Monday, December 21, 2009

Official "Kissing Day" Blogfest


I've been in a romantic kind of mood lately, thus I have succumbed to the charms of "Kissing Day" and it's attendant blogfest.

Here's a scene from the middle of EVANGELINE since I've rewritten it in third person. It's one of my favorites. Enjoy!

****
The neighborhood had changed. Last time she was here, there’d been fields and a few planters’ homes. Now it was one house after another, squeezed shoulder-to-shoulder. Evie drove by the four shotgun houses that sat on the property, colorfully painted and in great condition compared to some of their neighbors. Though she zipped past without stopping, she could see the small porches were covered in plants and none of the windows were broken.

Only a few more blocks and Evie arrived at Aristide Dulac’s house, a cheery yellow shotgun. Though he owned the building and the record said he lived here, it was a double. She didn’t know which door to knock on, but she hadn’t come here just to turn around and go home. She parked her bike and knocked on the closest door. Reggae music wafted out of one of the apartments. No one answered, and she knocked again for good measure.

As she took a step away from the first door, the second door opened, spilling the strains of a Bob Marley song into the air. Evie pulled off her helmet and glasses, ready to introduce her self when she froze.

Aristide Dulac-- for this had to be him-- was a dead ringer for his however many greats grandfather, just as tall, lean and gorgeous. His hair was a bit longer, and he had a trim beard, but the resemblance was uncanny.

Her feet wouldn’t move. “Mr. Dulac?” she said at last. “Can I talk to you for a second?”

Evie expected him to go inside, or ask what she wanted, but he only stood there staring. She stared back. Her heart hurt looking at him. She wondered if he liked books the same as Jude, or if he loved his mother as much.

When he spoke, Evie felt the vibration of his voice clear down to her toes.

“Evangeline.”

He crossed the distance of the concrete porch between them without his eyes breaking their hold on hers and grabbed her free hand, his rough thumb scouring her knuckles.

“No burns,” Evie murmured, lips already pursed when he pulled her close, a strong hand on her back. In one smooth motion, he gently cradled her neck and crushed his mouth on hers. Her lips parted and she sighed.

Just as abruptly, his embrace ended, and his gaze darted up and down the street. He grabbed her hand and practically dragged her inside.

Though the apartment was Spartan, there were a few pieces she remembered from the old house. He shut the door. Evie turned to see him pressed up against it.

“How did you find me?” Though his head was lowered, he maintained eye contact, as if he still couldn’t believe she was here.

But she was right where she belonged. He was supposed to be dead, not posing as his own descendant. Had he time-traveled, too? What was going on here?


****
Here are some links to the other Kissing Blogfest participants. I'll be updating as I find more by my blogging buddies! Dig out your lip-gloss, folks, it's going to be a long day!

Karen Denise
Tamika
Sherrinda
Katie G.
Jennifer S.
Wendy Sparrow
T. Anne
Stephanie T.

Elana J.
Jade
Renée C.
Stephanie

Have a loverly day, y'all!

23 comments:

Véro L said...

Ohhh Squee! I love this!

Tamika: said...

This was fab Tere! The tension and shock value grabbed me instantly. People are posing and time traveling- I love it!

Please tell me you are going to share more soon!

Tere Kirkland said...

LOL, Vero, Tamika, thanks!

I'd love to share more, and I actually have a few more excerpts linked in my sidebar, but those are older, and still in first person. I'm thinking of revamping that sidebar link since my third person revisions. Hopefully my new beta reader will give me some more feedback before I query again in January. Then-- fingers crossed-- maybe it'll only be a matter of time before you see it on a shelf! ;)

Ha!

Anonymous said...

Very good, Tere! I'm especially curious about the "No burns" comment. Where did that come from and what did it mean? I'm dying to know about their history!

Wendy Sparrow said...

That's awesome. Great teaser scene too.

Hardygirl said...

Oh. YUMMY!!

sf

Jade said...

That was awesome! Now I want to know what's going on with them. Time-travel? OMG!

Kissing day is such fun.

Voidwalker said...

I really liked that and I'm not just saying that to be nice. I'd love to hear more. It posed a bunch of questions, which is what good writing should do.

V. S said...

I agree with Jade, kissing day is tons of fun! This scene was awesome and intriguing!

Jennifer Shirk said...

I definitely had those nice butterflies in my stomach reading this! Great kiss!

Renee Collins said...

Ooo! I like this. Very mysterious and intense. :) Nice!

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

You're scene setting is superb. I was in the world and following her up to the door. Wonderful twist and passion. Great job. I want to read this novel.

Tere Kirkland said...

Thanks, y'all! I'm blushing over here. Looks like Kissing Day was a success. Now I can't wait to get home to my husband... ;)

kah said...

Great scene! All this kissing talk is making me wanna kiss someone! :)

Unknown said...

This sounds very intriguing. I made me more interested in what the rest of the story in about. I guess I will have to wait until it get published. Excellent scene!

Karen Denise said...

The the scene building is beautiful and who wouldn't want to kiss with some Bob Marley playing in the back ground-lol. Great scene!

Roni Loren said...

Great teaser, definitely makes me curious. :) And I love the name Evangeline. I was thisclose to using that for the MC in my first YA. I love a name that reminds me of home.

Sara {Rhapsody and Chaos} said...

So great! I also love the name Evangeline. I'd love to read more... a LOT more! Nice pacing and great tension.

Daisy Whitney said...

Nice twist and tension!!!

And I love your about me description: "I spend my day checking my inbox for manuscript requests." Been there, know the feeling well!

Elana Johnson said...

Oh, you had me before the end, but then it was like WHAM! Time-traveled? You are made of genius.

Tina Lynn said...

*sigh* What a nice surprise. An unexpected kiss from someone she thought was long gone. Yummy!

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

Ooooo, I am loving this! Time travel is one of my favorite sub-genres! Thanks sooo much for participating and making the day fun!

Amalia Dillin said...

This story sounds really interesting, and it definitely left me wanting to read more! Thanks for sharing!