Friday, May 11, 2012

Sweet Saturday Samples - May 12



Another Saturday and another sample from my WIP romance, tentatively titled Elly and the Geriatrics. I've skipped a little, but here's what's going on: Elly has just returned from an errand for her grandmother, and the two women have started getting organized for the Sunset Acres rummage sale. But their work is interrupted by the chime of the doorbell. Since Elly is staying in the retirement village illegally, she dashes into the bedroom to hide from the visitor, who turns out to be the man in charge of the landscaping at Sunset Acres. We’re picking up the story where Granny’s visitor has just left.

When Granny opened the bedroom door, she grinned and winked. “My visitor was that good-looking Derek Wright. Such a nice young man, and what a cutie.”
            Elly just shook her head and picked up a stack of paperback books. If she let Granny get started, the next thing she knew, they’d be discussing wedding dresses.
            Her grandmother leaned closer. “As soon as I can, I’m going to introduce you to him.”
            Elly sighed. “Please, Granny. The last thing I want or need right now is a man, good looking or otherwise.” From what she remembered, Granny was right—Derek was a hunk. But the last hunk she’d fallen for had turned out to be a real shithead.
            She picked up a couple of paperbacks. “What about selling these?” The battered covers of the romance novels featured heaving hooters and bulging biceps. The yellowed pages crackled with age.
            “You’re trying to change the subject, Electra, but I know you’ve got to be bored—“
            “Elly. Please. Not Electra.”
            “—hanging around with me all the time.” Granny gave her granddaughter a warm smile. “I probably don’t tell you often enough, but I appreciate all you do for me. You always were a good girl.”
          “That’s me, all right. The family Girl Scout.”
Good old Elly. Level-headed and reliable.  
Elly smiled at her grandmother’s serious face. “I’m happy to help you, Granny. You know that. Now about these paperbacks….”
Granny sighed. “Oh, I guess we should sell them, honey. The print’s so tiny, I doubt if I could read them anymore. But your grandpa and I did find them inspirational at one time, if you know what I mean.”
            Ignoring her grandmother’s embarrassing innuendo, Elly turned the top book over and read the title—Lust at the Laundromat. With a chuckle she put that one aside to read herself, just to see how the plot played out. She wondered if they could get rid of the collection at the rummage sale. They could try, but she felt sure most would end up in the recycling bin or donated somewhere. For once, her grandmother dropped the issue of Elly’s lackluster love life. 


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19 comments:

  1. This is my first time participating in this meme...what fun!

    I like the sound of yours and can't wait for the next "installment."

    Here's MY SWEET SATURDAY SAMPLE

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    1. Hi, Laurel. Thanks for leaving a comment. You'll like this group.

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  2. Yeah right. She wants to read the book for the plot. Who's she trying to kid.

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  3. Gotta love those matchmaking grannies.

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    1. Granny is definitely on the lookout for a good man for Elly.

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  4. Love the rapport between Elle and her Gran.

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    1. I think it's sometimes easier for young people to talk to their grandparents than to their parents, don't you?

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  5. I'm so loving this story. I'll bet she reads all those heaving bosom books! Then she'll be in the mood for a little matchmaking from Granny. :) Love hearing Elly's thoughts.

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    1. Thank you, Jenna. I like internal dialogue too, as long as it doesn't get to be too long! I'll try to keep Elly's thoughts short and realistic-sounding.

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  6. Derek Wright makes me think of Cherry Adair's TFLAC series :) Love Granny! She's great! Fun snippet!

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    1. Uh-oh. Should I change my hero's name? I haven't read that series of books by Cherry Adair.
      Granny is a fun character to write. I'm glad you like her too.

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  8. I love the interactions between Elly and Granny, and as a name nerd, I love that Elly's real name is Electra.

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    1. Thank you for the comment, Carrie-Anne. I originally called her Electra, but then I decided she'd probably rather have a nickname. So she became Elly to her friends... but not always to Granny!

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  9. Great job! I laughed out loud at the "heaving hooters and bulging biceps." Granny and Elly are charming, and I absolutely love your descriptions. :)

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    1. Hi, Tina. I'm glad you enjoyed my alliteration and that you like Granny and Elly too. I'm having lots of fun with Granny and Elly's relationship.

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  10. Great characterization--keep going!

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  11. I love Granny! She had me laughing. I want to be like her when I grow up! *grins*

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