties era for one of my novels, so this story was one of those that came together in my head fully formed. Among other things, a Time-Life book titled The Turbulent Years: The 60s provided specific details I could not have accurately remembered, having been born just before that decade began. I remembered the buttons, but would have probably spelled the Hippy Power button as hippie, the more popular spelling.
So, as you have gathered, authenticating details can bring a story alive, as Dave Koch writes in his article, Authenticating Details. Write with as much specificity as possible. Avoid generic terms – instead of “hat,” write “bowler” or “Stetson.” Add background music. Describe the scents in the scene. Bring your readers into the experience of the story, and hopefully, leave them wanting more.

Here again is the story blurb:
Lilah owns the New Hope Record and Crafts Shop with her friend, Val. Independent and free-spirited, they sell their handmade jewelry and pottery to tourists in their Delaware River town. Lilah’s only hangup is James, who bartends down the street. She’s crazy about him, but lately he’s been cold and distant. Turns out he has reason to be down--he’s had his ticket punched for Vietnam. Lilah makes him a lucky leather-string choker using a silver ankh--the Egyptian symbol of eternity. James is skeptical about its lucky charms, but warms to her again. For seven months, James is in Vietnam. He comes home changed, in more ways than one. Can Lilah show him that her love is all the luck he needs?

My first cover from the Wild Rose Press!

What a great way to start the day! This was in my mailbox this morning. Nicola Martinez did an outstanding job, don't you think?

No release date yet, but soon.

Here’s the blurb for Seventh Heaven:

Lilah owns the New Hope Record and Crafts Shop with her friend, Val. Selling their handmade jewelry and pottery to tourists in their Delaware River town keeps them independent and free spirited. Lilah’s only hangup is James, who bartends down the street. She’s crazy about him, but lately he’s been cold and distant. Turns out he has reason to be down--he’s had his ticket punched for Vietnam. When Lilah makes him a lucky leather-string choker using a silver ankh--the Egyptian symbol of eternity--James is skeptical, but begins to warm to her again. Can Lilah show him that her love is all the luck he needs?

And an excerpt:

Candles light the bar, daisies and daylilies fill a vase at its center. Bob Dylan moans that the answer is blowin’ in the wind.
James walks out of the kitchen. When he sees her, he takes long strides toward her. “Hey, right on time.”
Her voice seems stuck in her dream-filled head. “Well, yeah, I didn’t want to jinx my lucky number.”
He lays his hand on her back, and its warmth seeps through her white cotton blouse. “Come on in.”
She wants to tell him how wonderful the flowers are, how romantic the candles are. How time feels like the river, static, but slipping away too fast. “This looks great.”
“The old guy downstairs loves to garden. He gave me the flowers.” He steps behind the counter. “Are you hungry?”
“No, not at all.” Her stomach is knotted so tight, no food would fit.
“Thirsty?”
She sits on the stool. “Absolutely.”
His muscles ripple as he mixes the alcohol. Cologne scents the air, cologne he wasn’t wearing earlier.
“Another slow night,” she says. The bar is empty except for her and James.
“All week. Very unusual.”
The tang of the drink seeps into her. “Not that I mind.”
“I’m kind of glad.” He leans toward her, and time seems to reverse a few weeks, a river reversing its flow.
Jimi Hendrix croons about the wind crying Mary, his voice a richly toned instrument, as electric as his guitar.
She smiles. “I like the music.”
“Hendrix is always a crowd pleaser.” He watches her mouth as her lips curl around the salty rim.
She sets the drink on the bar. “Let’s hope the crowds stay home for this one.”
He holds out his hand. “Come on.”
She takes it, though she doesn’t understand. Separated by the counter, they walk hand-in-hand to the end of the bar, where he pulls her close. It feels like whooshing up a mountain, like flying. When he moves her across the floor, she’s drifting on air currents high above the earth.
Candlelight reflects in his dark eyes, making them sparkle. He tightens his embrace and they move together like water over a rock. He leans his cheek against hers, and his breath warms her skin.
The song ends. He groans into her shoulder, his hands running slowly across her back. He leans away to look at her. “Want to go for a ride?”
“On your Harley? Hell, yes.”
He laughs, the first real smile he’s shown her in weeks. “Let’s go then.”

Seventh Heaven - Vintage (Sixties) short romance

Available in ebook from Amazon

and Smashwords

Lilah owns the New Hope Record and Crafts Shop with her friend, Val. Independent and free-spirited, they sell their handmade jewelry and pottery to tourists in their Delaware River town. Lilah’s only hangup is James, who bartends down the street. She’s crazy about him, but lately he’s been cold and distant. Turns out he has reason to be down--he’s had his ticket punched for Vietnam. Lilah makes him a lucky leather-string choker using a silver ankh--the Egyptian symbol of eternity.James is skeptical about its lucky charms, but warms to her again. For seven months, James is in Vietnam. He comes home changed, in more ways than one. Can Lilah show him that her love is all the luck he needs?

Reviews

Seventh Heaven is a wonderful story about overcoming obstacles. Lilah has to overcome her shyness and fear of rejection to pursue the love of her life. James has even bigger issues to overcome before, during, and after the war. This is a touching, three hanky read. Seventh Heaven is an uplifting romance set in a turbulent, unique time period. I did not want it to end.

Fallen Angel Reviews: 5 Angels, Recommended Read

Cate Masters blows me away with this spicy-sweet story. Lilah... seems so real you feel like you have known her for ages. This is a read that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The deep and powerful setting of this story had me wiping away tears while cheering James on. Cate has a great story on her hands with this.

WDRF Reviews: Memorable Good

I don't want to give away anything in this book but I can say that the situations that arose were brilliant on the writer's behalf. This book brought about emotions that I found refreshing. Cate Masters is a gifted writer who wrote this book with talent and marvelous imagery. I could almost see, taste, hear and touch what was occurring in "Seventh Heaven." If you are looking for a book with a wonderful plot that is very well written as well as being entertaining, "Seventh Heaven" is the book for you. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Masters' work.

Long and Short Reviews: 4 Books

Excerpt

James stood in the open doorway. The choker gleamed from his neck. “I came by to say thanks.”

The distance she’d felt between them last night was gone. His warm eyes searched hers, reaching again for a connection.

“I didn’t know it was you.” She stepped from behind the counter. No more barriers between them.

He closed the door. “So. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. It looks good. It’s an–”

“An ankh. I know.” Something seemed to be holding him back, but somehow she knew she must be patient, and let him come to her.

“The Egyptian symbol of eternity.” She didn’t know what to do with her hands, and her breath was jagged. “Sorry. I mean, Ben told us. It really stinks you’re leaving.”

He ran a finger across a glazed jug. “Bad timing.”

She clasped her hands in front of her. “I guess it’s never a good time…”

He glanced up and flashed a switchblade smile. “I mean, I wish we had more time.” His soft voice rushed at her like the wind and billowed the sails of her heart’s rocky boat.

The air thinned, seemed rarified. “Me, too.”

He stepped closer. Time felt maddeningly slow. She wanted to run to him, fill her arms with him.

Instead, she crossed her arms. “I hope you’ll write me, if you get a chance.”

“Yeah?”

He was within arm’s reach. His gaze flowed over her inch by inch, over every curve and hollow.

The floor needed sweeping. And needed to be smaller. Or his steps needed to be more expansive. “Sure, I’ll keep you up on the local gossip. Send you goodie packages.” A lock of her hair. A photo of herself so he’d think of her every day. And night.

His eyes locked on hers. “That’d be nice.”

“We’re going to miss you around here.”

“You will?” The timbre of his voice rumbled inside her like an earthquake.

With his last step, he was so close her skin tingled with his heat. “No one can make a margarita like you.”

He fingered her hair, tucked a strand behind her shoulder. “Come back tonight. I’ll make you all the margaritas you can drink.”

In her head she was already there, sipping at a wide-rimmed glass, serenaded by Dylan in the background, James attending to her alone. “OK.”

“See you about seven, then?”

She smiled. “Seven it is.”

He backed toward the door, slowly, as if still taking her in. The silver ankh winked in the light as he turned to leave.

Thanks to The Wild Rose Press for first publishing this story! I'm very grateful.