Author: Julie Reece
Pub. Date: May 12, 2015
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Pages: 300
They say death can be beautiful. But after the death of her mother, seventeen-year-old Raven Weathersby gives up her dream of becoming a fashion designer, barely surviving life in the South Carolina lowlands.
To make ends meet, Raven works after school as a seamstress creating stunning works of fashion that often rival the great names of the day.
Instead of making things easier on the high school senior, her stepdad's drinking leads to a run in with the highly reclusive heir to the Maddox family fortune, Gideon Maddox.
But Raven's stepdad's drying out and in no condition to attend the meeting with Maddox. So Raven volunteers to take his place and offers to repay the debt in order to keep the only father she's ever known out of jail, or worse.
Gideon Maddox agrees, outlining an outrageous demand: Raven must live in his home for a year while she designs for Maddox Industries' clothing line, signing over her creative rights.
Her handsome young captor is arrogant and infuriating to the nth degree, and Raven can't imagine working for him, let alone sharing the same space for more than five minutes.
But nothing is ever as it seems. Is Gideon Maddox the monster the world believes him to be? And can he stand to let the young seamstress see him as he really is?
"The Artisans has all the elements I love — spooky intrigue, strong friendships, and a romantic tension to be savored." —Wendy Higgins, author, Sweet Evil
Now on to the deleted chapter!
Hi everybody!
First, I wanted to send a big thank you to Jaime and Two Chicks on Books
for having me today, I’m so excited to be here. : )
Below is the unedited, original first chapter of The Artisans. A few who read very early ARCs will be familiar with
this scene. In the end, my editor thought it best to introduce this story in a
different way, and I agreed with her reasons. Deletions happen every day on the
road to publication, so I dug in and rewrote the first chapter.
The new opening
is what exists in my novel today. Still, as a writer, there is a part of me
that will always love this deleted scene. It’s how I first pictured my
characters meeting, and I wanted to share it with you.
I hope you enjoy!!
XOXOXOX
Julie
Chapter One
The doorbell to Harry’s Shoe and Leather Repair
Shop chimes with an anemic clang. I’ve never met anyone named Harry. My
stepfather leases from a slumlord named Lou
who owns the joint. I ignore the bell, despite the fact it’s my job to
cheerfully greet every customer. Cheerful isn’t in my vocabulary. Few visit the
dilapidated strip mall anymore, and half of those aren’t here for anything
printed on the sign above the door. I continue wrestling with a buttonhole in
my new corset when I hear someone’s throat clear.
“Excuse me.”
My fingers stop moving over the fabric. The voice
is deep, with a silky, distinctive tone that demands attention. When I glance
up, a boy stands at the counter. Boy? Guy. He’s six feet, at least. Curly blond
hair falls in an appealing way over his brow obscuring one eye. The other is
blue. He’s wearing tan leather pants, a white cotton tunic, and a green, duck
canvas overcoat that hangs to his knees, complete with faux fur collar. A
little much for September in the south, but those who visit me often sacrifice
comfort for style. His clothes are good, not as good as mine, but custom, and
quite nice. I make my observations in seconds, ticking off the particulars.
Noticing aesthetic details is part of my other
job.
“Can I help you?” I say, and though there are three
pairs of shoes in the back, waiting to be picked up by clients, I’m pretty sure
that’s not why the square-jawed G.Q. model is here.
Blondie lifts his hand. His oversized cuff falls
away as he snaps two fingers, producing a single playing card. It’s my business
card. The queen of hearts, Steampunk edition, Bicycle brand, thank you very
much.
“Neat trick,” I say. Slowly extracting the card
from his fingertips, I flip it, finding the initials R.R.W. in the corner. Raven (Rae) Weathersby in red sharpie marker.
That’s me all right. “Where did you get this?”
“Dane.” His chin lifts ever so slightly, giving the
impression he is unused to being questioned. “He made a delivery to my house
yesterday. I admired his clothes, and asked where he bought them—which led me
to you.”
His speech is prep-school snark, or tutored, home-school
formal. He might be a rich social type from Atlanta or Savannah, but no, if
Dane delivers to his house, he must be local.
“That’s interesting. Dane has
never referred anyone to me before.”
His lips curl to a half smile that in no way
affects the wary look in his eyes. “I can be very persuasive.”
Or threatening. I don’t even try to hide my
suspicions; they protect me. When he shifts his weight, I notice his cane for
the first time. I’d kill to own one like it. Well, maybe not kill, but maim?
Definitely. The dark wood and gold, lion-head grip makes it the most beautiful
walking stick I have ever seen.
There’s something unsettling about my visitor, but
money is tight this week and our monetary needs make my decision for me. “Wait
here.”
He nods
curtly, lips press together in a stoic line. I guess he’s not used to waiting,
either. My butt slides off the stool, and I head for our storage room. I lean
over the sleeping bags rolled up on the floor and grab a black binder from the
shelf. Edgar, my cat, grumbles from his spot on the bookshelf, as if taking my
portfolio without his permission is a crime. Less than thirty seconds later,
I’m back at the glass display counter out front.
My new design for a corset hangs from the blond
guy’s long fingers. He turns it over, examining the construction. I reach out,
pluck the garment from his hands, and offer my binder in exchange. “I don’t
think burgundy is your color.”
His eyebrows twitch. “You never know.” While he’s
busy thumbing through the pages of my workbook, I study him. He’s around
seventeen, same as me, maybe a bit older. His brow creases as he studies my
sketches which combine Goth and Steampunk fashion trends. “I’m intrigued. Your
work is so unusual.” A ghost of a smile threatens as he glances up. “What is your name?”
“Queen of hearts, for now, and you are …”
He sets the book on the counter. With another flick
of his wrist, a new card materializes—Jack of spades. That might be cheesy on
someone else. Not him. The guy oozes more electrical sex appeal than a leaky
power plant.
“A jack huh, why not the king?”
“Gives me something to aspire to.”
“That’s very clever, Jack.” The guy is stunning
from a physical standpoint. It’s hard not to stare, but he’s cocky and evasive.
In my book, arrogance plus evasive equals dangerous, and off limits. Edgar
saunters out from the storage room and leaps to the countertop. My
thirty-pound, black Maine Coon looks more panther than cat. His purr saws in
and out of his chest as he inspects our visitor.
Another half-smile escapes as Jack glances from my
cat to me. His grin is crooked, as though the muscles are stiff from disuse.
“So, will you make something for me?”
“I don’t
know you. I’ll talk to Dane, and if you check out, I’ll be in touch.” I already
know I want to create for him. Despite his cagy attitude, he is tall and lean.
He would wear my clothes like a runway god. “Leave your measurements, just in
case.” He stands there, staring me down, making no move to comply. In fact, we
eye each other like Cobra and Mongoose.
His head tilts. “My address is on the card. Contact
me when you decide.” As he glances around our shabby little store, he shakes
the honeyed curls from his face. “Looks are deceiving, are they not? I’m
surprised someone with your … talent
is still working out of a dive like this. I hope I haven’t been misled.” He
pulls a large, gold coin from his pocket and rolls it with practiced grace
between his nimble fingers.
There are two kinds of arrogance in boys. The first
is when a kid is all bluff and brag without the skill to back it up. The second
is a guy who knows he can deliver, there’s a quiet confidence in his eyes, a
deadly grace to his movements. Jack belongs in group two. I’m not sure it’s
wise to bait him, but I don’t want him thinking I’m afraid. My reputation
depends on it.
My gaze roams up and down his frame with purpose.
“Do you know what the definition of spoiled is, Jack? Permanent damage—due to
excess. From the looks of you, I guess you’d be used to disappointment by now.”
His grin is hard as granite. “I just might have to make
you pay for that one.”
It’s time for him to go. I lift my portfolio from
the counter, but drop it. Damn, so not cool. The guy is getting to me. I kneel,
retrieving my book, and in the time it takes to stand, Jack is gone. I didn’t
hear his fading footsteps, no door chime, nothing.
The clock on the wall starts with an annoying
second hand counting off time. When did it stop? The face reads eight forty
five. My thumb brushes the screen on my cell phone where the numbers glow two
minutes after nine. I glance around the store again. Weird. I lift Jack’s card,
noting his address.
And a chill
ticks down my spine.
About Julie:
Born in Ohio, I lived next to my grandfather’s horse farm until the fourth grade. Summers were about riding, fishing and make-believe, while winter brought sledding and ice-skating on frozen ponds. Most of life was magical, but not all.
I struggled with multiple learning disabilities, did not excel in school. I spent much of my time looking out windows and daydreaming. In the fourth grade (with the help of one very nice teacher) I fought dyslexia for my right to read, like a prince fights a dragon in order to free the princess locked in a tower, and I won.
Afterwards, I read like a fiend. I invented stories where I could be the princess… or a gifted heroine from another world who kicked bad guy butt to win the heart of a charismatic hero. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? Later, I moved to Florida where I continued to fantasize about superpowers and monsters, fabricating stories (my mother called it lying) and sharing them with my friends.
Then I thought I’d write one down…
Hooked, I’ve been writing ever since. I write historical,
contemporary, urban fantasy, adventure, and young adult romances. I love strong heroines, sweeping tales of mystery and epic adventure… which must include a really hot guy. My writing is proof you can work hard to overcome any obstacle. Don’t give up. I say, if you write, write on!
Giveaway Information: Winner will be drawn June 19, 2015
· Five (5) winners will receive a digital copy of The Artisans by Julie Reece (INT)
From the book description I know this is a must read for me. Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteHi *waves* Thanks so much for having me on your blog today! It's fun revisiting scenes from first drafts again! XOXO
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway! This book looks fantastic!
ReplyDelete