Tomorrow Is April Fools’ Day, but Let’s Celebrate Today–Sue Charnley, Romance Author
Hello and Welcome. So here we sit on the eve of the most under-appreciated holiday of the calendar, April Fools’ Day. Every year, I do my best to bring attention to this neglected and much maligned holiday. The myth persists that April Fools’s Day is an occasion for playing cruel jokes on others to make them look foolish. C’mon folks, no one needs help looking foolish. The true purpose of April Fools’ Day is to celebrate laughter. I’ve celebrated in many ways; Comedy Central marathon’s, Funny movie marathon’s (among my favorites are My Man Godfrey and It Happened One Night), reading jokes on-line, and best of all reading romantic comedies (can anyone say SEP?). I like romantic comedies so much that I wrote two, The Catnapped Lover and Devil May Clare then tied them both to this wonderful holiday that celebrates laughter. I’ve included a short excerpt from The Catnapped Lover, below. But before we get to that, I’d really like to hear from you about how you celebrate April Fools’ Day. I’ll send swag to anyone with a US postal address who leaves a comment and tells me about his/her ideal April Fool’s Day celebration (real or fictional I don’t care). Don’t forget to leave an e-mail address where you can be reached so I can contact you with details about where to send an SASE.
Now a little set up and then the excerpt: Our heroine, Rue Clancy has just startled our hero, Adam Talcott out of a sound sleep. Concerned because, she found him dreaming in the hammock on her aunt’s front porch and her aunt is nowhere to be found, Rue and thought Adam was a vagrant. He was so startled when she woke him that he tumbled from the hammock and broke the plate of sandwiches that her aunt had given him to snack on when he first arrived asking for work. (If you’re worried about Rue’s aunt, don’t be, she had to run an urgent errand.)Rue found herself caught in a deep blue stare that soothed and frightened at the same time. For some unfathomable reason, she wanted to strip naked and swim in that clear shining light. Her thoughts rambled. I’ve never reacted to anyone this way. This man is dangerous. She shook herself. “Sit, Mister…?” “Talcott,” he said slowly. “Adam Talcott.” Hold still, Mr. Talcott, so I can look at your head.” He did as she asked. “I’m Rue Clancy. My aunt owns Shea D’s Rest.”Rue dipped a corner of the towel into the water, then moved around in back of the chair where Adam sat. Gingerly she moved her fingers through his hair until she located a slight swelling behind his ear.He flinched when her fingers brushed the tender spot. “I’m sorry.” She applied the cool cloth.
“It’s okay
“I don’t think it’s bleeding.”
“Really?” Adam put his hand up to his head.
At the same moment, Rue removed the towel and leaned past him, stretching to soak the towel again. The movement caused her breast to brush against his fingers. Startled, she jumped backward, pulling the bowl of icy water over the edge of the table and into Adam’s lap.
He snatched his hand away and leapt up from the chair.
Rue let out a gasp. “Oh, my lord, look at you.”
“I don’t think I’m all that impressive right at the moment.” He bent his head, peering at his soaked jeans.
“No, your back.”
“Despite my earlier performance, I’m not a contortionist.”
“I’m sorry. I know I’m not making myself clear, but your shirt is stained with red. You must have fallen on the plate.”
“No kidding.”
She watched as his head swung in the direction of the shattered plate and glass. She probed his back gently. “Does that hurt?”
“Not really.”
“I’d better take a look at your back too. Can you take your shirt off? Here, let me help.”
She moved around in front and unbuttoned his cuffs, while he unfastened the placket of the shirt. Then she eased the cloth down past his elbows. His skin was smooth and tanned, the revealed flesh firm and taut. The aroma of warm male surrounded her. She hadn’t been this near a man since…since she’d made a fool of herself.
Briskly, she stripped the shirt off of his arms and dropped it on the floor. She marched around behind him and stared at the unmarred expanse of his back. She touched the marble smooth surface and felt heat. The muscles beneath her hand shifted. Adam sat down, turning his head and shoulders so he looked at her. A jolt prickled her skin.
“Your back is fine, just fine.” Uncomfortable under his steady gaze, she bent, reaching for the discarded shirt.
Adam grabbed for the shirt at the same time.
Rue yanked herself backward, avoiding the dangerous lure of his touch.
Adam held the shirt up so that both of them could see the large red splotches spread over the back. Adam sniffed. “Strawberry jam.”
She smothered a nervous chuckle. “Aunt Shea is very vain about her homemade preserves. I wonder how she’d feel about you wearing them instead of eating them?”
“You know your aunt best, but somehow I don’t think she’d mind, given the circumstances.”
Rue lifted her head and risked meeting his gaze. The small smile that she’d seen when he slept reappeared as a face splitting grin. She bit back an answering smile. There it is again, that sense of falling—or diving—straight into his bluer than blue eyes. Careful Rue, you can’t afford to fall for another charmer.
“Um, yes.”
She forced her attention to the mess near the hammock. “Speaking of the circumstances, we’d better get them cleaned up before….”
You can read longer excerpts at The Catnapped Lover and Devil May Clare, or just visit my website http://www.SusanCharnley.com.
Here are purchase links for both of these books. The Catnapped Lover, Amazon, Devil May Clare, Amazon.
March 31st, 2011 at 10:50 am
Sounds like awesomeness
March 31st, 2011 at 11:06 am
I enjoyed reading your excerpt and I especially enjoyed your post about April Fools Day.
In answer to your question . . . I celebrate April Fools Day differently than most people ~ it is also my birthday.
hawkes@citlink.net
March 31st, 2011 at 11:42 am
I enjoyed the excerpts.
March 31st, 2011 at 11:45 am
haha I wanted to see her meet the hero. Funny dialogue. Good luck, Sue!
March 31st, 2011 at 11:56 am
Jilly, Peg, Carly, and Christy. Glad you enjoyed the excerpt. Thanks for leaving your comments. Send an e-mail to contact@susancharnley.com, and I’ll give instructions for getting your swag privately.
March 31st, 2011 at 1:44 pm
Happy Birthday, Christy!
The Catnapped Lover sounds really good! Thanks for the excerpt!
March 31st, 2011 at 2:30 pm
You’re welcome Carol, glad you enjoyed the excerpt. If you’re interested in swag send me an e-mail at contact@susancharnley.com.
April 1st, 2011 at 9:24 am
My kids always say I’m too serious. So reading this blog post about April Fool’s Day was fun. Thanks for the smiles.
April 1st, 2011 at 9:51 am
Thank you Sherri. Kids can be wrong, you know.
Send an e-mail to contact@SusanCharnley.com and I’ll let you know how to get your swag.
April 1st, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Hi Sue,
I loved the excerpt! I hope your having a fun April Fools day! I guess my family and I try to play tricks on each other, but we are always pretty much looking for it so it’s pretty hard to fool each other.
April 1st, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Thanks Chris, glad you enjoyed the excerpt. The Catnapped Lover is available now. I’ve enjoyed the day tremendously. As long as the tricks are expected and all in good fun, as you indicate, who can object. If you’d like swag, send an e-mail to contact@SusanCharnley.com, and I’ll set the process in motion.
April 1st, 2011 at 5:23 pm
Sound so cute I like the Catnapper Lover! Really sound like a cute story to read will have to look it up.
Hugs!
Lisa
Happy Apirl Fools Day!!!
April 1st, 2011 at 5:50 pm
Thank you for the kind words, Lisa. Once you read it, let me know how you liked The Catnapped Lover. Hearing from readers is among my favorite things to do. You can contact me via e-mail at contact@susancharnley.com
April 3rd, 2011 at 10:56 am
Really enjoyed the fun post and excerpt thanks so much for sharing! I didn’t do much for April Fool’s Day but always like a day that celebrates laughter
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April 3rd, 2011 at 11:28 am
Pam,
Thank you so much for your comment and support. Please e-mail me at contact@susancharnley.com for instructions on getting your swag.
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