Shannon here: Jerusha Agen shares how her characters meet from her latest Women’s Fiction, This Dance. Comment or answer the question at the end of any post dated July 24 – 27 to enter the drawing for a copy. Deadline: August 8th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Jerusha:
How did your hero and heroine meet?
Totally by the hand of Providence. Because of a tragedy three years ago, former tango dancer Nye Sanders, has built walls of protection around her heart and won’t let anyone in. She believes that if she can cut love and passion completely out of her life, she can avoid ever getting hurt again. But God is about to show Nye that she isn’t the one in control of her life.
God flips Nye’s life upside down beginning with a car accident and a handsome stranger who stops to help, but ends up wreaking havoc with Nye’s emotions. When this same handsome hero shows up at Nye’s workplace, she knows she’s in serious trouble…or maybe falling into some serious romance!
Excerpt of hero and heroine’s first meeting:
“Are you okay?”
Nye started and whirled to meet the source of the deep voice.
A tall stranger watched her across the roof of her car. “Sorry. I was behind you when you spun out. Are you hurt?”
“Uh…” Nye’s mind seemed to work in slow-motion as she processed what he said. “No, I’m fine.”
He smiled. “Good.” He glanced down, then back at her. “I see your car wasn’t so fortunate.”
She stared at him, unable to concentrate on anything other than his smile, which was nothing short of gorgeous. It went well with his broad shoulders and unusual height. If he were standing closer, even Nye at five feet nine would have to tilt her head to see his face. She suddenly realized she was taking inventory and wanted to shake her head in disgust. Maybe she should add a head injury to the list.
His comment finally registered, and she walked around the front of the car, relieved her legs were steady. “Is it bad?”
“Could be worse.”
Nye frowned as she looked at the side that had hit the guard rail. A large dent caved in the back door and garish scratches slashed the black paint. Terrific.
“Thank the Lord you didn’t get hurt anyway.”
Nye turned to counter the religious statement, but the words died in her throat when her gaze collided with his eyes—as deep and rich as a melted pool of chocolate.
“Are you stuck?”
“What?” Nye tried to match the question to her train of thought.
“Your car. Is it in the ditch at all?”
“Oh.” A flush of heat filled her cheeks. “I don’t think so.” She seized the excuse to hide her embarrassment and looked at the car.
He was already heading for the other side of the vehicle, assessing the car’s position. “Looks like you’re mostly on the shoulder. Back tire’s in the snow a bit, but you should get out okay.”
Nye sighed. At least she wouldn’t have to spend hours trying to extract the car from a snow drift.
He came back and stopped close to her. “I thought for sure you’d end up in the ditch or worse when you spun out like that.” He watched a car drive slowly past, its occupants staring at the roadside scene. “That’s a nasty curve in this weather.”
“Tell me about it.”
He turned his dark gaze on her. “It’s a miracle you weren’t hurt. Do you want me to call the police or the hospital or anyone?” He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a cell phone. “You should see a doctor, just to make sure—”
“No, please. That’s really not necessary.” A twinge of annoyance ran through her at his assertiveness. But it was impossible to stay irritated when he flashed that grin.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to tell you what to do.”
Taken aback by how quickly he interpreted her reaction, Nye paused. Maybe she was being unfair. The man was only trying to help. She mustered half a smile. “It’s nice of you to be concerned, but I’m fine. And if I need help, I have my own cell.” She reached into her pocket for the phone and winced at the pain that flared in her palm when she grasped the cold plastic.
“Are you okay? Did you hurt your hand?”
Nye slowly removed it from her pocket. “I don’t know, I—”
Before she knew what he was doing, her hand was cradled in the warmth of his. “You are hurt.” He examined the wounds that were beginning to smart as the effects of the adrenaline faded.
Her fingernails had punctured the skin of her palms, and a small amount of blood seeped out the gashes.
“That’s pretty bad. You should have a doctor take a look.”
Nye was far more concerned with the way her breathing sped up at his touch than she was worried about some minor cuts.
About Jerusha: Jerusha Agen is a lifelong lover of story–a passion that has led her to a B.A. in English and a highly varied career. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Jerusha is the author of the Sisters Redeemed Series, which includes the titles This Dance, This Shadow, and This Redeemer. Jerusha co-authored the e-books A Ruby Christmas, A Dozen Apologies, and The Love Boat Bachelor from Write Integrity Press.
Jerusha relishes snowy Midwest winters spent with her three large, furry dogs and two small, furry cats.
Visit Jerusha and sign up for her newsletter at www.SDGwords.com. Follow Jerusha on Twitter https://twitter.com/sdgwords and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JerushaAgenSdgWords.
About the book – This Dance: No love, no pain. No God, no games.
A tragedy three years ago destroyed Nye’s rise to the top of the dancing world as an upcoming tango star, and in the process destroyed her reason for living. She survived the pain and built a new life resembling nothing like the one she left behind, determined never to hurt again.
Nye’s emotional walls hold up perfectly until she meets a handsome lawyer and an elderly landowner. They seem harmless, but one awakens feelings she doesn’t want and the other makes her face the God she can’t forgive. Will these two men help Nye dance again?
Purchase Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1JWQqHj
Barnes and Noble:
Christianbook.com:
Question: Have you ever had a minor accident due to snow or ice in a car or walking?
Come back July 27th for Jerusha’s romantic character interview & a 2nd excerpt!
yes but wasn’t hurt thank goodness
would love to win.
Glad to have you Jerusha.
I was going to school to get my son a few winters ago. They’d dismissed school because it was snowing. It was just snow, so I didn’t think it would be slick yet. Until I slid in my husband’s truck. I didn’t lose control and no one was coming. Thankfully the truck was 4 wheel drive. I switched it over and didn’t slide again.
Back when my son was only a few months old, I was clearing our back steps of ice, so our weenie dogs could use their doggy door. My husband was in the shower and didn’t know I was out there. I slid backward down the steps and landed on my back. I didn’t get hurt, but my head was about a foot from a rock wall when I landed. It hit me that I had a baby and if I’d hit my head, it would have been a while before my husband found me and I didn’t need to do stupid stuff like that again.
Thanks for having me on your blog, Shannon! Sounds like you’ve had some scary ice moments! The incident that happened to Nye in my story actually happened to me once. Writers can use anything and everything as story material! No hunky hero showed up to help me afterward, though. Sigh. 🙂
Thanks, Angela and Shelia for your comments!
While driving, I slid through a red light and thank goodness, no one was coming.
That is so scary, isn’t it, Melanie? I’ve had that happen before, too, and I’m so thankful the Lord protected me!
Years ago when I was in college, I was riding home with friends for Christmas break when we hit a patch of ice & hydro-planed several times, heading toward a guard rail/drop-off to a ravine below. The driver yelled, “Pray, ’cause we’re going over!”. I remember closing my eyes, bracing myself for the impact as I prayed. When I opened my eyes, miraculously, our car had righted itself & had come to a stop on the side of the road. God had truly protected us! It still sets my heart racing when I remember that day & God’s miraculous protection!
Since I live in the Pacific Northwest, we don’t get snow every winter and if we do it doesn’t last long. Due to less snow, we have less snow plows and the the roads do not get salted. It can be perilous to drive and I have experienced a few minor accidents due to being young, inexperienced and somewhat careless. Granted that was many years ago and I try not to drive in the snow if at all possible.
Yup landed on my butt after a nice storm left 3 to 4 inches of solid ice on the ground took weeks before it melted.
I’m from Florida so it is very doubtful that I’ve had a fall or accident due to snow or ice.
Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
Wow, Alison, what a scary story! Praise the Lord for his protection. He must have been saving you for something special. Thanks, Terrill, Kim, and Janet for sharing your ice stories!