Novel Spotlight: Then Comes Winter Anthology

Then Comes Winter Blog Tour

Holiday Mix Tape – Excerpt

By Beau North and Brooke West

 

Story Blurb

All Anne Elliot wanted was a quiet Thanksgiving, away from the attention of her father’s political scandal.  She soons discovers nothing interrupts quiet like new neighbors and old heartbreak. 

To celebrate his sister’s success, Eric Wentworth returns to the scene of his greatest happiness–and his bitterest disappointment.  Will he realize that his past may lead him to his future?

 

Excerpt Setup

Thanks to the readers of ChickLitPlus for giving us the opportunity to talk about this story! We are both huge fans of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, and felt it could translate into modern times. After all, who hasn’t had that mortifying experience of running into an ex? Of having them breeze back into your life and shake everything up for you?  In the scene below, Anne Elliot, professor and former DJ, is trying to get back on solid ground after Eric Wentworth unexpectedly shows up in her life again.  To add to her confusion, the charming Will Ellis seems almost too eager to please. Enjoy!

 

Excerpt

 

Their destination was a squat brick building, painted black with gold letters that stood out against the awning: The Moon and Sixpence.

Based on the exterior and the name, Anne expected the inside to look like a scene out of a Stevie Nicks video with Persian rugs, doves in cages, and filmy scarves draped everywhere. She was pleased when it turned out to be a standard English pub, complete with darts in the corner.

“Come on, let’s see what’s on tap.”

Will put his hand flat against the small of her back and guided her through the crowd of Thursday-night drinkers. They were reading the drink specials off a large chalkboard mounted on the wall when a familiar squeal caught their attention.

“I thought that was you!” Lucy Musgrove rushed over and pulled Anne into a hug that reeked of cherry cider.

“Hey, Lou, did you meet Will at the party?” Anne asked.

“I don’t think so…hey, I’m Lucy!” To Anne’s amusement, she gave Will a hug, which seemed to baffle him.

Lucy grinned widely at both of them. “My date’s at the bar getting drinks. Oh, wait, here he comes now. Eric! Look who I found!”

“It’s not a date,” Anne blurted, fighting a swell of panic when Eric appeared with a mug of coffee in one hand and an ice water in the other. He handed Lucy the water, which she pouted at. His eyes met Anne’s, and a mutual jolt seemed to pass through them.

Once the initial shock of the moment passed, he appeared more relaxed and comfortable, less formal than he was at his sister’s party. It was obvious to Anne that, while he wasn’t drunk, he’d had a few drinks. Anne felt the caress of his eyes on her body and had to wrap her fingers around the chair behind her to keep herself upright. The slightest uptick of the corner of his mouth betrayed him biting back a smile. He put a hand out to Will.

“Eric Wentworth. I don’t think we met the other night.”

Will took Eric’s hand in his own. “Um, hi man. I’m Will. Will Ellis,” he said, frowning slightly through the greeting. Anne could feel the mild tension between the two men.

“It’s so weird you’re here, Anne,” Lucy said, making a face as she sipped her ice water. “We were just talking about you.”

For a second, Eric looked like he’d rather be anywhere else in the world before his cool confidence settled over him once more.

“As a matter of fact, we were,” he said. “I was telling Lucy that I read your novel.”

Anne reeled, feeling like a stone skipping across the water. Perpetual Estrangement wasn’t just a novel to her; it was their story. She knew he must have realized that. She cleared her throat and asked what he thought.

“I liked it,” he said, looking into her eyes. “Not sure about the ending though.”

“No?”

“Yeah, I wish it had ended differently. Have you thought about a sequel?”

Anne blinked, unsure whether she should take his words at face value or he was asking about them. His expression was earnest, his posture rigid as though he was holding his breath. Is this happening?

“Um…I have. A lot lately.” She laughed nervously. “But I worry that maybe too much has changed, too much time has passed.” Anne watched him carefully, trying to catch her breath as the world fell away, waiting for him to respond.

Blog Tour Schedule:

Then Comes Winter blog tour schedule

 

11/30: Guest Post & Giveaway at FLY HIGH

12/1: Excerpt & Giveaway at So Little Time…

12/2: Character Interview & Giveaway at More Agreeably Engaged

12/3: Excerpt & Giveaway at Jennifer Vido

12/4: Guest Post & Giveaway at Liz’s Reading Life

12/5: Excerpt & Giveaway at Best Sellers and Best Stellars

12/6: Guest Post & Giveaway at Delighted Reader

12/7: Review at Just Jane 1813

12/8: Review at Babblings of a Bookworm

12/9: Review at My Kids Led Me Back to Pride and Prejudice

12/10: Review at From Pemberley to Milton

12/11: Review at Diary of an Eccentric

12/12: Excerpt & Giveaway at The Calico Critic

12/13: Review at Margie’s Must Reads

12/14: Author/Character Interview & Giveaway at Austenesque Reviews

12/15: Author Feature at Songs and Stories

12/16: Author Feature & Giveaway at Tome Tender

12/16: Excerpt & Giveaway at Chick Lit Plus

12/17: Author Feature & Giveaway at Skipping Midnight

Beau North is the author of Longbourn’s Songbird and the founder of the podcast and website Rhymes With Nerdy She lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband. You can connect with Beau on Twitter @BeauNorth or at beaunorth.merytonpress.com.
Brooke West is a novice silversmith, proficient yogi, and expert cat-wrangler. She lives in South Carolina with her son, fiancé, and three cats. Find Brooke on Twitter @WordyWest.