An excerpt from the latest WIP

Hi. Just thought I'd share a little of what I've been working on. Some of you may have seen the excerpt I posted for the Christmas blogfest. Ellis and Violet sharing a kiss in a darkened hall. Here is the outcome of another kiss that happened the next day. Poor Ellis. God, I just love angst.

******** Rating "G" Sorry about the length but I hope you enjoy it. And as always, this is a first draft. There's a lot more I have to add yet.


sorry this excerpt has been removed by the author.

Final Excerpt from REMEMBERING YOU

Well, my lovelies, this will be the last excerpt I post from REMEMBERING YOU. I know you probably haven't noticed but on my side-bar I have been posting my word count and as of 1:49 pm E.S.T. yesterday, I have 78, 021 words. 10k left to write.

Anyway, on to the post.
A little set-up -- It is now the night of the 4th of July. Genna and Pete have settled into their new romance and tonight is the night for you know what. They are now leaving Billy's Beach Bar with friends.

Rating -- R for strong language, adult content. Let me reiterate, very strong language. And it's not in Italian.

Remember, this will only be posted for two days. And also a first draft.

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Sorry this excerpt has been removed by the author.

Something - Something

I know it's been awhile since I've posted an excerpt so I'll give you a little background. Genna and Pete had their first date and Genna didn't think he liked her. Remember in my character sketches Angie said Genna was analyzing Pete's kisses and Genna said Pete gave her flowers. This scene is two days before the flowers. Genna and Angie have been cooking for the 4th of July party at Angie's house where Genna has a heart to heart with Angie about Pete and Tony.

Although the character sketches will remain up on the blog, this excerpt will be taken down after two days. Remember it's a first draft.

Rating -- PG 17 (Is there such a rating?)

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Sorry this excerpt has been taken down by the author.

Something - Something

So, here is the scene from Tony's POV of the night when he first meets Genna 15 years ago. It's not going in the book so it's more or less a character study. I needed to write it to find Tony's motivation for his love for Genna.

And I think I figured out that it is the weather that is messing with me. Monday morning it was cloudy and I wrote 3000 words. Yesterday, still cloudy and I came up with 2200 more. Usually I can't write unless the sun is shining. I guess I'm just wacked. (More on this phenomenon Friday.)

Rating -- PG 13

Disclaimer -- This post will only be up for 2 days.

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Sorry this post has been removed by the author.

Something - Something

Well, here it is. Genna & Tony's "sex" scene. For those of you who remember, Genna went to see Nana Rocco the second day she arrived home. This scene is out of context for those of you who've been following the story (and many thanks to those of you who are) but I thought it was important that Genna have some more angst to deal with. And as Les says, if you don't have an inciting incident right from the get-go, well, what's the point. So here it is. It's kind of long, but I wanted you to also see the set-up. So you can see that I do write something other than dialogue.

Rating -- PG 13 Language

And remember, this will only be up for two days, or until I leave for vacation. And it's a first draft.

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Sorry this post has been removed by the author.

Something - Something

Well, besides having problems with the modem, the power went out yesterday for almost 8 hours -- all day as a matter of fact. Thank you so much for the kind words on my guest appearance over at Guide to Literary Agents. A big shout-out to Chuck Sambuchino who is the best!!! I didn't even know about it otherwise I would have told you all that that was the big surprise I was keeping a few weeks ago. Anyway, if you haven't read it, it's there, if you have, yes, it was cut somewhat due to word limitations. I also can't link, (stupid computer) and don't have the address but I'm sure you all know where to find it.

I'm on my mother's lap top (shh, don't tell) to post this as the new modem hasn't arrived and I can't stand it. My fingers don't want to work.

Because of this whole funky internet/power outage/modem stupid thingy craziness I've been going through, I'm praying to whatever God hasn't left for Antarctica (because here in the south it's been hell) that I will be able to correspond with you all on Friday. There were some questions asked, thoughts given, ideas presumed, you know how it goes. And I can't not respond.

Okay, so here we go with more of Genna & Tony...This is the the follow-up to last week when Pete stops at the diner for coffee. Sorry for those of you who thought I was going to post the Genna & Tony having sex scene, nope, sorry not this week.

Please note this will only be posted for two days (due to the paranoia of the author). And remember this is a first draft.

Rating -- PG 13 *******

Sorry this post has been removed by the author.

Something - Something

I realize this Wednesday stuff should be titled, Work in Progess Wednesdays, or some such, but I like Something-Something because that's all it is, just a little bit of it and you never really know what it's going to be.

Okay so for those of you who don't know what's going on in the story -- Genna's aunt Fortuna has had an episode and called the cops on Genna. Pete DiCampo is a guy she went to school with (and didn't like by the way) who is now a cop and the one who came to the house. (I know you can't really get a sense of the whole story but it would take 10 pages to fill you in.)

And remember the scene between Genna and Angie when Angie tells Genna what Tony did to her...I changed it. Oh boy did I change it (because as you know I'm brilliant like that) and I think it's so much better now. Maybe we'll find out in a couple of weeks.

Disclaimer -- Rating PG- 13 And also remember this is a first draft.


We're sorry this post has been removed by the author.

Let's Talk Blogfest

I'd forgotten I'd signed up for Roni's (Fiction Groupie) blogfest (otherwise, I'm still unplugged).

This is from my current work in progress REMEMBERING YOU, a contemporary women's fiction-y romance. (having a little trouble with the genre)

Here's my entry, and for those of you who follow the story of Genna & Tony, this is a dirty little secret held onto by Genna's cousin Angie for more than a decade.

********* Rating R- strong language


**** This post has been removed by the author.

Something - Something

Here is a little more of the tragedy playing out in Genna's world. And a surprise!

Please remember this is a first draft and will only be posted for two days. And yes, there are some cliches, and lots of -ly and -ing words. Don't hate me for them.

Rating -- PG 13.

***********


Sorry, this post has been removed by the author.

Something-Something

I don't know how I did it but I lost a day. This was supposed to be posted yesterday as it was Thursday. Anyway, here we are G&T fans. Another little blurb from REMEMBERING YOU.

Set-up -- If you remember, last week Genna and Uncle Sally had gotten 'into it' about Nana Rocco's money. And Genna was walking home.

Rating -- PG 13. I think there's only one swear this time. (Yes, I'm toning down my potty mouth.)

Disclaimer -- Please please please also remember this is a first draft. I don't do any editing for these posts as I'm trying just to write it all down. And it will only be up for two days so if you want to wait until the weekend, it won't be here.

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Sorry, this post has been removed by the author.

To Post or not To Post...Excerpts?

Good Morning gentle readers, this topic has been on my mind since last Sunday when I was cruising the blogosphere. I was bouncing around reading a bunch of posts when I spotted this one by a newbie blogger. (Funny, after I commented on her blog, she took the post down. Go figure.) Anyway, I also ran across this same topic, whether or not to post excerpts of your work online, on several other blogs last week. I believe, the whole conversation was started by Chuck.

Chuck Sambuchino, from the Guide to Literary Agents blog. If you don't know who he is, go NOW to check him out. He's one of the smartest dudes I know, has fab blog posts about everything, and is a guitar player for a band in Jersey! I so wish he was an agent. I would be sooo stalking him. (Just kidding Chuck.)

Anyway, Chuck stated on his blog post from Sunday that he didn't think it was a good idea to post excerpts from your current novel on your web-site/blog and he gave a list of reasons why.
I agreed with all of them. I don't think it's a wise idea to post excerpts. He's right. Someone can steal them, or the idea for a story. He said he's seen it done. I believe him. Some secrets you have to guard. Please go read his article. It's totally spot on!

However, he posed the question -- What Are You Trying To Get Out of It?

So I will answer. The reason I post excerpts, (never the whole chapter), is not so much to get feedback/critiques, but to share what I've written with my friends. I believe that in showing some of my work, I'm dangling a little nugget for my friends, and with the way I'm doing it, a short excerpt from my WIP a little at a time, I'm creating a time line of sorts. Something like a soap opera in progress.

You know you can turn on any soap this afternoon, and even if the last time you watched it, you were in high school, you can follow along with the new events, people, old plot lines. (I mean Gawd, look at Sammy Brady. Now she's in love with EJ. Cripes I just wish they'd let that poor girl find someone who will love her back so she'll stop being such a weirdo. I digress but you know what I mean.)

This is what I'm trying to do with posting my work online. I began with Genna arriving home from being gone for 10 years. Little by little over the last few months, I've shown what has happened to Genna, her thoughts, feelings, issues with her family. I think no matter where you came into the story, it makes you say, "Gee, I wonder what will happen next." (Well, at least that's what I'd like you to say.)

I'm trying to build a sort of following for this book, so that whenever it gets published (not IF it gets published but WHEN -- I have high hopes for Genna) People will remember reading portions of it on my blog and say, "Hey, I remember that, I wonder whatever happened to Genna? I'll have to buy the book and find out." (Because as much as I love you all, I'm not posting the end. Sorry.) And when they read the book, they'll say, "Oh, this was so great, I'm going to buy a copy and send it to my sister-in-law in Dayton, and my best friend in Wisconsin."

I'm trying to create something word of mouth, that may or may not last. I'm hoping it does and doesn't backfire in my face. Sure, I'm afraid, (scared to death, totally freaking paranoid) that someone will take my baby from me and I'll find it two years from now in B&N with another author's name on it, but I think I've taken some fairly good precautions.

1) I don't post whole scenes, or chapters, just little blurby bits of dialogue with some setting thrown in so we know where we are.

2) I don't leave my post up longer than two days. I know it only takes about 10 seconds to cut and paste but, it's what I do.

3) I try and make sure there is enough time lapsed between scenes so that you can still follow along, but there's way too much stuff I haven't posted so if the plagirist wanted to write it, it couldn't be the same story.

I know Chuck is probably shaking his head and muttering, "Newbie, when are you going to learn?" But I like posting my work. I like sharing with my friends. I like knowing that I can get 17 people to my blog on Thursdays to read what I've written and comment. Besides, how would you know if I was a real writer if I didn't?

Sure I could write my blog and spew all kinds of information at you about rules of grammar and paragraph structure but that would just make me boring. And I am anything but boring. Don't cha' think?

Something-Something

Okay, here goes. Now remember this is a FIRST draft. I've also cut out a few things from the original to try and make this shorter but I wanted you to get the gist.

Set-up: This is still Saturday night at the party at the bar after the girls come back from the ladies room.

****** Disclaimer -- Rated R for mature themes.


Sorry this post has been removed by the author.

Something-Something

After writing yesterday's post, I re-read it about 700 times and thought about changing it, then I said, no, I'd let you all see just how crazy I really am. I mean, what should really be a simple idea -- just write the damn novel already -- leaves me with pains in my stomach, a massive headache and really no idea of how I'm going to structure this thing. If I "just write" it, I have a story, nothing more. If I structure it, I have building tension and climaxes. If I structure it correctly, I have a story with fantastic building tension, climaxes, a final heart wrenching ending and an agent screaming "Send this to me at once."

Fitzgerald wrote and re-wrote "Gatsby" (I think) 6 times before he let the publisher do his thing. While it was at the publisher's. I wouldn't do that to a publisher but I want to be like F. Scott. I want the damn thing to be PERFECT!!!!

Okay, I won't keep you, here's more of REMEMBERING YOU. And please note this will only be up for 2 days.

******* Disclaimer -- yes there is swearing in this but not as much. I've toned down Genna's potty mouth. Also, there are two or three small bits that I took out because it was on the longish side, and even without it, it is rather long. Sorry. I just wanted you to have the full effect.

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Sorry this post has been removed by the author.

Something-Something

Well, now I know why I don't participate in blogfests. I spend way too much time reading blogs instead of working on REMEMBERING YOU. However, I did find some time and wrote a bunch more stuff, including this. This is the set-up for one of the minor plot lines that will be in the back of Genna's mind throughout the book. oooooohhhhhh I bet you're just dying to find out what it is arent' you? Sorry, can't tell you yet.

Anyway, I also wanted to say that this post will only be up for 2 days. I have gotten extremely paranoid of late and have taken down everything from previous posts from this particular work. So if you wanted to read it from the beginning again, I'm sorry. You can't. I hope you understand and I know most of you do. I want you to see what I'm working on, I want to share what I'm doing with my friends, I want to get the feedback, I just don't want it hanging in the blogosphere for all the world to see forever, you know.


****DISCLAIMER -- Ha! Fooled you, there isn't one this time. Nary a curse word.

And please remember this is a first draft, I'm sure there are tons of ugly in here.

*****
Sorry, this post has been removed by the author.

Something-Something

This is the last thing I wrote before I went on hiatus. This is why I went crazy and decided I wanted to try something a little more literary than just a straight up romance. This is why I can't seem to get my head on straight and am just lazing around doing nothing these last 2 weeks (well, except for blogging which I swore I wasn't going to do.)

Disclaimer -- Rated R for mature -- strong language and adult themes.

***** Sorry, for those of you who hadn't read it yet, I took it down. Several reasons why and I do apologize. Perhaps you'll read it in its next form.

Something-Something

After all yesterday's fun and excitement, today's post will be a little more serious. So be prepared.

I've been thinking about the Nine Muses Challenge that Sarah Jayne did last week over at Writing in the Wilderness. I don't write dark. I never have. I don't even write grey. I just don't see a need to. That being said, I also watched Persuasion on Masterpiece Classics on Sunday night. I'd never seen it, nor read the book (until now) however I took the quiz "Which Austen Heroine Are You" on someone's blog last week and I found out I'm Anne Elliot, so it was a special treat for me to see whom I was most like. And well, yes, I must admit after watching Persuasion (and also having finally read the book) I AM most like Anne Elliot. In more ways than six.

I've had this next blurb stewing around for awhile and after watching Persuasion, decided to let it out.

****DISCLAIMER -- to me this is very dark, almost black, about a funeral so feel free not to read it, it's kind of depressing. And also, I have a lot of swearing in it, so if you have delicate sensibilities, please don't read it either.

****

She slipped into the church quietly, smiling weakly as a member of the funeral home held the door for her, his black suit coat jacket still covered in rain drops on the shoulders. He handed her a program as she moved past him and walked silently down the far left aisle to the front of the pews. She heard the whispers of the congregation as she walked, and knew they were whispering about her.

Her bitch of a sister-in-law had heard the chatter and turned, so by the time she got to the family, her brother Charles has stood.

"Where the hell have you been? We waited at the house for forty-five minutes," he whispered hoarsely.

She genuflected and made the sign of the cross. Kate ignored his question, moved into the pew and whispered back, "Don't swear in church." She knelt down wearily on the worn leather kneeler. Kissing her rosary beads, she didn't even bother trying to pray but for the sake of the rest of her family, made believe. She gazed up at the statue of Saint Joseph holding the infant Jesus and wondered why the artist had painted their lips that awful shade of red.

Again she made the sign of the cross and leaned back into the pew. Her trench-coat was still soaking wet and made her skirt damp, her legs cold. Her feet were frozen in her shoes and she tried to stamp them as quietly as she could to warm them.

Her Uncle Randall leaned over the pew from behind her and whispered, "Are you okay?"

She turned and smiled, "Yes, Uncle, I'm fine."

The organist began the music and the congregation rose as one. Slowly all eyes turned to the back of the church. Father Brannigan blessed the casket, gave the small font of Holy Water to one of the alter boys, retrieved the incense from Father Alvarez then turned and preceded the casket to the alter.

Kate sat numbly, staring at Saint Joseph. She smelled the incense long before the casket came to rest in front of the alter and was grateful it overpowered the cloying smell of the flowers. She had no thoughts, she couldn't seem to form any. She instead watched the alter boy trying to tie his shoe and not fall off his chair. Father Brannigan droned on, sometimes in Latin, the way her mother liked mass, but most of the time in English. Kate didn't bother listening to Father reciting her mother's virtues. Kate had heard them all her life and knew she could never live up to any of them. She also tuned out Uncle Matthew as he gave the eulogy.

She moved through the mass with ingrained methodical habit, rising, kneeling, sitting, rising again. The organist began playing the opening notes to the Ave Maria and before Mrs. Kelly sang from the choir box upstairs, Kate knew that was the end of the mass for her. She would not make it through that song and did not want to feel the comfort from another when she began to weep. She wouldn't cry for her mother, she had already done that and there were no tears left to shed. No, she would be crying because the Ave Maria always made her cry.

She gathered up her small purse and umbrella and left the pew. She ducked out the little side door to the left of Saint Joseph that led downstairs to the church hall. Escaping through the exit door to the outside, she breathed a heavy sigh. She fumbled in her purse for a cigarette, lit it, and inhaled deeply.

Her brother Michael slammed out the door, "What the fuck is wrong with you? Leaving Ma in the middle of her mass."

Kate choked on her drag and looked at Michael with contempt, "Nice talk from a good Irish Catholic boy like you. I couldn't handle it, but of course you wouldn't understand that."

He was her eldest brother, the one who had kept the family together when Pop had died. The one who had laid down the rules, the one who had become the 'man of the family'. He was fifteen years her senior and the weight of his responsibility had left him with nothing but loathing for his youngest siblings. He had given up his own dreams for them and this made him bitter. Kate felt it now, as he looked at her.

"No, no Katie, I don't. Ma's up there in a fucking brown box and we're going to put her into the ground and all you can think about is having a damn cigarette."

"No Michael, that's not all I can think about. Do you have any idea how hard this is for me? Do you? Do you even see beyond your own fucking grief?"

Michael unclenched his hands, staring at his youngest sister. She had never used language like that before and it scared him. "All I know is that there's a church full of people up there expecting us to be united as a family when we put our mother in the ground. If you're not there, you know there'll be talk."

Kate took another drag and looked at her brother, disgust showing plainly in her eyes. "That's the whole point Michael, do you think I give a flying fuck what those people think? Where were they Michael, when Ma needed to go to the hospital? Where were they Michael, when Ma was puking her guts out in the toilet? Where were they Michael, when Ma peed herself every night? Did they come to help with the sheets and the laundry when she shit herself? Did they come to offer some sort of comfort? Stop by to say hello, how are you? Did they even bother to send a fucking casserole? No, they didn't. And neither did you. Or James, Peter, Charles, Rachel, Sarah, or Rebecca. No one did, except me. I took care of Ma. You all had your own lives, and kids, and work, and fucking little league. Not one of you fucking bothered to see if I needed a day off, or an hour, or just enough time to take a fucking shower and shave my legs so Ma would have someone with her. Do you have any idea what I've been through?"

She pressed her eyes shut and leaned against the freezing wall of the church.

"I'm sorry Katie, I know this has been hard on you." Michael tried to assuage his guilt.

She opened her eyes and looked at her eldest brother. His hair was nearly white, and the beer belly pushed itself over his too-tight slacks. When had he become so old? He was only forty-five.

"No Michael, you don't know. You have no fucking idea how hard this has been on me. And neither do the rest." Kate threw the cigarette on the ground and stepped on it with her black ballet flat.

"Look, they're starting the procession to the grave sight. C'mon, I'll walk with you." He said softly and touched her elbow.

"I'm not going. I said good-bye to Ma a long time ago. I don't need or want to watch her get lowered into the ground." She took a step toward the parking lot, then turned back to Michael. "She was always afraid of the dark Michael. I thought, you of all people would have remembered that."


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Excerpt

Now that I have a blog schedule, yes, yes I do, today, Thursday is excerpt day. On Thursday's I will post a little piece of something-something to let you see I am actually working on my writing. However today, I'm going to post two excerpts from the same book. The first one is the original scene from Masquerade. The second is the final draft that is in the book. It's just to let you know I know how to revise. And spoon foam.

Original

So what do you think?


***Sorry this post has been removed by the author.

Excerpt

As I have nothing brilliant to say today, I will post an excerpt. This is from my third book from the series "The Reluctant Grooms". No title yet. And please note this is a first draft.



Mrs. Wood seemed to be a sturdy woman whom he could describe as handsome yet homespun, and would never compare her to the ladies of the ton but she held a quiet beauty and a dignity that one could only achieve from taking care of those she loved.

“Mr. Gaines,” Amanda spoke in a low husky tone that immediately went to Richard’s belly. She came across the room with her hand outstretched.

Richard took it and brought it to his lips, “Mrs. Wood, a great pleasure I assure you. I hope you don’t mind my coming unannounced, I’m only in town for a few days and Lady Penny beseeched me to bring you her gifts and letters as soon as I arrived.”

Amanda looked at the handsome man standing before her. Impeccably dressed, she blushed like a school girl as it had been such a long time since she had seen such perfection in a man. She noticed the lines around his grey eyes crinkle as he watched her take notice of him.

“Of course Mr. Gaines, I’m sorry I’m not properly attired to receive callers, they are few here. John will bring us tea, would you care for it in the dining room?” Amanda rushed her sentences wondering who in heavens name Penny had sent her.

He allowed her to lead him into the room. He carried the small trunk and he placed it on the table then took the packet of letters out of his coat pocket.

John came in with a tea tray and a small plate of scones. He placed the tray in front of Amanda.

“Thank you John, you and Mam may visit with Henry until Mr. Gaines is ready to depart,” Amanda said lightly. As he walked away, she said as an afterthought, “And if you see Esme, please tell her I would like the rest of the wool sorted while she sits with you.” This last was said as a direct command but softly and Richard knew whoever Esme was, she would sort the rest of the wool.

Amanda poured for Richard and handed him his cup, then for herself. She passed him the sugar after putting a smidge in her cup. He placed a full teaspoon in his and cream when she passed him the pitcher.

“So, tell me Mr. Gaines, how is Penny? I haven’t heard from her in some time.” She looked over her teacup at him and smiled.

“She is newly married ma’am and I’m sure the story is in that packet of letters.” Richard said and pushed the packet across the table to her.

“Married at last,” she sighed dreamily. Amanda picked up the packet and ran her hand across Penny’s handwriting then held the letters to her breast. She couldn’t help but notice a faint aroma about the packet, put it to her nose and sniffed. It was a pleasant odor; leather, the ocean, and an underlying masculine scent that seemed to overpower the rest but was agreeable to her.

“I’m sorry about the smell Mrs. Wood, I’ve literally had them on my person since Lady Penny gave them to me. I was afraid if we encountered a storm on the trip they would get damaged.” Richard explained.

Amanda looked up at him with bright eyes. “No, Mr. Gaines, they don’t smell, it’s just…no, never mind.” Whatever she was going to say she thought better of it. “Pray, tell me the quick version of Penny’s marriage. I cannot believe she’s finally married. Is he handsome? Is he titled? Is he worthy of Lord Charles?” Her voice was low and throaty and sounded like a woman of the world however the way she asked her questions he could almost see the schoolgirl Penny had described.

“She is married to the newly appointed Duke of Caymore who is most assuredly rich, and I believe Lady Penny finds him the most handsome man on the face of the earth. Lord Charles is more than happy with him as his son-in-law as Lady Honoria and the Dowager Duchess of Caymore played match maker to the whole scheme.” Richard smiled warmly, seeing her eyes light up at the mention of the Duchess.

“How is Lady Olivia?” Amanda asked.

“She is as well as she can be for her age, she even danced at the wedding if you can believe it,” Richard said remembering the Duchess and Quiggins taking a slow turn at the waltz.

“Good gracious with whom?” Amanda set her tea cup down as if afraid of dropping it.

“Quiggins, Lady Penny’s new butler,” Richard watched her face give way from a fascinated smile to a loud uproarious laugh. He liked that sound and could not remember the last time he had made a woman laugh.

“A butler!” Amanda could not imagine Lady Olivia dancing with anyone, let alone a butler.

“A butler of the first water I assure you.” Richard smiled into his cup. Amanda Wood was doing strange things to his frame of mind. He glanced at her and saw a small blush creep up her cheeks.

“Richard Gaines,” she said quietly tapping her forefinger on her tea cup, “Surely not the Richard Gaines who captured Bonaparte.” She studiously watched his face and noticed his eyes widened slightly.

Richard said nothing, he didn’t know what to say.

“We are not so uncivilized here as to not read the news from London.” Amanda smiled warmly at him to ease his obvious discomfort.

“Captain Richard Gaines at your service madam,” Richard nodded slightly.

“Goodness, what are you doing here? I’m quite surprised you’re not the Admiral of the Fleet for your heroism.” She sipped her tea wondering how Penny could ever know such a man of honor and get him to take her letters across the Atlantic.

“No, I’m afraid that distinction belongs to my grandfather. I gave twenty years of service to the Royal Navy. I fought in all the glorious battles including Waterloo,” he said with a tinge of sarcasm. “I decided after old Boney gave it up to me the cause wasn’t worth fighting for anymore. I resigned my commission much to the disappointment of my father and grandfather, not to mention the Navy, my commodore, and the Prince Regent himself.” He looked down into the dregs of his cup. He didn’t know why he was telling her all this. He couldn’t help it, couldn’t seem to stop, there was something about her that made him want to tell her his secrets.

“Enough was enough,” he continued, “perhaps someday I may go back but for right now I just want to live my own life under my own rules. Truthfully, I just wanted to see if I could stand still on dry land for awhile.”

She laughed a low deep-throated chuckle. “Tell me Captain Gaines…” she began.

“Richard,” he interjected.

She nodded briefly, “Then you must call me Amanda, tell me Richard, how are you finding standing still on dry land in America?”

Richard could not seem to form a cohesive thought. Amanda was certainly not the most beautiful woman he had ever met but she had something. Something that nicked at a place deep inside him that he never even knew existed.

“I love America,” he said finally, “It’s busy and clean, perhaps a little unsettled but then again, when have I ever been settled?” He laughed at his own joke.

“Would you ever live here? Move here, I mean?” It was an innocent question but she held her breath waiting for his answer.

“I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it.” Which he hadn’t. “What about you, would you ever go back?” His eyes rested on hers. He found them unfathomable.

“If that I could,” she whispered. “But until I have enough money to pay passage for all of us I’m afraid we’re staying right where we are.” Her tight smile told him she had indeed, thought about the question many times, and unfortunately didn’t like the answer.

“You would take your household staff with you?” Surprised, Richard thought with Lady Penny’s help it wouldn’t prove too taxing.

“Oh my yes, they’re my family. And if I could, I’d take my sheep and cow, my little cat and the chickens too.” She smiled at the whimsy knowing no captain in his right mind would ever take so many animals on board a ship unless he was going on an extended voyage and would use them as food. As for her servants, she was sure she’d also have to pay double or even triple the price for passage for them. Their ‘free’ black status didn’t mean anything to some people and she would refuse to step foot on a boat in which her family were stuck in the hold of a ship.



Have a lovely weekend.

Excerpt

I have nothing to say today worth any merit so I thought I'd post an excerpt from my current WIP. This is the original beginning of Mismatched.



****** Sorry this post has been removed by the author.

A Different Excerpt

I thought you might like to see what I do with setting. This is just a descriptive set-up for the next scene. Genna's real name is Rosa. They call her Genna because it's her last name -- Genovase. (It makes more sense in the context of the whole book.)


*****Sorry this post has been removed by the author.