Angela D. Meyer – Romantic Excerpt – Part 3 of 3

Shannon here: Women’s Fiction author, Angela D. Meyer shares how her characters’ met. Comment on any post dated July 21 – 25 to enter the drawing for her debut novel, Where Hope Starts. Deadline: August 2nd, 11:59 central time. Here’s Angela:

A Meeting of Hearts: Karen and Barry Before Where Hope Starts
Karen and Barry, the couple from Where Hope Starts, were both looking for someone special, unsure they would ever find that person.
Invited to a Christmas party by some co-workers, Karen was hesitant at first. But considering how things turned out, she was glad she went. Here is what she wrote about in her journal that night and the weeks that followed.
Dear Diary,
I just met the most amazing man. He saved me from an ugly fate. At least I think he did. I was at this party at a bar with some friends. A man approached me and asked if I wanted to go back to his place. Say what? I didn’t know this guy. He was very insistent and I didn’t get the feeling he would take no for an answer. Did he think I was a hooker or something? No clue why I even went to that party.
Then the amazing man walked up – I think the first man was his boss – creep. Anyway, this guy told the creep that I wasn’t his type. He finally convinced the creep to leave. And before he turned to go, he smiled at me. My heart melted. Then he whispered an apology. Oh, his voice. My heart pooled on the floor at his feet. But, New York is a big place and this particular establishment is not in my neck of the woods. I doubt I will ever see him again.
Note to self: Next time I meet a man like this, say something!
 
A few days later….
Dear Diary,
His name is Barry! Yes -the amazing man walked back into my life today. He and the creep showed up at the restaurant. Fortunately the creep was distracted with some blond babe draped on his arm. After they paid their waitress, they left and I thought that was that. But then HE came back in. Walked right up to me. I still remember his exact words.
“I wish we had met under different circumstances, but I hope we can get past that, because I have a feeling that I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Okay. Now that only happens in fairy tales. Unless of course it’s some sort of great pick up line. Which in all likelihood it is. But I would be stupid to not find out if this man were real or not.
I watched him walk out the door then I ran to the back and stuck my head in the cooler. Be still my heart. We’re going out on Friday. What shall I wear?
Note to self: Don’t mess this one up.
Dear Diary,
I think I am in love. My amazing man is no fake, even though it feels like a fairy tale. He asked me to marry him last night.
It’s crazy. It’s only been 4 months since he saved me from creep man. But I said yes. He wants to get married in the spring. Only two months away. Yikes. How does a girl plan a wedding in such a short time frame? Of course, he says a small wedding is fine with him. And I don’t have any family around.
I can do this.
Note to self: pinch yourself to see if this is real. Ouch.
Dear Diary,
The dress is beautiful, I must admit. But I keep telling Barry that his boss, Dennis, has ulterior motives. The way he looks at me makes my skin crawl. There is no way he is doing all this for us without any strings attached. I don’t think the man knows how to do an unselfish thing. Yesterday he offered me a job at his restaurant. I don’t think so.
Note to self: Never be alone with Dennis.
Dear Diary,
Okay, I had my doubts. Especially about the motives of Barry’s creepo boss. But it was wonderful. He insisted we take his yacht for a two week honeymoon. All expenses covered. Wow. That’s all I can say. It was beyond romantic. Beyond incredible.
I think I am in for the adventure of a life time.
About Angela: Angela D. Meyer lives in Omaha, NE with her husband of more than 22 years. She homeschools their daughter and recently graduated their son who is now a Marine. She taught Bible class for over 35 years and served for over 2 years on the leadership team of her local Christian writers group. Her debut novel, Where Hope Starts, is a finalist in the Grace Awards. She loves God and her family and enjoys good stories, connecting with friends, quiet evenings and a good laugh. Someday she would like to vacation by the ocean and take a ride in a hot air balloon.

Social Media:

www.angeladmeyer.com           https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAngelaDMeyer

http://www.pinterest.com/angeladmeyer63/          https://plus.google.com/u/0/100594512535685420838/posts

http://eepurl.com/Nxrsz                 www.Wordsowers.com                www.puttingonthenew.com

About the book – Where Hope Starts
In a city full of dreams… Karen Marino’s life is a nightmare. The New York City restaurant manager is a professional success, but her marriage is in shambles. When her husband, Barry shows up drunk at her restaurant, she loses both. She flees The Big Apple and returns to her Midwestern home to sort through her options. But instead of answers, she finds an old boyfriend ready to rekindle romance, a family full of secrets and an angry brother bent on revenge.
Still in New York, Barry fights his own demons. He knows he messed up, but is powerless to stop his rage and addictions. A fistfight on the streets of the city lands him in jail and forces him to face the possibility of a future behind bars.
Karen knows holding onto her bitterness won’t repair her marriage. But how do you forgive someone when you don’t feel like it? As she searches for the answer, she uncovers the family secret that threatens to tear them all apart. Can she find her way back to the place Where Hope Starts?
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yVLQ4KIbLs&list=UU6pbnp73dVUxFHTxzrp9zxQ
First chapter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwkAhFCBpzf4NTIyV3ByZExmVTg/edit?usp=sharing
Purchase link:
http://www.amazon.com/Where-Hope-Starts-Angela-Meyer/dp/1936501155/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_pap?ie=UTF8&qid=1394472404&sr=8-1&keywords=where+hope+starts
Note to self: Fairy tales do happen in real life.
The years in between this journal and Where Hope Starts are first filled with the joy and romance of true love. Then things slowly begin to deteriorate until they find themselves at a crossroad. Will they find the romance again?
Come back July 28th for Linda Glaz!