Success only flourishes in perseverance -- ceaseless, restless perseverance.
--Baron Manfred Von Richtofen

Monday, February 14, 2011

Romance Blogfest: First Meeting

Happy Valentines Day, everyone! Love is in the air. It's my nineteenth wedding anniversary too. (Love you, Sweetie!) Here's my entry for the Romance Blogfest hosted by Jordan McCollum.

Here is a scene from my latest novella, "Renegade." It's the first meeting of two survivors of a devastating alien invasion. Technically, it isn't their first meeting. They were acquainted before this, but it's a  first-time meeting after never thinking about or expecting to see the person again. I think it counts, but I'll let you judge for yourself.

"Put your arms up and turn around slowly."
Kwetoo'unuv flinched in surprise and did as he was told. The woman had a shotgun aimed at him. "Don't move," she said. She was an Indian. He recognized her.
"You're Beth. Beth Stone, right?" Her face hardened. She didn't answer.
"I'm Kwetoo'unuv remember? You were friends with my mother. Nancy Walker?" Her expression didn't waver. "I—I think you canned peaches together once." Maybe he didn't want to bring that up. Beth still didn't speak. She held the gun on him without wavering.
"Do you remember me?"
Nothing.
He sighed. "Look either shoot me or say something, 'cause I have things to do."
"You've changed," she said.
"Yeah, well," he shrugged. "I grew up. Can I put my hands down now?"


So, there you have it. Pretty romantic, huh? Trust me. Things get better between them eventually.

30 comments:

Aubrie said...

Happy valentine's Day, Angie!

I like her name: Kwetoo'unuv. Is that a real Native American name?

Angela said...

Happy Valentines day! I'm glad things get better for them.

Maria Hoagland said...

Happy Anniversary! Anyway, I liked your post...I'm reading around before deciding how much of my scene I want to post :) Thanks for the example!! I liked it.

LTM said...

Hey, I can already tell things are going to get better! That sounds like a good one--Thanks, Angie! :o) <3

Happy anniversary~

Angie said...

Thanks, all. Yes, Aubrie. It's a real word anyway. I don't know if it's usually used as a name, but it's the Paiute Indian word for wolf. I'm glad you liked it, Marie. And thanks for the anniversary wishes everyone.

lotusgirl said...

Cute. Enjoy your anniversary.

Jordan McCollum said...

Happy anniversary!

Nice scene: short and sweet. I certainly hope things get better for them, like you say—nowhere to go but up!

Thanks for participating!

Amanda Bonilla said...

The BEST first meetings always occur by shotgun! ;)

Melissa said...

This is a great meeting!!

Anonymous said...

First off, I have to say if that photograph is "the view from your chair", I'm coming to visit! Gorgeous photo!

I couldn't figure out how to pronounce Kwetoo'unuv, nor why he had such a distinctive first nations' name when the woman is identified as indian, too, but is called Beth, with a Nancy as her mother... but they were sure easier names for me to remember. LOL! It's a great encounter and I'd love to know more about the story. :)

Carol Garvin

Anonymous said...

Oh, and Happy Anniversary as well as Happy Valentine's Day! What a perfect day to have been married.

Carol

Tamara Hart Heiner said...

ha ha ha! that's funny! now I'm trying to imagine how things are going to change between them!

BK Mattingly said...

I love the way they're interacting with each other.

Golden Eagle said...

Great scene. I like his name--it took me a few tries to say it my mind, but it certainly is unique!

Happy Valentine's Day! :)

RaShelle Workman said...

Talk of canning peaches. A gun. I feel the tension already. Loved it. =D

Angie said...

Thanks everybody. I always appreciate your comments. Carol--it is more or less the view out the window from the office where the writing chair is. Come visit anytime! Kwetoo'unuv is pronounced phonetically just like it's spelled. A little weird, I know. Let's just say his parents were a bit eccentric. Thanks so much for stopping by. Jordan, thanks for hosting the blog fest. It's been fun!

Gail said...

Canning peaches! That's awesome!

Christine said...

Love this! But then I'm partial to books with Native Americans in them. Don't know why. Anyway. Love this scene.

Rebecca Shelley said...

>Things get better between them eventually. <

I can imagine. :) Great scene.

Debbie Davis said...

I laughed out loud when he said are you going to shoot me or something, I have chores to do. then she says, you've changed. I thought it was really fun! thanks for sharing this scene! I loved it!

Larry and Cindy said...

Happy Anniversary Ms. Angie and Mr. Tracy. I have such fond memories of your wedding and reception. It was a great day!!! I also loved the scene from Renegade (Great Story)!!!

Rebecca Blevins said...

Happy anniversary!

Interesting first meeting! You always hope the person you end up with won't shoot you, haha.

Shannon said...

Happy Valentine's Day and Anniversary!

Very interesting exchange. I like it!

Linz said...

hahaha! Sounds like my kinda love scene! :) Happy Valentine's day!

ali cross said...

LOL! I love the "shoot me or say something". Great job Angie!

Joyce DiPastena said...

Love it, Angie! Gotta find out how these two get together after this! LOL!

Nichole Giles said...

Ooh. Interesting. Great segment!

Andrew Rosenberg said...

Mmm...canned peaches...
Nice scene!

Anonymous said...

So cool! I love the hard-butt hero/heroine mix! I’ve read many ‘entries’ from this blogfest and so far every one I’ve come across I’ve been left wanting more after the author stops (what?! But things were just heating up! LoL). Love it!

Marsha Ward said...

"Can I put my hands down now?" I love it! Good title, too: Renegade. Thanks, Angie. I hope your anniversary was glorious.

Marsha Ward, who may have to email this. Blogger hates me tonight.