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Thursday, June 12, 2014
Author Spotlight - Beautiful One By Mary Cope
Today I'm pleased to be hosting Mary Cope and highlighting her Young Adult novel, Beautiful One. Mary is a fellow Astraea Press author so I'm doubly thrilled to have her!
Blurb:
Elizabeth Ryan
is a beautiful, shy, naïve high school senior. Having never dated she meets the
boy of her dreams, Aidan Mitchell. Despite his history of womanizing Liz is
drawn to him. Soon Liz becomes the envy of all the girls on campus, when they
become a couple and her dream boyfriend sweeps her off her feet and into the
dating world that is all too new and strange for her. When other guys start to
take notice of Liz, Aidan is troubled with fits of jealousy. Elizabeth then
meets the ruggedly handsome, Spencer Hayes and they quickly bond over their
passion for music. Liz begins to struggle with the feelings that spark between
them. In the end
Elizabeth finds herself torn between helping Aidan overcome his jealousy and
anger and giving into what her heart truly wants.
Excerpt:
Chapter One
The faint
sounds of a guitar drifted through the walls of my bathroom as I savored the
last of the hot water before it became lukewarm. Stepping away from the spray,
I turned the shower knob and watched the droplets trickle down the drain.
Inhaling a deep breath my mind focused on one thing. Aidan Mitchell.
Hearing Mason’s
band practicing meant he would be here. I was ninety-nine percent sure Aidan
wouldn’t blow off their practice. He knew how serious my brother was about the
band, but he also had been avoiding me for days.
The past week
had been awful. I was determined to talk to him. All I wanted was a few
answers. My emotions had run the gamut from confusion, frustration, regret, and
sadness… sadness consumed me most of all, at night usually, and I was exhausted
from it. But at this moment all I felt was anger. Anger was good. It was
certainly better than pain.
As I rushed down
the hallway, the floorboards creaked beneath my feet and the walls began to
vibrate with the beat of Derek pounding on the drums. When I entered my room the
music was deafening, but today I didn’t mind. I untwisted the
blue-and-white-polka-dot towel from my head and tossed it to the floor.
The deep
conditioner I used helped my fingers glide through my long damp curls. If I was
going to confront Aidan, I wanted to look my best. No Frizzy Lizzie for me.
That nickname, coupled with my big butt, had tormented me, growing up in a
beach town surrounded by beautiful people. I had longed to look like a typical
California girl: tall, blond, perfect. But, with dark hair and bordering on
five feet three inches, that was never going to be me.
After I
blow-dried and flat-ironed my hair, I took off my purple robe and draped it
over my desk chair. I slipped on a pair of jeans… yes, slipped them on. I
didn’t have to tug, pull, or jiggle my butt to get in my pants anymore. When I
easily pushed the button through the top of my jeans, it still made me smile. I
couldn’t even count how many times I had to lie on my bed and suck in my
stomach so I could zip up a pair of pants. Every time I slipped them on, I
never took it for granted. I had worked my butt off… literally. I put on my bra
and a green sweater before I pulled on my boots.
I rushed
downstairs to the door that led to the garage. Thinking about confronting Aidan
and having to stare into those piercing blue eyes started to intimidate me. But
this was my chance. I knew he was a few feet behind the door, and I needed to
deal with him. Before I completely lost my nerve, I inhaled a deep breath and
exhaled then pushed open the door.
The stream
of sunlight coming in through the open garage door blinded me for a moment.
With squinted eyes, I made a beeline to the old brown sofa in the corner. My
heart was beating so fast it almost seemed in tempo with Derek pounding the
drums. I scooted over our yellow Labrador, Maggie, and wedged myself between
her and the arm of the couch. Finally, I looked up to focus my attention on
Aidan.
He didn’t show.
I sunk my head
back into the cushions, exhaling a deep, long sigh, trying to rid the tension
from my body. The guys were practicing their newest song. Indie-Alternative was
their style, and they called themselves Random Plan. I glanced at Mason and
could tell he was angry.
I mouthed the word “Aidan?”
Mason just shook
his head.
“Derek!” The
tone in my brother’s voice made me sit up straight. “Derek!” Mason snapped
again.
Finally Derek
stopped and silenced his cymbals.
“What?” He
lifted the front of his black t-shirt to wipe the sweat from his forehead,
exposing his six-pack. His brown eyes bored into Mason’s. “Hey! Just ‘cuz
you’re ticked off at the pretty boy, don’t take it out on me.”
Derek reached
back and grabbed a water from an old bookcase that held a few water bottles, electrical
cords, an old CD player, and a collection of CDs. “Hey, Kyle, ya want one?”
Kyle nodded and
Derek tossed one across the garage to where he stood behind the keyboard.
“Mason?”
“Yeah,
I’ll take one… Sorry, Derek.”
Derek gave Mason
a head nod and tossed him a bottle. He took a sip while Derek chugged his down.
“Okay, start
again.” Mason commanded.
Derek picked up
his sticks and began tapping.
I leaned
my head back, closed my eyes and listened to the music. Funny, I’d come into
the garage so fearless it almost made me laugh. Who would have thought the
once-overweight Elizabeth Ryan would stand up to the likes of Aidan Mitchell?
Buy Links:
About the Author
When I am
writing, a typical day for me begins with a cup of coffee. I then leash up my
yellow Labrador, Maggie, pop in my earbuds, blast my music and head out the
front door. Clearing my head and listening to music inspires me. I could never
sit cooped up at a computer and creatively write. I've tried that, and nothing
ever comes to me. The minute I am out walking, listening to music, inspiration
hits as the characters come alive in my head. Then I am able to sit at my
keyboard and type away.
Connect with Mary: Website
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I've read the book and love how Mary writes with so much feeling giving her characters life. Her characters' emotional roller coaster rides make this story real, with heartfelt emotional impact.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mike, I'm glad you enjoyed my story.
DeleteThank you for having me today, Kristin, I appreciate the support. :-)
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading Beautiful One. I just loved your characters and could relate to Elizabeth the most. Can't wait for the next one. You've got yourself a fan!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being here Mary! Good luck with the book.
ReplyDelete