Uvi Poznansky's Blog, page 127
November 12, 2016
I am ready to play. I am music
What inspired me to write the series, Still Life with Memories?
Natasha, the renowned pianist suffering from early-onset Alzheimer's in my book Apart from Love (volume I and II of the series, woven together) kept coming back to haunt me. Her character was not an easy one to develop. The primary challenge is that she has no voice. She is utterly silent, which makes her son Ben hope—at first—that she can be reached, that he can 'save' her.
“There is no way to tell if she has heard me. Her gaze is fixed, as steadily as before, on the same small pane of glass, through which the sun is blazing; which makes it hard to figure out what she sees out there. I push forward, aiming to view it, somehow, from her angle, which at first, is too hard to imagine: In my mind I try, I see a map, the entire map of her travels around the world. A whole history. It has been folded over and again, collapsed like a thin tissue, into a square; which is suspended there—right in front of her—a tiny, obscure dot on that window. And inside that dot, the path of her journey crisscrosses itself in intricate patterns, stacked in so many papery layers. And the names of the places, in which she performed back then, in the past—London, Paris, Jerusalem, San Petersburg, New York, Tokyo—have become scrambled, illegible even, because by now, she can no longer look past that thing, that dot. She cannot see out of herself. She is, I suppose, confined.”
My novel, The Music of Us (volume III in the series) gives voice to her.
“Once I find my way back, my confusion will dissipate, somehow. I will sit down in front of my instrument, raise my hand, and let it hover, touching-not-touching the black and white keys. In turn they will start their dance, rising and sinking under my fingers. Music will come back, as it always does, flowing through my flesh, making my skin tingle. It will reverberate not only through my body but also through the air, glancing off every surface, making walls vanish, allowing my mind to soar.
Then I will stop asking myself, Where am I, because the answer will present itself at once. This is home. This, my bench. The dent in its leather cushion has my shape. Here I am, at times turbulent, at times serene. I am ready to play. I am music.”
This novel starts out at 1970, when she starts to succumb to her illness, and goes a generation back, to 1941, the time that she and Lenny first fell in love. This is the story of their love.
And my new release, Dancing with Air, shows her at her peak, back in the months leading to D-Day:
Then—just over the plaintive bleating of the sheep and the chaotic blasts rocking the mine—came a different sound. I listened to it in disbelief. It was the most wonderful sound in the entire world: a hum, the low, familiar hum of my Harley.There it was, a silhouette of the beast, with Natasha astride on top of it, hair unfurling in the wind. I wanted to tell her how I admired her courage, the risk she took, riding it here all by herself, without my guidance, to get here. I wanted to tell her she should have stayed away. But by now I knew that for me, she would dare take any chance, come what may.“Oh Lenny,” she said. “You look... I have no words for it.”Overcome with sudden joy I staggered towards her.“Come on,” she said. “Let’s go.”In confusion I asked, “Where to?”And Natasha said, “Anywhere, my love. Anywhere but here.”
Do I see myself in any of my characters?
At first I decided to model Anita, the girl in the center of a firestorm of passion in My Own Voice (volume I) and The White Piano (volume II) as the-opposite-of-me. Her use of language would be atrocious. She talks in sentences laden with 'like' and the dreaded double-negatives. Anita would become a bold and spontaneous spirit, anything but repressed. She would be promiscuous. Her voice would be shockingly direct.
"In my defense I have this to say: When men notice me, when the lusty glint appears in their eyes, which betrays how, in their heads, they’re stripping me naked—it’s me they accuse of being indecent. Problem is, men notice me all the time.How can a girl like me ever claim to be innocent? Even if I haven’t done nothing wrong, I’m already soiled, simply because of their dirty thoughts."
I do not even know how it happened, but once Anita started talking in my mind—which she did for nearly a year—I started to like her more and more. I asked myself, how would she play against Ben, who is a complex character, hesitant, highly sophisticated? How would she play against Lenny, a would-be author who is so proud of his refined expressions, when her background is so different from his? How would she measure up against his ex-wife, Natasha, the renowned pianist suffering from early-onset Alzheimer's?
★ Love reading? Get this series ★Still Life with Memories
Volume III: The Music of UsEbook: Kindle ★ Nook ★ Apple ★ Kobo ★ SmashwordsPaperback: Amazon ★ Barnes&NobleAudiobook: ★ Amazon ★ Audible ★ iTunes
"Her ability to create a dreamlike atmosphere within her tale is spellbinding. She touches my soul with her words." - Dii, Top 500 Reviewer
Natasha, the renowned pianist suffering from early-onset Alzheimer's in my book Apart from Love (volume I and II of the series, woven together) kept coming back to haunt me. Her character was not an easy one to develop. The primary challenge is that she has no voice. She is utterly silent, which makes her son Ben hope—at first—that she can be reached, that he can 'save' her.
“There is no way to tell if she has heard me. Her gaze is fixed, as steadily as before, on the same small pane of glass, through which the sun is blazing; which makes it hard to figure out what she sees out there. I push forward, aiming to view it, somehow, from her angle, which at first, is too hard to imagine: In my mind I try, I see a map, the entire map of her travels around the world. A whole history. It has been folded over and again, collapsed like a thin tissue, into a square; which is suspended there—right in front of her—a tiny, obscure dot on that window. And inside that dot, the path of her journey crisscrosses itself in intricate patterns, stacked in so many papery layers. And the names of the places, in which she performed back then, in the past—London, Paris, Jerusalem, San Petersburg, New York, Tokyo—have become scrambled, illegible even, because by now, she can no longer look past that thing, that dot. She cannot see out of herself. She is, I suppose, confined.”
My novel, The Music of Us (volume III in the series) gives voice to her.
“Once I find my way back, my confusion will dissipate, somehow. I will sit down in front of my instrument, raise my hand, and let it hover, touching-not-touching the black and white keys. In turn they will start their dance, rising and sinking under my fingers. Music will come back, as it always does, flowing through my flesh, making my skin tingle. It will reverberate not only through my body but also through the air, glancing off every surface, making walls vanish, allowing my mind to soar.
Then I will stop asking myself, Where am I, because the answer will present itself at once. This is home. This, my bench. The dent in its leather cushion has my shape. Here I am, at times turbulent, at times serene. I am ready to play. I am music.”
This novel starts out at 1970, when she starts to succumb to her illness, and goes a generation back, to 1941, the time that she and Lenny first fell in love. This is the story of their love.
And my new release, Dancing with Air, shows her at her peak, back in the months leading to D-Day:
Then—just over the plaintive bleating of the sheep and the chaotic blasts rocking the mine—came a different sound. I listened to it in disbelief. It was the most wonderful sound in the entire world: a hum, the low, familiar hum of my Harley.There it was, a silhouette of the beast, with Natasha astride on top of it, hair unfurling in the wind. I wanted to tell her how I admired her courage, the risk she took, riding it here all by herself, without my guidance, to get here. I wanted to tell her she should have stayed away. But by now I knew that for me, she would dare take any chance, come what may.“Oh Lenny,” she said. “You look... I have no words for it.”Overcome with sudden joy I staggered towards her.“Come on,” she said. “Let’s go.”In confusion I asked, “Where to?”And Natasha said, “Anywhere, my love. Anywhere but here.”
Do I see myself in any of my characters?
At first I decided to model Anita, the girl in the center of a firestorm of passion in My Own Voice (volume I) and The White Piano (volume II) as the-opposite-of-me. Her use of language would be atrocious. She talks in sentences laden with 'like' and the dreaded double-negatives. Anita would become a bold and spontaneous spirit, anything but repressed. She would be promiscuous. Her voice would be shockingly direct.
"In my defense I have this to say: When men notice me, when the lusty glint appears in their eyes, which betrays how, in their heads, they’re stripping me naked—it’s me they accuse of being indecent. Problem is, men notice me all the time.How can a girl like me ever claim to be innocent? Even if I haven’t done nothing wrong, I’m already soiled, simply because of their dirty thoughts."
I do not even know how it happened, but once Anita started talking in my mind—which she did for nearly a year—I started to like her more and more. I asked myself, how would she play against Ben, who is a complex character, hesitant, highly sophisticated? How would she play against Lenny, a would-be author who is so proud of his refined expressions, when her background is so different from his? How would she measure up against his ex-wife, Natasha, the renowned pianist suffering from early-onset Alzheimer's?
★ Love reading? Get this series ★Still Life with Memories
Volume III: The Music of UsEbook: Kindle ★ Nook ★ Apple ★ Kobo ★ SmashwordsPaperback: Amazon ★ Barnes&NobleAudiobook: ★ Amazon ★ Audible ★ iTunes
"Her ability to create a dreamlike atmosphere within her tale is spellbinding. She touches my soul with her words." - Dii, Top 500 Reviewer
November 10, 2016
They were all gathered around the Christmas tree
A short while later, as they were all gathered around the Christmas tree, with Jackson filling in for John by passing out the presents, the doorbell rang. Jake, running around with his Captain America action figure, flew towards the door and Alexi caught him before he could answer it. Foiled, Jake sent Captain America flying through the air. Rocky caught the missile before it hit her stained-glass lamp. Jason had fallen asleep in Nan’s lap—like father, like sons.“Anyone expecting company?” Emma asked, frowning. She got a collective no as she crossed the room. Perhaps it was carolers from the church choir, though Christmas Eve was their usual time singing. Peeking through the window, she saw three women with their arms full of packages. She didn’t recognize them. Maybe they were lost.She opened the door. Two blondes, one redhead. Two were younger, one a little older. They were all richly dressed and glamorous. “May I help you?”“Are you Emma Weldon?” asked the blonde girl with an unmistakable Irish accent.“Yes.”“Perfect. I’m Cierra Weldon. This is my cousin Fiona Devlin and my aunt Renee Devlin. Forgive me, but when I found out yesterday from my brother we’ve family here, I just had to fly down to meet you.”“Family?” Emma asked as she opened the door wider. “Are you sure you have the right person?”
Excerpt from A Weldon Family Christmas by Jennifer St. GilesIncluded in Love in Times of War
Love Romance? Give yourself the best Christmas gift:
Love in Times of WarKindle ★ Nook ★ Apple ★ Kobo ★ Smashwords
Excerpt from A Weldon Family Christmas by Jennifer St. GilesIncluded in Love in Times of War
Love Romance? Give yourself the best Christmas gift:
Love in Times of WarKindle ★ Nook ★ Apple ★ Kobo ★ Smashwords
This reminded me a bit of Shel Silverstein's book
Short and sweet review for my children's book Now I Am Paper:
5.0 out of 5 stars Five StarsByWilliam Rollinson November 10, 2016Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
This reminded me a bit of Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree"
5.0 out of 5 stars Five StarsByWilliam Rollinson November 10, 2016Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
This reminded me a bit of Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree"
November 9, 2016
Celebrate Love, take the chance to win prizes
Don't miss this opportunity! Join us for a chance to win prizes:
Celebrate Love
A select group of twelve bestselling, award-winning, USA Today authors
has joined forces with me
to bring you twelve heart-warming stories of romance In one boxed set
Celebrate the release of this amazing collection with us.
Be the first to read
LOVE IN TIMES OF WAR
And take the chance to win these prizes:
Uvi Poznansky
Dancing with AirKindle, Nook, Apple, Kobo, Smashwords
In WWII London, Lenny is involved in a covert intelligence ploy. His task must remain confidential, even at the risk of Natasha becoming suspicious of him. Will their love survive the test of war?
Tamara Ferguson
Two Hearts UnspokenKindle, Nook, Apple, Kobo, Smashwords
Beth Bowen is a single mom of an autistic son. Zach Logan is a wounded warrior searching for a life after Iraq. Can two lonely people discover that love is that something unspoken, missing from their lives?
Jacquie Biggar
The Rebel’s RedemptionKindle
When an old enemy follows him from Iraq and causes mayhem in Tidal Falls, can Jared overcome the odds to protect the woman he's always loved?
D.G. Torrens
Broken WingsKindle
Joshua, a bomb disposal expert in Afghanistan. Angelina, an editor of a local newspaper. Both avoiding love at all costs, until they are unexpectedly thrown together. Tested beyond belief... Can their love survive?
Angelica Kate
A Soldier’s PromiseKindle
Ryker is most comfortable in the regulated world of the military. When he is sent to Darby’s doorstep to keep a promise to one of his fallen team members, every rule he holds will be challenged!
Traci Hall
Returning Home by the SeaKindle
Brayden and Zoe wed before he went to Iraq. Once united in passion, a lot has changed in the six years he's been away. Will their love survive his homecoming?
Jennifer St. Giles
A Weldon Family ChristmasKindle, Nook, Kobo, Apple
A frightening event with an uncertain outcome sends Emma and John's memory to the past, where her helicopter went down in Vietnam enemy territory, and he risked everything to save her. Can she save him now?
Regina Puckett
The Magic of SnowKindle, Nook, Smashwords
When Staff Sergeant Charlie Prince’s letters stop arriving from Afghanistan, Sarah White waits in agonizing suspense to discover what has happened to the man she loves.
Suzanne Jenkins
MademoiselleKindle
To Philipa, working at Mademoiselle Magazine is more important than anything, even love. Her friend, Walter, hopes for a change, but not until his trip to the Persian Gulf does she begin to listen to her heart.
S.R. Mallery
Genteel SecretsKindle
In 1861 America, can the love between a Confederate female spy and the Pinkerton detective hired to shadow her survive, or will their story become just another casualty of war?
PJ Fiala
Moving to ForeverKindle, Nook, Kobo, Apple
Danny Schaefer returns from Afghanistan broken in body, battered in soul. Tammy Davis, betrayed in a most personal way, struggles against her tormentor. She and Danny must help each other heal, by the power of love.
Susan Jean Ricci
Lovin’ Those Navy GamesKindle
Michael Burke has two passions: his high-school sweetheart and baseball. When someone dear to him perishes in Vietnam, will the shock alter his future goals? Will it isolate him from Ellie or deepen their love?
A select group of twelve bestselling, award-winning, USA Today authors
has joined forces with me
to bring you twelve heart-warming stories of romance In one boxed set
Celebrate the release of this amazing collection with us.
Be the first to read
LOVE IN TIMES OF WAR
And take the chance to win these prizes:
Uvi Poznansky
Dancing with AirKindle, Nook, Apple, Kobo, Smashwords
In WWII London, Lenny is involved in a covert intelligence ploy. His task must remain confidential, even at the risk of Natasha becoming suspicious of him. Will their love survive the test of war?
Tamara Ferguson
Two Hearts UnspokenKindle, Nook, Apple, Kobo, Smashwords
Beth Bowen is a single mom of an autistic son. Zach Logan is a wounded warrior searching for a life after Iraq. Can two lonely people discover that love is that something unspoken, missing from their lives?
Jacquie Biggar
The Rebel’s RedemptionKindle
When an old enemy follows him from Iraq and causes mayhem in Tidal Falls, can Jared overcome the odds to protect the woman he's always loved?
D.G. Torrens
Broken WingsKindle
Joshua, a bomb disposal expert in Afghanistan. Angelina, an editor of a local newspaper. Both avoiding love at all costs, until they are unexpectedly thrown together. Tested beyond belief... Can their love survive?
Angelica Kate
A Soldier’s PromiseKindle
Ryker is most comfortable in the regulated world of the military. When he is sent to Darby’s doorstep to keep a promise to one of his fallen team members, every rule he holds will be challenged!
Traci Hall
Returning Home by the SeaKindle
Brayden and Zoe wed before he went to Iraq. Once united in passion, a lot has changed in the six years he's been away. Will their love survive his homecoming?
Jennifer St. Giles
A Weldon Family ChristmasKindle, Nook, Kobo, Apple
A frightening event with an uncertain outcome sends Emma and John's memory to the past, where her helicopter went down in Vietnam enemy territory, and he risked everything to save her. Can she save him now?
Regina Puckett
The Magic of SnowKindle, Nook, Smashwords
When Staff Sergeant Charlie Prince’s letters stop arriving from Afghanistan, Sarah White waits in agonizing suspense to discover what has happened to the man she loves.
Suzanne Jenkins
MademoiselleKindle
To Philipa, working at Mademoiselle Magazine is more important than anything, even love. Her friend, Walter, hopes for a change, but not until his trip to the Persian Gulf does she begin to listen to her heart.
S.R. Mallery
Genteel SecretsKindle
In 1861 America, can the love between a Confederate female spy and the Pinkerton detective hired to shadow her survive, or will their story become just another casualty of war?
PJ Fiala
Moving to ForeverKindle, Nook, Kobo, Apple
Danny Schaefer returns from Afghanistan broken in body, battered in soul. Tammy Davis, betrayed in a most personal way, struggles against her tormentor. She and Danny must help each other heal, by the power of love.
Susan Jean Ricci
Lovin’ Those Navy GamesKindle
Michael Burke has two passions: his high-school sweetheart and baseball. When someone dear to him perishes in Vietnam, will the shock alter his future goals? Will it isolate him from Ellie or deepen their love?
November 6, 2016
I was going to miss not spending Christmas with you
“Well, I figured as we would not get to spend our first Christmas together, I thought it was only fair to bring it forward!” Joshua took Angelina by the hand and led her up the creaky wooden steps. He unlocked the thick wooden door and stood aside to let Angelina walk in first.As they entered, Angelina gasped. “Oh wow! This is so beautiful, Joshua.”Joshua closed the door behind them and Angelina walked around the lodge with her mouth agape. The log fire was burning and the heat warmed up the lodge. There was a smaller Christmas tree to the left of the fire and two presents already wrapped, sitting pretty and just begging to be opened. Joshua went straight to the fridge, pulled out a bottle of chilled champagne and grabbed two glasses before turning to Angelina. “I wanted it to be special. I hope it’s not too much for you? I just wanted to make sure you miss me while I’m away!”Angelina turned to Joshua, “This is perfect. Oddly enough, I was thinking earlier how much I was going to miss not spending Christmas with you… I love it. All of it. You’ve made me feel like the luckiest woman in the world! Now, are you going to crack open that champagne?” “Stand back, I have no idea how the champagne was handled before it reached the lodge!”The cork flew with a bang. Angelina almost jumped out of her skin and Joshua laughed while pouring them a large glass each. They sat down in front of the open fire, watching the burning flames and listening to the crackling wood. Joshua’s large arms wrapped loosely around Angelina and she had never felt more complete in her entire life.
Excerpt from Broken Wings by D.G. TorrensIncluded in Love in Times of War
Love Romance? Give yourself the best Christmas gift:
Love in Times of WarKindle ★ Nook ★ Apple ★ Kobo ★ Smashwords
Excerpt from Broken Wings by D.G. TorrensIncluded in Love in Times of War
Love Romance? Give yourself the best Christmas gift:
Love in Times of WarKindle ★ Nook ★ Apple ★ Kobo ★ Smashwords
November 5, 2016
Great story for people who like facets in life
Love this review of my historical fiction novel, Rise to Power:
5.0 out of 5 stars LyricalByRoberton November 3, 2016Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
One of the few classes I did well in during my brief college experience was Poetry Content of the Old and New Testiment. Rise to Power - a novel where David tells his own story is in many ways poetry. Lyrical, engaging, with glimpses into the mind of a man who desires power, control over people, tribute from those he has defeated, but understands the God he worships does not condone such things. Not a book for one who believes the Bible is all truth with no trace of myth or embellishment, but a great story for people who like facets in life and believe there can be many truths.
5.0 out of 5 stars LyricalByRoberton November 3, 2016Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
One of the few classes I did well in during my brief college experience was Poetry Content of the Old and New Testiment. Rise to Power - a novel where David tells his own story is in many ways poetry. Lyrical, engaging, with glimpses into the mind of a man who desires power, control over people, tribute from those he has defeated, but understands the God he worships does not condone such things. Not a book for one who believes the Bible is all truth with no trace of myth or embellishment, but a great story for people who like facets in life and believe there can be many truths.
November 4, 2016
I will limit myself, just because I love you, to say just this: Mazel Tov!
“Young man,” she said. “What d’you have to say for yourself?”In place of an answer I asked, “Remember you told us to wait, and not make a move, and not even think about a wedding until the end of the war?”“So? Has the war ended?”“No, but we’re going to get married anyways.”“Oy vey,” she said. Then she added, “So, Natashinka? What’s the big rush?”“No rush, Ma. We just want to be together, is all.”“So what d’you want from me, now? It’s too late to ask for my permission or to expect my blessing. It’s a done deal, right?”“Ma, I just want you to be happy for us.”Mrs. Horowitz took a deep breath, before pressing on. “How happy can I be,” she asked, “when you choose someone who understands next to nothing about your talent, and will, no doubt, hold you back from any chance of success in your career, especially once you have a baby—mark my words!—and on top of all this, the young man has no education to speak of and of course, no job, and except for a vague dream of becoming a writer one of these days, your dear Dostoyevsky has nothing, absolutely nothing to offer, and meanwhile he’s serving the country in a war zone, aiming to save the world and in the process, risking not only his life but also your well-being—”“Please, Ma—”“Besides, how different can he be from all the others, those good-for-nothing low-lives in uniform, who sleep who-knows-where with God-knows-who?”“Ma!”“All right, all right, I have a lot more to tell you in the way of advice but will limit myself, just because I love you, to say just this: Mazel Tov!”“Thank you, Ma!”“So? We have a date? When should I dye my dance shoes and fix my hair for the happy occasion?”“We haven’t discussed any details yet, Ma. I’ll let you know.”“Oh. I’m glad to hear it.”“Are you, Ma? Really?”“Sure,” said Mrs. Horowitz. “I’m so happy, to the point that I need to wash it down with some stiff drink. As soon as this conversation is over I’ll pour myself a big glass of Vodka and cry into it.”
Lenny in Dancing with Air
★ Love reading? Get this series ★Still Life with Memories
Volume IV: Dancing with Air Ebook: Kindle ★ Nook ★ Apple ★ Kobo ★ SmashwordsPaperback: Amazon ★ Barnes&NobleAudiobook: Coming soon!
"Never has a writer touched me like Uvi Poznansky. Her books will last right in line with classic writers long gone.." - Skadi Winter, author
November 3, 2016
She breathed in crisp chilly air, bundled her coat a bit tighter
Jack hadn’t seen the humor when she’d asked if her mannequin needed a lawyer. Jared would have gotten the joke. He had the same slightly warped sense of wit she did, and would’ve known she was just releasing stress with her off-the-wall comments. Jack had promised to have a patrol car cruise by a couple of times per shift until they caught the culprit. Annie hoped it wouldn’t take long, she didn’t like being nervous in her own town. She breathed in crisp chilly air, bundled her coat a bit tighter, and tried to keep out of the cooler shadows next to the buildings. Before they knew it, winter would be upon them. She’d better look into buying Chris a new jacket and boots soon. Every time she turned around that boy grew another inch. He was going to be tall; like his father.
Now that she’d had some space to process Jared’s return, Annie knew she had to talk with both of the men in her life. Jared deserved to know he was a father and Chris could only benefit from having another male figure to look up to in his young world. Jack was great with him, taking him to ball games and rides in the squad car, but nothing could compare to having your own father there for you; she should know. Annie only hoped Jared would get to know his son before he left again. Grace had mentioned he planned on staying this time, and she knew he’d gone to work for Ty, but in her heart she was doubtful. The men in her life never stayed.
Excerpt from The Rebel's Redemption by Jacquie BiggarIncluded in Love in Times of War
Love Romance? Give yourself the best Christmas gift:
Love in Times of WarKindle ★ Nook ★ Apple ★ Kobo ★ Smashwords
Now that she’d had some space to process Jared’s return, Annie knew she had to talk with both of the men in her life. Jared deserved to know he was a father and Chris could only benefit from having another male figure to look up to in his young world. Jack was great with him, taking him to ball games and rides in the squad car, but nothing could compare to having your own father there for you; she should know. Annie only hoped Jared would get to know his son before he left again. Grace had mentioned he planned on staying this time, and she knew he’d gone to work for Ty, but in her heart she was doubtful. The men in her life never stayed.
Excerpt from The Rebel's Redemption by Jacquie BiggarIncluded in Love in Times of War
Love Romance? Give yourself the best Christmas gift:
Love in Times of WarKindle ★ Nook ★ Apple ★ Kobo ★ Smashwords
November 2, 2016
She sipped the hot chocolate, and watched the flakes flutter and dance
This holiday was all about family and tradition, and she knew that he would truly be with them all in their hearts. Both of his parents would be here, celebrating with her family as they had for the last twenty years. His younger sister Clementine appeared to be having the hardest time of all of them letting go of her hero, but just the other day had excitedly talked to Darby about everything Christmas Bryce had loved. They had been baking fresh cookies to take to some of the elderly shut-ins around town. They reminisced and laughed and occasionally cried, as they sprinkled colored sugar on the cut outs. It had been one of those priceless days she tucked away in her memory to warm herself down the road. She looked at the list before her, and felt giddy at all the lines that she had already crossed off. It was shaping up to be a peaceful family holiday, with all the tasks to make it come off without a hitch under her belt. She put a foot up, and like she did many mornings since the snow had started to fall, looked out of the big bay windows admiring the radiant glory of all the pristine white. She loved a snow covered Christmas. It was the delightful remembrance of youth that brought magic to the season. She sipped the hot chocolate, and watched the flakes flutter and dance in the air. Bryce would have loved the view. She remembered the Christmas just before his first deployment. They had both gone out into the yard, flopping down to make snow angels like they were ten year old children. He had hit her smack in the head with a snowball, which had started an epic war of which he claimed victory, though she still knew better. A small smile played around her lips.“Merry Christmas sweetie,” her mom said, startling her out of her walk down memory lane. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” she asked, staring out the window.
Excerpt from A Soldier's Promise by Angelica KateIncluded in Love in Times of War
Love Romance? Give yourself the best Christmas gift:
Love in Times of WarKindle ★ Nook ★ Apple ★ Kobo ★ Smashwords
Excerpt from A Soldier's Promise by Angelica KateIncluded in Love in Times of War
Love Romance? Give yourself the best Christmas gift:
Love in Times of WarKindle ★ Nook ★ Apple ★ Kobo ★ Smashwords
November 1, 2016
I knelt before her, opening my arms, my heart
Scores of men lined up. Each one in turn presented his printed Programme to her, asking for an autograph.One said, “Natasha Horowitz, I just love your music.”“I’ll never forget your name, as long as I live,” said another.And another one said, “You remind me of my girl, back home.”Joining the line I had no idea, at first, if she caught sight of me. Natasha gave a nod here, a word there to her fans, asked each one of them for his name, scribbled a short greeting, and signed it for him. Then, as I drew nearer, she took a step back and exchanged a quick look with Mrs. Babcock. With a flash in her eyes Natasha asked, under her breath, “Did you tell him where to find me?”“Who, me?” said the woman.Turning away from her she said, this time out loud, “I suppose the whereabouts of a performer are no secret, so what took you so long?” Astonished at her remark I looked at those who stood ahead of me and those who stood behind. Then I asked, “Who, me?” “No, not you,” said one. “Me! Me! How about me?”And another one asked, “Who, him?”And a third one chimed in, “That guy, you mean?”To which Natasha said, “I do.”And to me she said, “It’s too late for us, Lenny, don’t you agree?”And I asked, as if I had no idea why she would resist me, “Late for what?”“For love to start all over again.”“You’re wrong, Natashinka.”“Am I?”“I’m here just in time, to ask you one thing.”“Which is what?” I handed her the Programme, which I had just snatched from the next person in line, and said, “Will you sign your name for me?”She asked, “What name shall I sign?”“Natasha,” I said, “Kaminsky.”“You know that’s not my name.”“Not yet. But soon, it will be.”I knelt before her, opening my arms, my heart. “Please, do it, Natasha,” I said. “It’ll be a great honor for me.”Then I dug the gold locket out of my pocket, and offered it to her. She opened it, uttering a cry of amazement.“Oh! It’s you, it’s me,” she breathed. “And look, there’s no tear.”“Well,” said Mrs. Babcock. “D’you like him?”And Natasha said, in a soft tone, “I do.” And I said, in a tone that was even softer, “I love you, sweetheart, and I always will.”In a heartbeat she bent over, heat surging between us, and before I could utter another word, kissed me long and full on my lips.
Lenny in Dancing with Air
I chose to share this passage with you not only because it brightens my heart and not only because it is a special scene, where Lenny proposes to Natasha, but also because it allows my wonderful narrator, Don Warrick, to step in and out of the skin of so many characters and give voice to them all. I hope you love his voices as much as I do! I just can't wait for the audiobook to be complete, and at the same time, I wish I could be here forever, at this juncture of creativity.
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"The author painted an incredible picture with her words in this historical romance set in WWII. I absolutely loved Lenny and Natasha's characters." - Jan Romes, author
