Friday, May 4, 2012

Sweet Saturday Samples - May 5


Hello, Sweet Saturday Samplers! Before we get started on another excerpt from my WIP, Elly and the Geriatrics, I'd like to give a big THANK YOU to J. Gunnar Grey for hosting this group. Your work is sincerely appreciated, Gunnar.

In my scene today, Elly has just picked up a few items at the local Shop 'N Hop for her grandmother.

            Elly stowed her purchases in the golf cart's bin, started the engine, and headed back to the trailer park. She smiled, remembering Granny’s reprimand that Sunset Acres was a manufactured-home village, not a trailer park, which was something else entirely. As if only the upper crust of Shannon Ridge society resided in the hundred-space village, rather than a bunch of middle-class retirees. Still, they did keep the place up. The rental included the use of a recreation center and swimming pool, as well as free wi-fi access. They even had a gardener. What was his name? Doug? Dave? No, Derek, of all things. Was that the guy who’d been standing underneath the tree? Granny said he was a hot tamale and suggested that Elly get to know him. She’d actually wiggled her eyebrows when she said it.
            As if Elly could get to know anybody in the neighborhood. If the homeowners’ association—the Geriatric Government—caught her still living with her grandma, they’d kick her out on her ass. And then what would happen? Although Granny was doing much better, she still couldn’t get around very well. Until the doctor gave her a clean bill of health, Elly was determined to do whatever she could to help her grandmother get back on her feet—literally. So if that meant sneaking around like a criminal, hiding from the Geriatrics, and putting her own life on hold, so be it.
            Elly pulled the cart into its parking spot beneath the carport cover, her mind on the day ahead. Her tasks included a start on something she’d planned from her first day with Granny—a complete reorganization of the house. She looked forward to the challenge. Last week, Elly had measured the dimensions of the trailer and each of its rooms, excited to be using what she’d learned from her interior design degree to create a more efficient layout for the small space. She just hoped Granny would agree to her changes. 




After you've stopped drooling over the fudge brownie, topped with caramel and ice cream, check out links to other Sweet Saturday Samples here: The Sweet List

22 comments:

  1. I feel quite excited about her porposed changes for her gandmother, and reckon there's going to be a 'reckoning' before long with the 'geriatrics'.

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    1. Yes, the Geriatric Government does cause Elly some grief. Thanks for leaving a comment.

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  2. What a great sample. I love the premise! And the picture is perfect. It's going on my buy list.

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    1. Thank you, Patricia. I visited a nearby mobile home community and took tons of pictures. I liked this one best because of the turquoise color.

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  3. That picture is perfect. Did you take it yourself? Thanks for another good excerpt.

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    1. Hi, Elaine. Yes, I took that picture, and I'm thinking it might be good as part of the cover. I need to play around with it some. Glad you enjoyed today's post.

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  4. Great sample. I loved the details. You conveyed alot in the snippet.

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    1. Thank you, Tmonique. This is part of Chapter 2, so I'm trying to introduce the main characters and start establishing their relationships.

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  5. Another great scene. I can't wait to find out what Derek does/says when he finds her living there

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    1. Hi, Lindsay. Derek's a good guy--maybe too good. I think I need to give him some faults. That's hard to do with our heroes, isn't it?

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  6. I am so loving this story! Elly is a spunky little thing, isn't she? And the pic is wonderful! Is the turquoise house Granny's? It should be. LOL More, more, more!

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Yes, Jenna, Granny's house is the turquoise one. I didn't know that until after I looked at the photos I'd taken, but that one fits her personality.

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  7. I almost want to live there, lol! (I don't think the Geriatric Govt would take kindly to our pigs ... or our children. Or us, I guess, in our 30s. *grin*) I can't wait to find out what happens when she meets Derek. And I think it's awesome you took these pics yourself!

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  8. Thanks, Sarah, for your feedback. I enjoy taking pictures and take dozens of whatever subject I'm focused on. Surely one will turn out good! BTW, the dessert photo is from J. Gunnar Grey's website.

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  9. I'm really enjoying this story! I like the looks into Elly's mind, and the descriptions of the community.

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    1. I'm glad you're enjoying it, Carrie-Anne. I'm having fun writing (er...rewriting) it.

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  10. What wonderful character development. A great story!

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    1. Thank you, Peggy. BTW, I may have mentioned this before, but one of our characters in IOU SEX is named Peggy!

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  11. Love your characters, love your story, love the turquoise!

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    1. Thanks for leaving a comment, Sandra. I love turquoise too. In fact, I'm wearing a turquoise blouse today.

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  12. What an intriguing snippet....I do love reading excerpts, and would like to showcase mine, too.

    I'm going to check out your meme.

    I loved the distinction between "trailer" and "manufactured" home. I remember making that distinction with some folks, myself, when I almost bought a lovely manufactured home in the foothills.

    Sounds like a good setting for a mystery!

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