Sunday is December 1. This may mean several things to many of you. For my brother, it means two more days until his birthday (Happy early birthday, Adam!) For lots and lots of good little boys and girls it means 23 more days until Santa comes to visit late at night. For me, it means ONE MONTH until my debut novel is published.
I may be feeling a little bit like this …
To say I’m excited may be a bit of an understatement.
So, I feel the need to spread the excitement around. Someone suggested I start posting once a week until the book is released. I decided that is a fantastic idea. I can introduce you to some of the characters, give away some prizes, and share some fun little bits from the story.
Sound like a good plan?
Rob says yes. And really, that’s all I need to proceed.
This week, I have decided to introduce you to some of the characters from THE WEATHER GIRL. If you have ventured onto my Pinterest board for the book, you have seen some of the things that have inspired me. But WHO inspired some of the characters in the story? Let’s see…
This is my Summer. She’s beautiful but doesn’t really have a clue how beautiful she is because her looks are the least of her worries. She’s usually more focused on what’s going on in the world of weather. Summer grew up chasing storms with her parents. She’s been all over the country and didn’t have a very traditional upbringing. She’s socially awkward and besides being able to feel when it’s going to rain, she also tends to rattle off random weather facts when she’s nervous. Luckily, Travis Lockwood finds that kind of adorable.
This is Travis. Yeah. He’s also adorable. You know, if adorable means the same thing as totally hot.
Travis was the star quarterback for the Miami Dolphins until he was permanently sidelined by a shoulder injury. The worst part is that he has no idea what else to do with his life. Football is all he knows, all he was allowed to ever know. His dad was a little … intense. He takes the job at the station because he’s got no other options. It doesn’t help that he totally sucks at his new job and the Weather Girl hates him.
The story may be named after Summer’s character, but I think this novel is about Travis’s journey of self-discovery even more than it’s about Summer’s search for something more in her life.
Excerpt you say? Okay, here’s a little snippet of Summer and Travis:
“Do y’all say break a leg or something before you go on?”
“Um, no. No one says that,” Summer replied, trying not to laugh. The sound assistant adjusted her mic while Pete, one of the engineering techs, made sure the lighting was right.
“Well, good luck, then, Weather Girl.” Travis started to walk toward the news desk but stopped. “You should wear blue every day.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Huh?”
“It looks nice. Makes your eyes stand out.” He pointed at her face as though she’d forgotten where her eyes were located. “You have amazing eyes.”
Summer was momentarily speechless. She looked over at a scowling Rachel, who practically had smoke blowing out her ears. “Funny. I was actually encouraged not to wear blue today. It kills bears in Chicago or something.”
Rachel pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head. Travis’s brow furrowed. “The color blue kills bears? For real?”
“I think. Maybe not. I heard that somewhere, but that person was probably wrong because why in the world would blue have anything to do with bears? I mean, that makes no sense, right? I’m sure bears like blue,” Summer rambled. How she wished she’d remained speechless.
Her nerves took over. “Did you know that even though Chicago is called the Windy City, it doesn’t even rank in the top ten windiest cities in the U.S.?”
“Really?”
“Really. Blue Hill, Massachusetts, is actually the windiest city.”
“Blue Hill?” Travis smiled. “Are you messin’ with me?”
“I never mess around about the weather.”
*********************
2014 is set to be one of the best years yet. I’ve just been offered a contract from Harlequin Heartwarming for THREE more books. Yep, not one, not two, but THREE more books. Cue that overexcited baby gif one more time! My youngest son and I did jump up and down in the driveway after I got off the phone with my editor. I cannot wait to have a whole bookcase filled with books that have my name on them.
For now, I am anxiously awaiting the first of January and the very first book with my name on it. I hope you are too!
xoxo,
Amy
Amy Vastine 