Thursday, July 4, 2013

Happy Fourth of July

I've always loved the Fourth of July...and fireworks!



Thanks for visiting Time for Love during this sensational "When Sparks Fly" hop for the glorious fourth! I'll be giving away a copy of "Happily Ever After", my latest historical romance released by Sweet Cravings Publishing.

My love of fireworks found its way into the story of "Happily Ever After". In the story, Anne has been hired to look after Rowena Mather, a troubled child whose mother has died. In this brief excerpt, Anne takes Rowena to visit Otis, the aged caretaker at the Mather estate. She speaks to Rowena about the promises people make.


~ ~ ~

“Is Old Otis really going to have fireworks?” Rowena asked as they walked through the tall grasses at the edge of the garden.

The dear old fellow had got his hands on an antiquated book published decades earlier—A New and Comprehensive Edition of the Art of Making and Managing Fireworks with Safety and Ease. He'd shown the book to both Anne and Rowena and told them of his plans to try out a few of the recipes. He meant well, of course.

Anne gave her a hesitant smile. “Let's not get our hopes too high.”

“But he promised.” Rowena clutched Anne's hand tighter.

“Yes, I know.” She stopped and stooped down to Rowena's eye level. “Sometimes people make promises and they intend to keep them, but it turns out to be much more difficult than they expected. I'm not sure Otis was able to follow all those old-fashioned firecracker recipes.”

She wished the fellow had never spoken of it to Rowena. The child did not need any more disappointments in her life. It would have been far better to say nothing and then to surprise her, if, indeed, he actually succeeded. Anne had her doubts.

~ ~ ~

By the way, the book old Otis read actually does exist! I don't think I'd want to try making my own firecrackers, though. What's your favorite fireworks? Do you have a favorite Fourth of July memory? 

For a chance to win a Kindle edition of "Happily Ever After", please leave a comment. Our "blog hop" ends on July 4, and I'll be randomly choosing a winner at that time. Please make sure I have your e-mail address so I can "gift" your copy to you.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

To hop along, click HERE
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23 comments:

  1. UnknownJuly 4, 2013 at 3:56 AM

    I highly recommend for you to enter this amazing giveaway, it's a fantastic book!

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    1. Christina ColeJuly 7, 2013 at 2:56 AM

      Thanks so much, Holly! I'm so glad you dropped by. It's always nice to "see" you.

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  2. morganJuly 4, 2013 at 5:39 AM

    Nice excerpt. My sons made fireworks in a summer chemistry class. They no longer offer that class. They blame each other. I never heard the real story. I just know the school was evacuated.

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    1. Christina ColeJuly 7, 2013 at 2:57 AM

      LOL...that sounds like quite a story. What a great incident it would make in a YA novel.

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  3. laurieJuly 4, 2013 at 1:03 PM

    Great excerpt. Sounds like a fun read

    parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

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    1. Christina ColeJuly 7, 2013 at 2:58 AM

      Thanks, Laurie. I'm glad you dropped by during our little hop.

      Delete
  4. UnknownJuly 5, 2013 at 6:57 AM

    Sounds like a great read!

    sassychassy333 at gmail dot com

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    1. Christina ColeJuly 7, 2013 at 2:58 AM

      Thanks, Sassy! I've been having computer/internet issues so I'm a little late replying to messages, but I'm delighted that you stopped by during the hop.

      Delete
  5. Jan HouglandJuly 5, 2013 at 11:45 AM

    Yes, Christina, I believe fairytales DO come true! That's just one of the reasons why I'd like to read your HEA story. As to fireworks, I have many terrific memories of when I was a child and all of my aunts and uncles and we lived in the same small town. Fireworks were always at the high school football field with free homemade ice cream afterwards. It was great family fun. jdh2690@gmail.com

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    1. Christina ColeJuly 7, 2013 at 3:00 AM

      Fourth of July and ice cream go hand in hand, I think. Yep, I've got ice cream in Happily Ever After as part of the celebration. It gets a bit melted though. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your memories.

      Delete
  6. BLHmistressJuly 5, 2013 at 1:57 PM

    I love the finales when it comes to fireworks they are so loud and so pretty.

    vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Christina ColeJuly 7, 2013 at 3:02 AM

      I'm fascinated by fireworks. A few years ago I saw a program on public-TV on how fireworks are made. It always amazes me that there are so many incredible designs, patterns, and colors. Thanks for visiting my blog!

      Delete
  7. FroggyJuly 5, 2013 at 11:30 PM

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    Froggy
    froggarita@gmail.com

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    1. Christina ColeJuly 7, 2013 at 3:03 AM

      Thank you, Froggy, for visiting! Good luck!

      Delete
    2. Christina ColeJuly 9, 2013 at 6:17 AM

      Hi again, Froggy! Random.org has selected you as my winner. I'll be gifting you a Kindle edition of "Happily Ever After". Enjoy!

      Delete
  8. JeanMPJuly 6, 2013 at 12:14 PM

    Favorite fireworks memory, seeing them at Disney World.
    Thanks for the chance
    skpetal at hotmail dot com

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    1. Christina ColeJuly 7, 2013 at 3:04 AM

      Fireworks at Disney World! How fantastic that must have been. Were you able to get any pictures?

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  9. SherryJuly 7, 2013 at 11:23 AM

    Sounds like a great read.
    sstrode at scrtc dot com

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  10. UnknownJuly 7, 2013 at 9:24 PM

    Thanks for the hop! I've never really done much for the Fourth, so I really don't have a favourite memory. =\ I always love to watch the fireworks though!

    Helena Ferrell
    deathangyl@gmail.com

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    1. Christina ColeJuly 8, 2013 at 6:19 AM

      Fireworks are always fun! Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  11. MistyRiosJuly 8, 2013 at 8:07 PM

    Im in Canada so I dont really have a 4th memory
    Thanks so much for the opportunity!
    farmaki(at)live(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Christina ColeJuly 9, 2013 at 6:16 AM

      Canada does have a special celebration of some sort, doesn't it? How do you folks up there celebrate? Glad you stopped by...now I'm going to have to do a little research on Canadian holidays!

      Delete

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