I’m participating in the A to Z blogger challenge this year. Since April also is the anniversary month for the release of my novel, ’Til Death Do Us Part, I thought I’d use that for the theme of my posts. For each letter I will come up with a word that is pertinent to the story, and post a short excerpt featuring it.

In general these excerpts will bounce around the timeline (after all, the story isn’t told in alphabetical order). No worries, I’ll give a little context leading into each scene so it won’t be necessary to read the others to enjoy the snippet-of-the-day.

N is for Nash

Poor Nash. He eventually becomes Sam’s new love interest after Henry is presumed dead in a plane crash. I say “poor Nash” because when a book’s blurb ends with the line, “Will Sam be able to put aside his new love when he reunites with Henry?” we all know what the answer to the question is, right? But, it doesn’t matter that we already know in our hearts how it’ll turn out—it’s all about the journey getting there. 💕 This scene is Nash’s introduction to the story. It is told from Sam’s 3rd-person POV:

When Sam reopened his eyes, he saw a blond man with short spiky hair and wearing a nurse’s uniform two tables away, gazing straight at him.

The man jumped when he saw he’d been busted staring. “Sorry. Tough morning. It was cheering me up seeing you sit there with that smile.”

“No problem.” Sam made an uncharacteristic snap decision and kicked the chair opposite him out in invitation. “You’re welcome to join me if you want the company.”

The man cocked an eyebrow and watched him for another moment. Then he shrugged, stood, and walked over. “Okay. Company is good.”

“I’m Sam.”

“Hi Sam, my name is Nash.” He gestured to his name tag. “But I guess you can see that.”

“Nice to meet you, Nash.”

“Got called in early today. Been standing in the OR since four A.M. I’m beat.”

“I should think so.” Sam nodded toward Nash’s ice cream. “You earned your Chubby Hubby, today.”

“You’re not so chubby.” Nash blushed. “Sorry. Again. Sometimes my brain takes a while to catch up to my mouth.” Sam laughed. He found himself drawn to Nash’s lively

personality. He smiled and made a point of drawing out his eye contact, hoping to convey his interest. Nash took the bait.

“I take it you’re not totally commitment phobic since you haven’t taken off running after that crack.”

“Commitments are a good thing, although perhaps not so much on first sight. I like to at least disclose last names before pledging undying love and all.”

“Marino.” Nash’s grin had an element of challenge in it.

Sam paused a moment before replying. “Greene.” He’d already started going by that again at the university. His degrees were in that name, after all. Legally it was still Miller-Greene, but that wouldn’t change unless he remarried. It was a step he couldn’t bring himself to make, although he told himself it was just because changing one’s name was a paperwork pain in the ass.

“So, Sam Greene, are you busy tonight?”

“I think I have dinner plans with a nurse named Nash Marino.”

Nash’s grin widened. “I think you do, too.”

Blurb

Henry and Sam Miller-Greene are living the dream. They love their careers — which afford each of them opportunities to travel to exotic locations — they love their home, Sam’s caring family, and each other. They disagree on the subject of adoption, but are fully committed to each other in marriage … ’Til Death Do Us Part.

The dream is shattered when Henry’s plane crashes, and he’s presumed dead. But four people — Henry, two other men, and a child — survive undetected on a remote, small, and insignificant island. Will Sam and Henry’s love be able to survive as well?

Henry fights to endure in harsh conditions, never knowing when disaster will strike. Sam struggles with his loss, but with help moves on with his life. Will Sam be able to put aside his new love when he reunites with Henry?

Info & Links: ’Til Death Do Us Part