Every once in a while, you meet someone who is an instant friend, and that's how I feel about Leslie Hachtel, my guest today. I first came to know Leslie through Romance Writers Weekly, and was fortunate enough to meet her in person last summer. I'm a huge fan of hers and am pleased to share a bit from her writing with you.
Dream Dancer, her work in progress is about a woman who can enter dreams of others and the man who is obsessed by her.
The English countryside outside London, 1616
Chapter One
Rowland of Ashford leaned casually against the rough stone wall at the edge of the marketplace as if he hadn’t a care in the world. He unconsciously ran his fingers through his thick black hair. He was captivated. The way the sunlight played hide and go seek in the red gold strands of her hair was fascinating. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her eyes were a brilliant green, like the meadows dressed with morning dew. Her tiny waist and full, creamy breasts peeking above her bodice begged for his attention. She was obviously well bred and came from wealth. That would probably mean she was accustomed to getting her own way. Rowland smiled. So was he. The thought of a bit more challenge than bedding the women at court had his blood flowing. Perhaps doing good deeds did have rewards and this one would yield more than favors from the king. And who was he to turn his back on a personal recompense? He pushed himself off the support and blocked her path.
“Forgive me, my lady, but I must beg a favor.”
She looked him up and down and he could see from her expression she found him appealing. He cleared his throat, trying to draw his thoughts from his swelling manhood. It would not do to embarrass himself in public.
“My lord? We have not been introduced. What favor dare you ask?”
“My name is Rowland and I but plead for a few moments of your gracious company before I must go off on my quest.”
“Your quest, my lord?” Her emerald eyes sparkled with amusement, as if daring him to impress her.
“I must slay a dragon.”
She giggled and turned to the ladies who flanked her left and right. They could not contain their mirth. She directed her gaze back to him. “My lord, there are no such things as dragons.” She spoke as if sharing some great truth with a child.
“Really, my lady. Please do not tell the dragon hear that, for I fear you will offend him. And his wrath might be terrible.”
The English countryside outside London, 1616
Chapter One
Rowland of Ashford leaned casually against the rough stone wall at the edge of the marketplace as if he hadn’t a care in the world. He unconsciously ran his fingers through his thick black hair. He was captivated. The way the sunlight played hide and go seek in the red gold strands of her hair was fascinating. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her eyes were a brilliant green, like the meadows dressed with morning dew. Her tiny waist and full, creamy breasts peeking above her bodice begged for his attention. She was obviously well bred and came from wealth. That would probably mean she was accustomed to getting her own way. Rowland smiled. So was he. The thought of a bit more challenge than bedding the women at court had his blood flowing. Perhaps doing good deeds did have rewards and this one would yield more than favors from the king. And who was he to turn his back on a personal recompense? He pushed himself off the support and blocked her path.
“Forgive me, my lady, but I must beg a favor.”
She looked him up and down and he could see from her expression she found him appealing. He cleared his throat, trying to draw his thoughts from his swelling manhood. It would not do to embarrass himself in public.
“My lord? We have not been introduced. What favor dare you ask?”
“My name is Rowland and I but plead for a few moments of your gracious company before I must go off on my quest.”
“Your quest, my lord?” Her emerald eyes sparkled with amusement, as if daring him to impress her.
“I must slay a dragon.”
She giggled and turned to the ladies who flanked her left and right. They could not contain their mirth. She directed her gaze back to him. “My lord, there are no such things as dragons.” She spoke as if sharing some great truth with a child.
“Really, my lady. Please do not tell the dragon hear that, for I fear you will offend him. And his wrath might be terrible.”
I'm kind of obsessed about dragons lately, so this story feels right up my alley. Now, let's take a look at her contemporary romance, Texas Summer
What if your car broke down on a deserted highway in the middle of Texas? Would you think it was fate and that it would change your life?
When Wylie Nichols walked toward the nearest town, his future was forever altered. Waiting was earthy, sexy, enigmatic Kennedy. With a convoluted family history and the power to make his dreams come true.
The problem when you’re a stranger in a small town is you never know what you might discover. In this particular town, there is murder, greed, lust.
“Texas Summer” is a contemporary romance set against the backdrop of murders in a small town and the passion matches the heat of a Texas summer.
The book is currently on sale for just 99¢ on Amazon
Excerpt:
A screen door slammed. The noise caught his attention. A woman appeared on the broken down porch. She leaned against one of the precarious supporting posts and scanned the horizon as if hoping for a miracle to appear out of the air. In her late twenties, she was sensuous, beautiful and earthy. Dark blonde hair, long and unbound, hung down her back. Her clothes were old, but very clean and very tight. The sleeveless white blouse, cut just low enough, emphasized her full breasts. The short dark skirt highlighted shapely legs. Her face was young and fresh, but there was the wisdom of the ancients in those luminous gray eyes.
She boldly watched him approach, braiding her hair as he drew closer. An almost imperceptible breeze lifted a few strands, making them dance to their own rhythm. He felt her eyes and met them with his own. The immediate fire between them was almost palpable. Wylie drew in a breath, mesmerized, stumbled, then caught himself and continued forward, closing the distance. She raised her eyebrows, as if daring him to speak.
“Morning, ma’am.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I wonder if you could tell me how close I am to the nearest town.” He was struck by the directness of her look.
She pointed up the road. “That way, about a quarter of a mile. Snakewater.” Her hand shook a little as she pointed. He couldn’t help but notice. He was surprised; this didn’t seem to be the kind of girl that let someone upset her equilibrium.
When Wylie Nichols walked toward the nearest town, his future was forever altered. Waiting was earthy, sexy, enigmatic Kennedy. With a convoluted family history and the power to make his dreams come true.
The problem when you’re a stranger in a small town is you never know what you might discover. In this particular town, there is murder, greed, lust.
“Texas Summer” is a contemporary romance set against the backdrop of murders in a small town and the passion matches the heat of a Texas summer.
The book is currently on sale for just 99¢ on Amazon
Excerpt:
A screen door slammed. The noise caught his attention. A woman appeared on the broken down porch. She leaned against one of the precarious supporting posts and scanned the horizon as if hoping for a miracle to appear out of the air. In her late twenties, she was sensuous, beautiful and earthy. Dark blonde hair, long and unbound, hung down her back. Her clothes were old, but very clean and very tight. The sleeveless white blouse, cut just low enough, emphasized her full breasts. The short dark skirt highlighted shapely legs. Her face was young and fresh, but there was the wisdom of the ancients in those luminous gray eyes.
She boldly watched him approach, braiding her hair as he drew closer. An almost imperceptible breeze lifted a few strands, making them dance to their own rhythm. He felt her eyes and met them with his own. The immediate fire between them was almost palpable. Wylie drew in a breath, mesmerized, stumbled, then caught himself and continued forward, closing the distance. She raised her eyebrows, as if daring him to speak.
“Morning, ma’am.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I wonder if you could tell me how close I am to the nearest town.” He was struck by the directness of her look.
She pointed up the road. “That way, about a quarter of a mile. Snakewater.” Her hand shook a little as she pointed. He couldn’t help but notice. He was surprised; this didn’t seem to be the kind of girl that let someone upset her equilibrium.
About the Author
Leslie Hachtel was born in Ohio, raised in New York and has been a gypsy most of her adult life. Her various jobs, including licensed veterinary technician, caterer, horseback riding instructor for the disabled and advertising media buyer have given her a wealth of experiences.
However, it has been writing that has consistently been her passion. She sold an episode of a TV show, had a screenplay optioned and has so far produced five novels, including three historicals. "Texas Summer", her contemporary, is now available as an e-book and in print on all major book sites. Her second historical, “The Defiant Bride”, was recently released and is also available as an e-book and in print. “Captain’s Captive” will be published by Black Opal Books this year.
Leslie lives in Cordova, Tennessee with a fabulously supportive engineer husband, a wonderful stepson, Matt and her writing buddy, Jakita, a terrier.
Website
Amazon Author Page
GoodReads
Leslie Hachtel was born in Ohio, raised in New York and has been a gypsy most of her adult life. Her various jobs, including licensed veterinary technician, caterer, horseback riding instructor for the disabled and advertising media buyer have given her a wealth of experiences.
However, it has been writing that has consistently been her passion. She sold an episode of a TV show, had a screenplay optioned and has so far produced five novels, including three historicals. "Texas Summer", her contemporary, is now available as an e-book and in print on all major book sites. Her second historical, “The Defiant Bride”, was recently released and is also available as an e-book and in print. “Captain’s Captive” will be published by Black Opal Books this year.
Leslie lives in Cordova, Tennessee with a fabulously supportive engineer husband, a wonderful stepson, Matt and her writing buddy, Jakita, a terrier.
Website
Amazon Author Page
GoodReads
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