Claire: A Short Story

by Renea Mason

Claire's upcoming fiftieth birthday is not a welcome milestone. Beyond feeling the weight of time, she's become a victim of her own success. Erik, Claire's husband, who sees her waning confidence, decides to make her birthday a celebration of their love. With three simple gifts, he gives her more than she ever knew to wish for.

52 pages, Paperback

Published June 25, 2019

About the author

"Sexy, fun and so creative it makes my head spin! I'd read the damn phone book if Renea Mason wrote it."
-NYT and USA TODAY Bestselling author ROBYN PETERMAN

Multi-award-winning and bestselling author Renea Mason writes paranormal and contemporary erotic romance that challenges the definition of conventional love. As the author of the 2016 Audie award-winning Curing Doctor Vincent, Renea prides herself on bringing readers unique storylines and memorable characters in her tales of love, lust and mystery.

When she isn't putting her fingers on the keyboard crafting sensual stories filled with intelligent, larger-than-life lovers, she spends time in the Laurel Mountains of Western Pennsylvania with her beyond-supportive husband, two wonderful sons and two loving but needy cats.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Curing Doctor Vincent

WINNER - 2016 Audie Award (Audio Publisher's Association)

3rd Place - 2016 Romance Writers of America New England Chapter - Erotic Romance

1st Place - Ménage Romances Readers Favorite Award - Erotica 2016

1st Place - Book with Most Original Plot - Shameless Book Club Awards 2015

1st Place - Best Ménage and more... - The Romance Reviews Readers Choice Awards 2015

2nd Place - Best Contemporary Erotic Romance -The Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewers Choice Award 2015

Symphony of Light and Winter

2nd Place - Best New Paranormal Series of 2013 - Paranormal Cravings' Battle of the Books 2013

3rd Place - Best New Paranormal Romance of 2013 - The Paranormal Romance Guild's Reviewers Choice Awards 2013

2nd Place - Erotica/Romantica - Write Touch Contest - Wisconsin Romance Writers - Romance Writers of America Chapter

Finalist - Paranormal - The Passionate Plume Contest - Passionate Ink - National Romance Writers of America Chapter

Finalist - Best First Book - National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award - First Coast Romance Writers- Romance Writers of America Chapter

Finalist - Paranormal Romance - Aspen Gold Contest -Heart of Denver Romance Writers of America - Romance Writers of America Chapter

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Reviews

[Andra Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant love story! Claire is the perfect story for any woman of a certain age who has doubts about her physical self because, well, life happens. It has to be one of the most moving love stories I have read. In seven short chapters, Renea Mason shows us true love. Claire's story reminds us that love is patient; love is kind; love is not selfish.

There are three characters in this story, Claire, Erik, and Jackson. I adore each of them. They are imperfectly perfect.

Claire is a successful woman who is about to turn fifty. She loves Erik, her best friend and husband of over twenty years and he loves her. Claire is committed to her husband and their marriage. However, she comes to a shocking realization about herself that frustrates her to no end. It leads to a tremendous change in her life that impacts her happiness.

Erik is an accountant. It sounds mundane, but Erik shows Claire that he is anything but predictable and not at all mundane. He is an extraordinary man, as demonstrated in the manner in which he shows Claire just how much he loves her. Erik does so in a way that makes your toes curl up, and all you can do is sigh.

Jackson is Claire's former client. They have a great professional relationship. He is a Hollywood star and has all of the good looks and charm one needs to be successful. Yet, he is not one to be taken in by Hollywood. Claire keeps him grounded so he can focus on his job. Jackson is also divorced. When he reveals the reason why he divorced his wife, it is life-changing for all three characters.

I can relate to the story and Claire's character on so many levels. However, I can only dream about an ending, such as the one Claire experiences. Most women reach fifty and come to terms with the realization that the woman of our youth is no more, especially in the physical sense. The changes that life (and us) imposes upon our bodies are noticeable. Yet, we grasp it and do what we can with what we have. I am thinking wistful thoughts right about now. Thanks Renea Mason!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gift, wow! 10 STARS!!! OM Goodness! What an unbelievable idea for a gift! Born out of necessity and the most unselfish love there is! I can't go into details without giving the plot away but if you are a woman, approaching middle age and have the ''occasional fantasy'' I recommend you read this book. In life, nothing stays the same, and what a way to roll with the punches! I found so much love and respect the characters have for each other in this book. Claire and Erik have the kind of relationship where total honesty is possible without retribution. There is no bad language or smut, yet it is very very sexy. The characters of Claire, Erik and Jackson are well developed and described, and the dialogue is very intelligent, the vocabulary varied and adult. Not in terms of steam but in its level of maturity, subtlety, and intimacy. I couldn’t put it down. All the anticipation kept me immersed, waiting for the next phase of the story. Good editing enhanced the experience. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more of this writer’s work.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cyndi Marie ☆★Audiobook Addict★☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎧 Audio Review 🎧

This is a super short story but it is hot. A married couple and a hot movie star "friend", yes please!!!!
I loved that Claire feels like a real person, like she is every women about to turn fifty and feeling insecure. For me, this is the story of a married couple who after all these years still love each other completely and are willing to do whatever it takes to be happy and keep that fire burning. I love that this is so mature and has no drama!!!

The narration was good. They both fit the character very well, good casting choice.

[Shifty Bugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book, the story was well written and the characters are unique. Once I started I could not put the book down from start to finish you just could not get enough with twists and turns hot and steamy like a rollercoaster ride of emotions that makes you want more with feelings, desires, passion and lust, erotic sweetness, sensational pleasures and heat from arousal.
Thank you for allowing me to review your book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Annemarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire is turning 50! She's an agent and her main client Jackson is leaving for a different agency. Although she's married and in love with her husband, Erik, she also loves Jackson. Behind her back, both Erik and Jackson have conspired to give Claire what her heart wants, but she would never ask for.....the both of them.

[BigGirl BigBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading about a mature, confident , married woman who has it all including a lovely husband with an amazing Birthday surprise. Being a novella I can't say too much without giving away the surprise. The delicious surprise. I think I found an amazing new author who will give me characters and steamy love stories, that someone like me, in her 40s, can identify with.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet yet steamy short story of an older woman in a committed longstanding marriage that gets to experience some added spice. I would love to see Claire's story continue into a full length book as I know this author would do an outstanding job with the story line.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claire by Renea Mason.
Claire is nearly 50. She is married to Erik. Is it possible for her to love someone Else. Jackson is her client. She cant have feelings for him. Can she?
A brilliant short read. Loved it. 5*.

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

Who knew turning 50 could be so adventurous and beautiful. Highly recommended. Life is too short to not live your life in full.

[Nancy Silk · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Special Birthday Gift"

This is a short story of a married couple. Clair has her 50th birthday soon and husband, Erik, wants to make it very special for her. There is still passion in their hearts and memories. This is a shorty but goody story to embrace you. You'll be surprised!