Today please welcome fellow Secret Cravings author Melissa Keir, January winner of Time for Love’s “Readers’ Choice” Award!
Become a Teacher- Get your Summers Off- Melissa Keir
People have a skewed picture of teachers.
Society thinks teachers have it easy with summers off and all the snow days. Teaching has become a target for what’s wrong with society. Teachers who dress too provocative become targets for ridicule. I had a parent take offense at my writing because I’m a teacher. Would you believe that some teaching contracts have a moral clause? A teacher can be let go for any manner of inappropriate behaviors from dating a married man to being seen intoxicated in public.
In Chalkboard Romance, Lauren’s getting over a bad divorce. Her friend Melanie decides she needs to get some action to feel sexy again. Mac’s money-grubbing wife died and now he’s a single parent. His sister wants him to find love. Put together for a one night stand, Lauren and Mac sizzle. But they don’t know that Mac is the parent of one of Lauren’s students. When they find out, will they get their chance at a happily ever after or will the school force them apart?
At my school, you aren’t allowed to teach one of your own children or even a relative’s children. It looks like there might be favoritism or special treatment. Dating a parent isn’t a problem unless their child is in your class. Again, they worry that you will “pass” that child because of your feelings. But what if you’d already fallen in love?
Chalkboard Romance:
Blurb:
Lauren Walsh, a divorcee and elementary teacher, wanted to feel sexy again, after her ex tossed her aside for a younger woman. Her teaching partner and best friend encouraged her to sign up for The Playhouse–a renowned dating agency.
Mac Thomas remained trapped in a marriage to a money grubbing socialite. Forced to stay away from his young son, Mac lost the ability to trust. After the death of his wife, he returned to care for his son but his sister wants more for him. She sets him up with The Playhouse.
Passion ignites but Mac’s a parent of one of Lauren’s students. A teacher and a parent dating could cost Lauren her job and her chance at happiness. Will Mac be able to convince the school and Lauren, that love is the most important thing?
Excerpt:
“Not happening. The dates arranged by the mysterious Master Draikoh San are legendary.” Melanie perched on the corner of Lauren’s desk. “Supposedly he’s arranged for a few Hollywood and rock-n-roll bigwigs. His ability to find the perfect date is astonishing.”
Lauren avoided eye contact, pulling papers off her desk. “Since the divorce—Boy, I hate that word—I’m hesitant to jump into the dating scene. I don’t want a permanent relationship right now.”
“You need to get back on the horse. We talked about this. Someone to soothe your feminine ego would be perfect.”
Lauren did want to feel desired and loved again. The Playhouse happened to be hideously overpriced but offered a private select screening with a deep background check on all their clients. Few things were known about the owner of The Playhouse, but Master Draikoh San appeared either part god or part magician but totally reliable, very well respected. He guaranteed his results whether you were looking for a casual affair or long term love. Most of all, he was discreet.
I’m ready to move forward. She couldn’t keep letting her husband’s—ex-husband’s—infidelity overshadow her life. At least, the alimony would go for something good. She took a deep breath. “I’ll check my email.”
Lauren logged into her account. An email from Master Draikoh was at the top of the list. Her heart began to pound. Nervous to see who Master Draikoh recommended, she hesitated, fingers poised above the keyboard. She agreed to Melanie’s demands partially to get her off her back. She pulled her hands back, then twisted them. Apprehension, excitement, and determination fought for control.
Teachers aren’t seen as hotties except in campy ‘80s music videos. She shuddered. The video for Hot For Teacher crowded her mind. If I take this step, what will happen to my career? What if someone found out I used a dating service? Lauren chewed on her lip as she continued to wring her hands anxiously. She threw her shoulders back.Who am I kidding? The whole process is safe. Besides, I don’t care if someone does find out. I deserve this.
She inched her fingers back toward the keyboard. With a few strokes, she’d find out. Her curiosity would be answered.
“It’s here,” she said with a whisper. Lauren opened up the email, then read the details aloud to Melanie.
“Your night is arranged for next Monday night. I’ve found the perfect guy for your date. I have included the flight information to Chicago, your room accommodations at the Lotus Hotel, in addition to some details about the man you’ll be meeting. Remember our rule…for this first date, only use first names. This enhances your connection. If you want to meet again, you can arrange to exchange numbers afterward. I’m sure you’ll have the night you dream of.”
About the Author: 
Melissa Keir has always wanted to be an author when she wasn’t hoping for a career as a race car driver. Her love of books was instilled by her mother and grandparents who were avid readers. She’d often sneak books away from them so that she could fantasize about those strong alpha males and plucky heroines. In middle school and high school, Melissa used to write sappy love poems and shared them with her friends and still has those poems today! In college her writing changed to sarcastic musings on life as well as poems with a modern twist on fairy tales and won awards for her writing. You can find many of these musings along with her latest releases on her website and blog.
As a writer, Melissa likes to keep current on topics of interest in the world of writing. She’s a member of the Romance Writers of America and EPIC and other writing organizations. She is always interested in improving her writing through classes and seminars. Melissa doesn’t believe in down time. She’s always keeping busy. Melissa is a wife and mother, an elementary school teacher, a book reviewer, an editor for a publishing company as well as an author. Her home blends two families and is a lot like the Brady Bunch, without Alice- a large grocery bill, tons of dirty dishes and a mound of laundry. She loves to write stories that feature happy endings and is often seen plotting her next story.
Melissa loves to hear from readers at:
Hi, Ladies. Chalkboard Romance sounds intriguing. I never stopped to consider how much teachers can be under a microscope. Melissa, loved your bio too, especially the Brady Bunch reference, LOL. Good look with the release!
As a child I remember a teacher who smoked but had to make sure she wasn’t seen smoking in public due to a moral’s clause in her contract. Thanks for stopping by, Mae.
Thank you Mae. It’s amazing how many things I have to do and not do… For example, my hair color is monitored.
What color hair can you not have, Melissa? Working in local government as we did with the library, administrators often added their own spin to the dress code. Hair could not be distracting. Men had to wear ties. Women had to wear hose or, if in slacks, knee highs. We were not allowed to show bare toes in open sandals– in Florida for Pete’s sake. Women could wear cropped pants but not capris. The bottom of the pant had to be closer to the ankle than the knee.
Melissa, thanks for being here. Chalkboard Romance sounds like such a good story. Best of luck with it!
Thank you Flossie! I’m glad to be here. Being a teacher is a wonderful job but also one that people don’t really understand.
This books sounds like a great read.
It’s to bad teachers have to live under microscopes.
Yes, it is Lindsay. Thanks for stopping by!
It is a rough standard. I think that it’s worse in American schools, certainly in schools where the median income of the residents is higher. A principal the other day made a joke about my boots. I needed them because I take 20 kids outside each day, I don’t get recess off.
Oh, I can tell you some stories about the standards teachers are held to. I had a principal whose philosophy was, “A teacher on her feet is worth two in a seat.” Therefore, we were not allowed to have chairs in our classrooms. The only time we were able to sit was during lunch and planning periods. Oh, no potty breaks–except at lunch. Your book sounds like a winner, Melissa. Love the title.
Let me tell you Loretta, that hasn’t changed a bit! I passed a Kidney Stone at work last year. We aren’t supposed to sit or even eat! Today I peed when I got home for the first time because I had a 10 minute lunch.
With my bladder problems, I’m glad I’m not a teacher after all. I know teachers who teach summer school, or take additional classes to keep up with the latest. They don’t get the summer off.
Melissa, I love the title and the cover. It sounds like a great story.
Sandy, I received my master’s degree while working full time. Now I joke because I have three full time jobs and still no time for myself or writing. Thank you for stopping by!
Melissa,
Sounds intriguing. In one of my novels, I explore some of the same issues when the school principal and a single parent fall in love! Teachers play such a key role. They can really make or break a class/subject for a kid. The good ones are priceless!!
Thank you Darlene for stopping by. I think that teachers are often used in stories because of the pressure on them to adhere to moral standards. 🙂 They do make great heroines with their compassionate hearts!
Loved your excerpt, Melissa! Again, congrats on your release. 🙂
Thank you Tina!
I have no idea why anyone wants to be a teacher anymore. Poor pay and poor treatment. But Kudos to those who do. They provide a vital service to everyone, not just parents.
I do love my students. There is something to be said about having someone tell you that they love you and hug you a million times a day. Their smiles are truly high wattage and when you put a bandaid on, you cure cancer!
I wish more teachers would stop/stand up to bullying! But you know how I feel about that subject! LOL Your books look great!
D’Ann, I wish I could have been your teacher and made a difference. My own son was bullied and so it’s why I’m so against it and work so hard to make sure it doesn’t happen to my kids (my students).
Flossie,
We have a dress code about stockings, clothing attire and such as well. We also can’t have tattoo’s showing or multiple piercings (ears included). My hair must be natural in color, not fancy colors like I’d love (pink or blue streaks). It’s not like those things change my teaching but they seem to think that it does.