Hello readers, how are you all doing? I'm doing great. I've been busy, writing book 3 of Men of Valor series titled His Princess, working on editing book 2, His Strength, and of course preparing the PR for the release of book 1, His Treasure. It's only a few more days to 2 December. I can't wait. :o)
Darrin Henson as Michael |
Just to let you know I haven't forgotten you all, here is an excerpt from a story I'm writing for an anthology coming out in February next year. It's a contemporary romance novella set Enugu, Nigeria titled A Valentine Challenge. In this excerpt H&H meet for the first time. This is just a first draft so bear with me. I hope you enjoy it.
Oh, in case you're wondering why I have an image of Darrin Henson up here. It's because he's the inspiration for Michael in this story.
***
He knew trouble when
he saw it.
A man accustomed to dealing with danger in all guises, he’d
come across its varied forms, from the killing fields of Sierra Leone to the
marshy jungle of the Niger Delta. Danger came in the form of men with machetes
or AK47s and explosives packed into cars in crowded markets. Though scarred,
he’d dealt with trouble and survived.
Yet, standing outside the front entrance of the Park Hotel
Enugu that morning, a light breeze fanning his face, Michael Ede had never seen
trouble like this. Today, danger came at him as a woman. A stunningly beautiful
woman. Like no woman he’d ever seen previously. Sure, she had all the poise and
elegance of a well-bred woman. Dressed in a white shirt and high-waist black
trouser suit that enhanced as well as hid her curvy figure, feet encased in
black peep-toe high-heeled pumps, jet-black hair pulled back in a chignon,
blood-red lips that matched her toe nails, she exuded sophistication and class.
Beneath all that exterior elegance, there was something
about her that reached within him. Something he couldn't define yet. It called
to him at a level he didn’t even want to contemplate. Danger signals went off
in his mind. His stomach churned with adrenaline, his senses focused on the
object coming his way like a missile. His instincts told him to run, get out of
there. Still, he stood his ground. He was a born fighter. He never ran from
danger.
Sashaying towards him, her lips in a glorious pout, her eyes
amber-brown and captivating, she came to a halt a few feet from him. As if she
knew that if she came any closer he might not be able to keep his hands off
her. He clenched and unclenched his hands on his sides, his heart rate
rivalling the drumbeats that heralded Obiagu masquerades.
Hot blood flooded his body. It had nothing to do with the heat of the early
morning African sun beating down on his back.
It had everything to do with the woman standing before him. Trouble!
“Who are you? Where is Jonah?” She queried, her soft voice
laced with annoyance, a frown creasing her otherwise unblemished oval face. Her
not-amused eyes squinted in the sun as they moved from scanning him to
surveying the hotel car park as if expecting Jonah to appear any minute.
Strange, in the short time her gaze left his body, he missed
its warming effect on his blood. How was that possible? Reminding himself he
was here on a mission, he straightened up leisurely. He moved away from the car
towards her to prove to himself she didn’t affect him adversely.
“You must be Kasie Bosa,” he said it as a statement. In a
power play, confidence was key. Moreover, he wasn't going to bow and scrape for
her...for anyone. He needed to start their encounter the way he meant to
proceed.
She reared back; possibly surprised he’d addressed her
directly. Tough. She’d learn to live with it. His gaze caught her suspicious
eyes and held. He raised his eyebrows in a challenge. Her eyes flashed with
irritation.
“Yes, I’m Kasie,” she said, her voice hardened.
“My name is Michael. I’m your replacement driver. Jonah is
not available today.”
She appraised him from head to toe, her eyes widened with
disbelief. “You are my new
driver? What joke is this? I’m calling the car service. I requested the same
driver for the week. You-you stay right there.”
Bristling at her command, he took a step forward. No one
spoke to him in that manner—like he was at their beck and call. He came and
went as he chose and didn’t dance to anyone’s tunes. Before he could reach her,
he remembered the reason he was there in the first place. His baby was at
stake. He wasn’t going to lose Cessie for any woman.
Taking a step back, he relaxed his stance, giving her a
cursory nod while maintaining her gaze. Giving him one last glare, she dug her
hand in her oversized black leather bag, taking out her phone. She dialled a
number. Swivelling, she walked back through the hotel entrance into the lobby
holding the phone to her ear.
From where he stood Michael couldn’t hear her. But he could
guess who she was speaking to and the response she’d get back. The manager of
the chauffeur service would apologise for the interruption in service. But the
bottom line remained. Michael would be her chauffeur for the rest of the week.
Unless she chose a different car service.
A vice tightened in his gut at the thought. Mentally shaking
his head, he refused to accept that as an option. The hotel only used one car
service. As far as he knew, she didn’t have another option readily available to
call upon. She wasn’t going anywhere without him. He’d see to that.
Still, he wondered how one woman could set of so many alarm
signals within him. Sure, he wanted her. That was par the course. After all her
was here for her, to claim her, albeit temporarily. But there was more. He felt
it in his gut, like a sixth sense. He pushed it back, refusing to acknowledge
the something else, focusing instead on the reasons she was no good for him.
She was just a woman. He knew women like her. Women who
thought the world was at their feet and men at their beck and call. Little
princesses who wallowed in the ill-gotten wealth from fathers who looted the
country’s coffers. Oh, yes, he knew women like that. He’d spent years
protecting their corrupt parents all in the name of serving his country.
Well, not anymore. Those days were long gone. These days he
was his own man. He no longer had to say yes sir to anyone. And he wouldn’t be
starting with her.
Kasie sashayed back out. “Right, it looks like I’m
stuck with you for the time being at least.” She didn’t look pleased at that
idea, her lips pursed in a straight line. “Here, take this. We’re heading to
Apex Bank on Okpara Avenue this morning. Let’s go.”
***
What have you been up to this past couple of weeks? Please share your thoughts as usual. Have a great weekend.
Ooh! I love Michael even more seeing that photo of Darrin.
ReplyDeleteWell, in the last couple of weeks, I've been writing furiously as I'm taking part in the NaNoWriMo challenge. I'm really excited as this is my first time and I have been having a lot of fun with the story I'm writing.
All the best with your writing, editing and PR. I can't wait for the 2nd of December!
Thewordsmythe, thank you for stopping by. Darrin is hot, isn't he? This is the second time he's inspired a story for me. :)
ReplyDeleteBest wishes with NaNo. Here's to 50k and more words! :)
Michael's definitely got my attention. I dint sign up for the NaNoWriMo but my writing is dragging, too many voices in my head. any tips for a first time writer?
ReplyDeleteHi Elishama, I get that sometimes - too many voices talking in my head. I usually focus on the loudest voice and write the story. Alternatively, I make notes on what each voice is saying and then start with the one with the most interesting tale to tell.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and best wishes with your writing.
Interesting excerpt, Kiru! And love Michael!
ReplyDeleteHi Kiru!
ReplyDeleteNow I want to meet 'Your ' Michael!
Love the excerpt!
Romance reader, thank you. I love him too.
ReplyDeleteHi Nas, thanks for stopping by. Michael should be ready for your amusement in Feb 2012.
ReplyDeleteInteresting! It takes a lot to get me to finish a piece of that length online.This definitely did it.Quite captivating. I just hope the rest of this story doesn't follow the Nollywood route. That would be so disappointing.
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool. I just love your writing style. Loving Michael, definitely. You don't waste words. That's the hallmark of a really good writer. You're busy, girl. Keep going!
ReplyDeleteupwarddiving, thank you for stopping by and reading the excerpt. I'm glad you enjoyed. Since I'm not sure what you mean by the Nollywood route, I can only hope the rest doesn't disappoint you when it's published. Take care.
ReplyDeleteAdura, you are so kind. I'm still learning every day and hope to keep improving. Thank you for your support.
ReplyDeleteSounds good! The sparks flying all over the place will make this an interesting read.
ReplyDeleteJ.L. thank you. There are certainly sparks flying with this one. lol
ReplyDelete