Sample 1:
Stephanie kept pulling at the bag she'd somehow managed to get wedged in the revolving doors at the hotel she'd just checked into. The luxury hotel was way out of her budget, she thought as she curled a stand of chestnut colored hair behind her ear, but she'd earned it. She'd had a week in Hell. Literally. Now she wanted to think of nothing but a big juicy burger followed by bubble bath, wine and the latest book from her favorite romance author.
She'd spent the past few days dealing with the High Demon Hayden and the Angel Patrick and her emotions had run the gamut. Now her favorite purse was about to go down for the count, if the tearing she'd just heard was any indication. Could things get any worse, she thought?
“Oh yes,” she murmured as she remembered the past week. Had it only been 7 days ago that she'd decided to go out for a drink to celebrate her birthday? Going to that bar had been completely out of character for the normally shy and reclusive Stephanie. But it had been her 30th birthday and she'd made up her mind to get out and live a little. She'd really thought her life was about to change for the better when the bartender handed her a drink, compliments of the man at the end of the bar. She'd looked up to stare into the most intense pair of blue eyes and almost fell off her bar stool. She laughed as she thought of that first reaction to Patrick. She’d totally had the hots for him and then to find out that he was a freaking ANGEL! She knew Angels were supposed to be beautiful and well...angelic, but hot? Like throw me down and have your way with me hot?
Flustered, she'd been about to attempt to walk over and say thank you, when she'd stumbled and suddenly found herself caught by a pair of firm arms that held her steady. She'd looked up to find she'd lost her breath as she took in the five o'clock shadow, jet black hair and eyes that twinkled with mischief. Man, she'd thought, I should come out drinking more often. This must be what the term beer goggles meant! There was no way two supreme specimens of the male persuasion would cross her path in the same night. Well let’s be honest, it could have a really long time for hotness of this level to have paid her any attention. Like a hell has frozen over long time.
As his arms continued to hold her steady, he'd looked down at her and said, “Well hi there sweetheart. My name's Hayden and you and I are about to get to know each other much more intimately.” As her brain tried to process his words and the fact that she, quiet boring Stephanie, was getting hit on by a god, she sensed someone approach.
“Get your hands off her,” a voice that seemed to warm her skin like sunshine commanded.
Stephanie whipped around to see the man from the bar. “Oh, it's okay. He was just helping me out. I umm stumbled.”
Apparently none to pleased with her answer, he continued to stare the other man down. “Hayden, you know you can't mess with her before we get her inducted. It's in the rules. We remain neutral until she fully understands her role. You might not like rules, but this is one you won’t get away with breaking.”
“Wait a minute,” Stephanie interjected as she pulled away from the two men and tried her best not to stumble like a complete fool for the third time in the last 5 minutes. “I don't know who you think I am, but there’s definitely been a mistake and it's time I left.”
The man from the bar looked at her, “Your name is Stephanie Monroe and today is your 30th birthday. I'm Patrick and I'm and I’m here to show you your destiny.”
A loud, undignified snort came from deep within Stephanie. “Seriously, I don't know who sent you, but that's the lamest line I've ever heard. Listen, whoever hired you will still pay you, but I'm uh not interested in sex with a...what do you call yourselves? Hookers? Escorts...”
She was interrupted by the god who’d introduced himself as Hayden.
“Listen sweetheart, Patrick and I have one week to teach you what you need to know and then you'll be fending for yourself. We need to get started so pick up your dainty little purse and let's go.”
Now thinking she needed to flag down the bartender to help her out, Stephanie tried to play along with the two men until she could get out of there. “So, where are we heading to?”
“To heaven of course,” Patrick replied as if there was no other answer.
“Don't worry,” Hayden said as he grabbed her hand. “You may be surprised at the people we find in heaven. God has a soft spot for sinners. His standards are quite low. I mean he took in Patrick over there, and he's obviously a square.”
