After the roaring success of my WWW guest post by Lizzi Rogers of Considerings (you can read that post here) a challenge was set before me. Lizzi and a handful of other bloggers dared me to write a chapter out of a romance novel, IF I was ever to write one. When I was younger, I tried my hand at that genre and failed miserably. I think I'm a little better at it now, but don't be looking for any romance novels from me. I prefer writing about the humor found in everyday life.
In honor of Valentine's Day, I give you A Little Romance:
She knew what was at risk, but she couldn't stop herself from hiking up the snowy path that led to his cabin. He was an artist; moody and reclusive, yet she was drawn to him for reasons she couldn't understand. What had started as a flutter of attraction when they first met quickly turned into something far deeper and frightening than she was willing to admit.
Her heart thudded in her chest when his cabin came into view. She paused and breathed deep the scent of pine and smoke. Snow fell from the bruised, December sky and covered the trees in sleeves of ice. She closed her eyes against the stinging, cold air and visualized his rugged handsomeness: the small brackets on either side of his sensual mouth, hair black as a raven's wing and dark, obsidian eyes---the sadness behind them creating a deep ache she couldn't explain.
There was no turning back now. The cabin was only a few feet away from where she stood. A thin trail of smoke spiraled up from the chimney and formed ghosts that snagged on the lacy branches sheltering his home. She imagined him inside, at his easel, tapered fingers stained from the charcoals he'd used to sketch her face a dozen times. She understood that he was incapable of putting into words what he felt. He drew his emotions on a blank canvas to guard his heart from the thorns of broken promises.
The frigid wind swirled around her, splinters of ice glistening at her feet. She hesitated once more before stepping up to the porch. The door suddenly swung open and their eyes met, heat flaring between them. The sight of him stole her breath, her pulse drumming in her throat as his name left her lips in the form of a sigh. He pulled her into his warm embrace and she nestled against him, his heart beating like a humming bird's wing beneath her finger tips.
Melding his lips to hers, she felt desire uncoiling inside her and pressed against him. He lifted a trembling hand to her cheek and brushed back the damp strands of hair that clung to her face. She shivered with anticipation, aware of what was about to happen.
Without a word, he lifted her into his arms and carried her into the cabin. He stripped away all her insecurities and fears one layer at a time, stirring the sleeping fragments of love. His trust was the balm that mended the broken pieces of her heart.
She knew in that instant when his soul slipped into hers, that the course of her life would be forever changed.
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Places I was featured this week in case you're bored and looking for something to read:
http://humoroutcasts.com/2014/how-to-annoy-your-children/
http://comicstripmama.com/10-things-i-love-about-menopause
http://midlifeboulevard.com/stuff-we-dont-want/
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Nice work!! And on a dare no less. Way to rise to the occasion.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christine! It was very awkward for me to write but I'll do just about anything on a dare!
DeleteHopefully this one will get all the ladies in the mood for Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteThis is romance for start to finish MM. It's beautiful and written in a way where you can follow it visually. I thought you said you 'failed miserably' at romance novels? - thou shalt not lie mate, ha ha ha. It's really good.
ReplyDeleteThou shalt continue to write as thy heart desires, and nothing shall be impossible for my MM.
Have a great and wonderful romantic weekend. I'm sure you've already started :)
Awwww….you just made my day, RPD! Thank you for this, my friend. I'm not a huge fan of Valentine's Day, but I DID enjoy eating strawberries dipped in chocolate for breakfast today!
DeleteNo genre captures women's longing for deep love and romance better--I can't believe you did this so fast!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol! Very difficult for me to write---I have a renewed appreciation for all the romance writers out there!
DeleteI think you have a possible career ahead of you! Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Walker---but I'm sticking with humor--it keeps me SANE! :-)
DeleteYummm! I want more! Loved your colorful descriptions. I could *see* and *feel* everything.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Hope I started your Valentine's Day off just right!
DeleteHappy Valentine’s day sexy lady! Think I'll take a cold shower now.
ReplyDeleteYou gonna leave that window open for Starr and me while you're at it?? <3
DeleteThe door is unlocked. The massage oil is on the bedstand. Whipped cream and strawberries in the fridge.
DeleteWhy do I have the feeling you have done this before, hmmmm?
DeleteThis was so awsomely descriptive, Marcia! You sure had me going! And LOL to Phi :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mike! I appreciate you coming by for a read and glad you liked it!
DeleteOMG. This is way too hot for a middle aged mom. I need to go sweat it out at the gym or something. OMG OMG OMG.
ReplyDeleteLOL thank you, Sandra. Now I can't wait to read the blog I just KNOW you are going to write about your little adventure today!!!
DeleteFantastic. Hot! Hot! Hot! Dark haired artists are irresistible :)
ReplyDeleteYes! Yummy! I have a weakness for men with a sketch pad!
DeleteWell I guess so. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2014/02/dogwood-loves-dogs.html
Hahahaha! This was WAAAY out of the box for me, for SURE!
DeleteFantastic writing. I could even smell the smoke and pines. The visual of the man....Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it, Kathy. I miss Montana where we had a summer home. The woods were so beautiful….
DeleteWOWZA!!!!! You are such a BRILLIANT writer Marcia!!! You most DEFINITELY need to write a romantic novel STAT!!!
ReplyDeleteI am just oozing from this!!! Wait- that sounds slightly sickening, in a really hormonal way. lol I am glowing from this? Stirred from this? Awakened from this?
I am deeply 'affected' by your passionate portrait of this hot romance. There. Nuff said. :)
OMG you are too funny, Chris, This is why I ADORE you, woman!! <3
DeleteOh, I don't know, Marcia, I think you could easily have a career as a romance author! This was awesome!
ReplyDeleteToo hard for me to write….think I'll stick with humor….but thank you!
DeleteWhen his soul slipped into hers? Much better than his "manhood" as per traditional romance. Snort.
ReplyDeleteThis was great. Now you know if you ever need money, you can write romance. Haha.
Noooooo…because sooner or later I'm gonna have to say " Manhood" and there is no amount of money worth me writing that 50 Shades Of Junk, LOL!
DeleteYowza, Marcia, you do the romance thing as well as you do humor! This was amazing and I loved it. Chuckling at Starr's comment too - ha. Great job and happy Valentines Day to you and your family!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kristi! I had an awesome V-Day---hope you did, too! <3
DeleteVery beautifully written - hmmm, may have to find myself a valentine for next year!
ReplyDeleteOhhhhh I KNEW you would like this post! Next year in honor of the lover's holiday, we should collaborate on something!
DeleteLook, I don't get what the problem is. Your fans think you should write romance, and you think you should write humour. Why not combine them? What is sillier and funnier than romance? It's completely hosed up in the 21st century. Oh, who am I kidding, it was completely hosed up in Jane Austen's time, that's why she wrote a half-dozen novels about it. She took it more seriously than you should, though. Jane was writing romance at a time when women need to have the mathematical skills of a NASA astronaut, which hadn't been invented yet, to figure out whether a man was worth it to them to pursue. Now, we've got our own money but we've go to figure out if he scores low enough on the Hosehead Scale to pursue :)
ReplyDeleteThere it is. Your next writing project. Do it. Pursue it.
You're welcome :)
If I had to write an entire romance novel---even with the humor added, I think I would become a raging alcoholic! Writing romance is WAAAAY harder than I ever imagined!
DeleteHEEELLLOOOO hot, artistic man!! Yeah. I'd say you do romantic juuuuust fine. Very sweet and sexy. Loved it!
ReplyDeleteI tried to be careful…..my mother reads my blog, ya know….?
DeleteHi Marsha! This was as good as any paperback I have ever read! (Oh, did I just admit something?) I loved the 'bruised sky' description. Interesting. I have to say that I was waiting for a comical punchline...you'd be really good at that!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on taking up the challenge! It was a really fun read.
Ceil
Glad you liked it, Ceil Thank you!
DeleteMarcia! That is hot! Haha. Admit it. You have binders upon binders of this sexy stuff! I like a man with obsidian eyes. I'll be looking for the next chapter. You better write it! <3
ReplyDeleteBusted! Yeah, when I was younger, I tried to write romance---dozens of binders under the bed creating a dust bunny farm. I decided a long time ago I'm not a fan of writing romance, but I never say "no" to a dare!
Delete