Home For Christmas - Part Three by Margo Hoornstra

Drawn by the enticing aroma of sizzling bacon and fresh brewed coffee, Tina strolled down the open staircase. Ty was bent over at one of the double decker ovens. A position that stretched his jeans tight over one appealing rear end.

She took a moment to admire the view before she spoke. “Something smells wonderful.”

“Morning, sweetheart.”

Ty straightened as she joined him in the marble accented kitchen. Catching her by the waist, he pulled her close and dropped a quick kiss on her upturned mouth. “You’re just in time to help me lay out some cinnamon buns to bake in those cake pans.” He indicated a number of refrigerator tubes of the ready-made rolls laying on the counter. “I hope twenty-four will be enough.”

She drew back to study him. “Twenty-four rolls should be more than enough.”

His gaze met hers, but he said nothing at first. Just lifted one side of his mouth into a definite smirk. “I’ve already set the oven to three fifty.”

“Coffee first. Then I’ll do whatever you ask.” She filled a blue ceramic cup to take with her to the living room. Her hot pink warm-up pants and matching zip-up top was an excellent choice to ward off the early morning chill, even though large shafts of sunlight filtered in through the showcase windows. Cradling her cup in both hands, she blew on the steaming liquid before she took a sip, then closed her eyes to savor its welcome heat as it swirled into her.

Ty came up from behind to wrap her in his arms, and her sense of comfort was complete. “That is some view, isn’t it?”

“Breathtaking. You can see for miles and miles from up here.” She rested her head against his chest, then gazed over the panoramic landscape. Beyond the log railed wraparound deck, a forest of snow tipped evergreens climbed up to layers of haze covered mountain peaks in the distance. Directly below, the gravel road they’d traveled the day before continued on to disappear somewhere off in the rugged terrain. “We sure are out in a remote area with hardly any traffic.”

“That’s kind of the idea.” Ty’s hand left her waist as he checked his watch. “Say. Don’t you think you should get those rolls baking? No sense wasting a good pre-heated oven.”

“No. No sense at all.” Slipping from his grasp, she walked to the kitchen and set down her cup.

Thumping the first tube of dough on an edge of the counter to pop it open, she soon had all the cinnamon sugared rounds in the pans she slid into the oven.

Putting her hands on her hips, she turned to face him. “There. I’ve humored you. Now what?”

The words were no sooner out of her mouth when a tap tap tap came from the front door.

Tina spun toward the unexpected noise, then back at him. “Who’s that?”

He shrugged before a heart stopping grin flashed. “Go see.”

She cast him another puzzled glance as she headed toward the entrance. Before she even got near, the door was pushed open.

“Merry Christmas, Aunt Tina! Merry Christmas!”

Dressed in puffy coats and tassel topped stocking caps, an assortment of her nieces and nephews scampered in. All five of them, full of laughter and excited chatter, flocked around her for hugs then gravitated toward the tree as if caught in some kind of force field.

Her namesake, the youngest, glanced back at her. “Mommy says Santa knows where we are. I hope she’s right.”

“I’m sure he does.” Tina barely got that out when more footsteps from behind made her spin around. “Mom! Dad!”

Caught up in a warm three-person hug, she recognized the unmistakable laugh of her older sister Kate.

“We couldn’t stand another Christmas without you.” Cold cheeks brushed against hers followed by a warm embrace.

“It’s great to see you.” She could only utter those few words when she was wrapped up in another hug from her little sister Jan.

Stepping back, with both palms flat against her cheeks, she remained transfixed as her brothers-in-law Joe and Frank, paraded by her. Gran and Gramp comprised the caboose of their little family train.

“When did you plan all of this?” Spreading her arms wide, Tina exchanged hugs, kisses and even a few tears as she greeted each one. “I had no idea.”

“You weren’t supposed to.” Gran was the first to answer as she let her go. “And we didn’t. He did.” She tipped her bun topped head Ty’s way.

Ty leaned against the counter, with both arms folded over a plaid flannel shirt, and a grin stretched across his face.

“He even had me make up a grocery list to give to the rental company.” Her mom went over to pull him into a tight hug, right after she planted a big, smacking kiss on his cheek. “You are such a sweetie for doing this.” 

His grin widened, if that was even possible, as he returned the affectionate squeeze. “I’m just glad you could all make it. On kind of short notice.”

She beamed at him. “Wouldn’t have missed it.”

Her dad came over to pull Tina into another bear hug. “It’s so good to see you.”

“It’s good to see you too, Dad.” She wrapped her arms around the first man in her life to make her feel special.

With a breath robbing squeeze he let her go to glance around. “Nice place, Ty. Nice place.”

“I’m pleased you like it, sir.”

“I don’t suppose this big a house has a piano?” He chuckled as he spoke then winked at Tina.

“Afraid not.” Ty matched her dad’s teasing tone. “I tried, but couldn’t find a house to rent that had one.”

“We’ll just have to sing acapella, Dad.” Tina joined their light-hearted conversation.

Right then and there, as her heart swelled with gratitude and love, she tipped her lips up with a smile to rival Ty’s. The love of her life.

Taking a few short steps, she launched into his arms. “To think you went to all this trouble for me.”

******

“It wasn’t really all that difficult.” Ty caught her with little effort.

“Somebody fetch me a stick of butter please, and I’ll start scrambling these eggs.” Already donning a frilly gingham apron, Tina’s Grandma tied the sash into a bow, then squirted hand soap onto palms she scrubbed together with vigor.

Letting Tina go, Ty spun toward her Grandma. “Just a sec Mrs. Parker, I…”

“I’ll help you, Gran.” Frank slipped off his coat he draped over a ladder backed chair. “Ask Kate. Breakfasts are my specialty.”

“Uncle Ty, can we sleep up here?”

Ty glanced up to find five sets of eyes staring at him from the balcony between the two upstairs bedrooms. Still smiling Tina kissed his cheek and went to sit on one of the couches.

“You kids can sleep…” Caught up in the moment, Ty stopped himself before he spoke out of turn. “Wherever your parents say you can.”

More can we questions filtered down on the adults. Leaving their parents to figure it all out, Ty went to sit beside Tina.

“Aunt Tina and Uncle Ty, when do we get to open our presents from you?” Apparently satisfied they’d staked out the necessary sleeping arrangements, the kids scrambled down the stairs and into the living room.

“Before Santa’s, I hope.” Staring at the tree, another little one spoke up.

“I don’t know, I.” Alarm flashed in the look Tina sent Ty’s way.

He smiled in the face of her confusion. “Not until Christmas Eve, at the earliest.”

“What are you doing?” Tina slid closer to whisper in his ear.

“Telling them when they can open their presents.” He kept his voice low like hers.

She moved her head nearer to his. “But how?”

“Those gifts you bought for everyone last month.” He continued to speak in a hushed voice. “I intercepted them and had them sent here. They should be downstairs.”

Drawing back slightly, she smiled. “Seems you just thought of everything, didn’t you?”

“Ty did you order the list of ingredients I sent you?” Tina’s Grandma raised her voice to call from the kitchen.

“Double what you wanted, Mrs. Parker. It’s all in there, I checked.”

“Good. When we’re done with breakfast, I want to get started making my Chocolate Crinkle cookies.”

“Oh. I can’t wait.” Tina’s voice rang with absolute delight. “Make plenty, please, Gran. I’ll eat a whole dozen myself.”

As Tina’s laughter echoed in the expansive living room, Ty’s heart filled with joy.

He settled his arm more tightly around her. “I figured if you couldn’t be home for Christmas, I’d bring Christmas home to you.”

Snuggling close, she hugged him back. “One more reason to love you so.”

If he never got another Christmas present his entire life, Ty was okay with that. The blue eyes sparkling into his and the grin spreading across Tina’s face was more than enough gift for him.

“Merry Christmas, Tina.”

“Merry Christmas, Ty.”

She cupped his cheek with her palm, and touched her lips to his in a kiss to warm him from the inside out. Lost in the wonder of her love, Ty recalled his initial thought when he first considered bringing Christmas to Tina this year.

Pulling this off would take a Christmas miracle.

******

I hope you enjoyed my contribution to the Roses of Prose Christmas story collection, Christmas Miracles. For some about me and to see more of the stories I write, some available for free, please visit my WEBSITE

Come back tomorrow for the first part of another Christmas story written by my fellow Rose, Rolynn Anderson. A story, you guessed it, beginning with this opening line.

Pulling this off would take a Christmas miracle.

Home For Christmas - Part Two by Margo Hoornstra

Ty took Tina’s hand as she exited the car. “Well, what do you think?”

Caught by a light, wintery breeze, the sweatshirt hood hiding her features fell away.

One look at the absolute wonder in those huge blue eyes assured Ty he’d made the right decision to rent the expansive, three story log chalet.

“It’s not exactly home, but it’s as close as I could make it.” His words puffed out in a frosty trail. “For this year anyway.”

She took her wide-eyed gaze off the elegant yet rustic structure with its spacious porch across the front. As she glanced up at him, a smile lit her face to warm his heart.

“Anywhere I’m with you is as good as home to me.”

“It’s nice to hear you say that.” Ty pushed up the bill on the baseball cap she still wore to give him access an inviting pair of turned up lips he covered briefly with his. “Come on, there’s more.” Still holding her hand, he led her up the smooth wooden steps, passed the Adirondack style porch swing, and unlocked the heavy double doors.

Inside was spacious, comfortable and warm. Just like the rental agreement promised. To the left, a commercial size kitchen and dining table to seat at least twelve. About six ladder backed bar stools were lined up along a grey and black granite counter. On the right, an open and polished rough sawn staircase. Straight ahead, the massive two story living room with floor to ceiling windows. Three overstuffed leather couches set at right angles were accented with thick wooden tables and iron floor lamps.

“A Christmas tree. Oh, Ty.”

He put his arm around her and grinned. “You like it?”

The twelve-foot fir he’d ordered, complete with shiny ornaments and sparkling tinsel, occupied a far corner in the living room. Its top reaching well into the second story of the high arched cathedral ceiling.

“And food. We have food.” He left her side just long enough to open one of two double door refrigerators. “Fully stocked. The other one too.”

Stepping back, he swung both doors wide to reveal all he’d ordered. Meats and fruits and milk. Eggs, bread and more assorted groceries.

Tina came over to peek inside then turned to him and raised her brow. She no doubt noticed the excess. “That’s enough to feed a small army. How long, exactly, do we plan to stay here?”

“For Christmas, of course.” He shut the doors, then turned to draw her into his arms. “Maybe a little longer if we can swing it.”

“That does sound wonderful.” Even as she smiled up at him, a sadness creased the edges of her eyes to tug at his heart.

“I hope so, sweetheart.”

“Now that you’ve rescued me and brought me to this home away from home, I’m going to indulge myself in a long, hot bath and get into my pajamas.”

 The mental image heated his blood. Time enough for that later. “I’ll be waiting when you’re done.”

“I assume you had our clothes delivered here from the bus as well.”

“Sure did. Take your pick of bedrooms.” He gestured toward the second floor with one finger. “There are two master suites upstairs, and three more down here.” With an elaborate sweep of his arm, he indicated a hallway beneath the stairs. “Plus, there’s a media room below.”

“Nice to know there are so many places to sleep, but we only need one.” She glanced over one shoulder before she walked upstairs.

“I’ll get a fire going.” He headed toward the massive fieldstone fireplace that centered the right-hand wall with an ample supply of long-burning oak logs piled beside it. “Have it nice and warm in here in no time.”

Ty made sure all the shades were drawn before he turned on too many lights. Even if they were pretty much out in the middle of nowhere, there was no reason to take the chance a passerby would want to catch a glimpse inside.

True to his word, he knelt to construct a base of paper and kindling, lit it, then hefted the largest log from the pile to put on top.

The whole time they made their escape he knew Tina was scared. Terrified, really. Until they drove up into the relative solitude of the mountains. He sank onto a couch directly across from the fireplace as tiny fingers of flame sparked up then grew into fiery pillars of orange and yellow.

Too bad there wasn’t much he could do for her. Other than accept the blame that their life together had become a series of extremes with no real middle ground. They spent a good share of their time hiding out in the shadows. The rest of it on stage in one huge venue or another, under the glare of pulsating spotlights to perform set after set of chart topping songs that had endeared them to music lovers around the world.

The fire crackled and snapped. The granddaddy log he’d chosen rolled and shifted to settle further into red hot coals. Flying sparks of crimson and gold danced, and the burning wood flamed into a radiant wall of fire.

Tina Monroe was the love of his life. He adored her. Along with millions of country music fans, if her latest single going platinum in a matter of days after its release was any indication of her colossal fame. No one was prouder of her success than him. Even if he sometimes grew weary of having to share her with the world.

“Penny for your thoughts.”

Ty glanced up and couldn’t help but smile as Tina came into the living room. Hard to believe the woman before him decked out in long sleeved flannel pajamas and bright pink bunny slippers was America’s top female vocalist three years running. Her long, silky trademark hair no longer scrunched up under the baseball cap, hung in soft waves around a fresh and gorgeous face. Freshly washed clean of all traces of the dramatic stage make up.

“You.”

“I’m flattered.” Despite her teasing, love glowed in those mesmerizing blue eyes, and a sweet smile tipped up her lips as she walked toward him. “What about me?”

“Nothing much. Just you.” Even as he said it, he decided she deserved more of an answer. “The monumental success you’ve had these past few years.”

As soon as she sat beside him, he slipped an arm around her shoulders. For a moment he stilled, struck by how perfectly they fit together.

“Which is both a blessing and a curse. Adored by millions I’m forced to run away from. When I ventured out into the crowd to greet a few fans after the matinee, I had no idea I’d set off a virtual riot.”

“I’m sure no one meant to intentionally harm you. Even so, a few hundred enthusiastic fans rushing the stage was a little intimidating. I thought we should make a run for it.”

“An unfortunate aspect of what we do.” She spoke softly as she snuggled close. “Thank you for taking care of me.”

“I know how much you wanted to be home for Christmas this year.” With his arm still around her, he rubbed his thumb along the flawless silk of her cheek, half expecting to encounter a tear or two. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out.”

“You don’t have to be sorry.” Nestled into him, she laid her head against his shoulder. “I told you, for me, Christmas or not, home is wherever you are.”

Although she kept her tone light, he sensed a sadness in her voice she couldn’t hide completely.

“It will be a wonderful Christmas this year, sweetheart.” He notched her chin up with his thumb and forefinger, so he could gaze into the depths of her eyes. “I promise.”

“I’m sure it will be. I learned long ago, you also keep your promises.” Her soft whisper drifted to nothing as, closing her eyes, she touched her lips to his.

******

Please come back again tomorrow for the final installment of Home For Christmas – Part Three. For more short stories, some to download for free, please go to my WEBSITE

Home For Christmas - Part One by Margo Hoornstra

Welcome to December at The Roses of Prose and Merry Christmas. Our gifts to you every day this month are original short stories, written by some of us, each beginning with the same first line: Pulling this off would take a Christmas Miracle.

Enjoy!

Pulling this off would take a Christmas miracle.

Tina Monroe blinked, willing her eyes to adjust to the gloom of the underground garage. Not only were she and Ty far away from home. Right now, she and Ty were, literally, on the run again. Desperate to escape.

Voices echoed. But from where? Side by side they stood still. Waiting. With Christmas only a few days away, most people were already snug inside homes decorated for the season. Awaiting the arrival of family and friends.

Too bad she and Ty weren’t most people.

“Come on, sweetheart.” He thrust out his hand. “We have to make a break for it. Let’s go. Now!”

Her thoughts scattered. All she could do was grab hold, hang on tight, and take off for all she was worth. Two sets of footfalls echoed on the smooth cement. Hers and his. The man on whom she’d bet her entire future.

“Stay with me. Keep moving.”

I have no choice. No way could she utter those words out loud. Spare the precious oxygen she needed to keep running.

Who knew what fate awaited if she fell behind.

“Almost to the car. And safe.” Ty’s comments came out in staggered spurts. He was getting out of breath. What if they couldn’t make it? What if they got caught?

Right foot, left foot, right foot left foot.

Just when Tina was sure she didn’t have the strength to make it much further, up ahead the headlights from their SUV flashed on from the shadows. The locks popped open with a reassuring thunk. Once inside with the doors shut, she raised the hood of her sweatshirt to cover the top half of her face, then held her breath until the glare of the dome light faded then went out.

“Relax, sweetheart. We’ll be out of here in no time and on the way to our hideout.”

“Our hideout. I can’t wait.” She glanced over at Ty, struck by his word choice even as she mimicked the term he used.

He reached over to program an address into the on-board GPS system. Though she had no idea where he planned to take her, Tina trusted him completely. In the three years they’d been together, he’d never given her a reason not to. As usual, her heartbeat picked up as she glanced over at his near perfect features illuminated by the light of the dash. The solid jaw and firm mouth dusted with the charm of a five o’clock shadow. Longish brown hair with curves more than curls at his collar only added to his appeal.

Facing forward, she secured her seat belt with a click. Sometimes she believed she knew more about Ty Bentley than she knew about herself.

Which these days, wasn’t much. Not with the newness of what she had become.

“Do you think anyone is still looking for us?”

“Unfortunately, some will never give up, I’m afraid.” He lay his hand over hers where it rested on the seat between them for a second before he put the car in gear and steered out of the parking spot.

“In other words, we’ll never truly be free again.”

“Not the way things have been going for us these days.”

Late afternoon dusk crept across the high-rise buildings as Ty and Tina drove onto the street and headed out of downtown Denver.

“Do you ever regret this lifestyle of ours?”

He shrugged. “We don’t enjoy some of the freedoms we used to have.”

“A lot of the freedoms we used to have. Most of them really.”

A set of headlights coming toward them lit up his features. The edges of deep set eyes creased in concern, mouth flat and determined. The next set of beams struck her square in the face. She couldn’t help it. Panic grabbed hold and squeezed tight. On automatic, she snatched a baseball cap from the backseat and settled it low over her forehead, stuffing strands of her long blond hair up under its protection. With the hood of her sweatshirt flipped up again, she reached for her sunglasses hooked to the visor.

Ty didn’t mock her for it. “Don’t worry. We’ll take the backroads.”

“Hard to believe day after tomorrow is Christmas Eve.” She spoke to herself as much as him.

What she didn’t add was she had yet to get into the Christmas spirit. She really did try as they drove past houses rimmed with colorful lights. Wreaths on their doors adorned with bright red bows. One front yard contained a huge inflatable Santa beside a sleigh overflowing with gaily wrapped gifts. A knot twisted in her stomach. This year, decorations only served to make her more homesick.

As if to amplify her sorrow, strains of I’ll Be Home for Christmas filtered through the audio system, and she reached over to turn up the volume. As she began to sing along, memories of what home and Christmas used to mean brought a bittersweet longing.

Her two sisters Kate and Jan, with families in tow, would gather at their parents’ house. They’d share a turkey dinner with Mom’s special giblet stuffing, Kate’s corn casserole, and the rest of the special holiday fare. If Tina were there, she and her dad would play piano duets, as the rest of the family gathered around to sing carols. Her family would all be together, enjoying traditions and festivities she and Ty couldn’t be a part of this year.

She let out a sigh as the view out her side window changed from apartments and houses to open rangeland and pastures. Gran and Gramp Parker would be there too. Well into their eighties and still able to make the two-hour road trip. Images of her grey-haired grandma with a plateful of her trademark Chocolate Crinkle cookies came to mind, and she smiled. Her favorite holiday treat, covered with a dusting of sweet powdered sugar to be licked from where it stuck to fingertips and lips.

The car swayed right and slowed. In the brief time it took to reach the stop sign at a busy intersection, she was bolt upright in the seat, her gaze front and center out the windshield.

“No big deal. Change of direction is all.” Ty spoke in a soft tone, as if not wanting to spook her any more than she already was. “It’s not like they have a description of the car.”

“You don’t know that for sure.”

He put his hand over hers again to offer the warmth and comfort of his touch. “Don’t worry. We can do this. We will get away.”

“In five hundred feet, make a right.”

He navigated that turn and a few more as instructed by the onboard computer. It soon became clear they were headed into the vast and beautiful Rocky Mountains. In the waning light of a winter sunset, scenery along the roadside alternated between dense forest growth and jagged walls of rock as a highway of curves, twists and switchbacks took them higher and higher. Now and then, an expanse of sheer drop-offs to the valley below brought together thrill with fear as their car sped by a road edge with no guard rail. Sounds around her dulled as Tina’s ears popped when she yawned in response to the ever-increasing elevation.

“Do you often wonder what it would be like to have a normal life?” Dulled sounds or not, she’d feel better if they kept talking. “Or remember what it was like when we had one?”

“Someday, when this is all behind us, maybe we’ll have a normal life again. Celebrate Christmas like everyone else does.”

“Luckily, I had that bit of down time in November to shop for everyone’s gifts and have them mailed in plenty of time for a Christmas Day arrival.” Gifts she’d bought on line, of course. The long weekend she and Ty had been too far away to make it home for Thanksgiving.

Not that a room-service turkey and dressing dinner alone with Ty wasn’t special. It just wasn’t…home.

“How much farther? Any idea?”

“Only about another half hour.” He glanced over and smiled in the dim light of the dashboard.

Taking a deep breath, she willed the tightness in her shoulders to ease. If Ty was loosening up, she could too.

Eventually, the rocky terrain leveled out. Coming to relatively flat stretches, they passed through the remote mountain town of Tabernash. Large signs beside the highway advertised Hot Sulphur Springs, Winter Park Ski Resort, and Rocky Mountain National Park.

Ty slowed to turn down a narrow dirt road lined with trees and bushes on either side. The vehicle bumped, swayed, and climbed along an ever-narrowing lane. They came around one final bend before he eased the car to a stop. In the time it took him to put the gearshift in park and shut off the engine, all she could do was stare out the windshield.

In absolute wonder at what had appeared before her.

******

Please join me here tomorrow for Part Two of Home For Christmas. Until then, for more about me and the stories I write, including a few for free download, visit my WEBSITE

It’s Here! … so now what? by Margo Hoornstra

As many of you who read these pages know, On The Surface, Book 1 in my Brothers In Blue series and first romantic suspense, releases worldwide on September 29, 2017. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, KOBO, you name the book outlet and, thanks to The Wild Rose Press, I – rather, On The Surface – will be there. For all the world to see!

So how, exactly, does one go about getting the world to…well…see it?

Tweets, FaceBook posts and well-run blog tours help some. But, what else could I do to get the word out I wondered? Then an idea arrived at my door. Literally. The local shopping guide. Of the paper and ink variety. Circulation of a few hundred thousand.

When my first book came out in 2009, and having been a communications and public relations specialist in my former life, the press release was my go to promotional device. I’d sent one to them at that time they were happy to publish. Why not try again?

There’s only one problem. I’ve always been good at promoting others and their message. When it comes to tooting my own horn, not so much.

The whole who, what, where, when, why and how comes easily enough. The facts and a bit of a tease. Like this.

On The Surface, Book 1 in the Brothers In Blue series, is the latest book release from local author Margo Hoornstra. Available in both electronic and print formats at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, KOBO and other venues where books are sold, On The Surface is the story of one man’s revenge turned to redemption.

Then to add insight into the story. Using the entire blurb would be a bit much, don’t you think? With a general audience and all, better to keep it generic, and definitely PG.

Brad Collins is a bounty hunter more by necessity than choice. Determined to bring in the felon who ruined his life, he’s soon neck deep in a different situation he never saw coming.

Keep them reading with a little more to come...on.

On The Force, Book 2 of the Brothers In Blue series, is set to release in the fall of 2018.

Personalize with a touch of bio.

A city girl turned country woman, Margo enjoys hikes around the wide open spaces of her home, hates to cook and loves to read. With the kids and grandkids near, she and her husband reside in Potterville.

Now for a catchy headline. How about one of these?

All Romantic Suspense Fans! Listen Up!

(Maybe too in your face catchy, huh?)

Attention, Fans of Romantic Suspense.

(Meh)

Fans of Romantic Suspense, Don’t Miss This!

(There I go. Too in your face again.)

How about the simple.

Latest Book Released by Local Author.

Short, sweet, to the point…and done.

So, what do you think? Should I send it in?

My days to blog here are the 11^th and 23^rd. For more about me and my stories, please visit my WEBSITE

Oh, almost forgot, the one thing you can't do in print promo is provide the BUYLINK 

Now, it's really done.

RWA2017: Lesson One – Give Them What They Crave by Margo Hoornstra

In my August 11^th appearance on this page, I talked about attending the 37^th Annual Conference of Romance Writers of America. Despite some pro and con controversy about the value of membership in this organization, in my opinion, the group does strive to support romance authors in their craft and their career, from those just emerging and pre-published to multi-published masters. Many commenters on August 11^th asked me to share what I learned in some of the many workshops.

So let’s begin….

In all the sessions on the craft of writing, the message was the same. Emotion is the takeaway readers seek, especially from a romance novel. They want to be invested, to feel or empathize with the characters. Maybe relive a treasured memory through the story.

The first workshop I attended was Seducing Your Readers in Chapter 1, presented by Michael Hauge.

The tease and bio go something like this…

Salvaging a novel with a weak opening is next to impossible. Never try to “grab” your reader at the beginning of your novel. You must seduce them, draw them into your world, create empathy for your heroine, set the tone for your story, introduce immediate conflict, lay the groundwork for your heroine’s arc, and foreshadow what lies ahead. This presentation will reveal how to compel your readers to keep turning the page.

Michael Hauge is a story consultant, author, and lecturer who has consulted on projects for every major Hollywood studio, including films starring Will Smith, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lopez, Kirsten Dunst, Robert Downey Jr., and Morgan Freeman. He is the author of Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds, and has presented his lectures and workshops to more than 50,000 writers and filmmakers around the world.

My initial decision to sit in on this one was mainly prompted an author friend who exclaimed how attending a presentation of his a few years ago was so eye opening for her, it changed her writing life forever. You could say I bought into her enthusiasm, the emotion she projected.

Suffice it to say, I wasn’t disappointed.

One element of writing he shared, I’d heard before. In framing characters, a writer needs to begin with the wound. An event or ongoing painful situation she believes she’s over, that still determines her behavior.

The hero, of course, needs to come to understand this, and her.

According to Mr. Hauge, the primary reason a manuscript fails to resonate with editors, and therefore receives a rejection slip, is because the hero and heroine have no real reason to be together, except for the fact the writer wants them to be.

Kind of like – I love you because we are in this book together. Not very compelling, or interesting.

My main takeaway from the session is the core of the following paragraph.

The reason the hero is the heroine’s destiny is because he’s the only guy who sees her beneath her identity and connects with her at her essence. He sees her true self and connects to her on that level.

Did your heart beat a little faster? A contented sigh emerge? Me too!

The need for a deep and unique connection between two souls is a dynamic that has stayed with me, one that I’ll think about, and try to inject into my writing in every interaction between my hero and heroine.

Emotion. Deep, heartfelt emotion.

Hopefully, mission accomplished in my September 29, 2017 release On the Surface.

It’s available for pre-order here.

My days to blog at The Roses of Prose are the 11^th and 23^rd. For more about me and my stories, please visit me at my website

Sharing Some More Good News by Margo Hoornstra

The other day I had another dream come true. One I shared here, briefly, last month. I’ve been asked to be part of an upcoming box set of stories. Romance, of course, with a heat level of 3 out of 5, that centers around LaBonne Chance Casino in Victory, New York located a stone’s throw from Niagara Falls.

The tentative title of the boxed set is: All In For Love, a Lucky 7 Anthology.

For Money Or Love is the title of my contribution.

Release Date:  June 1, 2017

Pre-Order Date:  May 15, 2017

Here’s a teaser to get you interested…

She’s one woman he can’t afford to lose

Mega-millionaire Daniel Winston Montgomery lives to work at his prosperous software company.  Scrimping to survive as a child, money means everything to Dan. He’ll do whatever it takes to preserve his wealth and the security it provides his mother and younger siblings. His brilliant top assistant, Lindsey Carr, is essential to his firm’s continued success. He has no problem sharing the fruits of their combined labors with her. Though, truth be told, he needs Lindsey far more than he she needs him…

Computer brainiac Lindsey Carr wants more out of life than her prestigious, well-paying job. She’s tired of being no more than boring tech support in a well-run software enterprise and craves a little excitement. Convinced Dan and his company will survive—and thrive—just fine without her, she tenders her resignation. After all, Dan has never required more from her than her superior analytical skills. Well, except for that one time she won’t let herself think about…

Unwilling to let Lindsey go, Dan must fight to keep her in his life. In a clash of priorities, will he choose money…or love?

 

 

Plus a little taste of what’s in store…

“That’s Daniel Winston Montgomery?”

Lindsey Carr swiveled her head around so fast she could have been in contention for the lead in a remake of The Exorcist. She really needed to quit with an over the top reaction each time she heard his name. “What?”

“On the cover of this magazine.” Good friend Anne Hamilton sat on the other side of Lindsey’s dining room table. She held up the latest issue of Today’s Tech, a monthly bible for software and programming enthusiasts. “Isn’t this handsome creature your boss?”

“Yes.” Her stomach did its customary little back flip as the near life sized head shot stared back at her. Familiar deep brown eyes, well-chiseled and perfectly aligned features. Strong, Romanesque  jaw and soft lips that sent delicious memories through her she was better off to forget. “That’s him.”

Anne considered Dan’s picture again. “Lucky you. Not only is he a mega-millionaire, the man is nothing less than drop dead gorgeous.”

He is much better looking in person.

An air of vague disinterest always served Lindsey well at work. Doubting a similar performance would play so well with one of her closest confidants, she brought it out anyway. “I haven’t had a chance to read the article. What’s he done now?”

A long time elementary school teacher, Anne was used to providing specific information when asked. She set the thick magazine down to flip through its pages. “He was elected, or is it appointed? Anyway, he’s Man of the Year in the techno world.”

The prestigious honor was news to Lindsey. She pretended it wasn’t. “He’s the keynote speaker at their national convention being held here in Victory at our own La Bonne Chance casino in a couple of weeks.”

“That’s what the article says. They brought the conference here in his honor.”

Rita Wright walked in from the bathroom. “I brought that to show Lindsey.”

Anne adjusted her black, oblong shaped glasses and started to read. “The man is a pioneer in server diagnostics and capacity planning.” She glanced up at Lindsey. “Whatever that means.”

“He developed cutting edge software that lets IT staff in a business see all of their processes in one place and measures how well each of their systems are working at one time.”

“I see.”

Lindsey doubted she did, but chose not to go there. “It’s pretty complex.”

Retaking her seat, Rita beckoned for the slick booklet Anne handed over then spread it carefully on the table in front of her. Fingers tipped with perfectly shaped artificial nails polished a bright shiny red smoothed over the glossy pages. “Why read some boring write up when there’s so much eye candy to enjoy?”

Lindsey circled the stem of her wine glass with suddenly unsteady fingers. The white gold liquid swirled and winked as she brought it to her mouth. Did this friend have a direct line to my thoughts?

She’d skimmed the four page spread when Rita first brought it to her attention, looked at the pictures. In addition to the cover, the eye candy referred to consisted of two other decent sized photos. One was a head to wing tips shot of her boss in a well cut business suit, dress shirt and tie standing on the steps of the New York Stock Exchange. The other was of a man in action variety. No tie in sight, navy checkered sport shirt opened at the neck—two buttons down—and sleeves rolled up to his elbows. With jeans rather than dress slacks riding beneath his belt.

The way Lindsey was used to seeing him. How, she knew for a fact, he preferred to dress.

She took a larger than necessary swig of wine. Suppressing a small cough, she lowered her chin and winced. The potent liquid burned a narrow trajectory down her throat to the center of her chest before dribbling in a warm stream to her stomach.

“A man’s man.” Rita glanced up at her two friends then back at Dan.

The yearning in her tone ran across Lindsey’s third nerve like those fingernails of hers dragged down a chalk board. Teeth gritted, she scolded herself for the insensitivity. With the looks to back it up, her friend was a notorious flirt. One reason—probably the main reason—men rarely took her seriously. Also no doubt why the woman who maintained a full social calendar man wise, hadn’t had a steady boyfriend in the entire time Lindsey had known her.

Regardless, given the nature of the comment she figured some response was required. “I wouldn’t necessarily say that.”

Rita tore a speculative gaze away from the magazine to glance up at her again. “No. It’s the caption under the picture.”

Fighting for casual, Lindsey set down her wine. “Seems a tad chauvinistic.”

“Man’s man.” Rita emitted a deep scoff that ended on a chuckle of pure evil. “What a bunch of crap. With those come to mama looks and that hard, tight body. He’s hands down a woman’s man.” Her hovering fingers twitched. “And would this woman love to get her hands on him.”

 

*****

 

 

More to come...

 

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