18 February 2012

Sweet Saturday Sample

Thanks to everyone who visits me on Sweet Saturday Samples and I truly appreciate your comments. 
After diverting further into the story to give you a real Valentine smaple last week, I am hopping back to Henri's reappraisal of his enforced holiday at his brother and sister-in-law's riding school for disabled children.

The simplicity of Christmas at the farm had appealed to Henri. The joy of seeing it through the eyes of his three-month-old nephew, Jonathan, intrigued him, and brought a new magic and meaning to the day. Yes, they’d exchanged presents and stuffed themselves motionless with the awesome food Melanie prepared. It was, he knew, a Christmas that would ever remain as one of his most precious memories.

He’d expected to chafe at the lack of a filled schedule. Had wondered what he’d do with himself during this enforced period of inactivity, and laughed at the absurdity.

True, for the first few days, the disruption of his life, coupled with the re-entry of Monica into his orbit, stoked both his fury and sense of disconnection. Used to a life of routine with every moment accounted for, it took several days to acclimatise to the rhythm of the farm.

The sight of his brother’s joy filled him with an unknown sense of yearning he couldn’t identify. Heck, his life was all mapped out for him. One day he’d step into his father’s shoes, marry the woman his parents chose for him, sire the required heir and a spare, and—

His steps faltered, and he reflected back over the last few weeks, since his arrival.

27 comments:

Jean Joachim Books said...

I love this story! Somehow living the life he should has lost it's appeal. Can't wait to read more. Great excerpt, Sherry, and as usual, beautifully written.

Tmonique Stephens said...

I love the flow of you words. The excerpt pulled me into the story. I want to more.

Sandy Nachlinger said...

It's fun reading about what happens when someone's life is disrupted. The fact that Henri stops and contemplates the change tells us a lot about him and his life. Good writing.

Unknown said...

Beautifully written, Sherry! I like Henri's frustration with the different pace of farm life, and I love how you showed us that Christmas is gaining more of its magic because of his new nephew. Great sample!

Sarah Ballance said...

This is beautifully introspective, Sherry! I love how the "simple" things are touching him. ;c)

Elaine Cantrell said...

Oh, Henri is changing his mind about things! I love this.

Sherry Gloag said...

Thanks for your kind words, Jean. You are always so supportive, I appreciate it.

Sherry Gloag said...

Thanks Tmonique Stephens, I appreciate your feedback.

Sherry Gloag said...

Sandy, to a large degree you can take credit for this scene, as I wrote it in after one of your comments when I posted the office scene with henri's father. I'm glad this works for you, and thank you too, for givingme a better insight to his reactions to being made to leave his busy life.

Sherry Gloag said...

Thanks Gwendolyn, comment from this wonderful group helped me write this scene.

Sherry Gloag said...

Bless, Sarah, given his previous lifestyle I felt only the 'simple' would 'reach' him.

Sherry Gloag said...

:-) Thanks for your kind words, Elaine.

Lindsay said...

I love this story and how everything flows smoothly

Kim Bowman Author said...

OMG! Love the cover, love the opening line. The simplicity of Christmas...AWESOME! A MUST READ FOR SURE!!

Patricia Kiyono said...

I love this - a fish out of water story, with a twist! I'd love to see how he adjusts. Nice sample.

Jenna said...

Being around someone else's happiness can make you re-evaluate your own. Looks like Henri may be having second thoughts about that planned life--good! Beautiful sample, Sherry.

Carrie-Anne said...

I love this sample, and the effect of the forced change of scenery on Henri. There's just something about farm/country living that has that kind of effect on people who are used to a different kind of lifestyle.

Sherry Gloag said...

Thanks for your kind words, Lindsay

Sherry Gloag said...

Hasn't Tishia done an amazing job with this cover, Kim, and against so many odds, too.
Thanks for your kind words.

Sherry Gloag said...

rofl Patricia, what else can I say? :-) Keep on reading!!

Sherry Gloag said...

Thanks Jenna, I'm so delighted this scene is meeting with such approval. Thanks for coming by.

Sherry Gloag said...

Carrie-Anne, you have it in a nutshell about the countryside. Thanks for coming by.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful sample! Love the emotion.

diannehartsock said...

Relax and enjoy it, Henri. Sounds ideal, to me. :)

Sherry Gloag said...

Thanks Jennifer, glad you enjoyed this.

Sherry Gloag said...

:-) Dianne, thanks for popping in.

Unknown said...

This is such a wonderful story.