Could a forever-lingering nostalgia remain over a love affair that was once set aside for practical reasons? Could career, geography or our own parents have closed out an incredibly vulnerable love that on an emotional-pleasure scale was at the 99 percentile? Or was the decision ours, to cut bait and fish in a different pool for the more eligible mate? After all, of course, it was always our decision. We could run away and wallow in pleasure or we could be sensible, practical, respectful siblings, always loyal to home, our town and our friends. Loyalty precludes unforgivable, irrevocable love decisions. The only problem is the persistent nature of our brain to look at clouds and see a particular face, or to be comfortable in a family reunion, with spouse and children, and suddenly recall a moment of pleasure that could never ever be duplicated or reproduced.

Letters arrive with secret confessions of a love left behind. They are penned by men and women who have unfinished business with someone they couldnever forget. Sometimes, a tongue-in-cheek, double hyper-breath telephone call opens a dialogue that once would have been impossible. Perhaps, with maturity, we see beyond when French fries were smothered with catsup, and touching that special person was an irrepressible urge. Something incredible has lingered on.

Unrestrained passions and exotic locales are key elements of Rules of Engagement, a savvy debut by C. Michael Bennis. With a pitch perfect prose and unforgettably naughty characters, new romance author Bennis offers a winning combination that tells of the underbelly of the advertising world and the softest sides of true love. In the summer of 1964, two college graduates meet in a London club. While their attraction is palpable, Nicole is engaged to the premier’s son and is Parisian aristocracy; dutiful to a fault she can’t help but fall headfirst for Alec, a Colorado native who is a little rough around the edges. As they decide the course of their affair, Nicole comes up with the Rules of Engagement. Over the next nine days they agree not to fall in love and not to reveal their identities. Reunited by chance over two decades later, the magic is still there. One is married, one is not-both will begin to understand that love and passion endures despite time, circumstance, and reason.

Amusing, fun, and fast-paced, Rules of Engagement by new romance author C. Michael Bennis offers countless dramatic high notes and unforgettably naughty characters as it recalls the very essence of unbridled, wide-open passion. What begins as a timeless, torrid tale of young lust turns into a mid-life romp when two lovers are reunited twenty-two years after their tryst

On summer holiday, Alec and Nicole meet at a London club soon after graduation. With nine days to explore each other’s body, they agree on the Rules of Engagement. The rules are simple. They agree not to fall in love and they agree not to reveal their identities. Nevertheless, despite their best intentions, their parting on the tenth day is devastating. Engaged to the premier’s son, Nicole feels as if she has no choice but to return to her native France to fulfill her duty and Alec, bent on making himself more than a hayseed ball player from Colorado, is certain he is out of his league. Years later on business, Alec, who has become an advertising wizard and bestselling author, comes face to face with this woman who he knows is the love of his life. After two decades of trying to forget the young lady that he was once unfit to marry, he feels as if the stars have finally aligned. The fact is that while there have been others no woman has ever held a candle to Nicole. While rules were made to be broken, in the case of Nicole and Alec, the question is will she bend the rules-or will he break them?

Author Bio: C. Michael Bennis is a toy and advertising industry executive. Bennis attended Universidad Complutense in Madrid and later graduated from the University of Colorado. At the University of Colorado, Bennis was a member of the 1961 Big 8 Champion football team and the 1962 Orange Bowl squad. http://www.cmichaelbennis.com/

Category: Relationships
Keywords: Passion, New Novel,New Romance Author,paperback books, New Romance Novels, love Lost, Love Regained