Almost Happy New Year, folks and this week I’m posting a snippet from Reconstructing Charlie, a young woman determined to be one of the rare creatures who still retains her virginity, unheard of at a time when THE PILL freed sexuality from the dark ages. Hmm. Or so history proclaims.
Charlie is at a New Year’s Eve party with her first boyfriend, captain of the football team at Northwestern U where she’s a star athlete in cross country. Even though she’s explained to Tom she intends to remain a virgin, he has other plans. No one ever says no to him. They’re outside on this cold night before the stroke of midnight.
excerpt in eight:
He began with little kisses all over my face, neck, ears and my mouth reached for his, lips parted. Somewhere deep inside I warned myself to know when to say no because he must have majored in making out while I majored in survival skills. His hardness against my thigh told me what he had in mind but so far he didn’t try to go under my dress for easy access where I tingled and my belly hurt with desire.I prayed he wouldn’t go there on his own or at best ask my permission. Oh Tom, I caught my breath with the yearning for him. Don’t spoil us before we’ve begun.
The porch door banged open and his brother Pat and my best friend Shelley handed over two glasses of champagne saying, “Happy New Year, you two.”
Saved by the ball.
for more snippets from talented writers:
Reconstructing Charlie by Charmaine Gordon
Blurb:
Charlie Costigan has a secret. Home life gone from bad to the worst when she protects her mother from another vicious attack by her drunken father. Midnight. Clothes thrown into an old suitcase, she races for the bus with a letter to an unknown aunt and uncle. “This is my daughter. Embrace her as if she were your own.” Determined, Charlie begins again. Alone with her secret.
Author Charmaine Gordon 
This is adorable. I can’t wait to read more.
More to follow. This is an early book of mine and I do love Charlie. Thanks, A.S.
Saved by the bell indeed! I like Charlie’s internal thinking. ..majored in making out while she majored in survival skills. Good one!
History Sleuth – A different murder.
Hi Cindy. Missed you and happy you’re back. Charlie is a kick and tough as you’ll see.
A very true to life snippet and I love your heroine already! Excellent excerpt!
True to life, that’s my style, Veronica. Thanks.
Loved the snippet! Cute! I especially liked: “…he must have majored in making out while I majored in survival skills.” Made me smile.
She’s a smart cookie. Thanks ,Karen.
I’m glad she held out. Considering what she’s been through–she’s set her goals wisely. Sometimes a negative influence can be every bit as motivating as a positive one. 🙂 Good 8, and good book!
Ah Teresa. You read this. Thank you. Too many time peopl;e use a negative background as an excuse for choosing the wrong path in life. But not my Charlie. I raised her right, or rather-wrote her right as a good example.
Great excerpt! Her conflict comes through; it’s pretty hard to stay detached when somebody’s kissing you 🙂
Been there, haven’t we all. Thanks, Marcia.
I’ve missed wewriwa and this is why. I want to know Charlie’s secret. Great 8
I’ll begin from the beginning next week-the secret.
Saved by the Ball!! Love it 😀
Nifty, huh! I laughed when I wrote this, carried away by myself. Oh Geez, an author’s delight. Thanks.
Fun little snippet. Saved by the “ball” hee hee hee!
Thanks, Millie. A good laugh.
I’m starting to dislike this guy, just a little, for thinking he can wheedle her out of a life decision like that. Though for the moment, I’ll give Tom break for being a hormonal young man, and not forcing the issue.
Love how we get to see what she’s thinking, internal conflict is fun–for the reader, not the character, of course.
You are very perceptive, Caitlin. Tom gets his in book three of the series. This is book one when they’re just seventeen/eighteen.
Good for her! (I forgot to sign up, but I posted today. Or rather yesterday.)
Sueann, you sweetie, Happy New Year to you and yours.
Great eight, Charmaine! Happy New Year to you!
Hi Kate, best wishes to you on the happy and healthy New Year.
I had to think about that last line there, seeing as we have a different way of nationally marking the exact moment of the New Year over here.
The ball in Times Square New York is the standard with thousands of people hanging out waiting. It’s televised all over the states.
Yeah, we have the same sort of thing with the chimes of Big Ben.
I love “saved by the ball,” and I really like how she’s aroused, but still determined to be true to her decision—very realistic!
So pleased you enjoyed this snippet. I couldn’t resist it for today.
Tom doesn’t sound like a nice guy to me, not if she’s told him what she wants to do. And not to do.
In book three of the series, Tom gets his come uppance and hard. The Catch is the name of that book. Some guys are too spoiled to take no.
Nice, nice scene. Liked the way you described it.
Thanks for the double nice, Cara.
Wonderful scene. You captured just the right mix of confusion and yearning. Happy new year!
Hi Maggie. I’m super proud of this book. And a Happy New Year back atcha.
I say up front that I read this whole series (so far) and adore each of the characters. I enjoy the inner turmoil Charlie experiences and her resolution to remain… untouched. Great snippet.
Untouched. What a lovely word to use. Thanks Chelle, for your special comment. Happy Healthy New Year to you and your loved ones.