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Saturday, April 27, 2013

Tension by Janice Seagraves

Tension 
by Janice Seagraves 

In any story you read, there’s conflict or should be.

Conflict leads to tension and tension leads to darn good story telling.

 No tension, no story. It’s as simple as that.

In Windswept Shores, my heroine, Megan, thinks her husband is still alive even though she saw the plane sink underneath the waves. She tries not to fall in love with the hero, Seth.

Another thing weighing on her mind is her husband’s unfaithfulness. She’s a moral person, so how can she be unfaithful like her husband had been to her?

Of course this is a romance, so feelings are bound to happen.


Excerpt: “How’s the leg?” Seth asked.

“Better. It doesn’t hurt.”

“Let me have a look.” He removed his blood stained shirt, washed his hands, and sat sideways at the dining table.

Megan walked over, showing him her injured thigh.

He pulled her closer so she stood between his legs. Running his hands down to the bandage, he asked, “Megz, have you been shaving?”

“Um, no.” She gazed down at his warm hands on her tanned skin.

“Blimey, no hair or stubble. Not even one.” He carefully examined her leg.

“That is the wonders of modern technology.”

“Howzat?” He furrowed his brow.

“I had my hair removed with laser treatments.”

“Smooth like a baby’s bum.” He grinned. Gingerly, he took off part of the tape so he could peek under it. “It looks a bit better. Just a small pink ring around the wound, but it has a decent scab.”

“Oh, good.” She briefly closed her eyes as relief washed through her.

He smoothed the bandage back down, then smiled at her.

“I want to thank you for taking care of me.” She cupped his face, leaned down, and kissed him on the forehead.

“Try a little lower, love.” He tilted his head back.

“Well, since you went to all the trouble of shaving.” After a moment’s hesitation, she bent down, giving him another kiss on the lips. The moment she did, his arms went around her waist. Seth pulled her against his bare chest. He deepened the kiss, brushing his tongue against hers. Megan melted against him, making a small noise in her throat as an incredible flare of desire took her completely by surprise. The kiss was long, deep and very intense, while his large, warm hands slipped under her shirt, massaging her back.

Megan pulled back, looking down at the passionate expression in Seth’s gray eyes. “That was…”

“Bloody amazing,” he finished for her.

Megan’s eyes went wide. She took several steps back out of his embrace. She leaned against the counter. “Oh, I really shouldn’t have done that.”

“Don’t whinge, love. You needed that and so did I.” He gave a lopsided grin.

Megan found she wanted to trace his full, kissable lips with her fingers. Oh, no.

She ran outside, breathing deeply of the clean evening air. What’s the matter with me? I’m married. You don’t kiss other men when you’re married.

“Megz,” Seth called, ducking as he stepped through the doorway. “It’s okay, love.”

“No, it’s not.” She wrapped her arms around herself, even though she really wanted to throw them around Seth. Megan bit her lip. This wasn’t supposed to happen. I shouldn’t feel anything for Seth. He is a big happy-go-lucky lug, also handsome and sexy as hell. Oh, damn.

He walked up behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders, sending warmth right through her. “When’s the last time you and your bloke threw a leg over?”

“That’s none of your business,” she snapped. Heat rose to her face.

“Megz,” he said gently, “ya act like yer haven’t been touched in a very long time. A lot longer than the two weeks that yer been here.”

She didn’t answer him. He’s right. Jonathan hadn’t slept with me in six months. I must be touch hungry. “Are we going to cook that pig or what?”
 ———————————

Trade paperback: https://www.createspace.com/4084680
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AS9NDNO 

Janice Seagraves’s website: http://janiceseagraves.org/
 ———————

I’m running a contest on the Tortured Hero Blog op that had been canceled. You’d do me a huge favor if you’d drop by and leave a comment for a chance at a prize: http://janiceseagraves.org/2013/04/24/tortured-hero-blog-hop/

7 comments:

Tina Donahue said...

Great tension in your book, Janice - very real - none of that misunderstanding stuff that could be cleared up by one good conversation. Can't wait to read! :)

Melissa Keir said...

Tension is so important. An author that I recently heard speaks of it as a cauldron on a flame, just ramping it up! I love that visual!

Cara Marsi said...

Janice, you're so right about tension. Sometimes it can be hard to get that tension in a story. Loved your excerpt. Windswept Shores is in my Kindle.

jean hart stewart said...

Great excerpt here and on your blog. An unlikely pair to get toogether, but betcha they will...

Janice Seagraves said...

Hi Tina,

Thank you. The misunderstanding stuff is way over done IMO. It's seems to be a stable of sitcoms.

Hi Melissa,

Love that. Thank you for sharing.

Hi Thank you, Cara. You just made my day.

Hi Jean,

Thank you. Ah, that would be telling. :)

Janice~

LKF said...

Tension is the key to a great story and your is a great story. :)
Thanks for sharing.
Lynda

Janice Seagraves said...

Hi Lynda,

Aren't you sweet. Thank you so much for the comment.

Janice~

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