I have a new book out. Actually, it's a new old book. What does that mean? It is one of my former Love Inspired books that was titled
Mommy's Hometown Hero. I received my rights back for that book and reissued it. As you can see, I renamed it
Country Blessings, because this is the middle book in my Dalton Brothers series. The first book is
Four Little Blessings and the third book is
Homecoming Blessings. So it seemed logical to put "blessings" in the title of the second book.
You may be wondering about the title of my post as well. When movies are made, not everything that is filmed winds up in the movie. The same goes for books. During the editing process, scenes get cut.
This book is very dear to my heart because it's set in South Dakota where I was born and where I lived two different times later in my life, from ten to fifteen and again when I was in college. When I first wrote this book, it wasn't long after my mother died suddenly from an accident. In this story my heroine has also lost her mother. Although I never have lived on a farm, my grandparents did. I have many memories of visits to their farm.
When I first proposed this book to my editor, she said I could write the story, but my actress couldn't act. That seems a little silly on the surface, but she had her reasons. Focus groups told the publisher that they didn't like heroes or heroines that were actors, artists, or sports figures. Since most of my story was set in South Dakota, far away from Hollywood and my heroine's acting career, I figured I could cut what was necessary to make the book work for Love Inspired.
Just for fun I'm going to let you read part of a scene that didn't make the cut. Here it is.
He pulled her closer. He didn't want to let her go.
Nothing existed except the two of them. He wanted to disappear with her just as
it could be done by magic in the movies. But that's what she was doing, making
movies, and it was part of her life he'd have to live with.
No one could take her place, but he had to share
her today and forever. He didn't like the idea. He wanted to brand her with his
kiss. Keep her hidden away somewhere. But he knew he was dreaming. He wanted
her to himself, but there was always an intrusion like the commotion coming
from the other room.
“The make-up people are here,” Sarah called.
“I'll be there in a minute.” She gazed at him. “I
have to change. Sorry, you’ll have to go.”
Minutes later, Rachel came out of the bedroom. She
wore pants with full legs and wide bottoms. A loose fitting, cream-colored
blouse with long sleeves and large shoulder pads completed her costume. Everyone
watched transfixed as the make-up artists and hairdresser did their work. When
they finished, Rachel looked as if she had stepped straight out of the 1940's.
“Wow, you look really different,” Erin said, eyes
as big as saucers. “You look like some of the ladies in the pictures my grandma
has in her old photo albums.”
Rachel smiled. “That's the way I'm supposed to
look.”
Matt was as much in awe as Erin. He thought of
touching her just to see if she were real. “You look like someone else,” he
finally said.
“That's good. I'm not Rachel anymore. I've been
transformed into Amelia.” She twirled around in the small confines of the
trailer.
“It's amazing,” Sarah said. “I can hardly wait to
see the actual filming.”
“Let's go. You can walk with me to the set.”
Rachel headed for the door.
They walked across a field where the grass had
been trampled flat. Large cables crisscrossed the ground like enormous, black
snakes. On the other side of a semitrailer Matt saw an area roped off near a
shelterbelt. A crowd had begun to gather—farmers in bib overalls, teenage boys
in ball caps, mothers with children in tow—people of every description. Inside
the rope, crewmen scurried about setting things up for the scene.
As they approached, a murmur went up from the
crowd. People with cameras began snapping pictures. In that instant, Matt
realized dozens of photo albums would contain a picture of him holding Rachel's
hand. So this was what it was like to be a celebrity. Something about it was
totally exciting, but something else was equally forbidding. A part of her life
would always be open for scrutiny, and his, too, if he chose to share it with
her.
When they reached an area of chairs also set off
by ropes, Rachel stopped. “You guys should sit here. You'll be able to see, but
you probably won't be able to hear much.” She gave Becky a hug and Matt a peck
on the cheek.
Rachel walked toward the large directors' chairs
sitting in the field. Ten yards in front of the chairs two cameras were mounted
on platforms, sitting on a small railroad track. The track crossed most of the
field.
A commotion in the crowd drew Matt's attention. A
handsome, dark-haired man, dressed in a World War II army uniform, walked
across the field. Matt thought he recognized the actor. “Isn't that Jackson
Cory?” Matt asked John. “He used to be in all those cop movies.”
“I think you're right. What do you think, Sarah?”
“That's who it is. Rachel told me he was going to
be starring with her.”
Sitting in the chair next to Rachel, Jackson
smiled and spoke to her. She leaned over and said something to him in return. Make-up
artists and hairdressers did a last minute inspection as the stars sat in their
chairs. Matt watched all this with a rising sense of uncertainty. He knew there
was no need to be jealous, but at the same time he wanted to be the one talking
and smiling with Rachel, not this handsome actor.
Rachel and Jackson went to the edge of the
shelterbelt. Cameramen manned their stations. The director appeared to be
giving final instructions to his stars. Then the man with the familiar black
and white clapstick stated the number of the shoot. The sound of the clapstick
brought a silence to the crowd. And finally, the director called for action.
Again Matt wanted to be in the other man's place
as Rachel walked hand in hand with her leading man. They strolled. Then they
stopped and talked. The cameras followed the actors' movements as strong-armed
men pushed the camera platforms along the track.
Five minutes later all action stopped. The two
stars took their seats while the director talked with them. Cameras were pushed
back to the starting place along the track. Soon they were doing the same scene
again.
After several takes Matt turned to Sarah. “I can't
hear what they're saying, can you?”
“No. I wonder how many times they're going to walk
that same twenty feet, stop, and then do it over again.” She leaned closer and
whispered, “No wonder Becky said it was boring.”
Matt chuckled. “They should at least serve
popcorn.”
“I hope we see a little more action, especially
since we can't hear what they're saying,” Sarah added.
There was a consultation amongst all the
principals, and then the filming began again. The same thing continued for
about an hour until they took a break.
Rachel had eyes only for Matt as she made her way
to the edge of the roped area. “Have you fallen asleep yet? I'm sorry we're not
shooting a more exciting scene today.”
“It was interesting, at least the first time,”
Matt said, knowing how much he had enjoyed just watching her.
Do you like to read about actors or sports figures, or do you prefer to read about people who are more like you?
I'll be giving away an ebook copy of the first book in the Dalton Brothers series,
Four Little Blessings, to one person who leaves a comment. I will draw the winner on April 15 at 9PM EDT.
Merrillee Whren is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award presented by Romance Writers of American. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of forty-plus years, and has two grown daughters. Connect with her on her Facebook page and sign up for her newsletter.
Good morning! Today I'd like to talk about creating New Year resolutions. As a writer, I'm always setting goals, it's a good way to keep myself on track. But I tend to shy away from the idea of making New Year resolutions.
Anyone else? I'd love to hear your thoughts. And if you do make New Year resolutions that you've been successful with in the past, let me know. I'm always happy to be proven wrong.
