Sassy Book Lovers: Irons Blog Tour

Irons

(The Norfolk Series, #1)

by M.J. Fields
Publication date: August 10th 2014
Genres: New Adult, Romance

Jax

I was born and bred to be the man I am today. My father and his father were both graduates from The United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. Both went on to become helicopter pilots. Both had seen plenty of action. Both had met and caused devastation. Both men, who I respect more above all, had served and protected the United States and her people honorably for decades.
My best friend, William Cruz, who attended the academy with me, had flown beside me, had lived the same life as I had and shared the same ambitions in life, was gone now. This was not part of the plan. Will and I were supposed to have each other’s backs, support each other and never let anything supersede our bond.

Francesca

I sat on Norfolk Beach needing to feel close to him on the anniversary of his death. It was a beautiful day in May and I was cutting class. I had done the same every year since he passed.
Jaxson Irons was only supposed to be in Pensacola for a year. But now three years later I still hadn't heard from him. I saw a man running down the beach and I knew immediately who it was.
Jaxson didn't respond the way I had dreamed he would. He told me we would catch up someday soon. I stood and watched until he was gone.
Thump, thump. I placed my hand on my chest as I felt my heart beat again for what felt like the first time in three years. Thump, thump. I felt the blood moving quickly through my body. Its heat once again present. Thump, thump. I looked up at the sky and let out a breath. A breath that I had been holding forever. Thump, thump.
I felt tears fall down my face as I raised my hands in the air and laughed out loud. Just then the clouds parted for the first time in forever. I saw the sun smiling down on me.

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Excerpt

Old Dominion

Francesca

It had been three years since my brother, Lieutenant William Cruz, had died at sea. I missed him terribly but was proud of how he lived the life he had, regardless of how long he spent here on earth. I sat on Norfolk Beach, needing to feel close to him on the anniversary of his death. It was a beautiful day in May and I was cutting class. I had done the same every year since he passed.

Mom and Dad were coming down for dinner. A short three hour drive. A drive they took monthly to check on me.

Joel, my boyfriend, was here until about an hour ago. We had dated now for three years. He was going to school at Duke and we rarely saw each other but for some reason, we stayed together. We fought like crazy, he was as stubborn as I was but it was something normal in a now abnormal life.

When Will died, everything changed. Mom and dad tried to make everything appear normal but the hole I felt in my chest was never filled. The emptiness never went away.

I was never a great student. Will was the brains in our family and I was the constant entertainment. I always thought I just liked to be the center of attention and if I couldn’t gain attention the way Will did, through achievement, then I would be the funny one, the loud one, the pain in the ass little sister that Will fawned over.

I hugged my knees and looked out at the sea as three helicopters flew into view. I used to love hearing Will and Jax talk about their missions. I loved listening to them talk with passion about their chosen careers. I suppose that’s why I was going to school for Physiology, minoring in exercise science.

When we received the autopsy report, a month after the Navy had, we found out that although Will was in top physical condition his heart failed him, which was what caused the crash. I now wanted to find out what caused it and hoped that my life’s work could help others realize the dangers of putting chemically engineered substances into their bodies that caused perfectly healthy young people to die. It wasn’t just happening to pilots, it was happening to athletes and otherwise healthy people.

I lay back on the blanket and watched as the Seahawks came into view. I smiled as I watched them. I wasn’t angry anymore. I wasn’t afraid to fly, or pissed at the Navy. I was empty because I missed my brother. I was empty because I missed Jax.

Jaxson Irons was only supposed to be in Pensacola for a year. The last time my parents spoke to him he, was staying another year and then he would be on sea duty with the USS Truman for another year. The Truman was docked here but I had yet to hear from him. Mom and Dad said that a man like Jaxson needed to grieve in his own way. That we should let him heal and, if and when he wanted to see us, he would.

I looked at my watch and realized I had been sitting here for three hours and that my parents would be arriving in a little less than an hour.

I jumped up, grabbed the blanket and shook off the sand. I kicked off my flip flops and walked out into the water one last time before I would head back to my apartment to get ready to meet my parents at Ship’s Cabin for a five o’clock dinner.

I turned around and saw a man running down the shore line. He had on basketball shorts, sneakers, sunglasses, and an arm band holding what I assumed was an iPod. When he came closer I looked away, hoping he wouldn’t see me staring. He was built very well. It was obvious he took care of himself. His dark hair and light scruff was sexy and sweat drenched. I loved watching a man sweat, nothing turned me on more than watching muscles work together in unison.

When he passed I noticed a tattoo on his left shoulder. It was the same one Will had. It hit me then.

“JAX!” I yelled behind him.

He slowed but didn’t stop.

“Jax!” I yelled again and he turned as he continued running in place and pulled out one ear bud.

“Can I help you, ma’am?”

I walked quickly towards him. “Don’t you ma’am me, Jaxson Iron.”

“Do I know…? Frankie?”

I nodded as a smile spread across my face.

He stopped running and his head tilted as he looked at me.

“You gonna just stand there or are you gonna come give me a hug and say hello?”

He pulled out the other ear bud and smiled as he walked towards me.

I was about ready to hug him when he stuck his hand out.

“Sweaty, girl. Wouldn’t want to dirty you up.”

“Are you serious right now?”

I jumped at him and hugged him tight around the neck.

“You sure are sweaty.” I laughed and kissed his cheek. I stepped back and looked up at him. “We have missed you so much, Jax.”

“Been busy.”

“I know, I know. Hey, Mom and dad are coming into town for dinner. Come with us, Jax. Please!” I jumped up and down.

He smiled, “Night duty, Francesca. I can’t tonight but we’ll catch up again soon, okay?”.”

“When?” I asked, a bit louder than I intended.

“Soon, okay?” He looked at his wrist and then at me. “I’m running behind. Take care, Francesca.”

I didn’t respond with words. I forced a smile and then waved. He waved back and took off down the beach.

I stood and watched until he was gone.

Thump, thump. I placed my hand on my chest as I felt my heart beat again for what felt like the first time in three years. Thump, thump. I felt the blood moving quickly through my body. It’s heat once again present. Thump, thump. I looked up at the sky and let out a breath. A breath that I had been holding forever. Thump, thump.
I felt tears fall down my face as I raised my hands in the air and laughed out loud. Just then the clouds parted for the first time in forever. I saw the sun smiling down on me.

AUTHOR BIO

MJ Fields's love of writing was in full swing by age eight. Together with her cousins, she wrote a newsletter and sold it to family members. Today, she has four self-published series comprised of seventeen titles, including MEN OF STEEL, which was acquired by Swoon Romance in June 2014. MJ is a bestselling erotica author and former small business owner, who recently closed the business so she could write full time.

MJ lives in central New York, surrounded by family and friends. Her house is full of pets, friends, and noise ninety percent of the time, and she would have it no other way.

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