I know it has been a while since I’ve posted anything, but life has a way of getting busy. So what’s been happening around here?
Morgan–The Pixie and the Green Man is still waiting for the cover art. With any luck, it’ll be out soon.
In the meantime, it is NaNoWriMo time! I’ve decided to join in the fun and get started on the first sequel to Gambler’s Folly–Dante’s Angel.
You’ll remember Dante from Gambler’s Folly, perhaps. One of Dam’s inner group, he is also the youngest and least experienced. But I loved the idea of giving him his own story.
Ready for an excerpt?
DANTE’S ANGEL
“Nothing to say, Dante?” Karianna asked.
“Nothing.”
“Cat got your tongue?” Angela asked. The lilting, musical tones of her voice drew him like a siren’s song.
The challenge issued with the remark came from behind those beautiful eyes, the color of tiger’s-eye, framed by long, thick lashes, which she fluttered at him.
Of all the responses he could give, none of them seemed appropriate, and one or two of them were downright rude. While her wit wasn’t necessarily at odds with her beauty, the two in conjunction did hamper his thought processes.
“Signorina, when I play with kittens, it is not my tongue which is in danger.”
What had just come out of his mouth? He suddenly wanted to disappear from the face of the planet and he didn’t care where he emerged. She sat with her eyes wide and her mouth open, apparently shocked at his answer.
The table erupted with laughter as the two of them locked gazes. In a moment, she dropped her eyes, tossed her thick tresses over her shoulder and said, “I don’t believe we’ve met. And I’m not sure we should.”
“I see. It’s fine for you to wound a stranger, but not for him to defend himself. I am Dante Bonfiglio, of Speranza on Gambler’s Folly. My family was originally from Sicilia, though this is the first time I have been to Earth. Now we can fence as friends, rather than as strangers.”
Again, she seemed to search for a comeback and simply stared at him. Time to get back to dinner, perhaps. With a nod in her direction he turned back to his plate.
“Dante! It is a first. I can’t remember the last time anyone left Angela speechless,” Damiano exclaimed. “Well done.”
“Speechless? I am not speechless, but I don’t see any point in encouraging such an attitude. Rude!”
“Angela mia,” Signora Leone said, still chuckling. “You were speechless and, if rudeness were a sin, you would be as guilty as Dante. Maybe you’ve finally met your match.”
“I don’t think so, zia Caterina. Never would I be associated with a man as arrogant as he is.”
“You mean like you and the rest of your family?” Damiano added.
“I am not arrogant.”
“Oh? Maybe you are just rude.”
“Damiano, when it comes to rude and arrogant, you take first place.”
“Then you are a close second, cugina. Perhaps Dante is the man to take you in hand.”
“Not in this lifetime.”
How had he managed to get involved in this old family feud? And how had he let his mouth get out of control? He was normally shy, not adding much to conversations. One remark without thinking and he was embroiled in a family dispute, which, though friendly, was a little closer to the family Leone than he cared to be.
“Dante, since the brat won’t introduce herself,” Damiano said, “this is my cousin, Angela diGatti, from my mother’s side.”
“Piacere, signorina,” Dante replied. “Pleased to meet you, miss.”
“Humph…” was all she said.
“And now who is being rude?” Signora Leone asked. “Maybe this is why you have no boyfriend.”
“Who needs a boyfriend?” the young woman answered.
“Who is always wishing someone would ask her out in the evening?” her aunt countered.
“Fine. Think what you will.”
“Well, there’s nothing like a spat to get a relationship off to a good start,” the signora said with a smile. She reached for the olive oil to season her pasta.
“No!” he and Angela said together, looking daggers across the table. Once again the dining room erupted with mirth.
“This should make for interesting times,” Damiano said, wiping tears from his face.
I’ll keep you posted on my progress. At the moment, I have 22, 828 words written on Dante’s Angel. With a 50,000 word goal for the NaNoWriMo, I should be good. And after the first 50,000, I’ll see how much more it will take to finish it.
Watch for Morgan–The Pixie and the Green Man and Dante’s Angel.
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