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. 

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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.


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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.