Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Gutted by J.Q. Rose #MFRWHooks

 

Book Hooks--excerpts from novels

   Book Hooks Blog Hop #MFRWHooks

Hello and welcome to the Focused on Story Blog. Today we're joining the Book Hooks Blog Hop sponsored by the Marketing For Romance Writers Group. Each participating blogger shares an excerpt from their book. Today, I share an excerpt from my memoir, Arranging a Dream: A Memoir. 


Arranging a Dream: A Memoir
by J.Q. Rose

BACK OF THE BOOK: Arranging a Dream: A Memoir

In 1975, budding entrepreneurs Ted and Janet purchase a floral shop and greenhouses where they plan to grow their dream. Leaving friends and family behind in Illinois and losing the security of two paychecks, they transplant themselves, their one-year-old daughter, and all their belongings to Fremont, Michigan, where they know no one. 

 Will the retiring business owners nurture Ted and Janet as they struggle to develop a blooming business, or will they desert the young couple to wither and die in their new environment?

 Most of all, can Ted and Janet grow together as they cultivate a loving marriage, juggle parenting with work, and root a thriving business?

Follow this couple’s inspiring story, filled with the joy and triumphs and the obstacles and failures experienced as they travel along the turbulent path of turning dreams into reality.

Arranging a Dream: A Memoir by J.Q Rose
A "feel-good story"
Note: In this scene, we have moved to the apartment over the flower shop in December in order to learn about the business before purchasing it in January. Hattie, the owner, is supposed to be training us to take over. However, she has not been very cooperative. Agnese is the older woman who works for Hattie.

Excerpt: Chapter 8, Gutted

A few days before Christmas, Ted came upstairs. I had never seen him so dejected as if he were a boy and someone had taken away his favorite toy. “What’s wrong?” I asked, not sure if he was sick or upset about something.

He sat next to me on the couch. “Hattie asked me not to hang around the shop anymore.”

My head jerked back to absorb the shocking statement. The whole point of moving up here in December was to learn about the shop and get experience with the operations. We had thought of Hattie as our mentor.

“Why?” I scooted toward him. “Is she mad about something?”

“She said I make Agnese nervous hovering over her.” He hopped up from the couch too upset to sit still.

I sniffed at the idea. Agnese was no withering violet. She was a capable, hard worker with years of experience in the flower business. She had raised sons and knew how to handle young men.

I stood up, looking into his troubled eyes. “I think the truth is you’re making Hattie nervous, not Agnese. We need to talk to Hattie.” I threw up my hands. “Tell her the whole point is for us to be around to learn the business.”

Her actions stirred up my protective Mama bear state of mind. She had hurt my husband and I wasn’t going to let her get away with it.

 “No. I don’t even want to look at her, let alone talk to her. I’m done with Hattie. When we take over the business, I want her out of here as soon as possible. I don’t even want her in my sight.” His rejection by Hattie had not only hurt his feelings, but he had also lost his respect for her.

I folded my arms and took a deep breath. “I guess the hours we put in for her are worth nothing to her.”

 “Let’s pack up the Christmas gifts and go home for Christmas. I don’t want to sit around here.” His face blazed red with anger.

My eyes turned to stare out the windows at the snowy landscape. I needed time to gather my thoughts. We would be like little kids running home for comfort. But as the idea shaped in my head, my mouth feathered up into a smile. Going home for Christmas would be the best gift to give to our families and each other. My eyes misted over picturing Sara spending this special holiday surrounded by the love of family.

Click the links below to download or order Arranging a Dream! Thank you.

Click here to order the Paperback at amazon.

Click here to download your copy from your favorite online bookseller.

Psssttt---Click here to purchase my romantic suspense novels and this memoir for $1.50 through December 25th during the Smashwords End-of-Year Sale.

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Merry Christmas from J.Q. Rose




12 comments:

Lisabet Sarai said...

Happy holidays, J.Q.!

J.Q. Rose said...

Thank you. Happy Holidays to you too!

Tena Stetler said...

Thank you for sharing. Happy Holidays to you!

J.Q. Rose said...

And to you too, Tena.

Janet Lane Walters said...

Will they go home. Hattie is a real problem

Marsha said...

Great excerpt from a great book. I've shared. :)

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Merry Christmas, Janet.

Kate Hill said...

I wonder what's wrong with Hattie? Great snippet!

J.Q. Rose said...

Yes, Hattie is a thorn in our side.

J.Q. Rose said...

Thank you Marsha for your kind words AND for sharing!!

J.Q. Rose said...

Thanks, Joylene!

J.Q. Rose said...

Thank you, Kate. I never really figured out what the problem was between us until I finished the book. The answer was a light bulb moment for me. Of course, I can't tell you. You have to read the book!! LOL..

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