First Page Friday - Sue BARR

Hello dear readers. This week I stole the spotlight for my own contemporary romance, Fiance for Hire, a quick novella I had a blast writing.

Book Blurb:

Never tell a bold faced lie - unless you can follow through with flawless precision....

Kristen Wainwright was dumped in the most humiliating way possible and to add insult to injury, her ex-boyfriend has taken up with the office mean queen, Janine. Unable to tolerate the snide comments and subtle insults Kristen, in a moment of weakness, tells Janine that 'yes, she's coming to the Christmas gala' and 'yes, she's bringing someone' - her new fiancé. Now all she has to do is find one.

How hard can that be?

First Page:

Dear Diary:

 Jeremy made reservations at La Crème, the place where our very first date took place four years ago. For months he’s been dropping hints about how he has to ‘look to his future’ and ‘get that promotion’. He’s going to propose, I know it in my bones. It’s only logical. What shows more willingness for responsibility than marriage, a white picket fence, and kids?

 I can barely stand it.

 I closed the diary and hugged it to my chest. Unable to contain my excitement I jumped off the bed and ran to my closet. Only the very best would do as it wasn’t every day a girl became engaged. Clothes were raked back and forth across the rail, my despair mounting as outfit after outfit was discarded. Too frilly, too young, too drab, too homespun.

I had nothing to wear.

“Good gravy, Kristen. Are you purging your closet?” Grandma Joy paused in the doorway to my room. “I can barely see your bed.”

“No Grams. I’m trying to find something to wear Friday night.”

“After four years, I think he’s seen everything.” Grams said with a shake of her head and dropped fresh linen at the end of my bed. “What’s wrong with that nice dress you wore to Ruthie’s wedding?”

“Grams,” I rolled my eyes and pushed aside a beige top, followed by a brown sweater and shuddered. What was I thinking when I bought these blah, boring clothes? “That was over two years ago and this night is special. I need something with a wow factor of ten.”

“I don’t know why you think you have to change who you are for that boy…” Grams let the sentence hang, her displeasure evident by her tone of voice. “You looked beautiful in that dress.”

I cast a glance over my shoulder and noted Grams stood with her arms crossed and her brow furrowed in frustration.

“Thanks, Grams, but I think you’re biased.” As always, my heart tugged at her words. Grams raised me from the time I was born. My mom and dad died in a car accident when I was only a few months old.

“Well, it’s the truth,” she said as she walked out of my room. “He should be thankful for what he already has in you. Don’t be too long, dinner is in ten minutes.”

“I’ll be right down,” I promised and continued shoving clothes back and forth.

My imagination reached a fever pitch and as I ate I practiced my new name, Kristen Elaine Wainwright-Danvers. Hmmm…maybe I wouldn’t hyphenate it. Kristen Elaine Danvers had a nice flow.

Hello, have you met my husband, Jeremy Danvers? And he would say with pride, this is my wife, Kristen.

Visions of intertwined initials on the wedding train filled my head - J & K. I’d have day lilies in my bouquet, the bridesmaids would wear something in soft pink and Jeremy and his groomsmen would be handsome in deep blue tuxes. We’d dance our first dance while friends blew bubbles around us. Everything would look magical in our wedding videos.

Oh dear... we all know how that's going to turn out. Good thing for me, otherwise there would have been NO story! This all came about because of one line that kept running through my head. "I have a fabulous idea." Funny how one tiny phrase bears fruit in the form of a fun, romantic comedy.

Have a wonderful weekend, until then, 

FIRST KISS FRIDAY

Several of my writer friends post cute snippets from their stories featuring the first kiss between the hero and heroine. Although my blog lately has been dedicated to Regency Romance, I thought I'd share the first kiss between Lindsay and Jared, found between the pages of 'MAN OF HER DREAMS'.

 Lindsay's been hired by Jared to renovate his kitchen. He never expected her to renovate his heart and life as well.

Enjoy.

      A week later, Lindsay had a rough plan drawn up for Jared’s renovation. Held down on the counter with soup cans on each corner to stop the edges from rolling back up, they both studied the design outline.

“We agreed to take out this wall.” She waved in the direction of the wall separating the kitchen from the living room. “I’ll lay an ‘I’ beam to support the second floor, or if you like, I can put some type of decorative column for load bearing.”

“I like the idea of columns, but whatever you think is best for this space.” He speculated what kind of shampoo she used. Something with citrus, he was sure of it.

“What kind of cabinets do you want?”

“Hmmmm?” A little bit of floral, or was that her perfume?

“Cabinets. What type of wood do you want?”

The look on her face made him wonder how many times she’d asked the question while he’d day dreamed about her hair, her body.... Pierre was right. He was acting like a ravenous wolf, but in her denim shirt, figure-hugging blue jeans and steel toed boots, she looked almost good enough to eat.

Just a taste. He only wanted a taste of her sweet lips.

A hint of pink began to slide up her neck from beneath the collar of her shirt and he realized he’d been staring at her mouth.

Pull it together Kane. She isn’t Red Riding Hood, but her lips would probably taste like...

“Honey.”

“Did you just call me ‘honey’?” The pink darkened and her cheeks began to take on a rosy hue.

“Maple. I’d like honey maple for the cabinets.”

Inside his head he cringed. He hated honey maple, preferring a richer wood color. Now he’d have to live with the yellow toned wood forever. All because his hormones were taking a walk through the enchanted forest.

Her eyebrows raised a notch and she said, “Maple is great for kitchens, but a honey tone wouldn’t match the décor of the rest of your house.”

“You’re right. Let’s scrap that suggestion.”

That was close.

She scribbled in her notebook and then set it down. Immediately, he recognized the coil bound book and remembered the checklist. ‘As creative in the bedroom as he is in the kitchen’, came to mind and given where his mind had just been that was a dangerous path to tread.

“I thought we’d go with a dark cappuccino for lower cabinets, and a soft cream for the uppers. That would keep the room bright, yet elegant,” she said, making a small notation on the design.

He ran an experienced eye over the plans and mentally envisioned what she suggested. He liked the concept for his new kitchen, without honey maple cabinets. She had talent and DeVane would be a fool not to hire her for his development, although he didn’t like the idea of that randy Irishman anywhere near her.

“What about the island? Do you have any suggestions for that?” He brought his mind back to the task at hand, which was renovating his kitchen. Not worrying about DeVane. Not fantasizing about kissing his new contractor. And especially not about fulfilling a few items on her checklist.

“Keep the base dark, with a light counter to contrast and two squared columns, here and here.” She pointed out where she’d outlined where the columns would be placed. “If this were my kitchen, I’d have granite counter tops.”

“I like the idea of this whole space being opened up.” He shifted the plans so he could look at them closer. “I could place some under counter bar stools at the island for when friends come over.”

“That’s the whole idea. While you’re busy in the kitchen, you can still visit and not miss all the fun.” She turned to face him, her eyes bright with enthusiasm.

“By the time this renovation is completed, I might have someone in my life. Maybe a wife and the little woman would do that for me so I can stay out of the kitchen. Remember. I’m the barbeque guy.”

A look of fake horror broke out on her face at his sexist remark. He loved the fact she had a sense of humor.

“Ha! If you’re a good husband, you’d help your wife in the kitchen.” She poked him on the shoulder. “It takes two to make a marriage work—” Abruptly, she broke off in an awkward silence.

He had an instant vision of him and Lindsay, working side by side, making sure their guests were having fun. He waited for the kernel of panic to set in whenever he thought about his future being tied up with one person, but it never came.

She started to back away and without hesitation he reached for her. Her eyes had an endearing edge of vulnerability to them and his heart squeezed. Oh yeah, this one was definitely trouble.

~~~~~

He invaded her space, closing the distance between them, lifting his hand and taking her chin in his fingers. “Trouble”, was the only word she heard before his mouth claimed hers. The kiss rocketed through her body all the way down to her toes.

She curled her fingers into his shirt, intending to push him away, but somehow, they spread open and moved up to his broad shoulders. He pulled her close and changing the angle of his mouth, deepened the kiss. His fingers tangled in her hair and she heard moaning.

Her moans. When had she ever moaned while being kissed?

Never, but then she’d never been kissed like this before. Slowly he pulled back and touched his forehead to hers while they both caught their breath.

“I’ve wanted to do that for days,” he said, his voice as gravelly as a dirt road.

“Only days?” she murmured and looked up. She’d wanted him to kiss her for weeks.

“I lied.” His eyes glittered darkly. “It’s been months.”

He swooped in for another hot kiss. When his hands began to roam across her body, touching her in places that ached for more and turned her blood into molten lava, for one teensy moment she considered letting go.

“Wait,” she mumbled against his lips, pushing gently away from him.

Tidbit Tuesday - June 13

Not only is it Tidbit Tuesday, but it's also my baby's 33rd birthday. Not much of a baby, standing at 6'3", but he'll always be my baby.

I share this tidbit from MAN OF HER DREAMS available on AMAZON

CHRISTMAS NOVELLA

Looking for a lighthearted holiday romance?

Blurb:

Never tell a bold faced lie - unless you can follow through with flawless precision...

Kristen Wainwright has been dumped in the most humiliating way possible - only at the most posh restaurant in all Ravenwood, La Crème, and to add insult to injury, her ex has taken up with the office mean queen, Janine Fehr.

Unable to tolerate the snide comments and subtle insults, Kristen, in a moment of weakness tells Janine that 'yes, she's coming to the annual Christmas gala', and 'yes, she's bringing a special someone - her new fiancé'. Now all she has to do is find one.

How hard can that be?

Available HERE

Excerpt: 

“You what?”

“I know. I couldn’t help myself.”

I sat, curled up on the couch in my Team USA sweatpants, the phone tucked between my ear and shoulder. On the other end was Stephanie, my best friend since middle school.

“She said she couldn’t help herself.” Stephanie relayed our conversation to Bryce, her husband. I heard him in the background, commenting how it would bite me in the derriere. She spoke into the phone again. “Bryce said—”

“I heard what he said. What am I going to do? I’ve got three weeks to find a fiancé.”

Stanley rolled over onto his back, inviting me to scratch his chest. I quit worrying my thumbnail and petted him. Soft purring vibrated against my thigh. Too bad Stanley wasn’t a guy. He’d be the perfect date. He adored me, hung on my every word and didn’t expect me to have sex with him.

The idea hit me faster than I could blink and I sat up straight. Stanley scrambled off the couch at my sudden movement.

“I have a fabulous idea.”

“Oh, I don’t like this. Last time you had a fabulous idea, I wore a cast for six weeks. I still can’t straighten my arm completely.”

“That was years ago,” I said, brushing aside her concern. “This one will work. Do you have any exceptionally handsome men friends, willing to be my fiancé?”

“Now I know you’re crazy.”

“Hear me out. They’d only have to pretend for a couple of weeks. Show up to a few office functions, maybe a movie or two and then we’ll have a mutual parting of ways.”

As I said the words I became more and more convinced this would work. This idea was freaking brilliant. 

WEEKEND WRITING WARRIORS #10

Welcome to my Weekend Writing Warrior post. This week I'm sharing from my newest #WIP - Gretchen's Song ~ Welcome to Ravenwood ~ Book Three

In this scene, Sheriff Rafe Crawford has staked out the Tipsy Seagull. His interest is fully engaged when Gretchen Swanson exits the pub and behaves in a manner that makes him think she's had WAY too much to drink. When she stumbles against her car and drops the keys he almost hops out of his truck to lend a hand - until he notices her taking a quick glance around. Almost as though she expects someone to be watching.
After the parking lot is empty (all other patrons have exited) she finally starts her car and begins to back out. He pulls in behind, blocking her exit and approaches the driver's side window. They engage in conversation and he realizes she hasn't had anything to drink. There is not even a hint of alcohol on her breath. So, he asks her what the act was all about.

This selection has been modified slightly to meet the 10 line requirement. Enjoy.

“I’m the D.D.”

His eyes narrowed. “In case you forgot, you didn’t drive anybody anywhere.”

“Not D.D. as in designated driver, D.D. as in designated decoy.”

"The what?" He pushed back his hat and for a brief moment she treasured his look of disbelief. Rafe Crawford was a hard man to catch unaware.

"Designated Decoy." She waited while that thought tumbled around his razor sharp mind and mentally began a countdown to when he’d figure it out.

One…Two…Thr—



Be sure to check out my fellow Weekend Writing Warriors.

Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter (top right column).

Tidbit Tuesday

I have two stories running around in my head, and I'm torn as to which one I'll focus my attention on.
I'd like some help. Below will be the book blurb. Let me know which one YOU think I should continue.

Here goes:

JENNA'S JOURNEY

After tragedy strikes at the heart of Jenna McLachlan, she flees her memories and takes a sabbatical to Scotland. After a year, she finally returns home to Ravenwood. Ready for life, but not love, Jenna won’t open her heart to anyone. There’s only heartache and sorrow waiting for her there, and she doesn’t think she could survive that again.

Ian McEwan, Ravenwood’s newest vet, is too busy for life and love, but he’s hit with both head on when he rescues a young woman by the side of the road. It doesn’t take long for him to find out that although Jenna likes his company, she won’t let anyone come close to loving her.

Is Ian patient enough to win Jenna’s scarred heart, and is he willing to share her with the painful memories she’s worn like a security blanket all these years?

GRETCHEN'S SONG

Always the good twin, Gretchen Swanson lives in the shadow of her vibrant sister, Leah. But she has a secret. She writes chart toppling songs for rising country star Laney Richards. With her new found wealth she bought a reliable car, a cute bungalow and quietly invested the remaining money.

Her other secret is that she's in love with the Rafe Crawford, but he's not available. She believes he's still in love with her twin, even though they haven't dated since Rafe graduated high school and left for Chicago.

After ten years as a detective in Chicago, Rafe Crawford returned home to Ravenwood as their new sheriff. Within months of his homecoming, there's a string of break-ins with no leads and he's beyond frustrated. Then he notices that Gretchen Swanson seems to have come into money. With her new car and house, he wonders how she can afford this as she only works part-time at the vet clinic and volunteers the rest of her time with Seniors and church activities.

He makes the decision to keep his eye on her, which isn't difficult because she's always held his attention. She's the reason he broke it off with Leah and left town, but now he's back and needs to get to the bottom of this mystery.

So there you have it. Both are delicious but I'm torn. I love them both.

Help!

WEEKEND WRITING WARRIORS #5

Once again I'm sharing from my WIP ~ Man of Her Dreams (Book One ~ Welcome to Ravenwood Series). Thought I'd share a first kiss scene.  Hope you like.

He invaded her space, closed the distance between than and lifting his hand, took her chin in his fingers. "Trouble", was the only word she heard before his mouth claimed hers. The kiss rocketed through her body all the way down to her toes.

She curled her fingers into his shirt, intending to push him away, but somehow they spread open and moved up toward his shoulders. He pulled her close and changed the angle of his mouth, deepening the kiss. His fingers tangled themselves in her hair and she heard a faint moan.

When had she ever moaned while being kissed?

Never, but then she'd never been kissed like this before. Slowly he pulled back and touched his forehead to hers while they both caught their breath.

"I've wanted to do that for days," he said, his voice as gravelly as a dirt road.

If you would like to read more from Man of Her Dreams, I've entered Harlequin's So You Think You Can Write (#SYTYCW15) contest on Wattpad. Please remember to vote if you like my story.

Be sure to check out my fellow Weekend Writing Warriors.

WEEKEND WRITING WARRIORS #4

This week I am continuing to share from my WIP ~ Man of Her Dreams. In this scene, Lindsay's best friend, who's married to her brother, has just shared they are having a baby. At first Lindsay is stunned. It had been a lifelong plan that she and Tina would have their children at the same time, that they'd grow up together, etc., etc. and she's struggling with a little bit of jealousy/hurt because Lindsay is still single with no guy on the foreseeable horizon.

“A baby, I’m so happy for you, Tina. And you too, Nick.”

She cupped her brother's face and patted his cheek, something their great aunt always did. Aunt Grace doled out cheek pinches and chocolate bars and lived alone with four cats. Lindsay stopped mid pat, a horrifying thought sliding through her mind like mercury.

She loved chocolate.

And cats.

Lindsay recognized the sympathetic look on Tina’s face. Oh crap. If she didn’t pull up her big girl panties, Tina would set her up on another blind date, and to put it bluntly, she sucked at matchmaking.

If you would like to read more from Man of Her Dreams, I have entered Harlequin's - So You Think You Can Write (SYTYCW15) contest on Wattpad. Please remember to vote if you like my story.



 Be sure to check out my fellow Weekend Writing Warriors.

WEEKEND WRITING WARRIORS #3

This week I'm sharing from my WIP – Fiancé for Hire - one of my books from the Welcome to Ravenwood Series. I hope you enjoy:

Stanley rolled over onto his back, inviting me to scratch his chest. I quite worrying my thumbnail to pet him and soon soft purring vibrated against my belly. Too bad Stanley wasn't a guy, because he'd be the perfect date. He adored me, hung on my every word, and didn't expect me to have sex with him.

The idea hit me faster than I could blink.

"Stephanie, I have a fabulous idea."

"Oh, I don't like this. Last time you had a fabulous idea, I wore a cast for six weeks. I still can't straighten my arm completely."

"That was years ago," I said, brushing aside her concern.

Thank you for reading. Make sure to check out my fellow Weekend Writing Warriors.