Sunday Snippets by Ginger Simpson #sundaysnips

I'm baaaack! and this week sharing a sample from a Novella coming soon from Books We Love, The Pendant.  This is going to be a re-release and probably one of the hardest works I've done because there really is no hero or heroine...just a story about an inanimate object.  Enjoy:

 Sheila Townsend hauled open the heavy cathedral door and slipped inside. She scurried up the long aisle into the safety of the confessional and collapsed. Panting, she creaked open the little sliding door. The priest’s outline loomed on the other side.  

"Father, forgive me, for I have sinned.” She swiped at her bangs, wet from the fog outside.

“How long has it been since your last confession?” The priest’s voice filtered through the mesh between them.

“Six months, Father.”

 “Tell me of your sins, my child.” 

“I-I’ve had evil thoughts and fear I’ve done something horrid.”

“What have you done?”

“I might have killed someone because of the curse.”

“Curse?”  His deep voice climbed an octave.

“Yes, the one that plagues this necklace.”  She dangled a chain close to the screen. “I must leave it here with you and stop this madness.” 

Sheila rose, dropped the silver pendant onto the shelf separating parishioner from priest, and fled without another word. She paused at the door long enough to secure her scarf over her head and pull her coat collar higher. The stained-glass window, an image of the Holy Mother, she’d seen before looked far less impressive at night than when the sun shone through the tinted panes.

 Sheila pressed her weight against the door, allowing the breeze to flicker the candles at the altar. The gripping hatred that had consumed her for the last month melted away like snow in springtime. Gone was the unexplained need to hurt the same person whose picture she’d displayed in the locket.  Now she was free—free from everything except the guilt and memories of plunging a knife deep into her boyfriend’s back. 

Stepping into the misty night, she headed toward the river.  She hadn’t been totally forthcoming with the priest. Her ‘might have killed’ was totally misleading. The police were sure to soon find Andre’s body in her living room, and she no longer had a will to live. She’d made peace with the Lord; now she needed to find peace within herself and what she’d done.

****

Father Finnegan’s brow furrowed at the woman’s sudden departure.  “A curse?”

He stood and pushed through the curtain at the rear of the confessional, walked around and opened the door to the parishioner’s side.  There on the shelf lay the necklace the woman had left.  A silver locket hung from a long chain, and when opened, displayed a picture of a handsome young man wearing a black sweater.  Father Finnegan pinched the locket closed.  The pendant looked entirely harmless—nothing more than a delicate piece of jewelry.

“What have you got there, Father?”

The priest turned to find Sister Mary Catherine standing behind him, her brow raised as always when something stirred her nosy side.

 “A necklace…supposedly a cursed one.”  He laughed. “Me thinks ‘tis the soul of the person who left this beauty behind is the one who needs the blessing.”

“The piece looks to be a great match for the fund-raising bazaar, if you’ve no other plans for it.”  The nun smiled and opened her hand. 

*************************

You can find all my books available on my Amazon page.  I hope you'll enjoy one.

Now, if you'd be so kind as to check out the following links and make sure I still have some playmates on Sunday:

http://connievines.blogspot.com (Connie Vines)

http://yesterrdayrevisitedhere.blogspot.com/ (Juliet Waldron)

http://triciamg.blogspot.com (Tricia McGill)

Who the Hell is Harlee Williams? Ginger Simpson responds. #newrelease #novella

Harlee Wagner didn’t expect to fall in the well when drawing

water, and she certainly never expected to be rescued only to find her entire family gone. Logan Carruthers, her handsome hero, insists she rest up before she starts searching and then leads her on a trail consisting of hints and guesses. Will she find her family, or will she discover love? There’s something about his gorgeous blue eyes and broad shoulders that makes her heart flutter. 

Harlee is the heroine in my latest novella, Lost in His Eyes.  I'm having a friend put it on Createspace so I can order my own copies because I love the cover so much.  Doesn't the title totally describe the look between the two?  Of course Jimmy Thomas always attracts attention and this pose just fit my description of Harlee....down to the dress she wore.

Harlee is a little bit of a rebel.  She gives as good as she takes, and she definitely isn't about to let Logan's ma run roughshod over her.  Of course, when Harlee discovers her own family missing when Logan rescues her from the well, the search Logan volunteers for doesn't please Mrs. Carruthers in the least.

Read Lost in His Eyes, and if you're inclined to leave a positive review, please do. Trolls not needed.  I can't learn anything from your unsolicited comments because you have to read a book in order to understand it.  Good news...Books We Love is having a BOGO sale right now:  Buy one, get another FREE.  Check out my BWL author's page...and don't forget Christmas is coming.

Ginger's Excited!!!!!

My newest release, Sarah's Passion, the sequel to Sarah's Heart is available now on Amazon.  Although this time, I did a novella, I accomplished what I wanted to do, and I think in a very interesting way.  Meet the new characters are Sarah returns from the old west to modern day, and has to compete with Peg, the black widow who has her sites set on Sarah's fella.  Reviews (positive and constructive) are appreciated on Amazon.  :)

Excerpt:

Sarah put on her other sock, donned her tennis shoes, and then, in the kitchen, pulled the bulging garbage bag from the can. The smell of last night’s chicken mingled with the smell from the candles until she tied the plastic into a knot. Opening the door, she headed for the dumpster, only to run into another neighbor, Peg Scott, armed with own refuse and headed in the same direction.

Her streaked hair perfectly coiffed and her flawless make-up already on made Sarah feel inferior. Of course, Peg never went anywhere without looking like a runway model. In contrast to Sarah’s dowdy gray sweats, Peg’s running suit matched the blue strip in her jogging shoes. She flicked her long hair back over one shoulder with her free hand. “Have you had a chance to get a gander of our new neighbor? Hubba hubba. What a hunk.”

A leaden knot formed in Sarah’s stomach.

“No,” she responded casually with a shrug, the lie rolling off her tongue with ease. “What’s so great about him?”

“Oh, girl. He’s yummy. Dark hair and complexion, broad shoulders, narrow hips, and arms that I’d do anything to have wrapped around me.” Peg’s eyes took on a dreamy haze.
Jealousy gnawed at Sarah.

That proverbial green-eyed devil she’d always heard about turned red and perched on her shoulder, whispering in her ear that Wolf belonged to her. Fighting the urge to swing her trash bag around and bash in her pretty made up face, she tamped down her feelings. Clearly Peg had no idea her target had already been a guest in Sarah’s apartment. She forced a smile. “Hmmm, he sounds interesting. Have you met him yet?”

Peg gave another flip of her hair. “No, but I fully intend to find a way to introduce myself. He’s sexy with a capital ‘s.’”

At the dumpster, Sarah loosened her fisted hands to stop her nails from biting into her palms and hefted her trash over the edge, her mind working a mile a minute. She had to get back to her apartment and find a way to distract Wolf for the day. If Peg got her clutches into him, Sarah might never get the chance to renew what they once felt…what she believed they felt.

 “I gotta rush. Nice seeing you, but I have some important errands to tend to. Catch you later.” Spinning on her heel, Sarah rushed back inside the building and down the hallway to her first floor apartment. She ignored the little voice in her mind that questioned her sanity.

Released by Books We Love, Ltd.

Friday Fiction

Announcing my upcoming release, Hope Springs Eternal. It will be available on April 7th, and I'll be at The Launch Party all that day, celebrating. Hope you'll join me.

The release of this novel completes my Stages of Love series, and all will eventually be available in both download and PRINT. Ally Robertson, the CEO of Eternal Press made an astonishing decision to put even the novellas in print format. What a wonderful concept, because it allows us to maintain a 'bragging' copy of our work, as well as purchasing them for gifts, prizes, and more. Amazing Grace, just got posted on Amazon.com today, joining my other full-length EP releases, Sparta Rose, Sarah's Journey, and Prairie Peace. Chastity's Charms, Forever Faith, and Hope Springs Eternal will soon join the list, as will Paging Dr. Jones. How cool is that?

Hope this teaser will entice you to want to read more...you know, that's why we post them. *smile*

EXCERPT
Hope stopped in the doorway of Dr. Carlson’s office and eyed the framed diplomas hanging behind his mahogany desk. His background appeared quite impressive. She scanned the other three walls for pictures of a wife and children but saw none.

She took a seat in one of two leather armchairs and tried to look at ease. Still fighting nerves, she crossed and uncrossed her ankles, straightened her blouse and tucked her shoulder-length hair behind her ears. Reaching into her purse, she opened her compact, and applied fresh lipstick. Even at home, it was a ritual.

As she grinned into the mirror, checking her teeth for stains, she caught his reflection. She snapped the oval mirror shut and jammed it back into her pocketbook, but not before seeing the redness in her cheeks.

“Sorry about the wait.” He walked behind his desk, sat and began flipping through a chart.

She felt certain a hint of a smile crossed his face before he sobered. He glanced up at her. “I don’t see any current medications in your records. Dr. Smith prescribed Valium for you some time ago, but that’s all I’m seeing in his notes.”

“I’m not taking anything at the present time. That prescription was to help me deal with the death of my husband.” Her shoulders tensed at the memory.

Dr. Carlson’s brow creased. “Oh, I’m… I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you, but I’m doing fine. It’s been three years already.” She started to add that time heals all wounds, but it was a lie. She still missed Alan so much she often cried herself to sleep at night. At the thought of him, she blinked back tears.

“So, you aren’t taking any prescribed meds at this time?”

“No.” She uncrossed her ankles.

“Anything over the counter?”

“No.” She crossed her knees.

“Do you have any medical issues you’d like to discuss with me?”

She shook her head. “Other than being tired on occasion, I feel pretty good most of the time.”

“No hot flashes or night sweats?”

What was he insinuating? She planted her feet firmly on the floor.

“None to speak of.” She made sure her tone held a hint of ice.

“Mood swings?”

Hope leaned toward the desk. “Dr. Carlson, why don’t you just ask me if I’m experiencing menopause? I was a nurse so I know all the symptoms.”

“I didn’t mean to insult you. I’m concerned with your blood pressure. It’s higher than normal, and sometimes…”

She took a deep breath and leaned back in her chair. “I had my last period a year ago. I lied about the flashes and sweating. I sometimes have both, but I refuse to take hormone replacement therapy because of the cancer risks. I’m sure my blood pressure is high because of stress. I’ve been trying to establish a home business, and….”

“I guess I should have read you chart more closely. I hadn’t noticed you’re a nurse.”

“Was…I’m not anymore.” She stared into her lap, uncomfortable with her confession.

“Sad. We’ve such a shortage of qualified people in the field. Do you mind if I ask why you left nursing?”

She looked up and shrugged. “My husband died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He lingered for three weeks, while I sat by, helpless, unable to do anything for him. I realize people die every day, but watching him deteriorate went against the oath I took when I became a nurse. After that, I decided I didn’t have it in me to continue.”

Dr. Carlson swallowed. “I’m sorry to bring up such a painful topic for you.” He pulled a prescription pad from his desk drawer and began writing. When finished, he tore off the paper square and handed it across the desk. “This medication has nothing to do with menopause and carries no cancer risks we know of.”

Hope hesitated to take it and leaned further back in her chair.

He waggled the prescription at her. “As someone schooled in medicine, you must realize ignoring issues that can affect your heart health is foolhardy. This is purely to regulate your blood pressure. I want you to take the pills as directed, and I’d like to see you again in one month. By that time I’ll have the results of your tests and also a good idea if this medicine works for you. Do you have any questions?”

With a sigh, she reached out and took the paper. “None that come to mind.” She gazed past him and out the window. She had a million questions but none he could answer.

He stood and drew her attention back to him. “If you think of anything, feel free to call the office.” He extended his hand. “It was very nice to meet you.”

She rose and shook hands with him. Warmth spread up her arm and radiated into her chest. His eyes bored into her very soul, although she felt certain she’d imagined it. While holding his right hand, she made a cursory inspection of his left. He wore no wedding ring, but then lots of married men didn’t. She flashed a smile and released her grip. “Thank you. I’ll see you next month.”

After leaving his office, she stopped at the reception desk and made a return appointment. All of a sudden, having a mammogram didn’t seem like such a bad thing. It provided a reason for her to come back to see Dr. Carlson. She couldn’t get his sexy image out of her mind.

How old was he? Age was such a hard thing to judge on a man. Itwas hardly fair for him to know about her night sweats and hot flashes, and she only knew his name, what colleges he attended and that he didn’t wear a ring. But did it matter? He’d shown no interest in her other than as a patient, so why act like a teenager hoping for a date to the prom? There had to be some conflict of interest between patient and
doctor socializing. Unfortunately nothing conflicted with her interest in
him.

The waiting room was almost empty when she passed through it. Two pregnant women remained, chatting, laughing and comparing bellies. If only Alan had left her with a child, she wouldn’t be alone. The phrase, “no use crying over spilled milk” ran through her mind as she closed the door behind her and maneuvered back down the long
corridor. She stopped at the door marked, “Radiology.” It might as well have said “gallows” because an invisible noose already drained the moisture from her mouth.

She covered her left breast. “I’m sorry for what I’m about to put you
through, but I have no choice. Doctor’s orders.”