We’re closing in on the end of the month this week, so I’m looking at the writing goals I set for myself to make sure I’m off to a good start toward the year’s goals. So far, so good, I think. I should be able to wrap up my January goals this week, as long as I have some success with cover art. I have looked at so many premade book covers in the last four weeks, it’s hard to keep track at this point, but I am determined to find the covers I need for the second and third Medusa books so they’re ready to go for later this year. My other January writing goals will be easier to finish, because I have total control over those–writing and revising. I just don’t know about the premade covers and whether I can find what I am envisioning. There are designers who do custom work, but most of those are way out of the budget range right now, so premade covers seem a better option. After all, I did find the perfect premade for Light the Way Home last year, and I’ve seen some beautiful covers in my searches recently…just not right for these two books. But I have confidence I will find the perfect covers for them.
Before I get back to working on those goals, I have a snippet for you today from Light the Way Home (if you haven’t read it yet, click on the title and it will take you to your favorite online bookseller of choice!).
================
Lucie didn’t argue when Nate refused her help with the dishes. Her insides still quivered from the realization that he was attracted to her.
“I’ll see you in the mornin’, Lucie!” Hayden shouted, hopping on one foot.
She smiled as she put her sweater on. “Yes, you will.” They’d already decided Hayden would join her after breakfast so Nate could cram in a few hours of work before he headed to the hospital to see his dad–and try to get his mother to come home rather than sleep on the less-than-ideal pull-out chair-bed in his dad’s hospital room again.
She wasn’t sure that was a battle he would win, but she understood his concern.
Hayden gave her a quick hug and then ran back to his book in the living room.
“I really do appreciate this, Lucie,” Nate said from where he stood at the sink.
“It’s nothing, Nate,” she said lightly. “Keeps me from having to spend endless hours on job search sites and getting more depressed than I already am.” She kept her head down as she buttoned her sweater up to her chin.
“It isn’t nothing to me.”
His firm, quiet tone snared her attention, and her mouth went dry. The shadows in his brown eyes made her curl her fingers around the edges of her sweater to keep from reaching out.
“I’m not accustomed to asking for help.” He cleared his throat. “I appreciate it.”
She swallowed. “It’s no problem,” she whispered. Dammit–hot, attracted to her, and vulnerable. Shit, that was trouble. She took a slow breath. “I’ll see you in the morning then.” She inched toward the door.
A hint of awareness darkened his eyes, but he stayed where he was. “Good night, Lucie.”
She took two more steps, clearing the doorway to the mud room, and a little relief sank into her belly. Until she heard footsteps behind her.
Within reach of the back door, she whirled. He stood at the open doorway of the kitchen, undisguised desire in his eyes this time. Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt a quick rush of excitement that she tried to squash as he stepped into the mud room. She held her breath as he took another step. One more. Until he stood a foot away, and her breath rushed out.
He studied her face for a long moment, and she wondered what he saw, what he was looking for. Impulsively, she moved closer to him, noting the way his eyes rounded, and she stretched up to brush a kiss on his mouth, lingered for a second, then stepped back.
“Good night, Nate,” she whispered, reaching behind her for the doorknob.
His dark gaze followed her out the door, and she turned away, a smile curving her lips.
Well. That was nice. She could deal with the repercussions another day, and, for now, be reminded she was still alive.
================
How are you doing so far on your goals for the month? On track? A little behind? Do you need a cheerleader? Let me know, I’m pretty good at that.
Working on my goals is pretty much my week this week, aside from the day-job. I have been doing pretty well since my September accountability challenge, and I’d hate to break the streak, so it’ll be nose to the grindstone. I think next weekend, though, I may take a day off and do nothing but read. Assuming I’ve found those two covers, anyway. Wish me luck!