Blog by VONNIE DAVIS -- International, Award-Winning Romance Author: Adventurous...Humorous...Amorous.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

A TASTE OF CHOCOLATE by Vonnie Davis

One day something caught my eye on      Still Moments Publishing Website.
The Match Maker Series
§  A coffee house in a town of the author's choice.

§  The heroine goes inside and meets the owner, Freya.

§  Freya sits down with the heroine, listens to her story and sets her up with the hero.

§  At the end of the story, the heroine goes back to the coffee house and finds it is now a vacant lot.

§  The coffee house must be described as Freya’ Coffee Shop with a grey roof, yellow stone walls, red trim windows and a red door with blue trim.

§  The owner, Freya, must be described as an older woman in her seventies, red hair and brown eyes. Freya’s name means: the goddess of love, beauty and sensuality. She likes to wear: clothes in the shades of love (reds, pinks), eye shadow, nail polish, and a large sapphire ring on her right hand. Freya is very friendly and quirky.

 
My mind started churning. You know that incredible “what-if…” feeling? Oh yeah! Something in those few lines of parameters called to me. I don’t know why. I don’t write fantasy or magical stories. Although it is magical anything I write ever gets published,  but we won't go there.
 
What kind of man would use the services of a matchmaker? A man who's lost hope, perhaps? Slowly Declan Fleming began to take shape. Not just any man, but a Renaissance man. A man who built things with his hands, who read a lot and worked with teenagers. A man of contradictions. A man with a violent past, an ex-SEAL, who also knew the language of flowers. The lady who would charm his soul? Well, she had to be a bit of a handful, someone completely unexpected. Still, I'd never written really "short" before. Did I have the skill set to quicky develop my characters and a strong GMC? Oh, I do love a challenge...
 

Hope Morningstar has the worst luck with men. One boyfriend wrote her a “Dear John” letter while serving overseas. Her latest romantic interest broke up with her in a text. When a traffic detour puts her in an unfamiliar neighborhood, she stops at Freya’s Coffee Shop where she gets more than directions. She gets another chance at finding love. 
 
Declan Fleming, scarred by a cheating ex-wife, has given up searching for love. He’s taken the route of a few other men and engaged the services of Freya, the matchmaker. Still, he’s been waiting for a year and he’s just about given up hope. Then Freya sends him Hope. 
 
When feelings of insecurity and trust issues come into play, can finding love stand a chance? Can the magical influence of this matchmaker create a happy ending? After all, finding that one special love often involves a bit of special magic, does it not?
 
“A man’s kiss should taste like chocolate, dark flavor melting, doing sensual things to you.” –Freya, the Matchmaker
 
EXCERPT:
Hope’s stomach cramped, and she couldn’t seem to take one deep, complete breath. She eyed the paper bag she kept in her purse. If she hyper-ventilated, she’d need it. Oh, God. Oh, God. Oh, God, I am freaking insane.
Once he came, if he came, she’d give him ten minutes, and then she was out of here. She didn’t care how good looking he was. Wait, she’d decided to go for content of character, not looks. This change in priorities would take time. Old habits were hard to break. Her gaze swept the area. With any luck he wouldn’t show.
“Don’t turn around.” A deep voice behind her sent chills up her spine. “I’m Declan, the man Freya sent. I know you’re scared, but don’t be. There’s no need.”
Why couldn’t she look at him? Was he butt-ugly? Short and fat? What? Remember, I’m not going to concentrate on his looks. I’m making wiser choices this time. I’m looking at the man on the inside, not the hunk on the outside. She exhaled a long, slow breath. “Okay.”
“Close your eyes for just a second.”
Oh, this was just too weird. Even so, she closed them. Something satiny soft rubbed over her cheek and she jerked. Roses. She smelled roses. Velvety softness caressed her chin.
“Rose petals are very soft, aren’t they?”
“Yes.” They were also very sensual when rubbed over her face. “I’m opening my eyes now.” Enough playing games. Every person in the food court had to be watching them.
“As you wish.” He held a small bouquet in front of her. “Purple roses are for love at first sight. Purple irises are the flower of hope.”
There were two purple roses and two irises snuggled in a bed of baby’s breath and tied with a pink ribbon. What a charming gesture. Don’t weaken. Be strong. Don’t let him suck you in.
“And the baby’s breath?” She’d yet to look at him, but took his sentimental offering from his calloused hand. “What does that flower mean?”
“Sincerity.” He stepped to her side, and her gaze lifted. “Hello, Hope. I’m Declan Fleming.”
 
TWO LUCKY COMMENTERS ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY WILL RECEIVE AN eCOPY OF MY SWEET ROMANCE, A TASTE OF CHOCOLATE. TO BE ELIGIBLE, LEAVE A COMMENT WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS INCLUDED. GOOD LUCK, MY LOVELIES!! *** WINNERS WILL BE DRAWN TUESDAY EVENING (12/04/12) AT 11:00 PM, EST.

18 comments:

Unknown said...

Congratulations on publishing another story! I like reading short stories and novellas, and you're right--they are challenging to write, but so fun and rewarding. In just a matter of hours or days, you have a complete story!

A Taste of Chocolate sounds sweet and delicious!

charmainetdavis@yahoo.com

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Hi Charmaine. To construct a story properly, one still has certain elements of craft to adhere to. Elements that take this old gal longer than a few minutes or days to write. Nailing down Declan's conflict was a challenge. Thankfully I had an editor who encouraged me to dig deeper into his psyche. Her encouragement made for a richer story...and I'm not just talkin' about chocolate. ;-)

Mackenzie Crowne said...

I'm so glad something caught your eye, Vonnie. Anything that causes your mind to create a new tale in your wonderful voice is a good thing as far as I'm concerned.

You're a braver woman than I. Short is scary, but alas, you've pulled it off. ;-)

Thanks for another wonderful read, my friend.

Jessica Ferguson said...

I love reading novellas. Have written one (and sold it!)but I have much to learn about their construction. Short is so much more difficult to write. Would love to win a copy of A Taste of Chocolate. :) Sounds fun!

jessyferguson (at) gmail (dot) com

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Thanks, Mac. I'm thinking you could pull off writing a short story. Keep your focus tight, your prose concise. It might be a good exercise for you and enrich your longer pieces in the bargain.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Jessy, since you left me 3 spelling versions of your name, I'm chosing the one that sounds the sweetest to me, since "sweet" is our topic of the day.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Jessy...yikes...I'm at Bob Evans and the waitress brought our food and, in the flurry of things, I hit "publish your comment" before I'd finished commenting. I wanted to say thanks for stopping by and hope you'll return again soon.

Melissa Fox said...

This does sound magical, Vonnie. Sweet, sexy, and sigh-worthy. Congrats, you busy, talented woman, you!

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Thanks, Melissa. I'm retired and my new life--my FUN life--revolves around writing. Thank goodness my husband is an author, too, and understands the way my characters jerk me around and command my attention. Today, for example, I'm scrambling across the rooftops of Paris with my h/h, chased by bad guys and ducking bullets. I'm a romance writer and I love my job.

Linda Carroll-Bradd said...

Your story sounds magical and I LOVE the sensual detail. As a fellow SMP author, I'll be so interested in seeing how you incorporated the required elements.
l.carrollbradd@gmail.com

Krista said...

So glad you picked this series to write for !!! It truly is a magical story :)Congrats on A Taste of Chocolate coming to life !!

Liberty said...

A delicious little tidbit to whet the appetite.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Hi Linda. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment. This story was fun to write once I got it started. I went through four or five versions of a beginning before one felt right. Ack!!

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Thanks for your kind words, Krista! Love your name, by the way. When I was pregnant with my third child I allowed my son and daughter to name the yet unborn baby. My son chose Michael. And my daughter picked Krista. Now, here's the funny part. I had a boy and who does Mike marry? A very special lady by the name Krista. Is that wild, or what??? If I used that "truth" in a book, a reader would say it was contrived or forced.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Thanks Liberty. A little taste of sweetness...

katsrus said...

The cover is so pretty. Sounds like a wonderful story.
sue B
katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Calvin drew names from his hat. My two winners for copies of A TASTE OF CHOCOLATE are Linda Carroll-Bradd and Charmaine T. Davis. Yay you!!! I'll be emailing soon. Thanks everyone for commenting on my post. Hugs to all.

Angela Adams said...

Vonnie, this book cover makes me want to reach for a box of Godiva's. Best wishes with your new release.