Sarah Fredricks's Blog, page 4

Heat in the Kitchen - Book 1 of Duval-Adams series

I have finished the first book in the Duval-Adams series. It has one further edit and a proof read to go through and should then hit the digital shelf around the end of July. I’m off to Spain for a fortnight where I can dream up more story lines under the warmth of the sun. Whilst I’m away, here’s another extract from Heat in the Kitchen.

Read an extract:

Ella became aware of two things simultaneously - the smell of coffee and the throbbing of her fingers. She opened her eyes and frowned, trying to remember where she was.

‘Morning sleepyhead!’

She groaned and closed her eyes again.

‘Not a morning person then?’ Matt had misunderstood. There was nothing wrong with mornings. It was just that this morning, everything from the night before came flooding back. In technicolour.

‘What are you doing here?’

‘Um, I live here?’

Ella opened her eyes and glared at him. ‘I know that. I mean, what are you doing in this room?’

‘Ah! I’ve brought you a cup of coffee. Lots of milk right? I thought you’d want to be getting up. It’s half past nine.’

Ella shot up. ‘What! Why didn’t you wake me earlier. I’ve got to get home. I’ve got things to do….’ Ella came to a halt and followed Matt’s gaze. She blushed as she realised her nipples were protruding through the tee-shirt and made a grab for the quilt. She also realised he was fully dressed and well groomed whilst she was in bed with sleep filled eyes and bed head. She sunk right down into the bed and pulled the quilt over her head.

‘Go away.’

Matt laughed. ‘Sorry. Guess I no longer bracket you with my sisters then! I’ve definitely never done that with them.’

‘That didn’t take you long.’ She wished he’d go away, it was hot under the quilt.

‘Mmm, must have been that kiss that did it.’

Ella stuck her fingers in her ears. ‘Don’t remind me! Go away!’

Matt frowned at her response. He’d never known a woman react as Ella did. If he had time, he’d get her to talk about it. But there was too much to do, and, as he’d discovered in bringing up his sisters, talking through a quilt was never very successful.

‘I’ll er, leave you to it. Drink your coffee. When you’re ready I’ll check your hand and drive you home if you can’t manage.’

Once she heard the door close, she threw off the quilt and sat up, mortified that Matt had seen her in bed. Her embarrassment knew no bounds as her brain whizzed through their meeting, their working together, her wayward thoughts, her state of undress and THAT kiss. Oh god, that kiss! Ella buried her head in her hands and felt tears sting her eyes. She’d steered clear of men. Had never been turned on by any of them. Had fended off advances from other musicians. Had naively believed that her mother’s boyfriend had killed off sexual desire. Despite what she’d always felt for Matt, she’d believed it would forever be her fantasy and that if they ever met he was unlikely to show an interest in her. In a million years, she could never have prepared herself for the reality of meeting him, or for him apparently seeing her as his next conquest.

She threw her head back against the pillows, and mentally shut everything away in a box. A technique she’d learned at a young age to protect herself from anguish. She wiped away the single tear that had dared to escape and left the bed.

Olympic Torch - Dunblane High Street

The Olympic Torch came to Dunblane today and I was lucky enough to get a great view. One of my son’s former teachers was the 2nd torch bearer and I sneaked a photo with her (forgot to touch the torch though!!!!!)

It was a great spectacle, the sun shone and Dunblane turned out to support it.

I was a princess and I married a bigamist

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I was a princess and I married a bigamist

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to speak at Doune Words‘ June event. I shared the platform with Adrian Searle, editor of Gutter Mag and Ronald Frame, a scottish award winning author.

The link just under teddy’s photo takes you to the notes I used to present  my 25 minute presentation. Teddy proudly sat on the table for the audience to see. He didn’t mind wearing the tiara or being accused of being a bigamist!

Feel free to leave me questions or comments.