Christmas at the Cove by Rachel Brimble

More family for Christmas?

Scott still finds Carrie irresistible, and he’s not one to shirk responsibility. Scott’s issues with his own dad make the prospect of parenthood a minefield. But if he and Carrie can overcome their fears, this Christmas could bring them the best gift of all.

Guest Post

A Day In The Life Of…Rachel Brimble

I love being asked to share what my typical day looks like because it is hard to explain how insanely busy a published author can be! All too often I get the impression that the majority of people think we sit around thinking, playing games and generally wasting away our time. SOOO not true!

A few years ago, a published author told my aspiring self to enjoy the freedom of a life without deadlines and commitments, because once it arrives (fingers crossed!) there will be no turning back. It is only over the last couple of years I have discovered that writer’s wisdom.

My typical day starts at 7am when I get up, make the kids sandwiches/find lost items/shout about the state of their rooms/uniform while shoveling down some breakfast and scanning my emails. By 8am, my teenage daughters have left the building and I spend the next hour getting dressed, loading the washing machine, feeding the dog, making the bed and generally tidying up.

By 9am at the latest, I am sat at the laptop – the next two hours consist of promo. A concept I had no warning could eat up so much of my writing time until about three years ago when I started having more than one book published a year. Promo can mean writing posts such as this one, interviews, sharing news/info on my Facebook Street Team page and sending out prizes to my readers. I also like to critique at least one chapter from one of my three critique partners.

11am – I take a break and go for a half hour walk with my black Lab, Max.

11.30 – 1.30pm – Straight writing, no distractions…if you don’t count the occasional visits to FB & Twitter…after re-reading/editing what I wrote the day before, I usually manage another 1,000 words.

1.30-2.15 – Lunch break – which, at the moment, consists of me sitting on the living room floor wrapping Xmas presents!

2.15-5pm – More writing…here I hope for a good 1,500 words. My average works out at 2,000 in total for the day (Mon-Fri), sometimes less, sometimes more. There are inevitably chores and taking the kids someplace or another slotted in here too.

5pm-6pm – Dinner with my family

6pm-7pm – last minute emails…and finish!

The evening is spent lounging in the bath with a book, then a couple of glasses of wine in front of the TV until bedtime. Tomorrow? It all starts again…

Thank you so much for sharing a day in your life with my readers here at Brooke Blogs! I love getting a glimpse into an author’s world.

Excerpt Two:

She squeezed her eyes shut. “I’ll stay for another couple of days, but then I have to go home. I can’t stay here for Christmas.”

The soft whisper of his exhalation drifted over her folded hands on the table. “That’s great. It’s more than great. Thank you.”

She swallowed, wanting the words she needed to say out of her body as soon as possible. “You have your life, and I have mine.” She opened her eyes. “Neither of us has to change our plans because I’ve told you about Belle. You can still do what you want to do.”

His eyes ever so slightly darkened. “If I’m a father, it changes everything.”

Be strong, Carrie. Lay down the ground rules. “I disagree.” She straightened her spine. “I get it, Scott. Truly. I understand you think knowing about Belle means you have to change your entire life, but that’s not true.”

“That’s not what I’m––”

“Let me just say this, please.”

He closed his eyes and she took that as permission to continue. She inhaled a deep breath. “I like, and appreciate, you thinking what you should to do and how to do it, but I’m not asking you to change your plans overnight. This is going to take time. I want it to take time. Belle doesn’t need to know about you yet. You can go on with your life and when the time’s right, I’ll tell her about you.”

Silence.

Carrie swallowed against the dryness in her throat. When she’d been standing outside the holiday park, the decision to see her mission through to the end burning like a flame inside her, she’d thought her words would be strong and clear, delivered with a reverence he couldn’t argue with. Yet now, her stomach trembled with nerves and her hands longed to take his.

Why did he make her feel so torn and her reasoning unfair? Belle was hers. He had no obligation to her unless he wanted one. “I’m not saying that to be cruel, you know.” She sighed. “I’ve looked after her the last year without a partner beside me. She’ll be okay…whatever you decide.”

His continuing silence raised the hairs at the back of her neck, made her fear she drove a bigger wedge between them, but she wouldn’t falter. She had come to Templeton and achieved what she came to do––the gates were open and Scott could step through them whenever he was ready. As long as he realized the hinges wouldn’t creak back and forth on a whim.

About the Author

Rachel lives with her husband and two young daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK. After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured agent representation in 2011. In 2012, she sold two books to Harlequin Superromance and a further three in 2013. She also writes Victorian romance for Kensington–her debut was released in April 2013 and she has since signed for three more.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family and beloved black Lab, Max. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England.

She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!

Website: http://rachelbrimble.com/
Blog: http://rachelbrimble.blogspot.co.uk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachelBrimble
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Brimble/181873201887441?fref=ts

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