SUNDAY SNIPPETS WITH GINGER #sundaysnips

This week I'm offering six paragraphs from one of my two works-in-progress, Deceived.  Last week, I offered a sampling of its predecessor, Betrayed.  Despite being told by my current publisher that my relationship novel was not selling and they wouldn't be accepting any beyond my next submission in that genre, I've decided to finish the story because I personally "lived" the event with my sister as she tried to recover from her Internet dating experience.  Of course, I fictionalized names and added a few phony facts. :)

I'm hoping for encouragement to continue writing this story, so leave me a comment and tell me what you think about both books.

Hadn’t she learned her lesson? Cassie Fremont mentally kicked herself as she busied herself with a much overdue house cleaning.  She'd just returned from her second date...lunch...with a man she met on the Internet. One would suspect after what she'd been through, she would’ve known better.  Her sigh sliced the silence as she thought back on her disastrous past.  She tried never to let the name, “Evan Dennis,” drift into her mind, but she couldn't help wondering if he'd found another sucker who believed  he actually gave a damn about her.

Clearing the devastation Evan had wreaked on her emotionally and financially had taken years.  By the time the proverbial smoke had cleared, Cass realized“sucker” was the only word fit to describe her any anyone else who accepted his line of charming bullshit.

Leaving the dust cloth splayed on the end table, she widened the slats on her mini blinds and peered out the front window at cars passing on the street.  Who rode in them, where were they bound, and were they happy?  Distracting thoughts kept her from the task of cleaning and thinking of Evan.  With any luck, he rotted in Hell.

 Having already married once and divorced, she’d taken back her maiden name to try to erase fifteen years of heartache, but nothing, nothing, could eradicate the bad memories of being cheated on by her first husband.   With no self-esteem left, she'd lost herself in Evan, and then discovered he’d been a cheater, too, but in an entirely different way.

  Past experiences left her cold and unyielding to the idea of male company for five long and lonely years, killing any chance she'd had with Brian Green, the police detective she dated for a time while he investigated the dead-end Evan had become.  Then Will appeared. Something about him thawed her icy protective barrier and penetrated her defenses.

Maybe she’d been seduced by his handsome face, trim body, longish hair, or chocolate eyes that saw through to her soul, or...perhaps she was just a desperate, aging woman who needed male companionship and sex.

  Cassie furrowed her brow, fought niggling doubts about men, and  backed away from the blinds.  She resumed dusting, but still her naive actions played in her mind.  Was Will really the one for her? Their first meeting had been on a dating site despite her swearing she'd never visit one again after the disaster with Evan. Depression and lack of finances kept her housebound, and surfing the Internet became her only entertainment. In a weak and stupid moment, she'd created another profile, but that night, she'd actually gone online with the intention of removing it.  That's when she saw Will's picture.

****

This is the intro to the story, and if you haven't read Betrayed, you might have read it as Embezzled Love.  I previously released this story through another publisher who dealt only in paperback, and of course I don't know if I sold any, so I thank Books We Love for giving it new life, cover and title.

Deceived is the continuation of Cassie's journey to find love.  You can probably tell by the title, she's not lucky in that department...or maybe she is now.  :)  Check out my Amazon page for all my books.

Now, hop on over to the following blogs and see what's cookin' there:

http://www.jamiehill.biz (Jamie Hill)

http://triciamg.blogspot.com (Tricia McGill)
http://medievalnovels.blogspot.com (Vijaya Schartz)

Friday Freebits with Ginger Simpson #Frifreebits

Let's see...Cassie is bored with her life and has made a connection on a dating site.  She's already given her phone number and had a conversation with Evan who lives in Texas.  Now she's back at work in her real life...not just a dreamworld.

Cassie sat at her office desk and stifled a yawn. She wasn’t used to being up as late as she had been last night. Her thoughts turned to Evan, and she checked her watch wishing time would pass quickly so she could go home and spend time on the phone with him again. Just remembering his deep, southern-drawl caused her heart to skip a beat.

The memory of his descriptive language warmed her. She nipped at her bottom lip.  She didn’t even know the man, yet he sounded genuine and sincere. What kind of man would put his own life aside to take care of someone? He must be a rare bird. Gregory had barely wanted to see his mother, let alone live with her, and Cassie’s brother, Frank, rarely came to visit their Mom. Cass pulled a mental picture of Evan into her mind and wondered what it would be like to meet in person.

The buzz of the intercom on her desk interrupted her thoughts.

“Yes?” She clenched her teeth at the disturbance.

“Mr. Takeda would like to see you in his office,” the voice on the other end responded.

“Thank you.” Cassie’s hands shook as she pushed back from her desk and prepared to face her boss. What could he possibly want from her? Or worse, what had she done to piss him off now?

She squared her shoulders, bravely left her office, and walked down the long, carpeted hallway. 

Outside his intimidating mahogany door, Cassie stopped, took a deep breath, and rapped her knuckles against the shiny wood.

“Come in,” Takeda’s authoritative voice boomed.

Cassie’s insides trembled like a mass of Jell-O, but she put on her most professional and fearless face. “You wanted to see me?”

Checkout Betrayed and my other books on my Amazon page.

Don't forget to come back next week for more Friday Freebits.

Friday Freebits with Ginger Simpson #Frifreebits

Evan,

Nice picture! I like your hat. I always wanted to meet a real cowboy. I guess since you’re in Texas, you are one. I’ll attach a picture of me to this message, but your assumption about my beauty may be a little exaggerated. I consider myself a little above average. I clean up good and people always compliment my wardrobe. I can see by our photos that we aren’t exactly a fashion match. Most of my closet is filled with power suits, but if I look hard I may be able to find a pair of jeans somewhere. *smile*

I would really like to get to know you better, and I’ve changed my mind about giving you my number. This old computer of mine might die before I can replace it, so if you still want to chat, give me a call. My number is 960-555-2525.

Cassie

She turned off the computer and stood. She just gave a complete stranger her phone number. Her hand flew to her throat. What was she thinking? Despite her uncharacteristic behavior she felt a smile tug at the corner of her lips. Those shadowed eyes peering out from beneath his cowboy hat intrigued her. What could it hurt?

Cassie bounded up the stairs with newfound energy and changed into her nightgown. Not quite sleepy, she stood at the vanity and brushed her hair. With each stroke she pictured herself with Evan, happy and content after so long. In the mirror, she noticed her blossoming smile had fully bloomed.

She put her brush away and climbed into bed. A glance at the clock as she turned off the light showed it was only nine-thirty, but she was beat. Settling down on her pillow, she pulled the blanket up to her chin and got comfortable. She was just dozing off when the ringing phone pierced the peaceful silence.

Who’s calling at this hour?

Cassie grappled in the darkness for the receiver and answered. “Hello.” Her voice showed her annoyance.

“Is this Cassie?” An unfamiliar voice inquired.

“Yes, who’s this?” The intense thumping of her heart said she already knew. Who else would have such a twang to their voice?

“It‘s Evan. I hope I ain’t calling too late. I know there’s a two-hour difference and I hoped you’d still be up.”

“I just slipped into bed. I wasn’t asleep yet,” she lied in a much softer tone. “I’m glad you called.”

“Do you always go to bed so early?”

“On weeknights, I have to get up before sunrise to catch the train to work.”

“You take the train?”

“It beats the commuter traffic and gives me time to catch up on my paperwork … or just unwind.”

“I ain’t never been on a train. Seen lots of ‘em though.” His boyish chuckle sent a shiver through Cassie.

An awkward pause ensued. What did one discuss with a stranger? She didn’t have a clue.

“I got your email and saw your picture.” He finally spoke, which helped her relax. “I just wanted to tell you how purdy I think you are.”

“Well, thank you. I liked your picture, too, but I wish you hadn’t had your hat on.”

He laughed. “I only take my hat off to go to bed, so…. ”

Uncomfortable, Cassie quickly changed the subject. “So…do you live alone?”

“I did up until recently. I just moved back in with my surrogate mother. She’s not in good health and I look after her.”

“Surrogate?” Curiosity forced her to repeat the word.

“Yeah, my real mom died when I was young, and Marlene took me in and raised me. She’s a wonderful lady and I just love her so much I figured it was the least I could do.”

“I’m impressed. I don’t expect there are too many men out there who would make such a sacrifice.”

“Oh, it’s no sacrifice. Marlene put up with me all these years, I figure I can give her a little of my time. How ’bout you, you live alone?”

“I wish sometimes I did, but no, I don’t. I share a home with my mother. We just moved here not too long ago. We both sold our homes and pooled our money to get a place together. She’s getting along in years and I didn’t like her living alone”

“Sounds like we just found somethin’ we have in common.”

“What about other family?” Cassie asked. “Do you have brothers and sisters?”

“I have a sister and two brothers. See my sis pretty regular but ain’t seen one of my brothers for a spell. We got into it a while back and decided it best to avoid one another.”

“That’s too bad. I have two sisters and a brother and I love them to death. Family is very important to me.”

Check out Betrayed and my other work on my amazon page.

Friday Freebits with Ginger Simpson #Frifreebits

Let's come back to Betrayed and see how Cassie is faring with her online connection.

Cassie walked by the computer for the third time since coming home. She and her mother had already eaten dinner and Mom had retired to her own part of the house. Carson, Cassie’s co-worker who rented the spare bedroom, was out of town. Why in the world was she trying to be so nonchalant? It wasn’t like she was picking up a real, live person in a bar for heavens sake. She was only putting off checking email in her own home, and totally alone.

Curiosity got the best of her. She sat, turned on the tower, and waited. She chewed her bottom lip out of nervous habit. A tennis match of ‘what ifs’ bounced through her mind. What if he didn’t answer? What is he wasn’t serious, what if…? Good grief, she sounded like a love-starved schoolgirl.

Finally, the logon option appeared. She clicked into her inbox and scanned the messages. Amidst the annoying spam she saw his email, and fingers trembling, opened it.

Hi,

It’s me again. Sorry I was a little quick in asking for a phone number. I’ve always been anxious when a beautiful woman is involved and I’m assuming you are beautiful! I’m still waiting for a picture. I’ve attached one of me here rather than posting it on my profile. If you think you can stand getting to know an ugly critter like me, write back and tell me more about yourself.

You asked about my business. I own a landscaping design company on the Texas/Oklahoma border. I’m no millionaire but I make a good living. I’m just looking for the right woman to share my life. I, like you, have been married once. I have two darling daughters but no strings attached. The ex and I parted on good terms and she doesn’t need my help. She comes from a wealthy family. Lucky me! Feel free to ask me anything you’d like to know. My life is an open book.

Hope to hear from you soon,

Evan

She clicked on the attachment. A picture crept down from the top of the screen. “Damn! Hurry up machine!”

Finally, Evan was fully revealed. He was slim, very slim. Dressed in tight-fitting jeans, and a sleeveless shirt, he had well-defined muscles. His face, half-hidden under a cowboy hat, appeared to be as tan as his arms, but she couldn’t see those blue eyes after which he had named himself. A long, drooping mustache hid most of his mouth, but the masculine appeal of the visible frown lines and macho image held her captive.

She leaned in for a closer look. Darn! He didn’t look very big; they probably weighed about the same. In her opinion there was nothing worse than sitting next to a man and noticing her leg was bigger than his. Men who were large boned and athletic-looking were the ones she found most attractive, and Evan certainly was not that, but there was something about him that held her interest. Besides, she hadn’t had much luck finding her preferential man. She massaged her chin in thought. Maybe her standards were unrealistic. After all, she had passed middle-age.

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Hope ya'll come back next Friday for another installment.