Sweet Saturday

Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Samples! Today I'm thrilled to share a bit of my brand-new release from Astraea Press. The Calico Heart is my first collaboration with my wonderful friend and critique partner, Stephanie Michels. It's a bit different from a traditional romance. The hero and heroine are an older couple (mid-50s) who suddenly experience a few snags in their marriage. The book was just released on Thursday, and AP's fabulously talented cover artist, Elaina Lee, once again came up with a great design to capture the flavor of the story.

Here's the opening scene:

"Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad! Love you!"

"Bye, honey. Love you, too,” Sylvia Miller called back then laughed as a shower of iridescent bubbles surrounded her daughter Lynne and new son-in-law.

The tiny orbs floated around the couple, blending with the sparkling beadwork on Lynne’s sweeping wedding gown and adding gemlike twinkles to her veil. The newlyweds laughed with delight as they raced, hand-in-hand, through the bubbles blown at them by the wedding guests. Her daughter looked like Cinderella rushing down the castle steps to her carriage. Only this time, it was a gaily decorated, red Mustang convertible, and her handsome prince was right at her side.

Wasn’t it just yesterday that Lynne and her older brothers had been playing make-believe in the big sandbox in the backyard?

The time had flown by so quickly. The kids’ mud pies and toy cars had quickly given way to rock posters and laptop computers when they’d reached their teens. Now, her babies had grown up and left the nest. The boys both had thriving careers in Chicago, and Lynne was moving on to a new life with Ron.

As always, Dave seemed to read her mood. His arm tightened around her waist. She leaned into him, grateful for his unspoken comfort, as she continued to wave to the newlyweds until their convertible disappeared from sight. Their guests returned to the air-conditioned comfort of the church’s family center, but Sylvia remained outside with her family, blinking back the nostalgic tears that clouded her vision. It wouldn’t do to be caught crying on such a joyous occasion.

Too late.

"Waterworks alert." Dave Junior’s cheeky warning told Sylvia she’d been busted. "Mom’s about to cry," he added with a grin.

****

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to leave a comment, and please check out other great authors at Sweet Saturday Samples. We have several new authors participating this time—you may find a new favorite!

The Calico Heart is available at Astraea Press, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, and other ebook outlets.