For this week's SSS - for more details about that see here - I've taken this little snip from the second book of my BEAUMONT BRIDES trilogy, WILD LADY.
When I wrote WILD JUSTICE, I had no notion of writing a trilogy but when my editor read it she said, "Three girls, three books and can I have the first chapter of the second one this week so that I can use it as a teaser in the back of the first book."
Of course. No problem...
Gulp.
I have to tell you, that if I'd known I'd be writing Claudia's story, I'd have made her nicer, which really would have been a shame!
This one has a "heroine in peril" plot, and a self-appointed bodyguard.
Claudia, who could usually reduce a man to stuttering incoherence in less time than it took to say it, was seriously shaken to discover that this man was quite immune to her particular brand of magic.
Insurance?
That was all that bothered him? He wasn't in the least concerned about her health, the fact that she might have broken her neck? Apparently not. As their eyes met across the wreck of her car she received the very strong impression that he was quite prepared to break it himself. Well, the day was still young and if her anonymous correspondent was right, he might yet get his wish; the thought was enough to drive the smile right off her face.
Actually there are seven sentences, but one of them is only one word and that's allowed.
23 comments:
Liz, I love that you had to make Claudia into heroine material when she wasn't initially nice enough! That is the kind of challenge a writer like you can pull off so gorgeously. What a delicious teaser for the book!
Thanks, Lillian. Fizz, Claudia and Melanie have all been damaged by the ghastly Elaine French, but Claudia was the most affected.
I had another damaged heroine in Wedded in a Whirlwind (again from a previous book).
They have the biggest journeys to makes and takes bigger chunk of the writer's heart.
Love the sound of your unexpected heroine!
And I'm really enjoying Elle in Tempted By Trouble atm too :)
I love damaged heroines.
Thanks for much Rachael! And yes, heroines that aren't what you're expecting are always a challenge - in a good way.
Yes, Nell, makes a change from damaged heroes!
Interesting that in such circumstances all she thinks of is the guy's opinion of her. Great insight to her character.
See...Liz, how do you do that? Only a few sentences and I'm already 'in the zone' of your story. Having slaved over my NV entry I'm so in awe that you make it look so easy! Tell me it gets easier with practice :)
Absolutely right, Sherry. She's a glamorous actress, totally used to being the centre of attention. Hero is only interested in the mess she's made of his 4x4 and his aircraft hanger, although he was mad with her long before he met her.
If you want to read the whole of the first chapter, it's at http://thebeaumontbrides.blogspot.com - there is a link on the sidebar.
Hi Mary
Well done on entering NV. Believe me I know how hard it is. And no, it doesn't get easier. The more you know, the better you understand your failings; the more you write, the harder it is to find the fresh and new.
Sorry about that!
Liz
Claudia sounds like my kind of girl - I love to see them meet their match in the hero :)
Thanks, Zee. The confrontation is a bit rock and a hardplaceish. :)
Sounds like a great trilogy, Liz. I love this six, you really get the tension between these two. Sensational!
Thanks for much, Sandra. They do go head to head from the moment they meet!
Hi Liz,
Thanks for the reply - and I do understand why you say it gets harder as you go along. Makes me even more annoyed at those who make fun of romantic novelists...they've obviously never tried to write one!
Okay, I'm a big fan of your books, and this Six is no exception! Fabulous pacing and I love the character.
Lovely pacing. Added to my TBR pile. :-)
Congrats on your trilogy!
Love your heroine's attitude...always like reading about a lady with a bit of spunk and not afraid to use it. Nice Six :)
Thanks so much, Jennifer. Claudia is a classic "wearing a mask" character. Always want to give her a hug.
Thanks so much, Karysa! Lovely name, btw. :)
Hi Christine! Glad you enjoyed the six. Love a woman who can give it out - Claudia can take it, too.
Hahahaha... I enjoyed reading this :) Very funny :)
Welcome 1000th Monkey!
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