I’m so excited to have finished Marrying Emma, the fifth book in my Brides of Clearwater series. Penning the last 15,000 words was a bit of an adventure, though, as I wrote between rolling blackouts during the crazy winter storm last week. Our area of Texas sees a dusting of snow maybe once or twice every seven years. We got snow twice in one week for a total of nine inches. It was unheard of! While our daughter enjoyed the snow, and we had fun making snowmen and eating snow ice cream, we’re all happy that our sunshine is back and the snow has since melted.
Marrying Emma is set to release in less than a month. I can’t wait for you all to read it! I thought I’d share an excerpt:
Emma witnessed the entire exchange, and it was all she could do to not groan or smack Marty in the back of his head. Seriously, did the guy have to flirt with everyone? She grabbed her backpack, lunch, and headed for the door.
She’d just made it to her car when the younger woman left the gym with a wave over her shoulder. Marty jogged out behind her, spotted Emma, and turned her direction.
Pretending she hadn’t noticed him, Emma tossed her things into the passenger seat and slid behind the wheel. She almost got the door closed before Marty caught it. “You in a hurry? I thought maybe we could get some lunch.”
Emma motioned toward the sports car pulling out of the parking lot. “Why didn’t you ask her to eat lunch with you? Seems like the next logical step after all of that flirting. You guys obviously have a connection.”
Marty rolled his eyes. “I was talking to a potential customer and encouraging her to try a class.”
“Right.”
He put one hand on her door and the other rested on the car on the other side. He crouched down until he was face-to-face with Emma. “Maybe you should ask yourself why my flirting with other women bothers you so much.”
~*~
Marty should have let her one-word comment go and walked away before either of them said something they didn’t mean. Except he didn’t. Couldn’t. And now he was crouched down next to her car, watching her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink, and admiring the fact that she hadn’t flinched at his question. She was staring him down—giving as good as she got—and all Marty could think about was leaning in and kissing her. A move, he was quite sure, would not be welcome.
Even with her lips pursed together in irritation, they were pink, full, and begging for attention. He shifted his gaze back to her eyes before she deduced his line of thinking.
Those lips finally parted as Emma responded with clipped words. “Maybe not everyone who comes into the gym wants to be flirted with.”
If only she knew how hard it had been to flirt with a woman for the first time after his motorcycle accident. It’d taken everything in him just to prove he wasn’t going to let the loss of his leg hold him back. It’d become a coping mechanism, a way to prove to himself he was still normal. Still the same man he’d been before. It’d become a routine way of interacting with the women around him.
Maybe Emma was right, and maybe he should change the way he approached members of the farer sex. But he wasn’t going to admit that, not now anyway.
His eyebrows rose as he thought about her comment. “No doubt you’re right. What about you?”
“What do you mean?” She crossed her arms in front of her as though offended.
Marty had no doubt she knew exactly what he meant. “Are you one of those women who doesn’t want to be flirted with?” When she didn’t respond immediately, he reached over with one hand and gently fingered a blonde curl. It felt like silk against his roughened skin. “There’s one thing you should know.”
“Oh? Please, do share.” Her arms were still folded, her green eyes sparking, but her voice sounded breathless.
Did he dare hope he had even a fraction of the effect on her that she had on him? “Of all the girls I’ve flirted with over the last two years, you’re the only one I’ve ever asked out.”
With that, he stood and strode to his Harley. The scent of vanilla and orange lingered, reminiscent of when he’d comforted her earlier. She’d fit in his arms perfectly. Why couldn’t she fit into his life so easily?
Preorder Marrying Emma on Amazon today!
~*~ Giveaway ~*~
The Brides of Clearwater series takes place in the fictional small town of Clearwater, Texas. I personally enjoy reading a good inspirational romance written in any setting, but I’m especially fond of small towns.
What about you? Is there a particular setting you prefer?
Comment below, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a digital copy of one of my Brides of Clearwater books (your choice). A random commenter will be chosen on March 3rd and contacted by e-mail. I look forward to reading your responses!
Melanie D. Snitker is a USA Today Bestselling Author who writes inspirational and sweet romance novels. She and her husband live in the beautiful Texas Hill Country with their two children who keep their lives full of adventure. They share their home with two dogs, a guinea pig, two lizards, and four frogs. In her spare time, Melanie enjoys photography, reading, baking, computer games, and hanging out with family and friends.
Small town romances are always a joy to read. Living in a small town myself, I find them more relatable. Emma’s story sounds intriguing. I don’t think I’d be too impressed with Marty’s flirting either!
I prefer small town romances since I live in a small town and can relate more to the story than a major city.
Small-town romances are the best!! Sure, the big city is exciting, but there’s something special about a place where everybody really DOES know your name!
I prefer small town romances. Love these beautiful covers.
I enjoy most settings, but small towns are my favorite.
I like any and all, really don’t have a preference, but there is something about small towns that I really like. It’s like you know them better, and the people there better than in bigger places.
I think small towns are so fun, but I don’t think I actually have a favorite
I love living in a small town as well! And yeah, Emma and Marty don’t get off to a great start, but find they have so much more in common than they ever imagined!
I’ve lived in both small towns and large cities. I’ve found that, even in large cities, it’s more like the neighborhood or community acts like a small town there in a way. It’s an interesting dynamic!
I so agree, Regina! Thanks for commenting!
Thank you so much!! <3
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Carrie! I hope you have a lovely day.
I think so, too. It’s interesting how so many people knowing you can make a difference!
It’s really as much about the characters and story itself, right? Thanks for commenting, Angeline!
You know, I’ve never really considered this topic before … what kind of setting do I prefer? When consider the books I’ve loved, they’re typically small-town settings with a close-knit community. It makes sense. I’m a really introverted gal. I like things on the smaller-sized scale. Small gatherings, few good friends, quiet nights. It does make sense I would gravitate to the small-town settings in my stories that I read and love.
I’m like Nicole above; an introvert who prefers small gatherings (unless it’s my family, I have 6 siblings with families of their own so any gathering is large! But I still don’t do a lot of talking) so I usually gravitate to small town settings. But I have liked city stories, too. Have a wonderful weekend!
I like small towns too. I like stories where when someone is in need, everyone pitches in to help.
Thanks for the opportunity!
I definitely prefer small town community setting! Wish I could live in one!
I prefer small towns Thanks for sharing!
Wow! Fantastic excerpt.
Love small town settings.
I do like the small town settings. They seem so friendly. I guess I like them because I haven’t lived in one for most of my life. I live where it is crowded and people mostly keep to themselves. Few of the neighbors even know each others’ names. It’s kinda sad really.
I like stories set in small towns and since I live in one, I understand the dynamics of them. I also like stories set in other countries, it’s like arm chair traveling to a new place. The author can make the story come to life in my mind with lots of descriptions of the setting. I also like stories set near the ocean (or any water source) because that’s the kind of setting I like to live in. There’s potential for characters to interact with the water….fishing, boating, beach combing, surfing, etc. Thus making the story more interesting to me :-)
I guess I just like a good story set in a place the author can make me feel at home in with characters that become my friends!
I personally don’t care too much about the setting, though I am partial to small towns as opposed to cityscapes. As long as the characters are deep, real, and growing, it doesn’t really matter to me, though.
I enjoy small towns especially in places like Montana, Texas and North Carolina.
Your book sounds like a Great read, Thank you for sharing about it. I love small town romances myself . Have a Great weekend and stay safe.
I’m extremely introverted as well, so I totally get what you’re saying. I think that’s why I prefer to read–and write–them!
Oh, wow! I’ll bet your family gatherings are big. How fun!! I’m not one to talk a lot in our family gatherings, either. But still enjoy them. I hope you have a great weekend as well.
I love that about small towns, too, Linda.
I definitely prefer to live in smaller towns, although I think we’ve always lived in a small town that was within 45 minutes of a large city. Kind of the best of both worlds.
Thanks for commenting, Sarah. Have a lovely day!
Thanks, Denise! I hope you’re having a great weekend.
I agree, it’s sad how so few neighbors actually know each other anymore. I’ve found that to be true even in smaller towns sometimes. I miss the days when everyone knew each other!
That’s so true, Trixi! I’ve never done much traveling, and likely won’t get that opportunity. So reading about new places is very much like arm chair traveling and it’s always fun! Especially, as you said, if the author can make you feel at home.
Thanks, Lila! I agree that’s a huge part of any story no matter what the setting.
I’m fond of Montana, too. I live in Texas. I admit to not knowing much about North Carolina. Have you or do you live in any of the three?
Thank you, Alicia! I hope you have a wonderful weekend as well.
I like most all settings, but I think the small town ones are really fun because of the supporting characters and history within the town.
Thanks for responding, Megan! I hope you’re having a great weekend so far!
Having grown up in a big city for most of my life, and having lived for a semester in Waco, I’m really fond of small-town settings. Loved that excerpt btw!
I grew up in a small town and, looking back, it seems that the experience was more interesting for the adults. I had a couple of nice friendships during my growing up, but most of the time I found it a little boring. Of course, boring is in the eye (and under the control of) the beholder! I remember hiking along the creek across the road from us, helping out at my church and riding bikes. All. Over. We had the corner diner, an elementary school, a high school, two churches and a blinker light at the center of town. The surrounding area had a lot of dairy farms but they were on the way out even then. There were some characters. My dad, the music teacher at the high school, was probably one of them. It’s hard to see the fun curiousness when it’s all you’ve known.
It wasn’t until I went away to college and showed a friend some pictures I had taken of the rolling countryside, that I got a better perspective. She said, “This is where you grew up? It’s beautiful!”
I do enjoy the small towns of literature. They give us a warm ideal that speaks to the longings for connectedness and community in our hearts. And it’s easy to be charmed by the idiosyncrasies of characters that bring humor and warmth to the setting.
So, yes. Give me the small town setting for a good read. Just maybe not the one I grew up in. :) :)
I love small town romances for sure!!! I love to read them through ePub or Canada Kobo.
I loved the excerpt! I lean toward small town settings – where everyone knows everyone, however I also enjoy reading books set in large cities because that lifestyle is so different from mine.
I’ve loved your whole series so far! I’m glad to see that Emma’s getting her story told.
It sounds great! Love the banter.
And I love small towns, they are charming ❤️
Thank you for the chance!
I cannot say that I enjoy one setting over another. As long as the right setting is used with the story. I am great with it. Thank you for sharing your time and your talent. God bless you.
I love small towns in books, because I live in a small town. But for me it doesn’t matter in which setting the book is written. Thank you for this post!
I live in a very small town, so I prefer that as a setting
Small town romances are the best especially because that’s how I met my husband & how we live & far from the city.
I think small town is great. I love reading them & is my life since a kid & my family also now.