Publication Date: April 22, 2014

In the second follow up to “Chasing the Wild Sparks,” Hadley Beckett comes closer to triumphing over a reluctant Finn Wilder…

What would you do if the love of your life gave you the keys to the kingdom, but won’t let you in?

At the end of her rope, Hadley grabs her intrepid boyfriend Finn Wilder’s world by the…bridge. Finally ready to end the never-ending merry-go-round that is their unknotted life together, she enlists the help of her friends to help boost her own courage. Since Finn is all about walking on the wild side but not down an aisle, Hadley challenges him to the ultimate test that will prove her more daring than the daredevil himself, hoping Finn will take notice and change his mind about making her forever his.

Throwing down the irrevocable gauntlet, will Hadley celebrate supreme victory over his heart or will she accept the cruelest defeat at the very hand she holds?

Excerpt

We walk out to the main area and see Rod leaning against the wall. He’s actually wearing clothes that fit him this time. When he sees us, he impatiently pushes off the wall, and I notice he’s wearing an old TLC shirt. Practically stomping his way over to us, he frowns. “What takes you damn hags so long? I already did three circuits on the weight machine while waiting for you.” Months ago, I would’ve doubted that. But after my recent run-ins with his strength, I think Rod indeed does lift weights. Morgan sneers, “We care about our appearance, unlike some assholes.” He scowls. “No amount of time in the bathroom is going to fix your kind of ugly.” “Really? And why are you wearing this TLC shirt with the sleeves rolled up? Do you think you have guns to show off?” She shakes her head and laughs. “I doubt you even know what a weight machine looks like.” Rod flexes his arm to prove his point. “Uh huh! See! I have muscles!” They’re not enormous, but I’m actually impressed. Either Rod hides them well or I’m that distracted. Morgan blows out a taunting laugh between her lips. “Elbow macaroni has more curl than that, Nimrod.” Taking a step forward, he crosses his arms and glowers at her. “Oh, yeah? Well, scissors stay closed more than your legs do, obviously!” Morgan jerks her head back with a mix of confusion and amusement. “What the hell?” “I don’t know! Shut up, Morticia!” Rod pouts and gives me a side-glance as I cover my mouth with my hands. “Watch it, Beckett.” Morgan bumps my arm. “Yeah, Hadley, or you’ll be hit with a Rodism that will leave you curled into a ball, hugging your teddy bear on a shrink’s couch.” I waggle my finger, indicating both of them. “You two need to hold hands or something. Hug it out.” Rod scoffs, “And you can sit and spin.” Morgan says to Rod, “You know what she’d really love to sit and spin on.” Rod eagerly nods with a knowing smile. “Wilder’s d*ck?” Morgan cocks her head, giving him an innocent look. “Gee, Rod. I wasn’t implying that at all, but I’m glad you could clear it up for us.” I grumble, “You know. You two always talk about me as if I’m not standing right here.” They both give me blank expressions. Rod credulously asks, “Oh, I’m sorry. Have we met?” I roll my eyes and shake my head. “Why do I even bother?” Morgan answers, “I haven’t the slightest clue.”

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Chasing The Wild Sparks (Book 1)

Synopsis

What would you do if the love of your life doesn’t want the same life you do?

Hadley Beckett has failed in not only her career, but as a daughter, friend, and girlfriend. Hadley’s longtime boyfriend, Finn Wilder, who is Richmond, Virginia’s local daredevil and favorite sportscaster, isn’t afraid of anything…almost. Hadley desperately wants a marriage and kids with him, the two things Finn infamously dreads.

Finn pressures Hadley into moving in with him, but being traditional, she wants to be married first and she wants to stick to her beliefs, just as he clings to his own. On the other hand, Finn has tolerated Hadley’s stubbornness long enough and he’s reaching his breaking point.

Fearing at 33 that she will soon be too old to have kids, Hadley wants Finn to change his mind and marry her, yet her insecurities about his public life and from his constant rebuffs have her questioning her aspirations. With conflicting advice from her friends, Hadley concludes she should take things into her own hands.

But then again, Finn Wilder has his own story to tell.

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Daring the Wild Sparks (Book 2)

Synopsis

In the follow up to “Chasing the Wild Sparks,” Hadley Beckett’s quest for wedded bliss perseveres…

What would you do if the love of your life were closer to making your dreams come true?

Riding high in her relationship with her sportscaster/local daredevil boyfriend Finn Wilder, Hadley Beckett makes plans concerning her future with Finn. Big plans.

Infamously anti-marriage, Finn promised Hadley he’d consider taking her to the altar if she gives him more time. Diving headfirst and with encouragement from friends, Hadley formulates her own way to handle Finn if he can’t commit to her soon.

Knowing she has an uphill climb ahead of her, Hadley is still determined to succeed, yet is she unwittingly destined to fail?

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20 Fun Facts About Ren Alexander

1. My favorite ice cream is chocolate/peanut butter, but I don’t do the kind with the cups in it.

2. The smell of peaches, cucumbers, and Easter lilies make me viciously gag. I can’t even walk through a produce aisle without breathing out of my mouth or holding my breath when I’m around them. Peaches are especially smelly there.

3. Watermelon, banana, and peach candy flavors are GROSS.

4. I LOVE lighthouses!

5. I’m a huge history buff. I could watch the History Channel all day when they’re showing actual shows about history.

6. I’m right-handed, but can only drive with my left hand. If I drove with my right, I would drive into a tree or off a cliff.

7. I’ve only owned two cars, both Toyotas. The first, I had for 10 years.

8. I can type 65-70 WPM, depending on my mood and what I’m typing.

9. I’m addicted to Diet Mt. Dew ever since they changed the flavor about five years ago.

10. I can’t stomp on bugs. I will hurl.

11. Mushrooms are the devil.

12. I developed asthma when I was 27.

13. I have a B.S. in criminal justice.

14. When I write, I can’t write scenes out of order. It drives me insane. I have to be driven to that point in order to express the characters’ emotions to my full capacity. It’s not organic to me.

15. I’m a music geek. If someone wants to know who sings what, my friends ask me from 50′s music and on.

16. I LOVE to laugh, but hate my laugh. Hmm…

17. I love plaid! If I could dress like a grunge chick or resembling an old man on a golf course everyday, I probably would.

18. I am VERY camera shy. You won’t find me in many pictures.

19. Each person I’ve dedicated my books to (two so far) have made it into my story as a character. Which ones are they? Hmm…

20. I have one tattoo. A skeleton key with an “R” at the top.

Ren Alexander was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, but grew up in a nearby tiny, historical, college town in the Northern Panhandle of the state. She graduated from West Liberty University, where she received a B.S. in criminal justice. Although interested in that field, her true passion was reading and writing.

She currently lives in Detroit, Michigan with her husband, two daughters and two cats.

“Chasing the Wild Sparks” is Ren’s first novel.