Valerie Comer – Romantic Excerpt – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Contemporary Romance author, Valerie Comer shares an excerpt from her latest novella, Team Bride. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing for a Kindle e-book copy. Deadline: Oct 17th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Valerie:

Excerpt from Team Bride by Valerie Comer:
Sarah eyed the towering Ferris wheel and leaned closer to Corbin as they waited in line. “Probably eating before riding this was a bad idea.”
He chuckled. “Maybe, but it’ll be fun. I love these things. And then the zipper.”
She shuddered. Figured he’d like the big thrill rides. “When should I tell you the spinning teacups are my favorite?”
Corbin laughed. “You crack me up.” He handed a pair of tickets to the operator. “In you go, fair lady.”
Well, she wasn’t going to be a sissy in front of him, that was for sure. She slid into the seat, Corbin right behind her, and the operator latched the bar. The wheel shifted so the teens behind them could board their seat. Then again. In a few minutes she had a view of the entire fairground and all the pavilions. The seat rocked gently each time the wheel moved.
Then they were off. Sarah clenched the bar and closed her eyes. She was not going to scream, and she was not going to lose that sausage bun. Her gut rolled as the wheel turned and the wind whipped her hair. How could anyone think—
“I love the view!” yelled Corbin.
Why on earth had she agreed to come to the fair with him? This was crazy. She was going to die or, worse yet, embarrass herself. She snatched a glance at him. His hands were high in the air, and a gleeful grin stretched across his face.
She should not date Corbin Morrissey. She’d had a dozen reasons before today. Now she had at least one hundred.
The Ferris wheel slammed to a stop. The seat swung violently. Might it even flip around the bar? No. Whew.
A voice came through the sound system. “Sorry, ladies and gentlemen. We’ve got a bit of a problem here.”
Somebody screamed.
This could not be happening. Sarah unpinched one eye to evaluate, but the ground was far below and she scrunched it shut again. Her fingers were so numb from clenching the bar it took her a few seconds to realize Corbin was rubbing her hand.
“Hey, you okay? They’ll get us down.”
No peeking. “C-can you see what’s wrong?” Would they have to get fire ladders to get people back to solid ground? Why did this have to happen when she was on the ride?
“I can’t tell.” His voice sounded distant, like he was turned away from her. The seat rocked slightly. “There are a couple of people talking at the control booth, but no one is looking at the motor.”
“Th-they should be. They should fix it.”
A laugh came through the loudspeaker. “Okay, there’s nothing wrong. I was just pulling your leg. But I’m not starting the wheel again until everyone takes their chance for a nice kiss.”
He what?
Corbin laughed and lowered his voice. “I’ll be happy to collect on that.” He slid his arm across her shoulders.
Sarah found anger deep inside. “He staged this? I hope they fire him. That’s just mean.”
Corbin rested his cheek against her hair. “They won’t. May I kiss you, Sarah?”
She pulled away. “Are you kidding me?” Her heart was still pounding overtime and it didn’t have anything to do with the handsome guy beside her. “I want to get down now. Solid ground.”
He kissed her cheek. “We’ll be off in a couple of minutes.”
“Not soon enough for me.”
“I thought you liked the carnival. You said you and your friends used to come.”
Yeah, she’d said that, but she’d forgotten about the rides she didn’t like. She’d forgotten how many times she’d sat on a bench and watched her friends ride things she wouldn’t go on. She’d forgotten how much cotton candy she’d eaten instead. “I think the rides are bigger now. Scarier.”
The wheel turned to let riders disembark.
Corbin’s arm tightened across her shoulders. “So I’m guessing the zipper is a no?”
There wasn’t room to shrug him off. She took a deep breath and released it. “I’d rather not, but you may if you like. I’ll wait.”
“We’re together.” His fingers massaged her shoulder as the wheel lurched another notch. “Spinning teacups, then? I can live with that.”
She was ruining all his fun. Why did he have to be a good sport about it? But hey, she’d tried. Somehow she’d survived the Ferris wheel, extra scare or not. “Teacups are good.”
About Valerie: Valerie Comer’s life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary Christian romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie grows much of her own food and is active in the local foods movement as well as her church. She only hopes her imaginary friends enjoy their happily ever afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters. Learn more: http://valeriecomer.com
About the book – Team Bride:
Sarah Jamieson has avoided weddings since a traumatic stint as a flower girl, but reluctantly agrees to stand up for her best friend. Only why does the best man have to be one of those confident, life-of-the-party types? Even worse, why does the bride make her promise to go on one date with the guy? Easy enough to agree, because she’ll make sure he never asks.
Corbin Morrissey takes his responsibilities for Team Groom very seriously, but coaxing smiles out of the maid-of-honor is harder — and more addictive — than he expected. To his surprise, she agrees to go out. There really isn’t any way a date to the Fall Fair could go amiss. Is there?
Can Corbin convince Sarah he’s ready to settle down and make her the head of her own Team Bride, or will their past keep getting in the way?

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0150K6TWW/

Question for Readers: Team Bride takes place in autumn. What is your favorite aspect of the fall season?

Come back Oct 7th for Amber Stockton!