Welcome to a snippet from Bartlett's Rule, my first novel published with Vanilla Heart Publishing. Even though this piece is already published, I find that receiving your comments is helpful as I write future stories - you strengthen me when I know how well (or not) I communicate with my readers, and I learn what readers like and don't care for. I really appreciate you for giving me your time.
Paige and Lon Bartlett spent an uneventful evening together having dinner and going dancing. Paige has been pleasant but remote and Lon is puzzled. As the author of a misogynistic column about relationships and one of the city's most eligible and revered bachelors, he is not used to a woman who doesn't fawn over him. It's the end of their "date" and Lon is determined to learn more about her. He asks about her and we pick up in the middle of her answering him. (as usual, I've used creative punctuation & I apologize I needed to add that last sentence)...
“…Until six-weeks ago I worked in the secretarial pool at By-Lines
Publishing, I just earned a promotion into their Public Relations department and
when my boss called me into her office yesterday to tell me I had to wine and
dine you, I balked.”
Lon laughed, “I take it you are not a fan,” not many women
were quite that frank around him.
“No,” There was no hesitation, “did I make you happy?” she
smiled for his benefit.
He just smiled back at her, “I like your honesty although I
am wounded that you aren’t an adoring fan;” she looked away again, “why did you
decide to move to the city?”
Paige swallowed, “I got engaged and my fiancé wanted to live
here.”
“Oh, ”he looked down at her left hand and didn’t see any ring,
“are you still engaged, or married?” Lon was hoping the answer was no and he
was pleased when she shook her head, “what happened?”
“That’s none of your business,” Paige hadn’t meant to snap; she
caught her breath, “I’m sorry, I just would rather not discuss that.”
“I’m sorry if I intruded, but I am still happy the answer was
no,” he noticed the surprise in her eyes, “may I see you again?”
For more WeWriWa Snippets, go to:
Bartlett's Rule shares the story of Lon and Paige's love affair; a romance filled with hardship, emotion, danger and triumph. Falling in love was never the challenge; being there for each other, knowing just what to say and making it work is the real test. Paige and Lon are real; they are human, they cry and they laugh. Paige has to learn to trust. Lon has to learn to be patient.
Bartlett’s Rule was named one of
Carolyn Howard-Johnson’s
Top Ten Reads for 2009
on MyShelf.com
a sample of the
Book Club Discussion Starters
Bartlett’s Rule By Chelle Cordero
• How does Bartlett’s Rule explore the two distinct personalities of the main characters?• Discuss how the different personalities emerge in the beginning of the
novel. Do these personalities stay constant?
• How much do you think society’s expectations influenced Lon towards
building his reputation as a player?
• What pressures does society place on men in relationships? How different
are those pressures now in 2008 as opposed to, let’s say, the 1950’s?
7 comments:
Super dialogue, Chelle. I enjoyed the give and take. In eight sentences you let the reader get to know a lot about the characters.
Interesting snippet - I forsee great difficulties for both characters - and that is a good thing!!!
Congrats on the publication.
Oh boy, the writing is on the wall. She's the one that doesn't want him...and that intrigues him.
I like the way you threw the two of them together. It's believable. :-) And it was fun watching how she kept her distance during this date, and how frustrated it made him (Mr Seduction). Good 8 :-)
Realistic dialogue. I was surprised that he asked her such a personal question, since they really don't know each other, but then I decided that tells us something about him. After all, he expects every woman to fawn over him so why wouldn't he be the type of person who would pry? Great excerpt.
The dialog said a lot about the characters.
Interesting conversation! I can certainly see why he's intrigued and it definitely makes me want to read more. Have to go add to the towering TBR pile now LOL. Great snippet!
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