Lesfic Brenda Murphy | Writing While Distracted

Hello Snippteers,

I just sent off my second round of edits for the Complex Dimensions, book four in the Rowan House series and thought this snip was perfect for this week. My kids only have seven days left of school and I’m trying to cram in as much work as I can before summer break. I hope you enjoy this week’s snip.

From Complex Dimensions:

Millie crossed the room and clasped the woman’s hand in both of hers. “Signora Rossi, so good to see you again.”
“And you as well.” The woman leaned in and kissed Millie on both cheeks. Her voice was warm honey laced with a hint of seduction. “And didn’t we decide you would call me Aurora?”
Veronica squelched the flare of jealousy that ignitied in her chest at the way they greeted each other.
Aurora turned and raked her gaze over Veronica. “Who have you brought me?”
Millie grinned and held out her hand palm up. “Veronica Fletcher meet Signora Aurora Rossi.”
Veronica held out her hand. “Pleased to meet you, Signora Rossi.”
Aurora took Veronica’s offered hand and held it tightly as her gaze traveled over Veronica’s body. “My pleasure. Call me, Aurora.” She dropped Veronica’s hand. “Turn for me, please.”
“Um, what?” Veronica gripped the seams of her jeans. Under Aurora’s gaze, Veronica had the sensation of being naked.
“Arms relaxed at your side, turn in a slow circle. I want to see your shape.” She murmured to herself in Italian as Veronica turned as she had directed.

“Millie, get the notebook out of my bag. Be my scribe.” Millie grinned and walked over to a burgundy leather case leaning against one of the chairs. Aurora fixed her gaze on Veronica’s face. “Now strip. I need to measure you.”

The brisk businesslike tone of her voice had Veronica tugging at the hem of her shirt to comply. “Everything?”

Aurora tilted her head at Veronica, a sly smile on her face. “As much as I would enjoy you completely naked, that is not what we are here for today. Leave on your underthings.”

Rainbow Snippets( https://www.facebook.com/groups/RainbowSnippets/)is a group for LGBTQ+ authors, readers, and bloggers to gather once a week to share six sentences from a work of fiction–a WIP or a finished work or even a 6-sentence book recommendation (no spoilers please!).
In this group, you’ll find anything from romance and historical fiction to mystery and YA. The common thread is that every story’s main character identifies as LGBTQ+. The snippets could range from zero flames to full-on sexy times, anything goes content-wise. The only rule is snippets will be 6 sentences long–one for each color in the Pride flag.

Brenda Murphy writes short fiction and novels. She loves tattoos and sideshows and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not loitering at her local library and writing, she wrangles two kids, one dog, and an unrepentant parrot. She reviews books, blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and publishes photographs on her blog Writing While Distracted. You can find her on Facebook by clicking here. For news about her upcoming releases, appearances, sneak peeks and giveaways sign up for her email list at www.brendalmurphy.com

Books available at

Amazon

NineStar Press

Knotted Legacy

Both Ends of the Whip

ONE

Sum of the Whole

Dominique and Other Stories

More from Sum of the Whole this week, my first novel and the beginning of a series I had not planned to write. I like to call Rowan House my accidental series because I didn’t intend for it to be a series but secondary characters sometimes demand their stories be told. My only regret is not starting a series bible sooner. I have started one now as I’m fairly certain the series which stands at three books now (Sum of the Whole, Both Ends of the Whip, and Knotted Legacy (September 2018) will be six books in total. Today’s snip is a bitter moment between Sarah and Jaya.

From Sum of the Whole:

Sarah walked over to Jaya and reached up to touch her face. “It’s not because I don’t care for you.” She pulled the number tag from her collar and dropped it in Jaya’s palm. Jaya looked down at the small disc in her hand and found no words for the gift she had been given or the pain that wrapped itself around her heart and refused to let go.

“I’ll stay with you tonight if it pleases you.” Sarah’s fingers rested on Jaya’s chest.
“It pleases me.” Jaya closed her fingers around Sarah’s tag, letting the hard edges dig into her palm. The familiar pain of loss filled her. She let Sarah lead her to the bed and pull her down. Sarah settled Jaya’s head on her chest and carded her fingers through Jaya’s hair. The silence between them deepened, heavy with unspoken thoughts and whispers of shattered love.

Jaya stayed awake after Sarah had drifted off to sleep, savoring the feel of her body against her and memorizing the way her breath puffed out against her skin and the quiet noises she made in her sleep. She eased out of the bed and crept to her dressing table, where she pulled a small cedar box from its hiding place. She opened the lid and dropped Sarah’s shiny brass tag next to Deidre’s tag, blue-green now with the patina of time. She ran her fingers over the tags and closed the lid on her pain as she shuttered her heart.

In this group, you’ll find anything from romance and historical fiction to mystery and YA. The common thread is that every story’s main character identifies as LGBTQ+. The snippets could range from zero flames to full-on sexytimes, anything goes content-wise. The only rule is snippets will be 6 sentences long–one for each color in the Pride flag.

Brenda Murphy writes short fiction and novels. She loves tattoos and sideshows and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not loitering at her local tea shop and writing, she wrangles two kids, one dog, and an unrepentant parrot. She reviews books, blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and publishes photographs on her blog Writing While Distracted . You can find her on Facebook by clicking here.