Have you secretly cheated in your relationship? Have you been tempted to cheat? To Love and to Cheat is a controversial twist on the “to love and to cherish” wedding vow. Set in Denver, Colorado, thirty-five year-old flight attendant, Holly Anderson resorts to a sacrilegious lifestyle, motivated by her dysfunctional twist on self-preservation—preferring commitment-free intimacy from many over the complication of love from one. Compelled to do the unthinkable even to her—trysts with married men who are already primed for extramarital events—Holly vows never to crash and burn into love again, and thumbs her nose up at traditional relationships. The older and more established men, with whom she engages, gratefully pamper her with a lavish lifestyle as reciprocity for drama-free and endless passion. No sooner than you can say “drama-free,” Holly goes berserk over the discovery of a deceitful plan. Handsome and very single Kevin Summerfield, one of Holly’s most memorable suitors who is also secretly enamored with her, is discovered disguising himself as a married man. What happens next after Kevin’s foolish plot blows up in his face forever changes the lives of many in an unforgettable way. To Love and to Cheat is Theresa E. Liggins’ eighth novel and romantic drama. This three-year project delves into the unpredictable and predictable nuances of cheating, but strategically from a mistress’ perspective.

“Hey Holly, how about that one?” nudged Holly’s hopeless romantic, yet judgmental, friend, Elaine, as she discretely eyeballed the tall, curiously handsome man leaning against the bar while restlessly sizing up the room. “You mean the suit ‘n tie? Uh…nope! No wedding ring,” Holly pointed out after making a quick observation of his left hand and lock-down finger. “Are you kidding me? Do you know how many women would kill for a man not wearing a wedding ring? And he’s gorgeous, in a George Clooney kind of way. Yum!” “Well, where are those women right now? Because he looks ready, willing, and definitely able.” As soon as she said that, the debonair bachelor winked at her. She returned a courteous smile, but turned away uninterested. “You’re crazy, you know! And, I wish you would stop all that nonsense. You’re better than that.” “Oh, here we go again. Better than what, Elaine? I’m perfectly content with my life and lifestyle. I’ve told you a hundred times. I’m okay with what I’m doing and it suits me.” “But seriously, do you ever think about the wife—what you’re doing to her?” “No, why should I? That’s her problem, not mine.” “Holly! You’re being selfish and, and…” “And what, Elaine?” “It’s wrong!” “Excuse me. Are you judging me? After all we’ve been through, I can’t believe you can sit there and judge me. Do I even have to bring up that infamous party on campus back in college when you and that girl, what’s her name…?” “Okay! You’re right.” “That’s what I thought. Don’t get all self-righteous on me. I never questioned any of your relationship choices.” “I’m married, Hol!” “Oh, so you think I’m going to pounce on your husband?” “Well, no.” “Of course not. But if he makes a pass at me…” Elaine shoots a look of horror toward Holly. “I’m kidding, but my point is, it’s not me, it’s them, Elaine. They come on to me and I, well…reciprocate with what they’re looking for.” “It’s not funny.” “I’m not trying to be funny, I’m lavishing in the royal treatment. Don’t you see? Most single guys don’t have a clue. They put their best foot forward in the beginning…holding the door, picking up the tab, remembering special days, buying little gifts... But after the newness and the novelty wear off, and they get you into bed, I might add, it’s only a matter of time before they’re lazy, self-absorbed and neglectful. Even the sex turns mediocre. What intelligent, discerning woman wants to settle for that? Most married men, after a few years of marriage don’t have a clue either. But when married men step out and take a mistress, every day is Christmas for the mistress. Or here’s an analogy you can relate to, it’s like always being in honeymoon-mode. And the sex…girl, the excitement never diminishes because no one takes the other for granted and the affair never becomes monotonous. And sometimes all they want is someone who will act out their fantasies with them or in some cases, only to feel they’re the center of attention. It’s exciting because of the risk—and by that I mean, everyone brings his ‘A’ game. We never know when it’ll be the last time. The more risky, the more adventurous and hot it is. At least that’s been my experience.” “How long do you plan to do this? You’re very attractive, smart, you’re a good catch for any single guy; why do this? I mean, don’t you ever want to settle down and get married?” “Are you kidding? And fall for that ‘to-love-and-to-cherish’ nonsense? No offense. But let me ask you, how long have you been married now?” “Three years.” “And the sex…how’s that going for ya?” “It’s okay,” Elaine answered passively, knowing that her sex life rarely exceeded or even met her expectations. “No, seriously. Are you having as much intimacy, and is it as creative as when you were dating your husband?” “It’s good. I’m not complaining.” She tried to sound convincing not only to Holly, but to herself as well. “You’re not answering my question. You know what, don’t bother. I rest my case. Why should I give up hot, wicked, swinging-from-the-rafters sex, in the finest hotel suites and villas sex, in any city I want sex, at any time of day or night sex, all for what, routine? Uh… no thank you!” “But they’re married!” “That’s what makes it so exciting! I don’t want to date them—not turned on by the possibility of them becoming boring. If it even remotely becomes stale, I’ve got an easy out; no questions asked. That’s incentive for them to apply their very best at all times. Sure, if single guys were the least bit attentive like that after the sex has been introduced, then maybe, just maybe I’d consider dating them. But that rarely happens.” She stretched the truth a bit and immediately thought of at least one exception in her life—her last serious relationship with her boyfriend, Eric. “Elaine, I’m happy. I get a lot out of this situation. We both get what we want and there’s none of that messy relationship drama. We’re always happy and having a good time—hell, a great time! We’re focused, you could say, ‘cause we don’t have time to waste and squander.” Holly took a long sip of her wine, as she wondered if what she said sounded plausible. “It’s just wrong!” “Yeah, well, then I’ll take wrong. I once dated a guy who showed no objection when I offered to pay the dinner tab. It was as if he expected it. I dated a guy who totally forgot about my birthday. One guy gave me a practical gift for Christmas. I tell you, who wants a practical gift for Christmas? Unless maybe you’re married.” She noticed that Elaine started to object. “I said maybe! What I’m saying is I can buy practical gifts for myself, or buy me a practical gift on a Tuesday just because, not on a special gift-giving day. I have horror stories about Valentine’s Day, too, if you care to hear those. It goes on and on…the disappointments. Who needs it? Not me, and not anymore.” Holly paused for only a second to entertain a brief flashback of exceptional Eric before she continued. “Now, as an example of the reciprocity that I spoke to earlier, I’m smothered in premium gifts from Gucci, Prada, Neiman Marcus, Sax, Armani, Tiffany’s; I fly first class to places like Italy, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Japan, Australia, Jamaica, France, you name it—and not because I’m a flight attendant, but I’m talkin’ as a personal guest. And, I’ve stayed in swanky hotels like the Ritz, The Four Seasons, The Omni, The Peninsula, and lots of charming Inns, resorts, bungalows, and Bed and Breakfast places on the coast or in romantic settings on private golf courses or in the mountains. I’ve gone skiing, sailing, yachting, and even a gondola ride in Venice. And, the restaurants… My point being, the flushed married men who I keep company with have willingly paid for it all and have treated me like a queen, and I take care of them, so why would I, or should I, give all that up? And speaking of the sex…holy cow! So many positions, so many venues, so many times… It never gets stale or mundane for either one of us,” she proudly boasted, scanning the bar for potential conquests. Being somewhat distracted, she remarked, “These are the best fun times, with a man, I’ve ever had.” Then Eric came to mind once again. “But what happens when he starts to feel guilty and decides he doesn’t want to betray his wife or hurt his family?” challenged Elaine, as she tried to point out the injustice. “I don’t dwell on that, plus I’m not holding a gun to anyone’s head to cheat with me. They do what they want to do. These men are already committed to cheating before meeting me. If they want to stop, we stop. That’s why I’m not tied down to only one married man. I’m not emotionally invested, and never will I plan to become that sucker. And, even some married men have a tendency to become too lax, but I suspect not, if he knows there’s competition. I can present competition to a married man and he can’t do much about it, but compete; up his game—it becomes a new game for him. If it’s more than a one-night stand and it works for him, he’ll be back.

Theresa E. Liggins began her prolific writing career in 2001 when her ballroom dance training became the inspiration of her first novel, Life is But a Dream, and then its sequel, Dance Me to the End of Love. She turned her newfound creative outlet into a dream come true with the creation and publication of her novels. In addition to her writing and ballroom dancing, Liggins is an avid photographer, specializing in photojournalism and nature-inspired photography, as well as an interior designer/re-designer, incorporating the ancient Chinese principles of Feng Shui. And, for over thirty-five years, Liggins has employed her analytical and technical skills in the business industries of financial services and insurance. Theresa E. Liggins currently resides in Columbus, Ohio where she was born and raised. However, for many years she has called Northern California home and backdrop for Under the Purple Moon and its sequel, Under the Cover of Darkness. Chicago, Illinois, where she frequently traveled and also lived for a number of years, inspired her provocative Escort series (trilogy). She is divorced and mother of two pretty awesome sons. To learn more about Theresa E. Liggins, visit her web site: www.romanticreations.com and “Like” RomantiCreations on Facebook.