No Words Wednesday -- Bad Dude
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Excerpt Monday
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Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate just an writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.
This is another one from the archives. It's the third book in a series I started when I was pregnant with number 3. He's six now. :D Right off the bat, you'll catch the POV switch, other than that... great couple whose story is told in the only completed book of the series, book one, Certain Suspicions.
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Francine O' Malley rolled over and draped her arm across her husband's sleeping body. Her hand found his curled up close to his chest and she entwined their fingers. Her cheek rested on his smooth bare shoulder. As the sun stretched across the foot of the bed, she disengaged her hand from his and ran her fingers across his abdomen. At her touch he turned onto his back and pulled her into the crook of his arm.
He slept lightly knowing that she would eventually speak to him. It was a habit that at first had driven him crazy. Still did occasionally...
"Samantha Anderson is back in town."
"Hm."
"Her daughter is five. They're living with Bob."
"Hmm." He lifted one eyelid.
"What the heck is she doing over there? Doesn't she remember being a kid in that house? How could she possibly want to relive that time?"
Jim rolled into her and rested his head on his arm when she spoke again.
"I'm worried about Morgan... "
"He's a big boy now."
"I know that! I just... I can't stand what seeing her again might do to him. He's been so off lately.
Have you noticed how moody he's been?
"When he came to the house the other day, it was the first time in over two weeks. Two weeks, Jim! That's not like him."
"I think that you're going to have to let Morgan figure things out for himself." He silenced her protest with a kiss. "Here's an idea. Why don't you give Sam a call? Find out how she's doing? No matter what her reason is for moving back in with her Dad, she could probably use a friend."
"Do you think he is still violent with her?" Her question tugged a spot in his heart.
"I don't know, Frankie. He's worn out now and doesn't look well."
As was her routine, she changed topics without warning. "I heard from Kevin last night."
"Hmm."
"He wouldn't say where he was."
"...couldn't."
"Right." She shrugged. "He couldn't say where he was located. He sounds well, though. I just wish the Navy would let him tell us what he was doing. He must be overseas." Jim listened to her speculate on her brother's career as a Navy Seal.
"Do you think he stills carries a torch for her?"
"Huh? Kevin? Who... he hasn't carried a torch for anyone. He's still playing the field as far as I know. Not that he has all that much time to do even that."
"Not Kevin! Morgan. I was talking about his thing for Samantha Anderson when we were in high school."
"Oh." Jim wrapped his arms around Frankie. "You lost me there. I think I fell back asleep." He pulled her to himself. "That's enough talk, woman."
Frankie laughed as Jim rolled her under him. "What makes you go a mile a minute one morning and slow as molasses the next?" She was unpredictable and he loved that about her.
She shrugged her shoulders with a smile. "Will you talk to him and make sure he's okay?"
"If I agree to do this will you stop talking?" He nuzzled her neck, a particularly soft, sensitive spot just behind her ear.
"Mmm. I think I could be persuaded."
She rubbed her lips over his and turned his caress into a long, slow, easy kiss.
"I'll do it than."
Links to other Excerpt Monday writers
Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.
"When he came to the house the other day, it was the first time in over two weeks. Two weeks, Jim! That's not like him."
"I think that you're going to have to let Morgan figure things out for himself." He silenced her protest with a kiss. "Here's an idea. Why don't you give Sam a call? Find out how she's doing? No matter what her reason is for moving back in with her Dad, she could probably use a friend."
"Do you think he is still violent with her?" Her question tugged a spot in his heart.
"I don't know, Frankie. He's worn out now and doesn't look well."
As was her routine, she changed topics without warning. "I heard from Kevin last night."
"Hmm."
"He wouldn't say where he was."
"...couldn't."
"Right." She shrugged. "He couldn't say where he was located. He sounds well, though. I just wish the Navy would let him tell us what he was doing. He must be overseas." Jim listened to her speculate on her brother's career as a Navy Seal.
"Do you think he stills carries a torch for her?"
"Huh? Kevin? Who... he hasn't carried a torch for anyone. He's still playing the field as far as I know. Not that he has all that much time to do even that."
"Not Kevin! Morgan. I was talking about his thing for Samantha Anderson when we were in high school."
"Oh." Jim wrapped his arms around Frankie. "You lost me there. I think I fell back asleep." He pulled her to himself. "That's enough talk, woman."
Frankie laughed as Jim rolled her under him. "What makes you go a mile a minute one morning and slow as molasses the next?" She was unpredictable and he loved that about her.
She shrugged her shoulders with a smile. "Will you talk to him and make sure he's okay?"
"If I agree to do this will you stop talking?" He nuzzled her neck, a particularly soft, sensitive spot just behind her ear.
"Mmm. I think I could be persuaded."
She rubbed her lips over his and turned his caress into a long, slow, easy kiss.
"I'll do it than."
Links to other Excerpt Monday writers
Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.
Bethanne-ology
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I picked this up from a fellow blogger and I'm not sure where she got it... but I thought it would be fun filler for this week.
Let others know a little more about yourself, re-post this as your name followed by “ology”.
***********FOODOLOGY***************
What is your salad dressing of choice? – Ranch <--BORING! I know! Raspberry vinaigrette is tied for first, depending on my mood.
What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? – Olive Garden
What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of? – Ice Cream
What are your pizza toppings of choice? – Bacon, mushroom and Chicken
What do you put on your toast? – Butter and strawberry simply fruit
***********TECHNOLOGY***************
How many televisions are in your house? – One.
How many computers? – Two, now. A desk top and laptop.
What kind of cell phone do you have? – Samsung with Net10 pre-bought minutes.
Do you have an iPod? – No.
***************BIOLOGY******************
Are you right-handed or left-handed? – Right
Have you ever had anything removed from your body? – a cyst on my lip and one on my shoulder.
What is the last heavy item you lifted? – laundry basket
Have you ever been knocked unconscious? – KNOCKED? No.
************BULLOLOGY**************
If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? NO!
If you could change your name, what would you change it to? – I already got lucky enough to change my name... I made it STRASSER.
Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? – Hmm, everything in me wants to say yes, but I probably couldn't do it.
************DUMBOLOGY******************
How many pairs of flip flops do you own? Two.
Last time you had a run-in with the cops? – We had an issue once while living in Denver. That was 2000, maybe '01?
Last person you talked to? – Daughter
Last person you hugged? – Matt
Last person you kissed? – Matt
**************FAVORITOLOGY****************
Season? – FALL!!!!
Holiday? – Christmas
Day of the week? – Sunday
Month? – September
***********CURRENTOLOGY*****************
Missing someone? – It's hard to miss people when they are only a click away.
Mood? – Raring to go
What are you listening to? – The kids chat
Watching? – My computer screen
Worrying about? – Nothing
***************RANDOMOLOGY*****************
First place you went this morning? – Church
What’s the last movie you saw? – The Sandlot
Do you smile often? – Yes
Sleeping alone tonight? – No
***************OTHER-OLOGY*****************
Do you always answer your phone? – No.
If you could change your eye color what would it be? – More Blue, LOL
Do you own a digital camera? – Yes.
Have you ever had a pet fish? – No.
Favorite Christmas song(s)? – Golly! Um, White Christmas. O Holy Night.
What’s on your wish list for your birthday? – A haircut... or an e-reader.
Can you do push ups? – Yes
Can you do a chin up? – Maybe ONE or TWO.
Does the future make you more nervous or excited? – EXCITED!
Do you have any saved texts? – No
Ever been in a car wreck? – No. A fender-bender, yes.
Do you have an accent? – No, everyone else has an accent.
What is the last song to make you cry? – Lots of songs make me cry when I'm pregnant.
Plans tonight? – WRITE and watch That 70s Show
Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? – Yes.
Name 3 things you bought yesterday? – Calculator, phone card, diet cola
Have you ever been given roses? – Yes
Current worry? – None, duh. See above.
Current hate right now? – I can't think of anything, except the fact that they're building a mosque at ground zero. I DON'T GET THAT!!!
Met someone who changed your life? – Yes. My son.
How will you bring in the New Year? – Even I don’t plan that far away
What song represents you? – I don't do thoughtful and philosophical. I have no idea.
Name three people who might complete this? – I can't.
Would you go back in time if you were given the chance? – Definitely! there is so much cool stuff in history!!
Have you ever dated someone longer than a year solid? – Yes
Do you have any tattoos/piercings? – Pierced ears
Will you be in a relationship 4 months from now? – Most definitely.
Does anyone love you? – Yes.
Would you be a pirate? – Yes!
What songs do you sing in the shower? – Not very often.
Ever had someone sing to you? – Yes.
When did you last cry? – Recently, just not sure when, exactly.
Do you like to cuddle? – Yes
Have you held hands with anyone today? – Yes. Church is good for that.
Who was the last person you took a picture of? – Family
What kind of music did you listen to in elementary school? – I have no idea!
Do you believe in staying close with your ex’s? – No.
Are most of the friends in your life new or old? – Both.
Do you like pulpy orange juice? – Yes.
What is something your friends make fun of you for? – Hmmm... my friends make fun of me???? :D
Let others know a little more about yourself, re-post this as your name followed by “ology”.
***********FOODOLOGY***************
What is your salad dressing of choice? – Ranch <--BORING! I know! Raspberry vinaigrette is tied for first, depending on my mood.
What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? – Olive Garden
What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of? – Ice Cream
What are your pizza toppings of choice? – Bacon, mushroom and Chicken
What do you put on your toast? – Butter and strawberry simply fruit
***********TECHNOLOGY***************
How many televisions are in your house? – One.
How many computers? – Two, now. A desk top and laptop.
What kind of cell phone do you have? – Samsung with Net10 pre-bought minutes.
Do you have an iPod? – No.
***************BIOLOGY******************
Are you right-handed or left-handed? – Right
Have you ever had anything removed from your body? – a cyst on my lip and one on my shoulder.
What is the last heavy item you lifted? – laundry basket
Have you ever been knocked unconscious? – KNOCKED? No.
************BULLOLOGY**************
If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? NO!
If you could change your name, what would you change it to? – I already got lucky enough to change my name... I made it STRASSER.
Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? – Hmm, everything in me wants to say yes, but I probably couldn't do it.
************DUMBOLOGY******************
How many pairs of flip flops do you own? Two.
Last time you had a run-in with the cops? – We had an issue once while living in Denver. That was 2000, maybe '01?
Last person you talked to? – Daughter
Last person you hugged? – Matt
Last person you kissed? – Matt
**************FAVORITOLOGY****************
Season? – FALL!!!!
Holiday? – Christmas
Day of the week? – Sunday
Month? – September
***********CURRENTOLOGY*****************
Missing someone? – It's hard to miss people when they are only a click away.
Mood? – Raring to go
What are you listening to? – The kids chat
Watching? – My computer screen
Worrying about? – Nothing
***************RANDOMOLOGY*****************
First place you went this morning? – Church
What’s the last movie you saw? – The Sandlot
Do you smile often? – Yes
Sleeping alone tonight? – No
***************OTHER-OLOGY*****************
Do you always answer your phone? – No.
If you could change your eye color what would it be? – More Blue, LOL
Do you own a digital camera? – Yes.
Have you ever had a pet fish? – No.
Favorite Christmas song(s)? – Golly! Um, White Christmas. O Holy Night.
What’s on your wish list for your birthday? – A haircut... or an e-reader.
Can you do push ups? – Yes
Can you do a chin up? – Maybe ONE or TWO.
Does the future make you more nervous or excited? – EXCITED!
Do you have any saved texts? – No
Ever been in a car wreck? – No. A fender-bender, yes.
Do you have an accent? – No, everyone else has an accent.
What is the last song to make you cry? – Lots of songs make me cry when I'm pregnant.
Plans tonight? – WRITE and watch That 70s Show
Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? – Yes.
Name 3 things you bought yesterday? – Calculator, phone card, diet cola
Have you ever been given roses? – Yes
Current worry? – None, duh. See above.
Current hate right now? – I can't think of anything, except the fact that they're building a mosque at ground zero. I DON'T GET THAT!!!
Met someone who changed your life? – Yes. My son.
How will you bring in the New Year? – Even I don’t plan that far away
What song represents you? – I don't do thoughtful and philosophical. I have no idea.
Name three people who might complete this? – I can't.
Would you go back in time if you were given the chance? – Definitely! there is so much cool stuff in history!!
Have you ever dated someone longer than a year solid? – Yes
Do you have any tattoos/piercings? – Pierced ears
Will you be in a relationship 4 months from now? – Most definitely.
Does anyone love you? – Yes.
Would you be a pirate? – Yes!
What songs do you sing in the shower? – Not very often.
Ever had someone sing to you? – Yes.
When did you last cry? – Recently, just not sure when, exactly.
Do you like to cuddle? – Yes
Have you held hands with anyone today? – Yes. Church is good for that.
Who was the last person you took a picture of? – Family
What kind of music did you listen to in elementary school? – I have no idea!
Do you believe in staying close with your ex’s? – No.
Are most of the friends in your life new or old? – Both.
Do you like pulpy orange juice? – Yes.
What is something your friends make fun of you for? – Hmmm... my friends make fun of me???? :D
Letters for Thursday
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In case you missed it, I'd like to introduce you to Thursday, a woman with the force of thunder behind her. She is sassy and confident, yet cares about the people around her. She often has a hard time admitting when she's wrong, but in the end she likes to make things right. Last week we saw her through her mother's eyes...
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Thursday,
You've always been bluntly direct with me, so I'd like to return the favor. We had some really great times. Our wedding would have been beautiful and there's no question that any kids we might have made would be gorgeous like me, and smart like you, but by the time you get this, I'll be on my way with Cassandra to the Fiji Islands.
You know it wasn't working. You've been unhappy for weeks.
I'm sure you'll thank me someday but for now, feel free to cry a bit and remember me fondly.
Joey
Dear Joey,
There isn't anything more I could wish for than for you [and that bimbo] to crash onto a deserted island and be stranded there for the next 20 years. You're right about one thing. I haven't been happy. Thanks for showing me why.
Not likely to cry a single tear,
Thursday
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Thursday,
You've always been bluntly direct with me, so I'd like to return the favor. We had some really great times. Our wedding would have been beautiful and there's no question that any kids we might have made would be gorgeous like me, and smart like you, but by the time you get this, I'll be on my way with Cassandra to the Fiji Islands.
You know it wasn't working. You've been unhappy for weeks.
I'm sure you'll thank me someday but for now, feel free to cry a bit and remember me fondly.
Joey
Dear Joey,
There isn't anything more I could wish for than for you [and that bimbo] to crash onto a deserted island and be stranded there for the next 20 years. You're right about one thing. I haven't been happy. Thanks for showing me why.
Not likely to cry a single tear,
Thursday
Music Monday
/Let's celebrate AUGUST.
This video is from the movie, August Rush. I've never seen it. :D But the music is inspired.
Enjoy your rush to school days, your last vacation, cool airconditioning and the last of the summer tomatoes!
With Love,
Bethanne
Explanation
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Just to clear up any confusion [so sorry! What an idiot I am not to think of this!] Thursday is a character. What better way to open up a day for blogging with something new, right?
So each week will feature another letter to Thursday. Perhaps from her mother, a friend, a hubby. I like the idea of seeing snippets of her life, and not always in order.
I hope you'll join me, getting to know her.
Have an awesome weekend!
With Love,
Bethanne :D
So each week will feature another letter to Thursday. Perhaps from her mother, a friend, a hubby. I like the idea of seeing snippets of her life, and not always in order.
I hope you'll join me, getting to know her.
Have an awesome weekend!
With Love,
Bethanne :D
Friday 56
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Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Tonya's blog or this blog. :D
*Post a link along with your post back to Storytime with Tonya.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.
HAPPY FRIDAY!
I've been reading this short term library book for two terms already! But it's not because the book has been uninteresting, that's for sure. I'm just plain running out of free reading time. :D
"There's something screwy with this picture, Hector."
Fired Up, by Jayne Ann Krentz
Letters for Thursday
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Dear Thursday,
Three days ago you fell off your bike and into the Murray ravine. Scared the day lights out of me! But you're nine now. Still my rough and tumble tom-boy even when I get a glimpse of the young lady you will become. Your knee is bloody and bruised, and your wrist needs a brace. Doc Ryder put eight stitches in your head then gave you a coupon for the Brown Cow. May gave you a chocolate ice cream cone with sprinkles.
I don't imagine it's something you'll forget, but I find myself writing it down for you anyway like I've done on other important events since the day you were born.
You'll always be the exciting thunder in my day,
Love,
Mom
Three days ago you fell off your bike and into the Murray ravine. Scared the day lights out of me! But you're nine now. Still my rough and tumble tom-boy even when I get a glimpse of the young lady you will become. Your knee is bloody and bruised, and your wrist needs a brace. Doc Ryder put eight stitches in your head then gave you a coupon for the Brown Cow. May gave you a chocolate ice cream cone with sprinkles.
I don't imagine it's something you'll forget, but I find myself writing it down for you anyway like I've done on other important events since the day you were born.
You'll always be the exciting thunder in my day,
Love,
Mom
Music Monday
/Don't call me crazy, but I wanted to go with something a little different. Because of that, I decided to pull from the Boy Band repertoire. Above, you'll find the original, the only, Step by Step from New Kids on the Block. Even more funny were the comments. Something about how they are all so goodlooking...followed by someone saying, Youth is Beauty. Um, what? What is this nonsense?
The next video is by far more inappropriate. It's little boys all grown up, I guess you could say...yet only the words really speak of any sentimentality. LOL :D The video is a little more of the hoochie variety. *eyeroll* Let me say, though. New Kids on the Block is definitely better looking today than they were as teenagers. Give me a real man, anyday. :D *cough* (Just the one is fine, Lord..and yes, he's better looking today than he was when I fell in love with him..)
Hello World!
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After spending most of June [and July] with family and working on a manuscript, I am just weeks away from the start of school, from half days to myself and STRUCTURE! Yet somehow, I think I will miss the kids being around. It's true, as August approaches, they become harder to keep content, but overall, this summer has been one of the best I can recall. Library days, swim lessons, video games and playdates added up to make an enjoyably tolerant and peaceful season.
In case you're curious, I have just finished reading through my revised edition of my WIP [work in progress]. There are some line edits that I will make then it's OFF TO THE EDITOR with my fingerscrossed. :D
Hope your summer is wrapping up nicely [and with lots of homegrown tomatoes!],
With Love,
Bethanne
In case you're curious, I have just finished reading through my revised edition of my WIP [work in progress]. There are some line edits that I will make then it's OFF TO THE EDITOR with my fingerscrossed. :D
Hope your summer is wrapping up nicely [and with lots of homegrown tomatoes!],
With Love,
Bethanne
NGCC
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Not forking out the dough for the RWA Conference this year, with evening wear, suits, high heels and whatever "business casual" means?
Not to worry! Romance Divas is hosting the
Not Going to Conference Conference...
The Conference You Don't Have to Get Out of Bed For!
From July 28-31, come hang out with some terrific, savvy authors -- and you don't even have to brush your teeth (although, seriously, good dental hygiene gets you extra points.)
We'll be hosting panels on:
The Power of Three: A crit group tell-all (Paranormal)
Crystal Jordan
Patti O'Shea
Dayna Hart/Rowan Larke
The Lolitas of STEAMED! Present Writing the Steampunk Romance -more than leather corsets and brass goggles!
Marie-Claude Bourque
Theresa Meyers
The Great Big YA Panel
Rhonda Stapleton
Shannon Delany
Kiersten White
Carrie Ryan
Linda Gerber
Saundra Mitchell
Lara Zielin
Brenna Yovanoff
Register for free at Romance Divas, then come join us on the forums for the discussions, as well as some terrific prizes: Free books! Free critiques! Free face scrub? Yeah! :D
Romance or Real Life
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On a day when my patience is wearing thin and I'm pretty sure Karma is playing catch up [have you ever spilt a container of lemonade on the kitchen floor two days after you mopped it?], I question my sanity to write a Romance Novel at all. Where does my inspiration come from? Am I stuck in a world of fantasy? Will the naysayers see through my words to the hair-brained gal with four kids and only the luck of the Irish to pull her through some days?
Where does the Happily Ever After[HEA] come into play? How can the Romance Novel be Real?
Happily For Now[HFN]: Though I like a story where I'm confident that the main characters will live together for the rest of their lives, I'm okay with understanding that bad days are bound to happen again. A mentality from the reader in some ways, even a true HEA can be seen as a [HFN]. I guess I fall here. I'm not silly enough to believe that even in true love conflicts will never arise again. Most people aren't. It's seeing what is behind and what will be again that allows contentment when life is out of control. It's knowing and expressing Faith that offers peace and joy.
But sometimes the HEA is a HFN where being with someone in a moment and truly loving them could mean finding someone else in another instant and truly loving there, too.
*gasp* WHAT?! This is not a Romance Novel!, you might be thinking.
But for some, this is the reality of Romance. When you write or consider romance and true love, do you leave out the entire audience who has suffered heartbreak? do you exclude those who have been divorced? Where is their happy ending if the only worthwhile HEA includes one person and one soulmate, the one person in the entire world who can make them happy, who they will live with and spend eternity with... forever and ever Amen. [which I'm going to do, btw :D *fingers-crossed*]
The romance novel takes snippets of a life: conflict and resolution. Anyone who agrees that the romance novel is about escaping is only partially right. It's also the reminder of what the outcome should/could/might be.
Better to consider where the root of the Happily Ever After comes from...
Where joy, peace, and love are the center of everything that exists.
For me that's God.
...because, it's a really rotten day, when nothing goes right and there are too many worries and the kids are driving me nuts and I haven't talked to my husband in hours, that I wonder how we've made it this far. :D But, I have my Happily Ever After.
Where does the Happily Ever After[HEA] come into play? How can the Romance Novel be Real?
Happily For Now[HFN]: Though I like a story where I'm confident that the main characters will live together for the rest of their lives, I'm okay with understanding that bad days are bound to happen again. A mentality from the reader in some ways, even a true HEA can be seen as a [HFN]. I guess I fall here. I'm not silly enough to believe that even in true love conflicts will never arise again. Most people aren't. It's seeing what is behind and what will be again that allows contentment when life is out of control. It's knowing and expressing Faith that offers peace and joy.
But sometimes the HEA is a HFN where being with someone in a moment and truly loving them could mean finding someone else in another instant and truly loving there, too.
*gasp* WHAT?! This is not a Romance Novel!, you might be thinking.
But for some, this is the reality of Romance. When you write or consider romance and true love, do you leave out the entire audience who has suffered heartbreak? do you exclude those who have been divorced? Where is their happy ending if the only worthwhile HEA includes one person and one soulmate, the one person in the entire world who can make them happy, who they will live with and spend eternity with... forever and ever Amen. [which I'm going to do, btw :D *fingers-crossed*]
The romance novel takes snippets of a life: conflict and resolution. Anyone who agrees that the romance novel is about escaping is only partially right. It's also the reminder of what the outcome should/could/might be.
Better to consider where the root of the Happily Ever After comes from...
Where joy, peace, and love are the center of everything that exists.
For me that's God.
...because, it's a really rotten day, when nothing goes right and there are too many worries and the kids are driving me nuts and I haven't talked to my husband in hours, that I wonder how we've made it this far. :D But, I have my Happily Ever After.
Excerpt Monday
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In case you're curious, I'm implementing Excerpt Monday again. The hope is to be inspired and motivated to have something new with each effort. For what it's worth, this sample isn't new, but it is resurrected. :D You'll catch Music Monday on those weeks when Excerpt Monday isn't being featured.
Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate just a writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.
The Storm, a story of finding new love...
Molly bumped into the driveway with a joyful skid and stopped in front of her upstairs garage apartment. Petunias hung from the balcony over the two large bay garage doors. The fall of vibrant color inspired her to do something new and life reassuring.
“Hello Molly.” The spirited greeting came from across the yard where Mrs. Pinkerton sat on her front porch. She had owned the house next door for as long as anyone could remember. As a child, Molly would wander through town just for a visit…and would get a cookie as her reward.
“How are you, Mrs. Pinkerton?”
“I’m doing just fine, dear.” She studied Molly with the understanding eyes of a fellow widower. “You look good today. Pretty dress. How’s the new job?”
“It’s been interesting. I never expected to be there so long and I do miss my job at the library, but,” Molly shrugged her shoulders, “I’m happy.”
“So ya are. Good for you. You’ll start seeing men, I suppose.”
Molly smiled. Mrs. Pinkerton insisted she get a man, soon.
She didn’t balk anymore when a friend mentioned her need to find someone new. At times it was annoying, yet she couldn’t stay mad at an eighty-six year old woman, either. Besides, she did get lonely.
“I’ve been thinking I’ll wait for your great grandson to come of age. Now he’s a cutie.” Molly loved when Cheryl, Mrs. Pinkerton’s granddaughter, came to visit with her passel of five kids. Sean, the youngest, was a fifteen month blue-eyed wonder who loved to snuggle down on her shoulder. She found herself longing in those moments.
Mrs. Pinkerton studied her.
Leaning on the white picket fence, Molly blushed and laughed. A breeze swept around her legs and she relished the feeling of freedom the wind granted her. “You’ll be the first to know when I find a new man.”
“Humph.” Mrs. Pinkerton shifted in her seat and started rocking again. “I see we’re getting a new neighbor.”
“Really? You mean in Katie’s place?” The landlord had taken the large two-car space below her apartment and made it into a ground floor unit. Sure enough, a moving van sat to the left of the azalea bush.
“How about some pizza, Chief?” A voice drifted from the garage and was loud enough for the two women to hear. A deep rumbling baritone answered, “Get pepperoni and mushrooms.”
Molly winked at Mrs. Pinkerton. “Guess I’ll go say hello. Check ‘em out for you.”
She stopped at her car first to gather her things. In her hands she held her briefcase, thermos, and a bag of collected garbage from her car. Each night, no matter what the circumstances, she liked to pull everything out of her car. A clean slate each morning started the day just right.
She rounded the corner of the garage only to be assaulted by the rising ruckus. The original bay doors had been permanently framed, insulated, and drywalled on the inside. The main living space and kitchen, with ceilings of twelve feet, opened onto a patio directly under Molly’s balcony.
She stood in the entryway for a few seconds before a man rose from the pile of discarded boxes. His smile was immediate and contagious. She took in the chaos of opened boxes, clothing, and furniture before coming back to his face.
He brushed his hands on his jeans as he walked toward her.
“Hi. I’m Jacob.” His smile was sincere and she shifted the weight of her burden so she could greet the man properly. “You must be Molly.”
“Yes.” She smiled, assuming he had spoken to the landlord, or even Mrs. Pinkerton. “Welcome to the neighborhood, Jacob.”
She was still pumping his hand when the second man returned from the bedroom and the world as she knew it came to a grinding halt. She dropped Jacob’s hand. Deacon Bonning in the flesh. “Oh God.”
His smile was devastatingly slow and captivating in a way that Jacob’s hadn’t been. The air surrounding her sizzled and she failed to inhale, couldn’t seem to catch the breath she needed to sustain life.
“Molly.”
Her mind seized with distress. What was he doing here?
Links to other Excerpt Monday writers can be found on the Excerpt Monday blog.
Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.
Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate just a writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.
The Storm, a story of finding new love...
Molly bumped into the driveway with a joyful skid and stopped in front of her upstairs garage apartment. Petunias hung from the balcony over the two large bay garage doors. The fall of vibrant color inspired her to do something new and life reassuring.
“Hello Molly.” The spirited greeting came from across the yard where Mrs. Pinkerton sat on her front porch. She had owned the house next door for as long as anyone could remember. As a child, Molly would wander through town just for a visit…and would get a cookie as her reward.
“How are you, Mrs. Pinkerton?”
“I’m doing just fine, dear.” She studied Molly with the understanding eyes of a fellow widower. “You look good today. Pretty dress. How’s the new job?”
“It’s been interesting. I never expected to be there so long and I do miss my job at the library, but,” Molly shrugged her shoulders, “I’m happy.”
“So ya are. Good for you. You’ll start seeing men, I suppose.”
Molly smiled. Mrs. Pinkerton insisted she get a man, soon.
She didn’t balk anymore when a friend mentioned her need to find someone new. At times it was annoying, yet she couldn’t stay mad at an eighty-six year old woman, either. Besides, she did get lonely.
“I’ve been thinking I’ll wait for your great grandson to come of age. Now he’s a cutie.” Molly loved when Cheryl, Mrs. Pinkerton’s granddaughter, came to visit with her passel of five kids. Sean, the youngest, was a fifteen month blue-eyed wonder who loved to snuggle down on her shoulder. She found herself longing in those moments.
Mrs. Pinkerton studied her.
Leaning on the white picket fence, Molly blushed and laughed. A breeze swept around her legs and she relished the feeling of freedom the wind granted her. “You’ll be the first to know when I find a new man.”
“Humph.” Mrs. Pinkerton shifted in her seat and started rocking again. “I see we’re getting a new neighbor.”
“Really? You mean in Katie’s place?” The landlord had taken the large two-car space below her apartment and made it into a ground floor unit. Sure enough, a moving van sat to the left of the azalea bush.
“How about some pizza, Chief?” A voice drifted from the garage and was loud enough for the two women to hear. A deep rumbling baritone answered, “Get pepperoni and mushrooms.”
Molly winked at Mrs. Pinkerton. “Guess I’ll go say hello. Check ‘em out for you.”
She stopped at her car first to gather her things. In her hands she held her briefcase, thermos, and a bag of collected garbage from her car. Each night, no matter what the circumstances, she liked to pull everything out of her car. A clean slate each morning started the day just right.
She rounded the corner of the garage only to be assaulted by the rising ruckus. The original bay doors had been permanently framed, insulated, and drywalled on the inside. The main living space and kitchen, with ceilings of twelve feet, opened onto a patio directly under Molly’s balcony.
She stood in the entryway for a few seconds before a man rose from the pile of discarded boxes. His smile was immediate and contagious. She took in the chaos of opened boxes, clothing, and furniture before coming back to his face.
He brushed his hands on his jeans as he walked toward her.
“Hi. I’m Jacob.” His smile was sincere and she shifted the weight of her burden so she could greet the man properly. “You must be Molly.”
“Yes.” She smiled, assuming he had spoken to the landlord, or even Mrs. Pinkerton. “Welcome to the neighborhood, Jacob.”
She was still pumping his hand when the second man returned from the bedroom and the world as she knew it came to a grinding halt. She dropped Jacob’s hand. Deacon Bonning in the flesh. “Oh God.”
His smile was devastatingly slow and captivating in a way that Jacob’s hadn’t been. The air surrounding her sizzled and she failed to inhale, couldn’t seem to catch the breath she needed to sustain life.
“Molly.”
Her mind seized with distress. What was he doing here?
...Charlie? Did they know more about what happened to Charlie?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Links to other Excerpt Monday writers can be found on the Excerpt Monday blog.
Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.
Is blogging for the birds?
/
Tired after a long week of revisions, I'm too pooped to write more than this...
Get an Ereader. I swear you'll love it.
Yes, a book is nice, but don't you know that the world is changing?
Don't you know that forests are being torn down in every corner of the world just so you can get your jollies? Think of how cool it will be when we can walk around reading a hundred different books without ever needing a bag.
The future is upon us, and it's looking more and more like Star Trek than we thought it would....
I'm saving up for mine. And by saving up, I do mean brownie points. Yesterday, I made a coleslow that awed my hubby. He actually said the words, I think that's the best coleslaw I've ever eaten. *blush* There's a few points there. I'll get lots of good points for birthing a baby this year... and if I sell a manuscript and actually make money, by Christmas of 2011, I think an Ereader will be feasible. :D
Get an Ereader. I swear you'll love it.
Yes, a book is nice, but don't you know that the world is changing?
Don't you know that forests are being torn down in every corner of the world just so you can get your jollies? Think of how cool it will be when we can walk around reading a hundred different books without ever needing a bag.
The future is upon us, and it's looking more and more like Star Trek than we thought it would....
I'm saving up for mine. And by saving up, I do mean brownie points. Yesterday, I made a coleslow that awed my hubby. He actually said the words, I think that's the best coleslaw I've ever eaten. *blush* There's a few points there. I'll get lots of good points for birthing a baby this year... and if I sell a manuscript and actually make money, by Christmas of 2011, I think an Ereader will be feasible. :D
Since MG and Bria have been doing so well with Romance Yardsale [where they sell this really cool notebook for
AND THEY WANT YOUR HELP!!!
They want YOU to suggest a name and spread the word! They’ll have a random drawing and the winner gets a mug or notebook with the design of their choice. How awesome is that?
Here’s how you get points:
- 1 point for commenting on either of their blogs--BRIA or MG--with an ingenious name suggestion for their new store: www.cafepress.com/romanceyardsale
- 1 point for contest Tweet or RT (please mention @briaquinlan or @mgbuehrlen in your tweet or RT or else they may not see it!)
- 1 point for linking to their new store (www.cafepress.com/romanceyardsale) on your blog
- 1 point for blogging about your favorite Romance Yardsale item with a link to our new store (add 1 bonus point if you include a photo of the item!)
- 5 bonus points if we pick your name! <-- okay, so I'm a little confused by this rule... if I get picked as the winner, I get 5 more points to win? But I'm sure whatever the plan, it's clear in their own minds. *wink*
The store is fun! You should stop in, even just to browse. :)
Now I'm off to go claim a few points...
and wrack my brain for a good name [not one of my strong points!]
Have a great Hump Day.
With Love,
Bethanne
