Save the Date Ghoulish Giveaway
Happy Halloween weekend! If you're into that sort of thing, Piknik, a free photo editing site, has some FUN seasonal editing tools right now. I could have totally fanged out Lucy on the cover of Save the Date. Or given hot stuff Alex there zombie eyes. But I thought it might be a bit much. But it was soooo fun. You should definitely check it out, but warning–it's as addictive as candy corn.
Save the Date doesn't hit the shelves until Feb. 1, two-thousand and eleven, in the year of our Lord, but the good folks of Thomas Nelson have given me a few Advanced Reader Copies (translation: not totally edited yet cobweb/black cat-free) and I thought I'd share one with you. Following the new Save the Date chapter peek are instructions for getting in the running for the ARC.
Save the Date
Randomly Chosen Chapter, page 49
Lucy clutched her heart, her eyes wide, then mutinous. “What in the world do you think you're doing? You scared me to death.”
“You look good with dust on your nose.” Like an angry pixie.
A fury stared back at him. “I repeat, what are you doing here?”
“You invited me, remember?”
“Yes, as in a scheduled visit. Not when everyone is gone. Who let you in?”
“A young woman. Nice girl, though not much of a conversationalist.” Alex smiled.
“I have a phone, you know. You could've called–instead of sneaking up on me like some sort of creep.”She twisted the dust rag in her hands. “A musically critical creep.”
“Actually I went to your apartment, but Mr. Jenkins said you'd be here. Pleasant guy.” Alex dropped his voice a notch. “Though the wife's a little bit of a nag.”
She had a giant dust bunny occupying a prominent place on her blouse, but he decided to be a gentleman and not tell her.
“If you were as good at politics as you are at stalking, I think you could make it all the way to the White House.”
The words sliced, but he'd belt out some blues himself before he'd reveal that to her. “Funny you should mention politics–and thank you for the vote of support, by the way. I like a girl with vision.”
“And I like a guy who knows when to leave when he's not wanted.”
“You really should lock your doors.” He shook his head as he counted the chairs at the table. It could seat half of Congress. “Anyone could walk in here.”
“True.” She didn't let her gaze waver. “There are pervs all over this town.”
“Speaking of that, according to the papers and gossip rags, you and I are dating.” His lips stretched into an easy smile. “I'm a little hurt you don't make me dinner more often, but other than that, you've been an exemplary girlfriend.”
If she were a tiger, she'd be snarling and baring her claws. “Look, unless you have news about Sinclair's donation, we really don't have anything to say to one another.”
“Oh, but I think we do.” He advanced another step. “I have a proposition for you.” He continued as she opened her mouth. “Hear me out before you decide to get offended.”
“Talk quick. I have a lunch date.”
“Cancel it.”
“Go away.”
“I said cancel it.”
Lucy blinked. “Why?”
That look in her eyes. That uncertainty. Alex found he liked her unbalanced. “I'll make it worth your while.”
“I realize after that People story, half the female population is mad at your right now, but I'm not interested.” She pursed her lips as if in thought. “I do have a fourth cousin in Savannah who'd probably be up for a date.” She turned back to her cabinet. “She's eighty-five.”
Alex inhaled deeply. Did everything in his life have to be so unbelievably complicated? “Normally when I ask a woman out I get a different reaction. Like tears of gratefulness.”
“Is this before or after you hand them a free autographed football?”
Lucy was not a woman to be swayed by pretty words, so he got right to it. “I want to talk about a donation for your home. Now…break your date.”
She lifted one brow. “So Sinclair Hotels is going to help us after all?”
“No.”
“But you just said–“
“Sinclair won't be helping you any more this year. But I will.” That look on her face was making this all worth it. This idea could be half-way enjoyable. A boon to his campaign and a cure for the boredom that had plagued him for months. “I don't like to talk business on an empty stomach, and I'm a man in need of pie. Plus I don't really want to discuss it here.”
“I don't think so.”
“I'm talking a large amount of money.”
She watched him with guarded eyes. “And what do I have to do in return?”
“All you have to do”–his cheek dimpled with a wolf's grin–“is marry me.”
************
Okay, now it's your turn. To get your name in the hat for an Advanced Reader Copy of Save the Date (or as we call it, STD), pick up the book you're reading. (Or magazine. Or text book. Or steal a book someone else is reading.) Flip to page 49 and select the best line on the page. Leave it in the comments section, along with the title of the book/magazine/DVR manual by Thursday, November 4th. Winner announced next Friday.
Believe it or not, I'm reading a health book. (Weird fact, I read a ton of these. The people who know me by name at McDonalds would probably not believe this.)
I'm reading Clean by Dr. Alejandro Junger. Actually, I just finished it. Read it in one day; it was that good. It's about how we know our standard American diet is killing us, but it's even worse than we thought. (SUCH a happy book!) It lays out a 3 week eating cleanse that is supposed to change your life, turn you rich, and make all your dreams come true. (Yes! I might FINALLY get that pony.) Actually it's about how all the preservatives in our foods are killing the bacteria that we need to fight off disease and germs, and this is why the majority of Americans are either overweight, feel like crap, or have some sort of terrible diagnosis. I really do recommend it. Anyway, here's my line from page 49. (…picks up book. Prays it's not the chapter on number twosies…)
A recent study showed that 41 million Americans drink water contaminated with antidepressants, hormones, heart medications, and other prescription and over-the-counter medications that have made it through the water-treatment system.
Okay, I'm hoping your line selection is a little bit juicier than that. And drug free.
Let's hear what you're reading!
Have a good weekend, guys.
