Shannon here: Ane Mulligan shares an interview with the heroine from her Contemporary Romance, Take My Hand, along with a romantic excerpt from the book, & winner’s choice of a print or e-book copy. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing. Deadline: Nov 30th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Ane:
Interview with Marleigh Evans
- Are you open to your own romance?
I am, but he has to love going to the theatre. I love going to shows, especially musicals.
- What’s the number one quality you’d require in a mate?
Honesty
- What’s the number two quality you’d require in a mate?
He has to love kids. I’m raising my adopted little brother. Our mother died when he was two, and I’m the only mama he knows. He calls me “Marma,” a combination of my name and mama.
- Where is the best place you can think of to find a mate?
Social gatherings, I guess. I’m not into internet dating, and I made it a rule to never date an actor after watching my bestie get burned by so many.
- Where is the worst place you can think of to find a mate?
I already alluded to that, but at work. I’m the Artistic Director in a theatre, so I’m around actors all the time.
- What type of character traits are you attracted to?
A good sense of humor, tenderhearted, and loyal. And romantic. He’s got to be romantic.
- What type of features are you attracted to?
His eyes would be the first thing that attracts me. They’re a window to the soul in a way. I like good looks as much as anyone, but outward features aren’t the most important thing if I’m considering marrying him.
- What’s the one habit or lifestyle that would make you run the other way?
Self-centeredness. If I detect any narcissism or any disregard for others, I’m done.
- What would be a reason to end a potential romance for you?
Lies. That’s one thing I can’t abide. If a date can’t be honest, what would he do as a husband?
- Where do you dream of getting married?
In my own theatre. That’s my dream—to build a community theatre in a barn and have a wedding venue there too.
- Where do you dream of spending your honeymoon?
In the mountains by a stream or lake, where we can hike and swim. I love the peace of the mountains and the sound of a water.
- Where do you dream of celebrating your wedding anniversary?
In New York, seeing all the Broadway shows.
- If you could order a carbon copy of an actor or actress with the perfect character traits and beliefs for your mate, who would it be?
Kirk Cameron
- What would be the best gift a potential mate could buy for you?
Theatre tickets and ice cream.
Excerpt from Take My Hand, by Ane Mulligan:
“I want you to meet somebody.” Willow folds her hands on the table.
Her new boyfriend. It has to be. Nothing else causes her to act coy. I glance at Nola, who
winks.
I smooth my napkin in my lap. “I’m game. Who are we meeting?”
“You’ll see.” Willow glances up. “Ahh, here he comes.” She waves.
My gaze follows her wave to the handsomest man I’ve ever seen. I’m talking movie star
handsome. Brown hair cut short, strong jaw, but it’s his dark amber eyes that hold my gaze. He
crosses the room with confidence, and my stomach makes a strange flip. My heart follows it.
This is crazy.
He approaches our table. “Ladies.” He looks right at me, not Willow.
I’m in trouble if this is her new boyfriend. I want him to be mine. Whoa, where did that come
from?
Willow’s grin is wide. “Gabe these are my roommates, Nola and … Marleigh.”
Why did she pause before she said my name? To warn me off? Can she tell I’m … Just what
am I?
Gobsmacked. That’s what.
He acknowledges both of us, but his eyes never leave mine. This is so awkward. I blink and force my eyes away.
This is Willow’s boyfriend. Keep telling yourself that.
“What did you ladies order?” That’s when I notice he’s wearing a chef’s coat. He’s not an actor? Score one for Willow. Why am I not pleased? I should be happy for my friend.
“The special. You know I always order whatever your special is, Gabe.” She turns to us. “He’s the head chef—I don’t know the proper term for it, but he’s great.”
He turns an indulgent smile on Willow. “You’d love a flip flop if I served it to you.”
What? What kind of romance is this?
Willow giggles. “He’s right. Y’all, Gabe is a good guy-friend of mine. We’ve been buddies for a while.” She scoots over and pats the bench beside her.
Gabe slides into the booth. “For a moment only, then I’ll need to get back to the kitchen.” He folds his hands on the table and smiles at me.
His hands are strong. Clean. I glance at Willow. She doesn’t act like she does when she falls in love. I’m so confused.
“Willow tells me you’re an artistic director, Marleigh.”
I love how my name sounds on his lips. How would they feel—
“What does on artistic director do?”
“Uhm, actually, I’m not at the moment. An A.D., I mean. I’m … exploring my options.” Why did I say that?
“Interesting. I’m doing the same thing, exploring options I mean.”
Am I an option?
I wish he’d ask Nola a question. My brain is filled with mashed potatoes, and my heart is obsessing over his eyes and lips.
Thankfully, our server approaches, carrying our salads.
Gabe rises. “It was nice to meet you … both.” He shakes Nola’s hand and mine. He lingers over mine a little longer, and heat rises in my neck and cheeks. After what seems like forever, he turns away.
I watch his back disappear into the kitchen. There is something oddly familiar about his back—him walking away.
“What do you think of him?” Willow asks, staring at me, hope in her eyes.
How can I answer? I’ve fallen for your new boyfriend? She may call him a guy-friend, but that’s to put Nola and me at ease—so we see his potential, before we try to dissuade her.
But oh, how I wish that were true.
“Marleigh, he asked me to introduce him to you.”
“He did?” I peer into Willow’s eyes. There’s no duplicity in her gaze. She meets mine with open honesty. “Why? I mean why would he ask you to introduce him to someone he’s never seen?”
“He has seen you. At the Chamber of Commerce meeting.”
I don’t remember seeing him. I only remember getting a headache and going home.
“He wanted to meet you and asked Bud Pugh to introduce you, but you left before he got a chance.”
“Oh. Then, how did he connect you and me?”
Now she shifts her eyes, and I instantly tune in to a little Willow-skullduggery. “Well … I … it’s like this ….” She takes a big bite of her salad and chews slowly.
“Spit it out, Willow—what you did, not the salad.”
She swallows. The corners of her lips draw down. “You haven’t dated anyone for months. All you do is work and take care of Elijah. It’s not natural. Well, taking care of Elijah is, but,” she frowns, “you should be having fun.”
“And …?”
Willow glances at Nola.
She smirks. “Don’t look to me for help.”
Shoulders slumping, Willow sighs. “I called and asked him to meet a friend. As we talked, well, I guess he put two and two together, since Mr. Bud told him who you are.”
Now, I’m more confused than ever. “Why did Mr. Bud tell him who I am?”
“I just told you, silly, Gabe watched you and liked what he saw. So when I called and mentioned your name, he realized it isn’t a common one and guessed correctly you were the same person. I happened to call at the right time.”
I’m inside a verbal-fun-house, where I hear one thing, but my mind twists it strangely making it sound different. Questions swirl and dive, racing around me, further confusing me. My old stand-by date, Michael, was like a Broadway hit. Reliable. Steady. This chef is a new script by an unknown playwright. Risky. Dangerous. And none of it makes much sense. Least of all the effect he had on me.
I’ve never believed in love at first sight, but my heart is screaming, “Yes, we do!”
Question for Readers: Have you ever been involved in community theater, been in a play, or seen a play? Share your experiences.
About Ane: Ane Mulligan embraces life from a director’s chair—in community theatre and at her desk creating novels. Entranced with story by age three, at five, she saw PETER PAN onstage and was struck with a fever from which she never recovered—stage fever. One day, her passions collided, and an award-winning, bestselling novelist emerged. She believes chocolate and coffee are two of the four major food groups and lives in Sugar Hill, GA, with her artist husband, a rascally Rottweiler, and a rescue German shepherd. Learn more & connect:
Ane’s Website Ane’s Facebook Ane’s Instagram
Ane’s Pinterest The Write Conversation Blue Ridge Conference Blog
About the Book – Take My Hand:
Dreams and futures are at stake.
Small town community theatre changed Marleigh Evans from a shy, timid girl into a confident young woman. Now she wants to pass that gift along to others and dreams of owning her own theatre. After years of searching, she’s found the perfect place in Sugar Springs to see her dreams realized … and transform her community.
Chef Gabe Sadler has grown irritated at his father’s business practices. His dream is to own a farm-to-table restaurant and enough land for a small urban farm. After years of searching, he’s found the perfect place in Sugar Springs to see his dreams realized, and he’s not used to anyone standing in his way.
Which one will win? And at what cost?
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Need extra copies for Christmas gifts? Interested in Ane’s other titles? Get your copy/copies now!
Come back Nov 22nd for Donna Schlachter!
I’m A backstage person. Working in university theaters as a fine arts program coordinator, I have dangled over 40′ of empty space to focus lights, swayed atop a 30’petsonnel lift to hang draperies, run cable for sound and lights, constructed platforms and painted flats.
I have met and worked with some amazing people, many of whom have passed: Isaac Stern, Tells Reese, Burl Ives (who serenaded me) and Vincent Price (who kissed me) and even been propositioned my members of a Russian dance troupe.
What an important career you’ve had training young people in theatre. I’ve also found that truly great actors really appreciate their crews.
I actually have one experience of performing a small acting and singing role in our high school production of Annie. It was fun and is a memory that still continues to make me smile to this day.
I have never been involved in community theater. The last play I attended was at the local high school.
I enjoyed this excerpt very much.