The Landlord - A romantic Christian novel in e-book form

New Novel Available in e-book

The Landlord is now available through Desert Breeze Publishing House, Barnes and Nobles, Amazon, or other Internet book stores. Add "Belfie" to the name of the book to retrieve the information for purchasing.


It's a quick, fun romance - even the guys like it!

Here is an exerpt from the book.

Her landlady ushered everyone in and pulled chairs from other rooms to allow seating for her twelve tenants. "He should be here soon. I've put coffee on if anyone wants a cup." No one took up her offer and the gathering resembled a wake Kristen had attended for her friend's Polish grandmother.

Just then there was a knock on the door and Barbara flung the door open with a flourish.

A good-looking man in his mid-twenties with dark wavy hair and an amazing physique made his way in. He nodded to everyone, looking slightly awkward as he gazed at the silent, apprehensive crowd. Kristin felt her heart palpitate a little too quickly. What great eyes. She checked his left hand. No ring. Good sign. Oh, for Pete's sake -- so what. He's your new landlord. End of

discussion.

"Well, everyone, it's very nice to meet you all. I'm pretty lousy remembering names, so I'll just get to meet you individually when I check out your apartments. I'd like you to make a list of any repairs needed or problems, and when I come by, we can talk about them. I'm going to try to keep everyone happy, but as your leases come up for review there may be some changes. I'll

be fair, but taxes and expenses continue to rise every year as you are well aware, so--"

"Mr. Turner," one of the elderly men interjected, "keep in mind that many of us are living on Social Security and it's a stretch to pay the rent as it is."

Kristen noticed David's eyes turn down as he nodded. "I'll keep that in mind. Now, I plan to mark the parking spaces in the back with the individual apartment numbers. If any of you have more than one vehicle, there will be an additional charge, as I'll have to clear another section and have it paved. Right now, I understand some of you park on the street, but I heard that parking is

going to be illegal on the northbound side beginning next May when the students go home for the summer. But we can work on that later. Most of the rules stated in your present leases will stay in affect, especially the clause about having no pets. Even fish will not be allowed."

You could have heard the proverbial pin drop. More than half the tenants had a pet of some kind. Barbara knew about them but had just looked the other way. Well, if that's the way he wanted it -- so be it. She'd just move, that's all. She'd probably be making so much money that she'd need a real house or luxury condo, anyway.

After a few more remarks, everyone stood up and Barbara tried to introduce some of her friends to the new owner. A couple slipped out without a word and Kristen moved toward the door. Just before she reached for the handle, Dave stepped in front of her. "You must be their mascot," he said softly, "since you're the only one without white hair."

"They're my friends. Don't make fun of them," she pronounced rather rudely, to her own surprise. He backed up.

"I...I really wasn't making fun of them. I only meant--"

"Sorry. They really are all very special to me and I know that it would be hard for them to move. Some have lived here for twenty years or more. So I hope you really will consider their finances before raising their rents."

"I'm not going to raise them any more than I have to, but I have a pretty hefty mortgage and I wasn't kidding about the taxes. I'm not trying to make a fortune, but I need to meet my expenses. Certainly you can understand that." His eyes took on a coolness she hadn't seen earlier.

"You're a realtor?"

"Yes."

"So you make money other ways."

"Ma'am, I'm sorry I don't know your name..."

"Kristen. Kristen Collins."

"Kristen, I don't know why, but you seem to dislike me already." His demeanor changed and he smiled as he continued, "It usually takes people a few minutes to dislike me, but how I earn my living is really no concern of yours. I'd really like us to be friends, so let's start over, shall we?" He extended his hand and she reluctantly placed her hand in his. His touch rather alarmed her. She did not like being drawn to him. She wanted to dislike him -- for some strange

reason. And of all things, she wished she'd worn her hair down and applied make-up. How ridiculous!

"I'll be calling you sometime next week to check out the apartment."

"Yeah. Fine. I'm very busy with my packed social life, so call early."

How infuriating. He saw right through her -- with his stupid crooked grin. "Right. I'll give you at least a week's notice. Or should I make that a

month?"

Kristen could feel her cheeks flush. What a giveaway. Would she ever outgrow that annoying sign of embarrassment?

 "A week will usually suffice," she offered weakly and made it

out to the hallway -- too self-conscious to turn around and announce her departure to her friends.

Once in the protection of her own place, she leaned against the door and felt tears stinging her face. He so enjoyed taunting her. What kind of guy would get pleasure out of humiliating a poor girl, one who didn't even have a job?

Interview for new book

My interview is still on this website, but you must go to older blogs to read it. My next book will be published December 15, 2011. It will be titled "The Landlord" and it's a fast, romantic Christian novel. All my novels promote abstinance before marriage and could be read by teens as well as adult women.

http://www.desertbreezepublishing.blogspot.com

A Book about moving on after a difficult divorce

MOVING ON

This Christian Romance e-book is now available. May be purchased through Desert Breeze Publishers, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, and many other book stores.

Here is the first review:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving on is sometimes hard to do., September 14, 2011

By

Fran Fernandez (Seaford, NY, US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Moving On (Kindle Edition)

Moving On, by June Bryan Belfie is a good read. She brings her characters to life with her words, and by their reactions to the hard places that come to all of us. You'll fall in love Laura, and feel her heartache at being deceived, and then heartlessly dumped for the perpetual younger woman. The book shows the reality that being a Christian doesn't exempt you from the trials of life, but that you have God's resources of grace, strength, peace and wisdom in the midst of them. You will see and understand how divorce not only tears the heart apart, but family too. In the midst of attempting to begin anew, other people, and situations arise to challenge Laura and her teenage daughter, that moving on can be a mountain to climb. Throughout--June subtly paints the beautiful restoring hand of God to the places of bruising. I won't tell much more. You'll have to read for youself and be blessed.

2nd review:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sensitive and thought provoking, October 14, 2011

By

Jill Poyerd - See all my reviews

This review is from: Moving On (Kindle Edition)

I really loved this book! The author does a great job of weaving the storyline together, and she handles the character's situations with sensitivity as well as a touch of humor. I'm not divorced, but the way Ms. Belfie conveys the pain and struggles of going through such a change in life is powerful and gives me a new appreciation for those who do. It's a book that catches you, puts you through the ringer, but leaves you with hope. It was hard to put down...I highly recommend it!

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This is the story of a Christian woman with a teen-age daughter trying to find her way after her husband divorces her. It's the story of her personal struggle as she leans on God for answers.

She meets her friend's cousin, Len, a widower unable to let go of his past. An illness brings her ex-husband, who is a doctor at a local hospital, back into her life. But will she ever trust him again? Does he even want her back? Or will an event take place in Len's life to change his future?


The first few pages: 

His death would have been easier. Laura Barron avoided looking at the burgundy leather armchair as she slipped her mother's crocheted afghan off her shoulders and placed another log on the fire. Laura glanced out the front window as the snow swirled against the window panes and inched its way up the stone steps, already covering the front porch of her nineteenth century Chester County farmhouse outside of Philadelphia. With a sigh, she returned to the sofa vaguely aware of Vivaldi playing softly in the background and opened the editorial section of the Sunday paper. It was already history since it was now Tuesday evening, but between working and caring for her teenage daughter, Kim, she usually found herself behind on reading. It still felt strange to be sitting there alone.

She pictured Dave across from her in his chair reading his latest medical journal. Funny, she thought they were happy -- at least as happy as most of her friends after a marriage of nearly twenty years.

Laura looked up as Kim came down the stairs two at a time. Everything her daughter did and said was quick. Her tongue was as agile as her one hundred-and-ten pound body. She had inherited Dave's dark brown hair and expressive eyes and Laura's fair complexion and slender curves. It was no wonder boys called her all the time. Sixteen was an exciting age, the transition from child to woman.

"Mom, the hem's coming out of my slacks, and I have to wear them tomorrow. Would you be a sweetheart and fix them for me?"

"Mmm, I suppose so, but why can't you wear something else?"

"I have to wear these. They go the best with my new sweater, and I told Lisa I was wearing red so she's planning to wear her red sweater, too." Kim's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Logical explanation. Laura smiled at her daughter. "I'll do it this time, but I've warned you that you should learn to sew. I'm not always going to be around to do it for you."

"You have to be around, at least till you're ancient. Who else will teach me how to take care of kids and all that stuff?"

Laura laughed and went over to the dry sink where she kept her sewing box. Kim went on chatting about her friends and the upcoming weekend. She told of her plans to go to an indoor skating rink on Saturday with her best friend, Lisa, plus five other girls from school. Lisa was in her class, and they attended the same small non-denominational church in West Chester, where Lisa's father was the pastor.

Kim and Laura had joined the church after the separation, since Dave had remained at their old church as part of the missions committee. Seeing him every week was too much of a strain, and people seemed to treat her differently once they were separated.

Laura watched as her daughter exclaimed over the all-night skate, expressing herself with her hands. She was entertaining and exuberant. That's what kept Laura going after Dave left.

Kim ran upstairs to answer her phone, and Laura's mind wandered again to the past. Why hadn't she seen it coming? Certainly the signs were all there. Perhaps she couldn't admit to herself that she had failed. Failed as a wife, anyhow. Her job was going well, and she'd been

promoted two months before they broke up to assistant vice president. It was a small local bank, but it pleased her that she was rewarded for her efforts.

She should have seen it coming. Dave had joined the gym and went religiously every other morning to work out before heading for the hospital. Then there were the new suits and casual designer clothes. In the past she had to beg him to buy clothes for himself. He even changed from his childhood barber to a 'hair stylist.' She had figured it to be a midlife crisis though he was only forty-four.

Laura first saw Dave during her sophomore year in high school when she and her friends went to the football games. Dave Barron was the star running back, and all the girls had crushes on him. It was five years later that she and Dave officially met. She was home between semesters from Penn State, and he was on his break as a first year medical student at the University of Pennsylvania. They were introduced at a Christmas party of a mutual friend. During school breaks they dated frequently, but their relationship did not develop into romance until her senior year of college.

She recalled the Christmas Eve when he promised to love her forever and placed a solitaire diamond on her hand. Not wanting to be apart any longer, they married the following December during his final year of medical school.

Dave was the only man she ever loved. She'd had crushes, but never knew the real thing until he came into her life. He also became her best friend.

As she hemmed the slacks, she thought back to the months before he left. He began staying late at the hospital, sometimes not arriving home until midnight. She never questioned him because there had always been trust between them

Kim called down the stairs and shook Laura from her thoughts.

"No emergency on those slacks, Mom. School's going to be closed tomorrow because of the storm. I'm so mad."

"I'll finish them anyway, so you'll have them when you need them. How much snow do they predict?"

Kim came back down and plopped herself on the sofa across from Laura, folding her arms. "They thought it might be a foot or more by morning."

"It's nearly a foot already. It's so beautiful. Have you looked out?

"Yeah." Kim frowned and shook her head. "I had my whole day planned, and Lisa and I wanted to go shopping after school. Nothing ever works out."

"It will probably be over by Thursday. Maybe you can go shopping then."

"The sales are only for tomorrow, and I desperately need new jeans."

"Honey, you have at least five pairs in your drawer."

"They're way too big for me. You know I lost five pounds on my diet."

"I know and you're way too thin now. I wish you hadn't done that."

"Thin is in, Mom. You know that. Maybe that's one reason..." Her voice trailed off, and she looked away from her mother. "I have to call Lisa and tell her about school."

Laura knotted the thread and handed the finished slacks over to her daughter without a

word.