A while ago, I introduced you to Tessa with the wild, coppery hair from my first romance, COOKING UP TROUBLE. She'd sworn off men after her fiancee cheated on her, and then she "rescued" her new neighbor, Ian McGregor. I meant to introduce Harmony, from my 2nd romance--OPPOSITES DISTRACT--the next week, but got off track with chapters of VERDANTA. So today, I thought I'd do a Sunday Snippets to offer you some scenes about Harmony. She's a writer--which I could identify with, loves men, but never wants to get married. Her parents were perfect examples of why to stay single.
Snippet 1: Harmony's a BFF of Tessa (from book 1). Tessa has invited her to Ian's inn to find the peace and quiet she needs to finish her book. Except that Ian has invited his brother, Brody, to come, too. Immediately, Harmony and Brody bump heads, but Harmony decides to take it in her stride. She won't see Brody that much:
Harmony stifled her sarcasm. If only she were as nice as Tessa. She'd make an effort. She'd be the epitome of charm. They'd eat together, then Ian would drag Brody off to talk about guy things, and she and Tessa would cozy up somewhere to yak. Harmony was fully capable of civilized behavior when the need arose.
Snippet 2: Brody is more annoying than she thought. He decides to be responsible for her, too. He comes to take her to supper at Tessa and Ian's bungalow:
Brody glowered down at her. “Looks like Tessa was right and you got lost in your writing world. She phoned and asked me to check on you.”
He made it sound like an accusation. She shrugged. “It’s what I do. I don’t usually stop until my stomach growls. I’m not used to a schedule.”
“But you do try to be considerate of friends and hostesses?”
This guy could be a real dick. She crossed her arms. “I had my phone alarm set for 5:40.”
She barely got the words out when the alarm went off. “Oh, baby, baby, my baby, baby” sang through the room.
Brody raised his eyebrows. “Whatever gets your attention.”
She ground her teeth, then frowned at him. “You cleaned up.” He still wore his worn, comfortable jeans, but he’d changed into a button-down shirt and sweater. He’d be yummy if he weren’t such a sourpuss.
He looked her up and down. “I guess I didn’t need to bother.” She hadn’t changed out of her driving clothes—faded jeans with a few rips in the right thigh area and a baggy sweater. Her hair was still pulled back in a low ponytail.
“I didn’t know gumbo meant a formal dinner.” She yanked at the scrunchie that held her hair, letting loose waves cascade past her shoulders.
Brody stared, then shook his head.
Snippet 3: Harmony falls for Brody, but realizes that his lifestyle is totally alien to hers. She won't fit in his world:
Harmony wasn’t great at hiding her feelings. She was upset, but more, she was mad at herself. What had she been playing at with Brody? She forced a smile and followed Brody out of the diner. The drive home was strained. Brody glowered the entire way.
Harmony dug her nails into her palms. This was ridiculous. She felt like she’d just gone through a bad break-up, but she and Brody had never gotten that far. So what was wrong with her?
Brody dropped her at the lodge’s doors, as always, and said, “I’m going to get Ian to help me carry our purchases inside. We’ll decide what we want to do with them”
Good, they wouldn’t linger in the foyer. She could retreat upstairs to her room. Her voice sounded too eager when she said, “Okay, see you later.” And she hurried inside, practically ran up the stairs, and went straight to her laptop. When life turned to shit, she could retreat into her characters’ world. And that’s exactly what she intended to do. She’d write like a mad woman and finish this manuscript early. And then she’d leave here, whether her apartment building’s boiler worked or not.
Of course, she does finish her book, but she doesn't leave early. Who could leave Brody?
Snippet 1: Harmony's a BFF of Tessa (from book 1). Tessa has invited her to Ian's inn to find the peace and quiet she needs to finish her book. Except that Ian has invited his brother, Brody, to come, too. Immediately, Harmony and Brody bump heads, but Harmony decides to take it in her stride. She won't see Brody that much:
Harmony stifled her sarcasm. If only she were as nice as Tessa. She'd make an effort. She'd be the epitome of charm. They'd eat together, then Ian would drag Brody off to talk about guy things, and she and Tessa would cozy up somewhere to yak. Harmony was fully capable of civilized behavior when the need arose.
Snippet 2: Brody is more annoying than she thought. He decides to be responsible for her, too. He comes to take her to supper at Tessa and Ian's bungalow:
Brody glowered down at her. “Looks like Tessa was right and you got lost in your writing world. She phoned and asked me to check on you.”
He made it sound like an accusation. She shrugged. “It’s what I do. I don’t usually stop until my stomach growls. I’m not used to a schedule.”
“But you do try to be considerate of friends and hostesses?”
This guy could be a real dick. She crossed her arms. “I had my phone alarm set for 5:40.”
She barely got the words out when the alarm went off. “Oh, baby, baby, my baby, baby” sang through the room.
Brody raised his eyebrows. “Whatever gets your attention.”
She ground her teeth, then frowned at him. “You cleaned up.” He still wore his worn, comfortable jeans, but he’d changed into a button-down shirt and sweater. He’d be yummy if he weren’t such a sourpuss.
He looked her up and down. “I guess I didn’t need to bother.” She hadn’t changed out of her driving clothes—faded jeans with a few rips in the right thigh area and a baggy sweater. Her hair was still pulled back in a low ponytail.
“I didn’t know gumbo meant a formal dinner.” She yanked at the scrunchie that held her hair, letting loose waves cascade past her shoulders.
Brody stared, then shook his head.
Snippet 3: Harmony falls for Brody, but realizes that his lifestyle is totally alien to hers. She won't fit in his world:
Harmony wasn’t great at hiding her feelings. She was upset, but more, she was mad at herself. What had she been playing at with Brody? She forced a smile and followed Brody out of the diner. The drive home was strained. Brody glowered the entire way.
Harmony dug her nails into her palms. This was ridiculous. She felt like she’d just gone through a bad break-up, but she and Brody had never gotten that far. So what was wrong with her?
Brody dropped her at the lodge’s doors, as always, and said, “I’m going to get Ian to help me carry our purchases inside. We’ll decide what we want to do with them”
Good, they wouldn’t linger in the foyer. She could retreat upstairs to her room. Her voice sounded too eager when she said, “Okay, see you later.” And she hurried inside, practically ran up the stairs, and went straight to her laptop. When life turned to shit, she could retreat into her characters’ world. And that’s exactly what she intended to do. She’d write like a mad woman and finish this manuscript early. And then she’d leave here, whether her apartment building’s boiler worked or not.
Of course, she does finish her book, but she doesn't leave early. Who could leave Brody?
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