28 January 2012

Sweet Saturday Sample 28-1

I just want to thank everyone who visits me on Sweet Saturday Samples and to say how much I appreciate your comments.

This week I am sharing a sample from my Valentine story His Chosen Bride, to be released by Astraea Press.  When I wrote my current release, From Now Until Forever I didn't expect it to turn out to be the first of four stories about the Gasquet Princes, but then the characters 'insisted'!
His Chosen Bride is Prince Henri's story.

She lost track of time until the flames caught her attention once more. They flickered from orange to gold, to silver, to white.



A flurry of snowflakes masked the flames and for a second Monica watched the most beautiful, pristine snow-scene she’d ever seen. Her lips curved in longing. How she’d love to get a toboggan and slide down that slope. She knew where it was, and had done just that many times in her childhood, first with her parents and then, in clandestine manner, with her brother. Sneaking an old tin tray from the back of her mother’s walk-in pantry, she’d then grabbed Billy’s hand and they’d rushed out the back gate, heading for the lakeside track that led up into the hills.


Darkness, dense and thick with grief dropped over the scene. Startled and disconcerted by the strength of emotion emanating from the vision Monica shifted to her knees, ready to stand, when a voice, a deep male voice, sharp with fear called out her name.


“Monica!”


She knew she’d never heard the voice before, and yet—it was as familiar to her as the image she saw in her mirror each morning.


“Help me, Monica.”


Desperate for more clues, she searched the darkness within the flames until it sputtered and faded. With a curse she jumped up and ran for the phone. With her outstretched hand hovering over it she halted and let her hand drop to her side once more. What could she say? What would the police or rescue team think of her if she called them and told them she’d seen a vision of a man in distress?


They’d laugh in her face and classify her as a lunatic. Well, maybe not. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d contacted them with positive information but something—an instinctive gut reaction told her what she’d seen this time hadn’t happened yet.

20 comments:

K. M. Springsteen said...

Love it when those characters demand to be heard. What a great and abrupt change from lovely to scary to mysterious...

Anonymous said...

Ooh, nice! Intriguing sample I would love to read more of. Always enjoy your snippets, Sherry!

Jean Joachim Books said...

Love your work and yet again you leave me wanting to know what's coming. Will she be able to prevent this? I'll have to get the book, I guess. Beautifully done, Sherry.

Jenna said...

Great teaser! I get such a good idea of her character from this snippet. And the description of the flames is wonderfully done. But will she convince someone to help her? Can't wait to find out!

Sandra Allen said...

I honestly believe our characters take us where they want to go. Great story!

Sherry Gloag said...

:-) Thanks Kay.

Sherry Gloag said...

Thanks Jennifer. :-)

Sherry Gloag said...

Jean, this was added to the 1st TT piece I did. (prompt 'fire') See now why it's dedicated as it is?

Sherry Gloag said...

Ah Jenna, thank you for your kind words. His Chosen Bride will be out int time for Valentine's Day!

Sherry Gloag said...

Sandra, my characters agree with every word you say! LOL.

Lisa Beth said...

Very nicely done and I love the way you left it. Very mysterious. Thanks for sharing with us today!

Lindsay said...

Don't you just hate those demanding characters wanting their own story.
Love the scene here and can't wait for the book to release

Sherry Gloag said...

Thanks for your kind words Lisa Beth

Sherry Gloag said...

Can't disagree with you Lindsay, -but I'm whispering so they don't hear me!)

Elaine Cantrell said...

Very intriguing, and I love the way you ended it.

Sarah Ballance said...

I LOVE this! And this line is amazing:
Darkness, dense and thick with grief dropped over the scene.

diannehartsock said...

She sees a man in distress? I love stories like these! Absolutely have to see what happens from here. :)

Sherry Gloag said...

:-) Thanks Elaine.

Sherry Gloag said...

Awe, glad you liked this Sarah, thanks for your kind words.

Sherry Gloag said...

:-) Thanks for coming by Dianne. Glad you like this clip.