I’m sitting here this morning looking out the window…and what do I see? Snow. Cold, wet, white, icy snow. Yes, it can be beautiful to gaze upon, especially when the sun is shining, making the snow glisten and glitter. But, it’s not often I have a chance to simply gaze upon the snow. Regardless of the weather, life goes on, which means appointments, jobs, grocery shopping, and other errands. It means bundling up with boots, mittens, hats, scarves, and heavy winter coats — and still freezing.

No doubt, by now, you’ve figured out that I don’t care for snow. Or winter. Oh, the holidays are nice, but I could just as easily celebrate Christmas in July, and I like to be thankful every day of the year, so setting aside a day in November really isn’t necessary. And our recently-celebrated Groundhog’s Day? It’s always been one of my favorites, but I could do without it if it meant getting rid of winter.

Someday, I should move to a warm, sunny clime. Of course, unless I could convince all of my friends and family to move along with me, I probably wouldn’t enjoy it.

As I’ve been staring at the snow — looking out the window, you see, is a lovely distraction from writing — I’m been thinking about weather and how it’s often used in novels to reflect a character’s mood.

Happily Ever After, my latest historical romance, opens on a lovely summer’s day.  Anne Hopkins is on her way to her first meeting with Henrietta Mather, in hopes that she’ll be hired as the woman’s companion. After being fired from her previous position, Anne wants to put the past behind her. The beautiful weather appears to be a harbinger of good things to come:

Blue skies and golden sunlight promised a bright future.

Indeed, Mrs. Mather does offer Anne a job, but it’s not the job she expected. Rather than a widow’s companion, she’s to be the caretaker for Henrietta’s grand-daughter, a troubled nine-year-old still grieving over her mother’s death.

Although Anne is able to make a strong emotional connection with Rowena, she can’t prevent the terrifying nightmares the child experiences. When Rowena confides the secret that her father “isn’t a very nice man”, Anne’s suspicions are aroused. Could George Mather be the dragon haunting his daughter’s dreams?

Again, the weather plays a part in setting the mood:

Anne sat alone on the porch for a time staring off into the distance where a summer storm brewed on the horizon. Soon, thick, gray clouds rolled in, turning the skies dark and gloomy, a fitting counterpart to her turbulent emotions.

The wind picked up, bringing a sudden chill to the air. As a flash of lightning streaked across the sky, Anne hurried inside, her thoughts still unsettled. Thunder shook the house and moments later, the rain came.

She didn’t want to see George yet. She needed time to get her thoughts together and come to terms with the new knowledge she’d gained. Using Henrietta’s old ploy, she feigned a headache and went to her room.

* * * *

“Are you coming down for dinner, Anne?”

She opened her eyes, surprised that several hours had passed. Although she’d ignored the knocking at her door, she could not ignore the voice. His voice. So gentle, so warm, so inviting.

“No, I’m not feeling well.” She closed her eyes again.

“Do you want me to bring a tray upstairs?”

“That’s not necessary. I don’t have much of an appetite.”

“Is there anything I can get for you? Anything I can do?”

She clamped her hands over her ears.

Just go away. Stop acting so good and kind.

“No, George. I’m sure I’ll be all right by morning. I just need a little rest.”

She squeezed her eyes shut as the footsteps retreated from her door. She must not think of George’s enticing kisses. She must remember, instead, Rowena’s secrets and tearful pleas. Her words had been a cry for help.

The rain beat down incessantly throughout the long night. Anne lay awake listening to fierce gusts of wind and the drops pelting against the window pane. She listened, too, for the piercing cry from Rowena’s room…when the dragons came again.

HAPPILY EVER AFTER
$5.99

Available at:
Sweet Cravings Publishing
Amazon
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All Romance Ebooks
Bookstrand

I hope you enjoyed the excerpt from the story. Happily Ever After (currently ranked in the top ten at Sweet Cravings Publishing)  is available from the publisher and other online booksellers.

OR… Feeling lucky?

You can enter my giveaway for a chance to win a copy of “Happily Ever After”. All you need to do is comment on this post. Tell me what the weather is like where you are, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win. Please be sure to include an email address so I can contact you if you’re the winner.

The contest will be open until 9:00 AM (that’s cold, mid-western Central Standard Time) on Wednesday, February 6. Winner will be selected through Random.org, and will be notified immediately afterward. Winner will have the choice of Kindle, Nook, or other e-book format.

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About Christina:

Christina Cole fell in love with words at a very young age. She’ll always be grateful for her grandfather and his patience as he taught her the joys of reading. Throughout her childhood she loved telling tales. She begged and pleaded for her mother to type them, but soon — with her grandfather’s guidance — learned to type for herself on his old Underwood.

Things have changed now. Her grandfather is gone, and so is the old typewriter, but Christina’s love for story-telling has remained strong. She now does her typing on a computer in a cozy little writing room filled with books, treasures, and a much-cherished photograph of her grandfather.

She is married, lives in the midwest, loves history, hates winter, and is happily at work on her next historical romance.