Happy weekend, Snippetteers. It’s been a busy week, and I haven’t had much time to write, although I did get some editing done. Anyway, my snippets for the past couple of months have been from Separation, my taboo story. Now it’s time for something different.
First, don’t forget to check out the other snippets in the Rainbow Snippets Group. Authors post links to 6-line teasers from LGBTQI stories, and you’re bound to find some great reads there.
This week I have a snippet from Cervena, my last release with DSP from 2016. I really enjoyed writing this story, which is set in Prague, and was very excited for its release. But it hasn’t done very well so far, so with the approaching one-year anniversary, I thought I would resurrect it here and on my various social media places.
Blurb
When Joel Jones finds homeless Russian, Sasha, outside his gay nightclub in Prague, he cannot find it in his heart to turn him away, so he offers him a home and a job as a dancer and stripper.
Despite a fifteen-year age gap, romance develops between them, but is interrupted when Joel has to return to England for many weeks to deal with a death in the family.
Upon Joel’s return, he is horrified to discover his business partner, Karel, has gambled away the club’s money and put them all at risk. Joel buys him out of the club, but when Karel continues to gamble, the people he owes pursue Joel for the debt instead—and they’ll stop at nothing to get paid.
Suddenly Joel and those he cares about—especially Sasha—are in danger, and Joel finds himself with no choice but to seek the help of known criminal, Vincenc Jankovic. Ensuring a happy future for himself and Sasha will mean a struggle and some difficult decisions, but Joel is determined to protect what they’ve built together.
Snippet
The story is from Joel’s POV. In this snip, Joel hears a sound outside his club, Cervena (Czech for “red”), and sees Sasha for the first time.
* * * * *
A young man edged toward me, dark shaggy hair framing a pale face, the lower half covered by a patchy beard. A homeless beggar no doubt, looking for scraps of food. Winter was a tough time of year for these types, and I was a soft touch. “Do you want something to eat?”
He stared at me blankly.
“Can you understand me?”
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Aw. I like it that he’s a soft touch — says a lot about his heart.
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Nothing wrong with being a soft touch. I like Joel already! ♡
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A little kindness definitely goes a long way.
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Excellent description!
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That truly sets the tone of the meeting. Good snippet, Louise. 🙂
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Loved the dialog – drew me in, and now I want more! 🙂
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