Excerpt #6 from He Has Charm
Jul 11, 2022 12:15 am
Excerpt #6: He Has Charm
If you missed the previous excerpts, check past newsletters HERE!
What a summer for reading, my romance loving pals!
This week I read and wrote as I recovered from the 5-hour jet lag of returning from London.What a reading bonanza with all the fabulous books out there! The epic fun of He Has Charm is heating up as the slow burn continues. Check out your next EXCLUSIVE excerpt below! ⬇️⬇️⬇️ 🧡
My younger son Tom is home for a visit and that's so heartwarming that I have a permanent smile this week! 🧡
There's plenty of pool playing at this house. But not too much to distract me from writing. 🧡
Meanwhile, Here's another photo from my trip to London as promised. Me with the London Eye in the background. ➜➜➜➜
I apologize that the photo isn't James Bond-exciting, but I'm only little 'ole SQ, romance writer, not even brave enough to go for a ride. 😜🧡
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✍️My Writing Progress
2022 so far: 254,505 words, 3.7 Novels
2022 Goal: 415,000 words, 5 Novels, 1 Novella
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What Am I Reading? This week I'm reading Sleet Kitten by S.J. Tilly - a hockey rom-com. Fun!
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➜➜For Audiobook Addicts (like me)
by Spectrum Audiobooks!
He Has Trouble
He Has It All
He Has MVP
Comnig soon... He Has Game
Coming soon... He Has a Baby
CLICK HERE!
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NEW! FREE!
Dane Blaise: FLASHBACK - AUDIOBOOK
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➜➜If you'd like a chance for a review copy of a Boston Brawlers audiobook, let me know at stephanie@stephaniequeen.com.
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He Has Charm - Excerpt #6
“Fuck,” he says and rakes one hand through his tousled mane of gorgeous dark hair. I almost drool with envy because I’d love to run my fingers—I shake my head. Stop that.
No daydreaming about your professional meal-ticket in that very unprofessional way.
No matter how much current circumstances have blurred the line of professionalism, I know where the bright red line is and that’s squarely in front of any physical contact. Correction, I shouldn’t even be daydreaming about physical contact. Let’s double the width of that red line.
“I’m sorry,” he says.” I nod and shut down the discussion, closing myself off so tightly I’m not sure the sound of his voice could penetrate the barrier if he spoke another word.
He’s finished with lunch which means he’s eaten every last morsel of food on his plate and whatever was left on mine, not that I mind. Standing, he dismisses himself to take a nap, refraining from quipping the innuendo I can see and feel is perched on the tip of his tongue. But true to his promise to behave, he shuts his mouth and shuts the bedroom door behind him.
I wish I could say his removal from the room eases my tension, but he’s right about the weight of my family’s financial problems straining me.
Retreating to my bedroom, I slip my phone out and stare at it a minute, torn between the need to check up and the fear about what mom might say. In the end, I hike up my big girl panties and hit the icon for mom’s phone number.
“Are you coming home for your brother’s graduation?” Shit. I hesitate, not sure what to say, but surely the Brawler’s season will be over by then, right?
“I think so—when it is?”
“In mid-May. A kid only graduate high school once, Harper. You have to be there. Charlie would be so disappointed.”
“I’ll do my best. You know that. It’s just that I have this assignment and it’s really big and I stand to make a bonus—possibly enough to pay off the debt once and for all.” There’s silence on the other end of the line and I don’t have to see my mom to know the abject sorrow drains her face of all joy at the nasty subject.
No sense in asking the next question on my mind about what Charlie’s going to do after high school. It’s all but a foregone conclusion that he’ll have to work instead of going to college because we can’t afford it. Guilt tightens my chest.
“If we’re successful—and I know we will be—I’m all but guaranteed a promotion too and then Charlie can go to college—”
“Let’s not jump the gun, sweetheart. I know you’re trying hard. We all are. I’m putting in extra hours and Charlie is working hard too. A little hard work never hurt anyone. But still, you need to take time off to come home to your brother’s graduation. No matter what.” She’s right of course.
“I’ll be there, mom. Promise.” It’s not the first time I’ve made a rash promise, letting my heart lead and overtake all reason.
But I can do it. What’s the worst that could happen? I miss one of the Brawler's games? My family lives in Connecticut, so I can drive there and get back in a matter of hours. I could pull it off if I had to. Shit. Don’t borrow trouble, Harper.
Chances are graduation will be on a off day and if I have to, I’ll take Maddox with me. The idea causes all kinds of excitement to race along my nerve endings and I snort out loud at how ridiculous I’ve become about the man. Another good reason to look forward to the end of the season. The end of my family’s debt, a raise and promotion. And the beginning of a new work-life balance where I date men who are not my clients. Not bad boys who lead only to trouble and heartache.
Coming soon...
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Stephanie Queen’s Playlist for He Has Charm
The Playlist
NEW! In the Air Tonight - Phil Collins
I Can't Go For That (No Can Do) - Hall & Oates
More next week...
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The NEXT story Boston Brawlers hockey romance...
He Has Pluck will be released in September.
His name? That's where I'm counting on YOU to help me out.
Look for the Name That Character Contest for that mischievous guy who's up to something naughty soon... 💜
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Featured Review
Best Things in Life
"Another great book by Stephanie Queen. I have really enjoyed the boys at BMOC. I did have a hard time with Nate and Sarina when they got together but they were meant to be together. Just wish they didn't do it behind Biggs back. But Nate owns up to it. Good book that brings out the emotions."
--Jessica, Amazon Reviewer
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To get into that summer fun mood, I'm writing and reading more lighthearted books I call rom-com hockey romance. Hope you find your summer fun book reads to fill your lazy summer days and satisfy your happy heart. 💜
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