Guest: ANGELA KAY AUSTIN

Please welcome my lovely guest today, the very sweet and talented author Angela Kay Austin...

I don’t know how many times over the past twenty years I’ve written, edited, and submitted to agents, or publishers: big and small. I kept (and still keep) a record of submissions, and of course of the rejection letters received. I used to grade my progress by the lack of formality to the rejection letters. Meaning, if I received hand written notes or requests to resubmit as progress. I look back at some of my query letters and marvel at the errors both grammatical and in my story descriptions. Wow. How did I ever have the nerve to keep going?

Frankly, I’d given up. I’d given up because of so many reasons, but I kept writing. Somewhere along the line I bumped into critique partners who offered enough positive feedback that I got a second wind. That second wind lead me to several writing groups until I made it to the Washington Romance Writers where I met a fabulous group of people that have helped me achieve my dream of becoming a published author.

Love’s Chance my first release from Red Rose Publishing remained on the RRP Bestseller list for ten weeks! My first review outside of my editors and critique partners came from a reader who reached out to me through my website to tell me how much she loved reading the story of Sinclair Mosley and Chance O’Malley. The fact that that reader reached out to me warmed my heart, and made me feel like WOW, this is why I do this. Now, of course since that time I’ve received all sorts of reviews, like any author, but that one reader sealed my destiny.

Thank you, Denyse, for allowing me to visit again!

Love’s Chance released February 11th from Red Rose Publishing. It can be found at Red Rose Publishing.com or Amazon.com

Blurb: To pay back her parents and prevent the loss of their family business, Sinclair Mosley leaves her family and friends behind. Pennsylvania doesn’t welcome her with open arms, but Chance O’Malley does. At the risk of losing everything that brought her to Pennsylvania, including her family’s restaurant, Sinclair must decide if she’s willing to take a chance on love.

The following excerpt is from Love’s Chance, I hope that you enjoy it.

Chance pulled out a chair beside Sinclair and sat. He leaned back and rested his arm across the back of her chair. His thigh touched hers underneath the table. “Your presentation was really good. I think you were the only one who actually kept to the time limit.” He ran a hand across his military hair cut. “How long was Raquel up there? Forty-five minutes.”

She could feel her cheeks redden due to his nearness. “I think so.”

Chance’s look fixed on something across the room; he shifted in his seat. His body leaned closer to hers. “So, when are you leaving? I’ll walk you to your car.”

She followed his stare. Raquel Dickinson, Bakery Category Manager, stalked in their direction. Her broad, angry movements destroyed the effect of the body hugging dress she wore. Reddish blonde hair flowed like untamed fire over bare shoulders.

Sinclair searched the room for her boss, Daniel Houser. She caught a glimpse of his back as he and his wife slipped out of the dining hall. As the breath escaped her, her shoulders slumped. Not so much as a pat on the back or job well done. For some reason, he spent as little time as possible around her. He wasn’t a bad guy, but he definitely was not the ‘go to’ guy in case of emergency. “It looks like I can leave at any time.”

Chance stood, and pulled out Sinclair’s chair. “Let’s go.”

Raquel reached their table before they could leave. “Calling it a night so early?”

He stood between the two women, and reached for Sinclair’s hand to help her stand. “Yeah Raquel it’s been a long night, and I’ve got a meeting in the morning.”

Raquel leaned around Chance. “Sinclair, do you mind if I walk out with the two of you?”

“Of course not. Are you ready?”

Chance released Sinclair’s hand, but walked closely behind. “Raquel, where did you park?”

She snaked her arm around his. “Next to your truck.”

“And Sinclair what about you?”

“I am on the other side of the lot. You really don’t have to walk me all of the way.”

“Sinclair, Chance and I would not dream of letting you walk to your car alone.” Raquel rubbed her hand up and down Chance’s arm, and looked up into his eyes. “Would we Chance?”

Chance stopped underneath the awning in front of the banquet hall. “Sinclair, wait here. Come on Raquel.” Chance and Raquel walked into the night toward their cars.

Sinclair didn’t wait; she headed in the direction of her car. Footsteps behind her caught her attention.

“Sinclair. Stop.” Chance’s voice was stern. He blocked her path. “I asked you to wait.”

“I know, but I didn’t want to be any trouble. You and Raquel…you seemed—”

“We seemed what? If you have a question, ask it.” His stare was amplified by his silence.

She had questions, but they didn’t matter. She shook her head from side to side. “No. It’s really none of my business.”

“None of your business?” Chance walked slow and close.

“No. You and Raquel have your own thing.”

“We do have a history, Sinclair, but—”

Sinclair stopped at her car door. “But it’s none of my business.”

Chance stepped in closer. “What if I want that to change?”

She took a step back. “It couldn’t”

He stepped back, and stared. “It couldn’t or you wouldn’t let it?”

“Chance, I can’t.” She turned to open her car door. “Thanks for walking me to my car.” She stepped back to open the door, for a moment her body fit into his. She slid into her car, and shut the door behind her.

You can visit Angela on her various sites here:

http://www.angelakayaustin.com/
www.Facebook.com/AngelaKayAustin
www.MySpace.com/AngelaKayAustin
www.Twitter.com/AngelaKayAustin