WITHOUT REPROACH Virtual Book Tour

Author of the novel, WITHOUT REPROACH (book identification, ISBN 1905988257) touring the blogosphere on a first virtual book tour.

Since 1994, stories have appeared in regional, national and international publications, been recorded for 'Talking Newspapers' and broadcast on radio. Visit AJ's website at Kindle Books

Jenny inherits a share in La Finca Piedra from Spanish artist, Juan García... yet has never met him, never heard of him and is not related to him. Jenny's psychological problems start when she sees the finca for the first time, yet vaguely recognizes certain parts. Worse, she discovers a nude painting of her in the entrance hall.

Eduardo, twenty years younger than half-brother Juan, is main beneficiary of the Will. Conflict erupts out of Eduardo's resolve to preserve the finca for the García family, and Jenny's determination not to give it up. She sees the finca as a chance of making something of her life. He sees her as a gold-digger. "You're so pompous," yells Jenny "You think you're the only person that counts; but you're not. Everyone matters, not just you."

The contradiction of aggression and tranquillity, of angry and obsessive feelings amid the calm surrounds of the beautiful Sierras, heightens the mood of WITHOUT REPROACH.

Jenny finds herself struggling with Eduardo on several levels; her escalating attraction, his promiscuous reputation, his belief that she may be involved with threatening letters against him, and his absolute and unjustified dislike of her new friend, Miguel... but then she starts to get threatening letters too.

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'Bar Garrafa' was heaving, everyone talked in loud voices, a piano in the corner thumped out a tuneless pop song. Two or three people tried to sing, but no one was on key. They made up for it by singing raucously.

She'd felt low for a couple of days, hoped company might perk her up, but there were too many people and no one to talk to. Everyone seemed to be gabbling at once.

A board behind the bar advertised tapas for lunch, with pictures by the side of each item. It didn't say much for the patrons' reading ability.

She spotted Miguel, seated at the far end of the room with a crowd of friends. They were animated, talking loudly to make themselves heard, gesturing to emphasize some point or other. She waved to catch his attention and he beckoned her over as soon as he saw her.

She threaded her way through the crush. A hand grasped her bottom. She spun, glared. A grin, a shrug, a good-looking guy, dark curly hair, six-footer. Maybe he thought she should feel flattered. The mood she was in she felt more like flattening the bastard.

More cologne than alcohol hung in the fug; a gaggle of girls shrieked over the crash of songs, nurturing flashy drinks. One or two men were with them, smiling, saying nothing, older, wearing quiet clothes. Escorts and the escorted?

"Jenny!" Miguel stood and greeted her, kissing her on both cheeks. "Hey, why the long face? You don't look like someone who's come into all that money." He had to shout to make himself heard above the noise, and held her at arm's length to study her. "You look worried. What problems have you got now?"

"I don't have problems."

"With the amount of money you've come into, I should think not."

It was meant to be funny because he smiled but she wasn't in the mood. She said testily, "I'm trying to get my head around things."