SundaySnippet: The Spring Fever and a Real Snippet Edition

THE WINNER OF THE E-BOOK ARC IS SHARI! I EMAILED YOU, SHARI! THANKS EVERYONE FOR STOPPING BY AND FOR COMMENTING!!

Yeah, I’ve got it bad, kids. Spring fever has struck here at our little brick house in the city with all the usual symptoms. I’m staring longingly out at the gray rainy days, wishing the sun would come out so I could wander the ‘hood with friend Mary. We stop along the way to admire the tulips and hyacinths and daffodils that are popping up in neighbors’ yards.

Last year at this time our peach tree was blooming (too early, I might add), a late frost hit it, and we ended up not getting any peaches last summer. But this year, it’s still in the bud stage, so we’re hoping against hope that the spring weather will cooperate and we will have peaches this summer.

I’ve gotta confess, I’m not focusing well and I need to because I have this job where publishers pay me to copy edit their books, you know? I can focus for short spurts, so I’m working for an hour, getting up to wander around the house for a few minutes, then heading back to my computer to work again. That seems to be getting the job done, but I’d rather do it in longer sprints than an hour. I’m wondering, though, if the hour-long sessions might not be a better way to go. The breaks are only five minutes or so…not long and they do seem to help me.

Writing goes along…mostly. I like these characters in my current WIP–especially Jo Weaver, who is smart and tough and doesn’t take any crap. She’s also kind of closed up and makes up her mind too easily about people. She’ll be working on that throughout the book with the help of Alex Briggs III, who is also very smart, yet isn’t bothered by crap because he’s used to people making assumptions about him. Here’s a quick snippet from boat mechanic Jo Weaver’s story, which releases in 2023:

Alex’s brow furrowed as she opened her door. “Are you going to call the mechanic to come out with us?”

She held back the retort that immediately rose to her lips and instead merely replied, “The mechanic is already here.” He had no way of knowing after all.

“I don’t see any other cars and the place is dark.” Alex hopped out of the truck.

“I’m the mechanic, Mr. Briggs.” Jo slammed her door closed harder than was probably necessary, but it eased her urge to smack him.

His jaw dropped. “You?”

She hit the remote locks on the truck and strode to the service door, punching in the key code and hitting the light switch before giving him a cool stare. “I promise, it’ll be more believable once I get into my coveralls and hat and collect some tools.” She turned, allowing the door to ease closed behind her.

Alex had to rush to catch it before it shut in his face, which gave her a smidgen of satisfaction. “Look, I’m sorry. I got no problem with a girl mechanic. I’m a millennial—we’re open to anything.”

Jo stopped in the middle of the shop and spun around, hands on her hips. This guy was something else. “A girl mechanic? Did you seriously just say you had no problem with a girl mechanic?”

He shrugged, managing to look innocent as a lamb and hot as a pistol all at the same time. Damn him. “Don’t shoot me. It’s just that I’ve never met a woman boat mechanic before. It’s…unexpected.”

She shook her head.

Don’t try to disarm me, buddy. I’m immune to river rat charm.

“Well, that’s who you’ve got tonight.” She held up her hand. “Wait here. I’ll go throw on my coveralls and grab some tools.”

So, there we go. There are three other River’s Edge books coming out before Jo’s story releases, but I’ll keep you posted on her and Alex because they are a treat.

Hope you’re all enjoying spring, such as it is. Comment below and let me know what it’s like where you live, okay? Here’s a little nudge to encourage you to take the time to comment: I’ll send an e-book ARC of Falling for the Doctor to one lucky commenter.

Stay well, stay safe, be kind, send light to Ukraine, and most of all, mes amies, stay grateful!