To think – I used to dream of the days I’d have little girls.
I forgot that they meant this sort of thing.
The gifts of an unusual sort.
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“Here Mommy. For you.”
A half-naked, psuedo-Barbie with pink hair.
I feel so very loved.
Another Hump Day Hook! Once again I’m bringing some Jane and Cole to the party.
This really is lucky week 13…because I found out yesterday that Changing Tracks will be released on the 8th – that’s this Friday! So you’ll be able to find it on Friday at Secret Cravings Publishing!
All month long I’ll be having a giveaway here on the blog that will include copies of the book and some surprise swag! So to keep updated on the giveaway and where to find it when it starts, make sure to head on over to my Facebook page & like it to get my updates.
Once again I beg your indulgence. In 95% of cases I try to keep it to one paragraph, but as its release week and I love this little scene and how she fends off his attempt to sway her affections, it’s a little longer. Next week will be well within guidelines again, promise. This isn’t much longer than a paragraph:
As her fingers sought the prize she had in mind, he lifted her onto the desk. Her hand abandoned its task when he yanked her hips firm against his. Desire rose to fight off her anger, winning the battle. She would cave soon.
The pain of the past few weeks rushed up at the thought. With a sob, she pushed him away. “No.”
“Come on, Jane.” His lips found the sweet spot just under her ear.
Focusing on the rising anger at the gall he had to assume she would be so weak, that a few suggestive touches would sway her, she shoved him back with all her strength. At his chuckling, she reached into the drawer and grabbed what she’d been after. “I believe I said no.”
Cole’s laughter faded when she leveled the gun at him, his eyebrow quirking up. “You ain’t gonna shoot me.”
*~*~*
Hump Day Hook asks authors to post one paragraph of one of their stories, whether a WIP, one contracted, or already published. Please visit and comment on the participants – you might just stumble on the next great read for your library! To see more participants, click on the HDH banner below:
I don’t do Valentine’s Day.
In a relationship, happily married…I just don’t care.
Some might call it a carry over from my single & angry days…but it’s not.
I’ve never been a fan.
Erik, bless his heart, didn’t believe me when we were dating. A huge bouquet of flowers arrived at my work on Valentine’s day.
But to be honest, I preferred the bouquets (small or large) that came without reason. Without a ‘holiday’ telling him to man-up.
The single flower just because.
A pop he brought home because he was just thinking of me and knows of my addiction love enjoyment of the fountain drink.
Over time Erik got the picture, with my repeated sincere assurances that the last thing I wanted was something on Valentine’s Day. I didn’t want him to spend 3X as much on gift because someone decided that was the day it had to happen.
We’re married. We love each other. He shows me in a thousand little ways. With his constant support for my writing, for my blog, for whatever I put my mind to.
I don’t need platitudes, but I get offered words of thanks and appreciation sporadically in random moments and in serious moments.
Those are what I need.
Those are what I want.
Knowing I’m loved.
Appreciated.
Supported.
THAT is my Valentine’s Day. Every Day.
Not one day in the middle of February.
Every. Day.
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
Barnes and Noble
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.
*~*~*
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.
I carefully avoided those year-end wrap-ups.
The stigma of “resolutions.”
But still…
As 2013 burgeons and develops…
With ugly, nasty January a moment in the past…
With so many things looming in the coming months…
A son 6 months away from a learners permit.
A novel I wrote releasing in 4 days.
A husband that is learning new ways to handle his bi-polar/depression.
Girls that are turning into real little people with tons of attitude.
I have to believe…
And say…
That for 2013 there is only one word that fits.
Change.