Finally, back from Arizona and the awesome Tucson Festival of Books that caused me to miss last week’s post (hard to write when surrounded by wandering bagpipes, 800+ booths and 130,000 of your close personal friends in 91-degree heat! Waving to Ed who stopped by to visit with me and Elizabeth Alsobrooks). After dropping into bed when I got home from work Friday to sleep a solid 14 hours (!), I’m ready to get back to the keyboard, promoting my current title PRINCE OF POWER and to dive back into chapter four of the next up in the series, PRINCE OF FOOLS. Today’s excerpt is from PoP with an introduction to the hero and heroine in PoF as lovelorn Rico pines over Mia, the woman who’s come between him and his brother, spurning the advice of ever-wise bartender, Amber who knows what’s good for him in more ways than one.
Rico returned to his barstool to scan the club’s interior, his disappointment evident, finding a drink in front of him along with a sympathetic smile for a chaser.
“Word of advice?”
“Keep it to yourself,” he grumbled, wondering what bothered him more—that Mia was gone, or that she’d probably gone after someone else when he’d looked forward to her athletic exuberance to expel the complexities of his mood. He wasn’t a complicated guy, and his king and queen’s intrigues twisted him up into uncomfortable knots. He took a bitter swallow from his glass and glared up at the annoyingly non-judgmental Amber, demanding, “What?”
“If you try to push between those two, you’ll get crushed.”
“Says you,” he mumbled, feeling that pinch already.
“From the altar of the Church of Broken Hearts,” she offered with a smile, her hand pressed briefly over his. “Can I get an Amen?”
He glowered until she turned to another customer then muttered to himself, “Amen.”
Why do some guys always go after the unattainable, missing the obvious right in front of them? Sigh. Poor Rico’s got a lot heartbreak ahead of him, and this volatile triangle spurs much of the angst and emotion in PRINCE OF POWER that carries over from Book 2 to Book 3. Enjoy watching the sparks fly between two heroes who follow very different drummers in my new title now available in all formats.
Obsessed with an enemy - the only female to ever walk away from him . . .
Colin . . . Prince in the House of Terriot
Brawny, cynical negotiator for his clan, Colin Terriot sees a move to New Orleans as an escape from a painful past and his reputation as a legendary lover. What he didn't expect was to fall hard for a rival spy, the female who tricked and betrayed him by leaving his bed for his brother's. Now, he now must work with her, up close and personal, as the envoy for her clan. Things are about to heat up.
Determined to have him - even if having him means losing all . . .
Mia . . . Strong-willed Guedry heir
Denied her rightful legacy, Mia Guedry plans to stake her claim over the bodies of those who killed her family. But best laid plans fall before her desire for the one male she can't resist, the one who will never trust her once burned by her necessary deceptions. Saving her Terriot prince from plans already in motion may cost more than her inheritance . . . the price could be her life.
“Get ready for fifty shades of tall, dark and deliciously dangerous with Colin Terriot, the hottest shifter yet! Five Stars!” – Book Bling
“Hold onto your heart (& your panties, ladies!) . . . the Terriot princes are back! Things are heating up in New Orleans in this powerful story of obsession, betrayal and revenge. Intricately woven plot lines and complex characters carry PRINCE OF POWER to a block buster revelation in another Page Burning Must Read! Five Hearts!” – Cross My Heart Reviews
Time to unpack my suitcases and put my sandals away for at least a few more months as snow and ice collects here in Michigan. Thinking back fondly to last weekend and our Tell-Tale Publishing booth in AZ (here with author Francesca Quarto and author/publisher Elizabeth Alsobrooks aka Book Bling).
Think warm thoughts, fellow WWW friends and happy writing!!
Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.
Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.
Obsessed with an enemy - the only female to ever walk away from him . . .
Colin . . . Prince in the House of Terriot
Brawny, cynical negotiator for his clan, Colin Terriot sees a move to New Orleans as an escape from a painful past and his reputation as a legendary lover. What he didn't expect was to fall hard for a rival spy, the female who tricked and betrayed him by leaving his bed for his brother's. Now, he now must work with her, up close and personal, as the envoy for her clan. Things are about to heat up.
Determined to have him - even if having him means losing all . . .
Mia . . . Strong-willed Guedry heir
Denied her rightful legacy, Mia Guedry plans to stake her claim over the bodies of those who killed her family. But best laid plans fall before her desire for the one male she can't resist, the one who will never trust her once burned by her necessary deceptions. Saving her Terriot prince from plans already in motion may cost more than her inheritance . . . the price could be her life.
“Hold onto your heart (& your panties, ladies!) . . . the Terriot princes are back! Things are heating up in New Orleans in this powerful story of obsession, betrayal and revenge. Intricately woven plot lines and complex characters carry PRINCE OF POWER to a block buster revelation in another Page Burning Must Read! Five Hearts!” – Cross My Heart Reviews
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Think warm thoughts, fellow WWW friends and happy writing!!
Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.
Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.
Why is it that we always ignore excellent advice. At least it makes good reading :-)
ReplyDeleteNicely done, Nancy.
Thanks, Kim!! We always think we have a better idea . . . not.
DeleteI love Amber! What a character! Great snippet. Can't wait to read more. Returning from AZ to snow and bitter cold is a shock. It's supposed to be Spring, already.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Di. It's been a while since I've written a sensible heroine and I'm enjoying her. Don't get me started on the difference between AZ and MI (least of all Daylight Savings and the theft on an hour's sleep!)
DeletePoor Rico! Though I have a feeling Amber will be able to help him get over Mia.
ReplyDeleteMia's just the tip of the iceberg of troubles . . .
DeleteAs he watches love walk out the door, another love waits in the wings? (or behind the bar). Good for him.
ReplyDeleteAnd it will only get better.
DeleteSometimes we don't see what is right in front of us. Perhaps his pride is hurt, more than his heart?
ReplyDeleteA very wise suspicion.
DeleteNothing like a wise bartender to set you straight. Maybe she can do even more!
ReplyDeleteI think that's her plan!
DeleteThere's a whole novel in a nutshell in the snippet! Loved it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Veronica. I wish it would write itself that quickly!
DeleteInteresting interchange. It's got me wondering why she's so insistent. Does she find him attractive, or is she the spy mentioned in the blurb?
ReplyDeleteAlso, it was great to meet you in the flesh.
Rather sunburned flesh for one not used to your AZ clime! Oh, I think it's attraction!
DeleteLove the wise bartender. I think there just may be a bit of attraction on her part anyway. Can't wait to find out more.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen. More than just a bit . . .
DeleteThis line is outstanding! “From the altar of the Church of Broken Hearts,” Who hasn't been to THAT church?
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you got to meet up with other WWWs! Nice pic of your three--and you got to meet Ed, too. Makes me smile!
Thanks, Teresa!! Been there but at least I don't have a regular pew! And Ed looks just like his picture!!
DeleteI loved the altar of the broken hearts line. Really good.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elaine. Set 'em, Joe.
DeleteYeah, I get the feeling he's not going to follow that advice...
ReplyDeleteSigh . . . Heroes, whatcha gonna do?
DeleteFantastic dialogue, as always, especially this line: “If you try to push between those two, you’ll get crushed.” Loved it!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy! If only he'd listened . . .
DeleteSome lessons you learn the heard way--and it seems like heartbreak is one of the things we chase, even when warned!
ReplyDeleteThey always go after the wrong woman! So frustrating, and not just in novels. Sigh. I hope he finally gets his head out of his butt and listens to Amber.
ReplyDelete