That's YAmore Blogfest

Hi everyone -- thanks so much for coming by my submission for Oasis for YA's That's YAmore Blogfest.  We're really excited to be hosting this for the second year in a row.  In short, you can hop through the participating blogs and read 250 words of steamy YA romance from our WIPs. Hopefully, these excerpts will put you in the Valentine's Day spirit.

So without further ado, here's a romance scene I've been dying to write. Now, it just needs a novel.  :)  (Sorry I'm a *little* over my word allotment.)

“Come on.” He clasps my hand and tugs me forward. When we step through the squeaky screen door onto the porch, I’m hit by a wall of moist and humid air. The rain is falling so hard now, it’s a deafening staccato. I feel like I’m breathing in mist and already I want to turn around and bolt back into the A/C.

“But it’s pouring.” Like he needs me to state the obvious. Still, I feel compelled to point out - again - exactly why a walk is not a good idea right now.

“You may be sweet,” he says, while fitting his baseball cap over my head, “but you’re not gonna melt. I promise.”

And with that, he pulls me off the porch and we’re running across the yard. I’m shrieking as the rain drops pelt against my body, quickly soaking my t-shirt and plastering it to my skin. I have to use my free hand to keep his hat from blowing away, but I feel like every other part of me has been set free. The rain washes away my nerves and my fear until there’s nothing but us.

We splash through the mini-lakes that are quickly forming along the streets and weave our way to the park. I don’t know why we’re running anymore. We’re already soaked. But there’s a thrill in racing together, hand-in-hand, as we charge toward the park.

When we reach the center of the soccer field, he stops and twirls me around like we’ve been dancing. The rain is so cool against my face and I never want to stop spinning. Stepping away from him, I place both my hands out, palms up, and twirl inside the storm. I don’t care that his hat falls off, or that rain is running like a river down my neck. Each drop that plays against my cheeks and fingertips is a sensation I’m not sure I’ll ever get enough of. 

I spin until I’m so dizzy I can barely stand. In a final whirl, I crash into his chest and we’re both laughing. As he crushes me against him, we’re so close I can feel every rise and fall of his chest against mine.

“Kiss me, Kira,” he breathes. Before I find a reason to say no, his lips press into mine. They’re cool and wet and my knees tremble when he pulls away, only to suck a raindrop from my lower lip. My hands find his sopping hair. Water tickles between my fingers as I grab a fistful and pull him back to me. 

Our soaked clothes press together until I swear I can almost feel his skin. But it’s not enough. I want more.

The rain is our curtain. We’re invisible here in broad daylight. Free to let our hands explore, our lips collide, our heartbeats sync as we share the first kiss that’s been way too long in coming. When he finally slows our kiss, I feel dizzier than I did after my spin. Happier than I’ve felt in years. And I wish for rain every day this summer, just so we can share more walks like this. 

When you're done, be sure to stop by the rest of the blogs. I'm sure you're in for a treat!

Worst Pick Up Lines

So, we all had a blast with the That's YAmore blogfest and got in the mood for romance.  But now the holiday is over, and I decided I'd give Beth Fred's Anti-Valentine's Day Blogfest a go (for all you V-day haters out there).

The rules are simple: post a worst date or worst Valentine's story.  If you don't have one, make one up.  Then visit at least 3 of the other blogs on the tour.  Simple, no?

I must be incredibly fortunate because I don't really have a worst date story I can recall.  I do have a couple of absolutely horrid pick-up lines I can share though.

1.  Guy comes up to me at a bar and tells me I look just like his dead ex-fiance.  (All I can think is, please God, don't let him be the reason she's dead.)

2.  Guy comes up to me at a party and literally jabs a key into my side.  "Does this turn you on?" he asks.
"What? No." I answer.
He shrugs.  "It works on some people."
Me: "It probably works on some cars too.  Loser."  Okay, so I added the loser part now, but seriously... he obviously was, right?

So what's the worst pick-up line you've ever gotten (or used!)?

That's YAmore Blogfest Entry

Thanks for stopping by!  I'm nervous about this one.  Other than sharing the summary and first five pages, Nikki and I haven't publicly shared anything in Beneath the Surface . *gulp*

This is a scene I wrote (and of course, Nikki edited) after attending a concert with my husband.  I wanted these emotions for Wren so badly after that night that I just had to write this scene into the story.  Here, we find Wren and Chase (the two main characters) on a spontaneous date.  They've decided to drop into the restaurant where Chase's sister, Cass, is performing.  The place is packed with tourists, making the summer night in Michigan unseasonably balmy.

After Cass went back to tuning, Chase and I ordered some warm apple pie a la mode and waited. We angled our chairs to face the stage, Chase scooting in close beside me and stretching his arm across my back. The room already felt sticky without his added body heat, but I didn’t mind. I leaned my head onto his shoulder while Cass turned the microphone on.

“Good evening everyone.” The room hushed as all eyes turned to Cass. She seemed to radiate under the inspection of so much admiration. “It’s good to see so many folks in for the boat show. I’d like to get the evening started with a song for my brother and his lovely girlfriend.” Chase tightened his arm around me and leaned in to kiss my temple. “This one’s called ‘Set Down Your Glass.’” 

Her fingers plucked at the strings, releasing soft cords like a lullaby. I could’ve sunk into weightlessness there in Chase’s arms, buoyed only by music and his touch. As we sat there blanketed in her song, even with a thin sheen of sweat sticking my bangs against my forehead, I felt truly beautiful ... knew I was the most beautiful person in the room, not because it was true, but because Chase thought it was. I didn’t have to look at him to know he saw me, admired me, and just wanted to be with me.

Cass’s voice tangled inside my head, like she truly sang only for us. And in that moment, I was complete.

I'd love to know what you think!  And don't forget to check out the other entries in the Oasis for YA That's YAmore blogfest and share the love.

Viva La Romance!

I've been busy helping my daughter's make their class Valentines, which has me in the spirit of red & pink, hearts & cupids. It has me dreaming of dinner overlooking the Eiffel tower and long walks down the beach.  If you're like me and ready to shed the winter doldrums in favor of some sizzling romance, I invite you to join in Oasis for YA's "That's YAmore Blogfest" -- starting this Friday!

Bloggers/authors benefit by participating because new readers will find their site.  Readers benefit because they'll find up-and-coming authors to follow before they get famous (exciting!).  Here's how it works:

Starting the Friday before Valentine's Day (that's February 11th), we invite you to post 250 romantic, swoon-worthy words from your YA WIP.  Then check out the entries from some of the other participants.  (Just be sure you have a fan and/or a cold glass of water on hand.)  We know your Valentine will appreciate you getting yourself in a romantic state of mind...

To sign up, follow these easy-peasy directions:

1.  Enter your blog name in the Mr. Linky (on the Oasis for YA blogfest page - link here)
2.  Get your post ready now and set the posting date to 12:01 AM on Feb. 11th (that way you won't forget)
3.  Please don't post any erotica or pornography - this is YA!!


25 bloggers have already signed up -- you're next!  (And if you don't have a WIP piece you're ready to share... please spread the love on Twitter, Facebook and/or your blog. Feel free to grab our badge.)  Thanks!!  We look forward to seeing you there.

Crazy Holiday Blogfest - more DESTINED

Christine over at Christine's Journey is hosting a Crazy Holiday Blogfest today.  The rules are simple: post up to 250 words of any holiday you've written about.  It doesn't have to be Christmas or even a winter holiday.

Here's the quick background on this excerpt from DESTINED.  This is a retelling of the Cupid & Psyche myth, set in ancient Greece.  Sadie and Cupid are married, although Sadie still doesn't know his identity and can't see anything except his gorgeous blue eyes past the black cloud-like veil he hides behind.  He only comes to her at night, so she's been sulking her whole birthday since no one in the palace seems to know it's a special day.  The scene picks up when Cupid comes that night.

***

      “Sadie,” he whispered before kissing me deeply. “I missed you today.”

A warm blush rose into my cheeks but I managed to return his gaze. “Me too,” I said, biting my lower lip in a confused attempt to look shy and sultry at the same time.

He ran his fingers through my hair while his eyes studied my face. “I need to know you more,” he said. “I’ve memorized your face, every feature, every eye lash even, but I need more. I want to know what you’re thinking, what you wish for, what makes you who you are.” 

I shook my head in confusion.  

“It’s agony to be away from you all day. The more I know about you, the more I’ll have to remember when I’m gone.” Then he looked at me with playfulness in his eyes. “So tell me everything… over cake.” He kissed me quickly and then extracted a package from the darkness of his clouded form.  

Once he’d untied the string and pulled away the cloth wrapping, I saw an amazing-looking cheesecake. My mouth watered as I stared at the scrumptious treat.  

“Happy eighteenth birthday.”

 “How’d you know?” I asked.

“I figured it was something a good husband ought to remember. You do like cheesecake, don’t you?”

“Who doesn’t?” I hopped up onto the bed, pulling a slice closer so I could begin shoveling the cake. 

But he stopped my hand before I even got the first bite. “Wait… this game has rules.”

I looked at him with narrowed eyes. Since when does eating cheesecake have rules?

I'd love to know your thoughts.  And be sure to check out the other entries that are linked up at Christine's Blog.

DESTINED: the first 250

Since I had so much fun on my last blogfest -- and since I just revamped the first chapter of DESTINED -- Elle Strauss's First 250 Words Blogfest arrived at the perfect time for me.  With pounding heart and sweaty palms, I present the *new* first 239 words of DESTINED.  I'd love to know what you think (and it doesn't have to be nice.  I'll understand.)

       My forehead rested against the wooden shutters in my room as I searched for the courage to push them open. I knew what was waiting for me outside -- and gods -- I didn’t want to go through this again. But I had no choice.  

My admirers were waiting.  

         “It’s time, Sadie.” Maia gave my shoulder a squeeze with her weathered hand. “Might as well get it over with.”

She received my weakest smile in return. Only because she’d practically raised me did I refrain from ordering her out. None of our other servants would dare rush me.  

I stalled by returning to my mirror and fidgeting with the tendril of hair dangling by my cheek. Not that I could’ve improved upon the style. Maia’d put the chestnut curls up in my favorite silver headband herself, which meant they were arranged perfectly. Same for the make-up I noted, rubbing my glossed lips together; flawless as always. I nodded and smoothed out a fold in my tunic. “Fine.”

Maia backed away from the window, inching closer to the mahogany door. Preparing me to face the horde was one thing, but I didn’t allow anyone in my room when I was pandering to the crowd. Not Maia, not my parents, and certainly not my sisters.

      Flinging the shutters apart, I was blasted with sunlight and deafening cheers. I flinched before forcing myself to smile, repulsed by the sound of my own name.

BlogFEAST

It's a blogFEAST - that's right, a blogfest centering around food.  And who among us doesn't love food?  I know the warm cookie-brownie combination I just downed with a big glass of milk is now on my list of things I love in life.

This blogfest is hosted by Angela McAlister at Jaded Love Junkie.  Simply put, to be part of the blogFEAST, you have to do a post about *food*  It could be a scene, a poem, a gratuitous moldy piece of bread.  Just keep it to 500 words or less.  And check out some of the other good folks who've put themselves out there and shared their own food-loving writing with you.

For me, my scene comes from DESTINED.  This YA novel is a retelling of the Cupid & Psyche myth.  The main character, Sadie (formerly Psyche), has just been married to "man" she's never met because a prophecy foretold that she must.  (Ancient Greeks were suspicious like that.)  It also told her the groom would be a monster.  When Sadie arrives at her husband's palace, she's greeted by invisible servants, one of whom (Alexa), quickly befriends her.  This scene is the wedding feast, after Sadie's had time to clean up and meet Alexa, but before she's met her husband (who, of course, is Cupid, but Sadie's not allowed to know that).

**Image from A Cake a Day Blog**

        The banquet hall would have been large enough to hold forty tables and couches, but only one grouping stood in the center. Chandeliers of hammered brass dangled from the ceiling and their thousands of candles danced light across every inch of the room. I paused before crossing the threshold, as if the enormity of it all might suck me in. Alexa nudged me forward to the dining couch.

The room pulsed with life even though I couldn’t see anybody. Tentatively, I reclined across the pillows. I wasn’t used to eating on a couch, since at my home, they were reserved for men. But that’s where Alexa had guided me, so that’s where I sat. 

As I settled in, musicians began playing lyres and flutes. The songs were so much happier than the ones that’d been played during my procession up the hill that morning. Had that really only been a few hours ago?

Plates of food and a goblet of wine floated down and landed on the square table in front of me. I recognized the traditional wedding foods: slices of pomegranate, baskets of bread, honey and sesame seeds. But there was so much more. My invisible servants brought plate after plate of delicacies, each better than the next. As I ate, invisible tumblers swirled ribbons around the room in a hypnotic dance of color.   

When I thought I was too stuffed to continue eating, a miniature cake danced toward me on invisible hands. “Oh, I can’t eat another bite,” I protested.

“You’ve got to try this,” Alexa piped up right behind me. I’d been so engrossed in the food, music and dancing that I’d forgotten Alexa was still with me. “This cake is truly divine.”

Who was I to refuse dessert? “If you insist,” I sighed, forking a huge bite into my mouth. The cake seemed to melt in my mouth. It was sweeter than honeysuckle and dripped with liquid caramel. I rolled my eyes as I indulged.  

When only one bite of the tiny cake was left, I pushed it away. “I can’t eat anymore. I’m about to burst out of this dress,” I said, patting at my full belly.

But my fork rose from the silver plate and stabbed the one remaining bite. “I insist,” Alexa said, pushing the soft dessert between my lips. 

As she set the fork back on the plate, Alexa said, “There now. How’s that for an easy wedding?”

Thanks for dropping by!  Don't forget to check out the other foodies on the blogFEAST.