This winter finds Kemp Trumble in a pickle along Lake Erie as he attempts to seek out some quiet time to finish writing his next best-selling thriller. Not only does he think the lumberjack next door is loud and annoying, but he also believes the stud alluring, a heavy distraction, and sexy.<br><br>Kemp purposely tries to keep his distance from Jack Manwood, knowing they rub each other the wrong way. To no avail, Kemp seems to constantly run into Jack. No matter how much Kemp steers clear of the hot neighbor, Jack is always around, here and there, everywhere.<br><br>Unpredictably, these two different men, one from the back woods and one from the city, find common ground: drinks at Timbers, manly hugs, and the annual Lumberjack Competition, which they both attend. But are Kemp and Jack's similarities strong enough to escalate their friendly relationship into boyfriendhood? Or will they remain separated by miles of lumber and broken hearts?

Lumberjack

We shook hands. Shared a friendly hug. Kissed one of my cheeks like a friend.


“We’ll talk the day after tomorrow, Kemp.”


I drove back to the cottage drunk; shame on me.


November 9, 10, 11—I wasn’t sure of the day. Time blended for me while writing. Seconds, minutes, hours, and days became the great and tempestuous mix of time when at work, creating characters and scenes. I became lost in the words and sentences and paragraphs, killing chapters four and five of Lost and Beguiling


Excited, I emailed Keer my progress, writing him: “…I’ve opened all the windows in the cottage and let the snow fly inside. One inch. Two inches. So much snow. Now…now I can feel the cold and wet of my main character’s being! Now I can feel her pain and understand her fears!” I paused. “I’m not changing the novel’s title. I know you don’t like it, but…it has to stay the same. The significance of the title drives the book.”


Chapter 8