Saturday, April 14, 2012

A-Z Challenge "M" & Blog Hop Winner


A-Z Challenge, again.  Whew!  I'm tired.  Today's letter is "M" for a character I've been stuck on for some time.  Madeline Freelove.  Do you ever get characters stuck in your head?  I do often.  Madeline is one of those characters that haunts me.  So I decided to share the opening scene of a paranormal romance I've been plotting and see what you think.  I did my best to cut this down so my apologies for the length. 
***
Madeline Freelove, an up-and-coming pastry Chef/Chocolatier, finished reviewing the last of her bank transactions, stunned at the results. After two years of grueling work launching her boutique chocolate and pastry business, Divine Delectables, Madeline was finally turning a profit. All those nights of starving herself, so she could afford the best ingredients for her original recipes. Everything was now paying off.

She leaned back in her chair, stretching her exhausted limbs as a sense of relief permeated through her. With her head titled, she stared blindly at the ceiling. “I should celebrate,” she declared. Closing her eyes, she thought blissfully of her lifelong obsession. Chocolate.  Madeline  worshiped chocolate, and it showed in her work.

But despite how much she baked, she never truly indulged in her art. Oh, possibly a taste here and there to ensure her recipes were on point, but never true indulgence. Why? Madeline
was of medium height with curves that in her opinion were far too curvy. Her whole life she was forever watching her weight, terrified she’d turn into a cow. A ridiculous notion, of course. In truth, she was a rare beauty. But Madeline never thought so and therefore, hardly ever indulged. Until tonight.

To celebrate, she placed three of her favorites on her modish-type plate: a chocolate peanut butter ball, chocolate kiss infused with mint crunch, and a beloved dark chocolate monster brownie with nuts, caramel and topped with toasted coconut. Mmm. Madeline was in heaven.

She unbound her unruly blond curls and allowed them to fall willy-nilly. She sighed as the tension released from her head and seeped through her weary bones. Eyeing her prize with longing, she turned around, leaning against the display case, her back to the front door. In less than two bites, she chomped her brownie, ignoring the need of a napkin. That taste was perfection. The secret was the toasted coconut, Madeline mused. The flavor coated her mouth and she closed her eyes, enjoying the last of the succulent sensation as it eased down her throat. Delicious. Taking a sip of water, she refreshed her palate for the next delight, her peanut butter chocolate bon bon. In fast swoop, she popped it into her mouth, closing her eyes as rich flavors assaulted her taste buds.

Completely caught up in her personal party, Madeline hadn't noticed the door jingle, announcing a customer. She remained blissfully unaware as steps behind her coming closer. She made small mewling noises of pleasure and didn't stop until a throat cleared behind her.

Slowly turning to view the customer, Madeline had one thumb in her mouth she was sucking, while the other griped her plate. Her mouth went instantly dry as she pulled her thumb out. Her lips frozen in an O with a piece of coconut hung from her lip. The man before her was a vision.

His dark hair had streaks of auburn and his eyes were sinfully black. He was monstrously tall standing in the center of her tiny shop. His broad build deliciously filled his obviously expensive, rich brown suit, reminding her of chocolate.

“Ms. Madeline Freelove?” He asked as Madeline used her sleeve to wipe a streak of chocolate she felt on her face. Poor thing made it worse.

The stranger gave a wicked smile. Before shame descended upon her, Madeline licked her lips struck by this vision. And she wondered briefly what a handsome devil like that would taste like.



***


And the winner of my Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway is....Eg Kaufman.  Congrats!  As mentioned, the winner will be allowed to choose one of the following killer books: Black Dawn, Insurgent and The Immortal Rules. The winner will be notified via email and will have no more than 72 hours to respond before another winner is drawn. The contest winner was selected by the reputable Random.org


Mina B.

18 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Is that what one calls a chocolate orgasm?

Lynn Proctor said...

probably not as good as those desserts!

S. L. Hennessy said...

Wow, that's a little bit sexy. Nice! I'm really liking Madeline.

mooderino said...

How come I've never had this reaction from a Snickers bar?

mood

Elise Fallson said...

OMG, that was so good and so yummy. I had a very clear picture all the way through. So much so that I'm afraid I've gained 500 calories just by reading it. LOL. Now, where is the rest of this story??? (:

Cecilia Robert said...

I loved this snippet of Madeline! Descriptions are very vivid and fun to read. mmh I wonder who the stranger is. I love those mysterious with sinfully dark eyes. *sigh*

Unknown said...

Is he there to buy chocolate? Nice opening! I hope the handsome stranger has a dark side.

Unknown said...

Madeline sounds just devine, Mina! So does the mystery man, I hope you work on this one to have it come into fruition! I'd love to read it.

Kate OMara said...

Oh yes, I want some... and chocolate too. ;)
Kate
A to Z http://whenkateblogs.blogspot.com/

Clint said...

Now that one interesting chocolate shop..;) I bet the stranger is hoping she is closed from some sampling.

50 foot QE said...

Lovely! For us chocolate lovers it is hard to choose- yummy looking man or the delivery of a sure thing.

Cynthia said...

Something sweet, something sexy... I want to read more!

hhkaufman78 said...

Thanks for this giveaway! I am looking forward to reading Black Dawn.

Nick Wilford said...

Very richly written - like good chocolate! Wonder what's coming next.

D.G. Hudson said...

I liked the last line, hinting at what may become her next project. Good description of chocolate immersion therapy, too.

In this excerpt, I see: a dedicated career woman who's found her niche business, but may be wanting in her relationships or love life. She could be the huntress, liking the chase, or she could now be wanting to feather her nest. . .

Enjoyable post!

Mina Burrows said...

@Alex - Yes it is. :)

@Lynn Proctor - Probably not.

@S. L. Hennessy - Thx, I liker her too. Boy is she in for it.

@mooderino -Wouldn't life be easier if that was the case? LOL.

@Elise Fallson - I know. I'll have to bookmark this until I'm done with Mystic Deeds.

@Cecilia M. - Thx. I had to cut back some of this, so I think the descriptions need more work. It never ends, huh?

@Michael Pierce - Yes, very dark. :)

@C.M.Brown - Thanks. I'll try. :)

@Kate O'Mara - Love chocolate too!

@Geeky Daddy - I'm sure he is!

@50 foot QE - I agree it's a tough choice.

@Cynthia - This book is all about food too! LOL!

@hhkaufman78 - Welcome, sweetie! It comes out May 1st. Woot!

@Nick Wilford - A whole bunch is coming next.

@D.G. Hudson - He is a project and then some!

Cindy said...

Awesome. The last line really hooked me. I also really like the decription of Madeline. She is someone I could relate too. I can't wait to find out more.

Cindy said...
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