30 (!) years ago, I celebrated the release of my very first book, SWEET TEMPEST, a historical romance set in the Regency era, written under the pen name Lauren Giddings. There were balloons and chocolates at signings at Barnes & Noble and B.Dalton (RIP!) with my Mom and family (the youngest of my two sons I delivered on the same day I got to see my cover flats for the first time in the hospital!) and a reporter from the local paper. It was a BIG deal. After 72 more releases . . . it still doesn't get old!!
SWEET TEMPEST is Baaaack! With a fresh edit, a gorgeous cover and a new publisher, Tell-Tale Publishing, and I couldn't be more excited by the chance to re-visit and (re)introduce the characters.
I'm sharing an excerpt that lays out the hero and heroine's relationship through her younger brother's disapproving eyes. Not much slips by that boy . . .
Eddie remained, silent and disapproving at her side, feigning resistance when she put an arm about his shoulders.
"I don't like this, Este," he said in a rush, "and I don’t trust him to keep his word.”
"Eddie, I've nothing to fear from Mr. Amberson."
"He ain't no gentleman!"
"I didn't say he was, but I do trust him and know he'd do me no harm, so please don't worry so," she pleaded, holding tightly to him. "If he can keep us from having to steal to stay alive, then you should thank him, not curse him."
"I don't like how he looks at you," he grumbled, "all hungry-like, the way the coves ogle the fancy women . . . I don't think he's . . . safe."
She laughed to ease his fears, though she knew he had cause. "Little brother, you don't like any man to look at me, but I can't hide in britches all my life."
"Well, you don't have to look back," he muttered, "'cause he ain't the only one who looks hungry."
Nothing like a fresh coat of paint to make something old new again and bring it back to life!
Happy Writing fellow Warriors! I'm off for the Tucson Festival of Books and some vacay (with my WIP, of course!)
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Oh, I love the idea of a protective younger brother. Usually it's the older brother we see in that position. Very cute! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jessica. He's mature-ish for his age.
DeleteLove his observation about her. Little brother isn't so little. Without dumping, you share a lot of their history in that short segment. Nice. Wishing you much success with this re-release.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Di! It was great revisiting the characters.
DeleteSeems like she's very level headed but the brother also has a good take on the situation! Enjoyed the excerpt...
ReplyDeleteThank you! They grew up without the luxury of being children. But she still has dreams. . .
DeleteOh my gosh, how exciting to be re-releasing this book! You've had quite an incredible career, Nancy. Really enjoyed this snippet, too! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julie! It doesn't seem like that long ago . . . or anywhere near the end.
DeleteHappy anniversary/re-release! And I think he's onto something there...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy! Sharp cookie, that boy!
DeleteLove the juxtaposition of the two covers. Tastes certainly have changed! Great snippet. Leave it to the kids to tell it like it is.
ReplyDeleteChanged for the better, I'm thinking. That first cover was waaaay too traditional for the content.
DeleteLove the banter between the siblings. Enjoyed your video too!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen! Glad you watched.
DeleteHaha, little brother doesn’t miss a thing!
ReplyDeleteNo moss gathering there!
DeletePlenty of hunger to go around. lol
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the re-release. Thanks for sharing that memory. I love that you said it doesn't get old. :-)
Thanks, Teresa. Seems like yesterday . . . until I see how old my grandson is!
DeleteCongratulations on your re-release! The guy on your new cover looks like a young Mark Harmon--hot stuff! Loved Eddie's "tell-it-like-it-is" frankness. Observant brothers are the bane of sisters' love lives! Great snippet!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenna! But if she'd listened to him, it would have been a novella!
DeleteI like the younger brother. I bet he has a good take on the situation. Congrats on the re-release.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the re-release - 72 releases! Wow. I am amazed.
ReplyDeleteLittle brother is having a hard time with sister growing up.
I agree with Jenna - the male on the cover does look like a young Mark Harmon - and that is a good thing!
Tweeted.
The kid has a point. One hungry person is dangerous. But mutual hunger? That's when things really happen!
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats! That's so cool--good books never go out of style. :)
Lovely book trailer! How cool to be able to "recycle" your debut novel. I guess that's an advantage of writing historical romance--Regency is still Regency, whereas contemporary ceases to be contemporary after a few years. I've added this one to my "Want to Read" list.
ReplyDelete