Karen Michelle Nutt's Blog, page 18

She saved the day. Heart and Soul #8sunday #snippetsunday

Keep in mind Heart and Soul is a WIP.

This is in Rowan's POV. Last week: The band takes the stage, but Jesse experiences stagefright.

***

Again, they started the song,
but still, Jesse didn't move.

"Crap," Rowan
murmured under her breath. If she didn't do something fast, the band would
never have a second chance, and she knew how much they wanted this moment to
make a difference. They were talented and hoped to prove it. Before fully
processing what she planned to do, her feet moved. Once on stage, her hand
covered Jesse's, and he relinquished the mic. 

"Now Jesse, what kind of intro is that?" She glanced at the drummer. "From the top, please." It took the band a moment to realize she was saving their collective arses, but when they did, they took off with it.

(This is the end of 10 sentences. for Weekend Warriors. Continue for Snippet Sunday 300 words or less, if you wish. :))

The drummer started the count.
She sang the first lines, and once she the chorus began, Jesse recovered from
his stage fright and joined in, his voice harmonizing with hers. She belted out
the words with ease as if she'd performed this song a million times in front of
a live audience.

She stayed on stage for one
more song. By then, Jesse had really warmed up and was playing to the audience
like a born performer.

She headed toward the back of
the room where she spotted Maverick eyeing her with an arched brow.

"Nice save, Rowan. I
didn't know you could sing."

"You didn't ask."

"No, I suppose I
didn't." His lips curved. "You are full of surprises."

"Gotta keep it
interesting," she teased and headed toward the front of the coffeehouse
and finally let her smile drop.

She hadn't known she could sing
either. Not like in her dreams when she'd been Haley Rose. Her voice tonight...
God, it hadn't been hers.

***

About Heart and Soul...

80s rock star, Haley Rose went missing without a trace on October 31
1988 and was eventually presumed dead. Three decades later, a
thirty-year old woman, Rowan Beckett recalls things only Haley Rose
would know and she can belt out songs in the same fashion as the missing
80s star. However, Rowan couldn't be the missing rock star since the
woman would now be in her fifties. Could Haley Rose have came back
reincarnated as Rowan Beckett?

Hashtags: #8sunday #snippetsunday



Participating Authors are listed at these sites:



Weekend Writing Warriors



Snippet Sunday Facebook Group 

Stage Fright! Heart and Soul #8sunday #snippetsunday

Keep in mind Heart and Soul is a WIP.

This is in Rowan's POV. Last week: Rowan worked closely with Jesse for the next hour as they wrote down the lyrics and band played.

***

Tristan had extra music sheets in his case, and he penciled in the notes. Phoenix wrote down when each musician should come in with his part of the song.

They were just finishing up
when Maverick popped in to see how things were going. She met him at the door.

"How do you like
them?" Maverick asked.

"They're good. I think they'll be a great addition the Merry Mayhem Event too. Hey, I never asked. You do have blanket licenses from the PRO's for the cover bands, right?" Since the band was adding a song they didn't normally play, she wanted to make sure.

(This is the end of 10 sentences. for Weekend Warriors. Continue for Snippet Sunday 300 words or less, if you wish. :))

He nodded. "Don't worry
I've got it all covered. I don't want to be sued any more than the musicians
do. 

"I figured you did, but I
had to ask."

He glanced at his watch.
"Thirty minutes to show time."

Ten minutes later, there was a line outside, and one of the guys who worked the cash register in coffeehouse collected the money for the show. The place was packed with people. The room smelled like freshly brewed coffee and sweet like toffee and cinnamon. The healthy portions of sliced cake and flavored coffee drinks were probably the reason. The lights were dimmed until the band took their places. When the lights brightened, she noticed that Jesse gripped the microphone as if it were a lifeline. The intro to the new Haley Rose song they had practiced began, but when it came time for Jesse to join in and sing his lines, he just stood there staring as if in a trance. She told them not to start with that song, but perhaps stage fright was something Jesse suffered on occasion.

***

About Heart and Soul...

80s rock star, Haley Rose went missing without a trace on October 31
1988 and was eventually presumed dead. Three decades later, a
thirty-year old woman, Rowan Beckett recalls things only Haley Rose
would know and she can belt out songs in the same fashion as the missing
80s star. However, Rowan couldn't be the missing rock star since the
woman would now be in her fifties. Could Haley Rose have came back
reincarnated as Rowan Beckett?

Hashtags: #8sunday #snippetsunday



Participating Authors are listed at these sites:



Weekend Writing Warriors



Snippet Sunday Facebook Group 

Her solo album was never released. Heart and Soul #8sunday #snippetsunday

Keep in mind Heart and Soul is a WIP.

This is in Rowan's POV. Last week the band played a Haley Rose song. They wanted to know what Rowan thought of it.

***

"Do you know any more of
her music?"

"She only had a few hit
singles as far as I could find," he said. "Phoenix did the
research." He jabbed a thumb toward his drummer. "She disappeared
back in the 80s, I think." He glanced at Phoenix who nodded.

"There wasn't much about her," Phoenix piped up. "Unsolved mystery and just that she was an up and coming star when she disappeared. It's coming up on the anniversary of the day she vanished."

Rowan knew Haley Rose had an album too but it never was released. It wasn't anything she read on the Internet; she just knew.

(This is the end of 10 sentences. for Weekend Warriors. Continue for Snippet Sunday 300 words or less, if you wish. :))

"Do you know this
one?" She hummed a few lines to one of the songs that she dreamt of Haley
singing on stage.

Jesse shook his head. One look
at the other guys in the band and she knew they hadn't either.

Tristan picked up the guitar.
"Hum the melody again."

She did one better and added
the lyrics, though her voice cracked in a few spots, the guys caught one
quickly to the melody. It took Tristan a moment, but he found the chords and
the tune came alive with a few more strokes.

"Cool," Max said and
joined in on bass.

Phoenix was next with the drums
then Jesse hummed along before he joined her on the chorus.

As the song ended, Jesse's lips
curved into a huge grin. "I like it. Is that something Haley Rose
wrote?"

"Yeah," she said, hoping it was true. At least in her dreams, she had sung it. "You have the voice to carry it off, Jesse. Do you think you want to give it a go?"He nodded, and there was a 'hell, yes', from Max.

"I'll need you to jot down the lyrics," Jesse said.

***

About Heart and Soul...

80s rock star, Haley Rose went missing without a trace on October 31
1988 and was eventually presumed dead. Three decades later, a
thirty-year old woman, Rowan Beckett recalls things only Haley Rose
would know and she can belt out songs in the same fashion as the missing
80s star. However, Rowan couldn't be the missing rock star since the
woman would now be in her fifties. Could Haley Rose have came back
reincarnated as Rowan Beckett?

Hashtags: #8sunday #snippetsunday



Participating Authors are listed at these sites:



Weekend Writing Warriors



Snippet Sunday Facebook Group 

She knew that song. Heart and Soul #8sunday #snippetsunday

Keep in mind Heart and Soul is a WIP.

This is in Rowan's POV. Last week, Rowan met the band and they were setting up for the night's performance. We jumped ahead a few paragraphs.

***

She took a seat at one of the tables in the back and went over the songs they were going to play tonight. Their music leaned toward classic rock with some pop thrown in for good measure. They listed covers for Journey and few other old time favorites. Once they were set up, they chose Don't Stop Believin' so Ted Morris, their soundman, could make his adjustments. Music by far is a kind of magic all by itself, but the performance hinged on the muscle behind the scene to make sure the sound didn't go flat. A good soundman was just as crucial as the talent musicians. Ted had his own console unit, a sound board, that he interfaced with the local band's equipment. This way he had a consistent platform to mix the band and make sure the singer was heard over the instruments as well as guaranteeing the solo guitar moments really shined. Ted had traveled with Maverick's group and came highly recommended.

"This next one is an oldie but goodie," Jess said into the microphone.

(This is the end of 10 sentences. for Weekend Warriors. Continue for Snippet Sunday 300 words or less, if you wish. :))

"It was a number one hit in 1987." The intro had her sitting up straight as the hairs on the back of her neck stood at attention. When he belted the first words, her heart pounded hard and skipped a beat. She knew that song and not because she had heard in on the oldies but goodies radio station. Once they had finished, Jess glanced at her obviously gauging her reaction.

"That was a Haley Rose
tune," she said, her voice raw with emotion.

"We thought it would be
cool to do since the lady sang here. Only we'd spiced it up a bit to make it
ours too, you know?" His shoulders lifted in a shrug. "What do you
think?"

***

About Heart and Soul...

80s rock star, Haley Rose went missing without a trace on October 31
1988 and was eventually presumed dead. Three decades later, a
thirty-year old woman, Rowan Beckett recalls things only Haley Rose
would know and she can belt out songs in the same fashion as the missing
80s star. However, Rowan couldn't be the missing rock star since the
woman would now be in her fifties. Could Haley Rose have came back
reincarnated as Rowan Beckett?

Hashtags: #8sunday #snippetsunday



Participating Authors are listed at these sites:



Weekend Writing Warriors



Snippet Sunday Facebook Group 

Keep in mind Heart and Soul is a WIP. This is in Rowa...

Keep in mind Heart and Soul is a WIP.

This is in Rowan's POV. Last week, Rowan opened the back door so the band could bring in their equipment.

***

Maverick had told her Love 'em
and Leave 'em was a local band. She hadn't heard them play, but Maverick said
they weren't half bad. They had tried out for tonight's timeslot with the
previous manager.

The band had played together
for four years, mostly at weddings and small gigs. This was a small gig too,
but by far a more reputable establishment than any of the other's they
performed. It would carry influence when they were asked for references. She glanced
at her watch. They had two hours before the show started. Plenty of time for sound-checks
and a quick warm up.

"And there they are now," she murmured as she spotted the band members at their van unloading equipment.

(This is the end of 10 sentences. for Weekend Warriors. Continue for Snippet Sunday 300 words or less, if you wish. :))

A twenty-something-year-old band member approached and held out his hand. "Hi, I'm Jess Barnes. You must be the new manager." He stood perhaps 5' 11'' with smooth skin and eyes a light golden brown. He was prettier than he was handsome with thick wavy hair fashioned rockabilly chic.

She gripped his hand.
"Yes, I'm Rowan Beckett."

"Tristan's my brother. He plays the guitar," he pointed to where Tristan stood, and the brother waved. The resemblance was noticeable. He rocked his natural curls. "Max Hexter plays the bass." He gestured toward a dishwater-blond with long hair pulled back with a leather tie. "And Phoenix Sutherland is on the drums." He had black hair, probably dyed and striking green eyes, and skin so pale it proved unbelievable he lived in Southern California. Phoenix waved his drumstick in greeting before tucking them into his back pocket. "That's us," he said and turned back to face her.

"I'm happy to meet you,
and I look forward to hearing you play."

***

About Heart and Soul...

80s rock star, Haley Rose went missing without a trace on October 31
1988 and was eventually presumed dead. Three decades later, a
thirty-year old woman, Rowan Beckett recalls things only Haley Rose
would know and she can belt out songs in the same fashion as the missing
80s star. However, Rowan couldn't be the missing rock star since the
woman would now be in her fifties. Could Haley Rose have came back
reincarnated as Rowan Beckett?

Hashtags: #8sunday #snippetsunday



Participating Authors are listed at these sites:



Weekend Writing Warriors



Snippet Sunday Facebook Group 

She dreamt of dead people. Heart and Soul #8sunday #snippetsunday

Keep in mind Heart and Soul is a WIP.

This is in Maverick's POV. Last week Katie was tell Maverick and Rowan about her ghost experience.

***

She shivered as she recalled that day. "Totally creeped me out. Look." She lifted her arm. "Gooseflesh just talking about it." She glanced at Rowan.

"How about you. Do you believe in ghosts?"

Before Rowan could answer the door chimed, and a couple walked in. "Just take a seat anywhere," Maverick told them.

(This is the end of 10 sentences. for Weekend Warriors. Continue for Snippet Sunday 300 words or less, if you wish. :))

He glanced at Rowan, but she was already heading toward the back room. The band would be arriving soon, and she most likely wanted to check the sound system. The ghost stories would have to wait

***

Katie wanted to know if she believed in ghosts, but the woman didn't have a clue what a loaded question, she'd presented. Rowan had memories of a dead woman, reliving her last days through her dreams and if she didn't solve the mystery, she'd never be able to live her life now in the present. The link between her and Haley Rose needed to be resolved one way or the other.

Her brows drew together. She dreamt of dead people. She didn't see them in broad daylight, but something had been on the road today, and the person vanished in a blink of an eye. Was it a ghost? Had it been Haley Rose and she experienced some kind of waking dream? Was that even a thing? She had to go back and see if the woman would appear again, but first, she had work to do.

She headed toward the backdoor and reached for the clipboard hanging on the wall. She glanced at the roster. Love 'em and Leave 'em would be the entertainment tonight. She propped open the backdoor that led to the parking lot behind the building, so the band could bring in their equipment.

***

About Heart and Soul...

80s rock star, Haley Rose went missing without a trace on October 31
1988 and was eventually presumed dead. Three decades later, a
thirty-year old woman, Rowan Beckett recalls things only Haley Rose
would know and she can belt out songs in the same fashion as the missing
80s star. However, Rowan couldn't be the missing rock star since the
woman would now be in her fifties. Could Haley Rose have came back
reincarnated as Rowan Beckett?

Hashtags: #8sunday #snippetsunday



Participating Authors are listed at these sites:



Weekend Writing Warriors



Snippet Sunday Facebook Group 

They Say It’s Haunted. Heart and Soul #8sunday #snippetsunday

Keep in mind Heart and Soul is a WIP.

This is in Maverick's POV. Last week: Rowan explained how she ended up off the road. Something had run in front of her and made her swerve. Maverick casually asked: "So what was in the road?"

***

She stood up so fast he thought she'd pull a muscle in her back. "Nothing," her voice hitched.

"Nothing?" His brow
lifted in question.

Her composure changed, and she
relaxed again. "Well, nothing I could find. Is any part of the water park
still there?"

"Just the manmade lake that is home to ducks," he told her. "It's private property, and they're pretty strict about keeping trespassers away. Cameras were put in place a few months ago."

(This is the end of 10 sentences. for Weekend Warriors. Continue for Snippet Sunday 300 words or less, if you wish. :))

"And how do you know
that?" Katie asked with a smirk.

He rolled his eyes and sighed.
"You know I couldn't resist a peek. Hikers are always trying to get in
there to take photos of Lake Moors' ghost town. More so around Halloween. They
say it's haunted."

"Is it?" Rowan asked.
"Do you believe in ghosts?"

He nodded. "I have a
friend who is a psychic. He pretty much convinced me there's an afterlife. You
wouldn't believe the stories he can tell."

"I saw a ghost once,"
Katie chimed in as she refilled a saltshaker.

"Do tell," Rowan
encouraged and leaned on the counter, her bright blue eyes widening in
anticipation.

"It was on a dare. Conrad
Barns and I were exploring an abandoned house in Bodie."

"I thought you weren't allowed in those houses," Maverick said.

"I know that now. I didn't then. Anyway, I saw a figure run behind one of the houses and I thought it was Conrad, but when I went around the corner, he would take off around the next. I was getting pretty perturbed." She moved onto the next table and started the process of filling the saltshaker there. "I finally shouted for him to knock it off. That's when he called to me from across the way. Nowhere near the house, I'd been exploring."

***

About Heart and Soul...

80s rock star, Haley Rose went missing without a trace on October 31
1988 and was eventually presumed dead. Three decades later, a
thirty-year old woman, Rowan Beckett recalls things only Haley Rose
would know and she can belt out songs in the same fashion as the missing
80s star. However, Rowan couldn't be the missing rock star since the
woman would now be in her fifties. Could Haley Rose have came back
reincarnated as Rowan Beckett?

Hashtags: #8sunday #snippetsunday



Participating Authors are listed at these sites:



Weekend Writing Warriors



Snippet Sunday Facebook Group 



***

Historical romance and time travel romance fans, how would you like to
take home a Jane Austen-them gift basket loaded with goodies? A
reproduction historical love token? Maybe some historical romances on your wish list or an Amazon gift card? Enter the Rafflecopter here: http://www.kmnbooks.com/historical-romance-and-time-travel-fans-giveaway/

Be sure to also drop in on our Book Fair, where
you’ll find some page-turning historicals and time travel ebooks ON
SALE from our sponsoring authors, plus a bonus giveaway!

While you're at the Book Fair, download my shortie for free. As the
name implies, Shorties are ultra-short stories, 20 pages or less,
offered by sponsoring authors. Shorties are free for you to
download and exclusive to this book fair. Just the right length—20
pages or less—for reading while standing in line at the store, or as a
quick fiction fix before bed.

THE DEVIL’S WOLF

Why so flustered? Heart and Soul #8sunday #snippetsunday

Keep in mind Heart and Soul is a WIP.

This is in Maverick's POV.

***

Maverick glanced up from behind
the bar when Rowan arrived for work, a bit flustered and her hair somewhat
mussed.

Katie strode over to her with a
grin plastered to her face. "Lordy girl, what have you been doing?"
He'd been wondering the same thing. Katie's hand went for the hair ornament in
Rowan's hair and plucked it out. It appeared to be foliage of some sort.

"Oh that," Rowan said and grabbed it out of Katie's hand. "I went for a stroll. I must have picked this up then." Her face flushed a brighter pink.

(This is the end of 10 sentences. for Weekend Warriors. Continue for Snippet Sunday 300 words or less, if you wish. :))

Katie chuckled. "Where did
you go hiking?"

There were plenty of trails, providing great views from the downtown Los Angeles to the Pacific Ocean, others adjacent to the Angels National Forest, but Rowan's feet were adorned with pretty sandals. Not exactly footwear for the hiking trails.

"Um... I'm little
embarrassed to say I took a wrong turn and ended up on a trail toward Lake
Moor."

Maverick stood up taller.
"Lake Moor Water Park?"

She shrugged. "I guess
so."

"That's been closed for
ages. Heck, since the late 80s I believe."

"I didn't go too far. I
thought I saw... something in the road and swerved. Ended up in a ditch. I
must've snagged this souvenir when I stepped outside the car to inspect the
damage." She lifted her hand holding the greenery Katie had plucked from
her strands a moment before." Thank God, everything appeared to be
okay."

She was telling the truth, but the way she was biting on her lower lip made him think she was keeping something back. She headed over the bar and placed her purse in one of the secure cubbies he had for the employees. "So what was in the road?" he asked.

***

About Heart and Soul...

80s rock star, Haley Rose went missing without a trace on October 31
1988 and was eventually presumed dead. Three decades later, a
thirty-year old woman, Rowan Beckett recalls things only Haley Rose
would know and she can belt out songs in the same fashion as the missing
80s star. However, Rowan couldn't be the missing rock star since the
woman would now be in her fifties. Could Haley Rose have came back
reincarnated as Rowan Beckett?

Hashtags: #8sunday #snippetsunday



Participating Authors are listed at these sites:



Weekend Writing Warriors



Snippet Sunday Facebook Group 



***

Historical romance and time travel romance fans, how would you like to take home a Jane Austen-them gift basket loaded with goodies? A reproduction historical love token? Maybe some historical romances on your wish list or an Amazon gift card? Enter the Rafflecopter here: http://www.kmnbooks.com/historical-romance-and-time-travel-fans-giveaway/

Be sure to also drop in on our Book Fair, where you’ll find some page-turning historicals and time travel ebooks ON SALE from our sponsoring authors, plus a bonus giveaway!

While you're at the Book Fair, download my shortie for free. As the
name implies, Shorties are ultra-short stories, 20 pages or less,
offered by sponsoring authors. Shorties are free for you to
download and exclusive to this book fair. Just the right length—20
pages or less—for reading while standing in line at the store, or as a
quick fiction fix before bed.

THE DEVIL’S WOLF

A Vision or Not? Heart and Soul #8sunday #snippetsunday

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Keep in mind Heart and Soul is a WIP.

This is in Rowan's POV. Rowan peaked under her car and found absolutely nothing there.

 
 
***

She stood and hurried to the road again. She ran a hand through her hair as her gaze searched the area for any sign of movement, any sign of life. The tree leaves rustled as if whispering amongst themselves and judging her. She whirled around and trudged back to her car and slipped inside. Her hand went through the motions of starting the car about she sat there unable to put the car in reverse. Her hands shook as her fingers grabbed for the purse that had slid to the floor. With a few tries, her hand finally pulled out the pill bottle prescribed by her doctor and managed to open the lid and drop a pill into her palm. Instead of popping it in her mouth, she stared at it. She'd been off her antipsychotic medication for months. The dreams were more vivid, revealing Haley Roses' life...her life... in detail.

(This is the end of 10 sentences. for Weekend Warriors. Continue for Snippet Sunday 300 words or less, if you wish. :))

She fingered the pill then pursed her lips as she placed it back inside the bottle. She was too close to finding out the answers. She wouldn't go back now, and she wouldn't let the medication shadow the truth.

She chewed on her lower lip. What if she were crazy? What if the idea that she lived before was all a psychotic episode? No one wanted to believe they were unhinged. "You found the place where it all began," she murmured. Haley Rose had performed at the Heart and Soul when it had been the Suede Shoes. Maverick even had a photo of the woman on his wall. "I'm not nuts." She took a deep breath and let it out again in a whoosh. "I'm not." She put the car in gear and backed up. If she kept saying the words maybe she would believe them.

***

About Heart and Soul...

80s rock star, Haley Rose went missing without a trace on October 31 1988 and was eventually presumed dead. Three decades later, a thirty-year old woman, Rowan Beckett recalls things only Haley Rose would know and she can belt out songs in the same fashion as the missing 80s star. However, Rowan couldn't be the missing rock star since the woman would now be in her fifties. Could Haley Rose have came back reincarnated as Rowan Beckett?

Hashtags: #8sunday #snippetsunday
Participating Authors are listed at these sites:
Weekend Writing Warriors
Snippet Sunday Facebook Group 
***

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Historical Romance and Time Travel Fans #bookwrapt

Historical romance and time travel romance fans, how would you like to take home a Jane Austen-them gift basket loaded with goodies? A reproduction historical love token? Maybe some historical romances on your wish list or an Amazon gift card? Enter the Rafflecopter below.

Be sure to also drop in on our Book Fair, where you’ll find some page-turning historicals and time travel ebooks ON SALE from our sponsoring authors, plus a bonus giveaway!

While you're at the Book Fair, download my shortie for free. As the name implies, Shorties are ultra-short stories, 20 pages or less, offered by sponsoring authors. Shorties are free for you to download and exclusive to this book fair. Just the right length—20 pages or less—for reading while standing in line at the store, or as a quick fiction fix before bed.

THE DEVIL’S WOLF







THE PRIZES












Runner-Up Prizes



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Front Side

Reproduction Historical Greek Drachma (Love Token), sponsored by author Dani Haviland.

Rear Side

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This Giveaway Sponsored By

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