Hate the Boss, Love the Job by Brenda Whiteside

The worst boss I ever had happens to be the job I loved the most and held the longest. I won't even go into why he was so bad. The reason I kept the job, was because of the work and the women who depended on me to organize their days and create a buffer between them and him. By the time my ten-year anniversary approached, I'd had all the pressure I could stand. I vowed to get out before the dozen roses appeared on my desk. And I did.

In my novels, I've only written in one boss. My character, Sandra, didn't like him - but until a few minutes ago when I read some of those passages for the first time in years, I'd forgotten I just might have patterned him after that real life boss who gave me fits.

Sleeping with the Lights On was the first book I published. I didn't write the boss character totally like my old boss, but I won't tell how much is the truth or fiction. Here are a few clips from the boss scenes.

Some days, being the gopher for my creep of a boss sucked. If he wanted to rag on me today, I’d break out singing Take This Job and Shove It.

Snoopy boss gave me the eye as he passed by my door.

I would have liked to remind him of how many two-martini-two hour lunches he took every week.

Finally acknowledging me, he pointed to one of the chairs facing the immense span of desk he sat behind. A normal sized man would have disappeared behind his desk, but no one would ever call Bjerke a normal sized man. He’d been a lineman for the University of Minnesota three decades ago, and still ate like he had a game every Sunday. The gin blossoms across his nose told the story of the activity he took up after football.

Finding these passage raked up some memories. Ah, reminiscing can be so...not fun. I did enjoy writing the scenes and Sandra getting the best of him.

After two failed marriages and countless relationships, Sandra Holiday thinks she’s met the man to end her years of less than perfect choices; choices that not only derailed her travel-related career plans but also left her single and broke. 

Carson Holiday, a Las Vegas country crooner with swoon-inducing good looks, spent his adult life pursuing a recording contract and love, never holding on to either. After eighteen years, he drops back into Sandra’s life, reigniting an attraction he can’t deny.

When Carson reappears, Sandra must choose again.  Only this time, nothing’s as it seems.  A secret admirer, a redheaded stalker, and an eccentric millionaire throw her on a dangerous path, with Carson her only truth.

As life confronts her with yet another turning point, will her decisions find her eternally sleeping with the lights on – or will she finally discover a way to turn them off?

Buy Links:

The Wild Rose Press

Amazon